Chapter 61

"Wow..."

Surveying the area near the checkpoint along the northeastern border, I couldn't help but mutter.

The reason I muttered was because an incredible number of knights and soldiers were waiting along the border.

Is this the entire army gathered here?

What would they do if another country attacked? These guys.

No, surely it's not the entire army, but even so, there are a lot of them.

"The Shield Demon will surely attempt to flee to Siltvelt! You must not let him escape under any circumstances!"

"Yes!"

What a noisy situation...

The checkpoint is guarded so tightly that even an ant couldn't pass through. I might be able to break through the front if I were alone, but now I have Raphatalia and the Second Princess with me.

It would be too difficult.

I considered the option of me breaking through the front while the others go ahead, but... the other heroes are the scary part.

While I managed to make the enemy retreat in the last wave, that was largely because they were already exhausted.

It's highly questionable whether I could buy enough time to escape with so many opponents in front of me.

However, why is my plan to go to Siltvelt so easily detected?

I guess it's a country that's inconvenient for them... but still, it's more than I imagined.

"What should we do... Should we bypass the checkpoint and take an uncharted path?"

"It's impossible..."

The Second Princess muttered.

"What's impossible?"

"It seems an emergency deployment is in place. If we cross the border, an alarm will sound, and those people will come running."

"That's tough..."

In my mind, I imagine something like infrared alarm systems. Probably something like that is set up along the border. If we're found by such a large number, it's only a matter of time before we're caught.

"Can't we escape with Filo's speed?"

"They'll be ahead of us. The alarm lines are far ahead, so if we're found, we can't escape."

"Hmm... You seem to know a lot."

"My mother said to remember this in case of an emergency... It's very difficult to maintain, but since it's an emergency deployment, they probably won't hesitate to use it."

"That's thorough..."

I feel a surge of anger. It seems they're determined not to let me escape.

"Perhaps it's best to escape to Siltvelt via another country."

This was the closest border, but we can't afford to be picky about the means. Just then, we ran into some nearby villagers.

It should be fine since we're in disguise. Raphatalia and I are hidden in the straw.

"Ah..."

Sure enough, there's a mysterious silence as the villager and Raphatalia make eye contact.

"Sir Hero of the Shield, this place is dangerous. I recommend you take a detour."

Why do we get found out so easily?

I need to think of a better disguise for Raphatalia.

"Ah, thanks to the seeds I received from the Hero, our country is recovering. Thank you."

Upon closer inspection, it's not a villager but someone from a neighboring country. They seemed to be a peddler and had thrown some old clothes into the straw.

"I think you should look a bit more dirty, sir. If you're recognized as a beautiful Rakoon-type demi-human, you'll be found out."

This is my fault. Apparently, Raphatalia is one of the more attractive Rakoon-type demi-humans. She was even a celebrity during her peddling days. When I bought her, the slave trader said Rakoon-type demi-humans have somewhat unattractive appearances, but I had no choice but to take care of her myself. I need to change our disguise.

"I'm sorry for the trouble."

"Not at all, compared to what you've done for us, this is a small matter."

I gave them a few silver coins and replenished our supplies. Filo's food is a particular issue. She complains about being hungry due to our fugitive life. The biggest fear is the reduction in our movement speed. Our current advantage lies in Filo's speed and our ability to blend in. We can escape because we're not in Filoreal Queen form. Dealing with bounty hunters and adventurers would be endless.

"Ah, are you a peddler? I came to do some shopping..."

Oh no!

A soldier is approaching the peddler from the neighboring country.

"...Sir Hero of the Shield?"

Damn, the soldier recognized us! I was about to order Filo to silence him and escape—

"It's me. Remember, we cooperated during the wave."

Upon closer inspection, the soldier was a volunteer. I remember being asked to return to the castle, but I couldn't follow up after breaking ties with the scum. I was a bit worried, but it seems they were sent to this remote area because they helped us. At the time, I didn't know about the Shield Demon.

Thinking about it, they must have needed a lot of resolve to help us. Their chances of promotion were surely closed off.

"...Were you demoted?"

"No, I haven't been punished. For some reason."

"I see, but isn't border duty a demotion?"

"It seems not. Most of the knights are gathered here."

For me!?

Come on. How much does that scum want to prevent me from going to Siltvelt? I'm starting to lose track of their true intentions. Perhaps there's something hidden in Siltvelt that I don't know about. I have to go. The enemy's dislike of something is likely our best move. Even if I don't know the reason, there must be some benefit in going and confirming it.

"Anyway, this place is dangerous. You should escape as soon as possible."

"I appreciate it."

"Not just that... The other heroes are also heading this way. If you meet them, it might cause problems for you."

...Indeed.

During the last wave, the other heroes had exhausted the enemy, which allowed me to make them retreat. Their strength is likely far superior to mine. If I encounter them, I might be killed.

Raphatalia put on some slightly shabby clothes and smeared her face with dirt.

"Let's escape quickly."

"I hope the suspicion clears."

We bid farewell to the neighboring country's villager and the volunteer soldier with a straight face and tried to head south to take a detour.

We had moved a little further when we saw the group led by Kousuke and Itsuki just watching passing carriages and carts. It seems the volunteer soldier was right, and they were indeed here. ...I took a quick glance. Each of them was casting some kind of spell.

"There they are! It's that straw cart!"

Just as I felt suspicious and had a bad feeling, Kousuke and Itsuki ran towards our cart. Damn! How did they find us? Probably those spellcasters. I suspect they used some kind of analysis spell. I pushed aside the straw and jumped out of the cart. Filo also transformed back into her Filoreal Queen form, sensing the situation.

"Sure enough, you're here!"

They must have been nearby. Even Rensuke's group rushed over. Damn... The situation is the worst it could be.

"I found them! Release Princess Melti!"

Itsuki pointed at me with a righteous and infuriating look.

"There's nothing to release. The Second Princess isn't restrained."

"Stop lying, the evidence is clear!"

"Right. You have no justice."

"Justice... huh?"

Are these the people who, during the wave, left the lives to the knights and spouted justice? They only think about satisfying their own sense of justice.

Wait... If I think about it, there might be a way to explain the situation to them. Rensuke was concerned about the plague village, and Itsuki, despite his flaws, has a strong sense of justice. Can I use this?

They probably won't believe me from the start, but it's worth explaining. If I can redirect their sense of justice, it might be useful. Stopping a grand conspiracy is a scenario that game enthusiasts dream of. If I can make them doubt, it might become a stepping stone.

"Can you really say that what you're doing is right and just?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Second Princess is alive and unharmed, as you can see."

I maintained a defensive stance while showing the Second Princess to the heroes. She nodded, looking up at me with concern.

"Sir Hero of the Sword, Sir Hero of the Spear, Sir Hero of the Bow. The Shield Hero is innocent. He is protecting my life."

The Second Princess spoke in a regal tone, not her usual childish manner. The three heroes showed signs of hesitation at her words. They must feel a great sense of humiliation, realizing they might be aiding evil.

"Please believe me. This disturbance hides a grand conspiracy."

"But Princess Melti is being taken around by that man."

"That's to protect my life. I asked him to do so."

The Second Princess's explanation made Itsuki flinch.

"Isn't it unnatural? What does the Shield Hero gain by kidnapping me?"

"That... I..."

Are they searching for a reason?

Their eyes are wandering.

"But, this guy—"

"Have you not noticed that the treatment of the Shield Hero in Melromark is unusual?"

"Indeed..."

"My mother said that now is the time for people to unite and repel the disaster... There is no room for such unnecessary waste of time. Please put down your weapons."

The three heroes, realizing their true purpose, loosened their grip on their weapons. They must have some self-awareness about their defeat in the last battle. As the Second Princess said, we need to train and strengthen our weapons. If we are to fulfill our duty as heroes, this situation is a waste of time.

"Do you understand? This is a conspiracy. I will tell you the truth as I know it. Whether you choose to fight or not is up to you after that."

Just as I said that, Bitch stepped forward.

"You must not listen to the words of the Shield Demon!"

Gah! Bitch stepped forward and shouted as soon as I tried to explain the situation. What is she trying to say?

Is she trying to gain points by showing concern for her sister?

"The truth was explained when the incident came to light! The Shield Demon has the power to brainwash!"