Chapter 54

When I returned to where the big catch, which looked like a boss, was, the volunteers and villagers were guarding the unconscious heroes.

What a hassle...

Now, the task was to absorb the wave material into the shield. However, this time, the Goblin Assault Shadow and the Lizardman Shadow, as their names suggest, were shadows, so the material couldn't be absorbed. Well, to be precise, I tried to absorb a shadowy mass, but it felt like there was only one.

Shadow Shield

Ability Unreleased... Equipment Bonus, Dark Resistance (Small)

The others only had status-up equipment bonuses, so I'll omit them.

The only one left was a large, ghost-like fish that seemed to have been defeated by the other heroes.

"Ahn"

"Don't eat it."

I ordered when Filo tried to grab and eat it from the head.

Do you know what caused this bird to go berserk this time?

It's obvious that it's because this bird ate the rotten dragon's core carelessly.

"Eh..."

She reluctantly let go and tried to hand it over, but it slipped through my hand and fell to the ground, which surprised me.

"How did you hold it?"

"With wind magic on my hands."

"...Huh."

It's a strange fish that can't even be touched with bare hands.

When I asked the volunteers who were transporting the other heroes, it seemed that a special weapon was needed.

When I asked if anyone had one, only one person had a cheap weapon with an attribute, so I borrowed it and used it to process the fish.

Based on Filo's story, I tried to hold it by infusing magic into my hands.

I tried to absorb the head part.

Soul Eater Shield

Ability Unreleased... Equipment Bonus, Skill "Second Shield" Soul Resistance (Medium) Mental Attack Resistance (Medium) SP Up

Special Effect: Soul Eat SP Recovery (Weak)

The fact that only the monster's name was absorbed from the head indicates that disassembling it would be almost meaningless. I tried to absorb other parts, but there was no change.

However, what is this skill, Second Shield? Soul Resistance... it must be resistance against this type of attack.

The special effect, Soul Eat, is a bit concerning. I don't want to be able to eat souls.

I tried to change the shape of the shield. This monster's head is designed like a shield.

...The Chimera Viper has better defense.

If I can eat souls with the special effect Soul Eat, I should be able to hold this Soul Eater.

So I tried to reach out.

But I couldn't touch the flesh of the Soul Eater.

It seems to be different.

Good.

I don't have the taste for eating souls.

It's probably a counter effect. Like latching onto the opponent's soul and stealing SP.

Now, what is this skill, Second Shield?

I tried it out.

"Second Shield"

Air Shield → Second Shield

An icon floated in my vision.

"Air Shield!"

I confirmed the appearance of the Air Shield and shouted again.

"Second Shield!"

...Another shield appeared.

That's it. It seems I can now create another shield during the effect time of the Air Shield, which I could only create once.

There seem to be many uses, but the performance is a bit ambiguous.

Then I turned my attention to the remaining Soul Eaters.

"I want to absorb all of them and cause trouble for them..."

But it would be noisy.

Most importantly, the other heroes being weak is not just a problem for the people of this world.

If only I get stronger and those three are weak, it won't be fun.

Sigh... I'll leave some.

"Master, if there are any left, give them to Filo!"

The bird was making a fuss, drooling.

"Can't help it..."

I processed the spine and tail and threw it to Filo.

She snapped it up.

"It's bony but has a slime-like texture."

"Wait, bird. When did we meet slimes?"

"Anyway..."

The rest is irrelevant, so I'll omit it.

The result is that I got angry.

Because I couldn't absorb it into the shield.

"Alright, next we'll help with the village's reconstruction."

After finishing our tasks, we started to help the volunteers with the disposal of the monster corpses and the reconstruction of the damage.

We can't cover everything, so we prioritize cooking and treating the injured.

"Okay!"

The volunteers, without any hidden motives, followed my instructions.

So there's no need to be suspicious.

After a long battle, the knights finally arrived the next day.

The knight captain was extremely angry that I had summoned the volunteers.

"You! You took my knights without permission!"

"It's not the hero's fault! We offered to help the hero, and he only borrowed our strength."

"What? You are still the honored soldiers of Merlomark! You were deceived by a shield!"

"Hey... Look at this mess. Are you going to punish your subordinates for this?"

The volunteers defended me and stated their opinions honestly.

According to what I heard, the upper echelons of the knights and the heroes had a meeting, and a select few were transferred, with the rest to follow from the castle later.

"If they weren't here, the damage would have been much worse."

The villagers, who nodded in agreement with my response, confirmed this.

"Also, the heroes and their companions, whom you rely on, are all being accommodated in that building after being defeated by the strong enemy that appeared in the wave."

The villagers, without being asked, had carried them to their homes, and the heroes and their companions were being treated. They were given some medicine, but it would take a few days to fully recover. They should regain consciousness by today, though.

"Hurry and move the heroes and their companions! Send them to the hospital immediately!"

"Hey... They have relatively minor injuries. There are other villagers with serious injuries, so prioritize them..."

"Prioritizing the heroes and their party is for the sake of our country and the world!"

What a haughty response...

Well, I expected that, so I had already prioritized the villagers for treatment, so there was no problem.

"Alright, alright. Take them quickly, I'm busy."

"Wait, shield."

As I waved to disperse them, the knight captain, who had heard the situation from the volunteers, called me back.

"What now..."

"I want you to come with me to report to the castle."

"No way, it's too troublesome."

"Come on, just do it!"

Why do I have to do something meaningless when I have priorities?

I turned to leave, but the volunteers bowed with pleading eyes.

"Please, Shield Hero, come with us..."

...Well, these guys followed my instructions properly.

I can't just ignore them, and I have to go to the blacksmith to pick up the metal carriage I ordered.

"Sigh..."

I scratched my head and turned back.

"Fine. If I have to go, I'll go. I'll do it just once to repay their kindness."

"Thank you!"

I nodded reluctantly at the volunteers, who expressed their gratitude with words and actions.

Thus, we headed for the castle.

The next day.

We arrived at the town and entered the castle.

"The shield's companions will wait in another room."

"Are you serious? Just me after all this?"

Why are these guys so arrogant?

"Hey, can I go home now?"

They won't say anything useful, and it will be a waste of time.

"That won't do. I have a lot of questions for you."

"I already explained everything on the way here."

The other heroes were defeated, and we defeated the enemy. The volunteers confirmed this from a distance, so it shouldn't be considered a lie.

In the case of the trash king, he might fabricate something, but in that case, I can escape quickly.

It's possible now, and with Raphatalia and Filo, it won't be easy to catch me.

"Quiet! This is before the king!"

I was led to the throne room, where the trash king greeted me with a stern face.

He must have already heard the story. His frustration, like a bitter bug, was palpable.

"Though it is regrettable, you have calmed the wave, shield. I don't believe it."

"Is that how you show gratitude?"

"Rude! ...Well, it's fine. I have one question. I think it's a lie, but..."

"...What is it?"

It's annoying to add "I don't believe it" or "I think it's a lie" at the end of every sentence.

"Shield, how did you surpass the other heroes and gain strength? I don't believe it, but you have an obligation to tell me. Come on, speak. I think it's a lie."

...This is it, isn't it? The trash king is directly questioning me because he is concerned that the other heroes are weaker than me.

Sigh. He's such a piece of trash that I can't even comment.

Honestly, I don't know why the other heroes, who were defeated by Glass, could fight normally with us.

Rather, the heroes, who challenged with a numerical advantage, should have won.

It could be that I had good synergy, the opponent was exhausted, or the well-informed hero was weak. The possibilities are endless.

I need to verify this eventually, but I'm not idle.

But, this is it, isn't it?

Yeah.

I smiled brightly at the trash and gave a thumbs down.

"If you want to know, prostrate yourself."

"Huh?"

The trash king froze in surprise.

What a funny face. I should take a picture.

"Didn't you hear? You seem to have poor hearing, trash. I said, if you want to know, prostrate yourself and beg!"

"K, k, k"

"What's wrong? Making monkey-like noises. Ah, I get it, the king of this country is trash below a monkey, isn't he? I don't believe in trash monkeys."

As I mocked him, imitating his speech, the trash king's face turned red, and he glared at me with eyes like a mortal enemy.

Ah, this feels good.

"You—!"

The trash king's scream echoed throughout the castle.

The enemy is the wave of calamity in front and the trash behind.

But I have no intention of losing to either.

Thus, I truly parted ways with the trash king.

This concludes Chapter 1.

I will start posting Chapter 2 from the next time.

The initial stock at the time of publication is up to here.

I will continue writing.