Y/n's pov

We all looked back at the mountains behind us and saw fire burning over the top of it, most likely the doing of Malty. We packed up all of our stuff and immediately began leaving the area to somewhere we would be safe. We made our way to a town and found a place to hide out while we waited for things to settle down a bit. In the morning Naofumi left to gather information and get some resources that we might need. Once he had returned we left into the forested area that had survived the fire. Naofumi looked down at his map, thinking out loud "Travel to Siltvelt is currently impossible for us... Is doing what that shadow said really our only option?" I sighed and looked at him "It's our best option currently, so we should try it." Naofumi nodded and looked at the rest of the group "We are going to see the queen then."

We continued to walk through the trees and bushes, staying out of clear sight of any roads or paths. We eventually came across a farming land that was being worked on by Demi-humans. They wore normal clothes and didn't seem to be in any sort of bad shape. They were working hard and seemingly enjoying themselves as they worked. Raphtalia spoke up "There are a lot of demi-humans in this region" Rifana nodded, watching the workers. Melty looked around the area a bit "Are we in..... I see!" Filo looked over at Melty "What is it?" Melty spoke "a nobleman I know is in charge of this domain. He may be able to help us out." Naofumi looked at her "A nobleman?" Melty nodded "These days, humans treat demi-humans like slaves, but in the past, some of the nobility tried to mediate peaceful coexistence between the two races. The leader of that group was a wonderful man. He was the lord of the domain of Seyaette. But he died in the first wave, and the nobles that sided with him were all shuffled off to remote regions under Father's orders" Both Raphtalia and Rifana reacted to the mention of Seyaette, so I looked over at them "Is something wrong you two?" Rifana nodded, gently grabbing onto Raphtalia's hand. Raphtalia spoke "The village we are from is in the Seyaette's jurisdiction." Melty stared at them in a bit of shock "I heard Seyaette was attacked by rioters after the wave." Rifana was looking down as Raphtalia spoke again "That's right. The village was attacked by a mob of Melromarc's soldiers." Naofumi frowned, looking at Raphtalia "The more I hear about these people, the more they disgust me."

Melty was looking down, clinching the cloth of her dress. "I'm sorry" Rifana spoke up in a low voice "It's not your fault..." Melty replied "As royalty, there must have been something we could have done. But we did nothing to help. Raphtalia-san, Rifana-san, tell me everything you remember about those soldiers. Once this all dies down, I'll make sure they're brought to justice." As they talked I looked back, sensing someone watching us, only to see a clearly nobleman walking up silently as they spoke. Naofumi was leaning against a tree looking over at Melty "And? This nobleman you know lives here , right?" Melty nodded and Naofumi continued "The question is whether or not we can trust him" I stared at the nobleman that the others had yet to notice "I think we can trust him, he would have attacked if we couldn't" The nobleman spoke "You are indeed right" Everyone let out a gasp and turned around, looking at the nobleman as well. Naofumi, Raphtalia, and Rifana stood on guard while Melty smiled and walked closer "It's been too long Reichnott." Reichnott smiled at Melty "welcome, Melty-sama." He looked over at Naofumi as he continued "Pleased to meet you, I am Van Reichnott, the lord of this domain." Naofumi stared at Reichnott, clearly suspicious of him. "This is no place for a chat, would you like to join me at my mansion?" Reluctantly Naofumi agreed, heading to the mansion with the stealthy noble.

After arriving at the mansion and explaining the situation to Reichnott, we were all sat at a dinning room. Reichnott was staring out a window as he spoke to us "So you reached my domain after a long escape, is it? The knights informed me that you started the wildfires to cover your tracks, Shield Hero." Naofumi spoke out in a slightly aggravated voice "That's a complete lie. The first princess probably made it all up." Reichnott nodded "Just as I though. I was patrolling the area out of concern for Melty-sama, too." The doors suddenly opened as 2 mains brought in food "You must be exhausted from your travels. Please rest up here for a while, if you wish." The maids set the food out on the table if front of us before bowing and leaving the room. Filo stared at the food excitedly "Can i eat master?" Naofumi looked over at her "No, wait. I don't trust this guy yet." As Naofumi spoke Reichnott walked over and took a piece of food out from in front of him, eating it. "Ah, this is delicious. Rest assured, the food isn't poisoned." After that Filo immediately picked up some food "Thanks for the food!" as she went to eat, Raphtalia spoke up "Filo! Where are your manners?" Filo let out a noise of displeasure as she set down the food, picking up the utensils in front of her before eating. Raphtalia looked over at Naofumi "Let us eat too, Naofumi-sama." Melty spoke in a disappointed manner "Casting doubts on such gracious hospitality? How rude can you be?" I spoke up "As someone who has been poisoned before, I can say that his doubts aren't unfounded." Melty glared at me a bit.

Naofumi spoke again "We shouldn't stay here long. We're leaving tomorrow morning." Naofumi began eating and Melty stared at him "That soon?" He continued to eat as he spoke "The longer longer we stay, the higher the odds of us being sniffed out. " Melty sighed "Well yes.... but I was hoping to rest a little longer." Reichnott smiled and spoke "You've changed a little, Princess Melty. You used to force yourself to act more mature, but it seems traveling with the Shield Hero has helped you grow in a good way" Melty blushed a bit until Naofumi spoke "I think you mean in a bad way." Melty glared at him, standing up with her hands slammed down on the table "Sh-shut up!" "Don't make a racket while we are eating" "Whose fault do you think it is?!" I put a hand on Melty's shoulder and sighed "Calm down Melty, you should return to eating and ignore him for now. It would be a waste to let good food go cold" She huffed and sat back down, muttering something before she went back to eating the food in front of her.

Later, at night, we were all in a room with enough beds for each of us. Filo rolled around on one bed, excitedly; Melty was sitting on the edge of another bed, watching Filo; Raphtalia set up a bed for Naofumi; Rifana was already laying in a bed, falling asleep; I was sitting by the door, looking over my stats and the new [Sin of Wrath] abilities; and Naofumi was standing at the window, watching over the road outside. Melty was trying to get Naofumi to sleep, but he refused, saying he was going to keep watch. Then Raphtalia offered to keep watch instead, so Naofumi went to bed. Melty was obviously upset that he didn't listen to her but would listen to Raphtalia, so she left with Filo. The two went out into the courtyard and sat at a bench. I didn't want to invade on any private conversation they were having, so I went up to the roof of the mansion by climbing out of one of the windows. I sat down on the highest point I could and looked up at the night sky. I opened my skill menu as I watched the stars, looking at the [Sin of wrath] again, trying to understand the uses for it. Each skill in the set had boosted attack when I am angry, and a few of them aren't usable since they would require me to be hit with an elemental attack of some sort. Another thing that seemed strange to me was a skill that sat at the end of the skill line, [Sin of Wrath: Autopilot]. Pride didn't have a skill like this in the skill line, and there weren't any locked skills in the pride set. The [Sin of Wrath: Autopilot] looked like a gamble skill. If I become enraged, the skill can activate and I will lose control of my body. All of my stats will be boosted and anything seen as an enemy will be attacked. The skill doesn't have any ways to deactivate unless I am calmed down, and it seems that party members can be seen as enemies if they show any signs of aggression.

I sighed and closed my skill menu, only focusing up at the sky. This world isn't as cruel as my previous one, however it had a lot more issues with it's civilization. Corruption, stupidity, arrogance. Most people in power have one of those things going on, which makes one question if they are really worth saving. Being a hero sounds more fun than actually is, but here being a hero is just a title given to the ones that are summoned into it. The 4 cardinal heroes, they are supposed to be working with each other to stop the calamity, yet none of them seem to be mature enough to be called heroes. Motoyasu is easily swayed by woman and thinks that he can have any girl he wants just because he is a hero. Ren Doesn't take any of this seriously and thinks it is still a game. Itsuki ran off to go do his own thing, trying to be some vigilante rouge. Naofumi is constantly fixing messes and trying to help, but he puts on a bad guy act and doesn't trust anyone, not even his own allies. With all the shit that has been going wrong in the kingdom, it will be a miracle if they don't all die before a wave even starts.

Looking down at the chains wrapped on my wrists reminds me of all the chaos and destruction that can be caused, not only by the calamity, but by heroes as well. If I hadn't worked hard enough on my control, I could be killing everyone around me every time I fight. The Heroes here can't seem to understand that. Their actions, their beliefs, their personalities. It all can create events that could ruin the world even if it is saved...

I am brought out of my thoughts by a noise nearby me. I look over and see Rifana climbing up onto the roof. "There you are master, you've been gone for quiet a long time." I stare at her for a bit before shaking my head "sorry Rifana, I've just been thinking and watching the stars." Rifana nodded and stared up at me "can I join you?" I scooted over a bit, leaving room for her to sit my me. She smiled and climbed up, sitting next to me and leaning her head on my shoulder. I smiled and gently pet her, causing her to make a purr like noise. I kept petting, staring down at her head. She spoke up again after a while "Master... are you planning on leaving?" I stopped petting and stared at her "What do you mean by that?" She looked up at me with a sad look on her face "when the waves are over. and the world is safe. are you going to leave, Like the other heroes?" I sighed and looked up at the sky "I don't think i'd have a choice on leaving or staying... If the calamity isn't completely stopped, I'll just be taken to another world to fight again. and even if I do have the chance to return to my original world. I don't think there is any reason to" Rifana hugged my side "why?" I looked at her again and pet her "I've been gone from my original world for most of my life. At this point, I don't think I could call that world my home anymore. As long as I can remember, I've been this." I held up my arm with my chains on it. "all I've come to know is being the Chain hero. But now, I'm not a hero anymore. I don't know what I am anymore..." Rifana hugged onto me tighter "You're you. The kind, strong, smart, and brave person that helps others." I smiled and pet her more "That's how you see me. You've only known me as the guy that saved you and raised you to fight. You don't know who I am other than that. I could be some horrible person that leaves planets to die and you haven't known" Rifana giggled and looked up at me "But there is no way you are like that Master. you're too nice to do that" I kept a smile on my face and ruffled her hair "sure I am.... Come on, lets get back to the room. We need to get some rest."

The next morning-

I got up early in the morning to see Raphtalia seemingly having a nightmare with Rifana laying next to her, hugging her. Raphtalia sat up quickly, woken up from her nightmare as she called out for Rifana. Rifana immediately sat up and hugged her tighter than before "I'm right here, it's okay." Raphtalia hugged onto her, slowly calming herself down. I looked around the room and saw that Melty and Filo weren't in the room. Naofumi spoke up suddenly "We've got back news" I looked over at him before walking over to the window to see what he was referring to. Down in the front of the mansion, Reichnott was being arrested by a group of soldiers. The doors to the room opened and a maid walked in, beginning to explain the situation "A nobleman from the next town over marched in here and accused us of hiding you!" Soldiers began coming into the building and we began following the maid. Rifana spoke up, questioning the maid"Where are we going?" the maid responded, not slowing down"We are going to the kitchen, you can use the back exit to escape" I frowned and spoke "where are Melty and Filo?" The maid frowned "I don't know, another maid is going to find them." I frowned "you guys go on ahead, I'm going to make sure they are safe." Naofumi nodded and I split off from the group, searching around for Melty, making sure to avoid the soldiers that are practically everywhere.

I eventually found her in the hall and went over to her "Mel, are you okay?" She looked over at me and rushed over to me, nodding "what's going on? I heard a bunch of people breaking in" "Some nobleman sent soldiers over here and accused Reichnott of hiding Naofumi, They are ransacking the place looking for our group. Where is Filo?" "Filo is hiding up in the attic, I told her to hide up there until I find her." I nodded and looked around "There is an escape route in the kitchen, let's head there to meet up with the others, then we can come up with a plan to get Filo" Melty shook her head "I'm going to confront them, they are looking for me." I stared at her for a moment before nodding "Alright, then let's go be some decoys for Naofumi" She nodded and we headed to the kitchen.

When we got to the kitchen, we saw 2 soldiers beginning to roughly grab onto the maid that was leading Naofumi and the others. Melty stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips and I stood behind her. Melty called out at the soldiers "What do you think you are doing? I am Melty Melromarc, Second Princess of Melromarc. I demand that you cease this behavior at once!" The soldiers looked at each other "The second princess?" "the real deal?" Suddenly, a very fat man walked up ""My, if it isn't Princess Melty." Melty looked back to the guy "Aren't you..." The fat man bowed "I'm so glad to see you're all right. I rushed here worried for your safety" The fat man had a very sleazy look on his face as he spoke" Melty frowned looking at him "Idol Rabier... I've heard that you fought with Father in the past." "You heard right." Melty looked at the soldiers "Are these your troops?" "They are indeed" Melty looked back at him "Have them withdraw form this mansion immediately." "Before that, where is the Devil of the Shield" Melty didn't falter "The Shield Hero isn't here." "oh?" I spoke up "After he had made his escape, he left us. We came here to rest before we return to the capital to speak with the king" Idol smirked "I'll make arrangements for your journey at my mansion." He looked at the soldiers "Take them" The soldiers stood on opposite sides of us and began trying to force us forward. I put a hand on one of their shoulders each and gripped tighlty, bending the metal of their armor " I can escort the princess outside. You leave this mansion like you were told." They nodded and quickly stepped away as I walked with Melty to the outside.

When we arrived at the Mansion, I immediately recognized the place. It was the same place that I had broke Rifana out of when I had first arrived in this world. Idol had taken us to an empty room that overlooked the front of the mansion and had us wait. As the sun set, Demi-humans from Reichnott's domain were gathered at the gate of the mansion, rioting and demanding Idol to return Reichnott to them. Idol looked out the window and scowled "Damn Demis.." Melt frowned and looked at him "What's going on out there?" "Just a bunch of annoying flies buzzing around. We will take care of them soon... Now" Idol stood a small distance away from Melty and spoke "Tell me where the Devil of the Shield is" Melty stared at him "I told you before, I do not know where the shield hero is." Idol walked over to the door as it was opened and 2 soldiers dragged in Reichnott. Melty gasped out "Reichnott?!" Idol walked over and grabbed him by the hair, lifting his head up "Where is the Devil of the Shield?" Reichnott smiled with his eyes shut "I know no such person. The only one I know is called the Shield Hero" Idol punched him in the gut and looked over at Melty "As you can see, we're having a hard time getting him to spill the beans. I would very much like to avoid getting rough with you if possible. but as a servant of God, I must punish anyone who sides with the Devil. That is my sacred duty" Idol held up a pendant of the Three Heroes Church, smirking over at us. My fists clenched as Idol began walking over to Melty slowly, a smirk never leaving his face.

Melty cried out as she was backed into a corner "Stay back!" His smirked grew "I love that valient look on your face! I want to see it become despair, and your face warp in agony. Let me have a good look at you!" Before he could get any closer, I stepped forward and punched him as hard as I could, knocking him back a distance with a cracking noise accompanying the hit. As he sat up from the ground, a loud rumbling noise was heard. The door opened as a guard yelled out "Sir! The devil of the shield has invaded the Mansion!" Suddenly the wall burst open as Filo charged trough it, headbutting the guard away. Raphtalia stood beside Filo, sword in hand. Melty tried to run to them, but Idol got up from the ground and grabbed her by the hair. He held her to his side and pointed his sword at her neck. "Take one step forward and the princess's head will fly" My anger began rising as I let my chain unravel from my arm. Noafumi's voice came from the dust of the broken wall "So we have a standstill then? Air Strike Shiled!" His shield ability seperated Melty from Idol so I used my chain to wrap around Idols neck and threw him to the wall furthest from the door. Idol glared at all of us from the spot on the floor he was in as Melty went over to Filo "Naofumi!" she quickly stuffed down her excitement and put on an upset face "Why did you come?" Naofumi responded "Because I've never heard of a hero who abandons a child to run away" Melty turned away "Now you've wasted all my efforts.... but.... thanks."