"Being prepared isn't about sacrifice! True preparation means cutting open a bright path from the darkest of fields!" -Giorno Giovana, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven

A week or so later, the group is once again in the snake swamp, this time much more prepared than last time. Due to Artoria, Shirou and Archer's guidance, Raphtalia improved with the sword, as well as a couple other servants Rin had unlocked, enough to contend with even Shirou in skill. These were the Lancer Cu Chullain as well as a Rider class named Ushiwakamaru. 

However, Shirou and Naofumi didn't skimp out on the upgrades either, as he now possesses a sword the Monohoshizao, as well as eerily enough, the black keys of a certain rejoicing priest and the ability to use Alteration magic, something he was forced to bypass early on with scotch or duct tape and Naofumi unlocked a bunch of upgrades to his existing shields, as well as his Snake Bite shield now recieving the ability to swap between paralysis venom and harming venom. 

Right now, Shirou and Rin were back to back, with Shirou wielding the Monohoshizao and Rin using the Artoria class card with Excalibur Tohsaka in hand. "Well, we're surrounded, what genius plan do you have now, wise guy?" is what Rin says, with an annoyed tone as various different colored snakes surrounded them both. Shirou quickly unsheathes his sword before swinging it down, uttering only three words "Hikken, Tsubame Gaeshi" as the single slash separates into three different ones, cutting the creatures down. One of the surviving snakes then lashed out at Rin, who then counters with the Artoria class card's intuition skill to capture it and snap it's neck by crushing it's spine with a hand chop. Despite the speed and power these creatures possessed, they sadly have only so much going for them in terms of defense after all.

Meanwhile in a different area, Raphtalia is chasing around one of the snakes, and, after seeing that it was heading straight for Naofumi, she then calls him, to which he responds with a "Right!". He then goes in front of the snake and shouts out "Shield Prison!" summoning a giant orb made of shields and chains that enveloped the serpentine creature, effectively stunning it. He then shouts "Raphtalia, now!" to which Raphtalia nods, leaps and, just as the shield prison disperses, stabs down on the snake, killing it with a stab through it's face.

"Good job Raphtalia."

"Always, Lord Naofumi!"

Suddenly, a giant snake then appears making Naofumi shout "Oh shi-"

*Technical Difficulties*

We then skip back to Shirou lugging around the much taller Naofumi, as the icon for Avalon hovered above him. While that happened, Rin was also in Artoria mode to maximize Avalon. Raphtalia then stands in front of Naofumi and Shirou and says "Lord Naofumi, your armor is far from sufficient! We need to go to Sir Erhard right away! Besides, the shipments should have arrived by now."

Naofumi then retorts with "No, we still need to train more for the upcoming wa-" before getting cutoff by Raphtalia placing a finger on his mouth, saying "Nope! We need armor upgrades. Period." with a serious face. Shirou sweatdrops and chuckles slightly seeing Naofumi speechless and then thinks to himself "Gee, I feel like Rin may have had rubbed off on Raphtalia with how commanding she is getting." Rin was also sweatdropping, thinking "I feel like Shirou's stubborness is rubbing off on Raphtalia here." and Naofumi thinking "It's good that she can stand up and think for herself now... or maybe she's just rude."

Shortly later, all four of them then arrive at the quaint smithy with a chime of the doorbell. Seeing them enter Erhard came out holding four clothing stands and set them in front of them. He then goes and gives them a hearty laugh before saying "Ah, if it isn't the exiled hero and the three musketeers!" to which Shirou said "Please don't call us that." "Anyways, here is the armors!"

Rin was about to say she had arranged to get it at the tailor but is then cut off by Erhard saying "I know, I took the liberty of picking it up for you. Actually..." he then scratches the back of his neck saying "It's better to say that the tailor was so excited to help me add the final touches with metal parts, she ran it to me before dawn break half a week ago." Rin then sweat drops, at a loss for words on how enthusiastic said tailor was. Rin then deactivates Artoria's class card as all four of them went into the changing rooms to wear the new armors.

Shirou comes  out first, wearing basically Archer's second ascension clothing with the addition of a black combat jacket and gloves protected with various plates of metal. He was also wearing a red scarf spun from mana thread which used his mana. Overall, the armor provided a decent jack of all trades kind of protection with a slight specialization towards projectile protection. However, Rin looked at Shirou with a deadpanned expression, saying "Really? Even when you say you won't become Archer, you're still wearing his clothing. What gives?"

Shirou then shrugs saying "Hey, if it works, why change it? Besides, it's different enough to tell us apart."

Up next was Raphtalia, who came out wearing an upgraded version of what she already wore. It had white sleeves, and it has been split into a protective leather pauldron, a steel cuirass and a short, red skirt. It also now featured knee high boots and black thigh high socks. Her slave cuffs were then incorporated into the arm sleeves like pseudo gauntlets. It had frills all over with the final piece being that the ribbon being used to blend in has been switched out for a beanie.

This time Erhard was the one who comments, saying "Looks good on you kid, brings out your beauty." Naofumi then looks at him with a disappointed look, saying "You do realize that despite her looks, she IS still ten right? You're still counted as a loli-con right?" Raphtalia calls out to Naofumi and says "Lord Naofumi, how do I look."

Naofumi looks at her from bottom to top slowly getting mesmerized by her beauty before trying to hide his face in embarrassment, saying "I-i-it lo-lo-looks good on you Raphtalia..." Erhard then laughed heartily while patting Naofumi's shoulder vigorously, saying "If I was a pot, you're a kettle, kid." to which he says "Sh-shut u-up!" Raphtalia looks at this interaction with a hint of confusion before smiling. She was still too young to understand... still too young...

Rin then comes out, wearing a red magic fiber robe tied in the hips with a cloth wrap. It was then encased with a metal cuirass and gauntlets, ending with her shooting hand covered with black magic fiber, in the form of a form fitting glove. She then twirls and says "What do you all think?"

Everyone, except Erhard, then gave her a deadpan look, saying "Somehow we expected this." monotonous unison making Rin exclaim "You're all so mean!"

Naofumi then comes out with Erhard saying "I call this bad boy, Barbarian Armor. It makes you look all badass and rugged." Naofumi then looked at Erhard with a concerned expression, saying "B-but I-I didn't want to look like more of a villain." to which Raphtalia vehemently shook her head, saying "No, no,  Lord Naofumi looks dashing this way!"

"You really think so, Raphtalia?"

"Of course! You look like some rogue antihero on a quest to save the world!" says Rin with Shirou and Raphtalia nodding.

"Rogue antihero doesn't sound any better. But seeing as how we waited for two weeks to get these, as well as the fact you placed all that effort into making these, I guess I'm gonna just have to take it. So, how much?"

Erhard then nods before grabbing a list in paper and started doing the Math. After a bit, he then says "2 gold coins and a 100 silvers, with discount."

Raphtalia then picks up a sword and said "This is a pretty looking sword sir Erhard, what discount can you give us?"

"Hm that magic iron sword... for you, I'd say 2 gold coins and 350 silvers including the armors."

Growling was then heard as Naofumi, Rin and Shirou then look at Raphtalia, making her self conscious, as she says "I-it's not me this time, I swear!"

Erhard behind her then laughs, saying "No, no, it was me."

Naofumi smiled before saying "Then why don't you come with us instead? You've been so helpful to us, why don't we return the favor. Let's eat out."

Erhard then waves his hands in front of him, saying "There's really no need to do that. I'll eat lat-"

Raphtalia then held his hand and said "Pleeeeeaaase?" with puppy-I mean tanuki eyes.

Erhard laughs it off, saying "Alright, alright. How can I say no to a face like that. Fuhahahaha! Just let me change to some more casual clothing."

After a bit, all five of them then went to their usual restaurant and ordered. Naofumi then says "We'll have two of your cheapest launch set... a chicken sandwhich platter, a serving of chopsuey, and a kid's lunch set. Oh and, four iced tea as well." Raphtalia then slams the table, saying "No fair Lord Naofumi! I'm not a kid anymore! Sir waiter, make that three of the cheapest lunch sets!"

The waiter stutters out a "R-right." and scurries off to place the order.

Naofumi then says "Hey, I don't know much about demihumans but a child should get their nutrients no matter how they look. You don't have to force it Raphtalia." to which Raphtalia then says "I'm not forcing anything, I'm an adult now too!" before pouting in the corner.

After they ate, they then see a massive crowd outside the restaurant as a parade of knights began marching out on their horses with people looking at on with fear in their eyes. Shirou then mutters out "Dammit, the waves are getting close, that's for sure. But as to when and where, there's where the real problem are at."

Erhard blinks in confusion, saying "Wait, you don't know about the hourglass? I thought you two used a good bit of the first week here to gather info?"

Rin then says "Yeah, and we didn't know the written language so most of that was learning that basic language. The rest was learning magic according to my elemental affinity."

Erhard nods in understanding before saying "Anywho, see that church over there? Inside there is a giant hourglass with which the time the waves are going to start."

After bidding their farewells, the Quad begins their way their up the church. Later on they got a bit lost but were helped nonetheless by one of the nuns. Shirou, due to past experiences with a certain Kotomine Kirei from his past, was on edge the entire time. However, once they got to the hourglass all four of them stopped their weariness and gazed at it in awe. Suddenly, a beam of light appeared from the card pouch, shield and Shirou's circuits, which fired into the hourglass showing them the timer.

Shirou then hisses out "The waves... they ARE close." Suddenly their focus was then pulls away by the voice of a familiar spearman, saying "Emiya? Tohsaka? What are you two doing here? Why is Naofumi with you?"

Naofumi clicks his tongue while Shirou and Itsuki begin a stare down with so much heat to a point where Karna's lazer seems colder. Both with the cold, steady gaze that seem to try and pierce each other. Rin and Myne were also staring each other down with Rin giving Myne a smug smirk and Myne firing back a piercing leer.

Raphtalia then looks at the tension between everyone and said "Um... Hello? What's going on? Are they an acquaintance Lord Naofumi?"

Naofumi takes a deep inhale before saying "Let's go, Raphtalia."

Rin and Shirou follows suit, not wanting anything to happen within the building. But stopped after seeing Raphtalia glued in place. Suddenly, Motoyasu approaches her and introduces himself while cupping her hands, saying "A girl as pretty as you shouldn't fight with a sword. Come join me, and I'll protect you."

Raphtalia quickly glances at Naofumi who yanks her off Motoyasu's grip, saying "I'm sorry! I have already sworn myself to fight by Lord Naofumi's side!"

Motoyasu looks at her in bewilderment and says "Naofumi?! Look, miss, if you don't leave his side you're in danger of being-"

Shirou then breaks the possible confrontation, saying "Quit it you two." to which Myne then says "Sir False Hero, why are you defending the scum of the shield?!" to which Rin immediately back him up, saying "We're not defending him. This is something I've been trying to tell the king but couldn't due to time problmes... Since both me and my Shirou here can still gain levels alongside heroes, we decided to take him under out custody. That way he can still help and... if everyone's suspicion is correct about him being truly as dastardly as you make him out to be, then this is his chance to reform. I see that, as nothing less of an absolute win."

Ren then nods and says "I see it that way too. Don't you agree Itsuki?"

Itsuki nods and then tells Shirou "I WILL free that prisoner. We WILL settle this." with a voice conviction.

Shirou replies with "There is a difference between being right and being nice. When we have the time, we will."

Motoyasu then says "B-but if he does something to her, tell me so I can teach that son of a-"

Rin then stops him, by saying "That will be enough Motoyasu."

Naofumi just frowns as they left with Raphtalia eyeing him with concern.

Later that night, they were back in he inn with Naofumi busy at work, compounding various medicines, Rin taking inventory of their stuff and Shirou cooking their meal with a makeshift stove using an Erst Fire card courtesy of Rin. But they weren't their usual smiling selves. No, they were solemn and with anger barely contained.

Still, Raphtalia wanted to try. "Lord Naofumi, did something happen between you and the other heroes?"

Naofumi looks at her with pained, hollow eyes before looking back to his compounding and Rin outright ignores her. Shirou then comes up to her and put pats her on the shoulder, saying "It's... a touchy subject... Ask him when he feels better alright?"

Raphtalia then nods at him with sad gaze, saying "I guess, I'll turn in for the night. Good night everyone."

Secretly, Rin was actually more frustrated at the fact that they had gotten so lost in the adventure that by the time she remembered to trying to use the dress from so long ago as evidence to save Naofumi's reputation, they ended up being too late as not only was it completely gone, whoever hid it, most likely the king and Myne, even decided to incinerate it and had it's dust scattered. Then again, these ARE political powerhouses, so the possibility of that being a possible threat to them is something they were very much aware of. 

Shirou was reflecting on something else entirely. Specifically, Itsuki's growing problem. Despite it not rearing it's ugly head yet, Itsuki's dream of justice, as well as his vision of justice may prove dangerous in the future. Not only is he ill-equipped to pull it off mentally, based on the little he knows of the guy, he has no clue on how to do it. It's actually quite ironic really. It is due to that very fire that turned him into a clean slate that allows him to be who he is and who EMIYA became without breaking. However, any normal man trying to undertake the same thing would leave either broken, insane or both. At best, they might end up like his dad, but any worse... and suddenly a very real chance of a real villain existing becomes a possibility. Yet, if he did now, then there's also the very real chance of Itsuki just dying somewhere due to his dreams being crushed and therefore his fighting spirit. That too would hit this world's, and by extension everyone who resides within's, chances of survival either way. He could also try and veer him off like how Archer tried but therein lies the risk of creating a twisted mirror of himself and this world can only handle so many "Bones of their swords".

Naofumi on the other hand, feels a less selfless dilemma and more a personal one. Just by existing in the world, he felt like he was causing more harm than good. He was nothing more than just the shield. Yet, to him, not only has he turned a random innocent slave girl into basically a child soldier, but he also managed to make literally the handfulo friends he found in this world, suffer just by being near him. He has had Shirou, Rin and Raphtalia nearly killed multiple times over. He has also ruined the reputation of Erhard's smithy AND the restaurant just by being there. Not to mention the fact that had to witness seeing his friends lie for his sake. He felt like being drowned by a self-targetting wrath. The smell of the ocean coast momentarily filled his senses before he snapped out after spilling medicine while holding it idley.

However, despite all that all four of them still managed to sleep. Sadly, no interludes for now and luckily, no nightmares either.

The morning shortly after, everyone gathers in the courtyard to prepare for the upcoming waves. As they walked, Raphtalia still had a solemn look on her face. Then she calls out "Lord Naofumi, I... I just want to say thank you." Naofumi stops and looks at Raphtalia while a tear fell down his eye. Raphtalia continues on, saying "Thank you, especially you Lord Naofumi. First, you rescued me out of that slave pit, then you taught me how to live, then you alongside Shirou and Rin nursed me back to health, and finally, you gave me a reason to fight in the waves."

With a new rising sense of vigour, as well as a sun rising behind her as if Fate puppeetered the very sun to give her a more grandious showing of her emotion, she utters "Just as Sir Shirou is Lady Rin's sword, I shall be yours as well! From the time we've first met till the day we succumb, I shall offer my life to you as your sword and noone else's!" Naofumi then absentmindedly nods saying "Very well..." 

Raphtalia then happily nods as he then says "I-I will just check on our supplies." to which Raphtalia nods, saying "Very well, don't take too long Lord Naofumi... Iwatani."

"I'm sorry I made you my sword... Raphtalia..."

To be continued...