He's not totally deaf in this, one ear has a cochlear implant and the other needed a powerful hearing aid. Naofumi has a battery-powered charged that can charge with solar energy because he went camping a lot prior to this. His implant got damaged overnight by Myne and was only discovered to be busted along with a damaged charger when he went to get his gear on the way out of the room with the guards.
————————————————————The shield hero was an odd one, either not talking at all, whispering, or shouting when talked to. He would stare at the mouths of others and get flustered and gesture about if someone turned from him while conversing with him as well.
He also wouldn't remove the hat he came with covering his ears at all and seemed protective of it for some reason seeing as it was a cheap beanie.
So when he was hauled in after supposedly assaulting the princess without said hat, revealing some odd lumps and divots on the sides of his head in his hair, those present were wanting answers along with retribution.
"Shield hero, you are under trial for the sexual assault of my daughter Malty. What do you have to say to that?"
"WHAT? I'M SORRY I CANT HEAR YOU. SOMEONE SMASHED MY FUNCTIONAL IMPLANT AND THE CHARGER."
"... wait... are you deaf Naofumi?"
"YEAH, ALMOST ENTIRELY. HENCE THE COCLEAR IMPLANT AND HEARING AID. AM I TOO LOUD? SORRY IF I AM."
"Well, did you or did you not assault my daughter?"
"NO. I NEEDED TO CLEAN AND CHARGE MY IMPLANT AND HEARING AID AND I DONT DO THAT SHIT UNLESS THEY KNOW SIGN AND CONSENT AND ARE SOBER. I'M NOT AN ASSHOLE."
"Malty you said the hero was balding under the hat and he clearly has both hair and a disability. What did I say about lying?"
"... not to. But Daddy he's-!"
"I don't care. This is on par with what you were attempting to accuse him of, remember the law lessons we had you take as a child? Gaurds, lock her in her room until me and her mother can have a talk about where to go next with this situation. Remove all adventuring and magic related items as well while you're at it. Sir hero, I appologise for this situation. I will have 1000 silver and possible alternate party members who know sign language hired if you would like that."
"i'll just get my own party members on my own time, but I thank you for the silver. She was blowing it on ornamental armor the blacksmith said was near useless."
"...*sigh* that sounds like her. Looks and status over function and power has been an issue of hers for years. Thank you for that tidbit."
"no problem."
YOU ARE READING
Changing paces
FanfictionA series of what-ifs centered around Naofumi having one aspect of his character changed or added. This ranges from lgbt themes, disabilities, gender swaps and more. Now working on adding in more fantastical aus and crossovers! Feel free to use as pr...