01x10 - In the Midst of Turmoil

[bunniefuu]

I can't trust anything you say.

Eh?

[NAOFUMI] Get lost.

[MELTY] Please, wait!

You have to hear me out!

I don't "have to" listen to a damn word

that comes out of any of the filthy royal mouths.

Princess Melty, His Royal Majesty calls.

Please come with us.

[MELTY] Very well, I'll go.

I have to leave now, Filo.

--Mel, wait... --[NAOFUMI] Filo.

No. Don't.

[MIRELLIA] Melty, I need you to do something for me.

[MELTY] Of course.

[MIRELLIA] I want you to return to the capital right away

and admonish the king for his unjust

and outrageous treatment of the Shield Hero.

Ordinarily, I would go myself, but as you know...

You can always count on me, Mother.

[RAPHTALIA] Why couldn't you have given her

a chance to at least explain herself?

Ya know, she's got a point, kid.

Hey, Master, I don't understand.

How could you treat Mel so coldly?

Why? Tell me why! Please!

Listen to me, Filo.

It's not a good idea to play with Melty anymore.

What?

Master Naofumi, speaking to her like a father

isn't going to help Filo understand things any better.

Why, Master? Why?

Mel hasn't done anything wrong!

Please tell me why I can't play with her anymore!

Please, Master, tell me why! Please, please! Tell me!

[NAOFUMI grunts]

Master Naofumi...

Is this about Mel being the daughter of the King?

[NAOFUMI] I can't trust them. Any of them.

Excuse me, Master...

[NAOFUMI] Quit skulking around and just come inside.

You have visitors.

I apologize.

It's you again?

What the hell do you want?

Uh... Well, uh, we... Actually, I, uh...

Please let us accompany you, Shield Hero!

At least during the Waves!

[ALL gasp]

[AKE] We were deeply touched by your courage

and selflessness when you fought in the last Wave.

Everyone here wants nothing more than

to support you in your tireless quest.

[NAOFUMI] Wait, is that why you keep chasing me?

Yes!

We'd all decided that we would ask to fight

side by side with you the next time we saw you

here in the capital.

If this is about fighting the Waves,

you can do that without following me.

Just do it yourself.

[AKE] No, Sir Shield Hero.

The point is we wanna fight together with you!

You mind telling me why?

Because, Sir Hero,

we all hail from the village of Lute.

Back then, you saved all of our families

from a tragic end.

So you see, sir,

we wanna help in any way we can.

We wanna repay you for saving our fellow villagers,

that's all.

[NAOFUMI] Buy this for silver pieces.

Huh?

[NAOFUMI] I'll consider your offer if you can

cough up the cash.

Eh?

What's wrong?

You can gain my trust by buying this trinket right now.

[RAPHTALIA] Master Naofumi...

But silver pieces?

Now what?

We'll just have to arrange it.

We understand.

We'll gather the silver pieces right now.

[RAPHTALIA] I can't believe you're pressuring them

to buy a leftover accessory for that much money.

Well, I have to admit it; you never change, kid.

Meanie!

[NAOFUMI] Hmph.

[NAOFUMI] Fix these up while you're at it.

[ERHARDT] The made-to-order stuff, huh?

Even if I throw in some freebie materials for ya,

it'll still cost this much.

[NAOFUMI] Hey, boss.

Huh?

[NAOFUMI] What do those stars next to Filo

and Raphtalia's level indicators mean?

[ERHARDT] Oh, you guys are ready for class upgrades already?

Class upgrades?

[ERHARDT] It lets you increase your level cap.

Only those recognized by the court

have the option, but since you are a hero,

it's possible.

When you're upgrading your class,

that's when you choose which path you wanna take.

And I had a helluva lot of trouble

deciding on mine.

[NAOFUMI] You have to do it at the dragon hourglass, huh?

What kind of upgrade were you thinking about, Raphtalia?

I'm fine with whatever you decide, I suppose. Why?

Oh, that won't cut it.

You've gotta decide your future path by yourself.

[gasps]

After all the Waves are over, I'll be going back to my home.

You need to pick something that'll help you

survive on your own.

Huh?

Master Naofumi...

...why are you going back home?

[NAOFUMI] We'll take a skewer, pal. Thanks.

Right.

Can I really have one, Master? I'm so glad!

[SHOPKEEPER A] Here ya go, miss.

[FILO squeals] This looks yummy!

[NAOFUMI] Fifteen gold pieces?!

[SISTER A] Yes, sir, a class upgrade will cost

gold pieces per person.

That's way too much.

[NAOFUMI] I could get thousands of ten rolls

for that price!

[NAOFUMI] Okay, fine, Raphtalia, you go ahead.

We'll upgrade you first.

--[RAPHTALIA gasps] --[FILO] Huh? What about me?

[NAOFUMI] You can do it next time we come.

Just be patient.

Fifteen gold pieces, right?

[SISTER B] Our apologies. We have made a mistake.

I'm sorry, but we are forbidden

from providing upgrades to the Shield Hero's team.

But... That's not what she said...

It's a direct order from His Majesty.

Tch.

Let's go.

Are you going to sell me?

Never. Don't worry about it.

[sl*ve TRADER] Huh? Well, if it isn't Sir Hero

back with us again!

And how can I help you?

Looks like your business is doing okay.

And it is all thanks to you, if I may be so blunt.

Yes, your traveling trade

has been extremely profitable for me

as well as you, thank you so much.

What does that mean?

[sl*ve TRADER] Your little filolial queen

has gained quite the reputation.

Nobles from every corner

of Melromarc are contacting me to ask

how they can procure one for themselves.

Quite extraordinary, actually.

--And then there's you... --[gasps]

You've helped my business

gain a reputation for providing high-quality slaves.

And the money just doesn't stop rollin' in!

Anyway, how may I help you today?

Would ya like another sl*ve?

Or perhaps you need some assistance

with your filolial experiment?

I'm trying to arrange some class upgrades for us;

can ya do that?

[sl*ve TRADER] Ah... class upgrades...

[NAOFUMI] They're refusing to let us do it in this country.

It's a real pain.

I remember you having a sl*ve that was over level .

[sl*ve TRADER] Er, though it pains me to say it,

we don't provide that service here.

[NAOFUMI] I see.

No reason to despair, however.

You can still get it done

by simply applying at any other country's

dragon hourglass.

You mean there are others?

[sl*ve TRADER] Yes, indeed!

Ordinarily, I would charge for valuable information

like this, but since it's you who's asking,

I'll be happy to tell ya for free.

If we're talking favorable countries

for you to upgrade classes,

there's the Mercenary Nation Zeltoble,

Demi-Human Country Siltvelt,

and Shieldfreeden.

I suggest Shieldfreeden.

Even though it's a country of demi-humans,

it's surprisingly welcoming to humans.

So how long is it going to take to get there?

By ship, it's two weeks.

And if you go by wagon, it's the better part of a month.

That's so far.

Yeah.

We won't be able to get there before the next Wave.

[sl*ve TRADER] Then how about making do

this time by equipping your filolial queen

with a w*apon? I may have just the thing!

Huh? A w*apon just for me?

[sl*ve TRADER] Wyvern talons. Pretty slick, huh?

What's a wyvern?

How much are they?

In light of your continued patronage,

I'll offer you the exceptional

once-in-a-lifetime price of five gold pieces.

Make it four.

And how 'bout you throw in some reins?

It's a deal!

You've grown into just the kind of man I really adore!

You make my spine tingle!

[NAOFUMI] What's with him?

These things feel kinda weird.

It might take a little while to get used to them.

Oh, uh, listen.

Can we do some kind of test on these new talons?

Well, I'm afraid all the monsters here

are merchandise for sale.

Huh.

Come to think of it...

I may have just the thing you're looking for!

Yucky!

I've never smelled anything this bad.

That damned sl*ve merchant should be here.

What would monsters be doing here

in the capital's sewer system anyway?

They were probably dumped in here

after they grew too big for people

to control them anymore.

[gasps]

[NAOFUMI, RAPHTALIA gasp]

[FILO] Is that what we're supposed to be fighting?

[NAOFUMI] Yep, sure looks like it.

[growls]

[NAOFUMI grunts]

[yells]

[roars]

[FILO yells]

[grunts]

You're finished!

It's amazing how sharp this is!

These talons are awesome!

[NAOFUMI] Hey...

--[FILO] Hm? --[RAPHTALIA] Huh?

[FILO, RAPHTALIA laugh nervously]

[NAOFUMI] Ugh.

[RAPHTALIA grunts]

[NAOFUMI] Are you okay?

Yes.

It's actually not so bad since the parts

you bandage heal really fast.

[NAOFUMI] Ten days until the Wave...

I hope you've recovered by then.

[RAPHTALIA] Mm-hm.

Since we don't know when or where

the next Wave will be coming from,

we're going to have to be prepared

for anything and everything.

And given the possibility of casualties

in a town or village, we should stock up

on a ton of medicine.

Not to mention...

We should probably scout out possible combat zones...

Uh?

Does it hurt?

Once all the Waves have been repelled,

you'll probably go back-- back to your home world

and I'll never see you again.

[gasps]

[RAPHTALIA] May I...

May I go back with you when you leave?

Master Naofumi, I hope that--

[FILO] Hey!

How come you're being all

lovey-dovey with Master? No fair!

I wasn't being lovey-dovey with anyone!

You were! You were trying to kiss him!

I was not!

You were, too! I saw you doing it!

Ah! Will you shut up?!

Go to bed. We start early tomorrow!

[RAPHTALIA grumbles]

[FILO] Hmph.

[sighs]

You've got it kinda rough, huh?

Yeah, it's okay.

[FILO] What a sad-looking town.

Whoever's in charge is a scumbag.

That toll told the whole story.

[RAPHTALIA] If this town were to be att*cked

in the next Wave...

Please, sir!

I'll give you this for something to eat!

Actually, I'd much prefer some money.

[VILLAGER A] We don't have any.

We have nothing left at all.

[NAOFUMI] I don't get it.

Aren't you people from Melromarc?

No. We're refugees. We fled out of the north.

Some say that an adventurer

was apparently sent from this place to put together

a resistance force and begin a revolution.

Now we're in this mess.

Do you have any idea what this adventurer was like?

[VILLAGER A] We don't really know,

but the rumors say he used a bow.

--Bow? --[BABY A cries]

What can we do?

Set up an emergency kitchen.

Right.

The Wave's gonna hit hours from now.

Can we get something to eat?

Sure, let's go grab lunch.

Isn't that...?

Ren and Itsuki? Yeah.

I overthrew this despot in the country

to the north, but y'know what happened after that?

When I went to the Guild to pick up the reward,

they had already paid it out to somebody else.

Same here.

I lost a job request from some guy out of the blue.

[ITSUKI] Looks like someone's going around

pretending to be us.

[NAOFUMI] ...she'll have a kids' meal--large.

[ITSUKI'S COMRADE A] Itsuki...

We've just received another Guild request

to overthrow a town lord to the north.

What do you want to do with this?

[ITSUKI] From the Guild?

Yes. From what I can tell,

it seems that the local lord is heavily taxing the citizens,

way beyond the court's set limits,

and he's using that revenue in a vicious campaign

to suppress dissenters of any kind

and to hire mercenaries.

[NAOFUMI] Are they're talking about those townspeople

we just met?

[WAITER A] Okay! Here's your food.

[FILO] That looks yummy!

Time to dig in!

[RAPHTALIA] Chew before you swallow, Filo.

Interesting...

They need to be taught that

with great power comes great responsibility.

[yelps]

[FILO] Master, that's gross!

Sorry, Filo.

[ITSUKI] What's so funny?

[NAOFUMI] Huh?

Hey, "I had no idea you'd been bitten by a spider," pal.

Bitten by a what?

Never mind. Just forget I said it.

It's you, huh?!

You're the one who's been impersonating us,

stealing our jobs and taking our rewards.

[NAOFUMI] What the hell would I do that for?

Who else would come up with an idea like--

[NAOFUMI] Did you ever think that may be

you're trying too hard to be some sort of

supercool secret vigilante?

And that you're not very good at it?

[ITSUKI] What do you mean?

[NAOFUMI] You were the "adventurer"

who helped the resistance in the north, weren't you?

Yeah.

[NAOFUMI] Do you have the slightest idea

what happened to that country after the king was ousted?

Is this everyone from your village?

Yes. Everybody else was k*lled.

After the revolution, to be honest,

our lives did get a little better. But not for long.

The resistance started hiking up the taxes

just like the lord had done before.

But why would they do that?

[VILLAGER A] I don't know too much about it,

but apparently it takes an awful lot of money

to run a country.

Now that I think of it,

maybe the previous king had the exact same thing in mind.

[NAOFUMI] And all you did was switch

who was running the village. It never solved a damn thing.

Stop trying to change the subject!

We're talking about you impersonating my--

[REN] How do you explain my case?

What was it about, some disease?

If you know, that makes it easier.

So why'd you steal that job?

Did you know the corpse of that dragon

you k*lled caused an epidemic

that nearly wiped out the entire village?

[gasps]

[NAOFUMI] I got rid of that corpse.

That's why the job request was canceled.

No way...

It's true, and if you think I'm lying,

go there and see for yourself.

Do you have any idea how many people

d*ed because of you two?!

[BOTH gasp]

[gasps] Because of what I did?

Master Naofumi...

[REN] I see. I'm sorry.

You mean you believe him?

Why shouldn't I? He has no reason to lie.

[NAOFUMI] Don't cause any more problems.

[ITSUKI] I still don't believe you.

[ERHARDT] I embedded that dragon zombie core

in your chest plate and even gave it

an auto-repair function.

It's probably my best work. What do ya say?

Ugh. Tell me honestly, just how badly

do you wanna make me look like the king of the bandits?

You look so cool-- really, Master!

I think it's very nice!

[AKE] Pardon us.

Oh, thank goodness you're here! I thought we'd missed you.

We ran around all over town

and somehow managed to scrape up silver pieces for you.

[NAOFUMI] Go on.

Use that money to get yourselves better equipment.

Eh? You mean you'll accept us?

I can't have you guys dropping like flies.

Thank you very much!

[NAOFUMI] Don't get the wrong idea.

[NAOFUMI] The second you try to exploit me

or set me up, you'll regret it for the rest of your lives.

Of course!

[GROUP] Thanks for having us!

Master, now we have so many more friends!

[NAOFUMI] There are less than hours until the Wave.

Let's have a strategy meeting.

--[FILO] Okay! --[GROUP] Right!

Oh, don't gimme that again!

My shop isn't exactly your meeting room, y'know!

[BLACK-CLAD WOMAN A] Melty appears to have made

contact with the Shield Hero's party, Your Majesty.

[MIRELLIA] If the Shield Hero is the kind of man

I hear he is, reconciliation will take quite some time.

I feel bad for putting Melty through this,

but this, too, is her duty as the future ruler.

Your Majesty?

[MIRELLIA] Continue to keep an eye on them.

[BLACK-CLAD WOMAN A] As you wish.

[MIRELLIA gasps]

The Wave is nearly here.

Will the heroes be able to overcome it?