Alex, the summoned "hero", and Mira, the mage cat beastkin, were free-falling from the sky after jumping off from their wyvern mounts.
Alex held Mira's hand tightly as they descended. In all honesty, deep down, he was panicking from falling this high. His untapped fear of falling screamed at him for being an idiot, but this was what he had asked for. He had asked for Mira's help, again and again. While she could be quite the airhead, she had proven to be the most trustworthy and reliable ally to him. He would even dare to say that she was a great friend to him, but he hadn't asked for her friendship yet, so that would have to wait. For now... he has to trust her once again.
Mira, on the other hand, entered a focused state as she began chanting a spell in midair while still holding Alex's hand tightly. "Oh wind, grant me feathers on my descent to the land below your rule. Feather Landing!" As soon as she finished chanting her spell, a torrent of wind enveloped both of their lower torsos. Slowly, their descent from the sky became slower and slower, as if they were indeed feathers gently drifting down.
They both observed that Demon Queen Anna and Hero Yulia were at a stalemate, each assessing the other for weak spots or opportunities to strike. Alex and Mira exchanged nods. This was their only chance to interfere with their battle. Any further delay would result in being caught in the crossfire between these two powerful individuals, with almost no chance of survival.
Mira adjusted her spell to make them descend a bit faster, but not so fast as to kill them, especially Alex, who was still at Level 1. They plummeted faster, closing in on the middle of the battlefield, between the stalemate of the Demon Queen and Hero.
And then... they landed. Perfectly between the two powerful figures. Their sudden appearance from almost out of nowhere shocked everyone on the battlefield.
Immediately, Alex extended his hands towards both of them, his voice breaking the silent tension between Demon Queen Anna and Hero Yulia. "STOP!" he commanded, his voice echoing across the battlefield. Both Queen Anna and Hero Yulia were startled by the sudden commanding voice by Alex.
< | X | >
Meanwhile, on the Demon Army's side.
"Sir Alex?! And Mira too?! What are they doing there?" yelled General Bella from the sidelines of the battlefield, baffled upon seeing their summoned hero and Mira's sudden appearance. She had been carefully observing the battle between Demon Queen Anna and Hero Yulia, searching for an opportunity to assist her Queen. However, the sudden appearance of the two caught her completely off guard, especially in the midst of the battle between the Demon Queen and the Hero.
"Oh my! Is that the rumored Hero?" inquired Roxane, who was beside General Bella and had also been scanning for an opportunity to aid their Queen. This was the first time she had gotten a good look at their summoned hero, and she was surprised by how ordinary he appeared.
Every demon in their army was equally shocked and confused by the sudden appearance of Alex and Mira. While they all knew who Mira was, the human Alex was a complete mystery to them, sparking worry that he might be another one of those heroes.
< | X | >
On the other hand, from the Heroes' Armies' side.
All of the humans who had been watching the fierce battle between Hero Yulia and the Demon Queen were also shocked and confused by the sudden turn of events. The heroes were clamoring among themselves over it as well.
"What's going on?" One of the heroes exclaimed, his voice laced with confusion as he scanned the battlefield, previously tense from witnessing the battle between the Demon Queen and Hero Yulia.
"Hey, who are those people?!" Another one of the heroes asked, pointing towards Alex and Mira with a mix of surprise and concern. They seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and forcefully halted the fierce duel.
"Hold on, do you see that man? Isn't he human?" a female archer hero observed, squinting at Alex's figure in the distance. She knew that many of the demons had otherworldly features on them, but this man in particular had none of them. In fact, he looked really plain.
"Yeah... wait, that black clothes he is wearing... isn't that a formal suit from our world?" the previous hero chimed in, recognition dawning on him.
"It is! It's one of those office worker's suits! Don't tell me... is he from our world as well!?!" the archer hero gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"He most likely is, but... I have never seen that man before, and I'm pretty sure we would have been informed every time there's a new hero summoned by the Holy Kingdom..." one mage hero deduced, adjusting her glasses to get a better look at the unknown office worker.
< | X | >
"Sir Alex... what are you doing here...? I was quite adamant for you to stay at my castle...!" Demon Queen Anna questioned Alex, her tone sharp with anger and confusion. She then directed her ire toward Mira, which earned a tiny shriek from Mira as she instinctively hid behind Alex. Meanwhile, Hero Yulia stood at her position in silence, seemingly observing the whole thing with interest.
Alex showed no reaction to the Demon Queen's attempt at interrogating him. "Sorry... but this is something that I want to do, Queen Anna," Alex returned her stare with his own gaze, filled with passionate and determined emotions. Demon Queen Anna was taken aback by his strong gaze, as she remembered that it had affected her almost the same way during their first meeting.
"W-what are you talking about...?" She shakily muttered back to Alex, complicated emotions swirling inside her as his gaze intensified.
"I have decided... to help you conquer the world!" Alex exclaimed to the Demon Queen.
"Huh...?" Demon Queen Anna muttered in confusion. "What nonsense are you spouting, Sir Alex...?" She questioned Alex's earlier exclamation, not sure if he was serious.
Alex closed his eyes, deep in thought. "... I have learned and observed you demon guys a lot... in the short time since I was summoned to this world of yours," he opened his eyes and returned his intense gaze to the Demon Queen, much to her dismay and discomfort. "I learned about your existence in this world, the struggles and mistakes you've had to endure, your ambition, your motivation, and... your kindness."
Demon Queen Anna was silent upon hearing what Alex had just said, complicated feelings swelling within her. It seemed that Alex had observed them closely enough to articulate such thoughts.
"That is why, in this very moment," Alex began to declared, his voice unwavering and filled with determination, "I, Alex Lee, swear that I will help you achieve them all! So... let's conquer the world together, Anna!" His words echoed across the battlefield, carrying the weight of his commitment to their cause. He also forwent using her Demon Queen title and simply called her by name.
"... ... ..." She was stunned, shocked from hearing Alex's proposal. She had never thought that this wild card of a "hero" would boldly claim to help her conquer the world. But... his eyes showed no lie nor deceit. He was serious in his words. Anna could only stare back at his intense gaze, mesmerized.
She looked down, seemingly deep in her own thought. Then... she looked up again and returned Alex's determine gaze with her own, showing a small smile to him. "... I understand. I am honored to receive your help, Sir Alex," she accepted his proposal.
"Alright!!!" Alex shouted with joy upon hearing Anna's approval. "Well then... since you graciously accepted my offer... you're now an Idol!"
"Huh...?"
Suddenly, a bright white magic circle appeared below Anna. It shone brightly throughout the battlefield, almost blinding everyone. The only ones not affected by the intense light were Alex and Hero Yulia, the latter still observing the situation with interest.
Anna herself felt something inside her change due to this "magic" that Alex had cast on her. But... it didn't hurt her nor make her feel unpleasant. His "magic" warmed her up, comforting her in a strange yet pleasant way, and... it also made her feel "liberated".
Soon enough, the intense "magic" finally stopped as it gradually disappeared.
[Anna Bael has received the Job "Idol"!]
"Idol...?" A pop-up suddenly appeared before her, informing her that she had just received a job called "Idol", most likely related to Alex's own Job, the "Idol Producer". She was stunned upon learning that she was granted such an unknown and strange job so suddenly.
"That's right, Anna-chan! You are now an Idol!" Alex proudly proclaimed. "And it is my job to make sure you become the top Idol and conquer the world with your Idol Power!" He continued with his proclamation.
"Please wait... Sir Alex, I have not-"
"It's 'Mr. Producer', my dear Anna-chan! From now on, whenever we are in our Idol work, you have to address me with that title!"
"Huh???"
The whole thing was becoming even more chaotic as they progressed. Mira watched the whole thing with utter disbelief, as did everyone on the battlefield who was watching. On the other hand, Hero Yulia remained silent, observing the scene.
"Let's not waste any more time! Anna-chan! Are you ready?" Alex asked excitedly.
"Uhm, y-yes?" Anna answered back uncertainly.
"Perfect!" Alex exclaimed upon hearing Anna's not-so-certain readiness. "Let the show begin! Arcana Realm: Idol Stage!"