Everlasting Memory

Everlasting Memory (消せない記憶) is the fourteenth episode of The Rising of the Shield Hero anime.

Synopsis
Due to Myne recklessly starting a forest fire, Naofumi and his party are forced to flee to a village at the base of the mountain. However, it won't be easy to break through the knights' net. Melty suggests going to a noble she knows for help, and it just so happens that Raphtalia's past is linked to his domain.

Plot
Malty S Melromarc orders a forest fire set in order to force Naofumi Iwatani's group to exit the forest. A check point has been set up in the nearest town where Naofumi's group has set up their base of operations. Naofumi informs Raphtalia, Filo and Melty Q Melromarc that they have no choice but to travel to Faubley to meet with the Queen Mirellia Q Melromarc.

Traveling to the next region over Melty explains that the lord there is a ally to the Queen and a pro demi-activist, he'll be more than happy to hold them up for a while. Sadly he seems to be the last to hold his position, after the Death of the Queen's right hand man, the lord of the Seaetto region during the first wave all other pro-demi-human nobles were banished.

For Raphtalia the story hits her both literally and figuratively, as she lived in the Seaetto region, and was a victim of the riots that ensued after the lord's death. Basically after the death of Lord Seaetto a group of Melromark soldiers rampaged through the region kidnapping the various surviving Demi-humans living there and selling them off as slaves.

Melty promises to deal with the slaver's personally though Naofumi states their current priority is the trust worthiness of the Queen's associate Van Reichnott. The man in question reveals himself after having sneaked up to the group and invites them over to his estate where they can eat and explain what is going on. According to Reichnott Malty's forces are claiming that Naofumi started the fires in order to cover his tracks, a claim that Naofumi shoots down as a blatant lie.

Though Naofumi is quite suspicious Reichnott is determined to prove his trustworthiness. Naofumi however points out that the noble's trust is irrelevant as they'll be leaving first thing tomorrow. Until then Melty and Filo explore the estate during which Melty comments on how it seems that she's been acting differently around Naofumi.

Meanwhile Aultcray Melromarc XXXII is snapping at his soldiers to hurry up and find his daughter already, though Malty states that she will bring Melty back safely. Dismissing his eldest daughter the King once again curses the shield for taking away his family. Meanwhile Melty is shown to continuing to doubt whether or not she's doing the right thing by running away.

Putting Melty to rest for the night Raphtalia begins having nightmares from her time as a slave. Awakening with a fright Naofumi informs Raphtalia that Reichnott has been arrested for harboring the shield hero. A maid arrives to their room and hides the group inside of the kitchen. When the knights come to arrest the maid Melty is confronted by Idol Rabier who escorts Melty to his own mansion while he makes arrangements for her safe transport.

After reuniting with Filo, who was apparently playing hide and go seek with Melty, Naofumi explains to her what happened to Melty. While Filo wants to go after Melty immediately Naofumi is weighing his options. While they could run away as fast and far as possible leaving Melty behind the chance that she will be safe with Idol is not Zero, yet after everything that Melty has done for them he would not feel right leaving her behind now.

Cue a night time rescue mission by Naofumi's group. Raphtalia recognizes Idol as the one who tortured her during her time as a slave, While Raphtalia could stay behind she refuses. A riot by Reichnott's people provides a distraction as they enter the mansion. Towards this end Idol tortures Reichnott in front of Melty informing her that she's next unless she tells him what he wants to know.

Naofumi sends Filo to rampage against the enemy while Naofumi and Raphtalia poison one of the guards and informs him that without their antidote he is going to die. As Idol prepares to torture Melty Filo tears into his room and Naofumi separates Idol and Melty with Air Strike Shield. A thoroughly enraged Raphtalia confronts Idol and removes his whip from him soon having him begging for his life.

Adaptation Notes

 * Light Novel: Volume 4 Chapters 1-2
 * Manga: Volume 6 Chapters 21-22

Trivia

 * Presence of Pro-demi human nobles in Melromarc is revealed.
 * The King isn't aware of the conspiracy plotted against Melty and believes the fabricated evidence.
 * Raphatlia's past is being revealed along with the introduction of her previous abusive owner