It was not as if there was a kind of nor there was an extraordinary and mysterious scene at that time. But if you insist wanting to know if there was something different from usual, the most I could think of is that I saw male and female students wearing the uniform of my alma mater.
Two males and two females, they look like they belong to the same club, they were chatting cheerfully in front of me. Their air that belongs to that of those who are elite was blinding for me. Especially the two high school girls who are probably the most beautiful in their respective classes. It made me envy the two high school boys walking along them. It's just exactly 1:1, so they might be couples... damn riajuus1, go away and explode already...
That's right. Such was the common scene of on my way home. That is, until a mysterious magic circle appeared behind them after they stopped on a crossing
Before I even reacted to think of what's happening, the scene in front of me changed as the static noise of an old tv echoed. The ground that was paved with asphalt turning into that of stone, and the brightness of the afternoon sun that could only be described as annoying turned into a dim light of a lamp... I mean, what just happened?
"Welcome, 'Hero-sama'."
Without having the leisure to even realize my confusion, without having the time to understand what happened, I turned around to the source of the beautiful voice that tickled my ears like a bell. What I saw was a beauty with long golden hair and eyes as blue as the sky, wearing a taintless white dress, together with the group of four… or rather, now, group of three high school students that I saw earlier. No doubt, one of them is missing.
"Please forgive us for the sudden , eh?!"
Seeing us, the golden-haired beauty's captivating smile suddenly froze… she stopped her words halfway.
And what followed was silence...not to mention me and the three high school students who can't keep up with the situation, even that beauty that was about to say something stopped, along with those people clad in robes you would usually see in a middle-age themed movie was petrified. The silence dominated the scene.
"...u-uhm, My Lady? Do my eyes see the truth seeing four of them?"
"...what a wonderful coincidence, Luna. My eyes see four of them as well."
One of the robed people mustered up her courage and called out to the beauty. In return, the beauty replied with confused words. Unfortunately, my thoughts and consciousness were unable to follow the extraordinary event that hit me with a Dempsey roll. If I was a desktop computer, what shows on the screen must be an hour-glass icon waiting for me to respond. I should've bought in○el instead of...wait, what am I saying?!
I move my eyes to the three high-school students who are in the same circumstances as me. It would seem that they were also in the same condition, glancing towards me with a confused expression.
"Wha-W-W-W-What are we going to do?! This, it's THAT right?! It's like the other three got caught up with the 'Summoning', that's what's going on right?!!"
"T-That is probably so... what are we going to do My Lady?"
"What or whatever, it's not like we can say 'We failed, Teehee〜!' or something! We must first explain to everyone what is happening... ahh, but, we must find out who is the Hero within them first..."
"Teehee〜...? My Lady. Please forgive me for being rude, but I think that that is already inappropriate for your age..."
"Why are you suddenly calmly pointing that out?!!"
I wonder what this is? This disappointing conversation. It's as if, my sense of urgency towards the unknown is being worn away... the two high school girls were stunned with their mouth open as well, and you, high school boy why in the world are you doing a guts pose? Guts pose in this situation?
Un? Wait a second... Hero? Summoning? Got caught into? That sounds like terms I'm used to hearing. Think carefully, me. That sounds familiar
"*Cough* Once again, welcome"
"Sorry. I'm thinking right now. Can you keep quiet?"
"Ah, yes. I'm very sorry."
I heard a voice that would interrupt my thinking, so I asked that voice to shut up so I could think. Ahh, that's right, I remember. It's so similar to the Light Novel I read recently!
Although I won't be boasting, I am what you can call an otaku or someone who has such a hobby. I love games, like light novels, but never watches anime, so that makes me a half-assed otaku, but... anyways, this situation is exactly like the plot of what happened in that light novel. The story starts with the main character being summoned from a different world with a Hero Summoning, then proceeds to fight the Demon King. Come to think of it, I have seen many similar novels like that.
"...u-uhm..."
Ahh, but, although you can generally call it Isekai-mono, there are many kinds of developments. There are those where Heroes really fight against the Demon King, those that the royal family who summoned them was actually the villain, those who were got caught into the summoning but branded as trash because of the lack of super powers, or those acting sheepishly but actually has the most demonic cheat...
"...uhm, excuse me〜..."
If it's like that, what's needed first is information then? Even though they say 'Fact is stranger than fiction', it is probably wrong to assume at this stage that it is a different world. But, I could clearly say that this is an extraordinary event, so I should really find out what's currently happening, wait? I think I'm forgetting something...
"...uhm..."
"...eh?"
And there I finally saw the golden-haired beauty looking at me with eyes filled with confusion and worry, allowing my consciousness rapidly return to reality.
And together with my return to the reality, I remembered that I dove deep into my thoughts after interrupting this woman in front of me. I could feel as if my blood is draining out of my face.
"...if possible, I would like to continue now... is that okay?"
"I-I'm sorry?! I-I just have this habit of forgetting the surrounding when I get deep into my thoughts, and..."
I quickly bowed my head with apology hearing her words which were mixed with reluctance. Damn, I did it again… this hateful habit of mine. I don't know where I got it, but I would start forgetting about the surroundings when I got focused on something. You can positively say that I'm focused, but you can also negatively say that I have narrow eyesight.
Anyways, I did it again. I even feel like the two high school girls looking at me while rolling their eyes, and the people surrounding the beauty looking at me with a wry smile. The high school boy… is for some reason, muttering things while looking down. I suddenly felt like I could become good friends with this guy.
"No, you cannot be blamed for being confused by the sudden even. Once again, everyone from the other world. Welcome to 'Symphonia Kingdom'."
After giving a warm smile towards me after I apologized, the beauty greeted us gracefully with the manner of plucking the hem of her skirt. And it is, as expected should I say, a Kingdom in another world.
Hmmm〜, from the elegance I could feel from her, and from what I guess about her being called My Lady, is she a noble? Maybe a Princess too.
"My name is Lilia Albert. First of all, please forgive us for the sudden call of summoning. I believe that you are confused because of the sudden event. We understand that we should explain to you what is happening first... however, I am very ashamed to ask this for our side's convenience, but before we start explaining, can I ask what everyone's name is?"
"...ah, yes. Uhm... my name is Miyama Kaito."
I answered the beauty Lilia first, as the eldest in our group. In the novels I've read, there are those who would shout incoherently or find trouble with those who welcome them... but experiencing it myself, I could say that I am so confused and puzzled that I answered calmly instead.
"...I'm Kusunoki Aoi."
"...Yuzuki Hina."
"...Mitsunaga Seigi."
The three high school students followed after me. I mean, that high school boy, what a cool name. You should be the Hero already. Everlasting light and Justice? Isn't it already decided that you'd be a Hero with that name...? Though you look more like an indoor type.
"Miyama-sama, Kusunoki-sama, Yuzuki-sama, and Mitsunaga-sama, right? Nice you meet you all. Please forgive my rudeness and wait for a while."
While saying that, Lilia-san glanced at a different robed person, and that robed person took out something that looks like a crystal ball. I couldn't help but tense up because I could feel that they're about to do something, but Lilia-san said "we do not wish to harm you" in a hurry to explain, so I just behaved in my place thinking it's not a good plan to move… it's definitely not because I'm a coward or lack the courage to raise an objection. Definitely not.
"...it looks like it is Mitsunaga-dono who was summoned as the Hero. It would seem that the others got caught with him."
"It was like that after all."
It looks like the Hero is Mitsunaga Seigi-kun. Although my guess hit the spot, this, what is going to happen, really? In this situation where we don't know which is the left to the right, Mitsunaga-kun is really amazing doing a guts pose after being proclaimed as the Hero. You are the number one. Please do your best and take care of all the troubles.
"Well then, the Hero's explanation would be done there?"
"Yes, let us proceed as such. Lilia-sama, we will trouble you explaining the situation to the three guests who were caught up."
After hearing that conversation, Lilia-san told us that we are going to be separated with Mitsunaga-kun because the contents of the explanations would be different between us and the Hero.
Going this far, Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san objected... me? My head's full of different things, so I didn't have the time for that.
Honestly, I can't call myself as the kindest guy there is, and it's not like I have the capacity in my heart to worry about other people during an emergency situation like this. The greatest problem I'm worried about right now... is Lilia-san who is trying to calm Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san. My head is full of questions, what kind of person she is, and what she is planning for us?
According to the impression she had given us so far, she does not seem like a bad person, having such humility. But they have yet to give us an explanation about the reason to summon a Hero, and I do not even know what authority she possesses.
It might be wrong depending on the information from the light novels I've read, but there is a cliché in these kinds of stories where the royals and nobles would use the Hero as a slave, or they would treat those who weren't a hero badly.
In fact, the Hero, Mitsunaga-kun, would receive a different kind of explanation from us, and I can't be blamed for thinking that they have ill intentions against us.
But, sadly, everything, including the basis to support that guess and the hint to overcome this situation, is being held by her, so there is no other choice but to follow her arrangements.
"I can understand that you would feel anxious. However, I shall take an oath with my name that we do not have ill intentions against you. It is very selfish of us to treat you like this, but please forgive us."
Lilia-san said and deeply bowed her head. Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san who still doesn't look convinced stopped their words of objection, and Mitsunaga-kun silently nodded as well. Of course, I nodded too.
The other three probably understands as well, that it's most likely that resistance is futile. Taking a quick glance at their side, I quickly counted that there are more than twice people than us, and most of all, believing in her words that this is another world... there is probably no doubt that there exists a power such as magic.
Of course, Mitsunaga-kun who's a Hero might have a special kind of powers, but I don't believe that a "caught up" person like me have powers like that. With all that in mind, the only choice that would save myself is to listen to them.
Guided by Lilia-san, we left the dark underground room and arrived at a large hall with gorgeous interior decorations. It looks like the explanation for the Hero, Mitsunaga-kun, will be done here, making him stay behind here together with religious-looking white-robed people. I was guided to a different room with the two high school girls.
The room was about half as big compared to the large hall before, sufficiently wide and decorated in a middle-age theme. There is a long table and chairsthough there wasn't an air of a different world on it, so I really can't feel like I'm in another world.
"Please take a seat. Luna, give our three guests something to drink."
"Understood."
Lilia-san sat across us and gave an order to Luna-san who took off her robe who knows when revealing a maid uniform underneath it. I couldn't see well in the dark room earlier and she was also wearing the hood of her robe, so I didn't notice that Luna-san's well-trimmed, shoulder-long hair was light blue in color… there it exists, the so-called air of a different world.
After seeing Luna-san bow and leave the room, we timidly took a seat. First, I sat facing Lilia-san a chair to the right from the chair directly facing her, and Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san sat two chairs away from me.
"Firstly, please let us apologize once again for suddenly calling you to a different world, as well as taking so long to explain the situation to you due to our side's circumstances."
"Ah, please don't mind us..."
"Uhm, what are we... what is going to happen to us from now on?"
It was Kusunoki-san who asked the thing that I'm the most curious of. Her expression that suits the words Yamato Nadeshiko1 together with her long, shiny black hair and slender figure, looks a little calmer compared to me. I'm sure that she's a strong woman in her core, yes, that comparison doesn't have anything to do with me being a coward or anything.
"First, as a major premise, I shall take an oath that in the name of my "House of Duke Albert" that we shall not do harm to the four of you including Mitsunaga-sama."
"...House of... Duke Albert?"
"Oh. Please excuse me. I should have explained my status first. Once again, my name is Lilia Albert. I am... a noble of Symphonia Kingdom, holding the noble title of a Duke."
"My Lady Lilia is the His Majesty the King's half-blooded sister, having a noble title as well as possessing the fourth in succession rights to the throne. That is why, the words that My Lady swore in the name of her household can be taken as the Kingdom's consensus."
Duke?! Succession to the throne?! Although I've expected this, she was an absurdly noble person.
"By the way, she is currently 22 this year, and in this Symphonia Kingdom where one would usually marry in the age of 15 to 19, she is a rare case of being single as a noble Duke."
"...Luna? Why are you spouting out such information? Those things, they're absolutely not needed right?"
"Please forgive me My Lady, I just thought that it is already shameful for you to be called "My Lady" recently..."
"...I think that we need to have a proper talk later, Luna."
This, what is this? Why do I feel pity… although she looks like a very noble beauty and her manners and the tone of her voice were kind, it's like... well, Luna-san is also pretty ruthless.
"...I-I'm going to continue. I am going to continue to answer Kusunoki-sama's question earlier. I believe that the thing that you are most worried about is whether you can return to your previous world, but please be assured of that point."
"W-We... can return?"
The one who asked back with a slightly frightened voice is Yuzuki-san who has a short brown hair and looks as cute as a small critter. Seeing Kusunoki-san gently hold the frightened Yuzuki-san's hand, adding Yuzuki-san's small stature to that, one could easily see that they're in a senpai-kouhai relationship. But, Yuzuki-san's chest is moreーーstop, what am I thinking?!
"Yes... it's just, uhm..."
Lilia-san who heard Yuzuki-san's words showed an expression of having difficulties on how to say it. This, is it really like that? There's a Demon Lord-like being, and we can't go back until we defeat it.
If that's the case, then trusting Lilia-san will be difficult.
"It will take... a year before the summoning magic circle can be reused."
"A-A year?!"
Hm? This is a little different from what I expected. The two girls were probably surprised about it being as long as a year, but I was surprised in a different sense. That's right. The clear condition feels a little, loose…
Normally, in this kind of development, shouldn't we be unable to go back until the Demon Lord's defeated? Oh yeah, maybe that's the case with Mitsunaga-kun. That might be the reason why he's receiving an explanation by himself.
And although I called it loose, to be missing for a whole year, one won't be easily convinced considering the influence it would have when we go back.
"...no way, the competition's so near too…"
"Hina-chan, that's not the problem, it's..."
Is Yuzuki-san a natural air-head? I'm rather impressed that she's able to worry about her competition in this situation.
"Ah, please do not worry. According to the 'Goddess', the flow of time in this world and your world is different, so when you return to your world, you will be returned to the moment before you were summoned here. Your bodies that have grown in this period of one year would be returned to its condition before you were summoned, so there will be no problem."
"..."
Just when a very worrying thing was quickly resolved, a new unknown term called 'Goddess' appeared.
Uhh, in short, it will take a year before we can go back to our world. But there's no need to worry about the lapse of time, and even if we got as fat as a pig in this world, the Goddess or something would turn it back to what it was...
"Of course, we will secure your food, clothing, and shelter while you stay here. Although we cannot entertain you with something as much as a luxurious and flamboyant stay, I can guarantee you a life without inconvenience."
"...oh-okay...?"
"Uhm, thank you very, much?"
Should I describe it as being dumbfounded? Very advantageous information was continuously given to us, so much that both Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san looked confused. To a level that they unconsciously said thanks…
However, it's not the time to let my guard down. That's right. Mitsunaga-kun's case is yet to be solved. If the Hero was summoned to fight against the Demon Lord, then that means that this world is just that dangerous.
"...can I ask a question?"
"Of course, yes. Miyama-sama."
"Uhm, about Mitsunaga-kun... who's having a different explanation in a different room. He was called 'Hero'. That means, there's a Demon Lord-like existence, and he'd fight against it? Is there no mistake in this question?"
I braced myself and asked. Most probably, this will be the turning point. Everything will depend on Lilia-san, if she would answer honestly or change the question. The direction of the course of my action will change depending on her answer. Now, what shall be the answer?
Compared to me who asked with my chest thumping, both Lilia-san and Luna-san… they cluelessly tilted their heads.
"Demon Lord, is it? It was defeated by the First Hero a thousand years ago."
"...eh? Uh, then, are the human race and the demon race in a hostile relationship?"
"Not at all. The human race and the magical races are in a very good relationship. Our exchange and trade with them are thriving as well."
"...what about wars?"
"As far as I know, it has not occurred for 800 years."
"...is there an overflow of monsters?"
"Although monsters exist, it is the Adventurer's Guild and Order of Knight's job to subjugate them. Everyone here and Mitsunaga-sama does not need to fight them."
"..."
Huh? This, what's with this conversation? Hey, please wait, please let me think for a second, okay?!
Uhh, there's no Demon Lord? A good relationship with the demon race? There's no war since 800 years ago? There are monsters, but that doesn't have a thing to do with us?
"...then, what's the Hero Summoning for?"
"A thousand years ago, more specifically, 1009 years ago, the Demon Lord was defeated, and the First Hero became a mediator between the magical races and the human race. Honoring that achievement and wishing for peace in the future, every ten years, a Hero will be invited from the world where the First Hero came from, and a huge festival shall be held."
"...a festival?"
"Yes. That's why, for Mitsunaga-sama, to become the main actor in the 'Hero Festival' exactly one year from now on, he will be given explanations about the things needed for the ceremony, including visiting other countries. Of course, we do respect his own will, so he will be allowed to withdraw from it."
"Ahh, he can withdraw huh."
"Yes, there are many times in the past where there is a substitute for the Hero role in the Hero Festival. If he accepts, he will be treated as a state guest, receiving a very high treatment, in the one year until the Hero Festival. If he decides to withdraw, we will still guarantee his living, allowing him to go sightseeing for a year and go back in a year later."
"...uhh, in short... about us, from now on..."
"Yes... though I believe that you will be confused about some things... I wish to ask you to fully enjoy the different culture of this world, help you go sightseeing and meet new people, and after experiencing the festival that is held only once every ten years... safely return you to your previous world."
"..."
Dear Mother, Father.. I was caught up in a Hero Summoning. But, that world was at peace.