Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari (The Rising of the Shield Hero)

What are you girls doing?

Naofumi-sama!

Master!

Sheesh!

Did you have to sleep that long?

What's going on?

The Rising of the Shield Hero

Naofumi's Triumphant Return

After the battle against the Pope, I lost consciousness.

I was brought here, to a clinic serving the royal family,

and spent three days asleep.

According to Raphtalia,

the queen did everything in her power to save my life.

One whole month to recover, huh?

Even after healing magic made the wounds go away in a flash?

When it comes to curses this potent,

time seems to be the only way to treat them.

The Wrath Shield's Blood Sacrifice...

It's a powerful skill,

but it destroys both my body and the target's.

The other three weren't affected much by the curse,

thanks to Fitoria, I guess.

We're here to change your bandages, I daresay.

"I daresay"?

But he just got treated a while ago.

They're not medics.

You're Shadows, aren't you?

I heard that you'd awakened, so I rushed here.

I'm truly relieved your life is out of danger.

Mother... I mean, Your Majesty!

Allow me to introduce myself again.

I am the Queen of Melromarc,

Mirelia Q. Melromarc.

Thank you so much for saving Naofumi-sama's life!

Don't mention it. It was the obvious thing to do.

Iwatani-sama is one of the Four Cardinal Heroes,

someone who defends the world from the Waves of Catastrophe.

And yet, this country sure seems to hate the Shield.

From a long time before they put a false charge on me.

Naofumi-sama...

I will tell you everything.

I was taking part in an international forum on fighting the upcoming Waves,

and was thus away from Melromarc, when it happened.

The forum decided that the major nations would each summon one hero

and fight the Waves together.

But by that time, Melromarc had already

summoned all four Cardinal Heroes.

This angered the other nations,

and I spent a lot of time running around and putting out fires.

So that trash king and the slut princess did it all on their own?

Of course, I tried to keep them on a leash

by leaving things to a lord I truly trusted while I was away.

However...

He tragically lost his life in the first Wave while Her Majesty was away.

He was the lord of Seyaette.

Seyaette?

I see.

By the way, Melty.

You're talking weird.

Wh-What can I do? I'm in Her Majesty's presence!

It pleases me greatly to see a new side of you, Melty.

Make sure to stay in Iwatani-sama's good graces.

Mother!

So?

Why was I, the Shield Hero, the only one put through all that crap?

Aultcray already hated the Shield Hero for a certain reason.

The Three Heroes Church took advantage of that to manipulate him.

He hated the previous Shield Hero, then?

What the hell does that have to do with me?

Even Malty joined in to ensnare you.

Things would've gone very differently if I'd been summoned to another country, huh?

Indeed. For example, Siltvelt practices demi-human supremacy.

There, the Shield Hero is worshiped.

Maybe I should go to Siltvelt.

If you do decide to go, we'll have no right to stop you.

However...

I promise to clear your name

and end the humiliation you have suffered.

And to reward you for fighting the Waves and getting rid of the Three Heroes Church,

we'll honor you with the greatest award

Melromarc has to offer and 500 gold pieces.

Naofumi-sama!

Will I be able to eat lots of food with that?

Of course!

Hooray!

I can't wait!

Finally, there is something I wish to discuss with you in private.

Raphtalia-san, Filo-chan, let's head back inside.

O-Okay.

Sure. I'm hungry.

Not satisfied?

Well, I know there's a catch.

Melromarc no longer has any choice but to rely on you to survive.

I don't plan to stay in this country.

I'll go wherever the Waves arrive and fight them off.

That's the best shortcut to returning to my world.

I understand.

By the way, Iwatani-sama, how goes your recovery?

Huh?

As you see, I can walk around, at least.

Then, could you visit the royal castle tomorrow?

The castle?

To clear your name before the public.

And for King Aultcray and Malty to...

You and I are the only ones who know about this.

It will happen regardless of whether you choose to work with our country or not.

This is Melromarc's...

No, my way of making things right, as queen.

Are you sure? They're your husband and daughter.

It has to be done.

That's how grave their sins are.

The people have already been told

to gather at the castle for an important announcement.

I very much need for you to attend tomorrow.

Of course, I am aware that it won't be enough to quell your rage,

but please.

See?

This is fun!

Master taught me.

What did the queen discuss with you?

Nothing special.

She asked me to come to the castle tomorrow because she was going to clear my name.

Really?!

H-Hey...

Thank goodness!

Everyone will finally know you didn't do anything wrong!

I'm so glad!

What's with that look?

You're getting what you deserve!

You deserve to die for what you did!

Naofumi-sama?

Is something wrong?

No, I'm fine.

But...

We have an early start tomorrow.

Get some rest.

I shouldn't care what happens to those scumbags!

Why can't we enter the castle?

Only the Shield Hero's party gets to go in? What's the meaning of this?

C-Calm down, Mald-san!

Shut up!

That sure was a large crowd outside.

Yeah.

Where's Mel-chan?

She went off with the knights as soon as we got to the castle.

She's probably with the queen.

I'm glad you're okay.

Good to see that overpowered move didn't take too much out of you.

Believe it or not, I'm a wreck on the inside.

Anyway, have you seen Myne?

She's been gone ever since that day.

She must be busy with her duties as a princess.

Maybe she's arranging a surprise party for us for defeating the Pope!

Ah, I see. That's gotta be it.

Four Cardinal Heroes,

please go inside.

I thank you for coming, Four Cardinal Heroes.

Where's Myne?

I don't see the king, either.

Bring those two in.

Myne!

Motoyasu-sama! Help me!

Even the king's chained up?

What's going on?

It is as you see. They are criminals.

Now, let us begin...

the trial of the foolish king consort and the first princess!

A trial?

For the king and the princess?

Things are getting interesting, kid.

Mama, you're being too cruel!

My queen, what brings you to commit such an outrage?

This isn't like you!

With the Four Cardinal Heroes in attendance,

this trial seeks to punish the ones responsible for shaking the country to its core,

and I, the queen, am its judge and executor.

What?

Don't tell me... Did the Devil of the Shield brainwash you, too?

The Shield Hero has no such ability.

That should have been obvious.

Wh-What is that?

In order to ensure a fair trial,

you will be given a temporary slave crest.

Mama?!

A slave crest?

How can you do that? She's your own daughter!

It's necessary, because Malty is a pathological liar.

No way! You know I'm an honest, good girl!

Stop this, Mama!

Let us officially begin the trial.

That said,

your crimes are clear for all to see.

You can't worm your way out of them.

We don't know that yet!

What crimes did they commit, anyway?

We have to start there?

First, let's address the recent events.

Using a fake holy weapon,

the Pope of the Three Heroes Church tried to murder the world's heroes,

but he was defeated in the act.