As the ritual or whatever finishes, the door swings open, and many other people walk in. Leading the group is an old man with silver hair, wearing a crimson, gold-embroidered robe and an elaborate crown. Looks like a king to me. Beside him walks a woman of ethereal beauty and grace, way more younger than him. She wears a silver, sparkling gown adorned with crystals and gems, with a silver tiara on her head. Yes, she is extremely beautiful.
Is she the queen? Or is she a princess? I have no idea.
Next, following them is a diverse assembly of individuals. Judging by their attire, they consist of nobles, warriors, knights, and scholars…, similar to ones that I usually see in video games and fantasy movies. In just minutes, over a hundred of these individuals fill the room. Despite that, everyone keeps their silence, because the king is here.
Regardless, upon their entrance, the presumed king scans us with eagle-sharp eyes, a smile playing on his lips. I can’t help but feel there’s a concealed malice in his gaze.
"Welcome, noble heroes, to the Kingdom of Valeria,” the king speaks, his voice full of authority. “You have been summoned to our world in its most perilous time, to assist us in our struggle against the advancing evil that seeks to engulf everything. I am King Alaric, the sovereign ruler of this kingdom."
The welcome by the supposed King Alaric casts a myriad of reactions among the newly summoned.
I choose to remain silent, and observe the situation for now.
Meanwhile, the high-school girl is the first to voice her bafflement. “Why are we here? What is this place?” Her voice trembles slightly, asking questions that can easily be answered if she had listened to what the King just said. With shaking hands, she clutches her backpack tighter, as if seeking solace in its familiar texture.
“Yeah, what she said.” The teenage boy with dyed-red hair follows suit. “And why should we help you? We didn’t ask to come here!”
The pizza delivery guy seems more composed but is clearly puzzled, “Is this a prank? Is there a way back? I was in the middle of a delivery, and I can’t afford to lose this job!”
Meanwhile, the small child, still clutching her ice cream, looks around with tear-brimmed eyes.
King Alaric listens patiently, his sharp eyes observing each one of us. Perhaps, he is gauging our reactions. After a seemingly endless moment, he addresses us again, “I understand your confusion and your fears. It was not our intention to bring you here against your wills. But our kingdom, our world, is facing a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions. You have been summoned as the chosen heroes to save our world from the looming darkness, the Demon God.”
The room seems to shrink with the weight of his words, the air thickening with unspoken tensions and unanswered questions. “Chosen heroes?” murmurs the high school girl, “Demon God?” echoes the red-haired teenager, their voices overlapping.
“Hmm…” the pizza guy, seemingly regaining his composure after an initial moment of panic, speculates aloud, “Is this like some sort of light novel scenario?”
“Ah! I’ve read those stories too!” the girl exclaims. “They’re quite popular! Typically, individuals from Earth are summoned or reincarnated in another world to become heroes.”
“But, is there no one in your world capable of fighting the demonic force?” the red-haired teen inquires, his voice laced with skepticism. “As you can see, we are just teenagers! And she,” his hand gestures towards the little girl, whose tears are yet to dry, “is merely a child!”
King Alaric, with his demeanor still composed, addresses the concerns of those summoned. “I acknowledge the confusion and fear rampant within each of you. It was not our wish to bring you into this turmoil. However, as you’ve surmised, we wouldn’t have invoked the summoning if we have the power to vanquish the demon king ourselves. This entity, the Demon God, was once our creator god who molded our world and breathed life into us. Everything was good until a mysterious darkness corrupted him, morphing him into the malevolent force we now face. He is now the harbinger of our demise, and we, his progeny, are rendered incapacitated against him. We are shackled by the principles of creation and are powerless to inflict harm upon our creator.”
“So, in short, only people coming from another world like us are not bound by that principle, thus capable of killing the Demon God?” the red-haired teen asks again for clarification.
“Yes,” the king says. Then suddenly, he lowers his head, “I earnestly beseech you, our selected heroes, to assist us in our battle against this corrupted deity…”
“Oh, I get it, but…” the red-haired guy interjects, “we are not superheroes, we don’t even know how to fight properly, let alone defeating some powerful demons!”
Yes, he has a point. Except me, the other summoned individuals are just mere childrens. Their bodies are weak, they have never been in combat. They look like mere twigs in comparison to the knights standing next to the King. And now, they have to go against the Demon King? How does that make any sense?
“Please, there's no need for concern; we will provide all the required training and support,” the king insists. “And you may not be aware, but your presence here is no coincidence. Being chosen signifies the presence of hidden talents and powers within you. We will assist you in uncovering and awakening them.”
“Wait!” the pizza guy exclaims. “By hidden powers, do you mean something like cheat skills and abilities?”
With that question, I can now tell that the pizza dude is actually a weeb.
The king is confused for a moment. “I’m afraid I’m unfamiliar with your terminology.”
“I mean… are you suggesting we possess abilities that render us extraordinarily potent, abilities exclusive to us compared to ordinary individuals?”
“Ah, that is correct,” the king nods, “What you term as ‘cheat skills’ are what we refer to as ‘divine blessings’. Everyone of you should have your unique divine blessings. If you want, we can help you awaken them right away,”
“Yes, please!” the pizza guy insists, his eyes now sparkling with some sort of excitement.
“But what if we don’t want any of that? What if we just want to go home? Can you send us back?” I now speak for the first time, because there is something I need to check.
“Certainly,” assures the king without any hesitation. “We fully comprehend the magnitude of the task we’re asking you to undertake, fighting demons and even gods. Thus, we pledge to extend all possible support and privileges to you. However, if you find our support is still not enough, we can reverse the summoning spell and send you home anytime. But please consider it; your unique talents are desperately needed in our predicament.”
“Oh, thank you,” I say, “That’s very good to hear.”
The king then proceeds to detail the array of privileges and benefits that the kingdom intends to bestow upon the heroes. He promises titles, power, wealth, status – every conceivable luxury and advantage, everything a person can ever dream of. It doesn’t take long for the other boy and the teenage girl to be swayed by these offerings, and they readily agree to assume their roles as heroes.
Meanwhile, the child, who doesn't understand any of that stuff yet, continues to ask for her mother. Seeing this, the king assures her that she will be returned to her home promptly.
And me, yes, of course I’m going to stay. I need to find my sister after all.
But reverse summoning spells to send us back home?
That’s full of bullshit.
After that question, I have already confirmed my suspicion.
Alaric or whatever the name of this bastard is, he CANNOT be trusted.
As the ritual or whatever finishes, the door swings open, and many other people walk in. Leading the group is an old man with silver hair, wearing a crimson, gold-embroidered robe and an elaborate crown. Looks like a king to me. Beside him walks a woman of ethereal beauty and grace, way more younger than him. She wears a silver, sparkling gown adorned with crystals and gems, with a silver tiara on her head. Yes, she is extremely beautiful.
Is she the queen? Or is she a princess? I have no idea.
Next, following them is a diverse assembly of individuals. Judging by their attire, they consist of nobles, warriors, knights, and scholars…, similar to ones that I usually see in video games and fantasy movies. In just minutes, over a hundred of these individuals fill the room. Despite that, everyone keeps their silence, because the king is here.
Regardless, upon their entrance, the presumed king scans us with eagle-sharp eyes, a smile playing on his lips. I can’t help but feel there’s a concealed malice in his gaze.
"Welcome, noble heroes, to the Kingdom of Valeria,” the king speaks, his voice full of authority. “You have been summoned to our world in its most perilous time, to assist us in our struggle against the advancing evil that seeks to engulf everything. I am King Alaric, the sovereign ruler of this kingdom."
The welcome by the supposed King Alaric casts a myriad of reactions among the newly summoned.
I choose to remain silent, and observe the situation for now.
Meanwhile, the high-school girl is the first to voice her bafflement. “Why are we here? What is this place?” Her voice trembles slightly, asking questions that can easily be answered if she had listened to what the King just said. With shaking hands, she clutches her backpack tighter, as if seeking solace in its familiar texture.
“Yeah, what she said.” The teenage boy with dyed-red hair follows suit. “And why should we help you? We didn’t ask to come here!”
The pizza delivery guy seems more composed but is clearly puzzled, “Is this a prank? Is there a way back? I was in the middle of a delivery, and I can’t afford to lose this job!”
Meanwhile, the small child, still clutching her ice cream, looks around with tear-brimmed eyes.
King Alaric listens patiently, his sharp eyes observing each one of us. Perhaps, he is gauging our reactions. After a seemingly endless moment, he addresses us again, “I understand your confusion and your fears. It was not our intention to bring you here against your wills. But our kingdom, our world, is facing a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions. You have been summoned as the chosen heroes to save our world from the looming darkness, the Demon God.”
The room seems to shrink with the weight of his words, the air thickening with unspoken tensions and unanswered questions. “Chosen heroes?” murmurs the high school girl, “Demon God?” echoes the red-haired teenager, their voices overlapping.
“Hmm…” the pizza guy, seemingly regaining his composure after an initial moment of panic, speculates aloud, “Is this like some sort of light novel scenario?”
“Ah! I’ve read those stories too!” the girl exclaims. “They’re quite popular! Typically, individuals from Earth are summoned or reincarnated in another world to become heroes.”
“But, is there no one in your world capable of fighting the demonic force?” the red-haired teen inquires, his voice laced with skepticism. “As you can see, we are just teenagers! And she,” his hand gestures towards the little girl, whose tears are yet to dry, “is merely a child!”
King Alaric, with his demeanor still composed, addresses the concerns of those summoned. “I acknowledge the confusion and fear rampant within each of you. It was not our wish to bring you into this turmoil. However, as you’ve surmised, we wouldn’t have invoked the summoning if we have the power to vanquish the demon king ourselves. This entity, the Demon God, was once our creator god who molded our world and breathed life into us. Everything was good until a mysterious darkness corrupted him, morphing him into the malevolent force we now face. He is now the harbinger of our demise, and we, his progeny, are rendered incapacitated against him. We are shackled by the principles of creation and are powerless to inflict harm upon our creator.”
“So, in short, only people coming from another world like us are not bound by that principle, thus capable of killing the Demon God?” the red-haired teen asks again for clarification.
“Yes,” the king says. Then suddenly, he lowers his head, “I earnestly beseech you, our selected heroes, to assist us in our battle against this corrupted deity…”
“Oh, I get it, but…” the red-haired guy interjects, “we are not superheroes, we don’t even know how to fight properly, let alone defeating some powerful demons!”
Yes, he has a point. Except me, the other summoned individuals are just mere childrens. Their bodies are weak, they have never been in combat. They look like mere twigs in comparison to the knights standing next to the King. And now, they have to go against the Demon King? How does that make any sense?
“Please, there's no need for concern; we will provide all the required training and support,” the king insists. “And you may not be aware, but your presence here is no coincidence. Being chosen signifies the presence of hidden talents and powers within you. We will assist you in uncovering and awakening them.”
“Wait!” the pizza guy exclaims. “By hidden powers, do you mean something like cheat skills and abilities?”
With that question, I can now tell that the pizza dude is actually a weeb.
The king is confused for a moment. “I’m afraid I’m unfamiliar with your terminology.”
“I mean… are you suggesting we possess abilities that render us extraordinarily potent, abilities exclusive to us compared to ordinary individuals?”
“Ah, that is correct,” the king nods, “What you term as ‘cheat skills’ are what we refer to as ‘divine blessings’. Everyone of you should have your unique divine blessings. If you want, we can help you awaken them right away,”
“Yes, please!” the pizza guy insists, his eyes now sparkling with some sort of excitement.
“But what if we don’t want any of that? What if we just want to go home? Can you send us back?” I now speak for the first time, because there is something I need to check.
“Certainly,” assures the king without any hesitation. “We fully comprehend the magnitude of the task we’re asking you to undertake, fighting demons and even gods. Thus, we pledge to extend all possible support and privileges to you. However, if you find our support is still not enough, we can reverse the summoning spell and send you home anytime. But please consider it; your unique talents are desperately needed in our predicament.”
“Oh, thank you,” I say, “That’s very good to hear.”
The king then proceeds to detail the array of privileges and benefits that the kingdom intends to bestow upon the heroes. He promises titles, power, wealth, status – every conceivable luxury and advantage, everything a person can ever dream of. It doesn’t take long for the other boy and the teenage girl to be swayed by these offerings, and they readily agree to assume their roles as heroes.
Meanwhile, the child, who doesn't understand any of that stuff yet, continues to ask for her mother. Seeing this, the king assures her that she will be returned to her home promptly.
And me, yes, of course I’m going to stay. I need to find my sister after all.
But reverse summoning spells to send us back home?
That’s full of bullshit.
After that question, I have already confirmed my suspicion.
Alaric or whatever the name of this bastard is, he CANNOT be trusted.
