After Selena regained consciousness, she looked around her surroundings. Because of the aura emitted by the World Tree and the fairly high concentration of energy, many rare herbal plants and various kinds of beautiful flowers grew abundantly around it. Selena then helped prepare lunch together with Mio, Erin, and Koyuki. Not far from them, Shiki was explaining several medicinal herbs to Hakuren, while Tomoe and Makoto were lying beneath the World Tree.
"Waka-sama, the preparations are complete," Mio said to Makoto.
"Yeah, Mio," Makoto replied.
Then they had lunch beneath the World Tree.
"This place is very calming," Selena said.
"That's because the vitality aura released by the World Tree makes anyone nearby feel at ease," Makoto replied as he lay down after lunch.
"Waka-sama, is there something you're thinking about?" Mio asked.
"Hm? How did you know I was thinking about something, Mio?" Makoto said.
"During lunch, it seemed like Waka-sama wasn't very focused on eating," Mio replied.
"Actually, I'm a little confused about what I want to do in the future," Makoto said.
"Isn't Waka-sama planning to see the world and go on adventures?" Mio asked.
"I do want to see the world and go on adventures, but with my current abilities, I've realized that I can now easily do things I once thought were impossible," Makoto said.
"Waka, how about you go back to your own world?" Tomoe said to Makoto.
"Go back home…" Makoto murmured softly.
"All right, I've decided. I'll return to my world. I miss my family a little too, and I can also introduce all of you to them," Makoto said.
"In that case, I'll do some archery practice to clear my mind," Makoto said, then walked to a spot not far from the World Tree.
After setting up a target, Makoto took out his bow and arrows. Once everything was ready, he stood in front of the target. With slow, deliberate movements, he took an arrow and set it on the bow. After taking a deep breath and exhaling, Makoto slowly drew the bowstring, focused his consciousness on the target, and released the arrow, hitting the exact center.
Tomoe, Mio, and Selena, who were sitting beneath the World Tree, watched Makoto prepare.
"Selena, when Waka is practicing archery, no matter what happens, remain calm," Tomoe said seriously.
"Hm? What happens when Waka-sama practices archery?" Selena asked.
"You'll understand faster by seeing it directly," Mio said.
"Hey! Shiki, Waka-sama is going to practice archery," Tomoe called out to Shiki, who was teaching Koyuki and Hakuren about medicinal herbs.
"What? Waka-sama is practicing archery!" Shiki said in slight surprise.
"Koyuki, Hakuren, today's lesson is postponed until Waka-sama finishes his archery practice," Shiki said to them, then walked toward Tomoe, Mio, and Selena.
"Erin, why does Shiki-sama look so serious whenever Waka-sama practices archery?" Koyuki asked Erin, who was sitting nearby listening to Shiki's explanation.
"Umm… how should I explain this… let's go too. Maybe Tomoe-neechan can explain it better," Erin said. Then Erin, Koyuki, and Hakuren, who were also curious, hurried after Shiki.
When they arrived, they saw Makoto drawing his bow. Suddenly, Makoto's presence vanished.
"Waka-sama!" Koyuki exclaimed in shock.
When Koyuki tried to rush toward Makoto, Shiki stopped her. Meanwhile, Selena could only stare wide-eyed in shock as Makoto's presence disappeared right before her eyes. Not long after, Makoto's presence appeared again.
After using up all the arrows in his quiver, Makoto felt his mind become clearer. He then walked back toward them. When he returned, Makoto noticed Selena standing frozen, Koyuki looking worried, and Hakuren wanting to ask something but deciding to stay silent.
"Ah, it seems I forgot to tell you how I train in archery," Makoto said.
"Waka-sama, are you really all right?" Koyuki asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, Koyuki," Makoto said, then explained how he practiced archery.
"Waka-sama, this is the first time I've heard of someone training in archery like that," Selena said.
"Hahaha," Makoto could only laugh at Selena's words.
After that, they relaxed beneath the World Tree. Without realizing it, evening approached, and Makoto and the others returned to the city. Mio, Koyuki, and Erin went to prepare dinner. Tomoe went to check on the construction of the hot springs she had requested earlier that morning to be built behind Makoto's residence by the Highland Orcs and Dwarves. Selena was checking the day's reports, while Shiki and Hakuren returned to the research room.
When dinner was almost ready, everyone had returned and gathered in the dining room.
"Where did you just come from, Tomoe?" Makoto asked.
"Waka, I went to check on the hot spring construction," Tomoe replied.
"So when will the hot springs be finished?" Makoto asked.
"With magic, they should be done in about two or three days," Tomoe said.
"While you're at it, tell the Highland Orcs and Dwarves to build several hot springs for the city's residents as well," Makoto said.
"Understood, Waka. I'll tell them tomorrow," Tomoe replied.
After dinner, everyone busied themselves with their own activities. Makoto listened to Selena's report about the city's activities that day. Afterward, Makoto returned to his bedroom. He felt a little strange, since usually Tomoe or Mio would take turns accompanying him to sleep, or they would come together. But since yesterday, it seemed like they were planning something.
After Makoto changed into his nightclothes, he heard a knock at the door. He felt slightly confused, since usually no one visited him at this hour. When Makoto opened the door, he saw Selena bowing her head, her face slightly red.
"What is it, Selena? Why are you visiting me at this hour?" Makoto asked.
"Tomoe-sama and Mio-sama told me that I must fulfill my duty as a follower by accompanying Waka-sama during the day or at night," Selena said shyly.
Makoto immediately understood what Selena meant by accompanying him at night.
"Are you sure you don't mind, Selena?" Makoto asked.
"Ever since Waka-sama saved me, I've admired you. So if I can make Waka-sama happy, I'm willing to do anything for you," Selena said shyly, her face turning red.
"In that case, come in," Makoto said as he held Selena's hand and led her inside.
When morning came, Makoto woke up to find Selena hugging him.
"It seems last night was a bit too much for Selena, since it was her first time," Makoto thought to himself.
"Selena, wake up. It's morning," Makoto said as he gently pinched her cheek.
"Mm… Waka-sama… good morning," Selena said sleepily.
"If you're still too tired, you can sleep a bit longer," Makoto said.
"No need, Waka-sama. If I sleep more, I'll be late for work at the city office," Selena replied.
"Once in a while should be fine, right, Selena?" Makoto said.
"I can't, Waka-sama. That would set a bad example for the others," Selena said seriously.
"All right then. At least let me help you," Makoto said, then cast a healing spell on Selena.
"Thank you, Waka-sama," Selena said, her strength restored, smiling at Makoto.
After getting ready, Makoto and Selena went to the dining room. When Tomoe saw Makoto arrive with Selena, she said cheerfully, "Good morning, Waka! How was last night? Mio and I specially taught Selena various techniques last night."
Hearing this, Selena became embarrassed and her face turned red.
"Stop joking, Tomoe. What if Erin, Koyuki, and Hakuren hear you? Don't teach them bad things," Makoto said.
"Who's teaching bad things, Waka? Sooner or later, they'll learn them too," Tomoe replied.
After chatting with Tomoe, Mio arrived with Erin, Koyuki, and Hakuren, carrying breakfast.
"Waka-sama, breakfast is ready," Mio said happily.
After breakfast, they drank tea in the lounge.
"Waka, what's your plan for today?" Tomoe asked.
"After this, I'm going to Tsige City. I want to recruit Rembrandt to manage this city's economic system, and I also plan to meet the Goddess to ask for the coordinates of my world," Makoto said.
"Do we need to come along when meeting the Goddess, Waka-sama?" Mio asked.
"No need, Mio. To be honest, all of you are already stronger than that Goddess," Makoto said to Tomoe, Mio, and Shiki.
Then Makoto went to Tsige City together with Tomoe and Mio using a portal. Since the Mist Gate could no longer reach the Goddess's world, which was gradually drifting farther from the world of Erendal, Makoto appeared in a forest not far from Tsige City. Makoto, Tomoe, and Mio then walked toward the city.
After entering Tsige, Makoto didn't immediately go to meet Rembrandt. Instead, he walked around with Tomoe and Mio, trying various interesting-looking foods they found along the way. However, Makoto did not expect to encounter one of the heroes summoned by the Goddess to this world.
"Um? Otonashi-senpai?" Makoto said in slight surprise.
"You… if I'm not mistaken, Misumi Makoto from the archery club," Hibiki said, also surprised.
"Hibiki, is he your friend?" one of Hibiki's companions asked.
"We're not friends. I just know his name," Hibiki replied.
"Otonashi-senpai, how about we talk for a bit?" Makoto said, pointing at a restaurant not far from them.
"All right, let's talk for a moment. I have some questions I'd like to ask," Hibiki said.
After ordering food and drinks at the restaurant, Makoto said, "How about we introduce ourselves first?"
"Sorry for the rudeness. My name is Otonashi Hibiki, and these are my companions: Bredda, Wudi, and Chiya," Hibiki said.
"My name is Misumi Makoto. These are my followers, Tomoe and Mio," Makoto said.
"In that case, Misumi-kun, may I ask you something?" Hibiki asked.
"Just call me Makoto. This isn't Japan, after all. May I call you Hibiki?" Makoto said.
"All right, Makoto. First, I want to ask—are you a hero summoned to this world?" Hibiki asked.
"Hm. At first, I was indeed supposed to be summoned to this world as a hero," Makoto said calmly.
"What?!" Bredda exclaimed in shock.
"Bredda, be quiet for a moment," Hibiki said seriously.
"My apologies, Hibiki-sama," Bredda said.
"You just said 'supposed to be,' which means, Makoto, you're not a hero now," Hibiki said.
"Oh, you're very perceptive, Hibiki. The Goddess herself didn't acknowledge me as a hero, and due to several reasons, my role as a hero was revoked," Makoto replied.
"If the Goddess summoned you to this world, that means you're strong, or at least very talented. Why don't you protect humanity and fight against the demon race?" Hibiki asked.
"Why should I protect humanity and fight the demon race?" Makoto asked.
"Isn't it because you're human?" Hibiki said.
"So just because I'm human, I have to fight the demon race?" Makoto replied.
"Of course. The demon race is the source of evil," Hibiki said with an expression of hatred.
"Hahaha," Makoto chuckled after hearing Hibiki's words.
"How rude, laughing in front of Hibiki-sama," Bredda said.
Makoto stopped laughing. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't expect Hibiki to be such an idealist," Makoto said.
"Hibiki, I want to ask you something," Makoto said.
"What is it?" Hibiki asked.
"What do you think about my appearance?" Makoto asked.
"Right now, you're quite handsome. Earlier, I almost didn't recognize you," Hibiki replied.
"Not my current face—my face before," Makoto said.
"Before? I think your face was pretty ordinary," Hibiki said.
"You're right. My face used to be ordinary. But do you know what the Goddess said after seeing my face?" Makoto asked.
Hibiki thought for a moment, confused. "I don't know," she said.
"After seeing my face, the Goddess mocked me, belittled me, and looked at me like a filthy animal," Makoto said. Hibiki was shocked by his words.
"After that, do you know what happened, Hibiki? Without warning, the Goddess dropped me from the sky to the edge of the world—a place with no plants or animals, a barren wasteland as far as the eye could see. I had to walk for three days without stopping before I finally encountered another living being," Makoto said.
"So why should I risk my life for someone who doesn't value me?" Makoto said, leaving Hibiki speechless.