Soon, Raphtalia, Via, and Rifana, led by Filo, quickly arrived where Takeru was.
"Takeru-sama, is the wave over?" Upon arriving, Raphtalia asked Takeru.
"Yes, it's over." Hearing her words, Takeru nodded gently.
"Is that so? Then there should be fewer people like me now, right?" Hearing Takeru's words, Raphtalia asked again. She was referring to the orphans created by the wave.
"You did very well. You just protected many people." Hearing her words, Takeru directly reached out and stroked her head.
"Yes... waa." Hearing Takeru's words, she could no longer hold back and threw herself into Takeru's arms, crying.
...
When Takeru and the others returned, it was already afternoon.
After a brief rest, the king held a lavish banquet for Takeru and the others that evening.
"Heroes, you have worked hard. Tonight, we hold a banquet. Enjoy yourselves to your hearts' content!" Standing at a high place, the king addressed everyone with vigor.
"Oh!" The people below responded quickly.
Takeru looked at the king with amusement. After all, this might also be his last moment of glory.
Diablo stood beside Takeru and whispered a few words into his ear.
"No rush. We'll wait until tomorrow." Hearing Diablo ask if they should execute the plan now, Takeru shook his head gently.
"I understand." Hearing this, Diablo nodded gentlemanly and slowly disappeared from the crowd. Not a single person around noticed.
Upon learning that Takeru had killed the boss monster, many noble ladies surrounded Takeru. However, before they could approach, they were intercepted by Ram, Rem, and Chelsea.
Seeing Takeru so popular, Motoyasu and Itsuki were quite angry.
As for Naofumi, he went to a corner. If not for the rewards after the wave and Takeru's suggestion, he wouldn't have come at all.
"It's said that only a few people were injured this time, and no one died."
"We have the Heroes to thank for that."
"I faced the huge monster without any retreat. Leading the knight order with pride and courage, we repelled these monsters and protected the village..." On the side, the knight captain, after a few drinks, started lying through his teeth when asked by others.
"It's an honor to meet the Spear Hero."
"Do you have any women you fancy?" Some women, unable to get close to Takeru, shifted their target to Motoyasu.
"Ah..." Seeing the many girls fawning over him, Motoyasu became cocky again.
"Motoyasu-sama is tired." Seeing the many voracious noble ladies, Myne stepped in to intercept them. After all, she had long regarded Motoyasu as her personal possession and a very useful pawn.
"That girl is..." Suddenly, Motoyasu noticed a figure passing through the crowd, walking directly toward Naofumi.
"Motoyasu-sama!" Seeing Motoyasu also notice Naofumi, Myne saw another opportunity. She planned to put Naofumi down again.
The more Naofumi was disliked, the less likely her earlier framing of him would be exposed.
Thinking this, she quickly whispered into Motoyasu's ear. Hearing Myne's words, Motoyasu readily accepted her instigation.
Then, as Emilie was feeding Naofumi, Motoyasu and Myne approached the two, surrounded by a crowd.
To everyone's surprise, Motoyasu directly took off his glove and threw it at Naofumi's feet. "A duel!"
"I heard that Emilie, who travels with you, is a slave." Looking at the surprised Naofumi, Motoyasu spoke directly.
"Emilie is my slave. So what?" Hearing his words, Naofumi said expressionlessly.
"Listen well. Humans should not enslave others!" Hearing Naofumi's words, Motoyasu spoke again.
"What's the point of saying that now? The fact is, slave merchants are a recognized profession. Doesn't that mean this country hasn't abolished slavery?" Hearing his words, Naofumi felt both angry and amused.
"We are Heroes. Heroes cannot use slaves!" Hearing Naofumi's words, Motoyasu retorted.
"That's your theory. I don't think so." Hearing his words, Naofumi couldn't be bothered and prepared to leave.
"Let's fight. If I win, set Emilie free." Then, Motoyasu directly raised his spear and pointed it at Naofumi.
"Then what do you plan to do if I win?" Looking at the aggressive Motoyasu, Naofumi felt anger rising.
"Then you can do whatever you want, just like before." Hearing Naofumi's words, Motoyasu spoke directly.
"This conversation is pointless." Hearing Motoyasu's self-righteous remarks, Naofumi felt disgusted and left directly.
"Having a slave as a companion. Truly shameless." Itsuki, seeing the situation, also mocked.
"Takeru-sama?" Esdeath also saw the commotion over there and directly asked Takeru.
"Let's watch for now." Hearing her words, Takeru waved his hand.
"Okay." Hearing this, the group nodded.
Soon, as Naofumi was about to go downstairs, a knight directly blocked his path with a weapon.
"I overheard your conversation. A Hero, actually enslaving a demi-human. Is the Shield Hero truly a criminal? I approve of this duel." The king, who had long been plotting, stepped out. After a few mocking words, he spoke directly.
"There's no need for this. I chose to follow Naofumi-sama of my own free will..." At this moment, Emilie, seeing the situation spiraling out of control, spoke nervously.
Before she could finish, the knight behind her covered her mouth and dragged her away.
"Poor girl. You're under a curse that makes you protect your master, aren't you? Don't worry. As long as Motoyasu-sama wins, the curse will be lifted immediately." Seeing this, the king said expressionlessly.
"Emilie! That's enough!" Seeing Emilie taken hostage, Naofumi was furious. The slime on his body transformed into a long sword.
"Draw swords!" Seeing Naofumi's action, the knights shouted loudly. Another knight even pointed his sword at Emilie's neck.
Seeing this, Naofumi didn't dare act rashly. Motoyasu and Itsuki conveniently turned a blind eye.
Seeing the person they wanted to save from Naofumi being used to threaten Naofumi into agreeing to the duel, Motoyasu and Itsuki showed no reaction.
Watching this scene, not only Takeru, but even Akame and the others, who didn't know them, frowned.
'Did a country with such leaders really need to survive?'
"You're not thinking of running away, are you?" Looking at Naofumi, Motoyasu said smugly.
"You bastard! You brought this on yourself! If I win, you'll give Emilie back to me, right?" After roaring in anger, Naofumi's rage reached its peak.
"Haha, how is the Shield Hero going to win? Also, monsters are not allowed in the duel. So you need to put down the monsters in your hands and by your side." At this moment, Myne came up above and said contemptuously.
The reason they dared to duel him despite witnessing his prowess on the battlefield was that they were certain without Emilie and the slime's assistance, no matter how strong he was, he would have no means of attack. In other words, they were invincible from the start.
Seeing the ugly faces of these people, Naofumi was very angry. He wanted to resist completely, but worried about Emilie's safety, he could only reluctantly agree.
After agreeing, he looked towards Takeru. Seeing Takeru nod at him, he put down the slime. Although Takeru didn't say much, he knew this was Takeru's assurance to him.
...
Soon, after the duel was confirmed, space was quickly cleared below.
"The duel between the Spear Hero and the Shield Hero will now begin. The victor is the one who forces the opponent into a corner or makes them surrender. Additionally, this duel will be conducted under the witness of the King of Melromarc and the Pope. It is a fair duel."
As the referee's voice sounded, Naofumi and Motoyasu entered the arena. Before starting, Naofumi tried using a weapon, but as before, he was rejected.
"Motoyasu-sama, go!" From the sidelines, Myne shouted at Motoyasu.
"There's that story about the sharpest spear and the strongest shield, right, Naofumi? Just surrender." After the two took their positions, Motoyasu twirled his spear and said to Naofumi.