"Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes." -Alexander Dumas, Count of Monte Cristo

Naofumi confusedly looks at her and says "W-who is she? Emiya? Tohsaka?" to which Saber tilts her head in confusion, saying "Did I not just say?" Naofumi waves his hands, saying "N-no, that's not what I mean t-to say is who are you? How did you get here and are you from our world as well?"

Saber quickly realizes his confusion and says "Hm, I think a demonstration would show you who I am."

Just as she said that, brown rabbit-like creature jumps out. Artoria then holds out her hand as motes of yellow light form in her hand. She then swings her blade upwards, launching the unfortunate lagamorph upwards.

She then mutters to herself "Oh my, it seems as though I am still far from my true strength still, no matter."

After which, she then propels herself upwards with a burst of mana, draining Rin of a significant amount from her reserves. She then momentarily unsheathes Invisible Air, revealing a golden sword underneath, lacking it's usual blinding light and cleaves through the pill rabbit in one strike.

She then lands and plants the sword on the ground before her as she says "Now usually I would prefer to have my holy sword hidden, but seeing as how you are an ally that both of my masters trust, I believe building trust with you should be something of utmost importance. This is my sword, the legendary sword from the lady of the lake, the fae born sword forfed from the crystallized dream of humanity. The holy sword Exc-"

Naofumi joins in, saying "Excalibur" in disbelief. "But... that can't be. I mean I thought king Arthur was... you know..."

Artoria tilts her head in confusion with her ahoge twitching, before coming to realizing his plight. "Ah yes. People know me as a man because I had to hide my true identity. You see, that's... a tad complicated to explain. But the gist of it is due to the gender perceptions in that time period and all. As you would say in this time period, "It is a can of worms better not opened." However, since you have now known of my identity, I would like to know yours."

Naofumi then shakily nods and says "R-right... I am Naofumi Iwatani, former college sophomore a-and shield hero y-your majesty? Is that what I should call you?"

Artoria then shakes her head, saying "No need, seeing as my rule already came to an end centuries ago, it would not be correct. Simply put, I am merely another warrior tasked with upholding the safety of humanity. You may refer to me as you wish."

Naofumi then says "R-right... Nice to meet you Artoria."

Artoria's cow lick twitches as she says "Sir Iwatani, now that you know of my identity, I would like to reques-nay implore something of you."

Naofumi, with an eye brow raised in intrigue, then asks "And that would be?" to which Artoria, still maintaining her manners, then says "Under absolutely any circumstance presented, do not reveal my name?"

He then looks at her with even more confusion, as he states "But... why? So what if you are the legendary king himse-I mean herself? It's not like we're in our original world? In fact, the knowledge of a king from our world wandering with Tohsaka and Emiya would definitely be something very beneficial."

Saber then nods and says "While I get where you are coming from with that notion, we cannot discount the probability of our enemies knowing that and/or finding a way to extract that knowledge. If I am to eventually show my true power, something I know is of an inevitability, some political powers may start seeing me as a threat to them, especially considering my status of king. I have had many experiences of seeing political turmoil and it's effect on people. It would most definitely place my masters at a significant disadvantage and may even serve as a threat to them should that revelation occur. So... I ask of you again, close your lips tightly of this knowledge."

Naofumi, seeing the logic in it, then says "Yeah, okay. I totally get it. You have my word, my lips are sealed."

He then looks up, then says "So... the sun is now setting. We should sell our wares before we head to sleep."

Rin then says "Saber, return." Artoria sighs before saying "Understood master." She then kneels on one leg as disappears into motes of light which then dispersed.

After arriving inside, their first agenda was to sell off the monster parts they had acquired. Not knowing the stores,  they then go to a grey haired old man's shop and ask if they could sell the monster parts there. It displeased them to know that the shop they talked to was the pharmacy. Nevertheless, this was valuable information for the future, something the three of them took into account for any future usage.

He then directs them to the store they were actually looking for, one that was couple blocks away. According to the pharmacist, the store was one that existed specifically to cater both adventurers wanting to sell off hunting loot and people wanting to procure monster parts for whatever reason.

As they left, Naofumi was having a small curve to his mouth, one that seemed like a semblance of a smile. True that he did not have a good day by any stretch, but but knowing there are still those who maintained neutrality despite his reputation and without either of the heroes from his world having to intervene and reveal themselves. He was surprisingly quite different, somwthing quite akin to the blacksmith.

As they went there, a man who just newly sold to the man balloon scraps for ten copper sees them and runs away scared. The shopkeep looks at them and then grimaces before putting on a business smile, saying, "Welcome to my humble shop. H-how can I help you?"

Naofumi and Rin then takes out the monster parts from within their weapons and places it atop the table counter as Shirou says "We would like to sell these monster parts please."

The merchant's eyes widen as he sees Rin take out her card pouch. The merchant then says "M-miss Card hero? You're one of the new heroes that were summoned to the kingdom right? You and the False Hero? Speaking of which, where IS your apparent hero partner?"

Shirou raises his hand and says "Here."

The merchant then says "I do not mean to be rude Lady Card Hero, Sir False Hero, but..."

The merchant then whispers to both and says "Do you not know of what this man has done?"

Shirou then inserts, saying ""Allegedly do" actually. With how fast the kingdom "found evidence" many things just didn't add up. So until we can find evidence ourselves, the shield hero is in our custody. Besides, his unnatural is an invaluable tool in battle as well."

Naofumi gasps and says "But you said-" only for Rin to elbow him and say "Just play along." with her teeth closed.

The merchant then stutters out "B-but will that not hinder your progress sir hero? After all, from what I have heard, the legendary weapons aren't exactly friendly with each other.

Shirou then alleviates the man's concern by saying "Don't worry. Let's just say our weapons don't clash due to... special reasons."

The man then places his hands on the desk and says "S-so how may I help yo-ah yes, the balloon skins..."

Rin then nods and says "Yes. So how much can you give us for it?"

The merchant then replies with "F-for you heroes, I can give a good deal of 30 coppers for 20 skins. How's that?"

Rin then adopts a thinking pose, before saying "I don't know much of how the economy works, but I trust that you're giving us a fair price?" to which he says "O-of course, a good reputation with heroes is a powerful tool for business after all. Well except with the shield hero that is." making Naofumi grimaces to the comment.

They then wave the man goodbye before going to a restaurant to eat. After a bit, Naofumi then counts their money and makes a "tsch" noise, saying "Damn, the money we earn is barely enough for the three of us. This is progress for me, but... at the rate we are levelling, I'm afraid we won't be able to keep up with the others, and by that logic, we won't be catching up to the waves."

He then looks at them with a downcast expression, saying "I'm sorry you two, I'm sorry for holding you both back." something that Shirou then reflexively comforts, as he says "Hey, it's not wrong to help, we're happy to do this." which Rin then adds on, saying "Besides, if the waves are really as bad people make them seem, focusing on improving someone who can defend and mitigate the damage is just as, or in some cases, even more important than those can attack. Well, for now, we better go to the inn to sleep. Join us when you can. Bye, Iwatani." They then leave for the inn.

Naofumi, takes on a thinking pose before saying "Hey wait! You guys said you knew the written language right?"

Both Rin and Shirou found the question weird but decided to oblige anyways with both nodding and Rin saying "Well, yeah, but only the basics for now."

Naofumi then nods, saying "I know I've no right to ask for help and all, but... could you help me write a super simple letter?"

Shirou and Rin looks at each other before Shirou then says "That should be simple enough." He then turns to Rin and says "You go on ahead. I'll join you in a bit." Both, still new to the whole relationship thing then awkwardly try kiss each other then hug. After that, Rin goes on her way and Shirou then walks up to Naofumi and says "So, what did you need help with?"

Naofumi then says "You see..."

Erhard, a few hours later, finds a small piece of paper on his desk. Curious, he then opens to see ten copper coins wrapped inside it. He then reads the letter and smiles. It says "Thank you so much -Naofumi, Shield Hero" in Shirou's hand writing. He then mutters out to himself, "Don't change kid."

That night, the three of them rent a four person sized-room due to being the only place they could have rented without scaring the inn keeper. Said innkeeper couldn't trust Naofumi to be all alone so he insists on them renting the four person room. Without much way of persuading the old man, without hurting him, they accepted.

After Naofumi had soundly slept, Shirou and Rin then rose from their beds, as Rin then whispers, "Is he asleep already?"

Shirou then goes near his face and looks closely at whatever hint that could show he wasn't and finds none. He then whispers back, "Yep, definitely asleep."

Rin then pumps her fist forward, saying "Mission free the Iwatani is a go!" with Shirou nodding. Both then pulled out black cloaks which Rin bought while Shirou went to help Naofumi write his thank you letter. If it weren't for the distinct lack of masks and black skin, they would most defonitely have looked like a certain True Assassin from a different timeline.

Two weeks later, Naofumi visits a local restaurant to eat. He realizes that the food had less taste than it originally should. He sighs at this fact before a quad of poorly armed adventurers gathered around him with sneering looks on their faces. One of them then says "Oi, Mr. Shield Hero, we'll be merciful and join your group. But 80% of the loot goes to us, got it?"

Naofumi looks at them witha disinterested look and politely declines, saying "No need. I have beenamaging myself thus far. You don't have to trouble yourselves."

They then push themselves further on Naofumi, only for him to say "Can't you take a hint, I don't NEED a group! So get off!"

A few seconds later, they drag Naofumi out and into an alleyway, saying "We offered you generous kindness, and you repay us with this crap?! You ARE bullsh**."

Naofumi's expression darkens more and more as the bullies came closer. Just as one of them was about to land a sword strike into Naofumi, the shield hero releases an orange sphere like blur into the man's scrotum, the balloon clamping down on the poor fool's tenders.

The two others charge at him and, as they were about to strike him down, they suddenly get deflected by an invisible force launching them backwards. They fell on their butts as Naofumi glares at them with a scowl that could contest even the Dark knight's. The two ran away in random directions while the man with the balloon biting his dong ran to the medic, the last of them stood still in fear. Naofumi then took out another balloon and looked at him, saying "I'm giving you one chance to run away unharmed, I suggest you take it."

The coward drops his sword and dies as he was told. After a bit, a deep exhale escapes Naofumi's mouth as his face softens. He then looks up with a frown, saying, "Emiya, how do you do it? How do you still want to save these people?"

Suddenly, a deep voice of an old man emanates from within the alleyway behind him, saying "I see that you may need my services sir Hero. Yes?"

Naofumi turns to a short, stout, middle aged man behind him with a smile of a man who has struck gold. Naofumi sizes him up with a piercing gaze before saying "Didn'tcha hear what I told those bozos? I ain't interested in adventurers helping me.."

"Oho, what I offer you dear hero is something better than a measly adventurer. Nay, what I offer you is something much more loyal. What say you? Yes?"

Naofumi took a bit to think and said "Go on."

"Oho, if so, come with me. But... keep an open mind. Yes?"

"Alright, but try anything and you won't be able to move for a week. Got that?" says Naofumi, doing his absolute best to keep his imposing look. As the weeks had passed he realizes that the only people he could ever show how trust to were Shirou, Rin and the blacksmith, maaaaybe the monster merchant and the phatmacist as well, but those remain to be seen. Due to that, everyone else to him is a possible threat.

The man twirls his moustache before gesturing Naofumi to follow him into an alley. He keeps going deeper and deeper down the slums until suddenly, the sound of various moans, groans and crying could be heard accompanied with growling, chirping and various other animal noises. The man then leads him into a carnival-esque tent filled with various cages. Within these cages were animal human hybrids in more or less terrible conditions. Naofumi silently gritted his teeth as he saw the pain and fear in the eyes of many and the feral ones in many more.

"W-what is this..."

To be continued...