Yet again, the sunlight shining through the window awakened me. I opened my eyes and started getting up.

After looking outside through the window, I assumed that it was about 7am or so. Today, I was going to start my journey with Naofumi and his party. I didn't waste any time and quickly left the room. I locked the door and returned the key to the owner of the inn.

Y/n: Did my friend leave already?

Owner: Oh, that knight? No, he didn't leave yet.

Y/n: I see, thank you.

I left the building and decided to wait for Cole outside. I didn't have anything to do, therefore I simply leaned on a wall.

After what I assumed was ten minutes, Cole left the inn. He instantly noticed me.

Cole: Hi there! You're up early. You didn't wait long, did you?

Y/n: Not really. Now then, is there anything you want to do before we leave?

Cole: We're leaving with Naofumi's party, right?

I nodded in response to his question.

Cole: If there is something I want to do, I'd like to take a look around at Erhard's shop.

Y/n: We don't have much money, but I suppose we can take a look.

Cole: That reminds me, did you get the money from that shadow?

Y/n: No, I didn't. I'm assuming we'll either get it later or we won't get it at all.

Cole: I hope it's not the latter.

We continued to walk in silence, after a while, we entered the blacksmith's shop.

Erhard immediately welcomed us.

Erhard: Hi there you two!

I noticed Naofumi and his party inside the shop as well.

Cole: Hi Erhard! We're here just to take a look around, we probably won't buy anything.

Cole started examining the equipment for sale, I on the other hand, decided to greet Naofumi.

Y/n: Hi there, Naofumi. I'm guessing you're preparing yourself for today?

Naofumi: Yeah, we're getting Raphtalia a sword.

The demi human woman didn't like that idea.

Raphtalia: I still have a spare, you need to conserve money for our journey, master Naofumi!

Naofumi: Well, if that's the case, then we're leaving. Everyone, let's go.

Y/n: Cole, we're leaving.

The knight nodded and followed behind me.

Erhard: Good luck you all!

Our group left the shop.

Naofumi: I have a carriage outside the city, we'll travel using it.

Y/n: I see, lead the way then.

After a few minutes of walking we were outside the capital, I quickly noticed the carriage.

Y/n: Okay there's the carriage, but don't you have some sort of horse or anything to move it?

Naofumi: Filo always pulls the carriage.

I was surprised by this.

Y/n: Filo? Isn't she too small for that kind of-

I stopped in the middle of my sentence when smoke appeared around Filo and afterwards, in her place was some sort of giant bird.

Y/n: Oh. I see. That explains it.

Naofumi simply laughed at me a little.

Naofumi: Get on the carriage then, we'll be leaving shortly.

Our whole group got on the carriage, shortly afterwards, we started moving forward.

I decided to talk with Naofumi.

Y/n: Where are we going, by the way?

Naofumi: I was planning on going to a different country, they really don't treat me to well here. If you don't want to leave Melromarc, feel free to get off.

Y/n: Such a thought didn't even cross my mind, a new country has to be interesting. If I may ask, which one are you planning on going to exactly?

Naofumi: Either Shieldfreeden or Siltveit, they're both demi human countries, but I'm not sure which I would prefer to go to.

Y/n: I see, you'll have to decide sooner or later, so I'd recommend to make the decision as early as you can.

Naofumi: Yeah, that seems fair.

After a moment of silence, I decided to ask Naofumi about something.

Y/n: May I ask you something?

Naofumi: Go ahead.

Y/n: I noticed you are usually cold to new people, why weren't you like that towards me?

Naofumi: Well, I was a little afraid that you might shoot me with that gun of yours if I annoyed you.

I nodded in response.

Y/n: I see, well it's better to be safe than sorry.

We both laughed a little.

Y/n: I'll go take a nap in the back, is that okay with you?

Naofumi: Sure, go ahead. I'll wake you up if something happens.

I went to the back of the carriage and did my best to fall asleep while sitting down. I succeeded, eventually.

Timeskip

I was awakened by Naofumi yelling my name.

Naofumi: Hey Y/n!

I opened my eyes and yelled back in response.

Y/n: Yeah?

Naofumi: We're going to camp for a moment here, just thought I'd let you know.

I got out and sat down next to everyone.

Cole: Hey Y/n! Did you sleep well?

Y/n: Yeah, I got a good amount of rest.

After a moment of silence I heard a voice.

???: Found you!

Naofumi's expression changed from relaxed to annoyed. I looked in the direction everyone was looking at. A large group of knights and a carriage were coming our way.

I noticed a Blue haired girl looking at us.

Filo instantly recognized her.

Filo: Oh, Mel-chan! Hey, long time no see!

Naofumi was clearly annoyed, I assumed he wasn't happy to see that person.

Naofumi: Filo!

Raphtalia: Master Naofumi, it may not have been for long, but we traveled together as a party.

Filo: Master, Mel-chan is a good girl, you know.

The said girl started approaching us.

Naofumi got up in annoyance and started walking towards her.

???: Sir Shield Hero. I'd like you to return to the capital and meet with King Aultcray once more.

I immediately realized what this was about.

Naofumi: I refuse.

The slight anger on the girl's face was clearly visible.

???: I want you to apologize for your conduct and reconcile.

For a young girl like her, she sounded very mature. I assumed she was a daughter of some noble.

Naofumi: I refuse!

The girl was even angrier at this point.

???: We need your help to stop the Waves. Also, you would be lost without the king's financial support.

Naofumi: Support? I'm the one graciously working with you lot until the Waves are gone.

Now, instead of being angry, the blue haired girl was visibly upset.

Raphtalia: Master Naofumi!

Naofumi simply looked away.

Naofumi: She's royalty, too.

I was surprised by this, although I didn't show it.

???: Why...

This got everyone's attention.

???: Why do both you and my father have to be like this?! A hero and the king can't be fighting among themselves! Absolutely not!

Filo: Mel-chan?

???: Don't you agree, Filo-chan?

Filo: Er..

???: You agree too, don't you, Raphtalia?!

Raphtalia: W-Well, I am Master Naofumi's sword.

???: See? They're agreeing with me!

Naofumi: Uh, they're not.

???: Look, just apologize to Father! Both you and that other man! Otherwise, mother will yell at him!

Naofumi looked at me with a look that said "help". I was pretty sure that the girl didn't acknowledge my presence yet and I intended for it to stay that way.

Naofumi looked lost in thought for a second.

???: Listen to me when I'm talking to you!

Naofumi sighed. I noticed him suddenly get on his guard. I noticed a knight running towards the girl. He had his sword out.

Before I could do anything, Naofumi blocked the knight's blow.

The girl was utterly shocked when she realized what was happening.

What didn't seem right with me, was the fact that the other knights had some sort of crystal ball.

Knight: Curse you! How dare you take princess Melty hostage!

I finally got to know the girl's name.

Naofumi: Hostage?

Knight: Fellow knights! Justice is on our side! Destroy the Devil of the Shield!

The other knights proceeded to charge forward.

Naofumi: Resorting to calling me a devil now, huh? Raphtalia! Filo!

I quickly ran up to Cole.

Y/n: Cole! Stop them! I'll take care of something!

Cole simply nodded and charged at the knights.

The crystal ball just didn't feel right, I decided that I wasn't going to take any chances.

Y/n:

I quickly ran towards the knights with the crystal ball, they were all surprised because of my speed.

When I was really close, I got my knife and slashed it downwards at the crystal ball, successfully shattering it.

The knights were beyond surprised by this, they attempted to fight me, but they didn't stand a chance.

Just as they were about to hit me, I used a skill:

Y/n:

With a single blow, I knocked their blades out of their hands, they weren't capable of defending themselves and decided to run away.

I felt the drawback of using time alter, I leaned on the royal carriage while breathing rather heavily. When I was ready to continue, I noticed that all the knights were taken care of. I walked up to everyone.

Naofumi: Hey Y/n! Why did you charge into that group in the back? Shouldn't you be stealthy as an assassin?

Y/n: They had some crystal ball, I simply got the feeling that I had to get rid of it.

The blue haired girl called Melty finally noticed my presence.

Melty: You're the man that insulted father! You should apolo-

I fired a bullet into the ground, effectively startling her.

Y/n: As much as I'd like to talk right now, we have more important things to do.

Naofumi: Yeah, I agree, we should leave this place for now, they might come back. I'll go question the knights.

I was confused why such a thing would happen, why would a knight attack a princess? I was expecting a peaceful journey, and all I got was questions.