VIII

"Woah! It's already lvl 12!"

Raphtalia said in suprise.

Honestly none of us were expecting it to level up so fast.

"Is it because of the monster handler shield I had made earlier?"

Master mentioned, thinking about the cause of it's quick level ups. Though hearing about the subject made me a little frustrated.

I feel a hand start to pat my head, him seemingly noticing my mood about the it.

I could feel Raphtalia's smug stare, the talk we had the other day with the bald dude coming to mind.

I honestly wasn't sure how to go about all of this.

'These new emotions and feelings are overwhelming.'

I still don't know whether i'm Nyx or that person in my cloudy memories.

I looked at my hand, trying to remember how my old one looked, yet nothing came to mind.

I clenched it, finding resolve.

'But I can't just ginore these feelings, so until I can get a proper answer i'll live this life like I have so far.'

Though my thoughts stopped dead in their tracks after a few chirps and squeals.

I turn to look at the 'baby?' Filolial on Master's head.

"Do they normally grow that fast?"

'That's a good question Raphtalia, a good question indeed.'

As it was starting to look more fat than filolial I found myself asking what we were feeding it quite often.

-:About a Week Later:-

I could feel a bead of sweat drip down my cheek as I stared at the fluffy beast in front of me.

In a little over a week, the small baby filoliol grew up to maturity.

'Where they supposed to grow this fast?'

I looked over to my left, master's expression showing that he was just as perplexed.

"Oh, Raphtalia. You're finally up."

Raphtalia yawns, walking out of the inn wiping the tired out of her eyes as she approached us.

"Hm? What are you guys doing up so early?"

"We were playing a bit with Filo."

She blinked, a bit confused.

"Filo?"

"Yeah, that's what i've named her. Fogured i'd give her a name now that she's all grown up."

Master pet her as he said her name, seemingly a little proud about his naming sense.

I pat Filo, snuggling up in it's soft feathers. They were cozy and warm, almost like a kotatsu.

'I hope she gets fluffier.'

-:-:-

We took a small walk around the town, letting Filo take a bit of a walk as I rode on her.

"What's going on here? Shouldn't you guys be focusing on the re-construction?"

We stopped at a large group of people, seeming like a celebration or something with all the commotion.

One of them turning around at master's question. He seemed more perplexed about the situation then we were.

"Ah, shield hero... we'd love to but-"

The old man who tried to answer was suddenly interrupted.

"That being said! The king has declaired me, to be in charge of the re-construction! I, Motoyasu Kitamura am now your lord."

'Oh, it's the shit bag.'

"Motoyasu? The hell is he doing here?"

That's honestly a really good question.

"Naofumi? What are you doing here? I've claimed this land as my base!"

If I felt like expressing any kind of emotions right now it would be utter confusion.

"Hah? Who the hell permitted that?"

Master questioned, he was obviously pretty pissed off by the sudden development

"What, you haven't heard yet?"

I elbow Raphtalia to put her sword away as the red hair witch reveals her face.

"Lord Motoyasu was acknowledged for his efforts during the wave, by the king himself get it."

I sigh, the whole situation a scheme between all 3 of those idiots likely.

"This lady..."

He cursed under his breath, I tug at his sleeve trying to give him even a little reassurance.

"Starting today we'll impose a new Tax throughout the village! 50 silver coins to enter, and 50 to leave!"

'50!?'

Everyone looked in shock at the obsurd demand. An entire gold coin just for an entry and leave tax is insane.

'What kind of luna- Oh, right.'

"Are you insane?! A whole gold coin just for a simple entry and leave tax?"

One of the villagers stressed their anger, yelling at them about their insanity.

"Do you have any idea the cost to sleep a single day at an inn here is?"

Motoyasu looks at Master dumbfounded as he speaks up.

"1 silver coin, on average an adult spending on daily necceseties only has to spend about 20 copper.

That added with that tax would drain everyone here of what little they already have, is rebuildimg this town really woth that?"

He glares at them, not afraid to show it as we ready our weapons.

"This is neccesary for rebuilding the village, you say you're going to go against the kings orders himself?"

The soldiers around them ready their weapons as we prepare for a fight. I stepped forward, swinging my sword before I stop in place.

Presences appearing behind and around the Princess and Spear Hero.

Cloaked figures seemingly teleporting around them if it wasn't for the presences I sensed before hand.

"Unfortunately we can't allow that to happen."

The princess turns around in utter shock at their appearance.

"Lady Main, I assume you're aware of us. We have brought a notice at our Master's order."

'Master? Who are they talking about?'

The Princess grabs the letter, opening it in shaking fear. She clenches her teeth in anger as she puts it away.

"I can't just back down like this!"

She throws a fit, making me wonder what the hell was written in the paper.

"Shield hero! I challenge you for the fate of this village!"

"Huh."

Huh.

'Huh.'

-:-:-

Next thing I knew, Master Naofumi was sitting on top of Filo with Motoshitsu sitting next to him on a dragon.

Motoyasu covered his crotch, aching in pain as he prepares to race.

The deciding challenge was a race between the two. I didn't mind much as I got to see the fluffy Filo in action. And remembering her ramming Motoyasu in the balls earlier brings a smile.to my face.

Filo leans down toward me as I pat it on it's head, rubbing it's soft feathers before they set off. Officially the race to decide the villages fate started.

Racing off Filo rapidly picked up speed, surpasing the dragon by a far mile. Raphtalia and the villagers cheered as Master took the lead.

I clapped cheerfully as I watched on, expecting them to win with a landslide.

"Amazing, as expected of the hero's Filolial!"

'Wait did he just shorten the species name...'

I definietly had to nag him about that later.

-Naofumi-

"Great job filo, keep this pace and we'll definitely win."

I pat filo on the head as she caws back, racing ahead full speed. I knight on the path catches my attention, I look at him suspiciously before filo trips over air.

We stopped dead in our tracks as I try to figure out what happened, and check if filo is okay.

'Magic? Did the soldier do something?

"I'll take this chance to score the lead!"

Motoyasu passes us, racing ahead. I urge Filo to pick up speed again cjasing behind.

"Shit! A chance my ass!"

Filo tripped again, a sudden hole in the ground that wasn't there before as we tried to catch up again.

'These guys just won't give it up.'

"Push foward Filo!"

We pick up speed, easily catching up to Motoyasu yet again.

[Fast Speed Down!]

Filo chirps in struggle, her speed suddenly decreasing.

"Filo! C'mon, you can't lose to this foul play!"

Motoyasu's dragon swings it's tail, whipping Filo in the face.

"Filo!"

'Damnit, the damn dragon's just as bad as it's master.'

"Huh, filo?"

Filo's eyes glint with bloody murder as she stands full, rushing foward without warning. I hold on tight so I don't fall off.

"That's the spirit!"

Racing past Motoyasu, we zip past gaining back our lead from the start.

[Fast Speed!]

I look back seeing Motoyasu suddenly increase speed.

"Woah! You suddenly got faster! So you can do it!"

'This dumbass!'

Never the less I focus foward, racing infront.

We suddenly fall, a large pit forming under our feet.

'Shit!'

However Filo catches us, placing her feet at the edge and jumping foward. The air time we got making me feel weightless.

I laugh, suprised and excited about the speeds she hit even restrained by magic.

Motoyasu falls behind as he falls in the massive pit himself, I snicker at their failed attempts to pull one over on me.

-:-:-

"This is confirmed proof of your cheating."

The cloaked figures look at the massive hole in the ground, giving the princess what she's owed.

"As agreed, the villager lord will remain the same."

"This... This can't be!"

She clenches her teeth, angry at her failed efforts.

I hear a scoff next to me, I look to the source fimding an expressionless Nyx who only looked at me confused.

I feel a sweat drip down my cheek at the odd situation.

"Thank you Sir Shield Hero!"

"Huh?"

The village lord speaks up, clasping his hand in a greatfull plea.

-Nyx-

"You've saved this village twice now Sir Shield hero!"

"Well... you're not wrong..."

He thinks for a moment, unsure of how to continue. I tug on his sleeve grabbing his attention as he looks at me and raphtalia confused.

I outline the shape of a money bag.

He sighs.

'I need momey for snacks alright, you can't blame me.'

"Since I won, will you reward me as promised?"

The villagers look at him a big ashamed that they couldn't provide anything of value at the moment.

"Well, you see shield hero. If you give us a few days we can round up something to give you-"

My eyes light up.

"Ok, on one condition only though. I don't want any money, taking away from your rebuilding efforts wouldn' make much sense."

I stare in shock.

The villagers applaud, saying how they'll prepare something soon.

I feel a hand pat my head as master smiles at me.

"There, you said you wanted a present right."

'YOU BASTARD.'

He smirks, laughing.

'YOU DID IT ON PURPOSE.'

I cried on the inside, the few copper coins I wanted for the new dessert item at the inn were waving at me in the distance accross the river.

Left in my dreams.

-:-:-

At a later date, Naofumi bought Nyx the new dessert as an apology before they left the town.