shield hero's samurai | TROTSH

chapter 2. A ROYAL SUMMONING ii

𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧𓆏𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
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(Name) sat at the head of a chabudai* along with other samurais who follow her. She took a sip of white rice sake as the message on the scroll she read earlier resurfaces in her mind; 'Within our country of Melromarc, vicious demons in large numbers have crawled out from a materialized dimensional crack, and are exposing everyone to great danger! I ask for your aid along with the other heroes to defend and bring honor to the country. I will be waiting for your reply, young rōnin'.

"Master, to summarize the situation. . . The King asked for you to aid the Kingdom as the second wave approaches in less than a month." A young male clad in gold and purple haori-like coat with a golden dream catcher dangling in his right breast pocket stated aloud, repeating her claim.

She nodded in confirmation as she places her cup against the wooden table softly. "That is correct, Jung Kook." she stated, "I will be entrusting the group to Nam Joon." she proclaimed, pouring more sake unto her cup. Not batting an eye at the mentioned male, she knew he was shocked to be picked as a temporary leader of the infamous—Abe VII, throughout the Land of East.

Nam Joon abruptly bowed in respect on the wooden floor towards her direction, his deep blue and purple haori-like coat semi-scattering. "It is an honor, Master. I will never let you down." he pledges with determination laced in his voice.

"I know you won't. Now, Let us eat to our heart's content on this fine evening!" (Name) stated, raising her cup of sake in one hand as the others followed her actions. "To the country of Melromarc! To our beloved homeland of the East! To family, friends, and honor!" she exclaimed as the other samurais repeated each and every one of her words with dignity.

"To Gushiken (Name), To Abe VII!" Nam Joon lastly exclaimed as a leader of the group before they all gulped down the sake.

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(Name) walked through Melromarc's castle hallways at a much slower pace, eyes skimming through the beautiful and pristine interior. Her head perks up from the King's booming voice to what she assumed—the throne room. Just in time as fighters, hunters, and mages alike walked in, she follows them silently and blending in with the others.

". . . Future heroes!" the King exclaimed.

Soon she heard voices but did not bother to try and take a look to whom it belongs. She'll see their faces soon anyways.

"Who are they?"

"They are people who volunteered to join you on your journeys." the King replied.

'They must be the rumored four cardinal heroes.' she assumed, eyes darting to the aristocrats on the sides of the room, not listening to the King's ramblings.

"Now, select the hero you will attend!"

(Name)'s eyes snap towards the crowd who walked in line to their chosen hero. Now noticing the lone Shield Hero on the farther right, but did not dare to move as she knew the King will notice her presence, hopefully.

"If you've got something to say, then say it!" the sudden outburst of the Shield Hero piqued her interest but annoyed her at the same time.

"It just that. . . the Shield is a job of the losing team, right? The games I played were like that. Even though the Shield Users' defense powers are high, only newcomers use them. High leveled Shield Users are nonexistent and job-wise, they're on the verge of being discontinued. And from the very start, shields are 'protective gear', not 'weapons'. . ." the Lance Hero stated, "It doesn't seem like you're on your way to being a hero, you know?"

"Yes, that's exactly it! The game I played was just like that. . ." the Bow Hero commented.

"You too?!"

Heaving a disappointed sigh when noticing the young male's fist-shaking as she firmly spoke, "Anger will not help you in this kind of situation, you will only worsen it." her dull eyes piercing his emerald green irises for a moment before looking towards the King, doing a brief bow to show respect then standing straight again before continuing, "It is my pleasure to see you again, your Majesty Aultcray."

The King's expression seems to lighten as the latter came to his kingdom. He knew that the Rōnin was hard to convince and pursue. She would not give in to money, riches, and treasure like the others. She would only aid the weak and the poor, a noble cause—for courage, truth, and honor. A warrior that comes by once in a century. That's why the Rōnin was loved by many, but only a few saw her face and the most information are through baseless rumors. "I am glad that you came, young rōnin. What about your men?"

"They'll be in charge around the Land of East for the meantime. No need to worry yourself, as I already knew the ways throughout the country, your Majesty." the King nodded in return.

"Are there any willing to go to the Shield Hero's side?" he asked, continuing on the matter at hand.

"I volunteer." a woman spoke, breaking the heavy tension. "No matter the circumstances, a person traveling on his own is disheartening to see!" she continues, "I am Mein Sofia! A pleasure to meet you, hero!"

"Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you. . ." the Shield Hero replied.

"You sure?" the Lance Hero asked Mein. She replied reassuringly, "I am!"

(Name) silently watched from the sideline, her guts told her that something's wrong with the enthusiastic woman. She chose to ignore the feeling as she's not one to judge too easily, she glanced at the woman with familiarity.

Have I seen her somewhere?

"There are no others, I take it. . . Then, the funds will be distributed to the heroes and the young rōnin each and every month." the King informed, "Hero of the Shield, I will increase the funds you receive this time! Henceforth, on your own, persuade and recruit more people to stand by your side!"

"Y-Yes, my Lord!"

"The five of you may begin your journeys!"

✅ EDITED

CHABUDAI (卓袱台 or 茶袱台 or 茶部台)
• a short-legged table used in traditional Japanese homes.