Chapter 67

"We're almost at the village to the southwest."

Two days after the great battle of monsters in Feilo's game.

We were approaching the area around the village where Genkou had caused trouble.

Incidentally, among the shields in the Philoreal series, the ones that prioritize the release of equipment bonuses are the ones that enhance abilities.

This is necessary to make it easier for Feilo and Laftaria, who can't level up, to fight by increasing their abilities.

The lower-level Philoreal shields take about an hour each to unlock the equipment bonuses.

Of course, this can also be seen as having a low benefit. But it's better than nothing.

Originally, all the shields that could be unlocked had already been done, so the Philoreal series was quite timely.

Perhaps because of the slight effect of the unlocked bonuses, Feilo's pace has quickened.

Well, that's good. We were lucky...

The problem is that the village to the southwest has become like a dense jungle.

"This is my fault, right...?"

"Probably."

We pushed through the dense forest of overgrown plants.

Melti was surprised to learn that this was my doing.

I had given the villagers the seeds of the improved bio-plants... I didn't expect they would revert to their original form.

I don't have the right to criticize Genkou.

"There don't seem to be any strange monsters around."

Feilo muttered as she probed the surroundings.

"Is that so?"

I was wondering what to do if they had become even stronger than before.

Just then, we encountered someone who looked like a villager while pushing through the undergrowth.

"Oh, it's the Shield Hero."

What should we do? Should we run away for now? No, I've heard that many villagers don't believe the warrant for my arrest these days...

In a village where I've caused so much trouble, it's certain that they will report us...

"Thanks to the Shield Hero, we can work in peace."

"Huh?"

I looked around and replied to the villager.

"Is this because of...?"

"Yes, this is now a farmland."

"It looks like a jungle to me."

"We are conducting a large-scale agricultural project using the seeds given by the Shield Hero."

The villager pointed upwards as he spoke.

Bright red fruits, like tomatoes, were growing in clusters on the plants.

"The downside is that only the same fruit can grow, but it has become a specialty of the village."

"Quick work."

It's been about a month since then?

That's what being resilient means.

"So there's no problem?"

"Yes."

"If that's the case... is it okay?"

The villager smiled wryly at my response.

A long time ago, there was an alchemist who created bio-plants.

Perhaps he or she wanted to see the scene before me now.

...It's a rather awkward scene, though.

"What brings you here, Shield Hero? Siltvelt is in the opposite direction, you know?"

"Well, I ended up here while running away."

I wondered if I should tell the truth. So I gave an ambiguous answer.

"Ha... That must be tough."

"Don't act so casual, you."

It feels like someone else's problem.

"No, no, I'll let the soldiers know if they come."

"Whether it's true or not, I'll thank you for it."

Gurrr...

"Feilo, I'm hungry."

Feilo complained about her hunger while looking at the tomato-like plants.

Come to think of it, I had given the food I received here to Feilo before.

"Please, go ahead."

The villager pointed to the large fruits and told Feilo it was okay to eat them.

"Yay!"

Feilo started eating happily, and we joined in.

The taste was somewhat like a tomato... or a tangerine. It was a bit strange, but it was tasty. However, by my standards, it was a bit off.

But Laftaria and Melti were eating it with relish.

While we were having lunch and resting, a few more villagers came from the village and brought us cooked food.

"Thank you very much."

"No, no, it's nothing."

"Still... be careful, okay?"

He subtly hinted that the plants were dangerous.

"We understand."

After finishing our meal, we prepared to leave.

"See you."

"Yes, I hope you can prove your innocence, Shield Hero."

We headed towards the border, trying to cross the jungle.

But just 50 meters into the jungle, a cage made of magic appeared with a crackling sound.

"Kyaa!?"

"What's this?"

"What is it?"

It was a cage made of lightning, about 40 meters on each side. A very large cage.

Is it magic... or a trap made with some kind of device?

Did the villager set a trap?

That's why he held us up!

"Trouble! The Shield Hero is under attack!"

A villager with a changed expression shouted towards the village, and the commotion grew.

Under attack... by you guys?

"Finally caught up with you, Naofumi."

"It's you... Genkou!"

Genkou and his group appeared, pushing through the jungle plants, as if to say, "Gotcha."

Were they hiding? In this jungle?

What a hassle.

"Naofumi, this is definitely a capture lightning cage, a magical device."

Melti looked at the cage and informed me.

"It's a trap that encloses the caster and the target."

"What's the purpose of this trap?"

"To prevent the target from escaping."

I see, so they set this up to prevent us from escaping using Feilo's speed.

"It can be broken, but it will take some time."

"How do we properly disarm the trap?"

"Take the key from the person who used the device..."

I got off Feilo and glared at Genkou.

"Are we going to fight?"

"It seems so."

Laftaria also got off Feilo, drew her sword, and got into a fighting stance.

"Laftaria, you don't have armor. Please stay back if possible."

"But..."

"Feilo, are you going to fight?"

"Yes."

Genkou is weak for cute girls, after all.

And he has been making Feilo suffer all this time.

Maybe...

"Can Melti disarm the cage?"

"I'll try... but don't get your hopes up."

"Laftaria, you protect Melti while fighting."

"Understood!"

"Right now, I'll release the brainwashing on all three of you."

Seriously, this guy still believes in the existence of brainwashing shields.

I almost suspect that he is the one who is brainwashed.

But he is the Spear Hero. According to the Four Holy Weapons Book, he is supposed to be caring for his companions.

Caring for companions = not doubting them.

And behind him are the Bitch and the Trash King.

Blindly trusting his companions, what a fool.

"That's right, Motou-sama, quickly save my sister and those brainwashed by the Shield Demon."

The Bitch is just pouring oil on the fire.

"Shield Hero! And... Spear..."

A villager called out to us from outside the cage, looking at Genkou with a subtle expression.

It's easy to imagine why. He worked hard for the village but caused a disaster, and if he were to be cursed to his face, he would fear a purge from the country, or even the Three Heroes' Church.

"I'll release the brainwashing on you guys too."

Motou definitely has a self-satisfied look on his face.

He looks at me with disdain and readies his spear.

"I won't go easy on you like last time."

"...That's my line."

Thinking back, I've been made to suffer by Genkou on the second and one-month anniversaries of being summoned to this world.

It might be fun to get back at him now.

I transformed my shield into the Chimera Viper Shield and got into a fighting stance facing Genkou.

Genkou has the Bitch and two other women with him.

...There should have been a man, but given Genkou's nature, he probably fired him as unnecessary for his harem.

On our side, Feilo and I are on the front lines, Melti is working on disarming the trap, and Laftaria is on defense.

"There's a saying about which is stronger, the spear or the shield... but I will win!"

Genkou declared with a confident smile.

"Shut up, you coward. You're going to cheat and win again, aren't you? Know that you're a clown!"

Genkou's mouth moved as if he wanted to say something, but he stopped immediately.

He seems to be saying that words are unnecessary.

Fine. It's different now.

Melti can't fight, but I have Laftaria and Feilo.

If the shield can go all out, I won't lose.

Let's see who is stronger here, fairly!

"「Roar!」"

We stepped into a battle that would determine our respective futures.