You carefully inspected a vial of purple liquid, turning it over in your gloved hands.

"Herbicide, huh?" You asked, carefully placing it in it's rack.

"What kind of problem calls for this much, so urgently, though?" You asked. Naofumi shrugged, looking at it.

"Good question. You never came across something plant based when your homeland was destroyed?" He asked you. You shook your head.

"Closest thing to it was a forest full of snakes. Hated those bastards..." You paused, remembering the Forbidden Forest with more than a bit of spite. After that damned windmill, everything was snakes. The guys had snake heads, there were balls of snakes, even bigger balls of snakes, guys with snake heads that summoned balls of snakes, and even the Shadows of Yharnam had snake heads, and summoned giant fucking snakes.

  "Well, either way, I can't think of a logical reason as to why a village would need so much, so quickly." Naofumi told you, looking at the massive crates of the purple plant killer. Seriously, there was tons of the stuff.

"Master, the plants here are amazing." Your inspection was interrupted by Filo calling to Naofumi. You both stood up, looking out the front of the carriage, where Raphtalia ogled at the sight in front of you. And rightly so, you would add.

The roads alone were absolutely covered in massive vines, from the dusty hills from the area the road was dug into, to the ground itself. Flowers sprouted from various segments, as you looked around.

"Yeah, Herbicide is needed, alright." You remarked. Raphtalia's ears twitched, and she pointed forward.

"Y/n, Naofumi, look." She was pointing to a village covered with high walls. It was a shame that the walls did absolutely nothing about the massive vines that tried to climb them, spreading all across the plains around it.

"Filo, take us there!" Naofumi ordered. She spread her wings, happy to receive an order from her master.

"Okay!"

The ride was bumpy and long, but you soon reached the walls, getting inside. You and Naofumi were the ones to hop out of the carriage, to speak with the one in charge about the situation.

"Oh thank God you're here. This place was about to fall to the vines too." An elderly man told Naofumi as you stood behind him, silent. Behind you, Raphtalia approached the man.

"Couldn't you have just burned the roots?" She asked.

"We already tried everything we could think of. We even hired some adventurers, but the situation remains grave." You grunted as he continued speaking.

"The village was already overrun with vines, which was bad enough without the plants turning into beasts and attacking us." He continued. You narrowed your eyes, swiftly switching your weapon. Over the tops of the wall, vines slowly crept into view, as a scream echoed out, getting everyone's attention.

That's another for the group of fucking idiots. You thought, as the old man continued his explanation.

"Some adventurers set out to level up. I tried to stop them, but it was to no avail." He insisted. Naofumi sighed, looking towards Filo, who was currently stuffing her face.

"Filo, grab the adventurers and bring them back here." Naofumi ordered

"Okay, be wighed bag!" She declared. She nearly disappeared in a cloud of dust when she ran off towards the village. True to her word, only a few minutes had passed when she ran back into town, carrying three adventurers under her wings.

  They fell onto the ground with a heavy thud after Filo dropped them, all unconscious.

  "There were lots of plant monsters. Some even spit poison or acid." She explained. She lifted her wings in a shrug.

  "Why would these guys go there if they're so weak?" They must be stupid." She stated, putting her wings back down.

  "You didn't have to say that last part." Raphtalia told Filo, as you stepped to the unconscious idiots. They were pretty beat up, what one should expect from facing something too strong for them. Like that one time you first charged into battle against two Scourge Beasts on a bridge near Central Yharnam(tip: unless you can two-three hit them, bring fire).

  "Excuse me, are you the savior who travels in a carriage drawn by a heavenly fowl?" You heard someone ask Naofumi.

  "You've got the wrong guy." He answered bluntly, shaking his head. You scoffed, walking over and giving him a heavy pat on the back.

  "Don't listen to what he says. You've got your savior right here, in a green cloak and accompanied by the best goddamned Hunters in the land!" You exclaimed. In front of you two, the elderly man who first spoke to Naofumi, almost got onto his knees.

  "Please, use your medicine to heal our sick!" He begged. Your expression began to harden as Raphtalia looked over.

  "Wait, some of you are sick?" She asked. In response, the man guided you to a tent. Inside, you weren't sure if you should sigh in relief or groan in annoyance. The people in beds weren't infected with a scourge, but they were covered in vines, obviously dying.

  "As you can see, the plants are slowly devouring their bodies." The elderly man told you, as you stepped forward, looking at the sick.

  "They're even parasitic?" Naofumi muttered. You put a hand to your chin, thinking. After a moment, you decided to leave this job to Naofumi.

  "Please, Savior! Help them with your powers!" The man pleaded. Naofumi took a look at one of the afflicted, walking over to their bedside. You followed, sitting opposite of him with Raphtalia beside you.

"I can't say for sure I'll be able to heal them, but..." He shifted his shield into the one that looked like a book, you never remembered what it was called, and grabbed one of the vials of herbicide. You watched as he pressed the vial to the gem, working some kind of magic. A moment later, he turned the vial, pouring the herbicide over the body of the woman.

The bystanders could only gasp in shock as the plants simply withered away, immediately restoring the woman's health. Naofumi stood up, looking at you and Raphtalia.

"Next." He ordered. You nodded, taking a few vials for him to enhance.

"Got it."

Needless to say, it hadn't even been a few minutes before everyone was cured, and before you knew it, you were walking out with Naofumi, towards Filo, who was once again eating some fruit.

"That went quite well, I'd say." You stated. Naofumi made no obvious sign of reply, before speaking.

"We're leaving as soon as we're paid. I don't want to get tied up in this any further." He told you. You rolled your eyes, looking at Raphtalia, who had her gaze over her shoulder.

"Well, I dare say that it may be a bit difficult." She said. Naofumi turned his head, then you did, at a trio of the towns officials, all on their knees.

"Our Savior Of The Heavenly Fowl! Please save our village!" The lead one asked. You sighed as he was taken aside to see what he had to do in order to help. You caught several words of their discussion, at least enough to get the gist of the problem.

  The village was ravaged by famine for a while, until the spear hero, Motoyasu, paid them a visit. He gave the village some sort of miracle crop that would mend their issues, only for it to turn on them, growing into the vines and roots all around you. Sound familiar?

  The story was almost identical to the one that surrounded Yharnam. A cure gone wrong, that killed more people than the initial disaster that called for it. Just remembering the times you spent in Old Yharnam made you remember your mortal fears. You stroked your chin, remembering that the story you were thinking of contained the very same blood and corruption that was now in Melromarc. If it all went wrong, you'd essentially have made a new Yharnam.

  You looked up at Naofumi, who was currently putting away a small pouch of coins he took as payment.

  "I don't like cleaning up after that moron Motoyasu, but... I'll earn my keep." He muttered to himself. You stood up, walking behind him and beside Raphtalia as Naofumi lifted his hand, morphing his shield.

  "Filo, we're going!" He called out. Filo, in her avian form, got up, following you three as you prepared for battle.

  The village was predictably in bad condition when you arrived. Naofumi wasted no time in ordering Filo to work with him as the first of the monsters appeared.

  "Raphtalia, I've got another item for you to use." You told your apprentice.

  "Huh?" Raphtalia looked at you, as you held up a folded square of waxy paper. She walked over, taking it and unfolding it, revealing a number of small white tablets.

  "It doesn't last too long, but that's an Antidote. If you're hit by any poison attacks from these things, that'll chase it out of your system. How's your fire paper?" You asked. Raphtalia placed the antidotes in a belt pouch, reaching into a pocket and grabbing a single piece of the combat enhancer.

  "Do you have any more?" She asked sheepishly. You nodded, handing her another small pouch.

  "Don't be afraid to ask. I'm the only way you're gonna be able to get any." You told her. Raphtalia nodded, drawing her sword. She flipped it in her hands, so the serrated end faced the enemy, before rubbing the blade with the paper, like she was polishing it. In a few swipes, flames danced across the blade, and under your keen eye, she dashed forward into battle.

You twirled your Chikage in your hand, watching as Filo and Raphtalia cut down plant monster after plant monster. You all slowly made your way to the center of town, you keeping a close eye on Raphtalia as she fought, taking the occasional risky move to dash forward, and slash through her opponent, leaving her behind them for another attack. You hadn't taught her that kind of move, meaning she was beginning to improve on her own.

  You stood by Naofumi as he deflected a blast of poison using one of his many, many shields. The creature that fired it was cut down by Raphtalia, spraying her with the poison. She leapt backwards, briefly swapping her sword hand in order to grab an antidote tablet, popping it into her mouth.

  In front of you all, a massive tree bore a single flower, easily as large as your mortal body. In the center of it, a large eye opened up, fixing its gaze onto Naofumi.

  "So, we destroy that, and we're good, right?" He muttered. You shrugged, grabbing a bottle of herbicide and flicking it's contents onto one of the roots by your feet. You watched it smoke and burn off, only for the root to immediately cover the burnt area, regenerating in a method reminiscent of sewing a torn cloth back together.

  "It regenerates really quick. It's pretty safe to assume that the same would apply to it's obvious weak spot." You told Naofumi. He nodded, taking another bottle of herbicide out.

  "Raphtalia! Pour this directly on the eye!" He shouted, tossing the bottle towards her. Raphtalia caught it, swiftly hopping onto Filo's back, before she took off. You watched them fly through the air, avoiding the occasional vine that flew towards them. Filo seemed to slow down after Raphtalia cut some approaching vines, and you heard some bickering on their part. You sighed, readying another bottle.

  "They're fighting." You pointed out, adjusting your hat.

  "So it would seem. One moment..." he took the purple bottle from your hand, which briefly glowed.

"My Enhance Potion spell works on the herbicide as well. Listen, we're intervening." He told you. You nodded, briefly sheathing the Chikage and grabbing the herbicide.

  "You distract it?" You asked. Naofumi nodded, stepping forward. You smirked, lowering your mask and grabbing a light blue bottle, downing it in one go.

  "Let's move."

  Meanwhile, the two sidekicks' bickering had resulted in something of an issue. Raphtalia was snatched off of Filo's back by a stray vine, and swiftly bound by the plant, her torso and hands restricted. Filo, who should've taken the chance to act, instead chose to watch her struggle, giving off a quiet laugh.

  "Did you just laugh, Filo!?" Raphtalia shouted. Filo didn't answer, before Raphtalia's attention was turned towards Naofumi, who was beginning to step forward, slowly towards the tree. Its eye locked onto him as more vines shot out, wrapping themselves around his body.

  "Naofumi!" Raphtalia shouted out, watching more vines fling themselves at him.

  "Don't worry about him." Raphtalia's body jerked downward a bit, and she looked up to find the vines wrapped around her, severed. The only thing stopping her from falling was something invisible holding the vines up. The sight was something of a shock to the raccoon girl.

  "Be ready to land on your feet." Your voice spoke up. Stunned, Raphtalia nodded, before promptly falling to the ground. Behind her, the tree began to smoke, withering away as Naofumi's shield began to glow, forcing the stubborn vines off of him, snapping them before they could resist.

  A bottle flew through the air, shattering at Naofumis feet as your cloudy figure approached them, ignoring the flailing of the barely-living tree monster. It began to fall still as Raphtalia looked to her master, who was beginning to fade from sight due to the lack of movement.

  "Y/n, you can turn invisible?" She asked, amazed. Your head grew visible as you shook it, fading again right after.

  "It's a special elixir that acts as anesthetic. It makes you fall asleep, but if you can overcome that, than it instead makes your still body undetectable. It'll wear off in a bit, trust me." You told her. Naofumi walked past you, to the tree. You turned, facing him as he picked up one of the fruits, turning it over in his hand.

  "These seeds are gonna cause trouble if we let them be. Everyone, collect them all." He instructed. You nodded, looking at the tree. The upper part of it's branches had at least a fruit per twig, with much more on the thicker parts, leading to a lot of handiwork to be done.

  You had just filled a second basket, taking both, one in each arm, to the carriage, when you spied Naofumi throwing a few fruits onto the ground. They sprouted, digging into the ground, and forming a large tree that dwarfed you all. The flower opened up, revealing a tired looking eye. Just as quickly, the tree began to wither away, becoming nothing more than dust.

  "So, what was that?" You asked, loading up the baskets.

  "I unlocked a skill called Plant Modification, so I did a little experiment." He stated. You nodded, grabbing another basket to fill.

  "Don't be too reckless. I don't want Raphtalia getting done in by a glorified venus flytrap." You told him. He nodded, getting to work loading the wagon.

   "Thank you do much, Our Sav- no, Shield Hero!" The towns leader corrected himself in praising Naofumi. Naofumi scoffed in response.

  "We exterminated the monsters. You can clean up the withered vines yourselves." He told them. There were murmurs of agreement as Naofumi looked towards the setting sun.

  "I'm tired. I'm going to sleep." He stated, walking towards the wagon. You and Raphtalia looked at each other, shrugging as he entered the wagon.

  "It wouldn't hurt for you to sleep as well. I'll make sure the villagers are all okay." You told Raphtalia.

  "Um... yeah. Goodnight, Y/n." She told you, walking to the wagon. You looked at Filo, who was left.

  "Hey Nugget, is there something going on between you and Raphtalia?" You asked. Filo shook her head, doing light tippy taps.

  "Nope! Not at all!" She spoke in her definitive, naive tone, like she felt she could get away with a good lie, if she sounded confident about it.

  "You sure? I saw you laugh at Raphtalia when she got tied up." You told her. Filo stopped for a moment, shaking her head again.

  "It was funny." She spoke simply. You shook your head, sighing.

  "When a comrade is in danger, you must help them first. I won't tolerate you putting comedy ahead of a life." You told her. Filo froze up at your words, before you poked a hand into her down, stroking her.

  "I'll forgive, but I won't forget. Go get some sleep." You told her. Filo nodded, walking to the wagon as well, leaving you alone as the sun began to give way to the night sky.

 
  Early in the following morning, during a light patrol of the settlement, you found Naofumi planting one of the seeds from yesterday, as Raphtalia watched. In no time, it had grown into a large bush, with several fruits. By the time the sun rose, a crowd was drawn.

  "I curbed the breeding and mutation potential, and increased growth and productivity, meaning this should bear lots of fruit without turning into monsters. This village will never have to worry about famine again." Naofumi announced. The old man, the one that seemed to be a leader, marveled at the fruit as you watched.

  "Thank you, Sir Shield Hero! First, you exterminate the monsters plaguing us, and then you give us such gifts?" He asked. Naofumi shook his head, and you narrowed your eyes.

  "Who said anything about giving it to you?" He asked. That drew a collective gasp as Naofumi continued.

  "Let's cut a deal. I'll sell you all these fruits, for the right price." He offered. You shook your head, reaching for your pouch of coins.

  "B-but we already paid everything we had for treatment and extermination..." the leader tried to protest.

  "Hold up." You spoke up, getting everyone's attention. Naofumi looked at you as you stepped forward, handing a large sack of silver coins to the Shield Hero.

  "Half a crate?" You asked. Naofumi looked into the sack, tossing it into the wagon.

  "Fine. Raphtalia?" He looked at your apprentice, who gave you a confused look, getting to separating the fruits. You turned to the villagers, whose hopes were beginning to rise again.

  "Listen up, all of you!" You shouted out, starting your speech.

  "While I am no merchant, I do wish for you to get this fruit, and not suffer from famine, I'm afraid I must state a price of my own for this fruit, one that may be even higher." You spoke. Some of the villagers began to wince, waiting for the price. You looked over them, speaking with authority.

  "Denounce your religion." You ordered. Gasps and shouts of shock took over the populace. You waited for them to calm down, falling into silence, before continuing.

  "Simply stop worshipping the god you'd find in the church headed by the pope. Instead, you must erect a shrine, a site of worship in your town, preferably in the center. There, you must instead worship another being, called Paleblood. Do this, and bring offerings whenever you can, and I promise you, not only will your town be safe from famine, but it will be safe from the scourge itself." You revealed. The silence you got in response was sudden, before the leader cleared his throat again.

  "Um... if we did this, what would the shrine be made of? And how much would we need to give up to appease this 'Paleblood?'" He asked. You smiled, looking down on him.

  "Give only what you can afford. If you can build your homes of wood, build the shrine of sticks. If you live in houses made of sticks, build the shrine out of dirt. If you live in golden houses, make the shrine out of the same gold. The offerings should work like a tax. If you're facing a failure in crops, and all you have to give is the fruits you'll receive on agreeing, then give those fruits." You instructed. The old man looked among his fellow villagers, to you, and to Raphtalia, who handed you a fat sack of the fruits.

  "Make your choice soon. I won't be here all day." You told him. The villagers began murmuring in a swift manner, debating their options.

"If that's the price we must pay for our town's safety, then very well..." the old man dipped his head towards you.

  "We will build the shrine to Paleblood after the vines are out of our homes." He promised. In response, a sack of miracle fruit hit the ground in front of him.

  "If you're lying, I will know, and your village will face certain doom." You told him. He shivered in place as your turned around, entering the wagon. Naofumi rolled his eyes, getting behind you.

  "Are you religious, Y/n?" Naofumi asked. You shook your head, not looking at him.

  "Religion' implies you believe in the existence of a higher being. I don't believe in one, Naofumi." You told him, pausing for a dramatic effect.

  "...I know they exist."

  ~ASnazzyGuy

  ~3540 Words