Abnormality

Elena: “Oh, well isn’t it the Hero of Shield”

Naofumi: “You are-”

At the town’s clinic, was someone that I knew.

If I remember right, she was one of Motoyasu’s companion, Elena.

Like before she was attentive and calm, even as a clinic receptionist.

Her personality when she was a companion of Motoyasu seemed like a complete lie.

Naofumi: “Why are you here?”

Elena: “To help my parents”

Now that I think about it, her mother was a merchant.

And I recall her saying that she might come and visit my land soon.

Elena: “While I was going to your town, I somehow was attacked by bandits but I was saved. I believe the one who helped me was the demi-human right next to you.”

Elena: “Just as I thought, the nice man that saved me was you! You have my utmost gratitude”

You already have gone under a class up, so fight them yourself.

Elena explained that while she was under attack by the bandits, Imia’s Uncle protected her and let her escape, but he sustained pretty bad injuries in the process.

When we found Imia’s uncle, he was covered in wounds and his carriage was nowhere to be found.

Even though Imia’s uncle should be at the level where he can easily protect himself.

Imia’s Uncle: “You shouldn’t worry about me. If anything I should be more concerned about the sparks from the forge.”

Naofumi: “I see”

Imia’s Uncle: “Also…I was debating whether to tell the Hero of the Shield this, but the bandit was well-dressed despite being a bandit, though I could be mistaken. ”

Hmmm…Right now, I am more concerned about the condition of Imia’s Uncle.

Should I tell the Old Man of the Weapon store?

For now, I decided to wait and see what kind of state he was in.

Naofumi: “For now, I’ll keep quiet about your condition.”

Imia’s Uncle: “Yes!”

Naofumi: “Elena, was it? It’s a shame but for the time being please help out with the investigation”

Elena: “Ah, of course. I also recall a place that was very suspicious”

Naofumi: “To make sure your innocence, we will go and investigate it”

Melty immediately had sent her subordinates to investigate the incident, as to ensure that no false charges were made.

As we talked with the receptionist, we explained the situation.

Afterwords, she showed us the way to the healer.

At the examination room, Imia’s uncle underwent a treatment of recovery magic.

Imia’s Uncle: “Ugh…”

Imia’s uncle had lacerations covering his body, they were quite bloody.

Imia’s Uncle: “I’m fine…is what I would like to say”

To help with the treatment, I took out some medicine as it can work in combination with the magic.

Imia’s Uncle: “Hey, Hero…”

Feebly, Imia’s uncle tried to talk with me.

Imia’s Uncle: “I would like… to apologize… All the effort we put in…was stolen so easily”

Naofumi: “Don’t worry about. Its fine that it was taken. More importantly, I am glad that you are still alive.”

Imia’s Uncle: “I’m so sorry… ugh…”

Imia’s uncle painfully grasped his head.

Would the old man be okay? The bandit’s blade may have been coated with poison.

I use an antidote just in case.

When the treatment had finished, Imia’s uncle’s condition had stabilized.

Looking at his body, you could see the traces of a stab wound and the remainder of a cut.

It did not look like it could be fatal…but it still seemed strange.

Recovering from this would be rough.

There was a possibility of him being under a curse, if so we might need holy water or the dragon pulse to completely cure him.

Right now Imia’s uncle is fast asleep.

Naofumi: “Well then…”

Since he is nearby, I should inform the Old Man of the Weapon shop on the current situation.

Since I can’t let them run free, I should go and immediately subjugate the bandits in the area.

Those who go against the shield would not be forgiven.

But for now, should I go report to the Old man of the Weapon shop?

Though I should refrain from saying too much.

Imia: “Uncle…”

Imia looks anxious while looking at her Uncle’s sleeping face.

Naofumi: “Don’t worry. His life isn’t in danger. Once he wakes up, you can take him to the village to recover.”

Imia: “Okay…”

Naofumi: “Well then, I’m going to do a little bandit hunting”

Imia: “Okay!”

I won’t stand by and turn the other cheek.

I will hit back when hit.

To steal in my territory, you better be prepared to lose everything.

While Imia is looking after her uncle, I leave with Firo, Atla and Rishia to the place that Elena informed us about.

It was near a forest at the edge of my territory.

It is along one of the routes I use to reach Castle town from my village.

Naofumi: “Firo, can you tell if there is anything here?”

Firo: “Hmm… There probably isn’t anyone around, I suppose?”

Hmmm.

I guess that they won’t be that easy to find.

Naofumi: “Their hideout might be nearby. Go look for it”

Rishia: “Yes”

Firo: “Yes~”

Naofumi: “Atla, can you sense anything?”

Atla: “Well… there seems to be some remnants of a malicious power”

Naofumi: “Malicious?”

Atla: “It is similar to the power that the Hero of the Spear had, as well as the Hero of the Sword…”

Naofumi: “Eh?”

It seems that Rishia noticed immediately.

As much as she tried to avoid it, she should have known that it was only a matter of time.

It seems like our encounter with Itsuki was vastly approaching.

But what could he gain from using bandits to steal from Imia’s uncle?

It is possible that it was under Witch’s influence that caused the attack on the Demi-Human.

But…for Elena not to notice would be strange.

Anyway, how did Imia’s Uncle normally bring shields to me?

Though I was unable to ask him, it could have been with a push cart.

Also, Imia’s uncle did not have anything else on him.

And Elena wasn’t at the scene of the crime, so she didn’t know where they fled.

I can’t expand the search area.

Naofumi: “Anyway, I do not know what they are planning. So everyone be careful”

Rishia: “U-Understood”

Atla: “Yes”

Firo: “Yes~”

Well, ambushing Atla and Firo would be impossible.

Just in case, I activate Meteor Shield, in the off chance they do launch a surprise attack.

We spent rest of the day searching, but we were unable to find a single thing.

Naofumi: “Was it a waste of time?”

I went back to the town to inform Melty of the situation.

For the time being, we will let everyone now that there are bandits in the area.

If I’m lucky, an adventurer will take care of the bandits.

Melty: “Ah, that’s right. There is something I think Naofumi-san should know”

Naofumi: “What?”

Melty: “Lately, there have been less people visiting and leaving the town.”

Naofumi: “Is something going on?”

Melty: “Now that you mention it…there is something strange going on…Some merchants have suddenly become rather unfriendly, and they seemed like different people”

Naofumi: “Hmmm…”

Somehow, I have a bad feeling about all these strange incidents, as if there were indirect attacks.

Is what I would want to believe.

Melty: “I have contacted Mother about it, but it is possible that we were infiltrated by a spy”

Naofumi: “Is security that bad?”

Melty: “It isn’t bad, rather it seems strange. It best to be careful”

Naofumi: “I know. But you should be careful too, since you are the next in-line Queen, it would be best to increase your guards”

You could tell that Melty was nervous.

I decided to part ways with Melty and Firo, and return to the village.

Naofumi: “I’ll be going now”

Melty: “Oh, then take care”

I saw Ren unloading luggage from the carriage.

Since they were with a Hero, they all seemed safe.

Rather, I want to ask him if he saw anyone suspicious.

Naofumi: “There seems to be bandits in the area you were in, did you have any trouble with them?”

Ren: “No? There was nothing out of the ordinary”

It seems like Ren didn’t encounter them.

Ren: “However, I was able to understand my curse a bit better”

Naofumi: “Ooh…”

Ren: “Apparently, I won’t gain any experience points that I earned through fighting”

The Curse of Gluttony.

I believe the price paid was only a large drop in experience but is seems that it may also stop any experience gain.

Naofumi: “Was I nearby when you fought?”

“Ah”

Before this, I tried investigating the penalties of the Four Saint Heroes with Motoyasu.

It turns out that experience would not be gained if another Hero was nearby as they would interfere with each other’s growth.

There may be other penalties, but the experience loss was the most concerning issue.

As long as there isn’t another Hero within range of one kilometer, the experience gained would fine.

The area wasn’t small, but quite large.

This area would not allow any experience gained by fighting.

Of course, to be that far away and be affected, would not normally be possible.

But Ren was outside of that range so the possibility it was his curse was quite high.

Really now, to be hit by the effects of two curses, Ren sure has it tough.

Well, as long as he puts in some serious effort, even with a little curse, he should have no difficulties.

Naofumi: “Did Female Knight and Taniko go in already?”

Ren: “Taniko? Is that what you call Windia?”

Ren that bastard, does he not know any of the nicknames I’ve given?

Well, I guess its fine.

Naofumi: “Yeah. So, did they enter or not?”

Ren: “No, it was only me”

Naofumi: “I see”

Well, they would normally come back soon, since I can trust them to that extent.

Naofumi: “Ren, there are some guys trying to do something in my territory. One of my subordinates was attacked and suffered grievous wounds. Be cautious”

Ren: “What? I-I understand. I’ll help out as much as possible. Just say the word”

Naofumi: “Is that so. Then I’ll leave patrolling to you”

Ren: “You can count on me”

I gave the Hero of the Sword the duty to patrol. As it should be something that he can handle.

I should also be on guard.

Naofumi: “That reminds me, the others haven’t returned yet”

I look around restlessly, for the other group that went peddling today.

Now that I think about it, those guys that left two to three days ago still haven’t come back.

Did they run away?

Just in case, I check on the status of the slaves.

…?

I both see it and don’t… what’s going on. It seems to be slightly flickering while being filled with static.

They are alive, and they haven’t violated any orders, but…?

Naofumi: “That reminds me, Kiel isn’t here either”

She should have gone peddling in the morning.

Rather than taking one of the many Philorials, she went out with a Caterpilland.

Its hard to imagine that loincloth wearing dog who would eat a fallen crepe off the ground, to run away.

Though I can’t deny the possibility that it was all an act, but the reason for leaving the village was weak.

And it makes more sense to obey all my orders if you were a spy.

Taniko: “The Caterpilland has come back!”

Eh?

Looks like I was worried for no reason.

But, as I turned around I was left speechless by a scream.

Taniko: “What happened!?”

Taniko was screaming as she rushed over.

The Caterpilland came back, completely covered in wounds.