Rise of the Soul Hero

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The race was over, Naofumi was the winner and the people of the village cheered and clapped their hands. Motayasu was not happy and looked for Malthy who came out of the forest rubbing the back of her head, she looked at everyone and realised that Motayasu had lost. Her face immediately contorted with anger, but she walked over to Motayasu and just stood there silently. Andrei saw this and was very pleased, but there was no time for gloating, he and Raftalia went over to Naofumi and Andrei now realised that Firo had really grown again and was bigger. Naofumi looked at her with equal amazement, but then turned to his comrades and began to speak with a satisfied smile.

- We won, it also looks like Motayasu won't even be able to say anything. Since there were indeed traps on the road, the shadows must have taken that into account. -

Raftalia, with a satisfied face, came a little closer and began to speak.

- That's right Naofumi-san, Brother Andrei went to check on the forest and said that everything was fine. But he has something serious to talk to you about. -

Naofumi looked more closely at Andrei and he began to speak.

- That's right, I crossed paths with one of the shadows and she helped me with something. But after that we had a little talk and I won't hide it for the moment. There is someone who is much more important than the king, the shadows serve this person, or rather some mistress, and I also learnt that this woman wants to help us and she knows who we are. -

Naofumi thought about it for a moment and scratched his cheek a little, then began to answer.

- That's interesting. But let's discuss it later, for now we have to solve our current affairs. -

Andrei and Raftalia agreed, and then wanted to go to the headman, but at the same second Motayasu and Malti came up to them. They both had not the best faces, as if they could barely hold back a scream, but Motayasu walked forward and began to speak.

- Next time I'll win and your fat chicken won't help you. -

But as soon as Motayasu said these words, Firo came up to him and made a kick with his big paw right between Motayasu's legs. This blow lifted him into the air and after a couple of seconds he fell to the ground. Malti ran up to him and started to check if he was all right. Andrew laughed a little and looked at the two of them once more, then turned towards the shadows that were by the road and looked like they were going to leave the place. One of the shadows looked at Andrew and smiled faintly, Andrew noticed this small smile and bowed slightly, and then the three shadows left the place in the blink of an eye.

Andrei sighed and once again mouthed the name Elizabeth. After saying that name in his head, Andrei felt euphoric and would have stood there if Naofumi hadn't patted him on the shoulder. Andrei looked at him and Naofumi began to speak.

- Andrei, we can go on our way. But first let's get what we were promised. We need the money, but it's unlikely we'll get it. What do you think they'll give us? -

Andrei thought for a moment and shrugged his shoulders, then answered.

- Honestly I don't know, but we need something to save our strength in travelling. -

Naofumi and Raftalia agreed, and then the three went to the village headman and the rest of the village came to them. They thanked Naofumi, congratulated him and praised him, but Naofumi stopped them and began to speak.

- I did not do this for thanks, I and my comrades are waiting for a reward. But I understand you don't have enough money, so I won't mind if you give us something so that travelling for my group won't be too costly and tedious. -

The headman thought for a while and after a while he began to speak.

- I think we can fulfil your request, we have a suitable means of transport. A very good wagon. -

He led the trio to the wagon, and Firo ran up to it, looking very proud. Naofumi immediately realised that Firo liked the wagon and started talking.

- Well, we'll take this wagon, I think we'll leave right away. We still have a lot of work to do. -

The headman nodded, then the three of them climbed into the wagon and harnessed Firo and set off. It was very nice on the way, Andrew was looking at the road, Naofumi sat in front and controlled the reins, but Raftalia had turned a slightly green hue. Andrei noticed this and decided to ask.

- Raftalia, aren't you feeling well? -

She nodded in agreement to Andrei and with a little embarrassment she turned to Naofumi.

- Mr Naofumi, can you stop please, I don't feel very well. -

Naofumi immediately turned towards her and with a quick glance he began to speak.

- Now Raftalia, be patient, we'll only get to those bushes. -

She nodded and as soon as the carriage stopped at the bushes Raftalia jumped out of it and ran behind the bushes. Andrew and Naofumi watched her, both realising that she was seasick, but both agreed that in time she would get used to it, as they would have to ride all the time.

Raftalia wanted to sit down next to Andrei, but Naofumi stopped her and started talking.

- Raftalia, you'd better sit in the front. It will help you cope with the motion sickness much better. By the way, Andrei, are you all right? -

Andrei immediately smiled and started to answer.

- Don't worry Naofumi, I'm fine, I don't get motion sickness. By the way, let's start discussing the new information now or later. -

Naofumi thought for a moment and began to answer.

- Let's really start now, can you tell me more about the conversation with the shadow and if she mentioned who the lady was? -

Andrei nodded and moved closer and began to speak.

- Well, I went into the woods to see if everything was all right, because Malthy had gone there and I realised that something might be wrong. Well, she was there and she put the dagger to my neck. -

Naofumi immediately looked at Andrei with concern, but he made a gesture that everything was fine and continued talking.

- What she wanted to do, I'd rather not tell you, and it could have happened. Luckily that shadow hit her on the back of the head, and it kind of helps to make sure that Malti doesn't remember what happened for the next ten minutes. I thanked her, then we got to talking and just told her that Mistress was helping us. The rest I figured out on my own. So, who do you think this mistress is that's more important than even the king? -

Naofumi and Raftalia thought for a while and then Naofumi started to answer.

- We only have one more question. There is no answer, but there is a plus, the plus is that this lady is helping us, but I am also worried that she knows who we are and can find us with the help of these shadows wherever we are. By the way, did that shadow happen to introduce herself? -

Andrew nodded and said her name with a faint tenderness.

- Elizabeth, that's her name. After that she left immediately. -

As soon as he said that, a smile appeared on his face, and Raftalia and Naofumi noticed it again, but they continued on their way.

So after a few hours they stopped on a small hill and began to eat what was left of their supplies. Everything was calm, clear blue sky, green grass and not a single monster, but something happened that no one expected. As soon as Firo ate another portion she disappeared and in her place appeared a little girl with yellow hair and wings like an angel. Andrew, Naofumi and Raftalia looked at her in surprise and didn't know what to say, but Naofumi stepped forward slightly and decided to ask, covering the girl with a part of the cloak that was in the wagon.

- What's your name and how did you get here? -

The girl blinked her eyes a few times and began to speak with a kind smile.

- I am Firo, your Firo. And you are Naofumi-san, the guy with long white hair is brother Andrew, the girl with red hair and a ponytail is sister Raftalia. -

From this information the trio were surprised even more, but now Andrei and Raftalia approached the girl, or rather Firo. Andrei smiled at her and he extended his hand to her, and then began to speak.

- Not for nothing I said that you are a marvellous creature Firo, perhaps you are not like all Filorials. -

When Firo heard that, she hugged Andrei as if in a leap and began to speak.

- Yes, brother Andrew, I am not ordinary, and I promise to help you in any way I can. I'm just a little hungry right now. -

The three of them laughed a little, and Naofumi sighed heavily and poured another portion into her plate. After that, he grumpily began to reply.

- Eh, we're wasting food again. Well, but we have to do one more thing, and then we have to find you some suitable clothes, because the usual ones will probably deteriorate after the transformation. You know, Andrew, I guess the monster-hunting plan isn't so bad, we'll be half-time witches. -

Andrei scratched his head with a smile and started to answer.

- It looks like that, but nothing, we'll manage. In addition, Firo is not as simple as it seems. And now there are four of us, and four is much better than three. By the way, who are we going to get information from about the special clothes? -

This time Raftalia, who sat next to Firo, began to answer.

- Let's go to Erhart, he probably has special clothes. We have to go there now. -

Andrew and Naofumi agreed, but decided to leave it for tomorrow, as they would have to go to one more place, for now it was evening and the three had set up a small camp.

All four of them were tired, so they fell asleep quite quickly, but the only one who was not sleeping soundly was Andrew. He was fidgeting and twisting, his palm involuntarily reached for the right side of his face and pressed against it. In the dream itself Andrew felt all the hurt and pain he had ever received, as he was tormented by visions of what might now be happening to Rifana. This was what happened in the dream, but in reality Andrei cried unable to wake up. This crying through the dream was heard by Raftalia. She quickly came to Andrei and started stroking his head trying to wake him up. It worked, Andrei jumped up sharply and clutched his head breathing very hard.

Raftalia immediately put her arms around him while continuing to stroke his head and began to speak.

- It's all right, brother Andrei, everything is all right now. -

Andrei gathering all his strength gradually began to calm down, and then trying to keep a calm voice began to speak.

- Don't tell Naofumi about it, I don't want him to worry about it too, your nightmares are over, but sometimes I can't control mine. -

Raftalia gently put her head on Andrei's shoulder and started talking.

- Don't worry, I won't tell. And I also swear that someday we will remove your worries, now it's better to sleep, you need rest. -