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

Let's go.

Yeah.

Softly...

Keel-kun's going to be mad that he didn't get to go.

I left Eclair and the old woman in charge of that.

They'll convince him.

"Have fun for us, since we can't be there," she said.

I see.

Look! Look!

Illustration: Suwa Masahiro

Filo!

I can't fly anymore!

You could fly when you were a humming fairy in Kizuna's world.

But filolials can't fly.

Then let's go see Kizuna-oneechan!

That's impossible.

Do you think Kizuna-san's doing well?

Sure.

She's probably doing the same thing we are.

You should've learned survival skills from Kizuna too, Rishia.

Right!

I was just thinking the same thing!

I bet she could start a fire easily.

What's wrong?

I just remembered how, when my level went back to 1 and I shrank,

we all had a fun time picking out clothes in Mikakage.

Oh, right!

First, let's get you armor and clothes.

Your defense and fashion sense are both seriously in doubt right now.

It looks like they've got both western and eastern-style weapons.

If we want to fit in here, eastern is the better choice.

What are you doing?

They've got clothes, too, not just armor!

That's right.

I'd like to try on a bunch of different things, but I'm not sure if I can.

You're pretty into this.

Well, you're a girl. You want to look good.

Oh!

Wh-What?

Nothing.

How about Kizuna-oneechan gives you a hand?

K-Kizuna-san?

Help me dress her, Rishia-san.

Dress her?

Rishia-san, hold her there.

L-Like this?

No! Tighter!

It h-hurts!

It's done!

You look like a foreign princess!

But it doesn't seem like it's meant for combat.

You're right.

But if we just... pull it up!

Kizuna-san, that’s not a good idea!

Since Naofumi's a lolicon, I think he'd totally go for it!

Lolicon?

Okay, next.

This is the "samurai protecting her home from foreign barbarians" style.

Samurai?

It's too heavy.

Yeah, makes sense.

Next! Traditional maid style!

It's cute!

But this is for a servant girl, right?

Next!

This would be great for playing in rivers!

Wh-Why am I changing, too?

Stop messing around, please!

Oh, that's great!

A combination of cuteness and mobility,

with just a hint of healthy eroticism!

I like it!

Me, too! I think it's great!

Okay, that settles it!

Thank you, Kizuna-san! Rishia-san!

No, I-I just helped you dress.

Hopefully Naofumi likes it.

Yeah...

Nice! You all look great!

You don't need any new items?

I'm fine as I am.

That haori's a mess.

Glass gave it to me, though.

I see... Sorry.

Naofumi-sama, do you think this looks good on me?

Yeah, seems fine.

And you look like a ninja girl, Rishia.

Ninja girl?

Naofumi-sama, wh-who do you think's the best out of all of us?

Hmm... mine has the highest defense stat.

Man, Naofumi's dense as a rock, huh?

But Raphtalia-chan doesn't seem to mind.

I can't figure out what's going on between those two.

I see. So the Shield Hero and the Katana Vassal Weapon Hero

have an extraordinary relationship, then.

I'm not sure "extraordinary" is the right word, but... yeah.

Oh, sorry to make you listen to my story when we're supposed to be just fishing.

No, you're working so hard to repair relations between Ruware and the other nations.

Going fishing with you is nothing compared to that.

It's my job!

If anything, I'd like to hear more of your stories.

Really?

Sure, if you're sure it doesn't bore you.

Can you tell me about your time in the Infinite Labyrinth, then?

I heard that being sent there means death.

But you say you survived there for years, all alone!

Oh... I guess I did.

What was your life like inside?

You're kidding me.

I'm supposed to stay here the rest of my life?

L'Arc-niisan... Therese-neesan...

Glass...

I refuse to stay here forever!

There has to be an exit somewhere!

I'll look everywhere I can! And I'll find it!

First, I need to eat.

Maybe fish... Are there fish?

Yes!

Next, I need some fire!

Time for some human ingenuity!

Should I cook it right over the heat?

Maybe steam it?

Maybe some fish stew?

I need to make broth, too.

Maybe cook it in a salt crust!

Really, you can do anything if you've got fire!

I'm sick of this.

Solo camping sucks!

It's no fun at all if you don't have some food variety!

I'm getting out of here!

If I go out to the horizon, I might find the exit!

What is this?

Does the ocean stop here?

What's going on?

Fine...

They don't taste that good either stewed or fried.

Do I really need any seasoning?