The Raven Invader

The Raven Invader (漆黒の異邦者) is the twelfth episode of The Rising of the Shield Hero anime.

Synopsis
The three heroes fight the mysterious new enemy and were easily defeated. Naofumi and his party take up the fight and begin to face the downhill battle. Even Filo and Raphtalia in their top game didn't able to make a scratch on the enemy. With no other option, Naofumi uses every trump card up his sleeve and was easily overwhelmed.

Is this the true battle of the wave? Can Naofumi and his party survive this wave?

Plot
Aboard the ghost ship during the third wave Glass suggests that Naofumi Iwatani send his 'servants' to attack her first, referring to the other three Heroes and their companions. Glass easily tanks the resulting attacks from Motoyasu Kitamura, Ren Amaki and Itsuki Kawasumi and their companions and knocks them out of the battle.

Though their attacks failed they bought Naofumi just enough time to use a potion to restore his SP and get ready to fight. Glass continues the pattern of no sell as she parries Raphtalia's and Filo's attacks and renders Naofumi's Shield prison and the Chimera Viper Shield's snake bite attacks useless. Even after switching to Wrath shield Filo's resulting power up still doesn't even phase the raven haired woman, nor does his cursed flame and Iron Maiden.

Likewise Glass notes that Naofumi's defense lives up to his title of Hero of the Shield as even her defense breaking attacks don't hurt him. Realizing that their enemy is on a time limit Naofumi has Raphtalia blind Glass while they run away on Filo's back, though Glass's long range attacks insist that they're still in her range. Noting that Naofumi has exhausted her time limit Glass leaves just before the wave finally ends, stating that next time Naofumi dies.

The nearby villages have been saved though Naofumi is left concerned with Glass's appearance. Even after absorbing the Soul Eater and producing the Soul Eater Shield Naofumi notes that any dramatic improvement in their over all fighting power is going to demand class upgrades for Filo and Raphtalia. While thinking about this Ake is forced to lead his commanding officer to Naofumi who demands that he report to the king at once.

Meanwhile a recording of Naofumi's defeat of the Soul Eater is being watched by the King who reluctantly congratulates Naofumi for his victory during the wave. Onto business though the King demands to know how Naofumi obtained such ludicrous offensive power that shouldn't be possible for the Hero of the Shield. Naofumi in turn makes demands of the King: kneel before him and beg him for the answer.

Naturally the King responds to Naofumi's insolence by siccing his guards on him, Naofumi in turn summons the Chimera Viper Shield and informs the soldiers that he was the one who defeated the last wave's boss: they may face him at their peril. The king however states that if they're unable to bring him in for his 'crimes' then they'll just make his slaves pay in his place, que a unhinged death glare from Naofumi and a warning that no one is taking anything from him ever again.

With that Naofumi leaves the Castle with the king cursing his weapon all the way out. On his way out a Noble woman congratulates Naofumi for his actions, but warns him that his accomplishments have reached the point where they cannot be ignored any longer, The Church of the Three Heroes are officially taking action against him now. Meanwhile Melty Q Melromarc has an audience with her father, where she interrogates him on his conversation with Naofumi.

Melty knows full well that Naofumi is needed to defend against the waves, so thus she begs her father to reconcile with him before they're all destroyed. However The King, with a heavy heart, states that if he allows the shield and his Demi-humans to do as he pleases then it means losing his family, again. Malty promptly comes in and reminds her sister that in absence of their mother their father holds absolute authority, and though they may not understand his intentions they have to trust that he has their best interests at heart.

However Melty counters that as Crown Princess she has to also act in the countries best interests, and that includes getting their biggest war power against the waves back on their side. Talking with Erhard Naofumi is recommended to travel to Shieldfrieden for Filo's and Raphtalia's class upgrades. Erhard also gives the group items to help them on their trip: for Naofumi a shield accessory that will study the Legendary shield, for Raphtalia a new sword and a magic sword and for Filo a set of power gloves to enhance her strength in human form.

While making camp the group is approached by a increasingly frustrated Melty who asks that Naofumi returns to Melromark to apologize to her father. Naofumi's response is a resounding no, he has receive no help from the King, he is treated as a criminal for crimes that he has not committed, and he is not the one who needs to apologize in this spat.

While arguing with the princess Naofumi watches as one of her guards runs up to them and tries to strike her with his sword, so Naofumi blocks his attack saving Melty in the process.

Adaptation Notes

 * Light Novel: Volume 3 Chapters 12-15
 * Manga: Volume 5 Chapters 17-19