Rocked back and forth, before long I was dragged to the front of the castle still in my undergarments, and the knights restrained me with spears as they escorted me to the Audience Chamber.
There sat a king who looked none too pleased, along with his ministers.
And then...
"Malty!"
Ren, Motoyasu, Itsuki, and their other companions had all gathered there.
And when I called out to Malty, she ducked behind Motoyasu and glared at me.
"Wh-what's with that attitude?"
Everyone was glaring at me as if I were the villain.
"Do you really have no memory of this?"
Motoyasu stood with his hands on his hips and interrogated me.
What the hell is going on?
"No memory of what... wait, ah!"
That bastard Motoyasu — he was wearing my chainmail!
"So you were the one going around seducing women!"
"Who's a seducer?! I never imagined you'd be such a degenerate!"
"Degenerate? What are you talking about?"
My response filled the Audience Chamber with an atmosphere like a courtroom.
"So, what are the crimes of the Shield Hero?"
"Crimes? What are you talking about?"
"Ugh... hgh... The Shield Hero, drunk on alcohol, suddenly barged into my room, and before I knew it, he pinned me down..."
"Huh?"
"The Shield Hero said, 'The night isn't over yet,' and came on to me, trying to force my clothes off..."
Malty, positioned behind Motoyasu, tearfully pointed at me and leveled her accusations.
"I was so scared... I screamed and barely escaped with my life, and I went to Lord Motoyasu for help."
"Huh?"
What is she talking about?
Last night, after parting with Malty, I had slept like a rock. I have absolutely no memory of this!
I could only stare in bewilderment at Malty, who was sobbing her eyes out.
"What are you talking about? Last night, after dinner, I just slept in my room."
"You're lying! Then why is Malty crying so much?"
"Why are you defending Malty? And where did you get that chainmail?"
She's someone you just met yesterday, isn't she?
"Yeah, yesterday I ran into Malty drinking alone at a tavern. After we drank together for a while, Malty gave me this chainmail as a gift."
"Huh?"
Obviously that was mine.
Of course, it wasn't impossible that she bought it with her own pocket money, but if my chainmail went missing and Motoyasu had it, anyone would be suspicious.
Reasoning with Motoyasu was pointless. I should appeal to the king.
"That's right! Your Majesty! I was robbed! While I was sleeping, someone stole all my money and all my equipment except my shield! Please, catch the culprit!"
"Silence, you degenerate!"
The king ignored my plea entirely.
"Forcibly demanding sexual relations from an unwilling citizen of my kingdom is an unforgivable act of barbarism! If you weren't a Hero, you would be executed immediately!"
"I keep telling you, it's a misunderstanding! I didn't do it!"
But everyone present had already decided I was guilty and was pushing the narrative forward.
I could feel the blood draining from my face.
What is this? What the hell is this?! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!
Why am I being torn apart for something I have no memory of?
When I glanced over at Malty, she apparently thought no one was watching, so she stuck her tongue out at me and made a mocking face.
That's when I realized.
And I glared at Motoyasu.
I could feel dark emotions surging up from deep within my gut.
"You! You framed me for a crime I didn't commit because you wanted my money and equipment!"
Pointing at Motoyasu, I spoke in a voice so loud that even I was surprised.
"Ha! And what would a rapist have to say?"
While shielding Malty from me, Motoyasu gallantly played the hero who saved the victim.
"Don't screw with me! You were after my money from the start! You planned this together so you could equip your whole party!"
That's what Malty whispered to Motoyasu. Because I'm the losing Shield, buy nice things for Malty. And after buying them, use the money she had to pull this honey trap, then report to the castle while playing the victim and have me eliminated.
...Real nice, huh.
For starters, Malty always called me "Shield Hero" but called Motoyasu by his actual name.
If this isn't proof, what is?
So one Hero per world is enough, is that it?
"Coming to another world and doing this to your allies — you're nothing but trash."
"Indeed. I don't think there's any room for sympathy either."
Ren and Itsuki showed no hesitation in condemning me.
So that's how it was... These guys were in cahoots from the start. Because I'm a shield, because I'm weak, because I'm not strong, they stepped all over me — wanting to gain any advantage they could.
Disgusting.
They were cowardly and despicable to the core.
Now that I think about it, the people in this kingdom never even tried to believe me from the start.
Who cares! Why should I have to protect people like this?
Let this world burn!
"...Fine, I don't care anymore. Just send me back to my world, would you? And summon a new Shield Hero!"
Another world? Ha!
Why do I have to feel like this even after coming to another world!
"Running away when things get tough? How low can you get."
"Indeed. To think he'd fail to fulfill his duty and try to force himself on a woman..."
"Get out, get out! We can't have someone like this as a fellow Hero!"
I glared at Ren, Motoyasu, and Itsuki with murderous intent.
This was supposed to be a fun adventure in another world. And thanks to these guys, it was ruined.
"Come on! Send me back to my world right now!"
The king crossed his arms and groaned.
"I would send a Hero who does such things back immediately, but there is no way. The scholars say re-summoning is only possible when all the Heroes have died."
"...Wh-what did you say?"
"That can't be..."
"That's a lie..."
Now, at this point, the three Heroes were panicking.
There's no way to return to our world?
"We can't go back like this?!"
Like hell!
"How long are you going to hold onto me?!"
I violently shook off the knights' restraints.
"Hey! Are you going to resist?!"
"I'm not causing any trouble!"
One of the knights punched me.
Bam!
It made a solid sound. But it didn't hurt a bit.
The knight, on the other hand, didn't seem fine — he was gripping his arm, grimacing in pain.
"So? Your Majesty, what's my punishment?"
I shook out my arm to get rid of the tingling and asked.
"...At present, you exist as a countermeasure against the Waves, so there is no crime. However... your deeds are already known to all the citizens. That is your punishment. Don't think you'll find employment in my kingdom."
"Oh, how very generous of you!"
In other words, level up as an adventurer and prepare for the Waves.
"You will be summoned for the Wave in one month. Even if you're a criminal, you are the Shield Hero. You cannot escape your duty."
"I know! I'm not strong, you know. I don't have time to waste!"
Clink...
Oh, right. For good measure, I had stashed something inside my shield.
"Here! This is what you wanted, right?"
I pulled out the last of my fortune — thirty Silver Coins — and hurled them at Motoyasu's face.
"Ugh! What are you doing—!"
I could hear Motoyasu cursing, but I didn't care.
When I left the castle, every citizen on the street was looking my way, whispering to each other.
Rumors really do spread fast.
I was too dumbfounded to even speak.
Everything just looked ugly now, and there was nothing I could do about it.
And so I lost my trust, my money... everything. My adventure had begun in the worst possible way.