Rise of the Soul Hero

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***

After they left Erhart's shop their way went to the forest, there they settled on a small clearing near the river, Naofumi lit a fire under the gaze of Andrew and Raftalia, and then began to speak.

- Now we'll have a snack and start practising. I hope you're not allergic to fish. We'll make broth and fry fish. Andrei, help me catch the fish. -

Andrei looked at Naofumi and began to answer.

- I'll do it, but it won't be easy with my bare hands. -

Naofumi's face didn't show any emotion, but on the way he started to answer.

- Believe me, you won't need different fishing items, just try to catch at least three of them, I don't expect to catch more with your weak body. -

Andrei was in a state of confusion when he heard this, for some reason he wanted to show that he was not so weak as it seems. He wanted to show that he was not as weak as he seemed to be, that he could do a lot of things, and he wanted to rub his nose in the nose of his present master, whom he even understood, but could not solve the mystery of his soul.

But as Naofumi approached the river, he began to speak again.

- Now we're going into the river, be ready. I'll put up a shield, and you just have to get the fish, at least three as I said. Don't fail, Andrei. -

Andrei nodded without saying anything and they went into the river. Despite the warm weather and the shining sun, the water was cold. Andrei felt it as soon as he stepped into it, he got goosebumps. But he clenched his teeth, suppressed the shiver, and walked forward with Naofumi, then began to speak while holding back the shiver in his voice.

- I guess we're starting. Come on, put up your shield. -

Naofumi looked at Andrei and began to reply with a small smirk.

- Hmm, you're in a hurry and a bit of a grump. Although, who wants to stand in ice-cold water for a long time? So I understand, and we'll start now. -

At the same second Naofumi activated his shield ability and it struck Andrei, but there was no time to get a better look at this magic shield, Andrei bent down and started grabbing the fish quickly. He did it quickly, but because of the slippery scales it was not so easy, in addition with weakened hands that began to gradually come to order.

So after a few minutes Andrei had three fish in both hands. Naofumi cancelled the shield and began to speak.

- Okay, that's pretty good, now let's get on dry land. You're shivering even though you're trying to hide it. -

Andrei made a reserved smile and started to answer.

- I agree with you Naofumi. But I hope you'll admit that I'm not that weak. -

Naofumi smirked a little and waved his hand, Andrew took this as confirmation of his words and they walked to the shore, then came to the fire. Raftalia looked at them and began to speak.

- 'Naofumi-san, Brother Andrew, are you not cold? -

Andrei immediately smiled an almost full smile and with a proud look began to answer.

- I'm not a bit cold, sister. And look what a catch, as many as six fish, two for each . Plus soup or broth, something of it will turn out, right Naofumi. -

Naofumi looked at Andrei, but Raftalia gave the answer.

- Yes, we'll make broth and you'll eat well. But please go for water, your brother is cold and almost shivering like an aspen leaf. -

Andrei was indignant at these words, but decided to sit down and started talking cross-legged.

- All right, I'm not too cold. Mr prickly bad head is right. It's been a long time since I've been in water like this, though to be honest I don't remember much about my past, partial memories and all that. -

Naofumi looked at Andrei carefully and began to speak.

- The merchant didn't say you had amnesia, how long have you had it? -

Although Andrei was lying about the partial amnesia, he decided to continue with that lie for now. He made a nonchalant face, and then began to answer.

- Well I got it when I woke up in the forest before I was knocked out and made a slave. After that, I met Raftalia. -

Naofumi scratched his chin slightly and looked at Raftalia, she immediately realised what Naofumi wanted to ask and started to answer without waiting for the question to be asked.

- That's right Naofumi-san, the back of Brother Andrei's head was badly bruised with blood. It's really possible to get partial amnesia after something like that, it's a good thing he still has a memory for his name. -

Naofumi scratched his cheek once more and began to speak.

- Well, in my world it also happens and there are no lies, but I think you're not telling me something, Andrei. Now we need water, you want broth. -

Raftalia in a flash jumped up from her seat and taking a small kettle ran to the river. There she quickly fetched some water and came back just as quickly.

Naofumi and Andrew prepared everything and the trio began to eat. Andrei tried to restrain his wild instincts, but he ate rather quickly and earned Naofumi's gaze. Andrei noticed this and with a small sense of shame began to speak.

- I'm sorry, it's just that I can't always restrain myself properly. -

But Naofumi smiled a little kindly and began to speak.

- You haven't had a good meal in a while. No, you've both been badly fed. You know, I even seem to understand you a little, so you don't have to worry.

Andrei was grateful for those words and realised that Naofumi wasn't such a sad guy. It was just that something had happened to him, and Andrei still wanted to know what it was and why he thought they were so similar in his thoughts, especially the sadness he felt when they first met.

But after they had all eaten Naofumi became serious again and spoke.

- You are armed and not so hungry, but you need practice and you need to raise your level. Raftalia's level is the first. You, Andrei, I can't even see your level for some reason. But that doesn't mean that I won't bother you.

Andrei nodded and stood up to his full height and began to answer.

- I understand and have nothing against it, you know what I do not like, training is not included in these conditions. I'm level eleven, and once I was checked before I got to the slave trader. I'll tell you, that test attempt was pretty painful for me. -

Naofumi just nodded, but then he thought again, so it didn't take long before he waved his hand and told them to get ready. Andrew immediately drew his swords and felt the strength that seemed to lurk in his body. Then he looked at Raftalia and saw that her hands were trembling, he went up to her and began to speak with a kind smile so that she would not be so nervous.

- Raftalia, are you afraid? Your hands are shaking, that's why I thought so. -

She nodded and began to answer with her eyes downcast.

- Yes, I am afraid. I can't take a life, I'm too scared. I don't know what that has to do with it, but I'm really scared, not too scared, I'm really scared. -

Andrei didn't know what to say, he wanted to comfort her with words and tell her that she was brave and she would make it, but instead Naofumi started to answer with a slightly annoyed voice.

- If that's the case, you're of no use to me. You can't protect yourself, you can't protect me either. And your brother, despite his strength he may need help from both of us, what good is a coward like you to him and me? Answer me Raftalia. -

Andrew ruffled his hair and looked at Naofumi, he realised that he was probably right about something, but he couldn't tolerate such words about his named sister. He wanted to go up to Naofumi and say a few words to his face, even though he was a hero and had a magic shield, but Raftalia stopped him and started to speak with full seriousness and some courage.

- Naofumi-san is right, I must overcome my fears. Otherwise you'll both be in trouble. I don't want you to get hurt. -

Andrei sighed heavily and nodded, then turned to Naofumi in an indifferent voice, though he was surprised and not so angry.

- When do we start work? We're ready Naofumi. -

Naofumi shrugged his shoulders, remaining as nonchalant as ever, and began to answer.

- Right now, the monsters are coming. But be careful, we have no potions and not much money. For that reason, don't get hurt. -

Andrew nodded and even flinched a little at Naofumi's voice, but there was no time to think, as in a minute he was already chopping orange balls with sharp teeth. They were too weak for him, but they were good enough for a test of strength, and then came some beasts that quickly became dead bodies.

Finished with his portion of enemies he looked at Raftalia and Naofumi. Raftalia's hands were shaking, but she was doing fine, and Naofumi was making special shields and summoning them, Andrew watched for a few seconds and joined them.

After an hour the monsters were gone, the trio themselves had retreated to the river and were making dinner. Naofumi and Andrew caught fish, while Raftalia warmed water in a cauldron.

When they were done, they sat down in a small circle in the same place and ate again. Each had an equal portion and there was harmony between them, this baptism of honour helped them to bond even more tightly.

Even Naofumi became less grumpy and after a while decided to start talking with his usual face, but his eyes exuded kindness.

- Well, your names I know, also not much about the past. But tell me more about yourself, and I'll tell you a little about me in return. I feel that you, Andrei, want to know.

Raftalia and Andrew agreed, after which Raftalia told about the village and how she became a slave. Then Andrei began to answer.

- One day I woke up in a forest, that's what I said, I don't remember what happened before that, honestly. I have only partial fragments about my past, though it is not so important. But I remember my name and that I was a human being, though I became a slave like Raftalia. I don't want to tell the rest, and I don't want to remember about the past, no, I don't want to tell about those days, maybe someday, but not now, it's still a very sore subject. -

The fact that he didn't remember was a lie, but Naofumi believed it and told him that he had come from another world because he, like the other three heroes, had been summoned to this world. He also said that he had a bad relationship with the other three heroes, he didn't give any reasons, but he mentioned a certain Malti without noticing it. Andrei immediately realised that Naofumi had been falsely accused and that no one wanted to deal with it, but he decided not to make it public.

After a while they went to bed without fear.

Thus together they walked for a week. Raftalia's panic attacks became less serious, and Andrew and Naofumi looked distant, but it was only in appearance. They became friends in a way, but Andrei did not tell Naofumi about his secret. Together they helped Raftalia, protected her, and treasured every second they spent with each other.

For the moment, they were in the cave and mining for useful materials. Naofumi was satisfied and started talking.

- There's a lot of useful stuff here. I wonder how much it will all cost and if we'll need to come back here. What do you think, Raftalia? -

But she didn't answer anything, Andrew and Naofumi looked at her and saw that she was scared. This alarmed them and they turned round to the other side and saw a two-headed Cerberus. Andrei didn't know if they would defeat such a monster and decided to run like Naofumi and Raftalia.

So they ran until they reached the slope, after which Naofumi began to speak.

- Run, I'll hold him off. You're not ready yet, you'd better run. -

Andrew didn't listen to him and wanted to help, but Raftalia was somehow faster. She plunged her sword into the cerberus, and Andrei made a quick dash and drew his swords and cut off both heads with one blow of two blades.

Shaking off the blood he walked over to Naofumi and began to speak.

- Don't ever think we'll run away and leave you behind. We're not so weak, the three of us can do a lot, and don't look at us like that. I'm used to your grumbling, your bad-boy look, and I'm having more fun with you, so I don't plan to leave you, take Raftalia, and run away. -

Andrew put his swords away and held out his hand to Naofumi, who took it and stood up to his full height, nodding, his heart raging with gratitude for such words. But he tried his best to keep his composure. After that, Raftalia approached him and began to speak with a kind smile as well.

- ''Naofumi-san, we are your swordsmen. From this day onwards, I will never be afraid again and you won't have to sacrifice yourself. We'll help you in any way we can If it weren't for you, we'd still be slaves to the slave trader and there's no telling whether we'd have survived or not. -

Naofumi looked at the two of them and sighed heavily, a smile appearing on his face that he tried to hide. It didn't work very well though. Andrei noticed the smile and once again realised that Naofumi was a kind guy, he just had a lot of sad things going on in his life. But after that Naofumi walked forward and started talking.

- Come on, we've got a lot to do. We'll have a snack as usual, my swords need to eat well to keep them strong. -