"At this rate, you'll be hard pressed to reach level ten in a month." Arriving beside Naofumi, Takeru said calmly.
"It's you. What are you here for? To mock me?" Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi turned his head. Seeing Takeru with Via, he angrily punched a balloon monster, completely bursting it.
After killing the orange balloon monster, he silently collected the balloon monster's corpse and prepared to leave.
Although Takeru hadn't openly mocked him, his failure to help made Naofumi feel indignant.
While he didn't hate Takeru, he didn't have any goodwill toward him either.
"What, after being framed, you can't even tell right from wrong?" Seeing him turn to leave, Takeru said calmly.
Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi, who had been about to leave, froze. He then abruptly turned and came to Takeru's side.
"You know I was framed?" Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi seemed like a drowning man grasping at a lifeline.
His expression was extremely excited, yet also tense and fearful. He was afraid this straw wouldn't support him, which might lead to even greater despair.
"This isn't a place to talk. How about discussing things over there?" Looking at the excited Naofumi, Takeru said calmly.
"Okay." Hearing Takeru's words, and sensing that Takeru didn't have the same dismissive or mocking look as others, Naofumi quickly nodded.
Soon, the three reached the border between the forest and the grassland. Beneath a large rock, Takeru stopped.
"What are you here for this time? And do you really believe me? If so, why didn't you say anything back then? Why did you say you only believe the facts you saw?"
Once they stopped, Naofumi poured out his doubts. If Takeru's answer was unacceptable to him, he would leave directly.
"Let's set aside the purpose of my visit for a moment. As for your other questions, I can answer them directly. First, regarding whether I believe you, the fact that I'm willing to actively come to find you should be enough for you to believe that by now. As for me saying I only believe the facts I saw, I happened to witness Myne stealing your things and talking with the knights."
"What?! Then why didn't you say anything or stop it..." Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi's mind was shaken, and he quickly spoke.
He didn't bother to think about how Takeru knew these things. He desperately wanted someone who could believe in him right now.
"Why didn't I say anything or stop it? It's simple. Because of Myne's identity and the true mastermind behind this matter." Hearing his words, Takeru smiled and interrupted Naofumi.
"Myne's identity? And the mastermind? Who is it?" Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi was filled with anger.
"Do you know Myne's real name?" Looking at the angry Naofumi, Takeru asked again.
"What is her identity?" Looking at Takeru, Naofumi just wanted to know her identity and the mastermind right now.
"Her real name is Malty S. Melromarc. The first princess of Melromarc. And the mastermind is King Aultcray Melromarc XXXII. Or rather, your current plight is the result of the two of them working together." Seeing the anxious Naofumi, Takeru said calmly.
"A princess and the king? Why? What did I do wrong? I have no grudge against them. Why?" Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tightly. He wanted nothing more than to run to them right now and demand their purpose.
He had only been in this world for one day. Were they punishing him just because he was unfamiliar with this world?
"Why? It's very simple. Aultcray Melromarc XXXII became short-sighted because of his hatred for the previous Shield Hero. Adding the driving force from his daughter Myne and the Three Heroes Church, this outcome was inevitable."
"So, even if I had stopped it this time, you would still be framed for various things next time, maybe even worse than this. Do you understand when I put it that way?" Looking at Naofumi, who was questioning his existence, Takeru said calmly.
"Hatred towards the Shield Hero... Just because of that, they want to frame me by hook or by crook? Damn it!" Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi had no doubt. He directly believed it. It also explained why everything had happened the way it did.
"What should I do? Takeru, please, help me. I'm willing to follow your orders!" After the anger subsided, Naofumi, having calmed down, fell into panic again.
He was just an ordinary person. Suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar world, trapped in this desperate situation, Takeru's appearance now was his hope.
And his plea for help from Takeru wasn't random. First, Takeru was willing to believe him and had told him the truth of everything.
The two most important points were that they both didn't belong to this world and were summoned as Heroes in the same batch.
Finally, while everyone else looked lost, Takeru had already gathered so much information, showing the intelligence, reliability, and calmness he had demonstrated earlier.
"This is precisely why I came." Hearing his words, Takeru revealed a smile.
"How will you help me? Will we form a party together? But if we form a party and level up together, won't we interfere with each other?" Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi spoke hesitantly, but there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"We really can't form a party right now. The leveling issue is just one reason. Another important point is that, although I hate to admit it, you know your situation. If I'm seen with you, although I don't care about others' opinions, it would make the king and princess, who are targeting you, focus on me too."
"Although I'm not afraid of them posing a threat to me, it might impede my plans." Hearing his words, Takeru said calmly.
"Plans?" Hearing this, Naofumi knew Takeru was right. He was now a criminal in everyone's eyes, while Takeru was an ally hiding in the shadows. If Takeru became close to him on the surface, Takeru might also be framed.
Upon hearing Takeru mention plans, Naofumi became curious.
"It doesn't hurt to tell you, since we're now allies. My plan is to overthrow the rule of Aultcray Melromarc XXXII." Looking at Naofumi, Takeru said very casually.
"Overthrow the rule? You mean rebellion?" Hearing this, Naofumi covered his mouth. Even though he had been subjected to inhuman treatment, he had never thought about rebellion.
Via behind him also opened her mouth wide and widened her eyes, her expression filled with disbelief.
She also understood why Takeru had given her the second test. It was to make her choose between Takeru and the kingdom.
"You heard it too. To them, we are nothing more than expendable pawns. If they find us inconvenient to use, they could just kill us all and summon new ones. Since that's the case, I naturally won't sit idly by. So, are you willing to help me?" Looking at the shocked Naofumi, Takeru said with a light laugh.
In fact, for Takeru, rebellion was not difficult. After all, it wasn't the first time, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
Whether in terms of strength or subordinates, Takeru possessed both. He also had plenty of methods.
The only difference was the impact of taking over the country, the casualties, and the degree of trouble of the aftermath.
For example, if Takeru wanted to rebel now, he could do it easily. He could control everyone who objected.
However, the troublesome point was that the populace might not accept it. Violent suppression might cause too many casualties and make him a target of the entire world.
Although not afraid, this kind of troublesome, unrewarding matter was not something Takeru wanted to do.
If he could lay a bit of groundwork first, like performing well in the next wave to win some hearts and minds-
Then rebellion, using Takeru's methods, could be accomplished more easily and without bloodshed, taking the entire country into his grasp.
One key point was that it would be best to ascend the throne before Mirellia Q. Melromarc returned.
Otherwise, things might become more troublesome after her return. But her return was probably still over a month away. There was plenty of time...
"Well, of course I'm willing. But, Takeru, rebellion isn't that simple, is it? Do you have any countermeasures?" Hearing Takeru's words, Naofumi didn't hesitate and nodded, then asked about Takeru's plans.
After all, they were up against a whole kingdom.
On their side, there were only two Heroes. It didn't look like there was any chance of success. It would be simply throwing their lives away.
"Haha, I naturally have my ways for the rebellion. I don't need you to do anything. I just hope that after I succeed, you'll come back to help me. Of course, all of this will take some time. That's also why I can't be seen too close to you on the surface." Looking at the nervous Naofumi, Takeru said with a light laugh.