Prologue
He was faced with a familiar scene. Voices full of admiration echoed the room.
"Oh, Brave Heroes. We beg you, please save our world!"
It was the same fantasy like dialogue spouted on the day he was first summoned.
The spacious room lit by torches, the men in summoning robes, a magical circle drawn on the stone layered ground.
An uneasy glance to his arm, his eyes stared straight at the metal plate with a green jewel.
Iwatani Naofumi was once again called forth as the Shield Hero.
Chapter 1: Here we go once more
Brought out of the summoning room, Naofumi and the three other guys were led to a vast throne room. Afterwards, their guides left them to join the others in the background.
The four heroes stood a distance from the elevated platform in front of them. Naofumi instinctively tightened his fists. His face darkened as he was reminded of his past.
He was faced with one of the three hated people in his previous life.
"So, these youngsters are our Ancient Heroes?"
His voice was as aggravating as Naofumi remembered. Gray haired and royally dressed, the old man was seated on the smallest of the two thrones.
"I am the king of this country, Aultcray Melromarc the 32nd. Ruler of Melromarc. Great Heroes, you may now raise your heads."
The old man narrowed his eyes on Naofumi for a moment. Different from what happen last time, Naofumi was the only one of the summoned quartets that didn't kneel down. That was disrespectful. Then again, he didn't really care.
The old man went on to explain why they were summoned. Their world was in danger, they were facing an impending series of catastrophes. The Waves of Calamity.
By the large efforts of the knights and adventurers, they managed to get through the first wave. However, it wasn't without major casualties. The next series of waves even prophesize to grow stronger in difficulty.
By themselves, it wasn't enough. So, by relying on an old legend. They called forth the Four Cardinal Heroes to save them. In his old life, Naofumi was also called forth as the Shield Hero, but it was a difficult life due to the hate the people have for the Legendary Shield. It also didn't help that his fellow heroes were quick to accept him as the villain.
"Now, Heroes, tell me your names."
On the topic of the Legendary Heroes, the three people beside Naofumi were different. It wasn't the same knuckleheads from before.
"My name is Kirigaya Kazuto. Age – 20, Highschool student." The hero with the sword was the first to name himself. By first impression, he was basically all black. Neat black hair, a black coat with a white fluffy collar, black pants and even black trainers. Like Ren (previous Sword Hero) he can be mistaken for a girl if he were in a dress.
"Name, Emiya Shirou. Highschool student." The Bow Hero was the second. However, it was brief. He resembled nothing like Itsuki (previous Bow Hero). He looked like the serious type considering how carefully he check his surroundings, his tired eyes also come off a bit intimidating. He wore a black and white jacket over a white and blue shirt, plus blue jeans. There was a small streak of white within his red hair, along with tanned streaks of skin throughout his body. He probably had a rough life before he was summoned.
"Your Age?"
"Does it matter?"
"...Well, no, I guess not." After shrugging his shoulders, the Spear Hero then waited for Naofumi to go ahead.
"Naofumi." Once again, he was in his old green hoodie and dress pants. He surprisingly misses his custom barbarian armour.
"…Really, you too?" Naofumi left the question unanswered.
"Freaking hell, the name's Hyoudou Issei. 18 years old Highschool student." This guy resembles nothing like Motoyasu (previous Spear Hero), he had short spiky brown hair, with two short locks of hair behind his head. He had on a black open blazer over an unbuttoned white dress shirt, with a red shirt underneath, plus some academy trousers.
"Very well. I welcome you, Kazuto, Shirou, and Issei." Once again, the king pretended to not acknowledge Naofumi. He wasn't interested in playing along so he kept silent. It was only a bit afterwards that the king finally addressed him, in response to the looks coming from the other three heroes.
With the introductions over, they proceeded.
"And now, I would like for everyone to check your statuses and objectively evaluate yourselves."
"Status?"
With the exception of Naofumi and the Sword Hero, the other two looked confused.
"On the right corner of your eye, keep your head still and focus your eyes on the icon that's there." Kazuto explained. It was like he had done this a bunch of times before.
Anyway, Naofumi already understood since it was hardly his first time. Like a game, his status screen opened up. He expected the small pitiful numbers like when he first started. Instead, he was met with a surprise.
Not that he was level 1, he expected that, but his stats were unusually high for a beginner. After investigating further, Naofumi found that all the shields he unlocked before were available to him in the weaponry section, thereby granting him their bonuses. They were proof of the hardship he experienced in his last life were real.
There was a new icon flashing at him. A new shield was unlocked.
Opening his weaponry, he searches over the web network of possible shields. His eyes open wide at what he read.
Clock Face of Ryuugan. Ability unlocked {Temporal Stagnation}. The ability to slow down time in the area {Unmastered}
"Slow down, time?"
Naofumi felt as if countless voices were yelling at him to work on this shield. Not that he was against the idea. Time stop ability does sound quite nice, even if it just for a second.
"Level 1? Damn, can't say I wasn't expecting it."
"We were just summoned to this world. So that's natural."
"All I see are numbers. Doesn't explain much."
"...We will have to ask the natives here. But I assume we are about as strong as an untrained teen."
"So, what now? Do we four party up, pickup friends along the way, and then fight the waves?"
"Not quite." Naofumi answered. "We won't be partying together."
"Huh, why is that?"
"If I may speak out," a voice spoken out to them. It was the leader of the robed group that summoned them. He continued when he was permitted by the king. "The, Shield Hero is correct. The records state that it will be unfavourable for the heroes to fight near one another. All of you, oh, Brave Ones, must get themselves companions and start their own adventure."
"What are the disadvantages?" Shirou asked.
"Biggest reason, we lose experience points," Kazuto answered with a confused look. "According to the Help Guide, the legendary weapons repel each other. If we are near one another, we lose out."
"Yeah, that's what written there." Naofumi said in confirmation.
"That's, well…"
"Yeah, it's a strange rule."
"It's stupid is what it is."
"...Can't say I disagree."
It was here when the King spoke to them again. "Do not worry Heroes, we'll be aiding you throughout your journey. We will provide you with a steady start, as your strengths are the key to our future. Rest easy for the day, enjoy a grand feast prepared for you tonight. We will have some talented fighters visiting tomorrow. All wishing to join you on your adventures."
The hero gave their appreciation, with the exception of Naofumi as he recalled that none of them dared to join his team.
Afterwards, one of the heroes requested a tour around the castle and the rest chose to join, they watch the training field, visit the grand garden, and discover the castle library, before were led to a dining area. Their table were readied with a delectable array of cuisines. They each took their seat, Naofumi and Kazuto at one side, while Shirou and Issei on the other side of the table. As Naofumi casually ate his meal, he gave a quick glance at his fellow heroes of this time around. Kazuto ate casually like him and took whatever had his interest. Whereas Issei ate with abandonment as he took a serving of every food available. Shirou also tried each cuisine but he ate more slowly, as if savouring each bite. Slowly, Naofumi was getting the idea of their personalities.
When the feast was over, they were brought to the royal guest rooms. Each bed in the rooms were large and come pair with a nightstand beside it. Light came from the chandelier on the ceiling.
"Damn, after a feast like that. Nothing beats sleeping in a nice soft bed." Issei said as he lay down, already claiming the bed.
"Ha, ha, sure." Kazuto said as look out the window, revealing that it is already night-time.
"Hey." A voice called out to Naofumi. It was Shirou who approached him from the closed door. "Mind if we talk?"
They caught the attention of the other two heroes.
"Sure, what's on your mind?" Naofumi asked back.
"…Would you mind telling us what's going on?" Shirou asked.
"What do you mean?" Naofumi inquired. His eyes impulsively narrowed.
"I had been watching. Out of all of us, you are the most accustom to this new world." Shirou said with full certainty. "Do you know something we don't?"
"Are you trying to imply something?" Naofumi snarked back with an agitated look.
"Hey now, let's all calm down. We are all allies here." Issei said.
"Are we? Because it feels like he trying to start something."
"Naofumi, I'm not trying to provoke you. I simply want to gather information. When we first met the king, you glare at him as though he ran over your dog. When the king tried to ignore you, you barely respond like he was beneath you. We just got summon today, so why were there some castle guards and even maids looking at you with disgust."
"Che~" Naofumi responded back. "Ask around, maybe they will tell you."
"Before I do, I rather you tell me your story first."
"Like you will believe me."
"You can try, and we'll see if I do."
Naofumi was tempted to tell them, but should he? They could betray him, and use the information to hurt him in this life.
"[Brave Star Online]." The words of the Sword Hero draw their attention. Pulling along the chair from the window side, Kazuto took a seat after he got closer. "It's probably because this world draws parallel to that game."
"Game?"
As everyone quiet down, Kazuto continued. "I wasn't sure before, but it came to me. The plot and mechanics are quite similar."
"Now that you mention it," Issei spoke up. "I think I remember that stupid gaming ad, never played it, but it kept popping up whenever I try to do- um, internet stuff. Had to mute it every time. Brave Star? Could've sworn it was something else."
"Hm, I do not recall any ad. But I did partially play it as a beta-tester for a company I know. It was a very basic concept. Mostly build a competitive team with NPCs and raid a boss kind of game," Kazuto said. "Putting Hyoudou aside, how about the both of you, were any of you a beta-tester?"
Shirou kept silent since he didn't seem to understand, but Naofumi did answered as he took a seat on the floor.
"No, I wasn't. The only thing I know is that it resembled the book I was reading, [Legend of the Four Heroes]. Che, didn't get to finish the damn thing."
"I have no answer to give," Shirou finally said, leaning his back by the wall. "I am not into any sort of games, and the only fantasy books I read are to my younger sister. Maybe it was one of them."
"Younger sister? How old?"
"…10" Shirou said with a sharp glare.
"Whoa, too young."
"You–"
"Onto another topic before Emiya kills Hyoudou." Naofumi said as he tried to push along. "Hey Kirigaya, besides me, you seem familiar with the whole status magic and guide thing. Does VRMMO mean anything to you?"
As he asked, Kazuto carefully nodded as he recognized the term.
"What does it stand for?" Shirou asked.
"Virtual Reality Mass Multi Online game," Kazuto answered. "It's what I use to play [Brave Star Online]."
"Virtual reality? Seriously?"
"Yeah, it's where they use some sci-fi technology that somehow let people play in virtual worlds." Naofumi answered. "I only heard of them from a light novel, but it seems to be real for Kirigaya."
"Where are you going with this Naofumi?"
"I am saying we could be from different worlds. Different versions of Japan."
" "…" "
"… Going against my better judgement, does any of your world has magic or mage craft?" Shirou asked.
"In our world?"
"Yeah, mine does." Issei replied. "But it was more of a secret kept from the public."
"Huh, no offense, but how would you know then?" Naofumi asked.
"I stumbled onto it when I… got killed by a fallen angel whom I was dating."
What Issei said made the other three took a moment to process that.
"When you say fallen angel–" Shirou carefully asked.
"Yeah, I mean the one from the bible. People with black wings. It turns out Gods and Devils exist and were living amongst us."
"Why did the fallen angel kill you?"
"It was something about me being a threat to them, and to be fair, they were right. I did get them back for it. I died a lot later by evil dragon poisoning." Issei answered. "Just out of curiosity, what were you guys doing before you got here?"
"…For me, my world was dying. There was a ritual with my sister being made to be a sacrifice. I didn't agree and went against them. I got put down after getting her to safety, far beyond their reach." Shirou told them with a very short abridge version of his story.
"Damn, my condolences."
"What about you Kirigaya?"
"I got attack when I was out on the street, I fought back but got injected with a dangerous drug. I think I died when I was in the ambulance, with my wife crying over me."
" "Wife?!" "
"Well…" Kazuto made an attempt to correct himself, but then held back. "Yeah. Wife."
"How old are you again?"
"Never mind that, your turn Naofumi. What's your story?" Shirou asked as he redirected the conversation.
"…If it's just what I was doing before I got here, I was reading the half-finished book in the library. Then there was a flash of light, and I was here."
"Is that all?"
"Yeah."
"Is there really nothing else you want to say?"
"…" Naofumi held his tongue. He almost let his spitefulness get the better of him again. He remembered the words of Fitoria, the Queen of the Filolial birds. The four heroes mustn't fight each other, they had to work together if they wish to fully vanquish the waves. Naofumi took a deep breath. The three other heroes this time wasn't the idiots from before, he had to give them a chance. At least try.
"…There is something. But it's a major secret."
"More than me coming from a world with Gods and Devils, Shirou from a dying magical world, or Kazuto already having a wife?" Issei ask with a pointed look.
"Yes, probably, maybe?"
" "…" "
"Is it something you really don't want the people here to hear?" Issei asked.
Naofumi nodded to answer.
"Alright, hold on," Shirou said. He made his way around the room.
"What are you doing?"
"Prepping the area." Shirou answered as he starts using his otherworldly magic, drawing magical symbols on each of the four corners of the room. After a while, Shirou came back and the room felt like it shook at his command. Something even came and wash over their bodies.
"What did you just do?"
"I created a bounded field that hide us under an illusion, right now, we are just fidgeting with our weapons and keeping to ourselves. Whatever we say now can only be heard by us four."
"So why didn't you do it earlier?"
"No point, I already scared off any listeners when I made eye-contact with them. I also already check for any listening devices in the room. I only did this now so that it gives Naofumi a peace of mind."
"How secure is it?"
"I don't know how adept they are in the magical arts, but I was trained by the best who know his way around bounded fields." Shirou answered. "Whenever you are ready Naofumi, we are the only ones listening."
"…Before I start, I want to say that everything I speak of is the truth." Naofumi said. "This isn't my first time being summon as the Shield Hero." He opens his status screen, and after a moment pause, he made it visible for the others to see.
"…What happen?"
"Where do I start?" Naofumi scornfully asked, not expecting any answer. "Turns out this kingdom worships the church of the Three Hero instead of four. The king, the church, and some of the kingdom's people hated the Shield Hero. They despise the demi-humans, and by relation, hated me because the Shield was worshipped as their God. From the second day, this kingdom's first princess framed me for rape, and due to their tricks, they made me into an outclass. For the whole three months, I couldn't trust people anymore, and I had to move around while keeping my identity as the Shield a secret. When I finally took down the leader of the church, it seems that I then died not long after."
"Did you not have any allies?"
"I did, a demi-human name Raphtalia, and a giant bird name Filo. There were other decent people like Melty the second princess, but those two were the ones that stood by me through it all."
"They must had been good friends."
"…The thing is…" Naofumi said as he then took a breath. "For Raphtalia and Filo, I was their Slave Owner." With Naofumi now kicking the bucket, he worries about them. The last thing he recall was telling Raphtalia that if he does not make it, she should take Melty and ride to safety on Filo. He didn't like the idea of leaving them behind.
" "…" "
"Dude."
"Lay off, I couldn't see any other choices. I don't trust other people." Naofumi admitted. "In fact, I am only exposing myself because I made a promise to the Filolial Queen to work with the other heroes."
"Filolial?"
"We saw them earlier. It's those giant birds for pulling carriages."
"Oh, you mean that overgrown straight chicken that bit my nose."
"It was your own fault for being too close."
"Naofumi, I just want to ask," Shirou said. "Did you treat them right?"
"..."
"Naofumi."
"I didn't abuse them or anything like that. But I had force them to listen to me in fights."
"…Alright." Shirou said. "I am sorry you had to go through all of that."
"Yeah, sucks that the church is a problem in this world too." Issei said.
"Thanks."
"Naofumi, I am sorry about your past. But there's something that concerns me about your status." Kazuto said.
"What do you mean?"
"You are missing a few things," Kazuto said. "For one thing, where's your Item Box?"
"Item Box?"
Hearing such a thing, Naofumi was confused. He was sure there was nothing written about this from the help guide. He had spent about 3 months in the last world, and he had obsessively devoured as much of the information possibly given.
"Yeah, it's a main staple for all Online RPG."
"This isn't a video game." Naofumi stated with an annoyed look. The item box is just a virtual means to hold all the player's stuff. He had look around, yet there was no magic bag with hammer space, nor did this world had any magic spell that imitates it.
"I know, but it is a world that can be affected by game physics." Kazuto answered as he reveals his status. "By our Legendary Weapon in fact. I had one in mine, but your is missing."
Naofumi rechecked his status, but it looked the same as always. There was his name, and him being level 1 again. The gauges for his health, magic, and hero skill. The graph that show his abnormally higher stats. A tab for his weaponry tree of unlockable shields. The tab for unique hero skills and one for his magic. Then finally the Help guide.
"…Could it be something only the Sword Hero has?"
"No, I have one too." Issei said as he revealed his status. Shirou followed after.
"I also had one, but it wasn't there before." Shirou said.
"What do you mean?" Naofumi asked.
"I am saying it only appeared after you and Kirigaya mention it."
"But why would that happen? I heard it too but nothing came up for me."
" "…" "
"Hey Emiya–"
"Listen, you all can just call me Shirou."
"Yeah, Issei is fine for me too."
"Oh, then if it's alright, I would like to be call Kirito."
"If you wish."
"Whatever floats your boat."
"Yeah, whatever. Still Naofumi for me." Naofumi said with casual wave.
"Thanks, now Shirou, what's that Summon feature?" Kirito asked.
"Don't know. Let's see." Shirou said.
Entering the Summon tab, the heroes can see on the Bow Hero's screen a summoning circle, total bar of 50 Tokens, an information button, a button to summon, and a Compendium.
The hell, for Naofumi, it resembled a Gacha of a mobile game.
"According to the guide, I can randomly call forth the Fluctlight copy of an Otherworld Being for 50 Tokens each."
"What's a Fluctlight?"
"It refers to a digital soul," Kirito answer. "But I thought that was a made-up term."
"Hey Shirou, how about showing us a roll?"
"Might as well, shouldn't take long." Shirou said.
Kirito and Naofumi also agreed and they watch Shirou went for a summoning. There was flashing light with 3 circles, and then came a card displaying someone doing archery. The card turns bright white and started shaping into a small figure. Soon enough, they see a little tan girl with pink hair, dress with a red and black mini armour, and waving at them through the monitor.
"She's called Chloe von Einzbern. She told me she's an Archer class hero." Shirou told them as it seems that only he can hear her.
"… Okay, now what?"
"She says that she can lend me her power by merging her Fluctlight with me."
"Can we see?"
"I don't see the harm," Shirou said after thinking it. "Install, Archer"
It was almost immediate. They watched the Legendary Bow suddenly melted into white light before fully covering Shirou. Afterwards, Shirou reappear while dress with a red garment and black armour, and the Legendary core now fixed onto his left hand.
"Well at least there wasn't any long-ass magical girl transformation." Issei muttered.
"Hm, didn't think I will be dress like this again," Shirou said as he project a small sword, fiddling it with his hand.
"Wait! How are you able to swing that sword?" Naofumi asked.
"What do you mean?"
"These weapon of ours doesn't let us use anything beside it. Whenever I try to use another weapon, I get zap for it."
"Hmm, well I am technically using my Divine Construct," Shirou answered. "I used it to install the Fluctlight onto me, and then uses Chloe's ability to make a sword."
"That's allowed?"
"Apparently, yes." Shirou said. "Using Borrow Power, I only have Projection and Magic Resistance at the moment. If I use the energy converted from materials in the Item Box, I can increase the level of the Fluctlight. Doing so seems to give her more stats to go on top of my main, and I get more abilities at certain levels. For Chloe, I can gain her next skill at level 5."
"Hey Shirou, how long are you able to keep on that form?" Issei asked.
"As long as I will it," Shirou said as he came out of the archer form, and the Legendary Bow reform into his hand. "Ack! The hell. That was made using you." Shirou got zapped as he was caught wielding the sword he projected, so he dismissed the projection. "Such a fickle Bow. Guess that was the zap you mention earlier."
"Yeah."
"Oh, I got it." Issei said.
"What?"
"I can now do the Summon thing," Issei said and he pointed to his visible status screen.
"Me too," Kirito said. "It just appeared to me like Shirou said."
Naofumi check his status in hope, but no, it was still the same. Why?
"… Naofumi, I think it has something to do with your mentality," Kirito said as he closed his status screen. "These new functions came when we accepted it. But for you, you don't fully trust us. Despite seeing it first-hand, you still think we are somehow lying to you."
"…"
He's still not sure, is it really like that?
"Naofumi. I will be blunt. We have better use of our time than to play a trick on you."
"I think what he means is, it's not enough for you to hear, you also need to believe wholeheartedly," Kirito said as he cut off Shirou. "These functions came for the Sword, the Spear, and the Bow. There's no reason the Shield should be any different."
"Right, and as I was saying. We just got here. We have no reason to mess with you."
"… Okay. I hear you," Naofumi said. "Just give me some time. I will work on it before bed."
"Sure Naofumi, I am sure you can do it." Kirito said. "Okay, how about one more lesson before we turn it in for the night. We can continue at the same place, tomorrow morning."
"Sounds good," Shirou said. "Issei, your turn. Surely you have something to share with us."
"Hold on a moment, I doing a summoning," Issei said as he watching his screen. "Oh, bless the Breast Goddess, I got Ddraig. Hey good buddy, remember me."
On Issei's screen, there's a freaking red dragon. Yet something else caught their attention.
"…Breast Goddess?" Naofumi asked with great uncertainty. Kirito and Shirou met him back with also a confuse look. They have a bad feeling.
"You don't think he would start a new cult, could he?"
"The heroes are highly worshipped here, so it's not impossible."
"…A terrifying idea." They all felt unsettle for the future outcome.
"Only a copy he said," Issei said with a frown. "Alright, my turn is it? Let me tell you about [Peerage]."
On the screen of the Spear Hero, Issei went into his [Party] tab. "In short, we can get extra stat points added to our main by having the [King] tag. The guide says we have to use the collected souls of monster we absorbed into our weapon in order to level a tag up, doing so boost the numbers while also giving Bonus points. Then we can use the extras for stat point we want."
"Oh, that's like from a game I know." Kirito noted quietly.
Issei continued. "I can't show it right now because we yet have any party members, but we can assign a special tag to like 15 of them. We have [KNIGHT] that gives greater focus on Agility. [ROOK] for Defence, [BISHOP] for Mana, [QUEEN] which does it all. Oh, by the way, if you are ever in your territory, there's also a special move call [Castling], that lets you change places with your [ROOK] teammate. Then finally we have [PAWN], this may look weak but don't look down on it, if you ever fight in enemy territory then the [PAWN] can be promoted to the other four. Awesome, right?"
After listening to Issei, the other three hero can see some interesting use and potential.
"Issei, why are they chess pieces?" Kirito asked.
"…Frankly, I have no clue." Issei answered.
With that as the finale, the class session was finally over for now. Shirou dispel the Bounded Field and the heroes left the room for Issei. The heroes head to their respective beds to get some much-needed sleep, with the exception for Naofumi whom sat hunched over on the edge of his bed.
"Come on. I just need to believe." Naofumi muttered. "Those guys have no reason to trick me. So just accept what they say."
In his heart, Naofumi can still feel that he is in denial. Really, even if it's a lie. If the functions work, then all the better.
Seriously, what a joke. He criticized the three idiots for treating the world as a game, but behold, he was also at fault for looking for too much realisms. Damn those Transmigration into a New world-genre web novels he read.
"Just believe it."
Naofumi repeatedly imagine the status screen in his mind. The [Item Box] in his menu selection. The [Summon] section with the rainbow tokens that generate over time. The [Compendium] that would record any Otherworldly Being he ever could summon. The [Peerage] tag he can assign to his party member.
His party member…
Rapthalia and Filo.
When he gets the time, he will use the gold to buy Rapthalia again from the Slave Trader. For Filo however, the odds of hatching her again doesn't look good. Too many factors. Yet Naofumi will try as many times as he's able. Hopefully, he doesn't end up with a full army of Loli filolials.
He will try…
"I will try for them."
With a patient breath, he reopened his status screen. It came with a ring. The expansion came.
It came!
The power of believing, indeed. Opening his [Item Box], his eyes widen with a bigger surprize. He was met with a long list of materials he had fed the Shield. He noted the [Recipes] section for food and craft able items.
Running on high adrenaline, Naofumi barge right into the [Summon] section, he glances at his total of 50 rainbow Tokens. Apparently, he gets 5 Tokens after every 24 hours. The light spins around on screen, the card show a bipedal beast with a beast mask. The figure came forth from the moulding light. A darken knight with an ominous shadowy mist shroud his body.
Naofumi didn't hear who he was, all he got was an unsettling wail in his mind with an echoey voice clanging against his metal suit.
A bit troublesome, but no matter. He knows the name as it written for him on screen.
Lancelot du lac. Probably the one from the King Arthur's tales. His starting skill are Weaponry Master and Masked Identity. Level 1.
"…Good to meet you, Berserker."
=World A=
When Naofumi next woke up, he was attack by an array of soreness, fatigue, and pain. His body felt heavy and difficult to move. Fighting against confusion and drowsiness, he glanced to the side as he felt someone held his hand. He made eye contact with a woman sitting beside him.
"Lord Naofumi?"
Normally he would be worried, but the thing is, this woman was someone Naofumi know very closely.
"Raphtalia?"
It was the slave girl that he took in. The former child who now obtain a grown woman body due to her raccoon demi-human heritage. Round animal ears on top of her long reddish hair. Dressed in bandages and comfortable clothing to move in.
"…Filo?"
"She's sleeping with the princess at another room. Don't worry, I will let them know you were awake."
"I see…" Naofumi said. "I'm tired." Damn, he feels so terrible.
"…Please go back to sleep Lord Naofumi. We are safe here. I will watch over you."
"…Thank you."
That was the last thing he said before he fell into slumber again.
=World B=
Naofumi woke up to a beeping sound to his face, he was healthy again, and his body didn't feel like crap anymore. He got up, mute the alarm on the clock function he gained after throwing his old stuff from his pockets into the Shield. Sadly, the Shield didn't get much else from the smartphone, guess it was too much to ask for internet access. At least putting in his wallet gave him an internal pouch for his money.
As Naofumi steadily got ready while deep in thinking, there was knocking on the door.
Opening it, we met face to face with Issei. He looks unhappy like he lost the bet.
"Hey slowpoke, the teacher waiting for you." Issei said. "Hm, is something the matter?"
Gathering his thought, Naofumi came to a realisation after looking over what he went through.
"I think my situation just got more complicated."
#omake 1: A job for a hero
Naofumi was still having problem accepting that the Legendary Weapon can do a lot more than he think it does.
Kirito, Shirou, and Issei hurdle together to make a plan.
"Naofumi needs our help, we need to think of a way."
"An inspiring speech could help."
"Possible, looking back at history, a rowing speech can encourage a man to do many things."
"Oh, well alright, but who is–"
"Not it."
"Not it."
"What," Issei gave them a pointed look. "I now hate the both of you."
"Naofumi." Issei said. "To help cast away your doubts, the three of us had decided that I am the most suitable to help you.
"Okay."
"To do so, I shall give you a pep talk."
"What, no, I don't want–" Naofumi look at him while still slouched over.
"We got isekai'd to be heroes, an honour not easily gain by many. This world is in jeopardy. Their knights and the king's men, though valiant, were not enough. Do you know why this world need heroes? It because we can do the things they cannot. They rely on their magics and their talents, but we bend the world to our reality. We warp the settings by pushing game physics, the monster drops golds because we say it does, we don't need bags because we can strut while carrying storeroom full of crap. We don't die because we still have hit points. We tell the world what to do. Remember this. They asked us for help, and we came here to solve their problem. We are the heroes they ask for."
"...Freaking hell," Naofumi said.
"…"
"…"
"In hindsight, I could've just hypnotized him into believing it."
" "Shut up Shirou!" "
Author Note. I only wrote this because it was something that I myself wants to read. I want other people to use my idea. But to make it happen, I had to provide a template with possibilities. Hope this fiction of mine can inspire something similar.
Unlike my old cookie-cutter fictions from years back. I don't ever plan to delete this because I don't feel any shame from this. I am proud of it, and one day, I hope to make it to the end.
