I step forward to confront the duke and his army.
Sylphaeris pales.
[Sylphaeris] "Wright, what are you going to do?"
[Wright] "I'm going to wipe them all out."
These types of fools already had multiple chances. Sometimes you just have to rip off the bandage.
Sylphaeris quickly floats in front of me.
[Sylphaeris] "You don't need to act."
She turns to Seraphina and Lucien. Both of them understand immediately and step forward to take the lead.
I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't get to do anything, but I guess I'll leave it to them.
I turn back to the kids instead. Children shouldn't see violent things.
[Wright] "Follow me inside. We should talk."
The five heroes nod, relief clear on their faces as they follow me away from the courtyard.
---
The vampire maid leads us through the mansion corridors.
We pass Vesper coming from the opposite direction, still rubbing sleep from her eyes. Her hair is messy, and she's wearing what looks like a borrowed nightgown.
[Vesper] "What's with all the noise? I was trying to sleep."
[Wright] "The army arrived."
[Vesper] "Oh. That explains it."
She yawns and falls into step beside us.
[Vesper] "So these are the summoned heroes?"
[Wright] "Yeah."
[Vesper] "They look really young."
[Wright] "They're just kids, really."
The maid stops in front of a large wooden door and pushes it open.
The meeting room is grand. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line two walls, filled with leather-bound volumes arranged by color and size. A massive mahogany desk sits near the window, its surface pristine except for an ornate inkwell and a few sealed letters. Several high-backed chairs are arranged around a large oval table in the center of the room. Portraits of stern-looking men—probably past dukes—hang on the remaining walls. A thick carpet in deep burgundy covers most of the floor, and sunlight streams through tall windows draped with heavy curtains.
It looks like a study. Probably the duke's office.
We settle around the table. The five heroes sit close together, still processing everything.
[Wright] "Why don't you introduce yourselves?"
The athletic boy speaks first.
[Takeshi] "I'm Takeshi Yamada. Third-year high school student."
The girl with glasses goes next.
[Yuki] "Yuki Nakamura. Second-year."
The girl with the ribbon smiles, though it's still shaky.
[Aiko] "Aiko Tanaka. Third-year."
The messy-haired boy nods.
[Kenji] "Kenji Sato. Third-year."
The shorter boy raises a hand.
[Daichi] "Daichi Kobayashi. Second-year."
I nod.
[Wright] "I'm Wright. I'm an old friend of Goddess Jyne, and right now I'm retired, living the slow life in a forest."
Vesper snorts.
[Vesper] "Saying you're an old friend of Goddess Jyne is putting it lightly."
[Wright] "It's true. I consider her an old friend."
The five heroes exchange complicated expressions. Though Yuki's eyes are wide with curiosity as she looks at Vesper.
[Yuki] "Wait—are you an elf?"
Vesper grins.
[Vesper] "A high elf, actually."
[Yuki] "What's the difference?"
[Vesper] "High elves are much stronger than regular elves. Taller. And more beautiful."
She says the last part with obvious pride.
[Yuki] "A real high elf! This is—I mean—wow!"
Her composure completely cracks as excitement takes over. She leans forward eagerly.
[Yuki] "I've read so much about high elves in—uh, in stories. Are the legends true? Can you really use ancient magic?"
[Vesper] "I can use magic, yeah. Though I wouldn't call myself ancient."
She stretches lazily.
[Vesper] "I'm Vesper, by the way. Nice to meet you."
[Vesper] "I'm actually pretty young for a high elf. Only a few hundred years old."
[Daichi] "A few hundred—"
[Yuki] "This is so cool. Now it really feels like we're in a fantasy world."
Aiko giggles despite her earlier nervousness.
[Aiko] "Yuki, you're such a nerd."
[Yuki] "Sorry, I'm just—this is amazing!"
Vesper looks pleased with the attention.
[Vesper] "You're taking this pretty well for someone who just got summoned to another world."
[Yuki] "I'm still terrified, but also... a little excited?"
[Vesper] "At least you're honest about it."
The conversation seems to have helped brighten the mood. Aiko is smiling now, some of the earlier tension gone from her face. Even Kenji looks slightly less guarded, though his expression remains neutral. Daichi just shakes his head with a small laugh, like he still can't quite believe any of this is real.
Takeshi clears his throat, bringing the conversation back.
[Takeshi] "Will we be able to go back? To Japan?"
[Wright] "I'm not sure. What Jyne told me was that it takes a lot of energy to pull someone into this world. The world can't handle another summon—it would destabilize everything. We'll have to get more information from her when we get back to my place."
[Daichi] "So we're going to your place? In the forest?"
[Wright] "Yes, that's the plan."
Yuki perks up even more, her earlier excitement returning.
[Yuki] "A magical forest?"
[Wright] "Well, it is another world."
I smile. The enthusiasm is refreshing.
Aiko looks nervous again.
[Aiko] "Is it dangerous?"
[Wright] "Not where we'll be. I run a farm there."
[Daichi] "Wait, you run a farm?"
[Vesper] "Yep. Vegetables and everything."
[Daichi] "But you're friends with a goddess."
[Wright] "That doesn't mean I can't farm."
Kenji's expression doesn't change, but his shoulders relax slightly.
[Kenji] "Better than staying here."
[Wright] "First, though, you must be tired from your journey. I'm not sure how long the trip from the capital to here is, but rest is always welcome. Take it easy for now. We can start our journey back tomorrow."
The tension visibly drains from them.
[Takeshi] "Thank you. Really."
He bows deeply, and the others follow suit.
[Aiko] "We appreciate this so much."
[Yuki] "I can't believe we're actually safe now."
A maid appears at the door, and I gesture to her.
[Wright] "She'll lead you to your rooms."
The five heroes stand and follow the maid out, still looking overwhelmed but far more relaxed than before.
Yuki glances back at Vesper one more time before leaving, eyes still bright with curiosity.
Once they're gone, Vesper turns to me.
[Vesper] "Are you really going to send them back?"
[Wright] "I can only do what I can."
[Vesper] "That's not really an answer."
[Wright] "It's the only one I have."
Before Vesper can respond, the door opens again.
Seraphina, Lucien, and Sylphaeris enter. There's not a speck of blood on any of them.
Sylphaeris floats over, looking concerned.
[Sylphaeris] "Wright, were you really going to wipe out that entire army?"
[Wright] "If I had to."
[Vesper] "That's... kind of scary."
[Wright] "Benevolence isn't blind. They made their choices."
There's only so much one can forgive. Unfortunately, they continue to eat away at the world.
I turn to Seraphina and Lucien.
[Wright] "Sorry for dragging you and your people into this fight."
Seraphina waves a hand dismissively, her elegant demeanor intact despite having just been in battle.
[Seraphina] "It's nothing to apologize for. I'm happy to get more materials for my wine."
[Vesper] "You're going to turn the soldiers into wine?"
[Seraphina] "Only the corrupt ones. We already separated them."
Lucien crosses his arms, looking satisfied.
[Lucien] "Although I'm not one to bully the weak, they were the ones who pointed their swords at the world. Besides, that Duke calling us heathens was irritating."
[Sylphaeris] "You just didn't like being called muscle-brained."
[Lucien] "I have plenty of brains."
[Seraphina] "Debatable."
[Lucien] "At least I don't drink wine for breakfast."
[Seraphina] "That's because you lack sophistication."
I clear my throat before they can start bickering again.
[Wright] "Was anyone hurt? The battle seemed very quick."
[Seraphina] "It was hardly a challenge. After a few minutes, the soldiers started running away."
[Lucien] "They didn't even put up a real fight once they saw what they were up against."
[Seraphina] "We captured Duke Vareth. He's being held in the dungeon in the basement."
I pause.
[Wright] "The duke has his own dungeon?"
[Sylphaeris] "Can't say I'm too surprised by that."
[Wright] "I want to see him."
---
We descend a narrow stone staircase that spirals down into the basement.
The air grows colder with each step. Torches flicker along the walls, casting dancing shadows. The dungeon is exactly what you'd expect—rough stone walls, iron bars, and an unpleasant smell of dampness and decay.
Duke Vareth sits in a cell at the far end, his elaborate robes dirty and torn. He looks up as we approach, and his face goes through several emotions in rapid succession—anger, fear, desperation.
[Vareth] "You! You've ruined everything! Do you have any idea what you've done?!"
I ignore his outburst and turn to Seraphina.
[Wright] "Can one of your vampires read his memories?"
She nods and gestures to a vampire guard standing nearby.
[Wright] "Please check to see if he knows how to activate the forbidden magic or knows of anyone with that knowledge."
The vampire guard steps forward and places a hand on the bars. His eyes glow faintly as he focuses.
After a moment, he speaks.
[Vampire Guard] "He knows the forbidden summoning magic. Quite well, actually. He was one of the masterminds behind the ritual."
He pauses, his expression darkening.
[Vampire Guard] "He also knows of other forbidden magic and was planning to use it to steal the heroes' blessings."
Can't say I'm too surprised at this point. Sylphaeris's face darkens.
[Sylphaeris] "Why are you so bent on destroying the world?"
There's no answer, nor is a response expected.
[Wright] "Who else knows it?"
[Vampire Guard] "Several other nobles. The king, of course. Various court mages. He has a full list in his memory."
I nod slowly.
[Wright] "Then he can't be left alive. Anyone who knows how to use that magic cannot live."
Duke Vareth's face drains of color.
[Vareth] "Wait—what—no! You can't!"
Lucien steps forward, his expression grim but resolute.
[Lucien] "Leave it to me."
[Vareth] "Please! I'll do anything! I'll tell you everything! Just spare me!"
Seraphina watches with cold disdain, her earlier playful demeanor completely gone.
[Seraphina] "I can head to the capital. Hunt down the rest of the nobles who know the forbidden magic. We can investigate and find out who else has that knowledge."
[Wright] "Thank you. I'll have to trouble you with that request."
[Seraphina] "It's no trouble. This is exactly the kind of work I came here to do."
I turn and head back toward the stairs.
Behind me, Duke Vareth's pleas grow more desperate, his voice echoing off the stone walls as he screams for mercy.
I don't look back.