Rising Of The Shield Hero Web Novel ver

Memory/ Black Beast

00:17

In just another 17 minutes, the anticipated wave will spawn.
This news should already be well-known around town.
Squadrons of knights and adventurers were geared up and ready to dispatch at a moment's notice, while the civilians barricaded themselves in their own houses.
Since I was a hero, I couldn't even attempt to escape from the wave's outbreak due to the hourglass' power.
The same was applied to my party member; it was likely that Raphtalia would be teleported along with me.

"It's almost time, Raphtalia."
"Hai!"

Raphtalia nodded with a strangely enthusiastic and excited response.
Well, I didn't voice any objections since it was a blessing to have her so motivated.

"Naofumi-sama... may I talk with you for awhile?"
"Hm? That should be fine, what's your concern?"
"Ah no, somehow I felt so moved since we'll be fighting against the calamity soon."

... Why was she murmuring this and raising her own death flag?
I'll protect her since it would be a pain if she died... Wait, that was so unlike me; I was being influenced by too much anime and manga.
Although this world was like a game, it definitely wasn't one. This world was real.
And look at that, those shitty heroes had such fine equipment. I didn't even know if my armor was strong enough or not.
It was likely that I would suffer some wounds.
It would be great if this battle ended with only injuries, since I might even lose my life.
If that were to happen, the trash heap of this country would rejoice at the sight of my corpse.

――A criminal's fitting end.

... Let's stop that. If I keep thinking this way then I won't be able to fight.
In order for me to survive for another month.

"The truth is that... I was enslaved due to the spawning of the first calamity."
"... Is that so?"

Certainly, I thought there was a slim chance that might have been the case.

"I used to live in a remote region of this country. The demi-human village that I grew up in focused on agriculture and farming; it was also the spawn point of the very first wave."

Flashback begins

Her parents were kind and everyone in the village lived peacefully.
However, a huge horde of Skeleton Soldiers came out from within the wave of disaster.
The Skeleton Soldiers only had large numbers at first, so the adventurers within the vicinity were able to suppress them.
But the beasts and giant beetles kept overflowing in massive quantities. Because of that, the line of defense was soon breached.
Then a pitch black, three-headed Cerberus appeared. And the villagers were trampled upon like they were helpless wilderness buds.

As Raphtalia's village was desolated beyond recognition, the villagers desperately tried to escape.
Unfortunately, the monsters were merciless; they murdered everyone as if it was the greatest sport in the world.
And like all the others, Raphtalia's parents took her and also fled until they finally reached the edge of a sea cliff.
Knowing that escape was futile, both parents faced Raphtalia and smiled.
They didn't use that time to escape, but to gently stroke her frightened head instead.

"Raphtalia... from now on, you will surely find yourself in a terrible situation. You might even die from it."
"But you know what, Raphtalia? Both of us want you to continue living... so please forgive us for our selfishness."

Even though she was young, she knew in her heart that her parents were only trying to keep her safe.

"Noo! Mommy! Daddy!"

Don!
Their single greatest wish was for Raphtalia to live, and so they pushed her off the cliff.
While she was falling, Raphtalia witnessed the scene of her parents being pounced upon by vicious monsters.