This room is more than big enough for all of us to sleep in.
No, this room is for you alone, Naofumi-sama.
I want to stay with Master!
We've prepared another room for your servants.
As for your plans for the rest of the day,
once you've relaxed in your room,
we'll have you change into Siltvelt formal wear for tonight's banquet.
But first, we'll have you take a bath.
I'll let you know when it's ready.
It feels like they want to pretend we don't exist.
Yup. There's some time until the banquet, so let's go tour the town.
No, I'll stay in the next room.
I want to be able to protect Naofumi-sama if something happens.
What? I want to go see the town with you!
Yeah, all of you, go see the town.
Okay!
I wonder if they've got good booze.
I can't wait! Let's go!
But...
But!
Leave Raph-chan!
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Episode 2: Official Welcome
From the way they've been acting,
this country may be more of a pain than I thought, huh, Raph-chan?
What is it, Raph-chan?
A shield, here?
What skills does it have...
Beast King's Shield
Beast Transformation Boost and Territory Reform?
Wow, that looks good!
This town is wonderful, isn't it?
Welcome!
And it seems they have proper respect for Naofumi-sama, too.
Naofumi-sama...
This looks good, too!
Oh, they do have booze!
Maybe Naofumi-sama's territory will look like this someday.
Call me when you're ready to order.
Okay!
Huh? They brought the wrong number of waters.
That's why you were reluctant to leave the castle.
He's been like this the whole time we've been walking around the town.
Brother, you let it get to you too much.
It's wonderful to have so many types of people living together.
But there's always more to the story than it seems at first glance.
And we need to take a good look at everything, since Naofumi-chan can't.
Feels good, huh, Raph-chan?
Aphrodisiac detected
Aphrodisiac?
What the hell?
What's going on?
Hero...
Hero... Shield Hero! Shield Hero!
Wait, wait, wait!
Stay away!
Meteor Shield!
Open up, Shield Hero!
I'll wash your back!
Portal Shield!
Interference summoning Portal Shield
Portal Shield unavailable
Unavailable?
Raphtalia-chan?
Is something wrong?
Naofumi-sama?
Now, let's get going, too.
I'm so full...
We're not done eating!
Hero!
I want to have your baby!
This is what the queen was talking about?
First, you'll be approached by princesses and young noblewomen.
They'll try to form a harem for you with girls from any number of species.
A harem?
Oh, right!
Dragon Vein, hear our plea!
As source of thy power, we order thee!
Decipher the laws of nature, and create an illusion to deceive our foes!
Emptiness is Form!
Shield Hero!
You're such a brute!
What kind of illusion are they seeing?
And wait, isn't it "Form is Emptiness"?
Naofumi-sama... are you okay?
I-I heard the SOS signal...
What's going on here?
It's just what it looks like. An emergency.
Oh my, I see you're enjoying yourself.
They got to you ahead of me.
They're just seeing an illusion.
Let's just run.
What the hell was that about?
My deepest apologies.
It's a service we've provided for the Shield Hero for generations.
I thought you would enjoy it.
Are you insulting me?
Not at all.
I'm so terribly sorry.
I've had enough empty apologies.
If you really want to apologize, then get me that damn boat.
O-Of course.
We'll hold a conference within days to vote on the matter.
If it's going to take that long, I can just head back home with my portal skill.
You mustn't!
Give me some time! I promise I'll prepare it for you!
All right.
But don't forget that if you're going to continue treating us this way,
we're going to take action on our own.
Can I really get to Q'ten Lo by leaving it to him?
Oh my! You look spectacular!
I'm sure it must be a wonderful outfit!
Tell me everything about it, Brother!
Everyone, the worship ceremony has finished,
and now it's time for a pleasant evening of dinner and conversation!
Want me to get you something light to eat?
Yeah, thanks.
I'm going to eat, too!
Just stand tall, Brother.
Atla-chan's right.
This is a rare opportunity, so we need to have our heads on straight!
Opportunity for what?
Remember what I said in town?
There's always more to the story.
This is supposed to be an evening to hail the Shield Hero,
but there must be people here for other reasons.
Just start looking for them, and this party will be over before you know it.
Can I get another drink?
Wow, you've got big jugs, too?
People here for other reasons...
Hero!
Are you enjoying the party?
Your name's Jaralis, right?
I'm so honored you remember.
I'd like to talk to you about what we discussed earlier.
Fohl-sama. Atla-sama.
I need to speak to you.
You're...
It's been many years, Fohl-sama, Atla-sama.
You've grown up so much...
Ethan...
Brother, who is this?
Ethan worked for Father.
For Father?
Yup.
You may not remember,
but he would come to our house and play with us a lot.
Your parents passed away, and then the two of you disappeared.
I've been so worried about the both of you.
The white tiger demi-humans have little place in this country.
Please forgive me for only being able to meet you like this.
But there was something I had to tell you...
Beware of Jaralis the Laio.
He may be involved in your father's death.
Jaralis?
It's said that he was present for your father's last moments,
but there was a rumor in the military at the time that this might not be true.
It was?
Yes.
His report of Tyran-sama's last moments didn't quite make sense.
I told the military brass many times they needed to investigate it again, but...
I've always regretted not fighting with Tyran-sama until the end,
regretted not being able to protect him.
So the least I can do is help you, I believe.
I'll do anything I can for you!
So, are things proceeding well with Lord Werner?
As I thought.
He's not concerned with what you want, it seems.
He wants to keep you here at all costs.
Public opinion is very important to him, after all.
Public opinion?
Because their faith in the Shield Hero is so strong,
the people ask themselves why he would protect other nations,
as opposed to the place he should be protecting, Siltvelt.
More and more people are saying this.
And Lord Werner is exceptionally concerned lately that people
who feel that way might do something rash.
So no matter what you say to him...
Thus, I would ask you to put me to use, instead.
I can quickly arrange a ship.
Unfortunately, I'm not able to do so officially given my current position.
But I'm willing to do the dirty work needed for the sake of the Shield Hero.
You are our god, and this is your wish.
Letting me help you is the only way for you to get to Q'ten Lo.
Wow, that looks good.
Yeah.
Good morning, Shield Hero.
I'd like you to attend a conference after this, then we'll have lunch, then...
Got it, got it. Conference, right.
I'll show you the location later.
Werner keeps giving me meaningless service
and useless meetings to keep us in the country.
Jaralis is right about that, at least.
But the way Jaralis sucks up to me, I don't like at all.
From what Fohl and Atla said, he seems dangerous.
Neither of them can be trusted.
Which means...
Offer your prayers to the Shield Hero!
The will of the Shield God decides all!
It is thanks to Him that we receive our food and our lives!
Let this food and our lives become the power to enact his will!
Let it become power!
What a wonderful prayer.
You eat first, Shield Hero.
Either way...
I want to get out of this creepy country as soon as I can.
Now let's bring this special meeting to order.
As we work to expand and strengthen our military in preparation for the next Wave,
we need to reorganize our forces with the Shield Hero at the center.
Hold it.
The next Wave? I told you, I'm not staying.
We know.
That's why we're discussing the budget needed
to have our finest shipyard build you a ship worthy of the Shield Hero.
You know that's not what I want!
I understand that you want to use me
to expand your military and unite your people.
But just like you want to protect your country, I want to protect my lands!
Right now, the people of my village are waiting for me to return!
But...
Once the Phoenix and Q'ten Lo are dealt with,
I don't mind acting a little more like the Shield Hero is supposed to.
Splendid, Hero.
A true ruler should always put his lands and people first.
I could learn a thing or two from you.
I also want you to rule Siltvelt and unite its people!
But it is not right for the people of Siltvelt to disobey the wishes of the Shield Hero.
Should we not prepare a ship immediately?
Only the representatives of the four great races are allowed to speak at this conference!
Know your place, Jaralis!
My apologies, Hero.
Your thoughts are very valuable to us.
Please give us time to put together our thoughts in light of your opinion.
Another delay...
Just how hard-headed can you be?
Naofumi-sama!
Oh!
Let's do this quick while nobody's around.
Shield Hero!
This is Ethan, who I was telling you about.
It's such an honor to meet you in person.
I can't thank you enough for saving Fohl-sama and Atla-sama.
I shall repay this debt if it costs me my life...
That's enough.
I did it for my own reasons.
More importantly, Fohl told you, right?
Yes. You want me to watch the two of them, yes?
Yes. Both Werner and Jaralis are at a stalemate,
and they might do something rash to break it.
Share any information you get with these guys.
Hi!
Nice to meet you!
I want to have all this settled in a few days.
On the surface, I played along with them...
...while I prepared in secret.
So that I'd be ready when the chance came...
And thus my days in Siltvelt passed.
Poison detected
I don't want to eat this!
Yeah? I'll drink anything if they give me beer with it!
But it's...
The will of the Shield God decides all!
It is thanks to Him that we receive our food, our lives!
Let this food and our lives become the power to enact his will!
Let it become power!
Now, please eat, Shield Hero.
Hero, what is this?
Just shut up and drink it!
It tastes like shit, but it's better than dying of poison!
Poison!
He's playing dumb...
To poison a god is a crime worthy of death!
It is the highest treason!
What's wrong? Do you have something to say to me?
Looks like we all need to talk. You love to talk, right?
I can't believe someone tried to poison me.
I thought this country was safe.
I'm sure you did it, Jaralis!
None but you would betray our god!
You can't say that without any proof.
Isn't it possible that you did it, knowing the Hero would soon leave our lands?
What?
Well, I don't care who did it.
Someone tried to poison us.
That's all that matters.
I can't cooperate with a country like that anymore.
I've got a lead on a boat.
I'm sick of dealing with you people.
Wait, Shield Hero! Please...
Well, this isn't good for you.
You've upset our god and lost a chance to cooperate with him.
That's quite the failure, Lord Werner.
Know your place, Jaralis!
You're always up to something underhanded!
If you say I'm responsible for this, then I hope you have some sort of evidence.
Your actions thus far are all the proof I need!
You'll do anything to gain power!
I'm not the only one who's seen that!
That's right!
He's right!
You coward!
You should be ashamed!
You're blaming others because your own position is in danger.
Is that really how a ruler should be?
This is what happens when you let bloodlines be the only thing that matters.
There are many talented people outside the four great races.
Don't tell me you're referring to yourself.
What?
Shut up, Laio!
Jaralis-sama is right!
Werner-sama is right!
Shut up, you old geezer!
All of you shut up!
I've had enough of this!
A True People