Transformer Hero (The Rising Of The Shield Hero)

Ch9: The Next Wave

It's been a little while since both Indominus and Ventus had both dealt with what they classified now as the 'Haunted Route', the two of them having recovered from the ordeal and luckily without any further mishap. However, when they got back to the Cybertronian Imperium, they've gotten news about events that have transpired ever since then revolving the other heroes and what's been going on in the Kingdom, thanks to word from Lancelot Magnus and the Elite Guard, as well as the surveillance condor Laserbeak.

Somehow, Naofumi's filolial Filo had the capability to change between her bird-like form and human form, which looks like a blonde Angel girl, Naofumi's group all going about doing merchant travelling, and villages about Melromarc have been calling out for "The Savior of the Heavenly Fowl" (a name that Ventus thought was cute).

They then learnt about the village that the Spear Hero Motoyasu had given that 'miracle seed' to had been overrun by a monstrous plant. After that, Naofumi's party had gone to investigate and find out a disease happening in the East, where they learnt that it began after Ren killed that Dragon nearby and left the body to rot instead of disposing of it. Monsters had gathered around its corpse and the decomposing body rendered the entire area toxic. In the process of trying to get rid of it, it came back to life as a zombie, the dragon swallowed Filo, seemingly killing her, which triggered Naofumi's despair and rage to activate a cursed "Rage Shield". Naofumi repelled the dragon's attacks with strong defense and passive flames at the cost of losing his composure. When Naofumi recovered, he realised Raphtalia was burned trying to bring him back to his senses. To their surprise, Filo burst out of the dragon's belly, having eaten the internal crystal that was empowering it. Naofumi learnt Raphtalia's wounds from the cursed shield can only be cured with high-grade Holy Water and regrets having put his companions in trouble, determined to make himself and his party stronger.

Naofumi's party soon head to the capital for Holy Water to heal Raphtalia, and comes across a blue-haired girl named Melty with some Filolials. Melty quickly befriends Filo, who asks to accompany them to the capital. Once there, Filo and Melty go their own way as Naofumi and Raphtalia go to the Church. The clergy attempted to scam Naofumi with their lowest-quality Holy Water, but the Pope cordially granted Naofumi High Grade Pure Holy Water when the Hero points out the issue. In the town square, Motoyasu attacked Naofumi having learnt about Filo, demanding her freedom from being his slave, unaware Filo is Naofumi's Filolial. Motoyasu started attacking with reckless abandon as Myne permits it, but Melty arrived to order them to stop just as Filo, remembering Motoyasu's insults, transforms and kicks him away. Meeting at Erhard's shop, Melty explained to Naofumi's party of her as the second princess who was made heiress apparent by Mirellia due to her older sister Malty's toxic personality. Before she can continue, Naofumi stated his distrust towards the royal family and dismisses her. Dejected, Melty goes to her father to talk while Naofumi is met by a small party wishing to join him to fight in the Wave after he saved Lute Village, their hometown. Naofumi will only allow it if they pay 150 silver coins to prove their loyalty. As Raphtalia and Filo were ready for Class Upgrades, a royal decree forbid the Shield Hero's party from using Melromarc's Dragon Hourglass. On advice by Beloukas the slave merchant, Naofumi plans to head for neighboring Shieldfreeden for their Hourglass, but the next Wave will strike before they reach it. While scouting towns, Naofumi happened to stumble upon starving refugees who had fled a revolution that was started by Itsuki. Returning for the next Wave, Naofumi encountered Ren and Itsuki, who had accused him of stealing their rewards. Naofumi explained bluntly about Itsuki's "revolution" only put in a new government just as corrupt as the old one, and Ren leaving the slain dragon's corpse behind caused a plague. Ren saw Raphtalia's wounds and believes him, but Itsuki remains adamant that Naofumi is lying.

After hearing all of this and hearing what happened thanks to his Elite Guard and Laserbeak, indominus snarled out as he began to release his anger on a punching bag that he had situated in the training hall. He struck the punching bag with hammer blows so hard that the ground literally shook from under his feet, but he did not even register this as he kept punching harder and harder, not letting up from the hits and strikes, even as sparks of energy were coming off his body in the process. He kept striking the punching bag with all his strength, flashes of those who have gone against him and Naofumi appearing in his head before he sees Myne's face, making him rear back his left arm and strike with such force, the punching back was broken off its chains and was sent flying as it broke apart, spilling its contents of sand across the ground.