"I don't think just because I'm a Hero..." Hearing Itsuki's words, Naofumi defended himself again. He hadn't drunk a single drop of alcohol last night to conserve his energy, so being drunk and doing those things was impossible.
"You're not the main character of this world. Know your place!" At this moment, Motoyasu pointed his long spear at him, his tone filled with endless disgust.
"What is this? What's going on? Myne, Myne, why are you doing this? Weren't we companions?" At this moment, Naofumi's heart felt like it was being torn apart. He looked at Myne in disbelief.
However, hearing Naofumi's heart-wrenching words, Myne simply slowly removed her hands from her face. From her position behind Takeru and the others, she directly made a face at Naofumi.
Seeing Myne's actions, Naofumi finally understood everything, 'So that's it. 'Be my companion' was a complete lie told to frame me. The smiles she showed me, the kindness she displayed, all of it...'
"You lied to me, didn't you? You planned to frame me from the very beginning, didn't you?" Understanding everything, Naofumi became extremely angry.
"How terrifying, Motoyasu-sama!" Hearing Naofumi's roar, Myne directly threw herself into Motoyasu's arms, feigning fear.
"What are you saying, you criminal?" Seeing Myne's actions, Motoyasu was completely manipulated.
"Don't be ridiculous! Your goal was my money and equipment! You two planned this together, didn't you?" Watching their interaction, and not knowing Myne's true identity, Naofumi assumed Motoyasu and Myne were in cahoots.
'Come to think of it, Myne only called me 'Hero,' but called Motoyasu by his first name. If that's not evidence, what is?' In that instant, Naofumi understood everything.
"To think he's still spouting nonsense at a time like this. This kind of person isn't worth any sympathy." Hearing Naofumi's words, Itsuki, who had been trying to maintain his good-guy image, spoke seriously.
"Maybe we shouldn't have summoned four of them in the first place."
"Exactly. It would have been better if we hadn't summoned the Shield Hero."
"But we never imagined the Shield could be so despicable."
At this moment, voices came from the ministers and nobles in the hall, filled with anger toward the Shield.
'The Shield again. Just because it's a shield, because it's weak, they push me away and twist things to their advantage. How despicable. How filthy. The others in this kingdom are completely unwilling to believe me either. Why should I need to protect such people? Wait a minute...'
"Wait, Takeru! I've been framed! Someone like you should be able to tell something's wrong, right?" Then, Naofumi thought of Takeru and shouted loudly to him.
Hearing Naofumi's shout, Takeru felt a little helpless. He was naturally very clear about the truth.
In fact, if he wanted to exonerate Naofumi, it would be very simple. However, doing so wouldn't maximize his own benefits. Therefore, Takeru naturally couldn't admit it.
"Sorry, I only believe the facts I see." Hearing his words, Takeru spoke coldly.
Indeed, last night, through his Observation Haki, Takeru had witnessed everything. He was perfectly clear about the truth of the matter...
"Even you... fine, I don't care anymore. Just send me back to my original world right now. Then you can summon a new Shield Hero or whatever you want. Another world? Ha! Why do I have to suffer this kind of treatment coming to another world?" Seeing this, the last bit of hope in Naofumi's heart was completely extinguished. He spoke loudly.
"Want to run away when things don't go your way? Go back then. I don't want to be a Hero alongside a rapist." Hearing Naofumi's words, Motoyasu said mockingly.
"So you trash are not even intending to properly fulfill your duty anymore?" Itsuki chimed in.
"Shut up! Come on, send me back to my original world!" Seeing their faces, Naofumi was furious.
"I would love to follow your wishes and send you back immediately, but the legend says new Heroes can only be summoned when all Four Saint Heroes are dead." Hearing Naofumi's words, the king said helplessly.
He already deeply hated the Shield Hero.
But the reason the Four Saint Heroes were called the Four Saint Heroes was that all four must exist. The four should be one, assisting each other, advancing and retreating together. But because of his hatred, he had directly caused the Four Saint Heroes to become enemies.
Of course, this had little to do with Takeru. Because when the time came, whether Takeru wanted to return or not, he would be transported away from this world...
"What did you say?"
"No way?" Suddenly hearing the information revealed by the king, Itsuki and Motoyasu looked utterly incredulous.
"At this rate, we won't be able to go back?" Hearing the king's words, the hope in Naofumi's heart was once again shattered.
"Perhaps after you repel all the incoming waves, you'll be able to return to your original world." Seeing the worry and shock on the three's faces, the king spoke calmly.
Although he hated the Shield Hero intensely, he also considered the remaining Takeru, Motoyasu, and Itsuki as useful pawns.
"Then we have to fight together with this guy?" Motoyasu looked disgusted.
"Don't be ridiculous! I'll deal with the waves my own way!" Thinking of the scene of fighting alongside Motoyasu and Itsuki, Naofumi was furious. He suddenly exerted great strength, breaking free from the knights' restraints and standing up.
"Don't move!" Seeing Naofumi suddenly erupt, many knights were startled. They pointed their weapons at Naofumi, trying to subdue him again.
"Get out of my way!" Naofumi shouted in rage. Perhaps sensing its master's anger, the shield emitted a special glow that pushed back the knights trying to approach.
"Huff, huff... What are you trying to do? Lock me up in a dungeon until the next wave arrives?" By now, Naofumi felt no goodwill toward anyone present. At the same time, he had no fear. They were just a bunch of filthy people.
"We won't lock you up. The next wave will arrive soon. No matter what, you are still one of the Heroes who can oppose the waves. However, I have informed the citizens of your crimes. This is your punishment. Do not expect to live well in this kingdom from now on."
Although the king wished to kill Naofumi directly, considering that Naofumi was, after all, a Hero, both in terms of combat power and having to consider the feelings of the other Heroes like Takeru, he could not easily execute him.
"I know." Hearing the king's words, Naofumi turned to leave. He didn't want to stay in this filthy place another moment.
But after taking two steps, he thought of something and stopped. He then took out the few silver coins he had stored on his shield last night. "You want these, don't you? Here."
As he spoke, Naofumi, as if tossing alms, threw the few silver coins at Motoyasu's feet.
"Hey, stop right there, you..." Feeling insulted by Naofumi's action and his slander against him, Motoyasu angrily approached Naofumi and grabbed his arm.
"I'm very weak. Time is precious." Looking at Motoyasu, Naofumi's eyes held only coldness. As he spoke, he broke free from Motoyasu's grip and left the palace.
Noticing Naofumi's eyes, Motoyasu froze on the spot. To be honest, he had just been startled by Naofumi's coldness.
Everything that happened in the palace was witnessed by a shadow guard upstairs. However, the shadow guard merely silently recorded everything and did not intervene excessively.
After Naofumi left, as he walked through the streets, people looked at him like a plague, not daring to approach. As for Naofumi, he was filled with rage inside and felt equally cold toward these people.
Soon, the weapon shop owner called out to him. The owner had wanted to punch him, but when he raised his fist and saw the cold look in Naofumi's eyes, he froze.
"You..." Hearing Naofumi's words and seeing his expression, the weapon shop owner was stunned.
"What? Aren't you going to hit me?" Watching the weapon shop owner release him, Naofumi spoke coldly.
"No, forget it." Hearing this, the owner said softly.
"Is that so? You just saved your own life." Hearing his words, Naofumi straightened his collar and said casually, preparing to leave.
"Wait. Looking like that, people will look down on you. This is a parting gift." The weapon shop owner directly stopped Naofumi, led him to a small alley, and handed him a cloak.
"How much?" Looking at the cloak, Naofumi directly asked.
"No need. But it's a second-hand item, worth about five copper coins." Hearing this, the shop owner spoke directly. However, seeing the cold look in Naofumi's eyes, he gave a very preferential price.
"Got it. I'll come back to pay you later." Saying softly, Naofumi took the cloak, draped it over himself, and left the city, heading toward the wilderness.