A New Chance To Restart

chapter 6

As the party approached the city gates, they braced themselves for the turmoil they were about to endure. Raph-chan, who had been cheerful so far, grew increasingly uneasy as they drew closer to the entrance.

"Raph-chan, no matter what, stay right where you are or go to Raphtalia. Understood? I don't want to have to protect you from everyone in this goddamn country," Naofumi said, receiving a small "Raffuu" in response as acknowledgment. "And Raphtalia, don't draw your sword even if they attack me for whatever reason. I have a feeling today will be a long day."

"As you wish, Naofumi... Now that I think about it, I know it's unrelated, but weren't we supposed to get Rishia... yesterday?" Raphtalia asked, her expression turning thoughtful.

Naofumi paused, realization hitting him. "Fuck," he muttered, only to be lightly hit by Raphtalia, signaling that she didn't want Raph-chan to learn any curse words, driven by her motherly instinct.

"How many explosions do you think she'll throw at us?" Naofumi asked, thinking of Rishia's potential reaction.

"If she really got better in her training with magic at the magic store... at least four," Raphtalia estimated.

"Well... baguettes," Naofumi sighed.

"Baguettes? What the fu—" Raphtalia began, but was cut off by the appearance of guards.

"You two, stop right there. Are these the ones that were in your party, princess?" one of the guards asked, addressing Malty.

"Yes, now take them to the castle," Malty ordered with a smug expression.

Before the party knew it, they were at the front gates of the city and, even faster than that, in the throne room. Everyone was present, including the other heroes, though Motoyasu and Itsuki looked annoyed at being summoned for this.

"Your Highness, why are we here?" Ren, the Sword Hero, asked, his voice tinged with impatience.

"Well, you see, Sword Hero, one of your fellow heroes has committed a barbaric act. He raped my dear daughter," the king declared, his voice dripping with false indignation.

"Okay, really? Your Highness, just how does that happen? Because I do want to hear this wonder story," Naofumi retorted, his voice laden with sarcasm.

"QUIET, YOU RAPIST! YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO MALTY!" the king bellowed, his face turning red with rage.

Naofumi just looked at Raphtalia with a poker face that only she understood, a look that screamed, "Give me some goddamn brain cells to endure this circus," which made her stifle a small laugh.

"What are you laughing at, demi-human? Does knowing your master is a rapist turn you on that much?" Malty sneered, but her taunt was cut short by an instinctual urge to flee from the danger emanating from Naofumi. She quickly masked her fear with a smile and continued her act. "So you're that upset about me saying something bad about your slave, but being raped makes you happy? WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?" she yelled, feigning outrage.

"This bitch," Naofumi thought. "Okay, so what's the punishment? I don't really want to stay here all day," he said aloud, his tone flat.

Everyone was taken aback by his lack of denial. Was he insane, or did he really do such a thing?

"So you admit you did it. You really are a shield demon," the king said, seizing the opportunity.

"Yeah, king, whatever. I'm not really caring because if I try to say otherwise, you'll just shut me up and say I'm lying, so I don't care. So, can you tell me the punishment so I can leave this country?" Naofumi replied nonchalantly.