Are You Serious? (Serious Sam Reader x The Rising Of The Shield Hero)

Chapter 5: Confronting the Past

No-one's pov

After wrapping up their latest Exp grinding spree, the Shield Hero and his party head back into town where they find themselves outside Erhard's shop. Walking into the store, the party splits up with Naofumi and Raphtalia going up to the counter where Erhard is waiting for some customers while (Y/N) and Silvervale stand off to the side of the shop, doing their own thing.

Erhard: "Welcome back. Is there anything I can help you guys with? Maybe I can interest any of you with some new weapons or armor, just made some, fresh out of the forge, not to long ago."

(Y/N): *checking his rocket launcher* "Nah, I'm good for the moment."

Silvervale: *playing with her hair* "Hmmm... Well I might... Actually, I'm good for right now. I'm still enjoying new toys- I mean weapons master got me."

Hearing the part where Silver called her weapons toys, (Y/N) raises an eyebrow to her before shrugging his shoulders and going back to inspecting his rocket launcher.

However even while those two didn't need to buy anything, Naofumi did. Walking up to Erhard with Raphtalia standing by his side, Naofumi places a small coin pouch down on the counter.

Naofumi: "What kind of weapon could I get for this?"

Erhard: *looks down at Raphtalia* "Well, the time has come to get the little miss a real sword then."

Erhard then steps away from the counter as he goes over wooden box containing many different types of swords.

Erhard: "One on the short side is a good place to start."

Reaching in, Erhard rummages through the box until he pulls out a small short sword.

Erhard: *holds the sword up for Naofumi and Raphtalia to see* "Here's a nice little item, a pre-owned iron short sword."

At the sight of the new sword, Raphtalia steps forward and takes it from Erhard's hand. While she was inspecting her new sword, Naofumi asks Erhard a question that has been on his mind.

Naofumi: "Listen Um... With the equipment we have, is there a village or town nearby we could travel to?"

Erhard: "With all your stuff? Not including the Serious Hero... *notices a gun on Silvervale's back* or his companion capabilities, the only place that comes to mind is a small village called Lute. If you start now, it shouldn't take more than a day to get there."

Naofumi: "Okay. So how much for the used sword?"

Erhard: *grabs and opens the pouch* "Lets see..."

Dumping out contents of the pouch onto the store counter, Erhard begins to count the out his payment before putting the remaining coins back into the pouch and tossing it back to Naofumi.

Erhard: *takes the money and puts it under the counter* "You're all set, kid. Good out there."

With their business in the blacksmith's shop done, the group begins to leave but are stopped for a moment when Erhard remembers something important and yells out to them.

Erhard: "Hey, heroes! One more thing, be careful out there. There's been a rumor floating around that something out of this world is happening over by the village of Lute."

(Y/N): *turns back to Erhard* "When you say 'out of this world' could you elaborate?"

Erhard: *affirmative nod* "I only learned of it this morning from a guy who brings me fresh materials every couple or so days. Apparently, last night the village was invaded by some unknown force and according to many of the villagers, who immediately hid in their houses, they heard the sounds of hooves galloping down the streets along with the clashing of bones throughout most of the night. At some point during the night, one of the villagers left the safety of his house and went to the center of town, where he proceeded to send a flare up in the sky, alerting the knights that they were in trouble. However by the time the knights arrived to the village, the creatures or whatever they are, were completely gone and what they found upon arriving was that villager, butchered."