The rescue operations will finish shortly.
You all did very well.
But the Wave shows no signs of receding.
Does that mean it won't end until they are defeated?
And the fighting is so intense... We have to leave it all to Iwatani-sama.
She thinks only the Wrath Shield can hurt her, huh?
Naofumi-sama!
Is this really magic?
Yeah. Looks like it's powered by her jewels.
The attack that blew away Motoyasu and the others last time!
I beseech thee, power of jewels far and wide.
Heed my call and come to me.
My name is Therese Alexanderite.
Crap! They can use combo skills, too? My name is Therese Alexanderite.
My friends, summon a freezing storm that destroys my targets!
Naofumi-sama!
You okay, Naofumi?
Yeah, somehow.
Not even that combo move could put you down?
It seems that everything I knew about you is useless now.
Good thing we leveled up at Cal Mira, huh?
Yeah!
But that's not all.
Glass's reaction to the Soul Eater Shield bothers me.
Could it be...?
Listen up. Let me take Glass alone.
What? That's reckless!
You three handle L'Arc and Therese.
Naofumi-sama, you're not going to...
It's to make sure I don't have to use that shield.
Understood.
If that's the case, you've got it.
Yeah! I'll do my best!
Let's roll!
You're not getting away!
You two are fighting us!
Sounds fun.
You want to fight one-on-one?
Perfect. I was thinking the same.
That said...
You left them to fight a duo as strong as L'Arc and Therese?
You must really trust your party.
L'Arc said he was a hero from another world.
Are you the same, Glass?
That's right.
I, too, am a Vassal Wielder—the Fan Hero.
"Vassal Wielder"?
En garde!
My friends, bring forth a wall of fire to stop my targets in their tracks!
Bejeweled Flame Bulwark!
Zweit Aqua Slash!
Not so fast!
Damn!
You're good.
No wonder Naofumi trusts you.
Naofumi-sama...
So quick.
But she lacks her edge from before.
I can take her.
Rupture-Stance Rondo: Tortoise Shell Cracker!
Dog Bite!
Change Shield!
Soul Eater Shield!
I knew it!
Glass is weak to the Soul Eater!
Glassy!
Naofumi...
This shield would only drain SP from anybody else,
but it seems it *s out your very life force.
You've lost.
The Wave will die down if you retreat, right?
Let's end this here.
"End this here"? Nay.
This battle isn't over until one of us dies.
I can't let it end!
Hey!
Stop it! If you keep this up, you'll die!
So long as I still draw breath,
I will come for your life time and time again.
I must, for the world I love so much!
You'll have to kill me to get rid of me.
If you don't, this world will end!
That's absurd!
Naofumi-sama...
You're like me, aren't you, Naofumi?
You wish to protect this world, don't you?!
Then you should look to kill me right here and now!
I...
Protect this world?
This other world I was summoned to against my will and put through hell in?
Do I really want to protect it as badly as she wants to protect her own world?
Why have I been fighting the Waves?
What is this?
They're waiting for us.
My people are fighting the Wave, awaiting our triumphant return.
Is this a vision of Glass's world?
So I absolutely cannot lose!
This is the end! It's do or die, Naofumi!
Do I care enough about protecting this world to crush her hopes?
Glassy!
A soul soothing potion?
It only lets me use more skills.
But for her...
Crap!
Naofumi-sama!
Raphtalia!
Are you stupid? Why'd you come?!
Because I'm the Shield Hero's... I'm your sword!
I'll never again let anyone in this world go through what Rifana-chan and I did!
So...
Raphtalia...
We have our own reasons for not losing!
Oh no, you don't!
Air Strike Shield!
Naofumi-sama!
Dark Gas Burning!
Naofumi! Raphtalia-san!
Glassy!
Is there... Is there nothing we can do to help?
Save me, Your Majesty!
That's it!
She tanked it?
Wait, that's...
The next move will be the last.
Glassy, it's too risky!
That's enough, Glass!
Blank-Stance Rondo...
No, Naofumi-sama! Not that shield!
I'm an outsider.
Once I finish fighting off the Waves, I'll just go back to my world.
However...
Raphtalia,
Filo, Melty...
This world has you three.
That's reason enough for me to use this shield.
Reason enough to defeat Glass!
Naofumi-sama...
Foolish sinner, I sentence you to cast your screams unto the heavens!
- Wait... Please don't. -Within the dragon's jaws born from my flesh
become an offering to the gods as you howl in pain!
No!
Blood Sacri—
Iwatani-sama!
You blew up the cask bombs in mid-air?
What is this?
Wait, don't tell me...
They were filled with luchol berries.
You mean the ones they make wine from?
Apparently, they don't do anything to me.
What now? Wanna keep going?
Yes. I'll end this.
L'Arc?
Therese-san!
This fight's over. Time's up.
So yeah, you win this time.
Let us fight again when the time comes.
What are you two thinking?
If we don't kill Naofumi now...
Save that talk for when you're not about to throw up.
See ya, Naofumi.
Man, that sounds really awkward.
I think I'll stick with "kiddo."
L'Arc!
Motoyasu-sama!
Huh? What about the Wave?
Looks like it's over.
Naofumi soloed it again?
No. The Shield Hero and each one of us played a part.
This victory belongs to all of us!
I can't drink any more... hic...
Oh, Naofumi-sama, it's an accessory shop. Let's take a look.
After the Wave died down, we decided we'd leveled up enough.
We planned to leave Cal Mira despite the bonus field still being in effect,
and return to Melromarc.
However...
See those dark clouds on the horizon?
We can't head back while those are still looming.
You know a lot about the sea, huh?
Wow! You caught another one!
I grew up in a fishing village, after all.
Oh, that's right.
An offshore storm meant we'd get to extend our holiday for a few more days.
And yet, I just couldn't relax.
L'Arc and Glass, who said they were heroes from another world...
They're fighting the Waves in their own world.
And in order to defend their world,
they must defeat heroes in another world. Namely, us.
What shall we do once we get back?
Prepare for the next Wave, of course.
Right.
But if we're up against Glass's group again,
will I be able to kill them?
I can't tell you after how many Waves it will happen,
but there will come a time when the world demands sacrifices from all life.
The heroes will be forced to choose what they fight for in that battle.
Choose which world to sacrifice?
Is that what you meant, Fitoria?
Naofumi-sama?
Is something on your mind?
Well...
I was just thinking it was about time we recruited more people.
You're right.
Melty-san's busy with her official duties.
We should stock up on as many weapons and party members as we can.
There's no telling if we'll be able to fight off Glass's group every time.
If we Four Cardinal Heroes end up getting killed,
you guys will be the world's only hope.
Um...
Master!
Y-You were trying to drown?!
I saved her.
Wasn't she in Itsuki's party?
Her name is Lecia, apparently.
She lost hope after being kicked out of the Bow Hero's party.
Kicked out?
She was accused of something she didn't do.
I didn't do it!
They said I broke one of Itsuki-sama's favorite accessories!
That's awful.
A fine excuse to get rid of her.
I bet the others didn't take kindly to her stealing the spotlight in the Wave.
Knowing Itsuki, he must've trusted them blindly and thrown her out.
Itsuki-sama cast me aside! I should just die!
Lecia, was it?
Are you going to take that false accusation lying down?
But they're not wrong about me being weak and useless.
Don't you want to teach Itsuki and the others a lesson?
You were a huge help to me during the Wave.
I helped the Shield Hero?
You saved everyone.
You have the courage for it. You can grow much stronger.
You mean it? Can I really grow stronger?
Yeah. So join us.
I don't mind helping you out until you can clear your own name.
Let's become stronger together.
I'll teach you how to swim.
Th-Thank you for having me!
Training another hero's party member?
You're a softie, Naofumi.
If their parties are as useless as they are,
it'll cause real problems down the line.
Hey, where's the food?
All right. First, we eat.
'Kay!
right
Soon, the storm died down,
and it was time for us to return to Melromarc.
Shield Hero, I thank you deeply once again for all you've done.
I couldn't do anything by myself. It's all thanks to my friends.
And thanks to you,
Your Majesty.
You honor me.
But who knows if things will work out next time?
The other heroes are way too useless.
Indeed.
I need to talk to them once again.
Yes, and soon.
By the way, Iwatani-sama, have you decided on your reward yet?
What can I offer you for your part in getting rid of the pope?
Ah...
And then, there's everything you did here in Cal Mira.
If I don't do something now, I'll never be able to repay you enough.
In that case, I do have an idea.
As you wish, Sir Shield Hero.
Oh, you're back, kid!
Where'd you pick up this cutie?
Forget that. Put together some equipment for her and us.
I'll buy as much as I can, as thanks for last time.
That's what I like to hear!
You gonna stick around a while?
Nah, we're leaving immediately. There's somewhere we need to be.
Oh, that's right.
What? Do you know something, boss?
Huh? Nothing, really...
Right, kid?
Right.
What's with you two? Tell me!
You're one lucky missy.
Come back anytime if you need anything!
Naofumi-sama...
Why won't you tell me where we're going?
Oh, sorry.
We're going to take the queen's reward.
That you were talking about on the boat?
Um... You will stay with us, won't you?
Is that salt in the air?
I should've known you'd notice.
You don't mean...
Yeah. We'll be there soon.
What's going on, Naofumi-sama?
Just watch. You'll find out.
Representing the Queen of Melromarc,
I, Second Princess Melty Melromarc,
I hereby confer upon the Shield Hero, Naofumi Iwatani-sama,
all rights to govern Seyaette's Demi-Human Region.
What?
Basically, that's the reward from the queen.
I'm now the lord of this area.
You are?
Going forward, we will need a home base.
But you could've lived in the capital now.
If I did, I'd run the risk of running into Trash or * somewhere.
Sheesh.
Let's play, Mel-chan.
- Yeah. - Follow me, Raphtalia.
There's more I want to show you.
Here.
Oh, Shield Hero!
Gran! You're at it, huh?
I'll train all the new recruits you want.
I know. I'm counting on you.
And I've brought you a trainee with potential.
Can't wait!
Oh, hey. I've stocked us up on all the medicine we need, too.
Let us know if you need anything else, okay?
You all moved here?
The moment they found I'd become the local lord here, they insisted on helping.
If this keeps up, rebuilding will be finished in no time.
Why?
I chose this place a long time ago.
Your village was destroyed in a Wave,
so we'll use it as our symbol of resistance against them.
We'll recruit more people after Lecia,
train them here, and build an army bigger than the other heroes have.
That way, if...
Raphtalia?
Naofumi-sama, please don't say any more.
This is too much!
It's like you're preparing us for life without you!
It doesn't matter if Glass-san, L'Arc-san, or Therese-san show up again!
I know we can fight them and the Waves off!
So you won't die!
I won't let you die!
Raphtalia...
But once the Waves are all gone,
you'll return to your world.
I'll never see you again.
I never want that day to come!
Well...
Never! I refuse to accept it!
Just thinking of life without you makes me...
Don't go, Naofumi-sama! Please stay!
Even after the Waves are gone,
stay with us forever!
It's been eating away at you, huh?
Forgive me.
Oh, no! You don't have to apologize!
I certainly was wavering before.
But not anymore.
That's why I came here.
We'll start over.
Be it fighting the Waves or looking for new party members,
it all begins here.
Meeting you helped me find meaning in fighting the Waves.
Meeting Filo and Melty helped me decide to fight for my friends.
Meeting so many other people made me want to protect this world as its Shield Hero.
This will be our origin, our starting point, and our home.
Naofumi-sama...
I hope you'll keep fighting with me as my sword, Raphtalia.
Join us, Mel-chan.
I-I'll pass!
Ready?
Here I go!
Are you watching, Rifana-chan?
Our flag flies in our village once again.
That's a really pretty shield flag.
The Records of the Four Cardinal Weapons
Naofumi-sama...
Yeah.
The Shield Hero's story begins anew!
I say it would behoove you to keep an open mind.
"Behoove"?
Huh? Why'd I say that?
I'm counting on you two.
Quite the bold decision by the Shield Hero.
I suppose he won't be coming to see me for a while now.
But you are still my golden goose.
I trust that you'll become an even better patron and bring me even more profits.