Rise of the Soul Hero

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***

Everyone came to the beginning of the makeshift track and anticipated the start of the race, which will begin any minute now. Andrew wasn't the least bit worried that Naofumi would win, but he had his doubts about Malti and Motayasu. One could easily cheat in spite of the so-called shadows, and the other was too trusting of his companion to use any means to win. Andrew looked at them for a while, and then looked at the Shadows who were hidden among the foliage. Two of them were looking at the road to check for anything, and the girl was looking intently at the crowd and Andrew himself. He could feel her gaze on him, but he could not understand what it was connected with, he wondered why he was so interested in the shadows and who had sent them in the first place.

He thought like that for a while longer, but at that moment Naofumi had already saddled Firo. Motayasu rode up to him on his earth dragon, which was something like Raptor, only more fantastical. He looked at Naofumi with a small smirk and then began to speak.

- Ha, Naofumi, you're going to ride that bird. You don't stand a small chance of defeating me. So be prepared that Raftalia and Andrei will be with me soon. -

Naofumi wrinkled his nose slightly, but he turned towards Motayasu without resentment. He smirked slightly and then extended his fist forward, unclenching his middle finger. Motayasu was shocked and couldn't say anything, but Naofumi smiled happily and began to reply.

- This is my answer to you and Malti, I hope you'll pass it on later. She's out of sight. By the way, she'll answer for what she did to Andrei. -

Motayasu immediately turned dark and began to speak quietly so only Naofumi could hear.

- She didn't mean to, she just wanted to help, not you and not Andrei should have been hurt. Just a little too much concentration, that's all. -

Naofumi shook his head unhappily and began to reply.

- What a fool you are, when you realise the truth, it will be too late for you. Well, enough talking, you don't like to talk too much. So let's get on with the race. -

Motayasu nodded and glanced at the people and didn't see Malti, but he saw Andrew and Raftalia. Not knowing why, but with a little anger Motayasu clutched the reins and when he heard the signal to start the race went forward trying to overtake Naofumi.

Andrew and Raftalia, standing among the people, partially heard the conversation between Naofumi and Motayasu, but they were alarmed that Malti was not with her two friends and some of the knights. For this reason, Andrew looked at Raftalia and began to speak.

- I don't like that snake crawling off somewhere. I'll go and see if she's up to something. You keep an eye out here, but be careful. I'm sensing something fishy going on here. -

Raftalia smiled slightly and began to answer.

- I think you're right, but be careful too. And somehow I can't trust these shadows, maybe they were sent here to frame Naofumi-san. -

Andrew smiled slightly and stroked Raftalia's head, and then began to answer.

- Don't worry, I'm ready for anything, now watch the race. I might miss it while I'm out searching for the truth. -

They both nodded to each other, Raftalia stayed where she was, and Andrew walked towards the forest, feeling the gaze of the shadow that sat on one of the branches. He walked leisurely among the leaves on the green grass until a knife appeared at his side and pressed against his neck. Andrew could have easily bounced or dodged, but he decided to stop and listen to what the one holding the knife, or rather the one holding the knife, had to say. It was Malti, she walked round Andrei with a satisfied grin and stood behind him and put the knife to his neck so that she could cut it. Andrei was not afraid, but quickly put his palm on the hilt of one of the swords and without resentment began to ask questions.

- Why did you hide among the trees? It wasn't to catch me. I'm sure your snake-like nature wants to do something to harm this fair race. -

Malthy heard that and brought the knife closer to her neck, then she started to answer.

- That's what I wanted to do originally, but the field's too clear. Those damn shadows can see everything. And you're just an unneeded witness, hmm, I've got a very interesting idea. -

Andrzej nonchalantly began to reply.

- I'm sure you're up to something new. But don't forget that the shadows are watching everything that happens, whatever your plan is, it will fail. But I'm even more interested to hear what you're up to, snake. -

The knife in his hands came almost close to Andrei's neck, but the second hand encircled Andrei's groin and the palm began to descend lower. Andrei shuddered, his hand gripped the hilt tighter, and Malti moved her lips to Andrei's ear and lightly bit his earlobe. Andrei didn't know what to do and wanted to pull the sword out and put the knife away without any trouble, but Malti noticed it. Continuing to move her palm at Andrei's below his groin, she began to speak in a low voice.

- I wouldn't advise it, I know you're a very fast and agile fool, but if you try that, it will be considered assault. And don't think they'll believe you, I'll make sure there's a massacre. So you better suck it up and let me enjoy what's about to happen. -

Andrew realised the trap he was walking into and clenched his teeth and began to answer through them.

- When the hour comes, I'll do things to you that will make you wish you were dead. You will answer for everything. -

Malthy laughed only slightly with a caustic laugh and began to speak.

- If you've finished your nonsense, then lie down on the grass and take off your clothes. I don't want to stay here too long, I have to go back so that that Motayasu goon doesn't worry. You know, it's too long since I've had sex. -

Andrew listened to this and he was disgusted, but to avoid what Malty had threatened, he began to undress. So he slowly took off his clothes and tried to cover the stone in his chest, but Malthy saw it and put her palm on the place and started talking.

- So you're not human, you vile subhuman. But that's all right, you'll do, so lie down on the grass. Consider yourself lucky, you're about to know pleasure. -

She started to take off her top with a sneering look, but at that very second someone appeared. Before she could even turn around, she heard a blow to the back of her head. Her body fell to the grass, and Andrew saw the saviour, or rather the saviour of his fate. It was the same shadow, she looked at Malti, and then at Andrew. He was glad that he wouldn't have to satisfy someone he hated, but he didn't want to appear naked in front of the one who had saved him. So he put on his trousers as quickly as possible, and when he bent down to get his shirt, the shadow came to him and handed him a shirt and a leather jacket. Andrew took them, trying not to look at the mask, so he quickly dressed and his gaze was caught by Malti, who was still unconscious.

Andrei wanted to ask a question about it, but the shadow seemed to realise the question that was about to be asked and began to answer.

- She won't remember what happened, you don't have to be afraid. No one will know what she wanted to make you do. -

Andrei didn't know what to say, but he gathered his strength and began to speak.

- Thank you, I'd hate to be someone's toy again. By the way, are there no traps on the road? -

Shadow looked at him and with a small smirk began to answer.

- Of course there were traps, we've already taken them into account and even if the Shield Hero loses, the victory of the Spear Hero will be cancelled. Also, you probably want to ask one more question. I know that's what you've been wondering. -

This time Andrew smiled and began to answer.

- It is true, you are probably not working for the king, but the princess was forced to start doing what was in the letter. It means that there is someone who is much more important than the king and you serve him. -

The shadow nodded and continued speaking.

- That's right, the one we serve is more important than his majesty and she has nothing against the Shield Hero. She rather wants to help him, and she knows about you Andrei. But who you really are is not clear even now. The Lady will want to talk to you in the future. -

After these words, the shadow wanted to leave, but Andrei stopped her and began to speak.

- Once again I want to thank you personally, but also tell your mistress that we are grateful to her. And also a request from me personally, although it is probably forbidden to you, but, can you tell me your name? -

The shadow hesitated for a while, but looked directly into Andrei's eyes and began to answer with a small smile.

- My name is Elizabeth, your name is Andrei Sokolov I know, but now a question from me. Why do you want to know my name? -

Andrei himself did not know why he decided to ask this question. But with his hands slightly spread, he began to answer the first thing that came to his mind.

- I just wanted to meet a kind girl, that's all. Oh, I almost forgot, if you need help, find me and I'll help you. -

If the shadow hadn't been wearing a mask and a hood, Andrei might have seen a slight blush. But the shadow smiled slightly and began to answer.

- Well, I will consider those words. But you better save those words for the one you once wanted to spend the rest of your life with. Now goodbye, Andrei. -

Immediately after these words she disappeared as who she was, like a shadow hiding among the branches. Andrei smiled slightly and began to say to himself.

- Perhaps I have already found the one with whom I want to stay, but now I need to put somewhere this snake, or she will definitely have some suspicions. -

Rolling up his sleeves he took Malty's body straight to the tree and walked quickly back towards the village, glad that he had not become Malty's plaything and had met a rather nice girl. Her name was Elizabeth, he savoured it in his head and imagined what she might be like without the mask.

He walked back to the village and stood next to Raftalia. She looked at Andrew and saw his pensive look, which was directed into the void. Raftalia was troubled by this and decided to ask.

- Brother Andrew, has something bad happened? -

At the same second Andrei came to his senses and smiled and began to answer.

- Don't worry, everything is fine, Malti was planning to make traps, but the shadows stopped her. They're pretty good guys. -

Raftalia relaxed, but was a little hesitant and decided to ask one more question.

- Brother, why were you so pensive and looking as if in the distance. -

After a little thought, Andrei began to give an answer.

- I was just thinking about the future, and I have to talk to Naofumi, it's a very important and personal conversation. By the way, it looks like we're winning and I think Firo has grown again. -