Chapter 61 - 74: The Queen (1/2)

Firo: ”Master!?”

Firo anxiously holds on to me, concerned that I am covered in blood.

My shield has changed to the Chimeric Viper Shield by itself.

”What horrible wounds! Someone, help Master!”

A woman, looking like the commander of the punitive force, runs towards us.

Melty: ”Mother!?”

Melty exclaims in surprise when she sees the commander.

That reminds me... The head of the punitive force looks like the person that was with Melty when I first met her.

I couldn't get a good look because of her fan, though.

Queen: ”Your efforts this time were quite amazing, Hero of the Shield-sama.”

She might be the reason that the pope was trapped.

Queen: ”Everybody, treatment for Hero of the Shield-sama is a top priority! This is a royal order - We must not fail to save Hero of the Shield-sama's life!”

All: ”Yes Ma'am!”

The punitive force's treatment team gathers around me and begins chanting magic.

Treatment team: ”Doraifa ・ Heal”

Light surrounds me… but there is no sign of the pain receding.

”Ar-are you cursed…? … but for it to be so strong...”

The treatment team cast purification magic, but it had no effect, much to their suprise.

Queen: ”Do a thorough examination! Everyone, please hurry!”

Naofumi: ”Ugh...”

My whole body is screaming in pain, but I must not lose consciousness here.

I still do not know whether or not the queen is friend or foe.

Naofumi: ”Y-you are the queen?”

Queen: ”Yes, I am the queen of Melromark, Mirelia Q. Melromark. I'm sorry I couldn't help earlier.”

Tsl note: I have corrected Merlot Mark to Melromark and removed the = since they are just spaces.

Naofumi: ”...You were definitely slow.”

Oh, what does it matter?

Do you have power? Are you the true ruler of this country?

There are a million things I want to ask, my grudge towards her eldest daughter and the trash start to  begin with.

Queen: ”Really...this time was all my fault.”

Melty: ”Mother...”

Bitch: ”Mama, why are you apologizing to such a person!?”

When the bitch impeached, I could see a few veins pulse on the queen's smiling face.

Queen: ”Malty... prepare yourself. There are a many things that I must tell you after we return to the castle.”

Gogogo... (Sfx: The air trembling)

Though I'm not the one that this anger is directed at, a chill still runs up my spine.

With the snap of the Queen's fingers, a shadow appears behind the bitch and arrests her.

Bitch: ”Wait, Mama!”

Queen: ”Silence this fool at once.”

Gaurds: ”Yes Ma'am!”

The bitch's mouth is covered by a cloth.

Motoyasu: ”W-What are you doing to Mein!?”

Queen: ”I am Mei-... Malty's mother. By my authority as Queen, the fight between you heroes is temporarily suspended until we get back to the castle. Let's return to Melromarc castle and rest.”

Motoyasu and the other heroes fall silent due to the Queen's aura of authority.

Queen: ”Now then, Hero of the Shield-sama... No… Naofumi Iwatani-sama, your treatment is our top priority, so please rest. Everything will be prepared immediately.”

The treatment team starts bringing out various magical tools, medicines, and holy water to use on me.

I feel like an emergency patient in an ambulance.

Naofumi: ”But...”

Why did the queen come here? Why isn't she in the country to the southwest?

Queen: ”I know what you want to ask. Why was I outside of this country for so long?  Why I am leading the punitive force?  Why did I not come defend you sooner?... There are many things that you need to know… However, that wait until after you are healed.”

Raphtalia: ”Naofumi-sama!”

Raphtalia anxiously runs to my side while crying.

Raphtalia: ”I thought your heart stopped! Are you okay!?”

Naofumi: ”Who...knows...”

I feel like I have some serious wounds.

My whole body hurts, it would be too difficult to stand up. (Ed note: Except his toes, his toes feel fine!)

Firo, in her human form, and Melty come from the carriage.

Treatment Team Member: ”What terrible wounds... Hurry, come over here.”

One of the treatment team members see Firo's burnt limbs and calls her over.

However, Firo doesn't want to leave my side to receive treatment, for she is worried about my wounds.

Firo: ”But, Master is...”

Naofumi: ”It's alright Firo, Naofumi-sama will be cured by these people. Go have your wounds healed.”

Raphtalia gently strokes Firo's head and whispers this anxiously.

Firo: ”But...”

Raphtalia: ”Naofumi-sama would hate to be responsible for scarring Firo.”

Will you listen to her, Firo…?  …Gah, it can't be helped.

Normally she is so selfish and carefree, but to be so anxious for my sake…

Naofumi: ”I'll be fine, so go over there.”

I manage to squeeze out some instructions for Firo. When Firo reluctantly leaves to receive healing, the treatment member nods at me.

The treatment team uses different recovery magic that seems to be effective against the curse.

”What a strong curse...!” Mutters one of the healers.

Yeah, this certainly is a strong curse.

It literally says Curse Series.

Since it's very effective, the price for using it is equally as high, such as directly receiving the curse myself.

It is very different from a normal spell.

Treatment Team Leader: ”Prepare for Group Synthesis Magic [Sanctuary]”

Are they going to use that to remove the rest of Self-Curse Burning?

They aren't believers of the Three Heroes Church, right? What religion are they following, then?

It does not appear to be the ”Shield Religion”.

As I think about such things, my eyelids become heavy and it starts to get dark.

Raphtalia: ”Naofumi-sama!”

Melty: ”Naofumi!”

Raphtalia and Melty shake me awake.

Naofumi: ”Yeah? What's wrong?”

Raphtalia: ”Please stay conscious properly.”

Naofumi: ”What are you saying?  It's not like I'm dying.”

Well, in this situation I certainly might die.

Though I have no intention to die here, this world still exhausts me in various ways.

I want to sleep... just a little… but, I can't sleep yet - we are still far from safety.

Unfortunately, I am unable to do anything in my present state.

In that case...

Naofumi: ”Raphtalia, if something happens, run away with Melty on Firo.”

Raphtalia: ”Understood, but I will be taking Naofumi-sama too. So no matter what, please wake up.”

Naofumi: ”Okay. I'll just sleep a little... if anything happens wake me up.”

During this exchange a memory surfaces…

…a Raphtalia still looking like a child… one who would always cry and scream at night.

…a Raphtalia that had to be ordered to do everything…

Naofumi: ”My bad. It looks like there's no breakfast this time.”

R”...It's fine, because this time, I'll defend Naofumi-sama while you sleep.

Tsl Note: Referring to where Raphtalia was crying and screaming at night by the river and Naofumi defended her all night from monsters

After getting off these last few words, my vision fades to black and I enter the dream world.

*****Two Days Later*****

Melty: ”Ugh...Heavy.”

Raphtalia: ”Su...Su...”

Firo: ”Munya...Master~”

Melty: ”Heavy...Help.....Firo-chan...”

When I awake, I see Raphtalia, Firo, and Melty all on my bed.

Naofumi: ”What the hell is this?! Get up!”

I wake the three of them up immediately and scold them.

Instead of them looking down, all three of them smile.

I am told that I got urgently rushed to receive treatment in Melromarc Castle.