My name is Iwatani Naofumi.
I was just an ordinary college kid,
until the day I was suddenly summoned to another world.
Now I'm the Shield Hero, one of the Four Cardinal Heroes.
The Four Heroes have always been at odds,
but now we're finally at the point where we might be able to work together.
But now, at the worst possible time, Raphtalia's parents' homeland, Q'ten Lo,
has sent assassins into my lands.
Raphtalia wore a miko outfit which resembled the clothes worn by their emperor.
And that's all the reason they needed.
Now I'm on my way to Siltvelt, the one place with regular boats to Q'ten Lo,
in order to talk some sense into the fools.
The day the Phoenix revives is drawing near.
But before it comes, I want to solve this problem, which will decide Raphtalia's future.
Yeah. I think it's time we take a break.
Thanks, Gaelion.
I'm fi—achoo!
We're almost at the border.
I need to head back to my land and regroup my forces.
Gaelion?
What?
Drifa Aqua Blast!
Master!
Huh?
Filo? Raph-chan?
Hey! What was that for?
That's my line, Melty!
What are you doing here?
You're the one who told us to go train.
Still, it's too much of a coincidence that you met me here.
Well, um...
Well, when we were training, we met Fitoria.
Fitoria?
And she said if we went this way, we'd run into you.
And she said she had a request for us to give you.
Well, you can tell me about it later.
Right now, I've got a bigger problem.
But Naofumi,
she said she'd pay in advance, and already did a lot of stuff for us.
I don't care.
She didn't do anything for me.
Well?
In exchange for lowering our levels, she improved our stats!
They're more than doubled!
They're almost at the point I was when I challenged the Spirit Tortoise.
No, never mind.
Wait, Naofumi!
She also helped with getting us a new class...
Then you help her.
I can't!
Um, she says it has to be me and you!
Are you talking to her now?
Yup.
I see.
You're on your way to Q'ten Lo, then.
And so Master says, "If I ignore your request anyway,
are you going to kill the Cardinal Heroes?"
Fine. I'll wait.
But don't blame me if you regret it later.
"Whatever," he says.
Siltvelt...
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Episode 1: Siltvelt
My own imitation of the Hengen Muso Secret Technique,
First Stance: Sun!
How can Atla-san do that?
Wow, Atla!
Eclair says she has a talent for Hengen Muso.
I need to do my best, too.
The Shield Hero and his party have returned!
We'll reach the Siltvelt border tomorrow.
Once we're past the border, we'll go by land.
Does that mean I get to pull the carriage?
Yup. But we can't take a carriage through the portal.
Melty, can you contact the queen
and have her prepare a carriage near the border checkpoint?
You make it sound so easy.
I'll ask, I guess.
Understood, I daresay.
So Filo's coming, but who else?
It's a demi-human country.
Taking a Melromarc royal like Melty is probably a mistake.
I know that!
But you can leave me in charge of your lands, okay?
Thanks.
What about Fohl and Atla?
They haven't missed a day of training.
They're getting stronger all the time.
What would happen if you didn't take them, I wonder?
Siltvelt is their homeland, too.
So they might be useful in that sense.
Naofumi, what about us?
I'd love to have you come, but your curses aren't fully healed.
They've both gone to bathe in the Car Mina hot springs many times...
It's working, but it will still take time.
Got it. Just make sure you're ready to go when the Phoenix revives.
Got it.
I'll help you get better as soon as possible!
So our party will be me, Raphtalia, Filo, Sadeena, Fohl, and Atla.
And you too, Raph-chan, of course.
So, did any Q'ten Lo assassins attack while I was gone?
Well, about that...
There's been nothing since that first attack.
What?
People from my...
People from my master's world should be after this village, too,
but there's no sign of them.
What's going on?
Are they all being cautious after their scouts were wiped out?
I hope so, at least...
I'd like to at least help by dealing with any attackers...
But there's no sign of any.
I guess we'll have to see what they do.
But where's Motoyasu run off to, and what's he doing?
Even as weird as he is, he'd be good to have.
How dare you invade my father-in-law's lands?
Besides you guys, there were also some dudes dressed like ninjas.
But for my father-in-law,
and for Filo-tan!
I shall destroy your very souls!
Wait! I don't want to die to some weirdo!
Buh-bye!
Now, on to bring justice to the next group of evildoers!
Fwa-hahaha! Hahahaha!
How do you like the carriage, Filo?
I think they're using different wood!
Does the wood make that much of a difference?
They're both nice in their own way.
What?
Shield Hero!
A crowd's gathering...
Maybe the rumor spread that we were coming when the queen arranged this carriage.
Stay on your guard.
Okay.
Aw, why don't we all take a break and have a drink?
I have something to report, Your Majesty.
The false empress's party has just crossed the border into Siltvelt.
But worry not.
I swear I shall slay the Shield Hero and this traitor
who seeks your throne before they enter Q'ten Lo.
Well, Fohl? Feel like home?
I don't know.
I've never been to this part of the country before.
I don't remember it well, either.
I'm still shocked at how easily we made it through the checkpoint.
What's going on here?
What does that big banner say?
You don't need to know how to read it.
You can tell just by looking at everyone's faces.
"Welcome, Shield Hero," it says.
Oh, you can read it, huh?
It's the one useful skill my brother has.
That's so mean!
Just keep going, Filo.
Okay!
We, the Siltvelt Royal Guard, shall escort the Shield Hero and his party to the palace!
Just what you'd expect from Siltvelt.
It's wonderful how they look up to Naofumi-sama.
Atla...
I feel like I'm the star of a big parade...
Even I'm surprised.
You really are the hero, huh, Naofumi-chan?
I just remembered what the queen of Melromarc once told me.
That's...
What did she say?
First...
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?
And after that, you'll fall victim to an unknown disease,
and poor Iwatani-sama, you'll...
Th-That's impossible!
Siltvelt worships the Shield Hero as a god! A king!
They would never...
I hope you're right.
Either way, we need to get through this country as quickly as possible.
Shield Hero...
Welcome, welcome to Siltvelt!
I'm overjoyed to have you here.
I am Werner, representative of the Shusaku race.
An honor to meet you.
Shusaku race?
I'm Iwatani Naofumi, the Shield Hero.
And this is...
His servant, Raphtalia.
Filo's name is Filo!
I'm Sadeena!
I am Atla.
Fohl.
Welcome, all of you.
I purchased the two of them when they were slaves in Zeltoble.
They're not pure-blood white tiger demi-humans.
I won't get involved in any power struggles in your country,
or let them get involved, so don't worry.
I see.
Now, please come with me inside the palace.
I'm sure you must be exhausted from your long journey, Shield Hero.
But I'd like the opportunity for an audience...
An audience? Between who and who?
Your servants are not allowed past this point.
Shield Hero,
the races gathered here have ruled over Siltvelt until today,
the day of your return.
I am Solea, of the Genmu Race.
I am Tsualon, representative of the Aotatsu race, Shield Hero.
Um... thanks, I guess.
Your words honor me.
Is this how an audience is supposed to work?
Yes. All of us are overwhelmed with joy.
I'll just come out and say exactly what I need from you.
Yes, sire!
I've got no interest in taking over Siltvelt.
I'm just here on my way to my goal.
I promise not to get in the way of your ruling your own country.
So prepare a ship to Q'ten Lo for me.
I want to leave as soon as I can.
I see.
You seem to be under a misunderstanding, Shield Hero.
What?
First, please rest from your long journey.
And then we will be happy to hear you out
after you participate in tonight's banquet.
I'm in a hurry.
And I'm sure some of you want me out of here as soon as possible, right?
I won't deny that.
But that's a sickness in our country that must be purged.
Anyone who doesn't want Naofumi-sama here is a traitor to his country.
They must be found and executed as soon as possible!
Our one task in life is to swear loyalty to the Shield Hero!
Please do not forget that.
How wonderful...
To swear loyalty to Naofumi-sama.
Then you should be granting my wish as soon as possible, right?
Of course, we'll prepare a ship.
But the god we worship has finally returned, and you're leaving already?
This country is merely a stop on your journey?
You saw how our people worshiped you!
If you leave so suddenly,
the people will think you've abandoned Siltvelt, and be lost in sorrow!
But we don't have time to—
There may even be riots, and a military coup d'etat.
That's how much you mean to this nation.
Please...
Please be the Shield Hero that all of us have been waiting for!
Fine.
I'll go to this banquet, then, if that's what you want.
Excellent.
We've prepared a room for the Shield Hero and each of his followers.
Please wait there until the banquet begins.
I don't want us in separate rooms.
I can't imagine they'll try anything on me right now,
but I don't want to be alone, just in case.
We cannot treat others in the same manner we would treat the Shield Hero.
It would make a mockery of our faith.
Um...
Is it possible to prepare a room next to Naofumi-sama?
Look at that white tiger, thinking she's allowed to talk.
How absurd.
Very well. I'll have it prepared immediately.
There's still time before evening.
I'd rather go see the town than stay in.
They would be honored to have a visit from the Shield Hero!
How wonderful!
All right, let's go.
But...
It will take some time to arrange such a royal visit.
And a sudden visit would catch the people off guard.
They'd regret that they were unable to offer you a proper welcome.
Such a major event requires preparations,
and the people must be told in advance!
Fine. I'll stay inside the palace.
Am I at least allowed to walk around inside?
Of course.
After all, this is your palace.
And yet I'm not allowed inside a single room.
They're all "being renovated." I have no freedom at all.
Sheesh...
How many days are we going to waste here?
From the way that went, you might be looking at months, not days.
But then we won't have time to get ready for the Phoenix!
Yup!
I respect their loyalty to Naofumi-sama, but they're too inflexible.
So this is how the other three heroes felt
when they were worshiped as gods in Melromarc, huh?
I think they were a lot more free-spirited than you are now, Naofumi-sama.
You'd have to be a free spirit to ask them to give you a ship
when you're running away without doing your duty as Shield Hero, right, Naofumi-chan?
You've got me there.
Yeah, I phrased that wrong.
Sadeena-san, Naofumi-sama is just hurrying
because he wants to help Raphtalia-san, right?
I know that!
I'm sorry... It seems like I've caused trouble for everyone...
So, Naofumi-sama, you need to do a lot of things for me, too.
Where did that come from?
If it isn't the Shield Hero!
And who are you?
I am Jaralis, the representative of the Laio race.
A lion demi-human?
I apologize for only being able to introduce myself now.
It's fine.
So, Shield Hero, we've all heard a little of what's happened...
If you wish to have a ship arranged to Q'ten Lo,
I can arrange it quickly on my own.
You weren't at the audience earlier.
Which means you probably aren't that important. Are you really capable of this?
I'm looking forward to seeing you at tonight's banquet.
Wow! So high up!
Fohl, you know anything about that Jaralis guy?
Nope, sorry.
It's my first time seeing this Werner guy, too.
You're useless, Brother.
Atla!
I don't trust either of them,
but if Jaralis is willing to prepare a ship for us,
he's probably not on the same side as Werner.
He may be someone who's still not important enough for an audience,
but whose power is growing rapidly.
What will you do, Naofumi-chan?
There's no telling when we'll be able to leave Siltvelt
if we let the bird guy boss us around.
But the lion's offer seems too good to be true.
Siding with one will probably mean making an enemy out of the other.
So we'll just have to take a few days to wait and see.
All this is so complicated!
I'm hungry!
Yeah.
Q'ten Lo is a long ways off...
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