Second Wave Arc

The Second Wave Arc is the third arc of the Light Novel and Web Novel of The Rising of the Shield Hero.

Synopsis
At last, the reason for Naofumi's summoning has arrived. As a wave of calamity appears, the heroes must fight it off to defend Melromarc.

Summary
As Naofumi and Raphtalia start to level up, they start to become stronger and Naofumi's collection of shields and powers expands. Eventually, they make their wave into a cave where they are confronted by a two-headed, black dog. This triggers Raphtalia's PTSD since a monster similar to this is what killed her father and mother. However, with Naofumi's help she is able to overcome her fear and kill the monster.

The two then make their way to Erhard's shop. With Raphtalia maturing as she levels up Erhard notes that she has turned into a fine lady. However Naofumi still thinks of her as a small child. Raphtalia also starts looking out for Naofumi by demanding that he gets better equipment and getting the cheapest meal like he does. They then head to the Dragon Hourglass to see when the next wave is.

At the dragon's hourglass they meet Motoyasu, Ren and Itsuki who have significantly powered-up. The confrontation is awkward and Motoyasu tries to warn Raphtalia about Malty's allegations against Naofumi. Soon after, all of the heroes and their companions are teleported to the location of the wave. While Motoyasu, Ren and Itsuki immediately head to where the main boss is, Naofumi heads to the nearby village to protect the villagers. While there, many of the Melromarc knights cast destructive spells indifferent whether Naofumi was in the area or not. Eventually, the other heroes defeat the Chimera boss and the wave ends. Thanks solely to Naofumi's efforts Riyute village was saved from destruction.

All four of the heroes then attended an after-party celebrating the victory against the waves. However, seeing that Naofumi was starting to get back on his feet, Malty and King Aultcray manipulate Motoyasu into having a duel with Naofumi. If Naofumi loses, Raphtalia will be "freed" and stripped of her slave crest. The two fight and Naofumi surprisingly starts to have an upper hand. However, Malty interferes in the fight and Motoyasu wins. Naofumi, thinking that he lost his only trusted companion started hating the world and unlocked the wrath tree of the curse series. However, Raphtalia still cares for him and comforts him. Naofumi realizes that he has a true companion - one that stays with him just for who he is. With his heart partially mended from Malty's deception, Naofumi realizes he can actually taste for the first time.

Afterwards, the four heroes are assembled to receive their rewards for their efforts during the waves. While Motoyasu, Ren and Itsuki get a significant amount of gold, Naofumi gets scraps. While leaving, Raphtalia suggests that she gets her slave crest against. Naofumi initially doesn't see the point but eventually accepts and they go to the slave trader.

Volume 1

 * Chapter Sixteen: "The Two-Headed, Black Dog"
 * Chapter Seventeen: "Preparing for the Wave"
 * Chapter Eighteen: "Barbarian Armor"
 * Chapter Nineteen: "The Dragon Hourglass"
 * Chapter Twenty: "The Sword"
 * Chapter Twenty-One: "The Wave of Destruction"
 * Chapter Twenty-Two: "The Clash of Spear and Shield"
 * Chapter Twenty-Three: "All I'd Wanted To Hear"
 * Epilogue

Volume 2

 * Prologue: "Shared Pain"

Web Novel

 * Chapter 16: Preparations For The Wave
 * Chapter 17: The Barbarian's Armor
 * Chapter 18: Dragon Engraved Hourglass
 * Chapter 19: Memory / Black Beast
 * Chapter 20: Wave of Calamity
 * Chapter 21: Contradicting Actions
 * Chapter 22: What I Wanted To Hear
 * Chapter 23: Shared Pain

Character Introductions

 * Captain of Melromarc Knights
 * Ake