Chapter 55

"Off with your head!"

You scumbag. It seems my response has really pissed you off.

"Hey, don't think I'll just let you run me through with a guillotine?"

I said this to the knights who were closing in on me, making a clattering sound, and to the scumbag.

"Don't you forget that I'm the one who defeated the enemy that the other heroes couldn't handle in this wave?"

I answered, placing my hand on the shield.

The knights couldn't move a step.

After all, I am a hero. Anyone who knows about my achievements in this wave wouldn't approach me recklessly, even if it was partly a bluff.

"What are you doing! Kill that insolent man immediately!"

"Hey..."

I glared at the scumbag with a deep voice and said it again.

"Don't you get it? I could walk into the castle, kill you, and escape right now."

The scumbag finally seemed to understand his position, but he looked incredibly frustrated.

"If you don't believe me, why don't you try it out?"

I learned that threats and bluffs are necessary when negotiating in this world. So I used them to the fullest to keep the scumbag in check.

"Do you really think you can match me, who defeated the hero that your chosen hero couldn't defeat?"

"Grgh..."

The scumbag ground his teeth in frustration.

"You can only say that because—"

"If your subordinates lay a hand on me, I'll kill you."

I preemptively crushed any possibility of him saying it.

The nature of the Iron Maiden skill hasn't been fully understood yet, so I'm not sure if I can definitely kill the scumbag.

But I'm sure I can kill him.

If I can get him caught in the flames of Self-Curse Burning, I can at least injure him.

The scumbag's face turned pale, and he seemed to understand his position.

"Stay away from me, scumbag. When the wave is over, I'll be able to leave. Until then, I'll cooperate to the minimum. But don't get in my way."

The threat was always strong, but I shouldn't use my trump card lightly. A trump card is the last resort, to be used only when absolutely necessary.

Killing him here wouldn't solve anything. Another scumbag would take his place and put a bounty on me.

Besides, if I were asked if I could defeat the other heroes in a direct fight, I'd be doubtful.

And if all three of them challenged me together, I'd probably lose.

"See you."

I turned on my heel and left the throne room.

"I won't forgive you! I won't forgive you, Shield!"

The scumbag's scream echoed through the throne room.

"That's my line!"

I pointed at the scumbag as I left.

After leaving the throne room and descending the stairs, I passed by a woman who looked like a noble.

She was hiding her mouth with a fan and wearing an expensive dress.

I couldn't see her face clearly, but I thought it was well-featured. How old was she?

Probably in her late twenties...

Her hair was purple... a rare color...

"Thank you for your hard work this time... desu."

She muttered this as we passed by.

Desu?

I almost turned around.

Huh?

Behind the woman, a girl about the size of Raphatalia or humanoid Filo was following.

Her hair was blue. Another rare color.

She looked well-dressed, so she was probably a child.

But she seemed to resemble someone...

Her beauty rivaled that of humanoid Filo. Birds are beautiful when in humanoid form.

Hmm...

I couldn't remember who she resembled.

Well, even if she did resemble someone, it would probably be an unpleasant person. It would be a waste to try to remember.

So, at that time, I walked past without thinking much of the encounter.

I never would have dreamed that this kid would become a key figure in the subsequent commotion.

By the way, Raphatalia and Filo were waiting for me in another room.

They seemed to have predicted that I would cause trouble and were preparing for our escape. That was a bit of a side note.

In any case, we quickly joined up.

The next day.

I went to the weapon shop to check if the carriage I had ordered was ready.

"Hey, An. The carriage you ordered is ready."

"Wow, that was fast. But, old man, you can accomplish anything when it comes to metal requests, can't you?"

"I just put in a word with my contacts. I didn't make it myself!"

Well, it's natural that it was made at a foundry or something.

"Still, with money, you can get anything done, right?"

"When you put it that way, An, it makes me feel like I can do anything, and it makes me sad. I'm not as versatile as you, An."

"I'm not that versatile either..."

What does the old man think of me?

"Go check it out. It's parked in the back."

"Sure, I'll take a look. By the way, old man, about Raphatalia's—"

Before I could finish, Raphatalia grabbed my hand.

"What's wrong?"

"I think it's still okay to use a sword. Let's act based on the money we have now."

"Hmm... If Raphatalia says so, I won't stop you..."

After all, Filo is currently acting as our main attacker.

If Raphatalia can play a supporting role, it's not urgent.

At worst, we might find something better at a shop somewhere.

When we went to the back of the weapon shop, there was indeed a metal carriage.

The canopy was also made of metal, and it looked like a larger version of the tin carriage toy my father used to buy.

"Wow..."

Filo's eyes were shining more than ever.

She wobbled into the pulling position and grabbed the handle.

"Filo can pull it too!"

"Sure."

"Yay!"

Filo, who was in a great mood, was eager to get started, kicking her legs excitedly.

"Let's load the luggage first."

"Okay."

"Okay!"

We unloaded the luggage from the cart we had used between the wave and the town and moved it to the new carriage.

It took some time to load the merchandise, materials, and tools.

"How's it going, An?"

The old man peeked out when he had a moment. I gave him a thumbs up to show that the work was good.

"Yeah, it's just as I expected."

"Good to hear. But it's pretty heavy... I guess it won't be a problem for the bird girl."

"Yep!"

"She was pulling a carriage with three carts attached to it and having fun."

"Wow."

"She might even be disappointed that it's lighter than she expected."

"Well, hard is good!"

Is that Filo's standard? It's like the harder the thing she pulls, the better.

"Ha ha ha, well, do your best. So, what are you going to do next, An?"

"What do you mean?"

"I heard you caused some trouble at the castle."

The old man said this with a slightly troubled look.

"You're quick to hear things."

"Rumors are the spice of life."

"True. I just made that scumbag understand his position."

"...I always thought you'd cause trouble someday, An."

"I'll live up to your expectations."

"I'd rather you didn't."

"Well, about your earlier question, I'm thinking of going to Siltvelt or Shildfried to level up."

Threatening the scumbag to get permission to use the Dragon Carving Hourglass is an option, but I'm afraid something might happen to Raphatalia or Filo if I try to level them up under his jurisdiction.

I don't fully understand what it is, and I'm worried that the side managing it might interfere.

So, it's best to go to one of these two countries, which seem to have no problems and offer free passage.

"Well, I always thought you'd end up going to one of those countries someday, An."

"Huh?"

The old man nodded with a satisfied look.

What does he mean?

"Shildfried is the better choice. Siltvelt is an extreme country..."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it's the complete opposite of this country, where subhumans are absolute and humans are slaves."

I see... so it's not suitable for me as a human.

"But—"

"I'll take your advice. I'll go to Shildfried."

With the loading complete, we got on the carriage.

"Got it. I'll be waiting for you to come back to the shop."

"Sure, and I might ask you to make weapons for fighting ghosts or soul-type enemies."

"Interesting. So you're thinking about that level of enemy now, An. I'll have to prepare for it."

"I want to make it cheaply from the material stage."

"You can't match me, An. Try not to come at the last minute. I'll tell you where to get the materials."

"Got it. I'll plan a comfortable schedule. Let's go."

"Okay."

"See you, old man."

"See you."

Filo pulled the carriage with a clattering sound.

Our immediate goal is to level up. It's a long journey, but we should go for the future.

It will take Filo two weeks to run there.

"There it is!"

A loud voice came from outside.

Just as we were about to leave the town, the sound of metal being hit and a voice echoed.

"I found you!"

"...What?"

I stopped Filo and peeked out of the carriage to see a girl pointing at me with raised eyebrows.

Behind her was someone who looked like a knight.

They must have spotted us from behind.

"You're the one who did something terrible to my father!"

"Huh?"

What? A girl with blue hair who I sort of recognized but couldn't place was approaching me.

"What's this all about?"

"You're trying to act innocent! I know you were hiding it! You're a terrible criminal, aren't you? After all, you're the Shield Hero."

This noisy brat. Is she from some noble family?

Come to think of it, I once sold cheap accessories to a noble.

It wasn't just once or twice. Honestly, I have too many memories to pinpoint it.

"So, it's your father's fault for not being able to judge quality. You've learned something."

"What did you say!?"

But, Shield Hero = criminal... It's unpleasant to be denounced even by a child.

Well, it's not like it's a new feeling.

"Tell your father to improve his judgment next time."

"Mu, mu... I won't forgive you! My mother is wrong! The Shield Hero is a criminal! I'll punish you!"

A knight-like subordinate stepped forward at the girl's command.

"Hmph. I don't have time for this. Filo."

"What?"

"Let's go."

"Okay."

"Ah..."

The brat was staring at Filo, looking dazed.

"Divine bird?"

"Huh?"

Filo tilted her head to match the brat's gaze.

"Move faster!"

"Okay."

Filo nodded, turned forward, and accelerated the carriage.

"Wait! Don't run away!"

The brat's voice quickly faded away.

The town is a real pain. I don't want to come here unless I have to shop.