A couple of days later, Riyute village was more or less fixed up. Things were made at least four times easier with the "extra hands", as it were.

Around 1:00, a messenger came up, riding a fillolial.

"Heroes! His majesty, King Aultcray, sends a message: There is to be a celebration in the capital, to honour the repulsion of the first wave."

Naofumi raised one eyebrow. "You don't say?"

"Yes. And all five heroes are to be present." The man affirmed

"I'm actually welcome this time, huh? Nice." Naofumi said, snarkily.

Applejack elbowed him. "No need ta shoot the messenger, sugar-cube."

Naofumi had the decency to be embarassed. Turning back to the messenger, he said, "Sorry about that. I've been... dealt a bad hand, recently." Then he asked, "How long do we have to come in for that?"

"Until tomorrow night." the man replied.

Naofumi nodded. "We'll be there."

Applejack lifted a wooden beam. "In that case, t'morrow can wait fer t'morrow. In th' meantime, we still got work ta do."

Naofumi smiled and shook his head. 'That mare and her work ethics.' To the messenger he said, "Anyway, like I said, we'll be there. And don't worry, you won't be on the receiving end should the... inevitable occur. Thanks for the message." then he tossed ten silver pieces, which the messenger caught deftly. "Buy yourself something nice." he added.

Grinning happily, the messenger saluted. Then gettting back on his mount, the two were soon out of sight.

With that, work was continued.

Later on, dinner was a hearty soup, made with locally grown -yet very familiar- vegetables such as red carrots, orange cauliflower, beans, and corn, as well as bacon, chicken and purple onions.

Sleep came easily that night, the satisfaction of a hard day's work on their minds as they fell asleep.

The next day, they began travelling back to Castle Town, managing to get there in the late afternoon. This left plenty of time to get to the castle proper for the "party".

As they were about to enter, Naofumi said, "When this inevitably goes wrong, be ready."

Applejack raised one eyebrow. "What makes ya think somethin's gonna go wrong?"

Naofumi shrugged. "Experience." he replied curtly. Then he sigjed. "Let's... enjoy it while it lasts, anyway." he added.

Shortly thereafter, the party was in full swing. There was a plethora of food -ranging from plainer fare such as bread rolls, potatoes (scallopped, fried, baked and boiled) and salad to desserts such as cake (angel's and devil's food), doughnuts (of many varieties), and pies (specifically peach, blueberry, pumpkin, mincemeat and banana cream) to meats such as venison and fish (including but not nearly limited to what seemed to be salmon, trout, swordfish and shellfish - turns out that, despite the distance from the sea, there was a bustling food-based industry in Castle Town, it being the central territory of the country, after all) and merriment all around.

Applejack made sure to add some of the available foodstuffs to her inventory, knowing that these things were around for a limited time only.

Naofumi was seated at one of the tables, looking somewhat standoffish, but trying to avoid attention. He was just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Eventually, Applejack excused herself to find what qualified for a washroom in the city. Myne, who was watching carefully, smiled mischieviously.

Upon returning, Applejack came to see Naofumi on the floor, Motoyasu walking away angrily.

She facepalmed. "Really?! Ah can't even head fer the washroom without somethin' happenin'?" she sighed harshly. "Okay. What happened THIS time?"

Naofumi looked sourly in the direction Motoyasu had gone. "Apparently someone -I wonder who- 'informed' Motoyasu that I'd enslaved Raphtalia."

Applejack was aghast. "That ain't even halfway true."

Naofumi nodded and said, "Tell HIM that. Anyway, he voluntold a challenge to me."

Applejack cocked one eyebrow. "Don'tcha mean "volunteered" a challenge?"

At this, Naofumi deadpanned, "Nope. Happening in an hour or so. And if I know him, nothing is gonna change his mind."

Applejack pinched her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "Well, ya were right 'bout somethin' goin' wrong."

Naofumi and Motoyasu were standing in the center of the local arena, being observed by hundreds of people. 'Might as well try being diplomatic first. It won't work, but it can't hurt overmuch.' Naofumi thought to himself

To Motoyasu, he said "Are you sure you want to do this? I've already explained myself. I'd rather that this doesn't escalate. One of us is liable to get hurt."

"Liable? I think it MORE than likely." Motoyasu growled, bringing his Weapon to bear.

The referee equivalent stepped between them, saying, "Alright; Naofumi Iwatani -the Shield Hero- versus Motoyasu Kitamura -the Spear Hero-. If Naofumi wins, Motoyasu backs down and Naofumi receives an apology, as well as 2300 Silver. If Motoyasu wins, Raphtalia is released from her slave crest and Naofumi is ejected from Castle Town. The Hero that Knocks the other out shall be the winner. Are the conditions clear to both parties?"

Motoyasu took on a battle ready stance. "Crystalline." he said curtly, through his teeth.

Naofumi sighed. "Yes. But it doesn't mean I have to like it. Not like saying no would help anyway." Naofumi took on a defensive stance, keeping himself ready to counter anything thrown his way.

Off to the side, Raphtalia said to Applejack, "Does this really have to happen over me?"

Applejack was keeping a watchful eye on Myne, ready to act if she tried anything. Nevertheless, she responded, "Like yer master said, nothin's gonna change Motoyasu's mind. Ain't no thin' we can do ta stop this from happenin'."

The 'referee' raised his hand and gave the three-count, making a slashing motion at the end. "BEGIN!"

Motoyasu brought his weapon back. "{Lightning Spear}!" he exclaimed, thrusting forward, three lances of blue energy shooting toward his opponent..

Naofumi brought his shield up, blocking two of the lances and catching the last, sending it back at Motoyasu, who dodged the reflected attack.

Motoyasu spun his spear for dramatic effect before thrusting forward again. "{Meteor Thrust}!"

Naofumi made the block, but was knocked down by the impact.

Motoyasu attacked again. "{Chaos Spear}!" His spear split into multiples, all flying toward Naofumi.

'He's really trying to kill me!' Naofumi realized. "{Air Strike Shield}!" he called out, blocking the multiple attack.

The two started to run around the arena's edge, ready for what the other was about to do.

Naofumi thrust one hand toward Motoyasu, "{Shield Prison}!"

Motoyasu was briefly entrapped by the attack, but easily broke it.

'Should've known that wouldn't work.' Naofumi thought to himself.

Motoyasu thrust toward Naofumi again. "{Air Strike Javelin}! {Second Javelin}!"

Dual spears of energy flew at Naofumi, who was only able to block one, just barely managing to avoid taking the hit from the second, which did leave a burn along his side, causing him to shout in pain. Nevertheless, he brought his shield to bear again. "{Bladed Shield}!" he exclaimed, his Shield growing blades along its side.

Both fighters ran toward each other, yelling.

Applejack noticed Myne's hand in the air, coruscating red energy gathering.

Just as Myne was about to launch the attack, Applejack called out, "Oh, no ya don't! {Interposin' Hand}!"

The attack -a fireball- went around the attempted defense, but missed its intended target, heading toward the audience.

Naofumi leaped to deflect the attack. "NO!" he shouted. He managed to catch the fireball, sending it upward, just barely being able to fend off Motoyasu's next thrust.

Then things came to a standstill, Naofumi's bladed Shield at Motoyasu's throat, Motoyasu's Weapon trained in kind.

Neither dared to move.

The referee called, "STALEMATE! No winner!"

The two Heroes backed down, but glared at each other before heading to their respective exits.

As the Heroes went back into the castle proper, Applejack stormed toward the princess, quite furious. "Ah knew you were up ta no good, but THIS. BEATS. ALL! Not only were ya interferein' in a personal duel, but someone could'a got hurt by that spell ya cast!" sne snorted in a (naturally) equine manner.

Myne could do little but grit her teeth and glare back. The half-Pony was right, and she knew it.

Naofumi had received half of the agreed sum, given for defending the audience from the fireball spell. Still, the king refused to give him anything more.

At the time, Applejack had muttered, "Flint-skinned cheapskate."

Naofumi was making to leave the castle, not trusting himself to say anything beyond "Applejack? We're leaving. Now."

As they were about to do so, Applejack paused, "Oh! That reminds me." She turned toward Motoyasu. "Motoyasu! Care ta double down on that bet? 400 gold pieces."

Motoyasu thought for a moment, but then said, "You're still on." he said, trying to see the best in his party member. But he still gave her a short glare as the opposing parties separated.

-->Omake (1)

"I've got... the advantge... over you... Motoyasu!" said Naofumi confidently, if nearly breathlessly, a spell at the ready and his opponent disarmed, at length.

Myne said, readying a fireball spell, "Yeah, well I have the drop on you, Naofumi!"

Applejack countered, "An' Ah got it on you, ya witch!"

Itsuki next said, drawing his Bow, "No you don't!" But he felt a presence behind him. Turning back, he saw that Ren had his Sword drawn, glowing with energy. "And I guess you have the drop on me."

Ren said, "Yeah. And Raphtalia has it on me. So (with the exception of Motoyasu), everyone has the drop on someone."

Aultcray guffawed, clearly enjoying the show. "Senseless! I love it!"

Naofumi facepalmed, making sure to keep concentration on the spell he had at the ready. "As if things weren't already ridiculous enough."

"Tell me about it." Applejack tended to agree.

Author's Note

1: Cookie for those who get this reference.