Rise of the Soul Hero

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***

For a week Andrew and Raftalia were with their new master. Andrei did not tell Raftalia about what had happened in Rabier's office and what he had seen there. He did not want to traumatise his psyche, which had already become unstable in dreams. Andrei himself blamed himself for being weak. That he hadn't protected them and that Rafina was now probably in more pain and one day, if he didn't get there in time, she would become another toy of Rabier, whom Andrei hated with all his soul.

The new owner of Andrei and Raftalia was a slave trader who, as Andrei noticed, was very cunning, but at the same time a man who knew his business. Andrei also noted that the slave trader fed the slave, though in small portions, but the food was at least so that the slave could maintain some form. Andrei's strength had increased by only a small fraction, as it was no longer possible to train here. It's not a big cage, everyone is watching and it makes Andrei uncomfortable. For this reason he is almost always silent, and as long as the slave trader does not see him, he communicates with Raftalia. But when they are under his care, Andrei is silent and staggers in different directions as he remembers his weakness, pain and sadness that does not let him go.

Andrew himself was very tired at this point. His body was gaunt and even his spiritual abilities did not always help him, but his vow and Raftalia, with whom he was quietly communicating, supported him.

Unfortunately there was one more downside, Raftalia was having panic attacks in her sleep. She too remembered the torment they were subjected to, how tortured they were. She remembered the death of her parents and how the soldiers had kidnapped them after attacking what was left of the village.

This made Andrei even more upset and he didn't know how to help her, as he couldn't even hug her and comfort her with more than words. He realised that he needed to be close to her, in comfort and kindness, then her life would start to improve. But until that happened, Andrei blamed himself. He blamed himself for everything.

Now they were just sitting in their small cells and talking very quietly among themselves, but at the same moment they had to stop talking, because two men entered the room. One was the slave trader. He wore a tall cylinder, a dark overcoat, his eyes were covered by white round spectacles, and he had not a large twisted moustache. Next to him was a fellow in a green cloak, dark hair that was as if ruffled, not a little pale, face indifferent, but at the same time very serious, and in his right hand was a shield.

Andrew looked at him attentively and followed his every movement. The fellow and the slave trader walked side by side, and the fellow's gaze did not catch Andrei's for long. He stopped and began to look at him. Andrei felt something different in that look, something similar. He moved closer and looked closely at the guy, still feeling a familiar feeling from him. A feeling of despair and anger.

The guy looked at Andrei a little more, then looked at the camera where Raftalia was. He looked at them alternately, but after that he walked over to the other cell and looked there. At the same moment he was about to be attacked by a half-human who was completely covered in fur and resembled a wolf. The slave trader went over there and started talking to him with his wide smile.

- This slave is level 75. Very strong and fast, just what you need.

The guy looked at him and started to answer in a very serious tone.

- You show me the best, and you know I can't afford it. -

The labour merchant chuckled a little and started to answer him.

- You're right, you could be a prospective buyer, you must have a keen eye. -

The guy nodded and walked over to Andrei's cage, then looked at him and began to speak, without taking his eyes off Andrei himself

- He doesn't look like a beast-man, how is he different from the others? -

The labourer also approached the bars and began to speak with barely concealed enthusiasm.

- Oh, that one. Just an ordinary bloke, I got him from some baron's sale like that girl. This guy has no ring finger on his left hand and as you can see two scars on the tops of his cheeks, like a moustache. But the weird thing is, I can't read his level. And of course I'm going to hurt myself by saying this, but he's clearly insane. He doesn't speak in front of me and he's swaying round with his head. -

The guy's a little hesitant, but after a while he starts talking.

- How much do you want for him and that girl. -

The labourer rubbed his palms together and began to answer.

- Very good choice, I think five gold for the boy and three silver for the girl is a lot, but the result will definitely justify the means. Also, don't think about the mental state of both of them, they definitely have potential. -

The guy nodded and after a while all four of them were in a special room. The first to put the obedience seal on Raftalia and in his thoughts Andrei wanted to kill these two, but he calmed down and when it was his turn he approached the guy and started to speak keeping calmness in his voice.

- You won't be able to put a seal on me, don't even try. It's just a waste of money, and you need it badly. For this reason it is better to save money, shield-bearer, I have a suggestion. -

The boy and the peddler looked at him in surprise, the second one came as close to Andrei as possible and rubbed his palms with a satisfied face, and then began to speak.

- Listen, boy. I thought you were dumb or crazy. You were in the cell for so long and you didn't say anything in front of me, though you must have talked to the girl behind my back. Hmm, it's interesting, especially that you're not affected by the seal, but it's not worth the risk, I think I'll believe someone who's been able to fool me for so long, what an interesting person you are. But what are you willing to swear you won't touch the new master? I'm curious.

Andrew in turn turned to the guy and began to answer.

- You can never be sure of loyalty, if you are worthy of it I will be your sword, as well as if you do not hurt my sister I will also be faithful. But be warned, if you scum up or touch her, I will destroy you by any means necessary. Slit your throat, attack you from behind and all that. And if you torture me, I'll repay you in kind. -

The boy looked him in the eye and started to answer.

- I agree to these terms, my name is Iwatani Naofumi, I'm a Shield Hero, now you tell me your names. Especially you guy. -

Andrew walked up to Raftalia and placed his palm on her shoulder, then gestured for her to answer.

- My name is Raftalia. I'm very happy to serve you. -

Then Andrei answered with almost no emotion.

- My name is Andrei Sokolov, from this day on we are your swords Hero of the Shield. Where we go now is up to you, Shield Hero. -

Naofumi walked up to them and put his hands to his sides, then began to answer.

- You need weapons and new clothes, so we will go to a blacksmith I know. After that, we'll go practice. -

Half an hour later they were in the workshop of one Erhart. The room they were in was not big, but there were different tools and armour. Erhart himself made it clear by his very appearance that he was a blacksmith. A bald man with a beard that was rather disproportionate, a long scar on his head, powerful gloved hands. He looked at the two new faces carefully while talking to Naofumi, and when it came to clothing and weapons he turned to Andrew.

- I understand how to outfit the girl, but you're more difficult, you look so bad. It feels like you've been eating grits, but even they don't seem to be digested. For that reason, you can make your own choices, at my expense, so to speak. -

Andrei looked first at Naofumi, he just waved his hand and Andrei began to answer.

- I'll do it, I'll choose the suit. But the sword, or rather swords I will make myself under your supervision, if you don't mind Mr Erhart. -

Elkhart looked at Andrei carefully and once again assessed him and began to answer.

- I agree. Only if you burn your hands, if you knock something off, it won't be my fault. You chose this path yourself, by the way, do you even have blacksmithing skills? -

Andrei looked at his hands and remembered the past when he was a kid and went to the village. Then he looked at Erhart and started to answer.

- Yes, I have some skills. I know some things. -

He made a small bow and went with Erhart to another room and started to make two long-bladed swords.

It was hot in the forge itself. The hammer in Andrei's hands was heavy, but he gathered his strength and began his work. He realised that the chance he was waiting for and he was not going to miss it.

Andrew was very careful and put into it the mental power of creation that improved both himself and the swords. Eventually after half an hour two swords were produced. Both had long blades with equally sharp tips. The handles of the swords were balanced and very comfortable.

Andrew dipped them into the water and five minutes later he had two swords in his hands. He put the rage into them now and concentrated on sending the dexterity particles, although it was not easy, it took his strength, but the feeling that he had succeeded pleased him. Erhart walked over to Andrei and looked at the swords and began to speak.

- Good swords, I think you can handle them. Now you need to pick out a costume. And then go and eat somewhere, who drove you to such a state, eh, it looks like that person will be very unhappy one day. -

Andrew nodded in agreement, but before he left he got a message.

You have received two swords.

Their characteristics >

Attack Damage - High + 10% Fury for damage.

Convenience - Best + 20% Dexterity for attack speed.

Total damage of the swords - 15000% damage.

Andrew smiled and walking over to the suits he picked out a leather suit with short sleeves that had metal plates in it. He put this suit on and he got the message again.

You have received a leather protective suit.

Its specifications are >

Defence - 200/200.

Level - 10.

Comfort - High. +30% comfort.

Erhart looked at Andrew and nodded, before turning back to Raftalia and Naofumi. Raftalia immediately walked over to him and started talking with a wide, childlike smile.

- Brother Andrei, you look very belligerent. -

Andrei also smiled, but more reservedly and began to answer.

- Yes Raftalia. I am fully armed. Naofumi, aren't you going to buy anything for yourself? -

He shook his head negatively and began to answer.

- I have everything I need. Will you be comfortable holding a sword without one finger? -

Andrew replied that he made very comfortable swords and the three of them left the workshop.