"Huh? What's wrong with the shield?" Seeing everyone's reactions, Naofumi suddenly felt a bit flustered.
"Okay, Brother Motoyasu will explain within common sense. In my understanding, a Shielder is a class centered on the shield. It's a losing class that doesn't have high-level players." Motoyasu said seriously.
"No! What about you guys?" Hearing Motoyasu's words, Naofumi held his head and shouted loudly, then looked at Takeru and Itsuki with expectant eyes.
"Sorry." Looking at Naofumi's expectant expression, Itsuki spoke softly, but felt inexplicably a little happy. After all, it seemed he definitely wouldn't be the worst one.
"As I said, I didn't learn about this through a game." Hearing his words, Takeru directly shook his head.
Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi didn't know whether to be happy or sad. At least it seemed Takeru was similar to him.
"So, what about the terrain?" Then, Motoyasu looked directly at Itsuki.
"It's the same as what I know. Also, the hunting grounds accessible to different weapon holders differ. It's better for us to act separately." Hearing this, Itsuki spoke directly.
Takeru just listened to their exchange without comment. Understanding? Takeru probably understood it better than both of them combined.
But the two held no value for Takeru whatsoever.
As for Naofumi, he had already become dejected. He started hoping to find good companions, preferably female ones. He would only need to protect his companions.
Looking at the optimistic Naofumi, Takeru gave a slight smile. Because according to the plot, Naofumi was about to completely break down.
...
Soon, the next day arrived. Takeru and the others were summoned again, this time directly to the palace. There were even more people in the palace today than yesterday, including spectators above and special adventurers below.
"We have gathered people who are willing to fight alongside the Legendary Heroes against the waves." Once Takeru and the others arrived, the king got straight to the point.
'These are the people who will become our companions? There are even cute girls!' Looking at the twelve people in front, Naofumi thought to himself. Seeing a red-haired girl, he inwardly remarked on her cuteness.
"Future Heroes, depart!" At this moment, the king spoke again.
As the king's words fell, the adventurers in front began to move, directly walking toward the back of the Hero they wished to follow.
Soon, when everything was over, Naofumi wanted to check his companions.
Turning around, he found the space behind him completely empty. Meanwhile, Takeru, Motoyasu, and the others each had people behind them.
"Three, six, three... wait, King!" Seeing this situation, Naofumi panicked. After all, he wasn't an offensive class to begin with. Now, without any companions, would he be abandoned?
"I didn't expect this to happen, even I am surprised." Seeing this situation, the king spoke calmly. But Takeru could sense that the king wasn't surprised at all.
"So no one is willing to follow him. He has completely no popularity!" A minister said, then whispered a few words into the king's ear.
"Has this rumor spread that widely?" Hearing the minister's whisper, the king spoke calmly.
"Did something happen?" Hearing the king's words, Naofumi instinctively asked.
"Actually, rumors are circulating in the city that the Shield Hero is unfamiliar with this world. According to legend, Heroes can understand this world. People are saying you don't meet that condition." The king said calmly.
"Could last night's chat have been overheard?" Motoyasu whispered to Naofumi.
Takeru looked completely calm. Takeru knew very well that this rumor wasn't accidental, but inevitable.
Even if Naofumi understood this world as well as Motoyasu and the others, nothing would change. Because the current ruler was a short-sighted fool who deeply hated the Shield Hero.
His hatred wasn't directed at Naofumi personally, but at the Shield Hero. So, if Motoyasu or Takeru were the Shield, that hatred would be directed at them.
'Dammit, just based on that? It's true I'm not familiar, though...'
"Hey Takeru, you have six people. Give me one!" Then, Naofumi instinctively said to Takeru, who had the most people behind him.
Hearing his words, Takeru patted his shoulder. Then, as Naofumi looked on in confusion, Takeru spoke calmly: "You don't need to choose me. I am also unfamiliar with this world. Also, only those who can pass my test can become my companions."
Hearing Takeru's words, everyone present was stunned. They hadn't expected Takeru to do this. Naofumi felt embarrassed. He just wanted one companion... he didn't want Takeru to lose all of his.
"Um, Takeru, why are you saying that? What if they all leave?" Thinking this, Naofumi quickly leaned close to Takeru's ear and whispered.
"I'm not joking. I will expel anyone who cannot withstand the test from my party without hesitation." Turning his head, Takeru spoke calmly to the people behind him, who showed hesitant expressions.
Hearing Takeru say this, two men and one woman from the group hesitated, then directly went to Motoyasu and Itsuki's parties. Still, no one went to Naofumi's party.
"Why, Motoyasu? Look, isn't this too much?" Seeing that even after Takeru said that, no one chose to stand behind him, Naofumi appealed to Motoyasu. Of course, he wasn't referring to Takeru being excessive, but that these people isolating him like this was a bit much.
"Well, I wouldn't say it's excessive..." Hearing Naofumi's complaints, Motoyasu gave an awkward laugh, but felt somewhat dismissive inside.
"Although it would be better to divide evenly with three people each, forcibly assigning would affect morale." Itsuki also chimed in as a mediator at this point.
"So I have to set off alone?" Hearing this, Naofumi said discontentedly. If he were a combat class, it would be fine. Even if it were tough alone, he could level up gradually. But a shield class? How was he supposed to deal damage? It was really asking too much.
"Brave One," Just as Naofumi was feeling indignant, a voice came from behind Motoyasu's party. It was the red-haired girl Naofumi had noticed earlier.
"May I follow you, Brave One?" The girl walked to Naofumi and asked with a smile.
"Is that alright?" Seeing a beautiful girl from his own party leaving, Motoyasu felt a bit uncomfortable but couldn't voice his displeasure. He could only ask further.
"Yes!" Hearing Motoyasu's words, the girl smiled and gave an affirmative answer.
'N-no way, this girl is willing to be my companion?' Seeing this, Naofumi felt like he had encountered an angel.
"Is there no one else willing to follow Naofumi-sama? Very well then, Naofumi-sama, you will have to recruit suitable companions on your own journey later." Seeing this situation, the king spoke calmly with narrowed eyes.
"Ah, okay." Looking at the girl smiling at him, Naofumi had already abandoned all his discontent. He even felt that this was fine.
"We will provide monthly financial support to the Heroes. This time, we will give you more money than the other Heroes. This is your starting funds. Please take it." Then, the king signaled a minister to take out pre-prepared silver coins.
"We have prepared 800 silver coins for Naofumi-sama, and 600 for the other Heroes. Use this money to equip yourselves and begin your journey." The king continued.
"Yes!" After receiving the heavy bag of silver coins, everyone spoke loudly.
Soon, everyone left the palace and went their separate ways. Before parting, Motoyasu told Naofumi to take good care of the girl. Itsuki also acted friendly. Takeru, however, gave him a cold nod.
Takeru thought highly of Naofumi. He had ability and talent. But for now, he was still lacking. Only after experiencing the dangers of society would he grow rapidly and become Takeru's helper.
Afterwards, Takeru silently led the two girls and one man who had chosen to follow him into the bustling streets. Looking at the unique scenery of this world, Takeru showed an interested expression.
Compared to the previous world, this one was more deeply influenced by magic. Even ordinary vendors had a few who grasped a touch of magic.
Looking at the street food, Takeru curiously bought some and sampled it. He found the taste, while not exactly delicious, wasn't unpleasant either. It was within the normal range.