The Rising of the Shield Hero Vol 06
Page 26
“We already have all the proof we need. You can’t wriggle out of this one.”
“Hrm...”
The nobleman was trying to think of an excuse to get out of it. Mald kicked him and then started to punch him.
The nobleman had caused so much pain to so many people. A little beating was fair.
“Now let the girl go.”
The nobleman rose on shaky legs, produced a knife, and ran at me with it.
He was actually pretty quick. I would guess that he was at level 65 or so.
He’d been rich, and that came with time to train and study and level up.
Watching him on his feet, I could see how he’d survived Mald’s beating mostly without serious injury.
“So this is what it has come to. You pretend to be the Bow Hero?! I’ll finish you!”
“You fool!”
Mald and the others had their weapons ready. They all rushed to land the final blow.
“Argh! You . . . ugh . . . I . . . die...”
The fool. He should have known not to challenge me.
“Ahhhh!”
The remaining guards all screamed and ran.
We were left alone in the courtyard with the defeated nobleman.
They really laid into him. It looked like he couldn’t take anymore.
“I think that about wraps it up!”
I’d been trying to use that line when we finished a battle. It was starting to sound more natural. I saw Mald and the others smile.
“Fehh . . . Papa? Mama?”
We took the key from the nobleman and freed the daughter of the town’s noble family. Her name was Rishia.
When we unlocked the door to her room, we found her crouched in a corner, shaking.
I couldn’t immediately tell how old she was.
Based on some things her parents had said, I was guessing around 17. But she looked younger than that.
I could see why the nobleman had wanted to kidnap her so badly. She was a very cute girl.
“Wh . . . Who are you?”
“It’s alright. I am a friend of your parents and I’m here to help you. We’ve taken care of that evil man, so please relax.”
“Really?!”
“Yes. Now come on.”
I approached her and held out my hand. After flinching away, she took my hand in hers. She was still shaking.
I helped her to her feet and we left the mansion. I brought her straight to the inn that her parents were staying in.
“Papa! Mama!”
“Rishia!”
“I was so scared. But this man saved me!”
“We have just received word from the crown that the governor of these lands has been punished by the Bow Hero. It looks like we had someone looking out for us, Rishia.
“Fehhh! Is that true?!”
Rishia was very surprised. She regarded me with shock.
“Yes, I suppose there is no longer any need to hide my identity. It is true. I am the Bow Hero, Itsuki Kawasumi.”
“Fehhhh!”
Rishia looked like she was about to scream.
And what was that whimpering sound she kept making?
“Now then, dry your eyes. It’s time to live peacefully and joyfully with your family. Get a good night’s rest,” I said. With Rishia back in her parent’s care, I decided to go take a rest myself.
The next morning, we were preparing for our departure in front of the inn when Rishia and her family came by.
“Oh, Master Bow Hero!”
“Shhhh!”
I held my finger to my lips and told her to be quiet.
How could I operate as a secret agent of justice if she was going to scream about it in the middle of the town?
Any bad guys would run away if they got word that I was near. I didn’t want that to happen.
“We’re terribly sorry!”
“Fehhh! I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done.”
“Oh don’t worry. It was nothing—but please keep it a secret.”
“Yes, sir!”
Life was good! Nothing felt better than the swift administration of justice!
Huh? I noticed a strange monster pulling a carriage down the street.
I don’t think I’d ever seen a monster like that in Dimension Wave.
It looked like a filolial, but different somehow.
“Now then, Mald, Rojeel, everyone, let’s be on our way.”
I forgot about the monster. We had other things to worry about. It was time to hit the road.
“Shall we go visit Mald’s hometown next?”
“There’s no need! There is no evil in my town!”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes! I know it very well!”
“What impressive people.”
“Fehh . . . Yes. I wish I could be more like them!”
But I was so weak. What could I do? Nothing. I just let myself be kidnapped.
I wanted to be strong like the Bow Hero, like Master Itsuki. I wanted to save people. I wanted to be a champion of justice.
I wanted to help him.
“Papa, Mama. After all you’ve done for me, I’m sorry. I...”
I watched Master Itsuki and his party as they walked out of the town. My heart ached the further away they became.
“Rishia...”
“What’s wrong?”
“I . . . I’m going with them.”
I was surprised by my own conviction.
If I stayed with those people, I could grow stronger. I just knew that I could. I had to make it happen.
“The heroes are involved in very fierce battles.”
“Are you sure you want that?”
“Yes. Even if the battle ends with my death, I won’t regret it.”
“You’ve always stuck to things once you’ve made up your mind—though that could take you awhile.”
“Yes, and your father has always said that you should travel and see the world.”
“Rishia, do what you want. But please don’t forget how much we care for you.”
Papa and Mama nodded and gave me a small satchel of money.
“I’m going! Mama! Papa! I’ll do my best! Please don’t forget about me!”
I waved to them, then turned and ran to catch up with Master Itsuki.
Eventually, though he looked a little concerned, he agreed to let me travel with him. However, he said how difficult it would be many times.
Mald told me that I would have a lot of work to do.
Duties as a new team member are taxing, but I’m not going to give up.
I wanted to be like Master Itsuki. I wanted to be a champion of justice for those in need, for those who cried themselves to sleep.
All that Itsuki Kawasumi, the Bow Hero, did for others, all his attempts to bring justice into the world, sprang from his need for approval.
Would a day come that he learned what justice truly was? Or would his sense of justice be his end?
Only time will tell.
But there is one thing we can know for certain.
Rishia Ivyred had not yet met with all that trouble, the tricking, framing, and expulsion from Itsuki’s party—all those terrible things had yet to happen.
He was thrilled. He thought he had been transported to an ideal, exciting world.
The Records of the Four Holy Weapons say that the Bow Hero is distinguished by his sense of justice.
What fate awaits those that proceed without understanding the difference between justice and self-righteousness?
He was not yet a true hero.
He was still occupied with fulfilling his own selfish desires. Soon, he would come face to face with a great obstacle.
The girl that he once saved vanished from the Bow Hero’s story for a time.
Her story continued with the owner of the carriage that had passed them in the street, the Shield Hero.
They would not be able to stop the large waves that were yet to come.
Those waves of destruction will drow
n all that is, leaving only desolation behind.
The Rising of the Shield Hero Vol. 6
© Aneko Yusagi 2014
First published by KADOKAWA in 2014 in Japan.
English translation rights arranged by One Peace Books
under the license from KADOKAWA CORPORATION, Japan
No part of this may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher. For information contact One Peace Books. Every effort has been made to accurately present the work presented herein. The publisher and authors regret unintentional inaccuracies or omissions, and do not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the translation in this book. Neither the publishers nor the artists and authors of the information presented in herein shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential or other damages.
Written by Aneko Yusagi
Character Design Seira Minami
Cover Design by Yusuke Koyama
English Edition Published by One Peace Books 2016
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