Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~

Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~Chapter 077 : Behold, the Hero is Coming

Author Note: The you are currently reading is indeed "Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~"

~~~

[――Surely, you too can become a hero!]

[――Kitto anata mo, yuusha ni narerun desu!]

On a certain holiday, in the middle of the afternoon, a boy stopped in his tracks upon hearing these sudden and striking words in the bustling downtown area. As he looked, through the window of an electronics store, a flat-screen TV displayed what seemed to be a talk show program. The content of the video appeared to be an interview or something of the sort. Surrounded by text captions on the screen, a fair-skinned young man came into view. His face was recognizable as that of a game creator who had gained fame recently.

[Virtual Reality technology has made remarkable progress in the past few years. Yes, it's a groundbreaking breakthrough. Within twenty years at the latest, we'll have an era where you can enjoy VR games right in your own homes. Yes, absolutely!]

[Vācharu riariti gijutsu wa koko suu-nen de kakudan no shinpo o togemashita. Ee, kakki-teki na bureiku-suruu desu yo, kore wa. Osokutomo ni juu-nen inai ni wa, gokatei demo VR gēmu o tanoshimeru jidai ga kuru koto deshou. Hai, kanarazu desu!]

"Virtual Reality. Abbreviated as VR. The concept alone had been around since the previous century. Instead of just watching images and sound through a screen, it was an interface that allowed you to experience things as if they were real by directly sending electrical signals to the brain.

The modern technology has indeed come this far, the boy thought with admiration. However,

(Even if they say you can become a hero, it's still just inside a game, right?)

(Yuusha ni narerun desu tte itte mo, kekkyoku gēmu no naka dake daro?)

The boy was entertaining a sarcastic sentiment within himself.

"Yoo, Erimiya. What are you looking at?"

“Yoo, Erimiya. Nani miten da?”

Suddenly called by his name, the boy turned away from the screen and looked behind him. The person addressing him was a friend from the same class at high school.

"Oh, it’s you, Tanaka. Check this out."

“Tanaka ka. Kore da yo, kore.”

"What is it? [You can become a hero too!? The future of games changed by VR technology?] huh. It's kind of unusual, isn't it? Talking about the game industry on a show like this."

“Nani nani? [Kimi mo yūsha ni!? VR gijutsu de kawaru mirai no gēmu to wa?] datte? Nanda ka mezurashii naa, kou iu bangumi de gēmu gyoukai no hanasun no tte.”

"Maybe ‘cuz it's such a groundbreaking topic? It's about VR after all."

“Sore dake kakki-teki na wadai tte koto nan janee no? VR da shi.”

Towards his friend who showed keen interest, the boy, Erimiya Yuuto, responded randomly. The friend, oblivious to this, continued the conversation cheerfully.

"Feels like wanting to try a VR Game once, right? Love simulation game or anything like that is geeky so I’ve never tried it before, but with realistic VR, it might actually shake my beliefs a bit."

“Ippen yatte mitee yo naa, VR gēmu. Ren'ai gē toka otakuppoi kara yatta koto nakatta kedo, genjitsumi no aru VR de tte naru to, ore mo chotto shinjou ga yurai jau kamo.”

"Right. It sounds like an exciting game."

“Sou da na. Tanoshimi na gēmu da na.”

Indeed, a game. No matter how close to true reality it gets, virtual reality remains just that—virtual. In the face of genuine reality, it's a fleeting illusion, a mere consolation.

(It's a story for ten or twenty years down the line... By that time, I'll probably be a working adult. Maybe I'll become a regular salaryman, or at worst, I'll end up as a part-time worker. Though it would be nice if they release it when I am still a university student with time to spare for hobbies.)

(Juu-nen, ni juu-nen wa saki no hanashi tte… sono koro ni wa ore mo shakai-jin ka. Tabun, futsuu ni sararīman ka nanika ni demo natte iru ka, heta surya sore sura muri de furītā ka. Dekiru nara jikan o shumi ni tsukaeru daigakusei no koro ni wa hatsubai shite kurerya ii noni na.)

While not completely devoid of anticipation, the prospect of a dull and dry future takes precedence in his mind. Erimiya Yuuto was such a boy.

Yuuto found himself lost in thought. When did he start becoming like this? During his childhood—kindergarten and the early years of elementary school—he seemed to have a more innocent and straightforward personality. He admired the protagonists on TV and in manga, and he was engrossed in the achievements of athletes. Everything he saw was fresh, and the entire world sparkled. When did that feeling leave him?

In the classroom, he crammed his studies as if it were routine work, and in the soccer club he was a part of, he didn’t aim to become a professional, nor did he have a determination to win in a tournament, and participated in practice out of habit. Once home, he completed homework assignments, half-heartedly flipped through the pages of weekly manga magazines to stay up to date with trends. It wasn't that he had no pleasures, no complaints, or felt worthless. However, his daily life lacked that essential passion and radiance, occasionally making him want to shout out in frustration.

He wanted to be extraordinary. Amid the ordinary life of a high school student, a probable future as an ordinary college student and then an ordinary working adult. Discarding the common and attainable, he wanted to achieve something that only he could do. He wanted to see things he hadn't seen before. He wanted to feel passionate. He longed for a goal worth pursuing with his entire being—a goal that would set his heart on fire.

(Well, It’s because I couldn’t find something like that that I'm indulging myself in games and whatnot as a substitute.)

(Ma, sonna mono ga mitsukaranai kara, gēmu dano nanda no o daishou ni, jiko manzoku shite irun da kedo na.)

He muttered such thoughts to himself, almost in self-deprecation. Revealing such sentiments in front of his classmates would surely result in being ridiculed as a dreamy person despite his age. Come to think of it, young individuals who struggled with such extraordinary aspirations were called "chuunibyou" or "eighth-grader syndrome" more than twenty years ago. It originated from the kind of mindset common in around the second year of junior high school, but Yuuto was now in his second year of high school. It should have been a mindset he had graduated from two or three years ago.

Before he knew it, the program had moved on to a different segment. It was a heartwarming but not particularly impressive report about a baby polar bear being born in some zoo. The two high school boys unconsciously walked away from the electronics store and continued side by side.

"So, Erimiya, if VR games became a reality, what kind of game would you want to play?"

“De? Erimiya wa moshi VR gēmu ga dekitara don'na no ga yaritai no yo?”

His classmate asked as they walked along. Yuuto thought for a moment before answering.

"I guess an RPG. If I'm going to play, I want to do things that are impossible in real life."

“Yappa RPG janai ka na. Douse nara genjitsu da to dekinai you na koto, yatte mitaishi.”

"Nah, that won't do! The recent ones are all about watching movies and don't feel like we’re playing it. If not, what are they called? DLC? We have to pay extra and buy additional scenarios to understand the story, right? Aren't straightforward games like fighting games or sports games, where you just move around and have fun, the better option?"

“Kaa, dame dame! Saikin no wa mūbī bakka miserarete asonderu tte kanji shinee shi, sou de nai no mo DLC tte iu no? Kakin shite tsuika shinario kawanai to hanashi no suji ga wakannee no bakka jan. Kaku gē toka supōtsu-kei toka, sou iu ugokashiteru dake de tanoshii no ga anpai nan ja ne?”

"…R-right."

“...So, sou da na.”

He responded, trying to appear as calm as possible. In reality, Yuto liked RPGs. He particularly enjoyed games where you could watch in-game event movies or uncover hidden settings and backstage stories through additional scenarios. Of course, if a game excessively pushed for microtransactions or had an extreme ratio of cutscenes to actual gameplay time, he didn't hesitate to label it as a bad game.

"Also, I'm honestly tired of fantasy stuff. They all have handsome protagonists and indistinguishable girls. Even if they're set in a different world, they all seem to have similar plots and atmospheres――"

“Ato, fantajī mono toka shoujiki aki aki dashi. Dore mo kore mo bikei no shujinkou toka kubetsu tsukanee onna no ko toka bakka dete ite sa. Isekai toka iwarete mo, nan katta tte nita you na tenkai ya fun’iki bakka de――”

His friend continued with a critical tone, seemingly unaware of Yuuto's true feelings. Yuuto decided that he should avoid discussing games with this guy from now on. It wasn't that he was a bad person, but there were certain aspects of their interests that just didn't align.

Not feeling particularly cheerful, Yuuto decided to forcefully change the topic.

"Different world, huh. Speaking of, what if there were such a thing? Would you want to go if it existed?"

“Isekai, ne. Sou ieba sa, moshi sonna no ga atta to shitara, omae wa itte mitai to omou ka?”

"Not at all."

“Zenzen”

It was an immediate reply.

"I don't really like normal trips or anything like that, even if it’s in a different world, I’m not interested~."

“Ore, futsuu no ryokou toka mo suki ja nee shi, chigau sekai toka iwarete mo kyoumi nai wa~”

"Haha. So you're more concerned about what happens next in a drama?"

“Haha. Sonna no yori dorama no tsuzuki toka ga kininaru kuchi ka.”

"Rather, for me, I'm quite satisfied with my current life. I'm not craving excitement to the point of sticking my nose in other people's business――"

“Te iu ka, ore-teki ni wa ima no kurashi de kekkou manzoku na wake yo. Wazawaza yoso-sama ni kubi tsukkomu hodo, shigeki ni wa uete nee ttsuu ka――”

His friend continued with a knowing look.

"――First of all, just because you go to a different world doesn't necessarily mean things will become more interesting or better than they are now, right?"

“――Dai ichi, betsu no sekai ni itta kara tte, ima yori omoshiroku nattari ii koto ga attari suru to wa, kagiranee jan ka.”

~~~

A fist as rugged as a rock slammed onto the round table, producing a resonating thud that reverberated through the room. Some of the seated high-ranking clergy and men dressed in priestly robes flinched, their gazes converging on the source of the noise. The attention was fixed on the one who had caused the sound――not exactly a priest but rather a burly warrior-like figure who had earned fame in battles. His massive and sturdy frame was clad in a simple robe, yet the long sash, known as a stole, hanging from his neck indicated his elevated status as a high-ranking priest.

His stern face, accompanied by a piercing glare and the clenching of his back teeth, radiated an intense anger that hardly befitted a holy man.

"...What did you just say? Emilio Lazzaro Callandra, Commander of the Warrior Monk Corps."

“...Ima, nanto osshatta noda? Emirio razarro karandora souhei danchou.”

His voice was surprisingly quiet, yet it contained a simmering heat and a tremor as if barely containing an impending eruption. Those who heard it couldn't help but feel the pent-up fury beneath the surface. One could only wonder what might happen if that emotion were to explode.

However, the individual to whom these words were directed snorted as if mocking, shrugged his shoulders, and replied with a sardonic laugh.

"Oh my, my. Has the esteemed abbot's hearing perhaps gone dull? Lord Gianfranco Paolo Phantony, Commander of the Holy Knights."

“Oya oya. Gobou to shita koto ga, mimi ga tooku narareta ka na? Janfuranko paoro fantōni seikishi danchou-dono.”

With a voice that resembled the slimy trail of a crawling slug on an earlobe, and a malicious, cold-blooded, bestial glare that seemed almost like a personified malevolent creature, this individual exuded an adhesive and viscous quality. Despite wearing resplendent attire befitting a saint, including a silvery thick cassock that was more silver than blinding white, and a bishop's mitre conspicuously donned as if it were a festive occasion, this was a true representation of the splendid appearance of a saint. However, the only impressions left by this man were those of a wretched and mean-spirited little man.

Emilio Callandra, the Commander of the Warrior Monk Corps, a man who adorned himself with symbols of authority, continued his words with an overt expression of wicked delight.

"Shouldn't we hold the Hero Summoning Ritual for the first time in three hundred years? That's what I suggested."

“Sanbyaku-nen buri ni yuusha shoukan no gi o toriokonau beki dewa nai ka. Sou moushiageta no desu yo.”

"Don't you dare speak nonsense!"

“Fuzaketa koto o mousu de nai!”

Once again, accompanied by a furious shout, both fists slammed onto the table. Whether the tremor that shook the space around the round table originated from the voice or the aftermath of the blow was unclear. The incensed clergyman, Cardinal Phantony, who also held the title of Commander of the Omnia Empire's Holy Knights, rose up in his agitation.

"The Hero is originally a warrior summoned from another world for the sake of the sacred war against the Demon King. And now you're proposing to summon one without any definite signs? Are you trying to make enemies of all three major nations!?"

“Yuusha to wa, somosomo maou toubatsu no seisen ga tame ni yobareru ikai no senshi dewa nai ka. Sore o kakutaru choukou mo nashi ni shoukan suru da to? Kisama, san-daikoku o matomete teki ni mawasu ki ka!?”

"P-please calm down, Lord Phantony."

“O, ochitsukare yo Fantōni-dono.”

The cardinal seated next to him extended his palms and spoke to soothe the situation.

"This is a sacred meeting of the Cardinal Council. It would be wise to maintain tranquility and conduct discussions."

“Kore naru wa shinsei naru suukikyou kaigi no ba dearimasu zo. Geki suru koto naku, seihitsu o tamotte giron o nasareru beki ka to.”

"Grrr..."

“Gumumu…”

In response to his words, Phantony clenched his teeth and growled, while Callandra curled his lips with an expression saying ‘look, it’s your fault.’

The Omnia Empire, the oldest country within the four major countries in the Itucera Continent and the headquarters of the Holy King Church. The Cardinal Council was where the policies of the nation and the inseparable institution were determined. The attendees were eighteen cardinals who hold key positions within the nation, all gathering in the imperial capital, Omnia. The number eighteen was derived from the remaining apostles on Earth upon the Holy King's ascension. Following the ancient saint's example, the conference carried the intention of deciding the fate of the land of Itucera and its faithful in this solemn setting.

TL Note: I changed the continent name from Ithuselah to Itucera.

In contrast, there was Emilio Lazzaro Callandra, a cardinal who did not match the gravity of the situation. The topic of discussion causing turmoil in this assembly was his proposal for summoning a hero.

"Good grief. My proposal was supposed to be a countermeasure to the situation that you were concerned about in the first place, you know?"

“Yare yare. Watashi no teian wa, somosomo gobou no kigusareta jitai e no taisaku dearu hazu nano daga ne?”

"Indeed, indeed. The war between Arquell and St. Gallen, and the appearance of monsters on the battlefield. Moreover, the root cause of the conflict lies in the abnormal appearance of monsters in the east."

“Shikari shikari. Arukēru to zankutogaren no sensou, soshite senjou ni arawareta to iu mamono no gunzei. Somo, kaisen no en'in wa touhou de shoujita mamono no ijou hassei ni aru.”

"Even within the borders of Arquell, there are reports of new dungeons that even A-ranked adventurer parties cannot return from. With such a series of calamities, it wouldn't be unnatural to consider them harbingers of extraordinary events."

“Arukēru kokunai demo, A-kyuu no bouken-sha pāti de sura seikan no kanawanu arata na danjon ga arawareta to ka. Kore dake no kyouji no renzoku, jinjou narazaru dekigoto no maebure to toru no mo fushizen dewa nai deshou ni.”

TL Note: Bruh most of it are Tullius’ doing lmao

Callandra and his supporters began to criticize Phantony one after another. What was the man who usually condemned the cautious stance of the monk soldiers and ardently advocated for stronger intervention in the recent continental situation, now saying? This was the essence of their argument.

"I’m saying that solution like that is too extreme...!"

“Sono taisaku ga kyokutan dearu to iu noda…!”

The stern commander of the holy knights retorted in a frustrated and low voice.

"The power of a hero is not something to be wielded recklessly. In the mortal world, it is so immensely powerful that it could disrupt the balance between nations. To summon one without definite proof of the Demon Lord's resurrection, what would be the purpose?"

“Yuusha no chikara to wa, midari ni furuu beki mono dewa nai. Gense ni atte wa shokoku no kinkou o kuzushi kanenu hodo ni kyoudai dearu no da. Maou fukkatsu no kakutaru akashi mo nashi ni shoukan shite nani to suru!?”

"Lord Phantony’s words are indeed most valid. A hero is an apostle sent by the heavens to the earth. It is right to say that they shouldn't be summoned frivolously."

“Fantōni-dono no gen koso mottomo ka to. Yuusha to wa tenjou no omo ga ji ni tsukawasu shito. Akugi ni yobidasu beki dewa nai to iu no ga, seiron dearimashou.”

"Really, No. In the first place, the resurgence of the Demon Lord is said to stem from the disorder of people's hearts. It is crucial to first preach the teachings to the people and spread harmony throughout the world. That should be the priority and the correct path."

“Iya, mattaku. Dai ichi, maou no fukkatsu wa jinshin no midare ni tan o hassuru to souba ga kimatte oru. Mazu wa tami ni oshie o toki, yo ni wa o hiromeru no ga senketsu ni shite hondou ka to zonjiageru.”

The opponents of the summoning were subtly casting blame upon Callandra, the central figure of the proponents. Their eyes carried a faint hint of condemnation towards him. It was the same Callandra who had abused the privileges of a cardinal to indulge in vulgar extravagances, and yet, had until now used the boundary between the sacred and the secular as an excuse to remain hesitant in intervening in foreign affairs. The question arose: What was he trying to achieve by speaking out now?

(Most likely, he intends to enhance his own position by incorporating the hero's strength and overseeing the grand ritual of summoning. Corrupt merchant of faith...)

(Ookata, yuusha no buryoku o torikomu koto to, shoukan to iu dai gishiki o sahai suru koto de onore ga tachiba o kyouka suru kokorozumori dearou. Kusare maisu-me ga…)

With a stern expression, Phantony glared at his political rival sitting across from him. He had never liked Callandra from the beginning. His nature of indulging in power for personal gain, the recklessness of getting entangled in diplomatic relations with the neighboring country Arquell due to a conspiracy, and the ingratitude of withdrawing from the previous campaign despite being involved in that incident, all of these clashed with Phantony's values of sincerity and resilience. As a religious figure, Callandra had too much secular influence, and as a politician, his personal interests overshadowed everything. He was a man known as the "Gray Cardinal," Emilio Lazzaro Callandra.

So, about why was such a person occupying the seat of a cardinal within the Holy King Church――

"Hm. Then why did I consulted my esteemed colleagues about this grand plan? Let me explain the reason."

“Fumu. Dewa, doushite watashi ga kono soukyo o shokei ni hakatta ka? Sono riyuu o kaichin shiyou dewa nai ka.”

With a poised snap of his fingers, the door of the conference room was solemnly opened.

"Excuse me."

“Shitsurei itashimasu.”

A voice as pleasant as the ringing of a bell, soothing to the ears. Despite maintaining an upright posture and a sense of dignity, there was an air of modesty about her. Her face could be compared to a pure white lily. At first glance, it seemed odd for a young woman… no, a girl to be attending the meeting of venerable clerics who had reached their positions through years of devotion.

Entering the room accompanied by a group of temple guards, the girl wore somewhat unusual attire. Aside from the circlet adorning her forehead, she was dressed in blue nun's robes that covered her neck and below. Several Holy Symbols and sacred inscriptions were affixed to the robe, carefully sealing something within. As she walked, or rather, as her immature chest rose and fell with her breath, a faint shimmering occurred.

"Irmaella Aurelia Callandra has come by the invitation of the Warrior Monk Corps’ Commander."

“Irumaerra oreria karandora. Souhei danchou no o maneki ni ouji sanjou tsukamatsurimashita.”

Possessing an immense strength of divine power, a high priestess with an extraordinary degree of sanctity, necessitating multiple layers of seals due to its magnitude. That was her. And perhaps by some twist of fate, as her name indicated, she was the daughter of the Warrior Monk Corps’ Commander, Emilio Callandra.

(As usual, a father and daughter who are similar yet so different.)

(Ai mo kawarazu, nite mo nitsukanu oyako yo.)

While her father was being dismissive yet self-satisfied, the daughter displayed the demeanor of a perfect saint. In a contrast that seemed like a joke, it made Phantony feel dizzy. In reality, this parent and child were polar opposites in every way. While Irmaella possessed an unprecedented level of magical power within the church, her father Emilio had only a fraction of the power possessed even by the average monk. The Callandra family was a former noble house that had fallen from grace three generations ago due to power struggles within the church hierarchy. He managed to regain his status by showcasing his daughter, born with unparalleled magical potential, and promoting her as a saint. The positions of Warrior Monk Corps’ Commander and Cardinal were both achieved through the reflected glory of his daughter, rather than his own abilities.

However, this also meant that Irmaella's influence was so strong that such measures had to be taken.

The man who warmed the seat of the Cardinal's chair with the prestige of his daughter spoke in a condescending tone.

"My daughter, you shall inform the esteemed individuals present, including the Holy Knights’ Commander, of what you know."

“Waga musume yo. Seikishi danchou-dono o hajime to suru o-rekireki ni, omae no shiru tokoro o kikasete sashiageru ga ii.”

"...Yes."

“...Hai.”

While being used as a pawn in political struggles, Irmaella maintained her composure and nodded calmly, her expression faintly shaded. Her demeanor evoked the image of a saintly woman, which struck a chord even with those who opposed the Callandras like Phantony and the others. As mentioned repeatedly, this father-daughter pair were complete opposites in every aspect. If the father was a worldly man who abused authority and power, the daughter was a devoted believer in faith. And yet, it was their blood connection alone that led her to be exploited for base reasons by her father. It was hard not to feel the unfairness of her situation, being manipulated by her father's selfishness despite her saintly influence.

Regardless, the testimony of the Imperial Saint had begun.

"I've been having nightmares every night from the previous battle between Arquell and St. Gallen."

“Saki no Arukēru to zankutogaren no gassen yori, watashi wa maiban akumu o miru no desu.”

"Nightmares, you say?"

“Akumu, to na?”

One of the attendees blinked while contemplating.

"Yes. A land beyond the westernmost desert. I witnessed a scene where impure blue flames rose from that land."

“Hai. Nishi no saihate, sabaku o koeta saki no chi. Ano chi yori fujou no aoi honou ga tatsu koukei o mimashita.”

An almost inaudible buzz of unease filled the hall.

The western peninsula. A forbidden land, extending endlessly with deserts and infested by formidable demons. It was once the very place where the most terrible calamity—the reign of the Demon King—threatened the entirety of the Itucera continent.

The Demon King's first historical mention dated back seven centuries. It was an era when humanity gained divine blessings upon the ascension of the Holy King, and the eradication of monsters progressed over the span of around three hundred years. During that time, the Holy Omnia Empire continued its expansion northward, conquering what is now the Arquell Kingdom and subjugating the tribes of the Morbaehr Islands in the northern seas. The continent thrived under a unified nation. The age where humanity faced extinction due to the demons had long passed; it was a time when the influence of the Holy King's teachings reached even across the sea. At that time, in the western peninsula, which was being gradually incorporated into the Holy Omnia Empire and was undergoing conversion, demons began to emerge suddenly. In an instant, the local population, knights and priests dispatched from Omnia, as well as elves, dwarves, livestock, wild beasts, birds, fish, and even plants—all were slaughtered by the claws and fangs of dark entities. That day, humanity recalled memories from a century past—memories of the era when they were on the brink of annihilation, an age without divine protection. They remembered their struggle against an overwhelming force of darkness that had threatened their survival. And at the heart of countless malevolent creatures, an entity that chanted curses of human annihilation, commanding an army of evil. That entity was the Demon King.

The battle against the Demon King was chronicled as a fierce and pungent conflict. The powerful demons under his command, unlike their predecessors, possessed intelligence and sought to torment and kill humans, not merely for sustenance or self-defense. Even among the subjugated demi-human races such as goblins, orcs, and ogres, which were known for their ferocity, there were those who submitted to the power of darkness, becoming demons themselves. Omnia's expeditionary forces faced these hordes in battle and suffered defeat on three occasions.

Ultimately, the first Hero, summoned by the princess of that time, engaged in a duel to the death with the Demon King and managed to seal him. Yet, the former Holy Omnia Empire fell into a period of severe decline. The damages from the war were extensive. Moreover, a significant number of the soldiers who never returned from the battlefield included high-ranking priests and even members of the imperial family, who had served as knights due to their noble bloodline. The former Holy Omnia Empire entered a state of significant weakening. The aftermath of the war resulted in the extinction of the old imperial lineage within a century. The various kings who had been under the emperor's command declared their independence. The once-thriving Holy Omnia Empire collapsed, leaving only the peninsula, its birthplace, as a remnant.

The culprit of the potential extinction of humanity and the subsequent collapse of the former Holy Empire, that was the Demon King.

"So you’re saying the dreams you've seen are a premonition of the Demon King's revival?"

“Kijo no mita yume ga, maou fukkatsu no yochou dearu to?”

"With due respect, yes, that is what I am saying. More precisely, I believe it to be a servant of the Demon King, a member of the demon race."

“Osore nagara, sou dearu to moushiagemasu. Seikaku ni wa maou no shimobe taru mazoku dearu to omowa remasuga.”

"Demon race...!"

“Mazoku…!”

Once again, a ripple of unease spread among the people present.

High-ranking monsters that serve as the hands and feet of the Demon King and work in the shadows for his revival were referred to as members of the demon race. They were devils that tempt and corrupt humans for the purpose of offering them to their master, stealing souls to become sacrifices. They were like evil dragons that brought massive destruction and consumed numerous lives. Regardless of the specifics, they were monsters that exceed the kind of creatures adventurers typically face.

"The previous premonition of the Demon King's revival was three hundred years ago... At that time, the hero of that era succeeded in preventing the revival by defeating the demon race, right?"

“Zenkai mirareta maou fukkatsu no yochou wa sanbyaku-nen mae… sono ori wa, touji no yuusha ga mazoku o uchihatasu koto de fukkatsu no soshi ni seikou shita no deatta na.”

"Nevertheless, the terror of the demon race――and monsters strongest among them, Four Demon Generals, cannot be underestimated. The fact that we let the establishment of St. Gallen was due to the decline of Arquell as a result of that battle."

“To wa ie, mazoku――naka demo yubiori no kaibutsu dearu shi-ma-shou no osoroshi-sa wa anadorenu. Zankutogaren no seiritsu o zashi suru koto ni natta no mo, ano tatakai de Arukēru ga suibi shita ga yue dearu kara na.”

"So, you’re suggesting we should summon the hero ahead of time while only the subordinates of the demon race are awakening?"

“De wa, mezamete oru no ga haika no mazoku nomi dearu uchi ni, sakinjite yuusha o yobidashite oku to?”

"...Perhaps there is no other choice."

“...Sore mo itashi kata nashi ka.”

The gazes of those seated at the conference table quickly converge on a single point. This is due to the unexpected change in stance from Cardinal Phantony, who was supposed to be the vanguard of the opposing faction, but then spoke in favor of the Hero Summoning ritual. Naturally, the cardinals who were aligned with him in opposition to Cardinal Callandra wore displeased expressions.

"However, Holy Knights’ Commander, isn't it just a child's dream after all?"

“Shikashi na, seikishi danchou. Shosen wa onna kodomo no yumemi de arimasu zo?”

"Yes, indeed. It seems rather weak as a basis to rely on."

“Sayou. Konkyo to suru ni wa isasaka hakujaku ni sugiru ka to.”

At that point, being swayed by Phantony would have only further emboldened the detestable "Gray Cardinal" Emilio Callandra. Despite the words spoken by the esteemed Saint Irmaella, it ultimately came down to the fact that she was that man's daughter. This must have been another maneuver to strengthen Emilio's position. Yet, compromising like this, as always, he had been lenient toward his daughter, hadn't he?—Unspoken words seemed to convey this sentiment.

However, the steadfast expression of the Holy Knights’ Commander, carved from rock, remained unshaken.

"Of course, conducting such a significant ritual based solely on dreams is insufficient. However, it is not the first or second time that Saint Irmaella has received divine revelations."

“Muron, yume ga dou no to iu riyuu dewa kakaru dai gishiki o toriokonau ni wa fusoku. Ga, seijo Irumaerra ni takusen ga kudatta koto wa ichido ya nido dewa nai.”

Indeed, even the recent outbreak of monsters in St. Gallen was predicted by her in advance. When the forest overflowed with monsters, attacking people, and death approached from the eastern black woods, she tearfully expressed her anxieties, seeking advice. And it was none other than Phantony who listened and offered counsel.

"...Though I remember it was once crushed by a certain someone in the past."

“...Katsute wa, sore mo dokozo no dareka ni nigiri tsubusareta ki ga suru ga na.”

Saying that, he glared at the man sitting across from him, who was smirking with self-satisfaction. This man had once dismissed the words of his own virtuous daughter, who had elevated him to a high position, as mere nonsense, believing that intervening in the Eastern lands would bring him no personal gain.

Perhaps he realized that this retort had etched a flaw in his confidence in victory, as Emilio Callandra's thin face contorted into an ugly expression.

"It is precisely because I regret such mistakes that I made this proposal. Trying to find fault in minor details like this is rather unpleasant――"

“Sono you na kashitsu o kuita kara koso kotabi no teigi de arimasu. Kaku mo ageashi o tora reru to wa, shoushou fuyukai ni――”

"Which is why,"

“Nareba koso,”

Cutting off his gaze from the worthless man who only took advantage of his daughter, Phantony continued.

"Which is why we need to determine whether her nightmares are mere dreams or true revelations. It's necessary to confirm this point."

“Nareba koso, kanojo no mita akumu ga tan naru yume ka, soretomo makoto ni takusen dearu no ka. Kono ten o kakutei shite oku hitsuyou ga aru.”

"――and, you're suggesting?"

“――to, iimasu to?”

"In the next full moon, I propose that we conduct a ritual to formally receive the revelation."

“Tsugi no mangetsu, gishiki o okonai seishiki ni takusen ga kudaru no o koinegau.”

Arranging for the display of a miracle called revelation by offering prayers from multiple priests to the Lord in heaven. If its contents align with Irmaella's dream, then they could proceed with the matter of summoning a hero. Reckless hero summoning should be avoided, but allowing the unchecked rise of the demon race would be even more detestable. Therefore, making the necessity of summoning more certain was a natural progression.

"Furthermore, to ensure fairness in the ceremony, I think it's necessary to appoint a neutral party, how about it?"

“Mata saishi wa, kousei o kisu tame ni dare zo chuuritsu no mono o tateru hitsuyou ga aru ka to omou ga, ikaga ka?”

And to prevent the distortion of the revelation's content, it was proposed that someone who wasn't in favor or against the summoning would oversee the ritual.

"Hmph... Seems like a reasonable compromise."

“Fun… datou na sen ka to.”

Emilio grumbled with evident irritation. He probably anticipated that Phantony would staunchly oppose, and was planning to step in and take control of the ceremony himself. Such foolishness. If he had started by mentioning the possibility that his daughter might receive a revelation, the conference would have reached a conclusion long ago. It's because of the intention to either provoke or expose the opposition, Phantony and the others, resorting to such petty tactics like presenting arguments after the fact, that things have turned out this way.

Despite feeling a sense of satisfaction at his political rival's blunder, Phantony lightly shook his head. Such behavior was not befitting of a clergyman, let alone the commander of the holy knights and a cardinal. With a slight clearing of his throat, he refocused his attention.

"*Cough*... We two have reached an agreement, but do any of you have objections?"

“Gohon… warera futari wa goui ni tasshita ga, shokei-ra ni wa izon wa aru ka?”

"Oh no, not at all."

“Ie ie, messou mo nai.”

"It's none other than the Holy Knights’ Commander and the Warrior Monks’ Commander who are being endorsed together. Why would we need to interfere?"

“Hoka naranu seikishi danchou-dono to souhei danchou-dono-ra ga tomoni osa reru no desu. Nani o ka kuchi o hasamu hitsuyou ga gozaimashou?”

"Exactly."

“Sayou.”

"Regardless of the outcome of the Revelation Ritual, it should be made known to the various nations that Omnia is concerned about the disturbances in the world."

“Takusen no gi no kekka wa dou are, Omunia ga yo no midare o kigu shite iru koto wa shokoku ni shuuchi saseru beki deshou na.”

"Indeed, indeed. There have been many individuals in recent years who indulge in behavior that contradicts wealth and ethics. For instance, the one from Arquell who was recently appointed as a Marquis――"

“Shikari shikari. Kinnen wa tomi ni jinrin ni motoru okonai ni fukeru yakara no ooi koto. Tatoeba sakidatte koushaku ni retsusareta Arukēru no――”

Though their inner thoughts may differ, the other attendees also agreed, and the proposal was passed unanimously.

Now, all that remained was the Revelation Ritual to be held on the next full moon, and its results.

"I want to clarify in advance that it was I who proposed the idea of summoning a hero. Please keep this point in mind."

“Arakajime kotowatte okimasuga, yuusha shoukan no teian o okonatta no wa watashi desu zo? Sono ten ni tsukimashite wa, dou ka yoku o oboe itadakitai.”

At the end of the meeting, Emilio emphasized this. He seemed to be keen on claiming credit for the suggestion, likely to secure the position of leading the upcoming hero summoning ritual. After all, the ritual would be a grand event that hadn't taken place for three hundred years. He appeared quite eager to take on that significant responsibility.

"...Ah, yes. His Eminence’s commitment to ensuring the success of the ritual, I’ll remember it well."

“...Aa. Gobou ga sono gi o irou naku nashitogeyou to go shuushin dearu koto wa, yoku kioku shite oku.”

Inadvertently, ironic words slipped out of his mouth. Implying, can such an important ritual truly be entrusted to someone with lesser magical abilities, lacking in virtues and experience?

"! Pardon me...!"

“! Shitsurei suru…!”

The person being addressed turned away with a flushed face, perhaps greatly embarrassed.

As she saw him off while sighing, Irmaella apologized in a timid voice, lowering her head with a bow.

"Um... I deeply apologize for my father who is always causing trouble."

“Ano… itsumo chichi ga go-meiwaku o o-kake shite, moushiwake arimasen.”

"...It's fine. You're the one who's been struggling, far more than I have."

“...Kamawan. Sochira koso, watashi nado oyobi mo tsukanu hodo kurou shite orou.”

"N-no, it's not like… that."

“I, ie. Sonna koto wanai, desu.”

She shrank back and looked down at the floor. Despite being hailed as a saint and all, she was still in her mid-teens. When away from official duties, glimpses of a shy and fragile child's face would appear from time to time.

(To burden such an innocent girl with such heavy responsibilities and even use her in petty disputes...)

(Kono you ni itaike na musume e to juuseki o oshitsukeneba naran bakari ka, kudaranu arasoi no dashi ni suru to wa…)

Once again, he pondered the difficulty of her position and the foolishness of her father. And in his own position, he recognized the limits of how much he could support Irmaella. After all, Phantony was the political rival of her father, Callandra. There were plenty of people who would make unnecessary fuss over even the slightest kindness he showed.

(If Irmaella's words are true—no, she's not the kind of girl who can lie easily, so it's likely the truth—humanity will once again fall into crisis. Yet even the holy headquarters of salvation, Omnia, finds itself in this situation.)

(Moshimo Irumaerra no gen ni itsuwari ga nakuba――iya, uso no ieru you na musume dewa nai kara, mazu shinjitsu darou ga――jinrui wa futatabi kiki ni ochiiru koto to naru. Nanoni guze no souhonzan Omunia de sae, kono-sama ka.)

Even the subjugation of demons and the summoning of a hero were pieces in the game of political power. Thinking about this, even the valiant commander of the holy knights couldn't deny a slight unease.

(...Can we really prevent the revival of the Demon King even if we summon a hero?)

(...Hatashite yuusha o yobidashita to shite, buji ni maou fukkatsu o soshi suru koto ga dekiru no ka?)

The unspoken question continued to coil beneath his thick chestplate, remaining there indefinitely.

One week later, the omen of the resurrection of the demon race, heralding the return of the demons, was officially recognized as a divine message. And thus, the ceremony to summon a hero was to be held for the first time in three hundred years.

~~~

Along the way, the two of them had shifted their conversation to the topic of school assignments.

"――Seriously tiring, right? That report about Japanese history from Yoshinaga-sensei. 'Listen carefully, okay? Copying from the internet is not allowed, you knoow~. When you go to universityy~, you'll have to do proper research at the libraryy~.'... Sheesh."

“――Maji de tarii yo naa, nipponshi no Yoshinaga-sense no repōto. ‘Ii desu kaa? Netto kara no maru utsushi dewa dame desu yoo~. Daigaku ni shingaku shitaraa~, chanto toshokan de shirabe koto toka shinakya ikenain desu kara nee~’... nante yo.”

Said the friend, imitating the newly assigned female teacher with an unnecessarily elongated and falsetto voice.

Yuuto made a disgusted expression and interjected,

"Come on, it didn't sound anything like her just now."

“Warui. Zenzen nitenakatta wa, ima no.”

"Haha, really? Hmm, maybe a bit more 'charm' is needed,"

“Haha, yappa shi? Umu, mou sukoshi iroke ga hitsuyou ka.”

"Don't you start with the 'charm'... Anyway, about that assignment, what are you going to write about?"

“Omae ga iroke dasu na yo… de, sono kadai nanda kedo, omae wa nani o daizai ni suru nda?”

The assignment was about "Local History in the Edo Period." They were supposed to research and write an essay about the history of their town by visiting museums and libraries. It felt a bit challenging for a high school Japanese history class. The new Japanese history teacher seemed to have a habit of overcomplicating the difficulty of these assignments with her fresh enthusiasm.

His classmate seemed to think for a moment before speaking.

"Well, if we're talking about things from the Edo period around here... What about that story of the Christian samurai causing a big commotion? Something like that could be a safe topic, right? What was his name again...?"

“Uun, kokora hen de Edo jidai ni atta koto to ieba… rei no kirishitan bushi ga dai abareshita tte hanashi? Sore toka daizai to shite bunan ppoku ne? Nante itta kke na, soitsu.”

"Ah, you mean Yoshitani Omomizu."

“Aa, Yoshitani Omizu no koto ka.”

A slight bitterness was mixed in his response. Yuuto had also been considering using that figure as his topic.

Yoshitani Omomizu was the name of a samurai who caused an incident in this vicinity about three hundred years ago. He suddenly disappeared from his lord's service without warning and remained missing for nearly a year. Then, just as suddenly as he had vanished, he returned, but he was completely transformed. He now wore a gold necklace resembling a cross and was clad in armor that seemed foreign, possibly of Nanban origin. Omomizu had converted to Christianity.

His lord was furious. Not only was there the shame of missing without permission, but the shock of being associated with a Christian was even more profound. During that time in Japan, under the Tokugawa shogunate's policy of isolation, the prohibition of Christianity was enforced. Christianity was forbidden. If it became known to the authorities that there was a Christian among the retainers, it could lead to the confiscation of their lands or even the dissolution of their family. The lord selected skilled warriors from his retainers and ordered an assassination on Omomizu.

The incredible part came next.

"I've heard that the story goes, he was attacked by a group of assassins, maybe around ten or twenty, and he managed to defeat them all."

“Kiita hanashi da to, koroshi ni kita aite o juu-nin da ka ni juu-nin, sorotte kaeriuchi ni shita rashii kedo.”

He said, recalling a folktale he had heard from his grandparents as a child.

The assassins sent by the clan numbered more than ten, all aiming to kill. It's said that they all fell to Omomizu’s dual-wielding swords. During the time he had disappeared, he not only converted to Christianity but also greatly honed his martial skills, surpassing all expectations.

Yoshitani Omomizu couldn't be stopped by spears or swords. It's been told that his final moments involved bringing out a matchlock gun, and only then was he shot and killed. Another version says he sustained a gunshot wound to his shoulder yet managed to evade pursuit and escape to Nagasaki, then fled the country on a foreign ship. Yuuto believed the former version to be more credible. Realistically, if a samurai had broken through the country's isolation to seek asylum, it would likely have become a significant event recorded not just in local history but even in Japanese history textbooks. The fact that this wasn't the case suggests that, after all, he couldn't overcome the musket and was tragically killed.

"Taking down ten people with dual-wielding swords? Totally unbelievable, man. Sounds like something out of a hack-and-slash game."

“Nitouryuu de juu-nin kiri toka, arienai yo naa, futsuu~ Doko no musou gē da ttsuu no.”

"Well, it's certainly a flashy story."

“Ma, hade na jiken dewa aru yo na.”

"It's a great topic for the report, no doubt. But it's way too famous around here, isn't it? It’s troubling cuz it might end up overlapping with what others choose..."

“Repōto no daizai to shicha moushibun nai wa na. Kedo, kokora hen no mukashi banashi to shicha yuumei sugi daro? Hoka no yatsura to kaburi-sou na no ga chotto naa…”

"Right."

“Sou da na.”

In reality, Yuuto had been considering the exact same topic. Given that teacher's tendencies, submitting a report with a similar theme could easily result in losing points. Just thinking about it made his head…

—Throb.

His head was hurting.

"Hm? What's wrong, Erimiya?"

“? Dou shita no yo, Erimiya.”

"No, just a bit of a headache..."

“Iya, chotto zutsū ga…”

Pressing his temples, Yuuto came to a stop. A sudden piercing pain made him stagger. His friend offered support, concern evident on his face, and passing pedestrians cast curious glances their way. Meanwhile, the pain intensified. His vision blurred, cold sweat broke out, and a high-pitched ringing pierced his eardrums. His knees gave way, and he could no longer stand.

"Oi, are you okay, oi!? You really seem in trouble, you know? Should I call an ambulance?"

“Oi, daijoubu ka yo, oi!? Hontou ni guai, yaba sou da zo? Kyuukyuusha, yobu ka!?”

"Ugh, ah..."

“Gu, a…”

His friend's voice felt distant. Despite being shaken and spoken to right by his ear, it was as though the words were being called out from across a wide river. As this continued, the disturbance worsened. His surroundings turned into a sea of bright light, and he couldn't see anything. The headache grew more intense, making him feel nauseous as if someone was stirring his brain with a spoon.

Amidst all this,

≪Answer… my plea...≫

≪Kotae... Tamae…≫

A voice reached his ears, a voice not belonging to his nearby friend. It was a high, cool, soothing voice of a girl that brought a sense of tranquility just by hearing it.

≪Answer my call. O one who resides afar. Bearer of the Holy King's blessing. If you are willing to respond to the summons, raise your voice and answer me!≫

≪Waga motome ni kotae tamae. Haruka ke ki tokoro ni owasu mono. Seiou no kago o ninau mono yo. Nanji, shourai ni oujiru o yoshi to suru naraba, sono koe o age ga ni kotae tamae…!≫

The voice continued to earnestly beseech. Answer, it said. Raise your voice and respond to the call.

Yuuto hesitated. Should he really answer this voice? The intense headache that made him nauseous, the overwhelming fatigue that prevented him from even standing up—was this all just a hallucination brought about by his sudden disarray? Would it not be better to reassure his friend—whose concern was palpable and who should be right beside him—that he was fine, rather than responding to something as unreal as this? His common sense was leading him to reject this surreal phenomenon.

But then,

≪Please, I beg you――≫

≪Onegai desu, dou ka――≫

In an instant, as the voice echoed in his mind with a tinge of sorrow, those thoughts melted away.

"Who, is that…? Who are you…?"

“Dare, da…? Omae wa, dare nanda…?”

With the little breath he had left, he voiced those questions towards the sound. In the midst of his vision filled with white light, a change occurred.

An intense dark purple, like the swirling of the cosmos, a glittering void. It was like a hole opened in the very fabric of space. Yuuto’s intuition told him that this was something like a 'gate'. A gate that separated and connected here and elsewhere, reality and unreality.

≪Reach out… your hand. Take my hand...!≫

≪Te o… nobashite. Watashi no te o, totte…!≫

The appeal had transformed from a prayer-like resonance to a desperate plea. Or perhaps it shifted from a ritualistic utterance to a sincere and straightforward expression of desire. Before he could fully process its meaning, instinctively, Yuuto extended his right hand toward the 'gate'――

――In that moment, the world changed.

The first thing he felt was the sensation of his right hand being enveloped by someone's soft hand. Then he noticed that the ground he was kneeling on had transformed from rough asphalt mixed with gravel to smoothly polished stones. Most of all, the air was different. The exhaust fumes of automobiles, the hustle and bustle of excessive population—for the first time, he experienced a clear atmosphere without those characteristic urban scents and taste.

(Where is this?)

(Doko da yo, koko?)

With a slight sense of trepidation, he gradually opened his eyes that had been tightly shut without his realization.

...In front of him stood an angel. A face that resembled a white lily, with a refined and graceful expression filled with elegance. A girl with a beauty that was unearthly, or rather, detached from reality—a kind of beauty he had never seen in the 21st-century Japan he had lived in. He was momentarily tempted to check if she had wings on her back.

“...Υιβγη δΛωεσαμ?”

The angel opened her mouth, letting out a gentle and concerned voice. To Yuuto, he couldn't understand what she was saying, nor could he determine the language she was speaking. It was almost as if she were using celestial language, possibly angelic words. However, her voice somehow felt reminiscent of the voice he had heard just moments ago.

"Um, where is this? Who are you?"

“Etto, koko wa doko? Kimi wa ittai?”

He asked in a puzzled tone. In response, the girl blinked in surprise, her actions displaying a very human-like gesture. Suddenly, the impression of her being an angel faded, and she seemed like an ordinary girl. It wasn't in a negative way, but rather, he felt a sense of cuteness and familiarity.

“Δτρ，Гξολμ Θνζψγ…”

Once again, she whispered incomprehensible words, and at the same time, her eyes closed, face tilted downward and becoming closer to him. Their lips aligned perfectly. At this rate, perhaps, by any chance, the so-called――

…*Kiss*

――a small, wet sound resonated as their soft parts made intense contact.

(A-a kiss!? Why!? Me, and such a beautiful girl, even though we’ve just met? Huh? W-why!?)

(Ki, kisu!? Nande!? Ore ga, konna onna no ko to, atta bakari de sonna, ee? Na, nande!?)

Yuuto’s eyes widened in shock at the sudden turn of events. While he often tried to project a cool demeanor, he had never experienced anything intimate with a woman before. Especially not with a seemingly unreal foreign beauty like her.

But he didn't have the luxury to fully process this sudden development.

"Mm, hm, nngh...!?"

“N, mu, nnn…!?”

Through the kiss, a sensation as if something invisible was flowing into his body and into his mind. Voices, words, and knowledge flowed into him supernaturally, independent of his own learning. As this indescribable surge of sensation subsided, their lips parted as if by mutual agreement.

"Mm... How is it? Can you understand my words?"

“N… ikaga desu ka? Watashi no kotoba ga, o-wakari ni narimasu ka?”

"U-uh… y-yeah. Wait, what? Can you actually speak Japanese?"

“E, eetto… u, un. E, nani? Jitsu wa nihongo hanaseta no ka?”

While uttering a rather absurd impression that didn't quite match the fact that they had just shared their first kiss, Yuuto’s gaze naturally followed the girl's lips, which had touched his moments ago.

And then, he realized.

"Japanese? Is that perhaps the language used in your country?"

“Nihongo? Sore wa moshikashite, anata-sama no o-kuni de tsukawa rete irassharu gengo na no deshou ka.”

(Her lip movements are...?)

(Kuchibiru no ugoki ga…?)

The words he heard from her mouth and her lip movements had no connection at all. It was like watching a foreign movie dubbed into another language. A scene where the voice had been added later in post-production, as if the actual visuals were paired with a voiceover.

(Perhaps it's some super advanced real-time translation technology? They say VR is about to become practical, and if such a technology exists... No, no, that's too much, right? I'm hearing her in Japanese without any time lag, but why can't I hear her speaking in her original language? And I'm not wearing any earphones or devices. So, what is this that is happening right in front of me?)

(Hyotto shite chou haiteku na douji tsuuyaku ka nani ka? Mou sugu VR mo jitsuyou-ka datte iu mon na, sonna gijutsu ga hatsumei sarete itatte fushigi wa――iya iya, dai ari daro. Koe ni dashite jikan-sa-nashi ni nihongo de kikoete iru shi, gyaku ni gen no gengo de shabetteru koe wa doushite kikoenai nda? Te iu ka, ore datte iyahon toka sonna kikai o mi ni tsuketenai… Jaa, me no mae de okotte iru kore wa, nan nanda?)

A sense of dizziness overwhelmed him. It was different from the interference he had experienced a moment ago, something born purely from his inner confusion.

Whether she noticed Yuuto’s disorientation or not, the girl knelt by his side with what seemed like a blissful expression, her eyes slightly moist.

"...At any rate, a contract has been formed here. Once again, I thank you for responding to the summoning."

“...Tomo are, koko ni keiyaku wa musubaremashita. Aratamemashite, o-maneki ni oujite itadaki kansha itashimasu.”

"Huh? A contract? Wait, more importantly... summoning?"

“Ha? Keiyaku? Iya sore yori… manei, ta?”

The intoxication and confusion vanished as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. So, was she the one behind the voice he had heard in the city after all?

"I humbly prostrate myself upon calling you. I am High Priestess Irmaella Aurelia Callandra of the Omnian Holy King Church. I respectfully seek your honorable name."

“Onmi o o-yobi matsuri hizamazukimasu wa, Omunia seiou kyoukai hai puriesutesu, Irumaerra oreria karandora to moushimasu. Osore nagara, go sonmei o ukagaitaku zonji agemasu.”

"I-i’m Yuuto. Erimiya Yuuto. Uh, to foreign people, should I say Yuuto Erimiya?"

“Yu, Yuuto da. Erimiya Yuuto. Etto, gaikoku no hito ni wa Yuuto erimiya tte itta hou ga ii no ka?”

Still bewildered, he introduced himself. The girl who identified herself as Irmaella blushed even deeper and continued.

"Yuuto Erimiya-sama... I have duly received your honorable name. I humbly request, I humbly implore――"

“Yuuto Erimiya-sama… go sonmei, kaku shikato uketamawarimashite gozaimasu. Nanitozo, dou ka nanitozo――”

"――to save this world from the threat of the Demon King, Hero-sama."

“――maou no kyoui kara kono sekai o o-sukui kudasaimase, yuusha-sama.”

"...Huh?"

“...Ha?”

Unable to digest the unreal words, he let out a goofy sound.

What was this girl talking about? A Demon King? And referring to himself as a hero? He didn't want to entertain the thought, but was it possible that he had lost his sanity? Could he be unable to distinguish between games, anime, and reality?

Simultaneously, despite his agitation, he finally managed to survey his surroundings. They stood on an altar made of white stones. The location was inside what appeared to be an impressive cathedral reminiscent of those he had seen in documentaries of foreign countries. This was nothing like the streets of Japan he had walked with his classmates just moments ago, the hospital room he might have been taken to after fainting, and certainly not the scene of his own room after waking up from a dream.

The scenery had changed abruptly. The phenomenon of understanding an unfamiliar language as Japanese was sudden and inexplicable. ...And then there was the enigmatic girl who referred to him as a hero.

The thought processes imbued with various elements eventually led his mind to a preposterous conclusion.

Could it be that he had――

(――Did I... end up in a different world?)

(――Ore wa, isekai ni kite shimatta no ka?)

And so, the third hero, Yuuto Erimiya, had descended onto the continent of Itucera, while consumed by deep and overwhelming confusion, much like his predecessors of three and seven centuries past.

~~~

To be continued...

TL Note:

What a great use of a veryyyyy mainstream plot. Makes me curious about our mc’s interaction with this new hero in the future. Btw the Demon King is immortal right? Sooooo I’m thinking that……. maybe Tullius will use the Demon King’s immortality as an inspiration, or even use him as a guinea pig???????? Bruh my thoughts are too wild.

Also, I would be very grateful if you would be so kind to support me~~ This way I can make faster releases.