A loud boom signaled the start of the ensuing massacre.

The knight that made the attempt at Melty's life was speared through the chest as the front line of the knights was blown apart by the explosion from your cannon. The blood that splashed your face from the initial stab was only the beginning. The drops before the storm.

You ripped out the saw spear, letting the knight fall to his knees as you turned a circle, hefting the saw spear. As you turned a circle, the spear was swiftly and suddenly replaced by the burial blade, which you swung with the speed of a demon.

The last thing the first knight saw was his headless body, as his head fell to the ground, spewing blood.

"R-retreat!" The regrouping line was starting to panic as you hefted the cannon again. With a wicked smile covering your face, you grabbed a folded piece of wax paper. Your party watched you sprinkle some ashes into the canon barrel, before aiming it.

Your arm was kicked back a bit as the carriage first carrying the knights was reduced to splinters and spewing blood. You put away the cannon, spinning the burial blade again. With a leap upward, you swung the scythe at some retreating knights. As you dropped to the ground, the group burst into fountains of blood, falling to the ground. You landed deftly, dashing forward in a sprint.

You slid under the next trembling knights leg, severing his foot as you passed. As soon as you stood up again, you planted the scythe in the knights back, turning the knight's screams of pain up to 10. They were silenced when you flicked the burial blade to your side, using another attacking knight to end the life of the one on your blade. The shocked knight took a few steps back as you collapsed the blade, smoothly placing the folded handle onto our back as you flipped the lone dagger in your hand. After a moment's hesitation, he lifted his blade to attack you. Poor choice.

You almost slid past his blade, planting your own in his gut. He gasped in pain and shock, which was cut short when you ripped the blade upward, separating his right and left sides. You looked ahead, seeing more knights running. You sneered at them, lifting your now empty left hand. A dull red glow emanated from it, before the bodies near you burst into fountains of blood and light.

The light sound of a bell ringing reverberated through the air as fleshy, grotesque Scourge Beasts emerged from what was left of the knights bodies. You pointed your finger towards the fleeing knights.

"Kill, maim the knights. Bring as much pain as possible." You ordered. With barking howls, the beasts ran off at unnatural speeds, rapidly catching up to the screaming knights. You watched in sick pleasure as they were finally caught up to, and the first fell. Then the second. And then a third.

"T-the king won't have this!" A scared voice behind you stammered. You turned your head, then your blood soaked body towards one last knight, who was shakily holding a crystal ball up.

"The-the entire kingdom will see your crimes, and hunt you down!" He declared. You stepped towards him, flipping the dagger in your hand for more downward stabbing.

"Then let the entire kingdom know that I will personally hunt down any traitorous bastard that would lift their blade against the first Princess." You ordered. The knight took a shocked breath as you lunged forward, taking the ball and knocking over the knight, keeping your knee on his chest.

"See this and hear me, people of Melromarc!" You shouted into the ball, hoping someone was watching.

"These poor bastards of knights made an attempt to take the life of Crown Princess Melty Melromarc! As their judge, jury, and executioner, I have sentenced them to death by any means!" You raised your dagger, stabbing the knight in the stomach first. He screamed in pain as you took the dagger out, letting blood flow freely.

"None shall get away with such deeds while I roam these lands!" Another strike rendered his right arm useless.

"NOBODY!" Another stab pinned the knight to the ground, as you took the crystal ball in both hands.

"Lest... you invoke the wrath of Paleblood, and the Scourge." With a mighty heave, you bashed the crystal ball into the knights head, breaking his nose and possibly cracking his skull. Blood spurted out as you hit him again, and more blood started seeping out as you hit him again. You raised the ball up one more time, using all your might to send it down on the knights head, shattering it and caving the final knights skull in. You took your dagger, wiping the gore off on your already bloody clothes, and sheathing the weapon.

You sighed in disappointment as some very bloody scourge beasts approached you from behind. With a glance, their bodies started to grow weak, before they simply collapsed where they stood.

"Now... those traitors have been dealt with in their due ways." You announced, turning towards Melty and Naofumi. You tried to approach them, only for Naofumi to raise his shield towards you.

"Y/n... what the hell is wrong with you!?" Naofumi asked. You cocked your head at the question, shrugging.

"I simply did as I was instructed. Remove those who made an attempt on the princess' life." You defended yourself. Naofumi lightly growled to himself, before Melty spoke up.

"Sir.... sir Shield Hero, p-please find it in your heart to forgive your comrade." She stammered, looking off in the direction of the bloody stains that remained of the knights. Trembling, she fell to her knees.

"Are you okay, Mel?" Raphtalia asked, kneeling to rest a hand on the Princess' shoulder.

"Y/n..." Naofumi growled, before relenting.

"Get yourself cleaned up. We have no choice but to go on the run now." He ordered. You simply bowed to him, before walking into the river.

The footage from the crystal ball didn't even need to be changed by whatever means. Knights of the kingdom simply cut out the beginning, showing people the dastardly work of "The Devil Of The Shield and his Hound Of War."

Raphtalia and Naofumi both went off to see other villages, eventually reporting back with the news of tight security, and the showing of the squashing of bugs they dared call a battle between you and the knights.

You, in the meantime, had abandoned your mortal body for the time being, tuning out all conversation for one with someone more important at the moment, in the dream.

"Great One..." Mirellia was clearly distressed at the news you gave her.

"To perform such a deed, against my own daughter..." she clenched her fist, before releasing it with a slow breath.

"I thank you, for bringing such well deserved justice to the knights that attempted to take Melty's life." She took to her knee, bowing towards you.

"Please, continue to monitor and protect my youngest daughter. Unless circumstance would put the Shield Hero in even greater danger, I humbly request you stay with Melty." She asked.

"By your decree." You answered.

"Thank you... before I return to my matters, I have received word of you preaching your word to the people of Melromarc." She told you, hints of her previous anger from her daughter's risk still present.

"Indeed. I offer it as a remedy to the effects of the scourge. I feel it necessary, since these heroes remain divided as they are, both in reasoning and strength." You answered.

"I understand, Great One. I will allow this to continue as long as you see fit." Mirellia responded.

"Very well. Until our next meeting, good Queen." At those words, Mirellia's body began to fade into mist, until you began to pay attention to the mortal realm once again.

"-leave before dawn. Make sure you're ready." Naofumi seemed to have just finished explaining something to everyone, who was sitting or standing around a campfire situated near a ruined stone building, overcome with plants.

"Understood."

The next day was spent traveling on foot, to Filo's dismay. The wagon had to be left behind in order to allow passage through the mountains, towards Naofumi's country of choice, that being Siltvelt. You had given Melty your crowfeather cape to cover her dress from easy detection as you moved along. Eventually, you all stopped in a cave briefly to rest.

The conversation held between Princess and hero was brief, yet humorous to Naofumi. It was nothing new to you, however. Melromarc was matrilineal in terms of monarchy. Women inherit power, while men marry into it. Learning that Aultcray had to marry into the family despite his actions brought a well deserved smile to Naofumi's face, before movement resumed.

You were all forced to sneak as long as you went. You were nearing forests, where lights flickered as knights searched the area, for you and your party.

"This routes blocked too, Huh?" Naofumi sighed as he looked up from the narrow cliff side he was sneaking across. Lights danced above you as knights vocalized the lack of your known positions.

"Seems so. We must move." You stated. The party began to backtrack, step by step, before, in front of you, Melty slipped on a loose stone.

Within a second, you were holding her close to you, as stones fell beneath you.

"Be careful." You chided her. She nodded, shocked by the speed of your movement.

"They're here!" Shouting erupted above you.

"Shoot. We're running!" Naofumi ordered, abandoning stealth as he ran the rest of the way. You followed suit, still holding Melty as Naofumi ran to a cliffs edge, likely intending to use Filo for escape.

You both skidded to a halt at the edge as Filo and Raphtalia caught up. You put Melty down, as she ducked behind you. Turning your head, you saw the clouds shifting, shedding the beautifully full moon's light upon your body.

From the shadows of a large rock, the bow hero Itsuki emerged, weapon drawn.

"There's nowhere else to run." He announced.

"You are surrounded. Surrender, and release Princess Melty at once." He ordered. Behind him, Motoyasu and Ren emerged, their weapons pointed towards you.

"Release? You say that as if we tied her up and forced her to come along." You remarked.

"Quit lying, we have all the evidence we need." Motoyasu replied. You could already feel the fear behind his voice as he looked at you.

"Heroes, I am perfectly fine, as you can see." Melty stood by you as she spoke.

"These two have been protecting me."

"Hang on, didn't Naofumi and Y/n abduct you?" Ren asked.

"Y/n's actions against those knights were under my orders, as retaliation for the attempt placed against my life." Melty explained.

"Since then, I have requested the cover of Naofumi's protection."

"Protection?" Ren questioned.

"What could Naofumi possibly stand to gain by kidnapping me?" Melty asked. You stepped forward, arms crossed to continue her point.

"The Queen herself has stated that this is not a time for conflict, heroes. This world cannot possibly survive pointless quarrels such as the one you so stubbornly hold onto. Put away your weapons, and let us speak." You requested.

"As has been stated, this is a setup. We can tell you every-" Naofumi's attempt to speak was stopped by the familiar bitchy voice you had heard a few times too many in all your millennia of existence.

"You mustn't listen to him!" Malty declared.

"That Devil possesses a brainwashing shield!" She began another rambling of lies spoken through her teeth.

"That accursed shield has the ability to take over someone's mind simply by speaking to them." Malty told the three other heroes.

"Wha- who would believe such a lie!?" Raphtalia shouted out. Malty turned her back towards you, addressing the group of knights that had began to congregate behind the heroes.

"The Three Heroes Church has discovered that Heretics who began worshipping the Shield and his minion have been popping up over the last month. The Devil of The Shield and his Hound have been spreading their word, calling the Devil the 'Heavenly Savior of the Fowl' and brainwashing so many innocents." She falsely informed.

"Sister..." Melty's shock was comparable to when the first attempt was made on her life.

"Oh, Melty, you poor thing!" Fake sincerity dripped from Malty's words as she cooed.

"I see the Devil Of The Shield has already brainwashed you." She murmured.

"I see! So Raphtalia and Filo were really brainwashed by Naofumi, too!" Motoyasu stated.

"Not a chance." You stepped in front of Raphtalia, beasthunter saif at the ready.

"If I had a brainwashing ability, we wouldn't be in this situation to begin with!" Naofumi retorted.

"But there's no guarantee that you don't have it." Ren countered.

"Do you have any proof to convince us?" He asked. After a moment of silence, Ren scoffed.

"Hand over the second Princess-"

"That's not for Naofumi to decide." You interjected. Melty and Naofumi turned their looks towards you.

"By all mean, intents, and purposes, Melty is under my gaze. And even if it means slaying all the knights in front of me, Melty will not sent to die at Malty's hands." You announced.

"What do you mean?" Malty asked, holding her hand to her chest. Behind you, Raphtalia kneeled, whispering in Filo's ear.

"I simply wish my sis-"

"You wish to become crown Princess so badly that you would even kill your sister for it." You interrupted. Malty seemed irked by this, as Naofumi took up your point.

"You'll say you're undoing her brainwashing, then kill her when nobody's looking." He stated.

"Melty... I swore to all I could that your safety would be guaranteed..." You stated. You looked back at Naofumi, before speaking again.

"Leave me here. I'll hold them off." You promised. Naofumi nodded, looking back.

"Filo!" He shouted.

"Aaalriiiight!" With a plume of smoke, she shifted her body, as all but you mounted.

"Let's go!" Naofumi shouted. With a burst, Filo took off running past everyone. Using the cliff side and an Air Strike Shield, Naofumi helped Filo gain the necessary height to begin to fly away.

"Not so fast!" Motoyasu reeled his arm back to throw something, glowing purple at Filo. It was shut down with a loud boom.

"Eh?" Motoyasu watched as the four flew off, before looking back at you, and the smoking cannon barrel in your hand.

"Don't go forgetting about me so easily now, Spear hero." You told him.

"You..." You watched Ren warily raise his weapon towards you. Everyone was on edge, waiting for you to act.

"You would lift your weapon against me, even after witnessing the events of the second wave?" You asked. Ren stayed silent, as Motoyasu practically quivered in his boots.

"So, what will you do now?" Itsuki asked.

"Simply cut us down like prey? Like you did with those knights?!" He barked.

"Prey? Those knights?" You laughed to yourself, falling silent.

"Prey gets hunted. Those knights were more comparable to a spider on the wall. You get nothing from killing it, yet you do because it's mere existence offends you and what you stand for." You told the heroes.

"I would gladly cut you down for your gross incompetence as heroes, but my contract forbids such action." You shook your head slowly as the weapons you wielded vanished from sight.

"Not even prey..." your previous words were echoed by Ren.

"Yes, not even prey. Now, as I was saying..." you cleared your throat, turning away.

"I am forbidden from slaying the heroes in any way. But forgive as I may, I will never forget." From the cliff side, a massive, spindly arm emerged, gripping the ground beside you.

"However, I suppose I could be forgiven for simply... not leaving you unscathed." Another arm emerged, drawing no reaction from those behind you. You slowly turned around again, studying their expressions.

"Oh, silly me. You lack the eldritch knowledge to see it, don't you?" You asked.

"See... what?" Itsuki asked. In response, you reached into your coat, pulling out three human skulls, all glowing with bright, writhing light.

"Oh, you'll see. Heroes, take these in hand." You offered, tossing the Mad Man's Knowledge out to them. Ren was the first to grab one.

"...that night, at the coliseum. A cleric died from her head bursting into blood, leaving behind something like this." He pointed out.

"Indeed. Crush it in your hand, and behold." You told him.

"Oh Ren, you mustn't trust the word of such a-" Malty's words were silenced as Ren crushed the skull in his fist. The light traveled up his arm, entering his head through his eyes. It took a moment for the light to subside, but when it did...

"What the..." His initial reaction to the spindly arms on either side of you prompted Motoyasu and Itsuki to follow suit.

"Are we all situated now? Good, good." You pointed at the three heroes as they took notice of what was previously hidden to them.

"Now, say hello to some true prey." You spread your arms out as a third arm came over the cliff, followed by the twisted head of the creature it supported. Two more arms, then a sixth dragged the creature up, until two legs and a tail supported the full towering height of the behemoth.

"You could barely deal with the Mad Ones in the second wave, let's see you attempt to bring down the Amygdala, no?"

You sat back on a rock, twirling a wine glass of Old Blood in your hand as the ground shook with another slam. Ren barely rolled to the side in time to dodge a lunging swipe by the great one you slew so long ago. You sipped at the blood, smiling at Itsuki's bloodcurdling scream when he fell into the explosive path of a laser. Malty and the knights had long ago run off, in a vain attempt to catch up with the shield hero.

"How can you simply sit back and enjoy this, you damn monster!?" Motoyasu shouted out, rushing forward to stab at the low-hanging head of the Amygdala.

"Now I'm a monster, hm?" You asked, licking your lips.

"Well, as I said, I'm simply doing as told. You guys won't die, but I'm not letting you leave unscathed." You pointed out. Wind nearly blew your glass away as the Amygdala leapt straight into the air.

"Here's a tip, since I'm feeling nice: stand where it's feet once were." You told the three. Ren dived where you instructed, missing any damage as the Amygdala landed, it's head above the sword hero.

"Anyways, that's enough, I guess." With a wave of your hand, the Amygdala halted its assault, freezing in place.

"You... what brings you this degree of control over the beasts!?" Ren asked, his breathing shaky.

"You think I spread the word of the mystical Paleblood for nothing, Sword Hero? It was his blood that began this scourge in the first place." With a nod of the head, the Amygdala leapt up again, only to not return.

"I am in direct communion with Paleblood, and as such, I may as well be pulling the strings behind any beast I wish." You stated. Before you could continue, you caught a whiff of... was that smoke?

"Hmm, it seems someone has gone and started a forest fire." You stated.