“That’ll do it!”

Keel and all of the Lurolona slaves nodded in agreement. I got the feeling that Sadeena had been like a big sister to the village children, so maybe they all knew her well?

“People gave it to me every now and then, when we were peddling, right?”

“Huh? That was rucolu fruit? I thought it was just a token to show you were welcome there.”

Having me eat a piece of rucolu fruit had become a popular way of making sure I wasn’t just some fraud posing as the Shield Hero. Apparently, I was the only one out there who could eat rucolu fruit and be no worse for the wear. I liked to think of it as a sign of welcome that was also a punishment for imposters.

“So now you know I’m being sincere! Thank you, little Naofumi!”

“Blegh!”

Sadeena pursed her lips and thrust them quickly at mine. I turned my head away in a flash. Still, Sadeena’s lips touched my cheek and she gave me a little smack.

“Aww, that’s too bad. Next time it’ll be the lips!”

“Go to hell!”

That was close! She almost stole my first kiss! Sorry, but I had no intention of starting a family in this world. As soon as this world became peaceful, I’d be returning to Japan without hesitation, after all!

Was it just me or had the air grown really tense? Raphtalia was glaring at me and Sadeena with a really aggravated look on her face. See! I told you that Raphtalia was serious and didn’t like this kind of thing.

“Ra . . . Rafu . . .”

“Fehhh . . .”

“Sadeena!”

“Oh my! This is so much fun! Is it okay for me to be this excited about the days to come, I wonder?”

“As long as you behave yourself . . .”

“I have an idea! Hey, bubba! You should cook for everyone!”

“Cook for us!”

“Yeah, cook!”

“Coooook!”

“Shut up!”

Our plan to round up Raphtalia’s fellow villagers had made good progress, I think. I wasn’t sure if I could count them as part of our fighting potential yet, but I could still use the extra manpower.

But . . . was it just me? The saying “out of the frying pan and into the fire” came to mind. Sadeena changed from her human form to her animal form and was trying hard to get her arms around me, while I tried to pacify Raphtalia, who was aggravated because she was hypersensitive to that kind of sexual behavior. I couldn’t help but think these two would be the death of me.

Colophon

The Rising of the Shield Hero Vol. 10

(c) Aneko Yusagi 2015

First published by KADOKAWA in 2015 in Japan.

English translation rights arranged by One Peace Books

under the license from KADOKAWA CORPORATION, Japan