Chapter 306 - VS Houou Final

The shield was very simple but it felt as warm and tender as the sunlight.

Its stats are the highest of any of my unlocked shields.

On top of that, this shield’s effect has the ability to give enchantments.

My defence is rising endlessly.

And… the Slave, Demi-human and Companion series have all been completely unsealed.

This includes all of their bonuses.

In other words, all of my slaves and companions had all their abilities dramatically increased.

I change to my usual Spirit Turtle Shell.

Growing Power has been activated by Growth Up!

Spirit Turtle Shell had changed!

Increasing it any further is unnecessary.

Right now I can’t afford to wait and see if it grants any bonuses.

Everyone here had miraculously finished their treatment.

The Healers are all treating it like a miracle.

…But.

As I leave the tent I look to the sky, and see the pests.

“Kyuuiiiiii!”

What an annoying pest.

Right now I don’t feel like dealing with it.

But because it is still here, the fight won’t end and there won’t be any peace.

Then there is only one thing I can do.

Naofumi: “Firo!”

I call Firo who was dealing with the pests with another party.

Firo: “Yes?…”

Taking a look at my face, Firo who was worried about Atlas’ condition came down with a sad look.

Until now, I never realized how kind Firo was.

I wasn’t sure if it was due to Atlas or the Shield of Compassion.

It wasn’t just hate, there was also feelings of kindness… both emotions were conflicting within my heart.

But I don’t believe what I’m feeling now is due to the shield’s effect.

Naofumi: “Take me up higher than that bastard”

Firo: “Okay…I can do that”

Naofumi: “Ah, Lets hurry up and end this!”

Riding on Firo’s back, we fly through the vermin while maintaining a high altitude.

Naofumi: “Firo, time this just right”

Firo: “Yes”

“Kyuuiiiiii”

The pests notice us and come to attack us with their claws.

To remain calm and collected would be best.

To hate the enemy in front of me, would just cloud my judgement.

However I understand the pain.

I can see how unreasonable this world is.

The wounds that were suffered… and the sorrow for the lives that were lost.

But even though I know this, I mustn’t get angry.

Naofumi: “Too noisy”

I catch the pests by their talons and throw them towards the ground.

“Kyuiii!?”

As we gain altitude the pests turn towards to swarms us.

Naofumi: “Firo, kick them”

Firo: “Y-yes”

Following my instructions, Firo lands a hit and the pests fall straight down.

It made a great noise.

Shortly after, I jump off Firo towards the pests.

Firo: “Master!?”

Naofumi:”Firo, I’m fine, but get ready to catch me when I fall”

Firo: “Y-yes”

I give Firo those instructions as I activate Gravity Field.

Before it wasn’t that effective, but as it is now I can use it.

“Kyu…Kyuiii!”

The pests desperately try to remain airborne but under the new weight there was no way they could maintain altitude.

I begin to fall towards the pests that are at a lower altitude.

Naofumi:”Firo!”

I jump before I hit the ground, and was caught by Firo.

I grab two pests as I reach the battlefield and make a declaration.

Naofumi: “Everyone! Let do this!”

Fohl: “Nao-Naofumi!?”

Naofumi: “What are you doing? Lets hurry up and kill it”

Fohl: “I understand! Tiger Break!”

It was Fohl who acted first.

I expected as much.

Right now I can understand his feelings more than anyone else…as well as his thoughts.

Of course I don’t know what it is like to lose a family member.

But, I knew what kind of girl Atlas was.

Naofumi: “Don’t worry about me. Let us finish this as soon as possible. Soon we will kill it!”

Everyone: “OHH!”

The Party, who was surprised at my words, stated to unleash their special attacks.

Ren: “Naofumi, how is Atlas…”

Ren came to ask me in-between attacks.

Naofumi: “…”

I look away in silence.

Right now, I don’t want to think about it.

Naofumi: “Kuh…”

Though unintentional, I let out a pained voice.

Along with the power from the Sword, we strengthen the forces.

Kiel: “My body feels…so light!”

Kiel rushes out and bites through the pests.

Kiel: “Yes. It seems like my speed is different than before.”

There is a visible difference in the movement of my slaves and the military forces, as well as their attacks.

It must be due to the bonuses of the completed Slave and Companion series.

I didn’t check it but there must have been a huge boost.

And, it was all thanks to Atlas.

Naofumi: “Hurry. Lets end it quickly. For all of the pain and sorrow it has caused… we need to destroy it, even by a single second faster.”

The two pests try to attack me but it doesn’t hurt or bother me.

Their claws and bites are pointless.

If all the enemies are gathered in one place, they can all be eliminated easily.

Ren: “Gravity Sword!”

Motoyasu: “Brionac!”

Itsuki: “Bird Hunting!”

Rishia: “Tornado Throw!”

Raphtalia: “Bagua Karma Blade”

Firo: “Spiral Strike!”

The swarm of pests are hit by the sheer power of their special attacks.

“Kyuuiiiiii!”

As one lets out its death cry, the other begins to make a strange noise.

So it is going to self-destruct.

Of course, you won’t have the chance to use it.

Fohl: “Tiger Rampage!”

With Fohl’s deadly strike, the enemy was wiped out leaving nothing but a pile of feathers.

Everyone: “OOOOHHHHHHH!”

The roar of victory echoed throughout the area.

Feathers float down like snow and calmly settle.

Naofumi: “Atlas…we did it”

I raise up my Shield to signal our victory.

The truth is that we should have won without any sacrifices.

I will never… never forgive that guy.

Naofumi: “Ren! You understand what’s next, right?”

Ren: “Ah!”

Naofumi: “Inform the Queen. I need to make that bastard pay! I can never forgive him!”

It is very likely that he was a Seven Star Hero.

I have to find out who was responsible!

I called Firo and left to look for the source of that flash of light.

Ren also came along while riding Gaelion.

But even though we searched all day, we could not find the culprit of that attack.

Naofumi: “Damn it! Where did he disappear to!”

Ren: “Looking for him anymore is pointless. Naofumi please go on ahead and rest.”

Ren came and told me this.

Naofumi: “What are you saying!”

Ren: “I’ll call you if I find something. So please bear with it for now.”

Naofumi: “But-”

Ren: “Please…”

Before I could argue, Ren pleaded with me.

His expression was mixed with both sadness and anger.

Ren: “Naofumi, you are are not the only one who is mad. I am also filled with rage”

Naofumi: “…I see”

Ren: “Naofumi you are the only one I have told this to. Earlier I unsealed the Sword of Rage, of course I haven’t used it, since at that time I was surprised at how you were behaving.”

Naofumi: “…”

Ren: “I don’t intent to forgive the culprit either. But, you need some time to calm down.”

It true…I need time to calm down.

I was under the illusion that I was calm but in reality I was filled with anger.

What I am feeling right now…can’t easily be described.

When I was betrayed by Witch, my head was filled with anger.

Right now I should rest for a bit.

I need to calm down so I can differentiate who my enemies are and who it is I should protect.

Yes, I need to calm down the feelings in heart.

Naofumi: “…I understand. I will leave the rest to you.”

I sit down at the temple as the day was ending.

The search is still ongoing.

While I was resting, like Ren asked me to, I became aware of how angry I was.

By changing to the Shield of Compassion, my anger begins to fade.

But even so it was something I could not forgive.

That is because I can understand it…the unreasonable sorrow and suffering.

After the feelings of anger had calmed down, a sense of loss had filled my heart and dominated my mind.

Raphtalia stood by me before I could notice.

Raphtalia: “Atlas-san… that was unfair. I wanted to have Naofumi-sama turn around with my own power…”

Naofumi: “I see…but right now…”

Raphtalia: “I know. I understand completely…so it is okay for you to cry”

But, Raphtalia is probably the one who wants to cry the most.

The pain of losing someone, such a feeling was represented by tears.

Naofumi: “I am not going to cry”

I noticed something along my cheeks when I said that.

Is this…tears?

Since I had left the tent, I was unaware of it, but I was crying.

And…everyone else may have noticed.

I was crying.

Naofumi: “Uuh…”

Once I became aware of it, it was the only thing I could think about.

Raphtalia: “Naofumi-sama…”

I had unconsciously hugged Raphtalia and burst into tears.

After my duel at the castle, I decided to stop crying.

The tears won’t stop.

My tears start to overflow when I try to stop.

This was the pain and sorrow of losing someone, that I knew.

It wasn’t something shameful, I realize this now.

More than anything… for the feelings of the girl who became my shield…I just wanted to silently cry.