Chapter 32 When will they leave me alone?

As they left the castle with their rewards, issei and Raphtalia went to the slave merchant because while Issei was fighting against Motoyasu, they removed her slave crest, but Raphtalia wanted to get another one.

"So you want a new slave crest?" Asked the slave merchant as he looked at Raphtalia.

"Yes, I would like to get another one" Said Raphtalia

But before they could begin the process Issei remembered something that he wanted to try out.

"Wait, I want to test something out" Said Issei and gained curious looks from both Raphtalia and the slave merchant.

"Slave shield!" Called out, but his shield stayed normal except its gem glowed green and got some black and red runes on it that they didn't understand.

"Raphtalia, hold your hand above mine" Said Issei.

He read the instructions on the screen that popped out in his vision and understood what he had to do.

Raphtalia did as told and held her hand out above issei's and suddenly a green magic circle appeared between their hands.

"Raphtalia, will you become my slave and always aid me if the need arrives? will you become my sword and help me eliminate my foes?" Asked Issei as he looked at her with a serious expression.

"Yes, i will become your sword and help you whenever" Replied Raphtalia and the magic circle glowed dark orange.

"Then I, Issei Y Ddraig Goch the heavenly dragon king, make you my slave" Said Issei and the magic circle turned crimson red until it shattered into tiny particles and a mark appeared on Raphtalia in the same place where the old one resided.

But this one was completely different.

It was green and had a dragon in it.

Raphtalia and the slave merchant looked at Issei in amazement.

"Boy, even tho I didn't get paid because you did it yourself, I shall give you something interesting because you showed me something really astonishing today!" Said exited Slave merchant.

"Thank you Issei, the mark looks beautiful" Said Raphtalia with a bright smile.

'She looks cute when she smiles' Thought issei.

'Brother, just ask her out already' Said Ddraig.

'Shut it you and go to sleep' Said Issei mentally.

'Either he is still scared because of his past trauma or he had other reasons' Thought Ddraig.

"So how does it look?" Asked Raphtalia as she showed him the crest near her breasts.

"I-it looks good on you" Said issei with a blush as he turned away while Raphtalia just smiled a smile full of happiness.

"I can't believe that you got that previous sick and scrawny girl into a beautiful woman" Said the slave merchant.

"If she was a virgin I'd give you twenty" Said Slave master.

"But I am a virgin!" Shouted Raphtalia.

"Thirty gold pecies" Said an even more excited slave merchant.

"Thirty gold pecies hmm?" Asked Issei as he considered the deal jokingly.

"Issei!" Shouted Raphtalia.

"I'm just teasing you, I won't give you to anyone I love you" Said Issei but immediately froze after he realized what he said while Raphtalia's eyes widened and a strong blush formed on both of their faces.

'THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME!!' Shouted Issei inside of his head while Ddraig was laughing his ass off.

'Brother you should listen to me' Said Ddraig.

'I can't Ddraig, I don't even know if she likes me that way, plus the girls back at home will kill me if I bring another girl out of nowhere while they are worried sick' Said Issei mentally

"Anyways, here is the thing I promised" Said Slave merchant.

"This is a monster egg lottery for hundred silvers, I guarantee at least a filolial but as I said earlier I'll give you for free" Said the slave merchant.

"What are filolials?" Asked confused Issei.

"T-those are the giant birds that you saw pulling people's carriages" Said Raphtalia as she was still thinking about what Issei said.

"And if you hit the jackpot you'll win a dragon, that is worth at least twenty gold pecies!" Said the slave merchant.

"Interesting" Said Issei as he took the egg.

Later on they went to sell some medicine to the same guy he sold it for the first time.

"Oh, hello there Shield hero I have something for you, an old friend of mine from Lute asked me to help you make better medicine than what you are giving me right now" Said the man as he took out a book.

"Maybe someone that you saved there?" Asked Raphtalia.

"Guess so" Said Issei as he opened the book.

"But i can't read anything in this book I don't know this world's language" Said Issei.

"Oh, by the way, an old hag not far from here asked for you to come as you saved her grandchildren back then" Said the man.

"Alright, will do, and thanks for the book" Said Issei as he and Raphtalia left.

At the, as the man said old hags place.

"I see that you have rare affinities for healing, support magic, shadows, ice, fire, and dragon magic, holy magic as well! it's amazing really and the lady here has an affinity for light and dark magic she is half raccoon after all make sure she learns illusion magic" Said an old woman as she looked at a crystal ball.

Then she took out a book and put it in front of Issei and Raphtalia.

"Woah, we don't have the money to buy a magic grimoire" Said Issei.

"Oh don't worry, about it it's a gift for saving my grandchildren" Said the old woman with a kind smile.

After a while they decided to take a break for the rest of the day and try to figure out what to do with the books.

"I really can't read it" Said Issei as he looked at the book while he and Raphtalia sat against a tree.

"Well let's learn it together" Said Raphtalia.

"To read and the magic?" Asked Issei.

"Yep! but the keyword is together" Said Raphtalia as she came closer to Issei and their faces met.

They both blushed as they remembered what Issei said earlier today.

"I-I guess the next wave isn't coming anytime soon so I guess we can do this" Said Issei as he stood up and started to walk away slowly.

"Let's crash down in Lute village and then tomorrow we can grind some levels" Said Issei.

"Sure thing" Said Raphtalia as she smiled again making Issei blush because of her cuteness and beauty.

Next really early morning Issei woke Raphtalia up because something important came up.

"Hey! wake up Raphtalia" Said Issei as he shook her lightly.

Raphtalia woke up with a grunt and looked at issei. Issei was looking at the same monster egg that he got yesterday from the slave merchant and it was cracking.

Raphtalia stood next to Issei and as the egg finished cracking a small purple dragon looking monster with red eyes popped out and as soon as it saw Issei it's instincts screamed at him to bow down before Issei as it could feel the power from Issei.

The little dragon bowed as he unfolded its small wings.

Issei and Raphtalia looked shocked at the little dragons behaviour but Ddraig suddenly explained.

"Brother, dragons that are way weaker than you will bow down to you and will be under your command" Said Ddraig.

"Really? I didn't know that this could happen" Said Issei as he looked at the little dragon.

As Issei stretched his arm towards the little dragon, it shivered from the fear but as soon as it felt Issei petting him it calmed down and enjoyed the petings and scratchings.

"It's more of a dog than a dragon" Said Issei as Raphtalia giggled.

"It's cute" Said Raphtalia as she did the same as Issei.

"So what ya gonna name him?" Asked Issei.

"Why me? But you got it not me" Said Raphtalia.

"I know but this little bud here is not just mine but yours too" Said Issei.

"Alright then" Said Raphtalia as she smiled at Issei.

"How about hmmmmm Zin!" Said Raphtalia.

"Zin? I'm cool with it" Said Issei as the little dragon flew up and started to circle around them both from above and then landed on Raphtalia's shoulder with a small roar.

"That was cute" Said Raphtalia.

"Don't say that to a dragon again, it hurts the dragon's pride when you say that it's roar is cute" Said Issei with a serious voice tone.

"Huh? Oh! I'm so sorry" Said Raphtalia as she scratched Zin's jaw.

"Zin get of off me for now" Said Raphtalia and Zin did just that.

"Wait shouldn't he listen only to me?" Asked Issei.

"That is true but the dragon thinks she is your mate" Informed Ddraig.

Raphtalia turned beet red but Issei fantasized about how Raphtalia became his mate and he returned to his world together with her and a smile formed on his face which didn't go unnoticed by Raphtalia.

After that they ate breakfast, they went to level up a bit and Zin helped out a lot as it was a little faster to gain experience and protected Raphtalia from any danger which satisfied Issei very much.

As the day went by, Zin somehow got bigger but not too big about as big as an eagle but that was not the only thing that changed, he got more powerful than he was earlier when they started.

Right now Issei, Zin and Raphtalia were inside their room but suddenly they heard a commotion outside.

They got outside and saw a bunch of knights Myne and Motoyasu.

"From the last wave sir Motoyasu has been appointed to rule this village to help with rebuilding, we decided to put a toll of fifty silver to enter and fifty to exit" Said Myne.

"But that will ruin us" Said one of the villagers

"We won't have any money to buy food tomorrow" Said another one making Myne angry.

"Do you dare to defy the lord's orders?" Said Myne irritated.

"Hell yeah I do" Shouted Issei from behind the crowd.

"Tch the Shield hero, what are you still doing here? this is sir Motoyasu's domain now you have no right to question him" Asked Myne even more angry.

"Actually, leave this instant you misirable criminal" Said Myne.

"I'll be glad to leave but the villagers won't be too happy. Motoyasu do you even know how much it costs here to stay here for a night?" Asked Issei.

"Well uhh I mean..." Said Motoyasu not knowing shit.

"Only one silver for a night meals included and you want to take fifty so that they could just enter or exit?! That's the dumbest thing I've heard in a while" Said Issei.

"Yeah he's right!" Shouted the villagers.

"You have no right to call yourself our lord here!"

"The Shield hero was the one who saved this village in the first place!" Complained villagers.

"You dare to complain?" Said Myne as the knights readied their weapons.

"I suggest you knock it off!" Shouted Issei and with a snap of his fingers and shadow chains wrapped around all the knights Myne and Motoyasu.

"W-w-what is this?!" Shouted Myne.

"Release us you coward!" Shouted Motoyasu.

Suddenly three figures landed in front of Myne.

"You know who we represent" Said the one in the middle.

"Yes but why are you here?" Asked Myne.

"Shield hero, please release her at least for a moment" Said the masked person.

"Sure" Replied Issei as the chains vanished but only from Myne.

"Here" Said the masked person as she/he gave Myne a scroll.

"Issei, do you know who these people are?" Asked Raphtalia.

"Nope not a clue but I have a good feeling" Said Issei as his smile widened.

"How could this be?!" Said irritated Myne as she finished reading the scroll she was given.

"Shield hero! fight us for the right to rule this village!" Shouted Myne as she pointed at Issei.

"Huh? but I don't wanna right now, it's a waste of my time to fight you" Said Issei.

"But sir, please accept or our village will fall under the Spear hero's hands" Said the villager.

"Plus we don't have any right to challenge a cardinal hero" Said the villager.

Issei looked at Raphtalia and she didn't say anything but he saw in her eyes that she wanted him to do something about it so with a tired sigh he spoke.

"Alright I'll help you" Said Issei as he turned towards Myne.

"Alright I accept your challenge for this village but I don't have all day for this nonsense so what do I have to do?" Asked Issei.

"How about a contest?" Said Raphtalia.

"What kind of contest?" Asked Issei.

"Well who has the most impressive skills, powers, and such" Explained Raphtalia.

"Sure I'll crush him easily, a mere shield won't show any impressive skills anyways" Mocked Motoyasu.

"Sure whatever you say" Said Issei.

Raphtalia knew that Issei had the power and skills since he was a dragon.

She wanted to see him use some kind of dragon power so she was excited.

"You'll have three rounds the judges will be these three mysterious people that came here and Raphtalia.

"First round you'll have to show your strongest attack" Said Raphtalia.

"Alright easy enough now watch and learn Issei that you are the weakest here" Said Motoyasu as his spear transformed a bit bigger and sharper.

"Cardinal lightning spear!" Shouted Motoyasu as a blue electricity beam shot up the sky.

"Hah beat that!" Said Motoyasu.

"Sure easy enough" Said Issei as he summoned his boosted gear.

Everyone looked curious as to what he was doing and where that thing came from.

Issei opened his palm and a tiny red ball appeared as he aimed towards the sky.

"Pffft that supposed to be impres-" Motoyasu wanted to mock Issei but something happened that shocked all of the spectators.

"DRAGON SHOT!" Roared Issei and Ddraig at the same time and an enormous red beam shot up into the sky.

Everyone felt the power of the beam and its size was five times bigger than Motoyasu's Cardinal lightning spear.

"First round wins The Shield hero, I dare say" Said the masked person.

"I'll get you next time" Mumbled Motoyasu while Myne was pissed off.

"For the next round you have to show the strongest form of your weapon" Said Raphtalia.

"You mean his spear and my shield?" Asked Issei.

"Yes" Answered Raphtalia.

She knew that Issei was asking if he could show off with his boosted gear but Raphtalia wanted to see his shield for now.

Motoyasu pointed his spear into the air and shouted.

"Heavenly spear!" Shouted Motoyasu and his spear transformed into an extremely sharp one and elegant.

It definitely impressed people around seeing his spear.

'Youll definitely lose this competition' Thought Motoyasu.

'What should I show?' Asked Issei himself.

'Brother remember you unlocked dragon's will' Said Ddraig.

"Dragon's wil!" Shouted Issei and his shield transformed into a bigger one, black and red carvings with red gems and the biggest gem in the middle burned with Ddraig's flame while the other gems were at the shield's edges, and black shadow chains wrapped around it into an X and few red spikes from its sides.

Everyone watched in awe.

"This win definitely goes to the Shield hero" Said the masked person.

Right now Motoyasu and Myne were pissed beyond.

Then an idea struck her.

"Now for the last round you will have to show an impressive skill" Said Raphtalia.

'I feel that someone just used magic' Said Ddraig mentally.

'Yeah I felt it too' Replied Issei.

"lightning spear cage!" Shouted Motoyasu and a big cage made out of red lightning spears.

It looked impressive and it was strong too.

'She enhanced him with magic' Thought Issei as he looked at smug Myne.

'We both can play this game' Thought Issei as he boosted himself silently without boosted gear as he learned this skill from Ddraig in the time barrier.

Now it was issei's turn.

'Hmm. I wonder what I should show" Thought Issei. Then he thought of creating something on the spot.

"Fire dragon's shield!" Roared Issei and the flames and his red aura shot out from the red gem of issei's dragon's will shield into the air but it wasn't just like a beam or anything, from the fire a human sized dragon formed and flew with its wings towards the sky but it wasn't just any dragon as it took Ddraig's appearance.

It flew until it exploded and an enormous fire shield appeared and of course those were Ddraig's flames but mixed with Vritra's and Yu long's to make the skill stronger and more effective.

Everyone had their eyes widened as dinner plates.

'I think this skill will be useful' Thought Issei to himself.

"The winner is obvious, and the right to rule this village goes to the Shield hero I dare say" Announced the masked person.

Motoyasu Myne and the knights left too. Motoyasu and Myne were extremely pissed off and grumpy.

"Before you leave can I know who are you?" Asked Issei.

"We are queen's shadows, I dare say" Said one of them before leaving.

Every villager cheered for issei and they had quite a feast.