03x01 - The Dark Coliseum

[bunniefuu]

Team Rockvalley has just entered the arena,

and they're already struggling against the veteran Topak family!

Hah! I'd thought they might be tough, but I guess I was wrong!

Let's finish 'em off!

Will Team Rockvalley be able to fight their way out of this?!

The Rising of the Shield Hero

The Dark Coliseum

My name is Iwatani Naofumi.

I was sent from modern Japan to another world as the Shield Hero,

in order to fight the Waves, which are said to bring calamity to this world.

But since the Spirit Tortoise, one of the four guardian beasts that protect this world, revived,

it will be a while before another Wave occurs.

The guardian beasts use soul energy gathered by k*lling people

to stop the Waves from occurring.

We defeated the Spirit Tortoise, so the Phoenix,

the next Guardian Beast, was supposed to revive immediately afterward.

But the energy we took back from Kyo created a barrier

that gives us three and a half months before the Phoenix revives.

I'll have to use that three and a half months to strengthen the defenses in my lands,

and prepare to defeat the Phoenix.

But when I fought Kyo, the Sacrifice Aura put a curse on us.

Me, Raphtalia, and Filo all took a big hit to our status.

Lowhirot, Haikazuya, Mideus...

Why are the armies that gathered to defeat the Spirit Tortoise still here?

And those flags... That's Faubrey.

They didn't come to fight the Spirit Tortoise, so why are they here?

I haven't been able to use the Liberation Aura that Ost taught me since then, either.

I don't know if I ever will.

I'm the Shield. Motoyasu is the Spear.

Ren is the Sword. Itsuki is the Bow.

We need to be able to trust each other's way of buffing each other so that we can get stronger.

Missing?

The other three heroes dealt with the Wave

that took place after you left for the other world.

The one that occurred alongside the one Kyo artificially created in the other world, right?

We were all grateful to them for that,

but it's possible they felt responsible for what happened, because now they're missing.

Those idiots...

With the Phoenix about to revive,

having even one of the heroes missing would be an extremely serious concern.

The Waves of Catastrophe, the Guardian Beasts...

I have nothing but pity for the poor people of this land who are caught up in these disasters.

Iwatani-sama, as the Shield Hero, I ask you to lend us your help once more...

I don't need you to ask me. I'll fight to protect my lands.

But what about you?

The three nations to the east and Faubrey are lurking around your country.

As the Queen of Melromarc, that's a pretty big concern too, isn't it?

After the defeat of the Spirit Tortoise, Faubrey stationed their soldiers nearby,

in what they're calling a "relief effort."

The three nations are wary of them, and so have placed their own forces nearby as well.

Melromarc and that nation are allies.

For the moment, at least.

Oh, it's Mel-chan!

Hmph!

It's been so long!

You look like you're doing well, Filo-chan.

I'm sorry, Raphtalia-san.

Our national religion changed from worshiping the Three Heroes to worshiping the Four Heroes.

But there are still a lot of people who don't like Naofumi or demi-humans.

No, it's okay.

Mother wants them dismissed from their positions,

but they were some of my father's most trusted men, which makes it hard, I guess.

Oh, I see...

What this world calls the Vassal w*apon Heroes...

The Seven Star Heroes, was it?

What about them?

They should be somewhere out there in the world...

But we can't contact most of them.

Why?

We're investigating, but we haven't found any good leads.

The only one whose location we're aware of is the Staff Hero.

The Staff Hero?

Where are they?

Here in Melromarc.

What?

Iwatani-sama,

will you accompany me?

There's something I want you to see.

Are you going somewhere, Mel-chan?

Yes. Seyaette.

Is that near Master's lands?

Yup!

Then we can play again! Hooray!

Eclair's having a tough time ruling her lands. She needs my help.

You're really busy for a princess.

That's my job!

Now, we're going to finish packing and leave today!

So let's hurry!

Understood, I daresay.

Daresay?

What is this?

We recovered the Spirit Tortoise's body.

You don't miss a b*at, do you?

Joining with the Spirit Tortoise's Heart Shield

A new shield was unlocked

Miracle Pharmacology Recipe Spirit Tortoise's Divine Tree Shield

A final present from Ost?

Iwatani-sama, this is very difficult for me to say, but Malty...

Ahem, Bitch has gone missing as well.

She was sighted near the northern border.

The north?

Be careful. She may be planning something.

Damn you, Shield Hero! What are you doing here?

I can't believe he's the Staff Hero.

Kid!

Hard at work, huh?

I see... Between the Spirit Tortoise and that other world, you've been pretty busy, huh?

Yeah.

A status effect is lowering your stats.

Kid?

What's wrong? Why are you spacing out?

No, it's nothing.

Don't worry about it.

Oh, so I wanted to ask you about something.

This is the gear I used in that other world.

I haven't been able to use it since I got back.

What the hell is this stuff? Something's really weird with it.

Is something wrong, Naofumi-san?

No, I just liked the way you looked in it.

And your status was higher when you wore it.

So you want me to make it so you can use it here?

And do it on the cheap, too.

You always say that.

Why don't you just come to my lands and sell your weapons there?

You trying to work me even harder?

No way.

I'll pay you silvers a month.

I make more than that now!

, then.

Why did it get smaller?

Officially, they've switched to worshiping the Four Heroes...

but I guess people don't change that easily.

This is a difficult problem.

Melty's ideal country is a long way away.

It's been too long, Shield Hero!

But I had a feeling you'd show up soon!

There's not much here.

I barely see any slaves.

Why?

Oh, you don't know?

Have you forgotten that you're trying to bring back

the scattered villagers of Lurolona Village?

This must be the Queen's doing, damn it...

I just thought that if I was going to improve my lands,

it would be easier to do it with the people who lived there before.

The nobles and merchants heard that the message about this would be coming in advance,

and bought up all the slaves from the village to sell them outside the country.

How much would it cost to buy them back?

At the moment, you'd probably be paying gold a head.

Raphtalia was silvers!

So it's times her price?

It was , actually.

Why is the price so high?

Well, you just don't know how things will go in business.

Okay. I'll buy every sl*ve that's left.

So give me all the information you have.

That's my friend the Shield Hero! I'm getting the shivers!

If you still want the demi-humans from Lurolona Village,

then why not head to Zeltoble?

Zeltoble?

Heading to Zeltoble after you just got back? Wow, that's rough...

With the other three heroes missing, I need more people to defend my lands.

You should just use that portal thing instead of using a carriage!

You can't warp to a place you've never been unless you register.

Huh, that sucks.

Leave the demi-human slaves you brought to me.

Eclair, Elrasla-san, and I will teach them what they need to know.

And as their senior, I'll train them really hard!

Good. Thanks.

Bye, Mel-chan!

Bye!

Yggdrasill Potion

Yggdrasill Potion Craft Succeeded

There it is.

On the other side of that bridge is the capital of Zeltoble.

The country of merchants and mercenaries... It feels so alive.

There's an arena.

It's really bustling.

You can feel the heat from all these people.

Think there's good food?

So, where's the shop the sl*ve Merchant was talking about?

Here?

It's really small.

And it's a tavern?

He said we'd understand when we got here.

Hello, hello!

You're the Shield Hero and his party, yes?

What's he doing here?

I like the look in your eyes.

It's just like my nephew said.

I could fall in love with those eyes!

Oh, I'm a sl*ve merchant here in Zeltoble.

My nephew says you're one of his best customers.

Now, come in.

In this country, there are a lot of places above the surface where you can have fun, but...

The real fun lies elsewhere.

There are stairs in this city, like this one, that lead underground...

To a place full of fun, excitement, and shivers, yes!

You're lucky, Shield Hero.

I've heard that what you're looking for has just come in today.

Now, our next item is one you've all been waiting for!

A demi-human from Lurolona Village, which is now owned by the Shield Hero!

An underworld auction?

Here you can buy things you can't buy on the surface.

Slaves whose ownership is forbidden in Melromarc are being sold here tonight.

I'm a demi-human from Lurolona Village!

She's lying.

We'll start at .

I see .

Sixty-five.

Sixty-eight.

Sixty-nine!

Seventy-two.

Seventy-five.

Eighty.

I know you thought you were doing the right thing, but this is the result.

Eighty-one.

You just don't know how things will go in business.

I hear . One hundred!

The gentleman with the # sign has won, with a final bid of !

H-H-Hundr—

Thank you!

I'll do my best to serve you!

She's not from Lurolona Village.

It doesn't matter where she's actually from.

The "Lurolona Brand" that the Shield Hero created is just that powerful.

No...

You think it's ridiculous? Impossible?

But it's real!

Money! Money solves all problems, yes.

It seems tonight didn't work out,

but I have solid information that a Lurolona Village demi-human is here in the city.

Shield Hero, how much money do you have with you?

One hundred gold? No, , perhaps?

What are you trying to say?

I'm told you bought up all the slaves in Melromarc,

even ones that weren't from your village.

If only you'd saved your money...

What a shame.

Now, on to our next item!

You brought me down here because you have a way for me to earn money, right?

You saw the coliseum this afternoon, right?

People there fight fair, with their honor on the line.

But the underground arena is something entirely different.

There are no rules down there. You do whatever it takes to win.

But the money to be earned is much greater.

Bet on a dark horse and win. Or enter yourself.

Do that, and you'll make the money you need for the auctions.

Why don't you go take a look?

I'm shivering just thinking about how you'll earn the money!

An elephant and a panda?

May I stand next to you?

I haven't seen you around here. First time?

Sasa-chan's going to win today.

I mean Larsazusa-chan, the one you called a panda.

Are you here to bet? Or will you enter yourself?

The winner is Larsazusa!

See?

What are the rules down here?

That panda was using some kind of magic.

Up next is Fohl, the little mad dog of a tiger demi-human...

Versus the noble scion and master of the blade, Yuji!

The odds are tilted in Fohl's favor!

Do people think the impoverished demi-human can b*at the scion of the nouveau riche?

Bet on the rich kid and you might get rich yourself!

So, you can enter alone, or in a team of up to three people,

but I suppose the most popular thing to bet on is the three-on-three team fights.

You're a heavy drinker, aren't you?

I guess I am.

And?

And anything goes!

Like that, for instance.

White tiger! Stop dodging and fight!

I'm studying the blade, and I'm super strong!

That's enough, right?

Take this! Fire Sword!

Enough!

Bullshit!

The winner is Yuji!

Do you know how much I bet on this match?

This is crap!

Poor kid, don't you think?

He's the one who agreed to fix the match.

Well, I suppose that's enough drinking for one day.

Bye, and thanks for the drinks!

Money is everything, huh?

I did see someone from Lurolona Village.

Yeah?

What are you doing, Naofumi-san?

Getting ready to enter the fights.

We'll hide our identities and enter the underground arena.

We'll take both the money from winning the bets, and the prize money.

And buy back all the demi-humans from Lurolona Village that are up for auction.

I don't understand anything you just said, but that sounds fun!

Naofumi-sama, you're being crazy again.

Curses! They're so strong!

We're gonna m*rder you right here!

Go for it!

k*ll 'em!

Master, why do we have to pretend to be weak?

To make the audience think we can't b*at them.

The more we look like the dark horse, the more money that's paid out if we win.

Are we horseys?

Okay, that's enough.

Shigaraki!

It feels weird being called that...

Here we go, Shigaraki! Humming!

What an upset!

Topak's winning streak has been broken by Rockvalley, a brand-new team!

We won!

I thought we were done for!

You suck!

How could you lose to a rookie team?

k*ll yourselves!

You weren't supposed to win, assholes!

Go Team Rockvalley!

Looks like we managed to fool them.

I feel a little guilty.

That was fun, huh?

Nadia