The Rising of the Shield Hero (盾の勇者の成り上がり)

I can't believe what I'm seeing here!

The Topak family already has Team Rockvalley

fighting for their lives!

Hah! And here I thought they'd be tougher.

Guess I was wrong.

C'mon let's finish them all off!

It's looking grim!

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

THE RISING OF THE SHIELD HERO

EPISODE 1 THE DARK COLISEUM

My name is Naofumi Iwatani.

I was sent from modern Japan

to another world as the Shield Hero

in order to fight the Waves,

which bring about calamity to this world.

But since the Spirit Tortoise,

one of the four guardian beasts

that protect this world, revived,

it'll be a while before another Wave happens.

The guardian beasts make use of soul energy

gathered by killing people

to stop the Waves from coming.

We defeated the Spirit Tortoise,

so the next Guardian Beast, The Phoenix,

was supposed to revive immediately after.

Luckily the energy we took back from Kyo

created a barrier that gave us three and a half months

before that happens.

I plan to use that time

to strengthen the defenses of my lands

and make preparations to defeat the Phoenix.

But because of the sacrifice aura

put on us during my fight with Kyo.

Raphtalia, Filo, and I

all took a big hit to our stats that can't be overlooked.

Lowhirot, Haikazuya,

Mideus.

The armies gathered to defeat

the Spirit Tortoise are still here?

And those flags.

That's Faubrey.

The Spirit Tortoise has already been defeated,

so what are they doing here?

As for the liberation aura

that Ost taught me.

I haven't been able to use it.

I don't know if I ever will.

I'm the Shield.

Motoyasu, the Spear.

Ren, the Sword.

And Itsuki, the Bow.

With proper teamwork,

our abilities can make all the difference

in making each other stronger.

What do you mean "Missing"?

Only you remain.

The other three heroes

dealt with the Wave that took place after you left

for the other world and vanished.

Right, that was the wave that occurred

alongside the one Kyo created,

if I'm remembering correctly.

We were all grateful to them for their help.

But it's likely they felt responsible for what happened.

Because now they're missing.

You gotta be kidding me.

With the Phoenix soon to revive,

having even one of the heroes absent

would be an extremely serious concern

given the circumstances we're in.

I pity the citizens of this land.

First, the Waves of Catastrophe loom over them,

now, the guardian beasts.

Sir Naofumi,

I surrender my pride

and request you to lend us your aid

once more as the Shield Hero.

There's no need for that.

I'll fight to protect my lands no matter the threat.

But what do you plan to do?

Nations like Faubrey

are snooping around your country.

Am I wrong in thinking the Queen of Melromarc

should be concerned about that?

Faubrey stationed their soldiers nearby,

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

after you defeated the Spirit Tortoise.

So the Eastern nations are merely keeping them in check.

I'd say there's nothing to worry about

since Melromarc and Faubrey are allies.

At least, for the time being.

Huh?

Hey look! It's Mel!

Goodness, grief.

It's been so long!

It's good to see you, Filo!

My apologies, Raphtalia.

Huh?

Our nation's religion dictates

that we worship the four heroes now.

But there are still a lot of people out there

who don't like Naofumi or demi-humans.

It's fine. They'll come around eventually.

Mother wants them dismissed from their positions,

but they were some of my father's most trusted men,

which complicates things to say the very least.

Nothing's ever simple, is it?

What this world calls the Vassal Weapon Heroes.

The Seven Star Heroes.

Any idea where they are?

They should all be somewhere out there in the world.

The only problem is we can't contact most of them.

Yeah, and why's that?

We've tried to track them all down

but we've yet to come across any decent leads.

That is, except for the Staff Hero.

We are keenly aware of their location.

The staff hero, huh?

Okay where are they?

Right here in Melromarc.

What?!

Sir Naofumi.

Could I ask you to accompany me?

There's something I'd like you to see.

Hey, are you going somewhere, Mel?

Yes, I'm off to Seyaette.

Seyaette? That's near Master's lands, isn't it?

Mmhm.

Wait, that means we can play again, right? Yay!

-Yay! -

Eclair's having a rather tough time ruling her lands.

So I'm going to go help her!

You're awfully busy for a princess.

It's not just a title, it's a job!

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

so let's get a move on, everyone!

I daresay, you may leave it to me.

-Hm. -"Daresay"?

What is this?

We were able to recover the Spirit Tortoise's body.

That didn't take you very long, huh?

A NEW SHIELD WAS UNLOCKED

Is this a final gift from Ost?

Sir Naofumi,

this is very difficult for me to say but...

Malty...

I mean Bitch, appears to have gone missing as well.

I'm told she was last sighted near the northern border.

The north?

Please exercise caution.

As I'm sure you know, she could be planning something.

- -Huh?

The Shield Hero?

What are you doing here, you mongrel?

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

That you, kid?

In the flesh!

Not too busy are ya?

I see.

Between the Spirit Tortoise and that other world,

you've had your hands full.

Yeah.

A STATUS EFFECT IS LOWERING YOUR STATS.

- Kid? -

Are you okay? You spaced out there.

Ah, it's nothing.

More importantly,

about why I'm here.

We need your help.

-Mmhm. -

I used this gear in the other world,

but haven't been able to use it since then.

Hmmm. Sure is strange.

What is this stuff?

Is something wrong? With the gear I have now?

No, I just liked how you looked in it.

Not to mention, your stats were higher in it, too.

I'll see what I can do.

But I bet I can get it working for ya.

Can you get it working for cheap?

Damn. Stingy as ever, huh?

How's this? You come to my lands

and sell your weapons there instead?

Oh, so you can work me harder than you do here?

I don't think so, kid.

What if I paid you 30 silvers a month?