I was born to a family of impoverished nobles.
We were poor, but the villagers were always kind to us.
Onee-chan! We were poor, but the villagers were always kind to us.
My parents and I lived happily.
But one day...
Who are you people?
Come with us!
Stop it! What are you doing?
I found out later that a wicked noble in the next town over had it out for us.
Dad! Mom!
My family couldn't pay back the debts that were illegally levied on us,
and so the noble took me instead.
I thought it was all over, when...
You're safe now.
Itsuki-san revealed his evil deeds to the world.
The Bow Hero came to save me.
Itsuki-sama saved my life and the lives of my parents.
I see.
So I want to repay him... I want to help him.
I may not have the right to say this, but...
I'm sure he's safe.
Thank you!
It seems the decision's been made then, Saint.
Yes.
We leave at dawn.
For the back of the Spirit Tortoise.
I'm sure... I'm sure Itsuki-sama is there, too.
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Episode 4 Ruins in the Fog
We cut off the Spirit Tortoise's head, but its familiar, Ost, is still alive.
Which means the Tortoise itself could revive and go on a rampage at any moment.
But the allied forces need time to resupply and reorganize.
It's risky, but our party is going to climb onto its back and look for its weak point.
It's the only way.
We need to finish the Spirit Tortoise before it comes back to life.
And if Ost is going to remember something by getting close to it,
its back is the most likely spot.
Yes.
Oh, Filo-chan! How was the meeting?
Everybody was just frowning all the time. It was dull.
There was no food either.
Hey, Filo! I let you take my place because you wanted to go.
With all those grumpy old men around, having Filo-dono there made me feel much better.
Yeah. Raphtalia would just complain about everything.
Naofumi-sama!
Oh, they all had nice things to say about the turtle lady!
Um... They said she saved the lives of a lot of soldiers.
No... I don't deserve your praise.
Because my real job is...
There it is.
Those sappers know how to do their jobs.
Can you get us across this, Filo?
Yeah, I'll be fine!
Take care!
Best of luck, Shield Hero!
And you too, Ost-sama.
Thanks!
Here we go!
So this is the tortoise's back, huh?
This is gonna be a tough climb.
Do they know who I am?
Those soldiers earlier?
Yeah. The generals sent out a message to everyone.
I see.
What is it?
I just don't understand.
I'm a servant of the Spirit Tortoise.
My job is to steal souls.
So why would they treat me so kindly?
Because you fought alongside us.
But...
Sure, maybe when the Spirit Tortoise goes back to normal,
you may go back to fulfilling your role.
But...
It's also true that you saved our lives.
Yeah!
They were grateful to you, I think!
As someone who fought by their side!
Um... as a comrade-in-arms.
A comrade-in-arms...
If that's how you all feel, that makes me very happy.
Well? Think you can remember anything?
Oh, right.
No. It's like there's a fog inside my mind.
And just like Ost-san...
Master...
Is it food time yet?
Hmm... I guess we can set up camp here.
Are you insane, Iwatani-dono?
You heard what Ost said.
If we just wander around all night, we won't do anything but exhaust ourselves.
Sleeping on a monster's back? How brave you are!
Um, well... Sorry.
They're cute, aren't they?
Like real sisters.
Yeah.
I'm an only child, so I'm jealous.
Of course, that meant I got all my parents' attention.
Are you lonely? Being away from your parents, I mean.
It was my choice.
And they both supported me when I left.
But...
When I was banished from the party,
and I couldn't be with Itsuki-sama when I wanted to help him most,
I wondered what it was I was even doing.
Even if you had stayed with him,
do you think you could've accomplished anything?
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.
I just thought that now, maybe you could accomplish something.
You, who fought the Spirit Tortoise not as a comrade of the Bow Hero,
but of the Shield Hero...
I think that now, you could help the Bow Hero.
I-I'm sorry!
H-Huh? Did I end up making you cry after all?
I know you're suffering much more than I am,
but you're trying to make me feel better.
Thank you. Those words alone are enough.
But...
Don't worry. I'm just fine.
Ost-san!
Something just...
Naofumi-san!
Ost-san is...
Something's wrong.
The fog lifted.
Well, Ost?
There.
Begin the rescue immediately!
I expected this to be hard for you,
but it seems hard for Raphtalia as well.
You okay, Raphtalia?
I'm...
She must've remembered what happened in that basement prison.
And the bodies of her friends.
Thank you, Filo-chan.
Rishia-san.
They lived their whole lives here while the Spirit Tortoise was sealed.
I'm sure they knew this would happen, but...
If the Tortoise did not revive of its own will,
that only makes it worse for those who died.
Did you learn anything?
The shadows found a temple up ahead.
Please, come with me.
Your Majesty.
Good work. What's the situation?
Like the others. No survivors.
But there's something I want you to see inside, I daresay.
The damage is extensive and the structure could collapse at any time, I daresay.
Be careful.
The texts say this was a shrine to the Spirit Tortoise.
Is this where the seal was broken?
I don't know.
But it's likely.
Are you okay?
Yes! Thank you!
Are you okay, Raphtalia-san?
Yes, I'm fine.
I know I need to get used to this stuff.
That's not true.
You can't get used to it!
You don't have to get used to it!
Thank you, Rishia-san. And you too, Eclair-san!
No, I...
I don't have the right to tell you anything.
Thanks.
This is...
Tortoise-san!
Ancient writing.
"Spirit Tortoise." "Guardian Beast of the World"?
You can read it?
Yes.
It's not that hard.
The writing is simple, for this field.
Yet it takes everything I have to read a spell book!
This seems to describe what the Spirit Tortoise is.
It doesn't say anything about the seal.
You look more alive now than you do during sword practice.
Sorry!
No, it's good to have something you're good at.
Maybe we should make you focus on that instead of fighting.
Perhaps.
But her ability to manipulate ki is exceptional.
I meant it when I said she could master Hengen Muso soon.
Naofumi-sama...
I pray you're right.
What is it?
This looks like the writing from another world that's used by the heroes.
By us?
Yes. I can't read it easily.
Don't tell me...
Naofumi-sama?
If a _____ summoned from Japan is reading these words, r_me__er t__s. No __tter how powerful a se_l you place on this monster, the ______ seventh___ shatter__ I've learned that its goal is to ____________ the world's_____
It's Japanese! If a _____ summoned from Japan is reading these words, r_me__er t__s. No __tter how powerful a se_l you place on this monster, the ______ seventh___ shatter__ I've learned that its goal is to ____________ the world's_____
"Japanese"?
From my world.
The language of a country called Japan.
If a _____ summoned from Japan is reading these words, r_me__er t__s. No __tter how powerful a se_l you place on this monster, the ______ seventh___ shatter__ I've learned that its goal is to ____________ the world's_____
This is from Naofumi-sama's world. If a _____ summoned from Japan is reading these words, r_me__er t__s. No __tter how powerful a se_l you place on this monster, the ______ seventh___ shatter__ I've learned that its goal is to ____________ the world's_____
This is from Naofumi-sama's world.
It's known as the Hero's Alphabet.
It must've been left by one of the ancient Four Cardinal Heroes.
It's faded and hard to read in spots,
but I can make out the words "seal," "seventh," and, "shatter."
Seventh?
Does it have something to do with this?
___ defeat this monster, you must_____ Keiichi
This place contains information about the Spirit Tortoise's seal,
as well as information on how to break it.
You can read it too, Ost?
No, but...
I'm starting to remember.
The Spirit Tortoise... to defeat it, you have to...
Oh no! It's collapsing!
Crap! Get us out of here, Filo!
Okay!
No! This writing is priceless!
Your Majesty, we have more important priorities!
I'm sorry, I daresay.
Let me go!
I'm begging you, as a knight!
That was close.
Another Shadow is reporting that the Spirit Tortoise is likely to revive soon, I daresay.
No! Already?
I'm afraid we're out of time.
We must hurry and climb off!
Damn it! We're so close!
It's okay. I remember how to defeat it.
Really, Ost-san?
Go inside its body and destroy its heart.
Inside its body?
But how?
There's an entrance into its body deep within the shrine.
Follow it, and you'll reach its heart.
I see.
We're heading inside the Spirit Tortoise's body!
Okay!
Roger!
Oh, no...
Queen, Eclair, and old lady, you head off.
Wait, Iwatani-dono! We'll go with you!
That's right! Don't underestimate what I can do!
I have to speak up.
I know what you can do. That's why I want you to command the army.
If the Spirit Tortoise starts moving again while we're not here, they'll fall apart.
I see.
Then I accept, Saint.
I'll be left behind, too.
Okay, and Rishia?
You head down and wait at the rear.
No!
I'll go with you!
Is this about Itsuki?
Of course, I'm worried about him.
But right now, I'm a member of your party.
If you're going, I'm going, too!
Yeah, that's right.
Sorry.
Let's go.
Raphtalia, Filo, Ost, and Rishia.
Right!
This place is eerie.
We're inside the turtle, huh?
Yeah.
Probably in its large intestine.
Naofumi-sama, that's disgusting.
If souls are what it eats, what does it poop?
Naofumi-sama!
I'm just asking.
Well, don't.
It doesn't smell weird or anything!
Filo, stop. Yeah.
Filo, stop.
Why?
Thank you.
For coming with us.
No, it's not something worth thanking me for.
I hope the Bow Hero and the other Heroes are here, and safe.
I said this a moment ago,
but right now, I'm part of Naofumi-san's party.
I'm just working towards what they, and you, want,
which is stopping the Spirit Tortoise.
You don't change, huh?
But that's more like Rishia-san!
That's the Rishia-oneechan I'm used to!
Get back!
Oh, you're human?
Fast Light!
Adventurers? What are you doing here?
Oh, you know...
The queen told us to come here, too.
The queen?
Would Queen Mirelia have given such an order to people she didn't know in these circumstances?
Well, you know, the more people, the better.
Anyway, we'll be going.
See you around, lad.
Hold it.
Raphtalia!
As source of thy power, I order thee.
Decipher the laws of nature, and reveal them for who they are!
Anti-Mirage!
You're...
Well, guess you found us out!
It's been a while, lad!
L'Arc! Therese!
And...
Why did we even bother with those disguises?
You had no intention of hiding, did you, L'Arc?
No...
Is that you? Glass?