It all began with a female witch 400 years ago. The witch claimed that she had received a divine command to summon heroes from another world.
With ancient magic, the witch created a summoning spell which she placed in several locations in this world, a spell that would activate 400 years later—this year.
The witch said that the summoning of heroes was greatly needed to determine the fate of this world in the future.
Of course, everyone wondered what exactly would happen.
Without giving any answers, the witch suddenly disappeared, leaving those questions behind.
As time passed, those questions began to fade.
After all, life had to go on, and the future would reveal it.
As the day of the summoning spell's activation approached, strange rumors began to spread.
It was said that demons from the demon continent would launch an invasion.
And the purpose of the Heroes' arrival was to defeat the demon king.
"That's just a foolish rumor spread by those filthy churches."
"Lord Cyrus, your words are disrespectful. You must mind your dignity, and also, please stop insulting the church! Have you forgotten Keil is from the church?"
For some reason, King Cyrus began cursing the church with a displeased face.
But the female knight behind him reprimanded him while glancing at the narrow-eyed male knight beside her.
"Haha, it's fine, Silvia, I'm not that fanatic. I also feel there's been some strange movements from the church lately."
The man named Keil simply chuckled lightly in response to the female knight named Silvia.
"HAHAHA, SEE! Even Keil says so, so it's fine."
"Haah~, you really..."
Hearing Keil's words, King Cyrus defended himself, and Silvia could only sigh in resignation.
After that conversation, King Cyrus turned his attention back to us.
"So, that's why you were summoned. The exact purpose of this summoning is still unknown, my apologies for that. If there's anything you wish to ask, I will answer as best I can."
When King Cyrus said that, Fujita posed him a question.
"So, what should we do now?"
After listening to Fujita's question, King Cyrus explained what we should do for now.
"For the time being, you must stay here. In three days, church envoys will come to meet you."
The church! Isn't that the religious organization King Cyrus dislikes? Why would they want to meet us?
"The church? Why would they want to meet us?"
Fujita questioned King Cyrus about that.
"I actually don't want to be anywhere near them, but they must come here for your sake. They say they will check your special abilities."
"Our Special Abilities?"
Renaldi responded enthusiastically when King Cyrus mentioned our special abilities.
"Yes, I don't know how they found out, perhaps from the gods themselves. They say that beings from another world possess special abilities of their own, different from this world's magic system."
King Cyrus replied while folding his arms.
Special abilities different from this world's magic system! Do I also have a special ability? Or is it only those who came from Haru's world?
It seems the church will check us for that.
"And since you are heroes summoned by divine order, of course the church will move if it's related to the gods. I speculate that they will try to recruit you under their banner. Just so you know, many factions want to bring you under their wing, including myself... Well, that can be decided later, the choice is yours."
<><><><><>
After a while, King Cyrus considered the discussion over.
"Oh, it's time. Sorry, I think our talk will have to end here for now. I have some matters to attend to. Rest, you must be tired."
Well, I understand. A king surely has many important matters to handle. Perhaps they are related to us.
After that, King Cyrus called several servants and said,
"These are the servants who will accompany you during your stay here, they will take care of your needs. If you wish to meet me, just tell these servants."
Seeing the servants, Renaldi's eyes lit up.
"Oooh."
After that, Cyrus instructed the servants to guide us to our resting chambers. We left the room under King Cyrus's warm gaze.
<><><><><>
After the heroes left, leaving Cyrus and his two guards, Cyrus fell silent. Seeing him silent, Silvia asked.
"What's wrong, Your Majesty? Are you worried about something?"
"Yes, I'm concerned about the heroes' attitude."
"Concerned? I think they're good people, they responded to us positively."
Silvia was puzzled by Cyrus's concern. From the earlier talk, she thought there was nothing to worry about.
"Silvia, what would you do if you were lost in an unfamiliar place?"
Keil suddenly posed such a question to Silvia.
"What is it, Keil? Of course I would try to find a way out of that place."
"But they don't."
"Huh?"
Silvia was confused to hear that.
"Those beings from another world don't think like that. They were sent to a world they don't know, yet they never brought up the idea of returning to their own world. More precisely, they have no such thought at all."
"..."
Silvia fell silent at Keil's words.
"Keil is right, Silvia. I also received reports that when they arrived in this world, they had no sense of anxiety."
Before the heroes arrived at the palace, Cyrus had received reports from informants detailing the heroes' movements from the moment they arrived in this world until they entered this room.
"Only a few people know this. After placing the final summoning spell, the witch from 400 years ago told some of her disciples: 'The beings that will come from this summoning are beings unbound by their own world. Therefore, make them care about this world, so they will be willing to help you.' After leaving those words, the witch vanished."
"..."
"..."
Hearing Cyrus's words, Keil and Silvia could only remain silent.
Seeing their reactions, Cyrus sighed and said,
"Haa~ At first, I didn't understand what the witch meant about them being unbound by their world, but after seeing them, they seem like beings from no world at all, walking in a new world without any attachment."
They are beings no longer tied to any place. In a new world, they step forward without burden, without shadows reminding them of the world they left behind.
No longing, no binding memories. Their original world is merely an unspoken story, and now they are free like the wind, not knowing where it came from or where it will go.
After some silent contemplation, Cyrus rose from the sofa and left the room, of course followed by his two knight guards.
"Keil."
"Yes."
Along the way, Cyrus called Keil's name and began giving orders.
"I order you and the special unit to ensure the heroes' safety until they can protect themselves."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hearing Keil's reply, Cyrus continued with a serious tone and expression.
"Remember! This is the highest order. Whoever threatens their safety... CUT THEM DOWN."
"Your words are absolute, Your Majesty."
Keil bowed respectfully and vanished from sight, leaving only Cyrus and Silvia.
"What about the plan?"
After Keil left, Cyrus asked, and Silvia replied.
"With the arrival of heroes from another world, we can proceed to the next stage at any time."
Hearing Silvia's answer, Cyrus nodded and said,
"Umu, then proceed immediately. You may go now."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After receiving the order, Silvia turned and left Cyrus alone.
Why is a king allowed to walk alone?
Are they not afraid that something bad might happen to him?
Of course they fear for their king's safety, but they know—no, most people on this continent know—that the King of Jatumheim is not someone who needs protection.
People would even take shelter behind him if a life-threatening danger occurred, because he is one of the strongest on the continent.
"Haa~ For now, I will deal with the church people. I hope they won't trouble our guests from another world."
With a sigh, he continued walking.
<><><><><>
After leaving that room, we were guided to our respective rooms by the servants.
"This is your room, Sir."
The name of the brown-haired servant guiding me was Mel. She was a cheerful dog demi-human girl.
She would be my servant for the time being during my stay in the palace.
After entering the room, I looked around.
Isn't this room too spacious for one person?
"If you need anything, you can tell me. You can call me using the stone on the table over there. To use it, you just need to tap the stone lightly and I will always respond to your call."
In the place Mel pointed, I saw a small stone with some intricate patterns. Does that stone use magic?
After explaining a few things, Mel excused herself.
"Well then, I will take my leave."
"Thank you, Mel. Sorry for troubling you in the days to come."
"I-it's no problem, I'm happy to serve you... Please enjoy your time."
Saying that, Mel bowed respectfully and left the room.
Once I was alone, I stored my helmet away.
Yup, I had been holding onto it this whole time. I didn't want anyone touching it—it could cause trouble if someone accidentally activated something.
I stepped toward the table and picked up the small stone on it.
The stone was transparent blue with structured patterns on its surface.
I gripped the stone tightly.
Using the chip installed in my brain, I commanded the nanobots to examine the stone.
Nanobots came out from my palm, piercing through my glove.
They touched the stone and began scanning it, sending information to my brain.
[ Beginning scan__ Material: Tachyogem __ Energy capacity: 97% __ Detailed Info: Tachyogem is the crystallization of Tachyon particles (a matter that constantly moves faster than the speed of light) __ Code Name: T-c011 ]
And that was the information I saw.
Tachyogem! This is the material used as a power source for weaponry!
"The use of this stone is quite dangerous. Well, that's in my world. It seems this world handles it differently. With this stone as the energy source, these patterns must be its valves."
I looked at the patterns. The nanobots didn't even classify them as part of the material. So this is magic, huh.
Could this be the reason why we can understand this world's language?
It seems a magic is engraved onto our bodies—no wonder the nanobots didn't detect it.
After learning about magic during the journey, I tried detecting it on my body but found nothing.
Fascinating—I want to learn magic.
Outside the window, I saw the evening sky giving way to night.
I placed the stone back and walked to the large bed, lying down.
Though I wasn't physically tired, my mind was exhausted from everything that happened today.
Closing my eyelids, I fell asleep.
<><><><><>
An hour later, I woke to the sound of knocking.
Knock... knock...
"Yes?"
"Sir, may I come in?"
"Please, come in."
I heard Mel's voice from outside. After I permitted her, she entered the room and began preparing clothes while asking me,
"Sir, we have prepared warm water. Would you like to wash up first? After that, we will have dinner with the royal family."
Well, I suppose I'll freshen up first.