Return to the New World Arc

The Return to the New World Arc is the twenty-second arc of the Light Novel in The Rising of the Shield Hero. This arc is light novel exclusive and does not appear in the Web Novel.

Synopsis
Ethnobalt arrives in Naofumi's world in critical condition and warns the heroes about the dangerous Vanguards of the Waves in his world. Naofumi and his party must travel back to Glass' World in order to save the Hunting Hero Kizuna and face the music.

Summary
In the aftermath of Takt's invasion, Melromarc and the surrounding countries start to rebuild. However, as Naofumi heads back to his village, he finds Ethnobalt with terrible wounds. Ethnobalt warns them about how several villains from Glass' World had taken Vassal Weapons from their heroes and are now wrecking havoc. In order to help his allies and to reunite with Raphtalia (who was teleported their during Takt's invasion), Naofumi decides to head to Glass' World. Waiting for the portal to be ready, he and his party level up and train Ethnobalt.

Upon crossing into Glass' World, all of Naofumi's party travelled over fine. However, Shildina (who was unexpectedly forced through) was now in the form of a child. The group then rush to the nearby battle to help this world's heroes. While there, they liberate L'Arc's Vassal Scythe who had been stolen by a Vanguard of the Wave. Naofumi reunites with Raphtalia and learned that this world's only remaining Legendary Hero - Kizuna - had been kidnapped.

The Heroes search desperately for Kizuna. Thanks to the Vassal Mirror's assistance, they are able to stealthily teleport into the Vassal Musical Instrument country where they believe Kizuna is being kept. They infiltrate the nearby compound but are split up due to teleportation traps. Naofumi, Itsuki, Raphtalia and Glass are then welcomed by Miyaji, the Vassal Musical Instrument wielder who had kidnapped Kizuna. With the help of S'yne's Sister, Malty and Mald, Miyaji then suppresses all magic from other worlds - including Naofumi and Itsuki's Legendary Weapons. The heroes are nearly defeated until the Vassal Mirror and Vassal Book show up and select Naofumi and Ethnobalt as their new wielders. As more reinforcements for the heroes trickle in, the villains are eventually defeated as Mald kills Miyaji and Malty is severely burned by Naofumi. Itsuki also receives the Vassal Musical Instrument. However, S'yne's sister shows overwhelming power and allow Mald and Malty to escape.

Kizuna is freed and brought back to L'Arc's country while Naofumi and Itsuki get used to their new weapons. However, when Kizuna is cured from her petrification, it is found that she is under a powerful curse from the sloth series of the curse series weapons.. Naofumi, Glass, Ethnobalt and some of Naofumi's party searches through the Ancient Labyrinth Library to search for a cure. They find a poison which rejects illegitmate powers and uses it on Kizuna. While this is partially effective, Kizuna no longer has the motivation to even switch out of her cursed weapon form. Naofumi and the others then enact a plan to use Kizuna's fishing obsession to get her out of her lethargic state. This is successful and Kizuna is released from her curse.

Volume 17

 * Prologue: The Coronation
 * Chapter 1: Talk of Love
 * Chapter 2: Limit Break
 * Chapter 3: Party Selection
 * Chapter 4: Arrival into Conflict
 * Chapter 5: Inter-World Adaptation
 * Chapter 6: Hidden Abilities
 * Chapter 7: Finding Kizuna
 * Chapter 8: Subterranean Maze City
 * Chapter 9: Outsider Theory
 * Chapter 10: A Familiar Face
 * Chapter 11: The Mirror Vassal Weapon
 * Chapter 12: A Falling Out
 * Chapter 13: Forced Possession
 * Chapter 14: Quick Adaptation
 * Chapter 15: Mirror
 * Epilogue: A Responsibility to Justice

Volume 18

 * Prologue: The Meeting to Discuss Efficient Eating Enhancement
 * Chapter 1: Sloth
 * Chapter 2: Library Search
 * Chapter 3: Fishing Fool's Determination

Character Introductions

 * Hidemasa Miyaji
 * S'yne's Sister