shield hero's samurai | TROTSH

chapter 5. A KIDDIE MEAL

𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧𓆏𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
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Iwatani and (Name) both walked through the public market as stalls and diners are on sight, lively in the mid-day time. The latter brought Iwatani to a pawnshop, as he wanted to know if he can sell the demon skin's material and medical herbs in a good hefty of silver coins. She stood behind him for lookout, in case of bandits trying something unpleasant to the Shield Hero.

"Materials from the balloon demon and the medical herb aero, right?" the pawnbroker confirmed, now checking the quality of the leaves, "Oh wow. . . This is rather good quality. Where did you come upon this?" he asked.

"It is from the plains outside of the castle. So? How much will it go for?" Iwatani replied. Eyebags are evident below his eyes, clearly from staying up all night training and harvesting medical herbs.

"What?" the latter asked, ". . There's been a rumor floating around," he started with a sly smirk on his face, "You may be a hero, but since you're a criminal—"

"Are you trying to take advantage of me?" he angrily exclaimed at the owner, "Go for it," he said in return with a wicked smile, "Why not buy up something a bit—fresher, while you're at it?" then raising his arms for the owner to see the balloon demons clinging onto his body, teeth that are seemed stuck on his clothes.

She wonders why Iwatani didn't kill those low leveled demons, now she knew what he'll use them for. (Name) tilt her head slightly at the scene, the pawnbroker screamed with terror in his eyes at what he saw underneath the latter's coat. Holding back an incoming smile as her lips twitches instead.

He'll live. . . She thought lightly.

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As night came to a close, (Name) guided Iwatani throughout the town, walking on alleyways to alleyways. Within the growing shadows as to not gather much attention and prevent another rumor that'll ruin the Shield hero's reputation worse than it is. Her kitsune mask ready, dangling securely by her hip, it would be used whenever they visit a crowded area. She liked the idea of keeping her identity hidden as long as she can, that explains why only a few people knew her face and what is her true purpose in wielding the blade.

They currently sat facing each other in cheap dining, as per Iwatani's request. They ate in silence with the occasional scrapping of his utensils onto the plate. She could clearly see his mind in deep thought, chewing the pork meat carefully. Unlike what he ordered, she preferred to eat bread with soup this time. Munching the bread, while keeping an eye out. Instead of wearing her mask, she wore a black coat similar to the Shield Hero's, its hood covering the upper part of her features.

It was not too long when she noticed two people walking towards their table. By the looks of it, they wanted to pull a scheme to the Shield hero that will most likely fail. So she let them come by and enjoy the possible small entertainment.

"Ooh, take a look at this. It doesn't seem like anyone is eating with our hero, here." a round man stated, hovering over Iwatani along with his partner.

"How about we become your friends, huh?" the other man said, his gaze held nothing but mockery. "HAHAHAHA man, we're so nice!" he added before cackling.

(Name) cough purposely as the two shortly gave her a once-over, before they are interrupted by Iwatani speaking. "First and foremost, the employment system is completely commission-based." he started, hardly giving the two a glance, "40% of the earnings go to me, and you're free to do what you will with the rest." he stared blankly, "Oh, you pay for your own equipment," he added.

Angered as they exclaimed, "What?! Are you stupid?!" both of the men then smirked evilly at the Shield hero, "You're a hero, right? Don't be so cheap. How about we just—have you pay in advance?" at that he looked at them annoyingly. In the end, Iwatani once again pulled the Orange Balloons that he kept or rather cling to him under his coat.

After dinner, they walked through the back door and into the alleyway. The moon's luminescent light guiding them through the cobblestoned path. "Hah, these things attached to me are more than enough to take care of punks like them," he spoke.

She nodded in response, "I agree. It is effective to end their schemes," she started, "Then shall we rest for the night? The moon is up high, it's really late."

"It is?" he asked, glancing up. And when he did, (Name) saw the eyebags decorating below his eyes. She knew he is having a hard time raising his attack power due to only having his shield. Shields are not a weapon, but maybe there is something more to it instead. She wishes to help him, but having no information about it in the first place was hard. Not knowing where to start. That's when a bright idea came, she'll ask Nam Joon regarding this problem. She remembers that the young samurai was a scholar at the palace before he joined her.

He might know something.

Then it is decided, she will send a letter to him as soon as possible.

"Yes. Also, there is an inn nearby, six blocks from where we stood," she informed, as Iwatani looks at her now in attention, nodding his head. "I'll take my leave then. Goodnight, Iwatani."

"Goodnight. . ." he replied. She gave a nod before jumping on barrels and stands carefully as she reached the roofs and finally went away.

M E A N W H I L E

Iwatani walked through the aisle of cages inside the huge circus tent they went into, different types of slaves encased into one. He followed just shortly behind the seller as he let his eyes roam around the caged demi-humans. Each features strikingly different from the other, scanning through his surroundings with mild interest. This would be a place where he would possibly find his very own first comrade.

". . They are problematic, but they can be trained." the seller continued, leading the way onto the cheap slaves' section of his big collections of different demi-humans per request of the Shield Hero.

This really is the worst pick of the lot.

From the very back, I can vaguely smell the reek of death floating through. . .

That's when he heard a weak sound of a cough from one of the cages hidden with big blankets of cover. His boots went to where the sound was heard, the seller calls for him behind in question. He finally stood in front of a covered cage and yank it off to see what's inside. "Raise your head," he said to the caged slave.

The demi-human raised their head towards the Shield Hero.

She's. . The same sex as that person.

"Name," he stated to the weak-looking little girl who looked at him in what seems like a state of daze. When he didn't receive a response, he spoke again with furrowed brows, "Don't you have one?"

"Raph. . . Talia," she replied, almost in a whisper. As she looks upon the stranger who asked—no, demanded her given name. Her body shaking slightly from the fear she felt, her heart beating rapidly in anxiousness of what might possibly happen next.

"Compared to the fox species, the raccoons are not at all popular," the seller informed, "Are prone to panic attacks and suffer from the disease. They also tend to stand around and watch without doing anything." he added shortly, "I'm sure she does not have long to—"

"That sounds fine." the Shield hero interrupted. As he looked upon her frail-looking form, body hunched in an obviously terrified manner.

She's a demi-human.

Honestly, her face isn't much to look at but isn't bad either. Raphtalia doesn't look any different from a normal human.

If I make that woman my slave. . .

"I've decided. . ." Iwatani started after a short pause as the seller await patiently, "I'll take this girl." he voiced out with finality.

✅ EDITED