Chapter Text
Status Magic: The four Holy Weapons cannot be partied together or suffer ill effects.
The clash of steel on wood jolted Naofumi back to awareness, forced from his doze by the sound of combat erupting.
All hopes that he was hallucinating were dashed as a man clad in rough leather Armour hoisted him to his feet and forced his arms full of straps and plates. Naofumi's panic grew as distant combat became clearer and the shouts of his fellow guards rose in desperation. It was with panicked breaths that his aid spoke. "They attacked far sooner than we thought. They were still in the forest last our scouts saw them!"
"How did they get here so fast?!" Naofumi's question went unanswered as Kurono helped buckle his breastplate in place. It was only once Naofumi was mostly equipped did Kurono finally give him the details as they ran to the battlements. "The allied forces of Quintus have begun to siege our outer walls. The black hawk regiment have held them back so far but their taking heavy casualties."
Naofumi cursed under his breath but focused on what's important. "What insignias are there?"
If it's the Blue spears or winged helm Knights then the fort could be held even despite their skill since they lack the man power for such large scale combat.
"It's the Deep Tide Raiders." Came Kurono's response between shaky breaths.
"FUCK! Why couldn't it have been anyone else!" The Deep Tide Raiders were notorious for their overwhelming numbers and they took advantage of it. Bullying smaller guilds into submission and pillaging whole towns for resources. "There's no way to save the fort we need to evacuate the new recruits and civilians asap!" Naofumi's voice shook with concern.
"We've already begun but the new recruits are panicking and they won't get out in time."
The gate was in sight now, alongside the invaders and defenders. Naofumi and Kurono rushed into the fray. Naofumi was experienced with the chaos of entering large scale melee combat. Especially with newer recruits where you're just as likely to be killed by your own side as the enemy and it was with a focused drive that he fought his way through to the commander of the raiders.
It was with the corpses of two raiders at his feet that he summoned the courage for what he was about to do. It was a long shot but even if he failed, his men would have the time needed to evacuate.
"Halt this at once and face me in combat!" Naofumi's challenge rang out across the battlefield, most paused and backed off and the fighting momentarily stopped in favour of waiting for their commanding officer's orders.
The Deep Tide Raiders were law bound to accept duels by their customs. A man clad in light plate Armour and wearing deep green leather greaves with a matching Gambeson stood to his full height and marched to the forming circle of troops. He held a pole axe in his left hand and had a number of short blades strapped to various belts. He was large, most likely used to his extra reach winning most fights but the shorter weapons showed he was ready to get in real close if need be.
Dammit! He's no armature. This could get bad. Steeling his resolve Naofumi called out to his opponent. "I am Naofumi Iwatani and I invoke the right of Strength to decide this battle's outcome!"
His opponent took a moment to exaggerate moulding over his challenge and with a voice full of smug confidence took a step forward.
"so, Naosuki, was it? I don't know what weight you think you have but you're outnumbered 5 to 1 and most likely desperate." He let the words sink into the crowd, the raiders grew antsy to continue and Naofumi's soldiers were shaken, certain of their defeat. The green clad raider was about to continue his speech when one of his men stepped forward and whispered to him. A look of momentary shock appeared on his face.
"Well, it seems I have been a bit rude." His attitude switched from overconfidence to a fierce determination. "If I had know I was in the presence of "The Wall of The White Valley" I would have sought a duel from the start!"
Shit. Naofumi was hoping mister mean and green would underestimate him and he could surprise him.
"Well, I don't like to brag about that sort of stuff." Naofumi made an act of being confident and relaxed, like his victory was already assured.
"HA! I wouldn't call holding back The Iron Wolves single handedly nothing! After all such a feat is nearly unheard of!"
"Some of those stories are greatly exaggerated and right now I'm more focused on our duel. Hopefully happening within the hour, so stop delaying the inevitable. Unless there's a reason you haven't accepted yet?"
With a red face and an angry growl of, "Fine then! I, Fuyuki of the deep tide raiders, accept!" He charged at Naofumi.
The first strike was parried with Naofumi's shield shifting Fuyuki's balance and giving a window to strike his leg, leaving a red smear where he struck. Naofumi backed off slightly to get out of range of Fuyuki's axe.
"You've already been injured. You should forfeit and take your men with you or your corpse will be mounted as a warning to others." The flat tone he delivered the ultimatum seemed to strike a cord.
"Like hell i would accept that!"
With a bellow Fuyuki threw his axe at Naofumi's head, which he knocked to the side with ease. Such an amateurish move, disarming himself.
Distracted by the axe Naofumi then was pushed to the ground and pinned by his opponent's weight, with a knife coming down on him. It glanced off his chest plate, down toward his unprotected elbow. Leaving a wide red line. Naofumi abandoned his sword in favour of swiping one of the knives on Fuyuki's side before striking his neck, leaving the front of both combatants stained red.
There was a moment of silence as both sides held their breath, then cheers erupted as Naofumi stood and glared at the enemy forces. Only to be interrupted by the sound of bells in the distance.
"Whelp that's a day everyone! Make sure you get all your stuff from the main tents!" A woman in a tracksuit called out. Multiple groans sounded off from the crowd as everyone ambled their way back to the entrance of the park. A particular green clad man bemoaning the loss of his character.
"And don't forget to take your armour off once you get there. I'm not dealing with your whining if you get in trouble!"
Naofumi ran up to the woman dressed in purple. Asking with a confused voice, "I thought we still had a few hours? Did something happen?" Naofumi wasn't going to say that he was annoyed about it, even though he was just getting to the really cool part of a fight (the victory speech) but he did want to know why their time was cut short.
The women released a tired sigh. "Some of the staff got hurt in an accident and we're short handed right now. We have to pack up early to finish in time."
"Damn that sucks. Anything I can do to help? my ride won't be here for a while and in the meantime I have nothing to do." Plus if Naofumi can get some brownie points with the cute dude who runs the events then what's there to lose?
she gave an appreciative smile before telling him to head to Haruto to get some instructions.
Fuck. He did not think this far ahead.
Naofumi's current situation was both ideal and absolutely terrible. He had started out with helping pack some of the heavier stuff away, by the time he was done with that Haruto needed some help sorting through the rentable items and outfits. So obviously he jumped on the chance to be alone and ask for a date. If he got rejected then yeah he'll be a bit embarrassed about the whole thing but there was a chance he would say yes.
That's what landed him here, with his crush bright red and stammering fifty words a second and the suspense was killing him right now. If he just said no it would be over but it's clear that with the way he's trying to dance around it is telling.
"If you're not interested then say so, it won't hurt my feelings I swear." Naofumi kept a calm and neutral tone.
Only for Haruto to exclaim loudly. "What? No! I am interested. I just never expected you to ask me of all people."
"So is that a yes to the date?" Naofumi couldn't believe it!
"Um, yeah."
"Right, Here's my number, call or text when you're available, cool?"
"y-yeah"
Once Naofumi had made it back home he did a little happy dance exclaiming, "Yes! I felt like I would have died of embarrassment at any moment but I did it!"
Now he's got to figure out where to take Haruto... fuck.
And so he absentmindedly paced his room back and forth thinking of different places.
Only for his foot to snag on a strap and fall forward smashing against the side of his display for his more real looking weapons. Leaving him to bleed out slowly to unconsciousness and eventual death.
His last coherent thought was of his dad coming in to gush about the new mech model he bought only to find his corpse.
When Naofumi gained some awareness again he panicked about how freaked out his family would be only for that thought to be thrown out the window when he realised he wasn't home or at the hospital but on cold hard stone and surrounded by robe-wearing strangers. Least to say he was freaked out. It was truly only instinct from years of role play and larping that he reacted the way he did.
"You there with the staff! Explain what is going on or I'll leave your corpse for the crows!" The crowd stilled and held their breath at the malice practically dripping off him (actually just panic but they couldn't see his face behind the helmet) and the man he singled out shook slightly.
"F-forgive us Shield Hero please. W-we will explain everything once all of you are awake." At the mentions of others Naofumi glanced around and spotted three others. Two high schoolers, if the uniforms are anything to go off, and an early 20-something were passed out on the ground. Each with their own weapon attached to them. Himself discovering a shield stuck to his arm by nothing.
"Fine but if you lot try anything you won't have to worry about apologizing about your blunders in the future."
"O-of course sir."
While on the outside Naofumi appeared calm and cold, this was actually due to the all encompassing panic that had erupted inside.
Was this a dream? A coma induced dream scape or did he die and this is like some kind of processing room? Wait no, if it was why would the robe guys be afraid of dying. Fuck! What's going on?!
He was taken from his thoughts by the other kidnaped individuals stirring and slowly seeming to go though the same thought process as himself. Only on the outside as well as on the inside.
With everyone awake the man with the staff called for their attention. "Please great summoned heroes! We ask that you hear our plea and save our world from destruction."
"That's a pretty tall order to ask of some strangers right out the bat like that." The kid with the bow had a sort of "higher than thou" attitude about him as he spoke.
And the spear guy jumped in with a cocky smirk right after. "Really nice of you to just pull us from our everyday lives like that. I hope you don't expect us to do this for free?"
The sword kid finally spoke then with a steady voice that shows every word was thought over in detail. "And what's with the guard? you think we'll cause trouble?"
Guard? what guard? and why are they looking at him like that? oh right the armour. He forgot to take it off in his rush to get home.
"You're mistaken if you think I'm some lap dog. I was summoned here like the rest of you." The spear guy seemed to think this a challenge and the resulting stare down had tensions rising.
The man with the staff interrupted them with a quiet. "P-please follow us to the king's throne room. Everything will be explained there, we promise." And with that the robed figures filed out and the staff guy led them through the palace. Eventually they passed a corridor with a large painting of four people. Naofumi couldn't for the life of him read the plaque underneath but assumed they were important people. whether historically or not would be seen.
With a quick, "please wait a moment while I announce your arrival." Staff guy stepped inside and left them there for a few awkward moments before letting them inside. Within was a man with a great flowing grey main of hair sat upon an elaborate throne.
"Heroes, I ask your forgiveness for summoning you here on such short notice-" As the king's eyes swept them he stopped talking once he spotted Naofumi. He seemed almost shocked, or was it confusion? "Sir shield Hero, are you injured?"
What? Oh crap he's still covered in his own blood!
"I'm uninjured at the moment your highness. Though I had sustained a wound before being summoned and was under the belief it was fatal." And it's not like the other three don't have a bit of blood on them, though nowhere near as much as him. Perks of your throat being slit open it seems.
"How did you get killed? I got stabbed before coming here”. That was the blonde with the spear and he looked a bit unnerved about his own admission.
The sword kid turned towards him slightly more and the bow kid seemed more attentive then before.
Crap he can't just say he tripped. He would be a laughing stock for a hero. He'll tell the truth, just edit it a bit.
"I was stationed at Fort Redemption to train a batch of new recruits when we were attacked by The Deep Tide Raiders, vicious warriors who sack whole towns for plunder. Our defeat was certain, outnumbered 5 to 1 and facing experienced combatants. Our only hope was to appeal to their customs. I challenged their commander to a duel, I proved victorious and gave my men time to evacuate with the citizens. However before I could rest I succumbed to my injuries and awoke here."
The others seemed happy with his explanation and the king spoke to a balding man to his left before addressing the heroes again. "Now then heroes, tell me your names." The king looked at the Sword kid first, who stepped forward. "I'm Ren Amaki, 16 and a high school student."
The king nodded and turned to the next inline. The bow kid. "I'm Itsuki Kawasumi, 17 and also a high school student."
The spear guy was up next and with a flick of his hair addressed the group of people up on the balcony above. "I'm Motoyasu Kitamura, 21, a college student and a man of love."
Naofumi took a step forward. "I am Naofumi Iwatani, 20 and known as The Wall of The White Valley."
There was a low murmuring throughout their introduction's, courtesy of court nobles being a bunch of gossips but it raised in volume once they finished. The king, who Naofumi realised is a slightly older version of the man he saw in the painting, slammed an ornate silver staff to silence them.
"While I understand that there's much that needs to be discussed, I would like to have the heroes situated and familiarised with our capital before you try to get them wrapped in politics." The king's tone wasn’t harsh but it did have a warning buried in it.
Naofumi saw the spear guy staring at the balcony where the Nobles were gathered, more specifically at a red head with a rather suggestive outfit. Who just so happened to resemble the young girl in the painting the king was in.
The king's daughter then. Better keep an eye on the spear guy. If the history Channel has taught him one thing it was never to get involved with Princesses.
The king turned his heated gaze from the Noble class back to the heroes. His expression shifting to a more neutral one.
The king cleared his throat and called forth a young man dressed in simple but well made clothes. "Young Sigismund will show you your rooms and answer any questions you may have. He will be your attendant during your stay here."
Sigismund gave a low bow. "It is a pleasure to serve the cardinal heroes and I will provide aid in any way possible." He straightened up and with a quiet, "Follow me please" led them out of the throne room.
"You know, the king didn't really explain what we're supposed to do or anything like that." Motoyasu was walking beside Sigismund, with itsuki and ren behind them. Naofumi trailing behind slightly.
Sigismund began to tell of rips in reality that monsters pour out of, known as the waves of calamity and how four legendary heroes had to be summoned to combat them.
He went into how they had to get experience from slaying monsters and reinforce their weaponry with material they find.
This is starting to sound like an mmorpg, just with the threat of death.
Each of the other three expressed various levels of joy at how game-like it was. Naofumi was kinda worried about what kind of horror-inducing creatures they would have to face.
Sigismund had been explaining the currency when he stopped before four doors. "These are your rooms. The baths have already been drawn for you. If there's anything you need I'll be waiting here." He gave a polite bow then moved to a seat across from the rooms.
Naofumi for one would love to get all the sweat, fake blood and real blood off him. Half an hour later he was fresh and in a set of clothes that sigismund had gotten him. They were a simple but comfortable earthy brown pair of pants paired with a long sleeve shirt in a deep shade of green.
The fabric was soft and light on his skin, giving him goosebumps. It was unlike anything he's ever worn and his curiosity got the better of him.
"Sigismund, what kind of fabric is this?" His voice had lost the hard edge it had all day, the bath gave him some time to think and relax. His panic over the whole situation had drastically decreased.
Sigismund had a look of surprise and his cheeks flush slightly. He composed himself just as quickly as it happened, though Naofumi still caught it.
"It's a type of cotton that's grown near my home village. We use a special weaving spell to make it especially high quality." He seemed quite proud of his home and it's speciality.
He turned red again as he came back to himself and kept glancing at Naofumi's wrist and in turn drawing Naofumi's attention to the sleeve of his shirt. There was a slight discoloration on the inside and when Naofumi got a better look realised they were initials.
There were two swerling shapes. Suddenly a floating text box appeared in front of him saying. "Language: Melmorac."
It was curious that he could understand the language but couldn't read it.
"I'm curious, you mentioned magic before, would you be able to elaborate on that?"
Naofumi, in a word, was ecstatic. Magic. Real magic. And he could potentially learn it! Granted he learned how to read this nation's language first. But he had to learn the hell scape that is English so it hopefully wouldn't be as bad in comparison.
Naofumi continued to talk with Sigismund about the world and country he was in. It was fascinating to hear and Sigismund answered all his questions without hesitation.
The other three heroes finally began to exit their rooms. With all of them together again Sigismund lead them back to the throne room.
They lined up again and the king sent away his adviser before addressing them. "I hope you feel rejuvenated heroes. As I'm sure you've been told you will be tasked with fighting against the waves of calamity and saving our kingdom. But I've been told that some of you hold reservations about this task."
Motoyasu spoke up. "Yeah, I doubt you'd expect us to do this for free. It sounds like we'll be putting our life's on the line for you so I'd like to know what we get out of it?" The other two gave their agreement. Naofumi stayed quiet.
"Indeed, we are ready to compensate you all for your services. Tomorrow you will receive six hundred silver pieces and the best of adventurers have been gathered to form parties with you." The king stroked his beard. "Not only that but once the waves have been defeated you will receive plenty of rewards. Wether they be monetary, land rights, or something else is up to you."
Ren, Motoyasu and Itsuki expressed their acceptance in their own ways after the king explained how the holy weapons interfere with each other. Thus necessitating the heroes form parties. While there was a moment of lull in the conversation Naofumi took his chance.
"If I may be so bold I wish to make two requests, your majesty." He punctuated it with a bow.
The king was silent for a few moments before responding. "Very well. Let them be heard."
Naofumi stood straight again. "First, I wish to have unrestricted access to either the royal library or its equivalent."
The king waved his hand. "An easy enough request. The Capital library will be open to you unrestricted. Now for your second request."
"I wish for a tutor in the native language. It appears my shield is capable of translating the spoken language but not the written."
The king frowned. "Unfortunately there are few scholars who would be able to travel with you. However, I will have the matter looked into and have you informed of if there are any who would join you."
Naofumi bowed. "Thank you, your majesty."
The king cleared his throat. "Now. It will soon be time for dinner. I will have meals sent to your rooms. Rest well, for tomorrow you will begin your journeys to strengthen yourselves."
With that they were led back to their rooms. Motoyasu took ren and Itsuki aside to his room. Now Naofumi isn't one to eavesdrop but he's curious why he wasn't actively included in their little meeting.
So he sat out on his balcony watching the town below. If he just so happened to be able to hear the other heroes talking through the open window to Motoyasu's room then that was a coincidence.
It seemed they thought Naofumi wasn't from modern japan and considering they all claimed completely different years as "modern" Japan it wasn't a far-fetched idea. Especially since he's been acting since they first met. He couldn't help it though. He felt more confident pretending he wasn't so underwhelming.
And it looked like he'd have to keep the act up around them. Or at least a bit of an act. The rest of their conversation was pretty boring. Different Japans, game like huds, arguments about which game this world was the most like and stuff like that.
Though one thing they mentioned peaked his interest. Stats. He wouldn't lie and say he wasn't curious about what this world decided to assign him. He opened up the status menu again but actually looked through it this time.
Name: Naofumi Iwatani.
Race: Human.
Titles: None.
Level: 1
Class: Hero of the Shield.
HP: 250/250
MP: 50/50
SP: 75/75
Strength: 5
Endurance: 25
Agility: 5
Awareness: 7
Cunning: 5
Attack: 1
Special Attack: 5
Magic Affinity: 10
Defence: 30
Magic Defence:15
Status Defence: 15
Fire Defence: 20
Frost Defence: 15
Lighting Defence: 10
Wind Defence: 10
Holy Defence: 25
Curse Defence: 15
Speed: 10
Afflictions: None.
Resistances: Poison. Sleep. Madness. Instant K.O Attacks.
Weaknesses: No accumulated weaknesses.
Skill: Proficient Actor.
He had no idea what any of this meant. He assumed his defence states were higher than average but not sure by how much. His attack stat was probably so low because he had no weapon. He'd have to fix that as soon as possible.
Good to know he had no direct weaknesses to anything but with the resistances did it mean he took less damage or wasn't affected by them?
A text box popped up in front of him just as he finished his thought.
Resistances:
*Poison Resistances: Unaffected by minor toxic ailments such as weak venoms, weak poisons, Spoiled Foods, and Alcohols.
*Sleep Resistances: Unable to be forcefully put to sleep from outside magical forces.
*Madness Resistances: Unable to be Driven Insane by status magics.
Note: Still vulnerable to regular mental torment.
*Resistance to Instant K.O Attacks: Unable to be instantly killed in a single damage calculation. Instead remaining on 1 HP.
Note: Activates once a day.
Well. Nice to know the status menu will bring up information if he asks. Poison Resistances sounds like it'll get the most use out of any of them and it's not like he drinks anyway so there's no downside to it.
The madness one is a bit disconcerting but really only a small detail.
He's curious if it'll give more information on other things. Like what his class actually does.
Just as he hoped another text box popped up.
Class: Hero of the Shield.
Description: Wielder of the legendary Shield. Specialises in defence and support.
Class Features:
*Greater Defence Scaling.
*Lesser Magic Scaling.
*Support Magic Affinity.
*Healing Magic Affinity.
*Bonus Defence Attribute Holy.
*Bonus Defence Attribute Curse.
*Crafting System.
*Shield Copy.
-Copy any held item categorised as Shield.
*Material Assimilation.
-Assimilate material to unlock greater shields and abilities.
*Affinity Assignment.
-Assign Scaling Affinities to shields.
It all seemed pretty straightforward. He was the tank. He'd get some heavy hitters in his party and he'd help keep them steady. How does he form a party anyway?
Parties: Send a request to individuals to adventure together. When in a party EXP is shared and the status menu allows the tracking of companions statuses.
Neat. That's going to come in handy. Especially if he has to make sure his party members don't get hurt too bad.
A knock on his door drew his attention. He thanked the maid for the meal and sat down to eat. It was ok. He didn't really expect much considering how expensive spices would probably be and judging by the climate it is unlikely any of the particularly strong stuff would grow here.
Once fed he relaxed into bed. An early night would probably do him some good.