01x25 - The Rising of the Shield Hero

[bunniefuu]

[CREW groaning]

[SOLDIER A] Your Majesty, everyone's accounted for.

[MIRELIA] I am thankful for all your hard work.

--[expl*si*n] --[BOTH gasp]

[MIRELIA] The Wave is showing no signs of stopping.

Perhaps that means it won't end until those

adventurers have finally been defeated.

Either way, there's nothing we can do.

We'll have to entrust our victory to the Shield Hero.

[GLASS yells]

[NAOFUMI grunts]

[NAOFUMI] She thinks the Wrath Shield's

my only defense against her.

[BOTH grunt]

Master Naofumi!

[GLASS gasps]

[NAOFUMI gasps] The Soul Eater Shield did that?

[NAOFUMI] It drains the enemy's SP...

But still, I've never seen Glass hesitate like that.

[THERESE] I pray, may your sacrifice

carve open a path to our future!

Bejeweled...

Meteor Shield!

[THERESE] ...Compressor b*mb!

What magic is this?

It looks like it's being powered by her jewels. [gasps]

That's the att*ck that b*at the others last time!

Power of jewels far and wide.

Heed my call and come here to me.

[NAOFUMI] Crap! They can use combo skills, too?

[THERESE] My friends,

summon a freezing storm that destroys my targets!

Shield Prison!

Bejeweled Blizzard!

Combo-Stance: Reverse Hail Seasons!

[NAOFUMI grunting]

[GLASS gasps]

[NAOFUMI panting]

Master Naofumi!

Hey, are you holding up okay?

Yeah. I'm just peachy.

We can't even b*at you with that combo skill?

You have gotten better.

Everything I thought I knew about you

is completely useless now.

Guess it's a good thing we leveled up

back on Cal Mira, huh?

Yeah!

[FILO giggles]

[NAOFUMI] But something's still bugging me.

Glass's reaction to the Soul Eater Shield wasn't normal.

I wonder...

All right, new plan.

It's clear to me now that I need to fight Glass alone.

No way! Are you out of your mind?

[NAOFUMI] You three can handle L'Arc and Therese.

Please don't tell me that you're going to...

[NAOFUMI] This way I won't have to use that shield.

Sounds good to me.

If that's the case, then you can sign me up.

Yeah! I'm on board, too!

Let's go!

[GLASS gasps] You can't get away!

[RAPHTALIA] The two of you are going to

have to deal with us now!

[chuckles] Sounds like fun.

[GLASS chuckles] Ah, a one-on-one fight?

Well, that's exactly what I was thinking.

Although...

You're letting them fight a duo as strong as L'Arc and Therese?

You're placing an awful lot of trust in your party.

L'Arc told me he's a hero,

it's just that he's fighting on behalf of another world.

[GLASS gasps]

I take it you have the same story, Glass?

That's correct.

I am also what the people of my world

call a Vassal Wielder-- the Fan Hero.

[NAOFUMI] "Vassal Wielder"?

En garde!

[THERESE] My friends, bring forth a wall of fire

to stop my targets in their tracks!

Bejeweled Flame Bulwark!

Zweit Aqua Slash!

[L'ARC grunts]

I don't think so!

Damn it.

--[yells] --[L'ARC grunts]

Heh. You guys are good.

No wonder Naofumi trusts you.

Hope he's all right...

[NAOFUMI] She's quick, but she doesn't have

the edge on me she used to.

I can take her.

[GLASS] Rupture-Stance Rondo: Tortoise Shell cr*cker!

[NAOFUMI] Dog Bite!

[GLASS gasps]

[NAOFUMI] Change Shield! Soul Eater Shield!

[GLASS screams]

[NAOFUMI] My hunch was right!

[NAOFUMI] Glass is weakened by the Soul Eater!

Glassy's in trouble!

Naofumi...

[NAOFUMI] All this shield does to anyone else is drain SP.

But with you, it seems to suck out your life force.

[gasps]

This fight's over.

The Wave will die down if you retreat, won't it?

So how 'bout we both just call it a day?

"Call it a day"?

Oh, no. This battle's not over just yet.

Not until one of us is dead.

I will never surrender!

Hey!

[GLASS screams]

Stop it, now!

If you don't, you're gonna k*ll yourself!

[GLASS] As long as I still draw breath,

I will do everything in my power to end your life.

For the sake of the world I love, I have no choice!

[NAOFUMI gasps]

[GLASS] So the only way you'll ever be able to

get rid of me is if you k*ll me!

Otherwise, this world will end!

That's ridiculous!

Master Naofumi...

[GLASS] You're just like me, aren't you, Naofumi?

You want to protect this world, right?

Then you should want me dead right here and now!

I, uh...

[NAOFUMI] Protect it? Is that what I want?

The world I was summoned to against my will?

Where I've been put through hell?

She wants to protect her world so badly.

So why have I been fighting the Waves?

[gasps]

[NAOFUMI] What is this?

[GLASS] They're all waiting for us.

[NAOFUMI gasps]

My people are fighting against their own Wave,

awaiting our triumphant return.

[NAOFUMI] Am I seeing her world?

[GLASS] That's why I cannot lose!

[gasps]

That's how this ends.

It's do or die, Naofumi!

[NAOFUMI] Am I willing to destroy all her hopes

just to protect this world?

[L'ARC] Heads up, Glassy!

[NAOFUMI] Soul soothing potion?

All it does for me is give me access to a few more skills.

But for Glassy...

[NAOFUMI] Crap!

[GLASS yells]

--[NAOFUMI grunts] --[RAPHTALIA] Master Naofumi!

[NAOFUMI groans]

[NAOFUMI] Raphtalia!

What do you think you're doing?!

You know what I'm doing here. I'm Master Naofumi's sword!

[NAOFUMI gasps]

Never again.

I won't let it happen.

No one else will ever go through what Rifana and I did!

Got that?

Raphtalia...

You see, we have our own reasons not to lose!

No, you don't! Air Strike Shield!

You okay?

[NAOFUMI grunts]

[NAOFUMI] Dark Gas Burning!

[BOTH gasp]

Naofumi! Raphtalia!

Glassy! Get outta there! Now!

[MIRELIA gasps]

This isn't good.

I wish there was something we could do

to help them win this fight.

[RISHIA] Someone please help me!

[MIRELIA gasps]

[whines]

I've got it!

[NAOFUMI gasps]

Still not giving up?

[panting]

Wait a sec... [gasps]

Enough. Let's end this.

[L'ARC] You can't! It's too risky!

[THERESE] You've done enough, Glass!

Blank-Stance Rondo...

Don't do it, Master Naofumi!

Don't use that shield!

I'm really just an outsider here.

As soon as I finish fighting off the Waves,

I'm just gonna go back to my own world.

[RAPHTALIA gasps]

[NAOFUMI] But you three--

Raphtalia, Filo, Melty...

This world has you.

That's my reason for using this shield.

And it's the only reason I need to take Glass down!

Don't do this...

Now, sinner, I sentence you

to cast your screams unto the heavens above!

No, wait... Stop it, please!

[NAOFUMI] The jaws of the dragon born from my flesh

shall swallow you, and you'll become an offering

to the gods as you howl in pain!

[RAPHTALIA] No!

[NAOFUMI yells]

Blood Sacrif--

[MIRELIA] Shield Hero!

[gasps]

As source of thy power, I order thee.

Decipher the laws of nature and unleash a gust of wind.

Fast Wind Blow!

[RISHIA] Here! You can use these!

Perfect!

Meteor Shield!

[gasps]

Wait, what did you do that for?

What the hell is this?

Oh, no. C'mon!

[NAOFUMI] They were filled with cohol berries.

[RAPHTALIA] Aren't those what they use to make wine?

[NAOFUMI] Yeah, but for some reason,

they don't seem to have any effect on me.

So? Finished yet?

No way. I'll k*ll you.

[gasps]

[NAOFUMI] L'Arc?

[RAPHTALIA] Therese!

[L'ARC] This fight's over. We're outta time.

[L'ARC] So congrats. I guess you win this round.

[THERESE] But this won't be the last time we meet in battle.

What do you two think you're doing?

If we don't k*ll Naofumi right now...

[L'ARC] Yell at us when you're not about to throw up, huh?

See ya 'round, Naofumi.

Heh. Feels wrong to call you that.

Think I'll stick with "kiddo."

L'Arc, wait...!

[MYNE] Sir Motoyasu!

[MOTOYASU groans] The Wave. Did we win?

Looks like it's over anyway.

Naofumi soloed it again?

No. Every one of us played our part here.

We share this victory!

[CREW cheering]

[whines]

I hate wine. [hiccups]

[RAPHTALIA] Oh, Master Naofumi! An accessory shop!

Let's take a look.

[NAOFUMI] Once the Wave was over,

we decided that we were done leveling up.

We were going to leave Cal Mira's bonus field behind

and head back to Melromarc,

except...

[RAPHTALIA] See those dark clouds out there on the horizon?

It won't be safe for us to sail back through those.

You know an awful lot about the sea, huh?

Wow! You keep catching so many!

I did grow up in a fishing village.

Yeah. Almost forgot.

[NAOFUMI] Because of the offshore storm,

we decided to extend our holiday for a few more days.

And yet... I still couldn't relax.

L'Arc and Glass said they were heroes from another world...

...who were trying to fight off their own Waves.

In order to defend their world,

they have to defeat heroes from somewhere else.

In other words, they have to defeat us.

[RAPHTALIA] So when we get back... what are we going to do?

[NAOFUMI] Well, prepare for the next Wave, of course.

[RAPHTALIA] Right.

[NAOFUMI] But... if we have to fight Glass's party again...

...will I be able to k*ll them?

I can't tell you how many Waves will have passed

when it happens,

but a time is coming when the world will demand

great sacrifices from all of us.

There will be a battle in which the heroes

will have to choose what they're fighting for.

[NAOFUMI] So we'll have to choose which world to sacrifice?

Is that what you meant, Fitoria?

[RAPHTALIA] Master Naofumi? Is something on your mind?

Well...

I was just thinking it might be time to start

recruiting some new additions to the party.

That's a good idea.

After all, Melty's busy with her royal duties now.

Let's gather as many weapons and party members as we can.

Who knows how strong Glass's party will be next time.

Huh?

[NAOFUMI] If the Four Cardinal Heroes end up dead,

you guys will be this world's only hope.

Well, uh...

[FILO] Master, come quick!

[RAPHTALIA] Hm?

[RAPHTALIA] You wanted to drown?!

[RISHIA whines]

[FILO] Yeah, but I saved her!

[NAOFUMI] Wasn't she in Itsuki's party?

She told me her name was Rishia.

I guess the Bow Hero kicked her out of his party.

She said she's lost hope completely.

He kicked her out?

She was accused of something she didn't do.

[gasps]

[RISHIA] I-I swear, it wasn't me!

They said I broke one of Master Itsuki's favorite accessories,

but I didn't do it!

That's awful.

But it gave them an excuse to get rid of her.

[NAOFUMI] If I had to guess,

I'd say the rest of his party was embarrassed

by her stealing the spotlight in the Wave.

Knowing Itsuki,

he just trusted their accusation blindly and threw her out.

[RISHIA cries]

Master Itsuki doesn't want anything to do with me!

I don't deserve to live!

[NAOFUMI] Rishia, right?

C'mon. Are you really gonna take this lying down?

Well, they're not wrong about everything they said.

I really am weak and useless.

Don't you want to teach Itsuki and the rest of his party

a lesson for what they've done to you?

You helped me out a lot during that Wave.

[RISHIA gasps]

[BOTH] Mm-hmm!

[RISHIA] Really? I helped the Shield Hero?

You did. You saved everyone.

And you have the courage to grow so much stronger.

Do you believe that?

You really think I'm brave and strong?

Yes. Why don't you join our party?

I'd be happy to help out however I can

until you're able to clear your name.

[gasps]

[RAPHTALIA] Let's get stronger together.

[FILO] And maybe I can teach you how to swim.

[RISHIA sobs] Thank you!

Thank you so much for inviting me to join with you!

Now you're training someone else's party member?

You've become a big softie, Naofumi.

[NAOFUMI] If their parties are as useless as they are,

it'll cause real problems for everyone.

[stomach growls]

[FILO] Hey, where's the food?

[NAOFUMI, RAPHTALIA laugh]

[NAOFUMI] Right. How 'bout we eat something?

--[RAPHTALIA] Great! --[FILO] Yeah!

[NAOFUMI] Before long, the storm d*ed down,

and we were on our way back to Melromarc.

[MIRELIA] Thank you again, Shield Hero.

Words cannot express my gratitude

for everything you've done.

I couldn't have done any of these things by myself,

without my friends.

And many thanks to you, too, Your Majesty.

You're giving me too much credit.

[NAOFUMI] I don't know if we'll be so lucky next time.

The other heroes are still completely useless.

[MIRELIA] I couldn't agree more.

[NAOFUMI] Guess I need to try and talk to them again.

[MIRELIA] Yes. And sooner rather than later.

By the way, Shield Hero, did you ever figure out

the reward you wanted?

[NAOFUMI] Hm?

[MIRELIA] I still have to find a way to repay you

for the part you played in eliminating the pope, remember?

Oh, yeah...

[MIRELIA] And now there's so much more

that you've done here in Cal Mira.

If I don't do something soon, I'll never be able to repay you.

[NAOFUMI] Hmm. Actually, I might have an idea.

Of course. I should've guessed

you'd request something selfless like that.

[ERHARDT] Oh, welcome back, kid!

Hey, where'd you pick up a cutie a like this?

Ugh, give it a rest.

I need you to put together some equipment for all of us,

including her.

I'll buy whatever I can, as thanks for last time.

Now that's what I like to hear!

You planning to stick around for a while?

[NAOFUMI] Nah, just a pit stop.

There's somewhere we need to be.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot.

Where are we going? What are you guys talking about?

[ERHARDT] Oh! Uh, nowhere special...

Isn't that right, kid?

[NAOFUMI] Right.

[RAPHTALIA] What's with you two? C'mon, just tell me!

You know, you sure are a lucky little lady.

Huh?

Come back if you need anything.

My door's always open!

[RAPHTALIA] Master Naofumi?

Yeah?

Can't you at least tell me something

about where we're going?

[NAOFUMI] Oh, sorry, uh,

we're on our way to claim the queen's reward.

The one you were talking about on the boat?

[sighs] You will stay with us, right, Master Naofumi?

Mm?

Is that salt I smell?

[NAOFUMI chuckles] I should've known.

You noticed that, huh?

[RAPHTALIA] Does that mean...

[NAOFUMI] Yep. We're almost there.

[RAPHTALIA gasps]

[KEEL] Mm? Hey, it's Raphtalia!

Hi there, Keel!

You look good.

I'm glad you recovered!

[VAN] Recovered so well, in fact,

that Keel's working harder than everyone else.

Oh, hey, Van, what are you doing here?

I see. You still don't know why you're here?

[RAPHTALIA] What?

[MELTY] Yeah... Naofumi's still a really big jerk.

[FILO gasps] Hiya, Mel!

Master Naofumi, will you please tell me what's going on?

[NAOFUMI] Mm... You'll find out soon enough.

[RAPHTALIA, FILO gasp]

[MELTY] In the name of Queen Mirelia Q Melromarc,

I, Second Princess Melty Melromarc,

hereby bestow Seyaette's Demi-Human Region

to the Shield Hero, whose name is Naofumi Iwatani,

along with all governing rights.

What?

[NAOFUMI] Surprise. That was the queen's reward.

I'm officially the lord of this area.

Are you all being serious?

[NAOFUMI] The way I see it,

we're gonna need some kind of home base.

[MELTY] You could've lived in the capital

if you wanted to, you know.

[NAOFUMI] Yeah, but if I did that,

it'd only be a matter of time

before I'd run into Trash or Bitch.

[MELTY sighs]

[FILO] Can we go play, Mel?

[MELTY] Mm!

Raphtalia, come with me.

I want to show you something.

[RAPHTALIA gasps]

[RAPHTALIA] Boats?

[NAOFUMI] Restarting the fishing business

will help as we rebuild.

And we do have our own fishing expert.

Me?

What do you think about showing

some of these newcomers the ropes?

[NAOFUMI] This way.

Well, if it isn't the Shield Hero!

[NAOFUMI] Workin' hard, I see.

I'll train as many new recruits as you can scrounge up

and bring to me.

I know and I'm counting on it.

I've already got a trainee with a lot of potential.

[OLD WOMAN A laughs] I can hardly wait!

[HERBALIST A] Hey! I've stocked us up

with plenty of medicine.

[MAGIC SHOPKEEPER A] If you need anything else,

just let us know!

So all of you moved to Seyaette?

As soon as they found out that I was the new local lord,

they insisted on coming to help out.

[RAPHTALIA gasps]

[NAOFUMI] At this rate,

the rebuild will be finished in no time.

Why here?

I chose this place a long time ago.

Your village was once destroyed by a Wave,

but now it'll be a symbol of resistance against them.

Rishia won't be the last person we recruit.

We'll train them all here and build an army

bigger than the rest of the heroes have combined.

That way, if something--

[gasps]

Raphtalia?

Master Naofumi, please, I can't!

It's too much!

It feels like... like you're trying to prepare us

for when you're not going to be around anymore!

It doesn't matter if Glass, L'Arc, and Therese

show up again, we can b*at them.

We can b*at the Waves! I know it!

You're not going to die, Master Naofumi! I won't let you!

Raphtalia...

[RAPHTALIA] But, that doesn't really matter.

Because once we b*at all the Waves,

you're just gonna go back to your world,

and I'll never see you again.

I never want that day to come!

[NAOFUMI] Yeah, well...

[RAPHTALIA] Never! I won't accept it!

Just imagining a life without you--it's absolutely unbearable!

Because I... I just don't want you to go!

Please, Master Naofumi! Please stay!

Even after the Waves are gone, stay with us forever!

[NAOFUMI gasps]

[RAPHTALIA sobs]

This has been on your mind for a while...

[NAOFUMI] I'm so sorry.

[RAPHTALIA] Oh, no. You don't have to apologize!

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure before.

[NAOFUMI] But... I am now.

That's why I came here.

[NAOFUMI] We're gonna start over.

If we're fighting the Waves or looking for new party members,

it all begins here.

When I met you, I found meaning in having to fight the Waves.

Meeting Filo and Melty helped me decide to fight for my friends.

And I've met so many other people

that have made me want to be the Shield Hero,

and protect this world.

It's going to be our new beginning.

More importantly, our home.

Master Naofumi...

Raphtalia, you'll keep on fighting as my sword, won't you?

Yes. Of course I will, Master Naofumi!

[FILO] Hey, that's no fair!

[BOTH gasp]

[FILO] I want a hug! Master!

--[FILO giggles] --[NAOFUMI gasps]

Come on! Get in on this, Mel.

[MELTY gasps] No thanks, I-I'll pass!

[KEEL, HERBALIST A laugh]

[KEEL] Ready?

Ta-dah!

[VILLAGERS cheering]

Are you watching, Rifana?

Can you see the flag flying over our village again?

And it's such a beautiful flag, too.

[gasps]

[RAPHTALIA] Master Naofumi?

Yeah. Our story begins anew.

A fresh start for the Shield Hero!

Looks like Naofumi's settled down in his own domain.

Guess it's up to us to travel around the world

and make it a better place.

[REN] I'll be so much stronger.

Stronger than you could ever hope to be, Naofumi!

I can't believe the queen gave the Devil of the Shield

his own domain.

Isn't it outrageous, Sir Motoyasu?

Nah, I don't think so.

In fact, we should visit him some time.

I'd like to see Filo, anyway.

[MYNE gasps] Hmph.

It might behoove you to keep an open mind, I say.

"Behoove"?

Huh? Yeah, why'd I say that?

[AULTCRAY] I'm counting on you two, you know.

--[MIRELIA clears throat] --[CONSPIRATORS gasp]

[sighs]

[sl*ve TRADER laughs] That Shield Hero

certainly knows how to make bold decisions, doesn't he?

I suppose it'll be a while before he comes to see me again.

Remember, dear, you'll always be my golden goose.

I have faith that you'll become a better patron over time

and bring me greater profits than ever.

[sl*ve TRADER laughs]