Naofumi-sama saved my life.
Atla would've died in a slave's cell in Zeltoble if the Shield Hero hadn't helped her.
There you are.
Are the children doing well? The white tiger siblings.
They went to Siltvelt along with the Shield Hero.
You really let the two white tiger siblings go?
To Siltvelt?
Magic Prism!
Now's our chance!
Stand fast!
Drifa Shine Ray!
In the war with my nation,
the Siltvelt leader, Tairan, died.
The white tiger demi-humans were forced to bear full responsibility for the war,
and lost any position they had in their country.
Those two carry Tairan's blood.
Who knows what will happen to them?
They have their own path to follow.
But...
Iwatani-sama is with them.
For now, let us pray for their safety.
I've had enough of this!
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Episode 3: A True People
What is that white tiger demi-human going to say?
White tiger demi-human with tainted blood...
What?
She bears human blood?
Could she be Tyran's...
White tiger! You have no right to speak!
Begone!
"Tainted blood"? "Right to speak"?
Absurd...
How can you say that after poisoning us?
You have no right to accuse me.
The people of Siltvelt... especially all of you...
Be silent!
I will not!
You've forgotten the most important thing of all, haven't you?
If I stop here, I'll never forgive myself.
Atla...
As Naofumi-sama's shield, I declare that...
You're wrong! All of you!
We're "wrong"?
Yes.
You're disrespecting the Shield Hero.
What?
None of us would ever disrespect the hero!
We're welcoming him with everything we can!
Then why are you ignoring the Shield Hero's request?
And then there's your continued disrespectful behavior since Naofumi-sama's arrival...
I'm shocked at your own lack of faith,
and disappointed in myself for failing to recognize it in advance.
Now, I ask you this question.
How was Siltvelt founded?
Th-The Shield Hero made it for us demi-humans and beastmen?
Yes. It was founded the same way as the village Naofumi-sama restored.
The same as Lurolona Village, the place that accepted me.
Right now, we're still slaves, but...
And...
Naofumi welcomed many beastmen and demi-humans to Lurolona Village,
giving them not just a place to live, but hope for the future.
We want to repay him for everything he's done.
I serve Naofumi-sama. I love him.
For making me a proud member of the village.
For making you into citizens of Siltvelt!
That's right.
We are the proud people of Siltvelt.
Everything we do, we do for the Shield Hero.
We owe the Shield Hero, Naofumi-sama, our lives.
Am I wrong?
Yes... while we live in different countries, we all feel the same way!
But our country is much bigger than a tiny village...
Then was your country large and powerful from the start?
Do you feel the village Naofumi-sama has brought back to life is too small to matter?
But...
Think about why we have our power, our claws, our fangs!
Is it to rule the world?
Or to protect the people?
I-It's to...
I told you!
It all exists for Naofumi-sama, the Shield Hero!
Even if you mock me for my tainted blood,
the blood in my body, my instincts, and my soul, all cry out to me...
To show my loyalty to the Shield Hero!
This is the age of the Waves of Calamity...
We must renew our vow of loyalty to him!
That's right! Swear our loyalty to the hero!
He must be “The Hero of the Time to Come”!
Disgusting white tiger...
Atla...
Um, well...
I don't think she's said anything wrong, so I can't speak up.
Yeah... she's impressive.
Our task is to serve the Shield Hero and save the world from the coming disaster.
This girl has helped us remember that.
And yet you would poison the Shield Hero?
That's right! That's unforgivable!
You deserve death!
Why would you commit such a heinous act?
You're accusing us?
Where's your proof?
Sadeena! Filo!
Yup! We brought 'em!
Oh, Master!
Right this way.
I-I was given the honor of preparing breakfast for the Shield Hero.
My name is Denny, and I'm a court chef.
Master!
Can we go back to breakfast?
Can I eat it? I don't care if it's poisoned.
Once we're done dealing with the poison thing.
Okay.
I've had that man, Ethan, keep an eye on the palace for the last three days.
A white tiger, working with the hero?
The welcome I received was more than enough to make me suspect you all.
And then I saw this man adding poison to today's breakfast.
Please forgive me.
It's not me.
I just...
Don't worry. Your family's safe.
We've got them somewhere safe.
Shield Hero...
Who told you to do it?
Jaralis-sama...
I only did it because he threatened me!
He's not lying.
You heard the man.
I don't believe we've met.
Are you sure it was me?
You weren't just given my name?
Well...
Hero, this is probably a plot to ruin my good name!
Or do you have some other proof?
That's right!
Show me proof!
What more proof do you need?
Just admit it already!
This is ridiculous!
I figured he wouldn't let it rattle him...
Enough!
Let's go, Filo!
Okay!
Either way, I'm not staying in a country that tries to poison me!
You can figure the rest out for yourselves.
Hero!
Wait!
I have something I'd like to say.
I suggest that the Shield Hero there
is not really the "Hero of the Time to Come" that we've been waiting for!
Jaralis! Your disrespect goes too far!
I am truly concerned for the future of Siltvelt, and want to see it prosper.
I don't want to see us make the wrong decision,
and that is why I am forced to speak up against the Shield Hero at risk to my life.
Naofumi-sama... no... God does not make mistakes!
Or are you so foolish as to suggest he's not the real Shield Hero?
I wouldn't go that far.
I'm simply asking if what we are experiencing right now are truly the Waves of Calamity.
If these are truly the Waves that will destroy the world,
then why was the Shield Hero summoned to Melromarc, and not here?
That's all the proof we need that he's not the hero we desire.
Is he truly the "Hero of the Time to Come"?
That's my question!
The Shield Hero isn't the "Hero of the Time to Come"?
Why was the hero summoned to Melromarc?
Is this why Jaralis was so calm?
The answer is clear.
This is the time that was spoken of,
and so the Shield Hero was summoned along with the other three.
The Heroes' strength lies in how they work together.
Thus, he was summoned to Melromarc in order to work with the other heroes.
That's proof the world is in danger!
That's nonsense!
Who's speaking nonsense here?
I'm speaking as someone who's sworn loyalty to Naofumi-sama!
It seems that some of those who swear loyalty to him have their doubts...
Didn't you find it strange?
Why, if he's sworn loyalty to the Shield Hero, Werner hasn't prepared a ship?
If the hero does not stay in the country,
those who doubt that he is the "Hero of the Time to Come" will not be satisfied.
Am I wrong?
Well...
You only care about yourselves...
You don't care about Naofumi-sama at all!
I believe she has us there, everyone.
Young, but strong-willed. Weak, but fierce.
If you were to ask me who is the true citizen of Siltvelt,
I would have to say it was her.
Why are you here?
You came!
Who's this?
The Elder of the Genmu.
He's retired,
but still has a lot of influence with all the different factions.
Shield Hero.
It's such an honor to meet you.
Call me "Elder," if you like.
Elder... your appearance...
You stand before the Shield Hero.
My apologies.
I always protect myself by staying in this form.
I heard what you all were saying.
Everything she's said is right, isn't it?
Don't you think it's foolish to think only of yourselves,
and not the Shield Hero?
The Elder is right!
So you would listen to the words of one with tainted blood?
No true citizen of Siltvelt would do such a thing!
I see...
If you insist on becoming an obstacle to Naofumi-sama,
then I shall eliminate you by force!
Atla!
How insulting!
I'll kill you myself, white tiger demi-human with tainted blood!
I accept your challenge!
Both of you, silence!
This is getting us nowhere.
Then why don't we settle this with a duel, as is Siltvelt tradition?
A duel?
Elder, a duel is going too far!
As there are those among us who doubt whether he is truly the "Hero of the Time to Come,"
this has to happen at some point, I think.
All right.
Then I shall be the second of the white tiger demi-human who serves the Shield Hero.
Jaralis, you must accept the duel too, to prove what you believe.
For the sake of fairness,
I shall be your second, Jaralis.
I'm sure you'll have no objections.
After all the lies you've spoken,
I'm sure you're willing to take the risk that will happen if you lose.
Of course.
Then I accept the duel.
This has gotten out of hand.
Yes.
I tried to use the poison as my trump card to get us to Q'ten Lo.
So why are we having a duel?
If we win...
First, we shall strip the white tiger demi-humans
if their position as one of the four great races.
Instead, we Laio shall take their place.
Next, the Shield Hero shall belong to our country alone.
And lastly, that rude girl there will be severely punished.
How does that sound?
Ridiculous!
That's too much in your favor!
I don't mind.
Naofumi-sama, I just have to win.
Fine.
Then if I win, you do whatever I want.
Of course, Shield Hero...
Then if the Shield Hero's party wins, Siltvelt will obey his instructions.
That will do, yes?
It's fine.
Then I shall permit a duel between the white tiger demi-human and Jaralis!
Wait.
Brother...
Let me be the one to fight in that duel.
I'll fight in your place.
I can't do that.
Naofumi-sama's future is at stake.
I don't think you can be trusted.
Atla-chan, why not let him try?
He's not usually this assertive.
But...
There's something I want to ask him.
I feel like this battle will be important.
For me...
and for Dad!
I'll fight you both, then.
I shall show you disgusting white tigers the power of noble blood!
Jaralis, a duel must be fought by an equal number of participants on each side.
Of course, I'll bring another person.
Is that all right, Hero?
Naofumi-sama, don't worry.
Even if my brother falls, I'll defeat him on my own.
Atla, I can do this!
Going along with the enemy's plan and still winning is a sign of true strength.
I swear I'll win!
Please, Naofumi-sama!
Please!
All right.
Naofumi-sama!
You're sure about this?
It feels like this is important to my brother, too.
This duel is my chance to prove my loyalty to you.
I'll overcome whatever trials await me!
And more than anything...
I can't be your shield if I can't overcome something like this!
I'm counting on you.
Yes, just leave it to me.
Both parties, step forward!
Who's that minotaur-looking dude?
Oh my.
Incredible... He's called one of the heroes from the last great war to fight?
Yes.
This battle will decide the Shield Hero's fate. I couldn't entrust it to just anyone.
I'm doing this for Siltvelt.
So that I can have my daughter marry the Shield Hero?
His daughter?
How dare you try to use Naofumi-sama as a studhorse!
Atla! Fohl! You have to win this!
Of course!
Yeah.
Jaralis.
You fight me.
If I win, you have to tell me everything about what happened with my dad.
Filthy white tiger...
Now, are you all ready?
Begin!
Entrusted Power