Come on!
Okay!
Thank you, Naofumi-sama.
Don't worry about it.
We need to get out of here before somebody comes after us.
So this is the countdown to the waves?
It says 10 more days?
There's no time.
And we've finally made it to the other world, too.
Filo's nowhere close to us.
We've got even more ground to cover, then.
Filo…
Okay, why don't you start by heading to Sikul, the country that summoned me?
It's safer than this place.
How far away is "Sikul"?
A week on foot?
That far?
And we'd have to go through a bunch of checkpoints, too.
And cross several borders.
Then that's out of the question.
Got any portal skills?
I do. It's called "Return Codex."
But I don't have the tool I need for it, so I can't use it now.
So what do we do, then?
You didn't just suggest this without a plan, right?
Right!
We'll head for the capital of Mikakage, the country we're in now.
The capital of the country that locked you up?
Hear me out!
We can use the dragon hourglass there to warp to Sikul.
Dragon hourglass?
Your world has them, too?
Yes.
You can't use them for warping, though.
I see. There are some differences, then.
We call it Return Dragon Vein,
and the Cardinal Heroes and Vassal Weapon Heroes are the only ones who can use it.
I see.
So we get to the hourglass and use your power to warp us such that we can't be followed.
Yup.
Um, how far to the capital?
It's still two or three days away.
We'll spend three days on the road,
leveling and buying weapons, and then go into the enemy's HQ.
Oh, there are checkpoints on the road leading to the capital, too.
So we'll need to buy a pass.
So even in another world, I'm back to being a traveling merchant, huh?
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Episode 8 A Parting in the Snow
This country's really Asian-looking. Episode 8 A Parting in the Snow
Yeah, but some of the others are more European. Episode 8 A Parting in the Snow
Asian? European?
The clothes are all Japanese, but there are lots of different races?
Those are the grass people, or just Grass.
Demi-humans, like Raphtalia-chan.
More like elves than demi-humans, I think.
Elves?
Those are the jewel people, or just Jewels.
Just like Therese-neesan!
Therese was a different race, too?
And them? They're not ghosts, right?
Those are the spirit people, like Glass.
Spirit people?
Some countries call them Spirits.
Like Glass?
Where other races have life power, magic power,
and, if you're a vassal weapon wielder, soul power,
Spirits only have their energy level.
Explains why my Soul Eater Shield hit her so hard.
Since they're dependent on that energy, they don't have levels, though.
They don't?
But that also means Spirits with lots of energy are very powerful.
And they're almost entirely incorporeal, so normal attacks don't hurt them.
So that's why she was so strong.
Their one weakness is that their energy can only recover naturally.
Healing magic and items don't work?
Nope.
They receive less benefit from magic than humans and other races.
Naofumi-sama?
What's this?
"We suspect that neighboring countries are developing new weapons.
They are breeding powerful monsters."
The monsters are a new weapon?
They're also trying to research teleportation technology,
as well as the teleportation skills of the Cardinal and vassal weapons.
They're trying to artificially recreate the abilities only heroes have?
Whether that's true or not, they don't seem to know about us, yet.
Well, we just broke out.
There's a lot of concerning stuff here, though.
A lot of it's just gossip, but...
We need to make enough money to pay for food and shelter tonight, huh?
Yeah.
Oh, I can just sell some drop items I don't need.
It looks like old Japanese currency.
Oh, these copper doumon? You're right, now that you mention it.
One hundred of these is worth one silver gyokugin.
And 100 gyokugin is 1 gold kinban.
If doumon are the same as the coppers in my world,
we don't have nearly enough.
Yeah.
I'd like to make some money fast.
I've been thinking...
And this might work.
What's that?
A soul soothing potion.
It recovers SP.
SP? As in "soul power," maybe?
When I fought Glass, L'Arc gave her one of these,
and she got much stronger, like she was coming back to life.
What?
Spirits would pay any price for something like that.
I thought so.
Let's sell it, then.
B-But that item's totally unknown in this world.
Would we find a buyer so soon?
Who do you think I am?
Tomorrow we're gonna be busy leveling and selling.
Right, Raphtali...a?
Ra—
You...
N-No!
I was thinking Rishia-san's looked good too, that's all.
Here.
Young demi-humans need to eat a lot, after all!
That's not true—
Well, it is true, but...
Come one, come all!
See the wares I've brought from all around the land!
First, this rare soul soothing potion.
Soul soothing potion, a rare medicine from a distant land.
You Spirits there! This is just the thing for you!
Right this way!
It doesn't cost a thing! So try it out!
They're acting differently than usual, aren't they?
I was surprised the first time I saw it, too.
Amazing! I've never seen anything like this!
I can't believe it! My power's back!
Sell it to me! I'll pay any price, just give it all to me!
Wait! Me, too!
Me, too!
I'll be back to sell more, so please, relax!
But it's a rare item, hard to find and produce.
I don't have much left.
So tomorrow, I'll be putting it up for auction!
Auction?
And it's tomorrow, too?
You're one hell of a salesman.
See? I can take down monsters easily.
But I'm not getting any XP. Maybe because we're both heroes?
I see.
If only we could make up for it with items.
Want to try a different item than the soul soothing potion?
Our items might have different effects on each other.
This is an earth crystal.
Holding it restores your magic.
I just got 3,000 XP!
Try this. It's magic water.
It didn't restore my magic, but I got weapon enhancement XP.
There might be other items that give us both different effects!
Let's try a bunch of things.
Yeah.
Two gyokugin!
Three gyokugin, 30 doumon!
Thirty gyokugin!
We have 30 gyokugin! Thirty gyokugin!
Anyone else want to bid?
Nobody?
Then the first one sells for 30 gyokugin!
Now, the next soul soothing potion...
What did she just do?
Does she know how valuable those were?
One of them is safe!
What luck!
But this is the very last bottle!
Bidding starts at one gyokugin!
Wow, that was so much fun!
I never thought you could sell things like that!
It wasn't fun for me.
Sorry, Rishia-san.
Naofumi told me to do it.
Yeah. Good job.
You did good too, Raphtalia.
Thank you!
We've got more than enough for a pass,
so let's buy weapons and armor, too!
Nice! You all look great!
You don't need any new items?
I'm fine as I am.
That haori's a mess.
Glass gave it to me, though.
I see... Sorry.
Naofumi-sama, do you think this looks good on me?
Yeah, seems fine.
And you look like a ninja girl, Rishia.
Ninja girl?
Naofumi-sama, wh-who do you think's the best out of all of us?
Hmm... mine has the highest defense stat.
Okay. Let's buy that pass and leave first thing in the morning.
Come see what we've got for sale!
I guess things are pretty lively in the capital.
Yeah. It hasn't changed over the past few years.
You okay, Raphtalia?
Y-Yes.
Just a little cold.
It might snow.
Snow?
Security's tight.
They might have found out I escaped from the Infinite Labyrinth.
Something seems wrong, though.
What's going on?
You haven't heard?
A genius mage from another country developed a way to use the Return Dragon Vein,
which only Cardinal Heroes and Vassal Weapon Heroes can use.
And they're here for an experiment.
Looks like it wasn't just gossip.
Yeah, but what worries me is...
Naofumi-sama, is this genius mage...
Could it be...
What's wrong?
Wow!
It's him!
It's really him?!
Who the hell is he?
He's not the genius mage?
He doesn't look like Kyo.
Kyo?
Splendid work, Kazuki-sama!
We believed you could do it!
Of course I could.
When it's ready for mass adoption, please bring it to us first.
Hmm... perhaps I'll think about it while I drink sake and watch the snow fall.
Of course. We have a room prepared.
Looks like that's why security was tight.
I guess it's not him, but...
He's nasty in the same way Kyo is.
Hey, who's Kyo?
Let's start by finding an inn.
It's piling up!
You're too old to play around like that.
Eighteen's not too old to play in the snow.
Gotcha!
Just you wait!
You too, Rishia?
Raphtalia, say something to them.
Too old, huh?
Anyway, from what you say about this Kyo guy,
he's a total shithead!
Yes, he really is.
As one of this world's Cardinal Heroes, I'd like to pop him right in the face.
But my weapon can't hurt humans.
And you use a shield.
And Raphtalia and Rishia can't do much at their level.
Kizuna, how much time until the Wave?
About six days.
We need to find Filo and take down Kyo.
We can't waste time here.
Let's go, Naofumi-sama.
It's probably not well guarded at this hour.
Especially with this blizzard.
This is our one chance.
But you and Rishia don't have your levels back yet.
You're not ready to fight humans.
I'm your sword.
I may be small right now,
but no matter how low my level is...
I'll protect you no matter what!
Raphtalia...
Your dumplings are burning.
Oh no!
Aw, you guys are so silly.
Raphtalia, if you're my sword,
then as the Shield Hero, it's my job to protect you.
Don't worry about a thing when you fight.
I'll protect you both.
Okay!
I'll d-do my best!
We go tonight, then.
Listen. Once we're inside, prioritize getting to the hourglass over everything else.
Once I touch it, Return Dragon Vein will activate.
You're set as part of my party, so you can warp with me.
But I don't know what'll happen if you're too far away.
Which way next, Kizuna-san?
Here.
What is this?
There they are! Intruders!
Get them!
Looks like...
They set a trap for us.
N-No!
I'll cut a path through!
Raphtalia!
Let's go!
Aw... I guess we don't have a choice!
We don't have a choice!
H-Here, too?
Kizuna! Come here and tell us where to go!
Can't you see I'm busy?
Take them down! Or is that sword just for show?!
Yeah, when I'm fighting humans, it is.
I showed you, didn't I?
See, you can do it.
Damn it!
Where are they?
Wait! Damn it!
Naofumi, let's split up.
We're just dragging the enemy around with us!
But we don't know where the hourglass is.
It has to be at the center of this mansion.
Head there, and...
With all these dead ends?
If that happens, just do what I did back there.
Fine!
Let's go, Raphtalia!
Right!
Rishia-san, stay with me.
O-Okay!
Damn it! Another one?
Air Strike Shield!
Naofumi-sama!
Right!
That kid's so strong...
Naofumi-sama, look!
Well done, well done.
You're the fools who fell for my trap?
I deliberately stationed fewer guards, and you came rushing right in.
Kyo-san was right.
You work for Kyo?
Say what you like.
I prefer "business partner."
Something like that.
Looks like you pissed him off.
He was really mad.
That makes me feel a little better.
Just a little, though.
Now I see why he's pissed off.
Wipe that smirk off your face, asshole.
Don't worry. I don't like you, either.
You fake-ass wannabe Kyo!
Let me correct you on one thing.
I wasn't told to catch you.
I was told "alive or dead."
Meteor Shield!
Naofumi!
Raphtalia-san!
Kizuna! Make a run for the Hourglass!
Okay!
Stop the little girl!
Kill her!
Don't call me little!
You did it, Kizuna-san!
Shit!
Get as close to the hourglass as you can, everyone!
Here I go! Return Dragon Vein!
What?
Raphtalia?
That voice? Kyo!
Yup!
How you doin', Shield Dumbass?
I've been waiting for this moment!
This awesome, awesome moment!
Naofumi-sama!
Kizuna, call off the warp!
I can't! Once it starts I can't stop it!
Yup.
Why do you think I sent you into the Infinite Labyrinth?
Why do you think I let you keep the raccoon demi-human?
Why?
Don't tell me...
Yup!
To see that look on your face!
That face, twisted with rage and despair!
You bastard!
Yup! Just what I wanted to see!
Not fair, Kyo-san.
He insulted me. I need to see him dead.
Move, or I'll cut your head off.
Nope!
I'm taking the little one back to my lab for experiments.
No! Raphtalia!
Go, Naofumi-sama!
Raphtalia, what are you—
I thought that after I became small, I couldn't help you anymore.
But I was kind of happy...
Since I got to have you pat me on the head and carry me, like when we first met.
I'll be your sword until the end.
Raphtalia!
I'm dying! I'm dying of laughter!
Raphtalia!