Malty S. Melromarc, later renamed “Bitch” after her trial, is one of the primary antagonists of The Rising of the Shield Hero. Initially posing as the sweet and helpful Princess Myne Sophia, she is quickly revealed as a conniving manipulator who falsely accuses Naofumi, the Shield Hero, of heinous acts, setting off a series of events that drastically change the fates of both herself and the heroes. Malty’s lies eventually lead to her disownment from the royal family, and she soon descends further into infamy, betraying anyone in her path to serve her own interests.

Personality & Appearance

Malty embodies deception with her striking appearance and charming facade. She has crimson-red hair tied back in a ponytail with delicate curls falling around her face, and her green eyes lend her an innocent, captivating look. Naofumi initially describes her as “needlessly attractive,” a deceptive beauty that masks her malevolent intentions. Despite her appearance, she lacks any genuine loyalty or empathy, using her looks and charm to manipulate others for her personal gain.

Her true nature, however, is far from innocent. Malty is cunning, narcissistic, and extremely manipulative. She presents herself as a kind and caring individual but is, in reality, egotistical, haughty, and thoroughly deceitful. A master actress, she plays the victim whenever it suits her and frequently employs crocodile tears to win sympathy. Even when exposed, Malty refuses to accept responsibility, deflecting blame and concocting new lies to save herself. Her selfishness and vanity are boundless, often using people—whether family or heroes—for her own advancement, only to discard them without a second thought.

Powers & Abilities

Although Malty is highly skilled at manipulation, she has several minor abilities and access to weaponry. These traits enable her to hold her own in battle but pale compared to the raw power of the true heroes she deceives.

• Manipulation and Deception: Malty’s true power lies in her manipulation skills. Her ability to deceive others, even seasoned heroes, has allowed her to infiltrate their ranks, sabotage their efforts, and exploit their weaknesses.
• Swordsmanship: Though not a powerful warrior herself, Malty wields a sword and demonstrates some skill in combat. However, she heavily relies on trickery over true fighting prowess.
• Basic Magic: Malty is proficient in fire magic, contrasting her sister Melty’s affinity for water. She uses her abilities strategically, but they’re more for manipulation and show rather than combat dominance.
• Political Influence (Former): As a former princess, Malty wielded significant political power, using it to control or punish those who opposed her. Her influence extended across Melromarc’s hierarchy until her downfall.

Trivia

• Antithesis of Melty: Malty contrasts sharply with her younger sister Melty in both personality and appearance. While Melty is kind-hearted and associated with water magic, Malty is fiery, selfish, and wields fire magic.
• Unskilled in Chess: Malty ranks lowest in her family when it comes to chess, only capable of winning against her father, who purposely lets her win.
• A Master Manipulator’s Fall: Malty’s relentless scheming eventually backfired, creating her worst adversary: Naofumi, whom she tried to ruin. His resilience and growth under pressure foiled her plans repeatedly, leading to her ultimate disgrace.
• Curse Series Unlocker: Malty played a role in unlocking the heroes’ respective Curse Series. Her betrayals led Naofumi to unlock Wrath, while her abandonment of Motoyasu awakened his Lust curse. She also manipulated Ren and Itsuki, further contributing to their descent into their respective curse series.
• Rumored Patricide: Malty’s brother was once intended to ally Melromarc with the nation of Siltvelt, but he mysteriously died, leaving some to suspect Malty may have had him poisoned to prevent the alliance.
• Promiscuous Past: Queen Mirellia disclosed that Malty had used seduction to control men, implying she leveraged relationships to serve her own ambitions.