The Replacement of the Sword Hero

Chapter Eleven: A Piece of History

After their registration, I instructed Fohl to carry his sister on his back and follow us. I really should have put more consideration into how I was going to bring Atla back to Melromarc in this state. In the light novels, Naofumi had been able to use the teleport function on his shield. I also had unlocked the Dragon Hourglass Sand Sword, except my level wasn't high enough to use it, so the teleport function was off limits. It would be impossible to walk all the way back to Melromarc castle town or Riyute village in time for the next wave, however as long as we crossed the border between Zeltoble and Melromarc, we would be teleported to the location of that country's wave. Using this function, we could save ourselves an arduous trek and also spend more time raising our levels instead of focussing on travelling.

"So, Sword Hero, if Nadia didn't tell you, then I'm curious as to how you knew my name."
Larsazusa asked, falling in step beside me.
"I er... Guess I just ended up learning a lot more about your world than most heroes before I was summoned here." I answered noncommittally.
Larsazusa squinted at me sideways.
"To the point of learning my name? And you claim to know about events that will happen in the future, huh?"
"Only that Raphtalia and Sadeena will be very happy with the Shield Hero and that the guardian beasts will go on a rampage. I'm afraid I can't tell you any more than that." I said.

I had to be very careful how much I leaked of future events to the people of this world. Eclair was the person I had told the most about, I'd managed to fill her in on as many of the events of the first nine volumes of the light novels as I could remember, in enough detail that if I needed her to carry out a task independently from me, she should have no trouble doing so.

To tell the truth I was rather concerned about making changes to the timeline. Motoyasu's spinoff, The Reprise of the Spear Hero, demonstrated just how great the butterfly effect could be. In most of the alternative timelines, Naofumi never bought Raphtalia, his Filolial, Filo never hatched and usually Takt the Whip Hero invaded prematurely. I had already cleared the first hurdle, uniting him with not only Raphtalia but Keel as an additional bonus. Next I just needed to ensure he purchased a Filolial the day after the next wave and the timeline would be free of any unpleasant surprises for the foreseeable future.

"Well, I believe this makes up for the drinks you've bought me. We'll be parting ways here." Declared Sadeena as we came out of the underground slave market and into the light of day.
"Take care, little Fohl." She said, teasingly patting him on the head.
"Oh um, you too, Nadia." He said, resolutely marching behind me, trying his best to appear unburdened by his sister's weight.
"You can call me Sadeena now, if we see each other again, that is."
"Thank you for your help Sadeena." I said, offering a handshake.
"Yes, thank you. I will see to it that my father's territory is rebuilt to become a home for all those who have been displaced by the waves." Eclair vowed.
"Oh my, your man is very charming." Sadeena said, accepting my handshake.
Eclair blushed furiously. "I'm afraid you're mistaken; the Sword Hero is not my man."
Sadeena burst out laughing. "Actually I was talking to Sasa."
"What?!" Shouted the panda demi-human, her cheeks also colouring.
With that, Sadeena flounced off smiling. She gave a wink and a wave, then disappeared into an alley.

I turned to Larsazusa and nodded my head. "Thank you also, Ms. Larsazusa."
"Oh give it a rest. You're not charming in the slightest." She said, avoiding eye contact and still blushing.
"That concludes our business together then. I trust I can find you in Zeltoble again next time?"
"What makes you think there's gonna be a next time? And don't hit me with your 'I can see the future' shit." Larsazusa grumbled.
I laughed. "No, I just have a strong feeling that we'll meet again someday."
"Well, you won't find me in Zeltoble because I'm heading back to Siltvelt soon."
Despite her evident embarrassment at Sadeena's teasing, she still shook my hand and wished us well on our travels. After saying goodbye to Larsazusa, Eclair and I headed back to the docks to meet the captain with Fohl and Atla in tow.