shield hero's samurai | TROTSH

chapter 3. FALSE CHARGES

𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧𓆏𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
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The meadow softly sways with the warm summer breeze. It was peaceful. (Name) kept her eyes closed and steady, dominant hand hovering on the black and red-colored handle of her katana as she intently listens to her surroundings.

*Rustle* *Rustle*

With a swift move, her blade slashed an Orange Balloon. Eyes peeled open as she continues to slash the weak demons with ease and with unwavering attention. The training went on until the sunsets. Sweat rolling down on her face as she wipes it with her sleeves. Dropping the orange skin on the small ruby emblem below the kanji engravings of—courage, truth, and honor embedded on her katana as it glows a bright red color and absorbs it.

Walking through the forest that is just outside the kingdom. She soon found a small river, cupping and splashing its content on her face before strolling back to the kingdom's city for supper. Slightly smiling to herself when she remembered Seok Jin, who always nags her and the others to eat healthy sustenance and on time, he was the mother of the group. Ah, how she missed their company.

(Name) strolled through the lively city, her eyes skimming through the buildings until her gaze fell on an inn. There she saw through the glass windows, the Shield Hero and Mein. She also noticed the other three heroes on the corner, happily chatting with one another and some company.

I'll just eat something simple and light for the stomach, then buy some bread just in case and be on my way.

She sat on one of the stools, eating in silence at the corner. That is until the three heroes approached her form. "Hi there, you're the samurai, right?" the Lance Hero asked with an amazed expression.

"No, I'm a Rōnin. Samurais serves Masters, whereas I currently serve no one but the country," she answered without hesitance before chewing on mashed potatoes.

"That's so cool!" the Bow Hero commented.

"Nice to meet you, the name's Kitamura Motoyasu." the Lance Hero introduced.

"I am Kawasumi Itsuki!" the Bow Hero said with excitement laced in his voice.

"My name is Amaki Ren." the Sword Hero said in a monotone.

Nodding in return, "Gushiken (Name)." she introduced shortly then asked while inclining her head in a specific direction, "Who's the Shield Hero?"

"Ah, that's Iwatani Naofumi." Kitamura replied, glancing at the said male's form who started to transcend on the wooden stairs, heading to the rooms.

She also took a quick glance at the said male's form before standing up, "Well then, see you around, heroes." she bid, walking out of the inn with a wave to continue strolling around.

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Apparently, (Name) was also called to the palace by the King for an emergency discussion. She went inside the throne room, noticing the three heroes and the King, expressions varying from unreadable, disappointment to anger. She stood next to Kawasumi—the Bow Hero.

I wonder why.

"From the moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew you would bring nothing but trouble. . . You fiend! I wondered when you would show your true colors!" the King spoke harshly the moment Iwatani—the Shield Hero entered, dragged onto the red royal carpet of the throne room by a handful of silver knights.

(Name) silently observe Iwatani's expressions and body language, trying to figure what the hell is this meeting for and why is he being treated like a criminal?

He's supposed to be a hero for the country, too.

Iwatani also grew confused as to what was really happening, and she watched as his face pale, "This must be some kind of mistake! I'm sure if you ask my comrade. . ." then he spotted the redhead beside Kitamura—the Lance Hero, ". . . Mein!"

He leaned forward to the said woman's direction causing the silver knights to block his way, but clear relief is shown in his emerald eyes, "I'm glad you're okay. It seems like a thief came into our place last night. . . Could you explain what happened to them? That this is all a misunderstanding?"

Mein suddenly hid her face with her hands in a shameful manner as Iwatani called for her name in worry, the Lance Hero stood up and moved in a protective stance in front of the redhead, "That's enough, you." he stated with contained anger, "Don't act like you don't remember!"

It was then Iwatani saw his new clothing armor they brought, now worn by Kitamura, "Wait, hold on. . . That chainmail, where did you?—"

"What, this? Mein gave it to me. We happened to meet at a pub yesterday." the latter replied. And all Iwatani can do was stare at him, trying to connect the dots to what's happening right in front of him. (Name)'s blank eyes shifts to Mein who started to sob as she spoke, "After that, drunken, I entered our room and the Shield hero, h-he forced me down and. . ."

"Huh?"

She watched the other two heroes comfort Mein, beside the said redhead as she continued, "I was so frightened that I screamed and Lord Motoyasu came to my aid."

"Mein. . ."

"I had a feeling that you were here for a different reason than us. . ." Kawasumi commented.

"Same here. You probably just confused yourself for being a higher class than you are." Amaki—the Sword Hero, stated.

"I never thought you would be the type to commit a crime!" Kitamura started, "Someone like you has no right to be a hero!" he exclaimed, pissed.

(Name) watched Iwatani's expression carefully and when he perked up slightly on something, or rather someone, she took a side glance to its direction and saw Mein's mocking gesture. She started to feel annoyed at the redheaded bit*h.

I knew it, he's been duped.

He murmured to himself before shouting, "Don't play dumb with me! You played me to get the gear and the money didn't you?!"

After a couple of degrading comments from the Bow and Sword Heroes. Kitamura held Mein close as he exclaimed back, "Like anyone's going to believe anything you say, you damn rapist!"

(Name) walked with calm and slow strides towards the kneeling Shield Hero. His thoughts were interrupted when he sensed her cold presence, looking up at her hovering and intimidating form. The other heroes and the King watched curiously as the scene play. Within a blink of an eye, the tip of her katana was pointed in between his eyes.

She watched as his eyes widened in fear at her swift movement and threatening display, "Are you, man, enough to stand by your statement, Shield Hero? Think carefully as your response may depend on what my katana wishes to do with it." (Name) asked in a firm whisper, directly for him to hear.

✅ EDITED