Esmerelda POV'S.
Jeez, my back hurts.
Why is it always like this whenever I get out of bed? I lift myself off the bed and head to the kitchen, where I begin breakfast.
It has been 40 years since I have been an adventurer. Time seems to fly by. Over the years, I've been teaming up with adventures since I first became a first-timer. Oh, how I was so young and active. I wonder if I should have taken a barbarian class because now, looking back, it seems I've always pulled out a fight.
But for my own purposes, I chose magic as my skill.
Oh, those fun years. I could only imagine how much fun I had.
As I was sipping my tea, my phone rang. I got up and answered it.
Me: Hello? Who am I speaking to?
Malachi: Good morning Elder! Did you sleep well?
Me: Yes, of course. Why are you calling at this time? Are you supposed to be with the girl helping her find her family?
Malachi: Elder, listen, I know I have promised to help her but something came up and I didn't want to miss it. The guild master orders my gang on an important mission in exchange for good value. I know it's hard to ask and you're already retired from your adventuring but can you please help the girl?
I pursed for a moment before answering.
Me: Oh, you're just going to dump the quest on me from now on, huh?
Malachi: NO I WOULD NEVER DO THAT! I'm just saying, you should look after her when we're gone.
Me: But I just retired today and am dealing with my new life now. But it WAS to be interrupted because you and your gang are too greedy to care for a young girl! I'm sorry but I have to decline your offer, Malachi, good day.
But before I could hang up, Malachi spoke.
Malachi: Please Elder! I know what I am doing is selfish but is not what you think. You see, the villagers were attacked by hungry vampires late last night and the guild master wanted us to hunt does vampires down. So, I am asking you to please take care of the girl for us. Her parents must be worried sick. I promise I won't ask for your assistance after this.
I thought for a moment then sighed. Goodness, Malachi is sure everyone's hero sometimes.
Me: Alright, fine. I'll go help her find her parents today. But you have to take your word for not disturbing my retirement.
Malachi: I promise and thank you, Elder.
.
.
.
What? Did I just hear correctly?
Did this young lady say she was from another world? Did someone summon her here? How and with what purpose?
"Excuse me?" I asked. "What did you say?"
"I... said I'm not from around here. I got magically transported here."
The girl stares at me quite seriously. What was her name again? - Amy? Amie? Amimi?
I clear my throat. "I'm sorry dear, what was your name again? And tell me how old are you."
"Aimi Sasuki, I am 16 years old."
"Sasuki, my dear, are you sure you were transported to another world?"
Sasuki looked down at her purple rice. "I'm positive, ma'am."
"Your claim that you are from another world is a little... unbelievable," I said. "How would you expect me to believe you?"
Young Sasuki looked at me, then her gaze moved to her legs, unresponsive.
This girl is quite an odd one. She seemed to be deep in thought. I wondered what was going through her mind.
Then she spoke up. "I... honestly don't know how to explain myself. All I can say is that I don't belong here. Where I come from we don't have a purple race. I don't understand the customs or culture of this place. I just want to go home." She glanced around, her eyes pleading for understanding.
It was at that moment that I knew I believed in her. Earlier, she couldn't comprehend the menu's language.
This seems... unbelievable!
I've never heard of a person being moved from one planet to another. It's true - they are 'Summoners,' with such tremendous magic that they can move beings from one place to another, but never from the outside realm!
Whoever summoned her must be proficient in transportation sorcery.
"Really? So you're telling me you are from another world? How? Who summoned you?"
"A midget named Tomas", she answered.
"Tomas - you say? Why did he summon you?"
"He wanted me to help him free his majesty who was trapped in a magic mirror."
'Majesty?' I'm not sure what that means. Our queen, Emmaline, is doing well.
"Excuse me, what do you mean? To whom are you referring when you say majesty?" I said.
Before responding, Sasuki took a bite of her purple race. "It was a king that ruled over demi-humans years ago, although he referred to himself as "The Demon Lord."
My spoon fell from my hand as I sat there in shock. Had I really just heard what I thought I did? Tomas had summoned her to free... 'Lucifer?'
She took notice of my facial expression and quickly tried to backpedal her words. "No, no, I didn't mean it, I was only joking. I didn't mean to scare you." She said, trying to assure me. But I had heard her loud and clear.
"Sasuki, please stop eating and go to your room," I order. "We'll talk about everything you just stated. Come on, come on."
I grab her by the arm and drag her out of the cafeteria. Could this be happening? Does the demon lord have escaped his imprisonment? How come nobody's guarding it? I need answers and she's the only one who can explain everything.
.
.
.
"So, that's all that occurs?" Looking down at her from her bed, I replied.
"Yes, that's all I know about what happens." She said this while kneeling on the floor. "And then he throws me off the cliff and walks away as if nothing happened."
I sat in silence, considering all her states - she was resting in her room from her world when she was unexpectedly taken to my world, where she was misled by Lucifer into liberating him.
Now that Lucifer, the Demon Lord, is free, he is plotting global destruction. I must notify the capital and the Queen of this, as well as allow government agents to identify all adventurers interested in capturing Lucifer. If I don't act immediately, the entire globe will be in jeopardy.
"Thank you, Sasuki," I said gratefully. "You were quite brave in telling me everything. But I have to ask: how did you survive that fall? The mountain where Lucifer was imprisoned is one of the tallest in the country."
She switch her head and smiled. "Oh, uh, this may sound silly but a red dragon rescues me."
"What? A red dragon?"
She laughs. "Yeah, it opens its mouth and holds me on its tongue before landing and spits me out. I don't why but it's the truth."
That couldn't be further from the truth; dragons are notorious for being wild and dangerous beasts. They consume and destroy anything in their way. How did this dragon manage to save her?
Well, it doesn't matter, right now there's a demon on the loose and I'm not going to let this slide.
"Alright then, that's everything I need to hear," I said before standing up and walking towards the door. "I'll be sure to inform everything you stated near the local capital. I'll be sure to look after you. Goodbye -"
But before I could finish, Sasuki grab my hand. "Wait! Don't leave yet, who's going to help me get back home?"
I turned back to Sasuki, understanding her concern. "Don't worry, I won't abandon you. Helping you get back home is now my priority as well. I used to be a mage after all and I have some knowledge of summoning. But first, you need your end of the bargain."
"My bargain?" I asked.
"Yes, from tomorrow, you'll be assigned as an adventurer," I said calmly. "I won't provide you as much money as I can. So you'll have to look for a job. And I can not think of anything other jobs for you."
Her eyes tear up. "But what about my Mom back in my world? Please just send me back home or ask another summoner! I don't want to feel a burden to anyone!"
At this point, she drop on her needs and started crying.
Seeing Sasuki's distress, I kneel down next to her and place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I understand your worries, Sasuki. Your concern for your mom and not wanting to burden anyone is completely valid. But I promise you, I won't let you face this alone. I'll inform the government about the demon lord breaking out and every adventurer will do whatever it takes to bring Lucifer down. In the meantime, I'll try summoning spells to work out how to bring you back home."
Taking a deep breath, I continue, "As for the expenses, don't worry about that either. You're not a burden to me; you're someone in need of help, and it's in my nature to assist those in need. Plus, with my knowledge of summoning and magic, I'll be sure to send you back home."
I offer her a warm smile. "Now, let's dry those tears. We have work to do."
Sasuki looks up, her tears starting to subside, and gives me a weak smile. "Thank you for understanding. I just miss my mom so much, but I don't want to see anyone else hurt because of me."
"We'll find a way to reunite you with your mom, I promise," I reassure her. "And remember, you're not responsible for the actions of the Demon Lord. The kingdom will stop him and ensure he can't hurt anyone else."
With renewed determination, Sasuki nods and wipes away her tears. "Okay, I trust you. I'll... I'll be an adventurer."