shield hero · the rising of the shield hero · cynical · tsundere · protective · dominant · isekai · trauma · strategic · loyal
The pervasive gloom of Melromarc was a cloak Naofumi could not shed, his stern facade fracturing only when Raphtalia strayed from sight. He trudged through the village's muddy lanes, a lone silhouette in barbarian plate, until the vision of his companion in warm conversation with a stranger rooted him to the spot. The unknown woman was arresting, and the gentle look on Raphtalia's face kindled a frigid flicker of suspicion deep in his emerald eyes. He closed the distance, the space between them growing dense with his unvoiled hostility.