Arifureta: Similar Story, Different World
Chapter 2: Similar Start, Different Perspectives
On the softest bed I've ever laid my head on, I slept like a babe. Having just had a stressful day of being kidnapped and nearly recruited to some god-forsaken war—, scratch that, to some god's fucking war, I needed the rest.
Thankfully, as I buried myself under the thick bed covers, the cool air soothed every fiber of my being, getting me to sink even deeper into my slumber. Between the soft fluff and the cool air, I was in bliss.
Ahhh, I needed this so much.
After the stunt I had pulled just a few hours ago—
No. Nooo.
Forget. Sleep.
Sleeeeeeeeep.
.
.
.
Not even a second later, the door to my room opens and a familiar voice calls out to me.
"Wake up… my son…"
"Uuuggghhh, seriously?"
"Time to get up… It's late…"
Looking around through the small gaps of my eyes, complete darkness ruled the room. Not a speck of sunlight through the window, not even the lamplight. Maybe the curtains were drawn over. Or maybe she was trying to fool me into throwing out the trash this early. Either way, I wasn't having it.
"Uuuggghhh… five more minutes, mom… …"
"Come on. I didn't raise you up to be a lazy bum. You know better than to take after your father in the morning."
What she meant to say was 'act like your father and annoy me, and I will treat you like your father when he annoys me'. Meaning ignoring my very existence for the rest of the day.
That meant no food, no allowance, no warning or mention if we were going somewhere or doing something. The whole shebang. The worst bit was getting ignored by my own siblings lest the same happens to them! A cruel punishment indeed!
But not one I can't take. It'll only be for a day, and I've already experienced the worst day ever, so to hell with it!
"Mmmmgggghhh… just… please… five more minutes…"
"Sleeping in? How so very much like you. If you at least slept early, you wouldn't be having this problem, you know?"
She teases. How so very much like her to. But still, my decision stands.
"Mom, can you please… not?"
"And why can't I, my son? Is there a reason to warrant you acting like a child…?"
Oh, COME ON! Firstly, I AM a child. At least, legally. Secondly… uh… know what, fuck it… Whatever, brain, just… just give her the summarized version.
"I've just had… the most terrifying day of my life… I need a time out… Before my head explodes."
And wasn't that an understatement. If the pope so wished it, I may be eaten alive, or dropped from the top of the mountain temple we were summoned in. Maybe my head exploding was for the better. Quick and painless. Probably. Hopefully.
"Alright then. I'll let you get up on your own."
YESSS! She understands me so well.
"Thanks mom…"
Finally, some peace and quiet. I could sleep in, forget all my worries, and maybe even hang out with the twins later when they get off school. What a remedy! And it came from begging!
It was going to be another one of those normal, happy days. Or so I thought. Just as mom was about to exit the room, I hear her voice one last time.
"One last thing, son."
"What is it, mom…?"
"You're playing a very dangerous game in a world not my own." The air in the room suddenly dropped several degrees, causing a sense of sleep paralysis that dulled most of my senses besides my hearing. It reminded me of just how fast my heart had been beating this entire time. "I suggest you prepare for the worst, otherwise you will never see your family again."
The thumping in my chest resonated with the one in my mind. Realizing my mistake of assuming it was mom, I shot out of my bed. Or at least the upper half of my torso. Having felt relaxed too much, my lower half was buried entirely in the sheets.
"But as you have been an amusing child of mine, I'll give you a little something to help you out. Have fun with my gift~~~!"
Her last words resounded in the air, but then, it was gone just as quiet as she came.
Now, there was only the sound of me, breathing erratically.
Sweat dribbled from my forehead and down my neck. The sleepwear I had borrowed from the palace maid was drenched, as well as feeling a bit too hot. I took off the top almost immediately and got out of bed.
I looked around and walked towards the window. Giant curtains draped over the glass panels. Unlike the windows of Earth, the royal palace of Tortus had stained glass for windows. Grabbing onto the edge, I contemplated whether it even was a good idea to open them.
If my life wasn't in danger, I wouldn't have second guessed my actions.
It was only when I remembered that this window had no openings that I decided to pull the drapes to let in a small amount of sunlight. The room was bathed in a slight glow. The sun hadn't risen up completely yet. But with the window facing the east, the small amount was enough to brighten the room more than a candle would. The stained glass was colorful, but a bit light. As if they only applied a thin coating of color over the large, individual pieces. Different shades of orange, yellow and blue peppered the contents of my room.
A bed on the window-side corner the size of my bedroom in the grandparent's house. A small closet for a change of clothes. I say small, but it stood tall and was deep enough for me to hide in. A mirror rested atop a desk placed opposite the room of the closet. And a simple tea table with four seats near the center. A bit extravagant for a simple teenager, sure. But maybe it was because I was one of the Hero's 'companions', whatever that meant. The chandelier itself was terrifyingly expensive to look at. If by accident that thing fell and broke on Earth, I'd probably have hell to go through just to ask the folks to help pay for damages and even more hell when they cut my allowance.
'Thank god for being a 'companion', am I right?' I asked no one. The room itself was quite simple despite the extravagance. The audience room when they met the Royal Family was a hell of a lot more. But right now, that wasn't important.
Having been paranoid enough last night, I already scanned every nook and cranny of the room. The maid that had attended to me at the time was astonished at my actions. After quickly explaining that I was interested at the choice of décor by the royal family, I managed to convince her that I was simply a curious commoner.
It wasn't a lie. Monarchies rarely ever left their estates back on Earth, Even more so, allow the common folk to see them personally. Even when they did allow it, guards and escorts would flock around like a man-made man-wall and the estates that allowed tourist entry would be their show-homes, places they rarely even lived in.
That aside, I could easily pass off as an eccentric tourist. I've been one for most my life, even on my return to Japan. That specific tour was short-lived, though. And now, if I don't play my cards right, this one to Tortus may be a permanent stay.
Or, if the church figures out my bluff, immediately terminated, I would be.
Time to collect my thoughts. I started pacing back and forth within the over-sized bedroom. Good lord, you could fit my entire family plus the grandparents in here just for the night. If the twins were here they'd probably be prancing around shouting for a sleepover—?!
NO!
No.
.
.
.
Focus…
I breathed slowly and resumed my pacing.
Questions entered. Answers followed.
What had happened?
"Class and teacher transported to another world."
Where was I?
"Tortus, not Earth."
When is it?
"Second day, early morning.."
Who should I be afraid of?
"The Pope of the Church of Saints. The Royal Family of the Heiligh Kingdom. And the rampant stupidity of my classmates."
Why?
"Well, it was obvious."
The Pope's religion here is almost, if not more, powerful than the Catholics during the Medieval Era. If I'm not careful, I could either be excommunicated or burned at the stake for going against Ehto, or Hito, whatever that stupid god was called. As for the royal family, King Eiliheid S.B. Heiligh was a major concern. He was pretty much putty in the pope's hand. One wrong misstep with him and the pope might use it as an excuse to send me to the gallows.
But the last one is of greater concern. The classmates.
Thank god, Hatayama Aiko has enough sense to fill two persons of her stature. It was sad that her own influence was but a tenth of that. I want to apologize for inadvertently dissing the kind teacher, but she can't help me with the escapist hero and his companions as she was.
I was able to bullshit my way out of fighting Ishtar Lombard's crusade, but I won't be able to bullshit my way out of the class who thinks I am both a zealot and a complete coward. Cowardice, I can take, but if they look at me with the same disgusted or annoyed eyes one would give a persistent Jehovah's Witness pastor, I doubt my psyche could last this long in a world with no allies. Nagayama, Nomura, and Endou probably can't help me as we've barely been friends for a day.
Goddammit, Eichirou, why didn't you start befriending them last week? Oh wait, I decided to take my time and adjust to the school first. Damn priorities.
Maybe I could play it off as the religious pacifist? It could work. Probably. Maybe it could help explain why I prefer to NOT get killed or killed myself. But then again, I was from Earth. We from a higher plane were assumed to be more powerful than normal people here. Most likely, I will be expected to at least be able to handle a monster or two on my own.
Failure to do so and survive, I'd probably be pitied or tossed aside for being worthless.
Failure to do so and I die, well, I'D DIE.
Succeed to do so and survive, they'll expect me to be able to do it again, one way or another.
Succeed to do so and I die, my death will probably just be propaganda to use for the Pope's manipulation.
Even in death, my life would be used to manipulate others. Ain't that a bitch. I don't want to die. But neither pacifism nor crusading against Devils has a death-risk-free method.
.
.
.
UUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH
Standing still, I gripped my head tightly and internally screamed my frustration.
Ok, stop. Stop. Stop.
I inhaled deeply, then exhaled. Repeating this a few times, I managed to calm myself down. I was usually never this stressed out before to warrant internally screaming. But then again, how many times have I been kidnapped by a god to be a pawn for his game in another dimension? Screaming should be at the very least a justified reaction. But now calm, I had to focus again.
Now, the most important bit: the least question.
How do I get out of this situation and get back home?
"… … … … … … … … shit… I got nothing… …"
After all that boasting about beating Eto in his own game, I can't come up with a solution on how to do it. Now that I think about it, what the hell was I thinking, boasting about achieving what was impossible for a god?! A GOD?! What the hell possessed me that I forgot I claimed I could beat A GOD?
Yamamoto Eichirou, you are a fucking idiot!
I failed to notice that I was back on my knees, hands clutching the fringes of my black and now messy hair. My forehead kneaded on the floor as I tried to make sense of my own stupidity.
Goddamn it. I was so stressed everything as it was and the audacity of the pope to try and recruit his kidnapped. With how lightly Amanogawa and the rest of the class took all this, I couldn't take the retardedness of it all. And just tried to stop it.
I succeeded. For a short while. And then THAT happened.
Shit.
.
.
.
Welp. No use moping about this now.
I picked myself off the floor, massaged my pained forehead and looked at my surroundings. The bed was messed up from how I tried to escape it. Although it looked comfortable enough to sneak a few more minutes of sleep, I neither had the time nor the calm to relax my guard. The closet, on the other hand, had something important. I walked up to it and pulled open the large door, the hinge squeaking in the silence.
Gaudy clothes of various make, some formal, others appearing to be what is considered casual around here. Those were folded neatly and arranged accordingly on one side. The suits and coats all hung up neatly but frilled beyond compare. I guess they were similar to Medieval or Victorian style apparel, judging by the extravagant décor. But that was all organized and pushed over to one side. The other, however, had my school bag.
During the process of summoning us, I and Nagayama had grabbed our own to protect ourselves from what we expected was an explosion. Thank god, I was wrong. Had I been right, I wouldn't be able to keep the photo I had pulled out from the front pocket.
In said photo was a family of five. A father sat in his favorite chair while his wife stood beside him, uncomfortably snuggling her bespectacled face against the guy's cheek while a boy around the age of eight did the same from the other side with his own glasses.
Dad just smiled, but I knew better. I chuckled at the memory of copying my mom as she teased dad with her glasses to his face. She called it a goggle-smooching. Something dad tried so hard for her to stop calling. There was a tale there. A little story about how they both had accidentally bashed their goggled faces in during a sandstorm in the deserts of Egypt. It was around the time when they first met. Somehow, I doubt that was the full story. But being their son, I didn't ask.
Why? Firstly, because ew, no. I wasn't even ten then. Secondly, gross. I shuddered at the thought of imagining my parents—!
Ah, stop, stop, stooooop. I breathed in. Held it. And released. Forgotten as it should be.
But then my eyes trailed down to the lower half of the photograph. Two sleeping toddlers cuddling in their father's arms. At the time, neither could be told apart. Regretfully, even I mixed them up every now and then. So dad opted to tie one of their hairs into a stalk at the top of her head. So in the picture, one slept like a babe, the other was tickling their father's nose with his own creation. The twins. The 'unexpected double gifts' my parents calls them. To me, they were just my siblings. Daiki and Hanami. They were just three years old in the photo.
Turning it over, I looked over the second photo I glued to the back. It was their first photo taken after their school's entrance ceremony. Sitting down prim and proper like a template ojou-sama, hair no longer tied like a stalk and was straight as the sun was bright with a smile as radiant as the Milky Way star, Hanami waved kindly to the camera. Cross-legged next to her, a bundle of energy with a mischievous grin, clothes already ruined probably from running around, and an arm waving to no one in particular, Daiki had a leaf that snuck its way under his uniform collar.
Twins at birth, exact opposites whenever you meet them. They were thirteen now. Around middle school age. Just the thought of how big they've grown after ten years…
A drop touched the photo. I noticed I let a tear escape me. Wiping it away and immediately drying the photo, I collected myself.
Not good. Don't get emotional. Just don't.
Doing so could cause me to make a lapse in judgement, something I should not, never, do with a target on my back and suspicious looks around me. If I slip up, even slightly, I could end up losing my chance to return. I could ruin my beloved siblings' childhood.
That's something an older brother should never do. So stop being a bitch and think of a way out of this.
KNOCK KNOCK
My heart nearly leapt out of my chest. I had thought someone was going to break in the room.
But then again, they wouldn't announce their presence, would they? I mean, if I was an assassin out to collect a bounty, I wouldn't announce myself to the bounty, right? Maybe it could work, to lower my guard and then instantly stab me through the gap of the door once they see me?
No, no no.
You've been watching too many movies and anime with the twins. No one is that stupid to come up with an overly complex assassination plan.
But this is a world of magic. Wouldn't they try to use a knock to confirm someone was in? And if they recognize the voice, use magic to pour poison gas in the room to subtly take me out?
ARGH Enough! Your overthinking again! Keep calm and breathe.
I tried to breathe deep to calm myself down.
KNOCK KNOCK
But then another pair of knocks came again. Along with an innocent and non-assassin-like voice.
"Um, did one of the Hero's companions, Yamamoto Eichirou-sama, need something? I heard a noise from the other. Is there anything you need brought to you?"
Female, young. A maid, probably. But it didn't feel as monotonous as I had expected. The last maids I saw gave off the opposite impression compared to this one so they seemed to be completely different. Then again, those were up at the cathedral. This one was either a new recruit, or a palace maid.
Oh, right. I was sleeping in a room at the palace, not the church. It would make sense to have the host assign someone, in this case several at once, to assist the guests when needed.
I looked at myself in the mirror. It was a bit dark and I couldn't see my shape very well, but I still saw the small sunlight reflected from my wet chest. I still had my top off. But looking at the sleepwear, it was similarly damp with sweat and if I put it on now, I might draw attention to myself. Can't have the maid reporting to her superiors that she found me wet as a dog, probably from sweating buckets.
What if they interpret that as me being too anxious for their expectations of me? But if the church heard, they could assume I was nervous about something. Maybe, it would lead to them finding out about my bluff. Then there'd be really nothing left to them just removing me from this world. Permanently.
.
.
.
Shit.
Not good. I needed to come up with an excuse. I absentmindedly started pacing again, the sound of my footsteps on the carpet muffled yet audible due to how fast I was going.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Yamamoto Eichirou-sama?"
I stopped in my tracks. Sweat trickled down my forehead. And a solution came to me.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Yamamoto Eichirou-sama?"
The young maid knocked again. A third time now, and she hoped the guest within replied this time.
She had fumbled her duty. Proper etiquette dictated he was supposed to announce her presence and purpose as soon as she knocked the first time. Although, having to get up from her sleep to immediately attend to a guest that may or may not need her at all wasn't something a normal person was able to naturally do.
It was the unfortunate nature of her circumstances, however, that forced her to take on the job of a palace maid in the first place. As it was, it paid well, better than most jobs on the streets. And thank Ehito for her above average looks! She wasn't one to brag, but if it wasn't for this blessing, she would have had to sell herself to slavery or be forced to prostitution just to provide for her sick mother and little brother.
But still, the job of a palace maid was something she wouldn't wish upon anyone.
Having to get up and ready early in the morning before the head maid herself, continuously cleaning every nook and cranny of the palace to make sure not a single smudge was left in each wing, being at the beck and call of any nearby superior be they a royal, guest or a senior officer, and going to bed far later than anyone only to repeat the cycle?
A tear nearly escaped her as she thought about her pitiful state.
'Not good,' she thought. 'It's rude to be emotional in front of the guests.'
And these were not just any guests. More than just any army or civil officials. Not even foreign dignitaries or envoys could compare. By Ehito, no. These were otherworlders. People from a different world that answered the call from Ehito to save us from the threat of Devils.
'They were our salvation,' was the great Pope Ishtar-sama's words.
If, by any way, she actually ends up offending one of them, then the salvation they could bring may be halted. That was bad. Really, really bad. If she ended up causing the Hero and his companions to leave, the world's end would be in her hands. It wasn't something she could take. If it was just her, maybe. But her family could be harmed, excommunicated, or even killed for her transgressions against the otherworlders.
Not good. Not good. Stay focused. Don't embarrass yourself before him. Such a thought had her rubbing another nervous tear from the corner of her eyes. Thankfully, she was done by the time the 'special guest' decided to open the door.
'Finally, now I could fulfill his request and go back to sleep' was her train of thought.
"Ah, Yamamoto Eichi… rou…-sama…" the train ground to a halt.
How could it not? For before her was not a sleepy guest in need, but the muscular form of a half-naked young man, with a nice-looking body, who looked to be completely awake, and hot and ready.
.
A moment passed.
.
Another moment passed.
.
She realized she was staring and collected herself for now.
"Ahem, uhm, did you need anything of me, Yamamoto Eichirou-sama?"
The young maid could only look past his form and into the room, past his above average, yet impressive, form. Though, the expression on her face waivered slightly, she had to persevere.
'Think of brother and mother. Think of brother and mother. You need this job to provide for brother and mother. You need this job to provide for brother and mother. You need his bod to—! Stop. Stop. Stop!'
She almost lost her composure if not for the guest himself speaking up to her.
"Oh, I apologize for my appearance," he tried to cover himself with a damp shirt, but the young and innocent maid's eyes still slowly strayed from over his shoulder to look at his collarbone and a bit down his chest—! 'NO STOP! FOR BROTHER AND MOTHER'S SAKE, STOP!'. "I'm normally up by this time, and I was a bit nervous about sleeping in a place that wasn't my home so I tried to do some light exercise to ease off the tension."
"Ah, is that so…?" 'that explains that gorgeous bod—STOP!'
"Is something the matter?" his calm, yet soothing, voice asked in concern.
She must've been obvious in her spacing out for him to ask. Ugh, if the head maid heard about it, lashings and no meal was the least of her worries.
"Ahem, no. Nothing at all." She straightened herself out and continued looking past his remarkable form—AHEM, before resuming the proper procedure. "Well, Yamamoto Eichirou-sama, if that would be all, I will return to my duties now."
"I'm sorry for the trouble," he said while scratching the back of his head. This only exposed the side of his well-toned abdomen which the young maid quickly had to divert her attention from. "I apologize for waking you up so early."
"Eh?" she spoke aloud. Immediately, she covered her mouth, thinking her dumbstruck expression could've offended the young, muscular, man in some way. But she was still stunned, unable to comprehend how he guessed correctly.
"From your tired expression alone, I could guess that you had just woken up." He explained with a calm and knowing expression. The charming smile he made caused butterflies in her stomach to flutter restlessly. "I wish I could make it up to you for ruining your sleep."
'You could take me and—NOOOO! STOP! That's dangerous! He's an otherworlders! An Apostle of the god Ehito, himself! You're not worthy for that honor!'
"Eh, uh… uhm… no. You don't have to go out of your way… for someone like me…" All she could do was mumble in reply. "In fact, I should be honored… to be able to serve you…"
'Oh, god, I would serve you so—STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPU!'
"Well, there is one thing I want to ask."
Oh thank god, she thought. If she could fulfill his request and begone, she could save herself from the embarrassment of turning as red as an apple in front of one of 'the salvation of the world'.
"Is there a place within the palace that stores a large amount of information about Tortus that I would be allowed to study?"
Information gathering? Oh, of course, he wasn't from this world. It would make sense for him to go look for it to help him and his fellows fight the Devils. Nodding in response, she answered but tried to remain as composed as possible.
"There is the library that the Kingdom's officials and royal family uses. I could pass on a request to ask permission for you to the King, if you wish?"
It would be troublesome, but if she said it was the request of a Hero's companion, she was sure the permission would be granted immediately. Anything for the sake of salvation from the Devils.
"Thank you. I owe you for this favor." Suddenly, the young, gorgeous, man bowed to her. An Apostle of Ehito was bowing to her, a maid.
"Uhm, what are you doing?! Please, raise your head! Yamamoto Eichirou-sama?!"
"Ahahah, I apologize," he replied. "In my world, this is how we show gratitude and respect to others. It's a habit so I'm sorry for startling you."
The smile he gave in reassurance was soft and warm. And it charmed the young maid.
Thank Ehito, I became a maid.
"Uh, no," she started mumbling again. "There's nothing for you to show gratitude for. Please, excuse me."
Unable to take it anymore, the young maid curtsied as per etiquette and walked away. Albeit, she did all of that as quickly as she could, for she couldn't prevent her face from glowing like the morning sun.
A few hours later during her break, after fulfilling her tasks and submitting his request, her fellow maids would question as to why the young girl was beaming like a child. She would not answer, knowing that doing so would only prompt more annoying questions. Or worse, call attention of the strict head maid, herself.
But then again, she didn't understand what made her feel so… happy? She did know who caused it. But saying anything further was dangerous. To assume the Apostle of God was attracted to a simple palace maid was improper, borderline sacrilegious. She shouldn't say such things for fear of the repercussions affecting her family. However, if her feelings were to come into question… could she say she found him attractive?
Such questions burned her thoughts, causing steam to escape her ears, as well as the strict head maid to slap a paddle on her behind to startle her to attention.
She would be lightly teased and ridiculed by her fellow maids for the slip-up. But the troubling feelings in her heart still remained.
The butterflies in her stomach continued to flutter, but that was her concern to be resolved for another time.
"Oh, god, she was definitely suspicious of me."
With my back on the closed door, I tried to calm down myself. But it was a tad bit difficult, seeing as I might have fucked up badly with that exchange. The way the maid was eyeing my chest was extremely telling.
"Yeah, there's no way in hell anyone'd think that a bit of 'light exercise' would cause one to sweat buckets, is there?"
Although I spoke to myself, not expecting a reply, I actually wished there was someone who would. Not just to freak me out of my panic, but to reassure me that my worst fears of the pope's spies in the palace was nothing more than overthinking on my part.
Maybe this is why mom told us to stop watching anime and movies too late into the night. I somehow absorbed all those unrealistic yet paranoia-inducing shenanigans the villains used to get one over the protagonist, my heart's thumping was the only thing I could hear in my head.
But at least, there was a bright side? What, you might ask? There was a library within the palace. It might not be free from the church's influence as it may have already been infiltrated by spies, but some information about this world is better than nothing. Knowing was half the battle, and I was NOT going to lose this one.
'I'm doing it for my family. Focus on that and only that.' I inhaled deeply, then exhaled. 'Calm? Good.'
If the pope was going to play around with him, then it was the best option to continue the ruse. Better to die trying than to just rot away.
I made up my mind and went to look for some clothes. The maids had brought in a good assortment and picking comfortable ones should be my first objective for the day. My school uniform needed washing, but that was fine. If I wore them again, it could make the royals think I didn't trust them.
For now, they might be pawns. I wasn't sure, but better safe than not. And if they weren't, they would at least think I appreciated the gesture and showed some respect. After all, what kind of rude guest would I be to turn down my host's hospitality.
To act my part of the play, I needed the costume.
Walking down the palace halls, the class of otherworlders made small talk on their way. Some were talking about how great they slept, some about the amazing furniture and beds. Others were a bit depressed and how they weren't able to get some rest.
Quite reasonable as this was to be their first day of training for their new job as the Apostles of the god, Ehito.
But among the group was a pair that trailed slightly to the back of the group. Only slightly as Nagumo was positioned at the very rear, just behind them.
"Hey, Gochin, have you seen Eichin?" Nomura Kentarou had his arms behind his head as he walked. It might've looked a bit arrogant, but in truth, he was attempting to massage his neck. Having always slept on a futon, he was slightly uncomfortable with the soft fluffy bed. "Weren't we all supposed to have breakfast together with the class?"
"Your guess is as good as mine." Walking next to him wearing a tired 'old man' face, Nagayama Jugo marched along. His eyes were glancing around here and there, scanning the beautiful portraits they passed along the hall. It seems he had a thing for art. That or maybe he just wasn't used to seeing so many that would make a museum in Japan cry in shame. "Haven't seen him since last night."
In reality, neither wanted to go back and check his room. With just how large the palace was, one could easily get lost. And asking one of the drop-dead gorgeous maids that passed by for directions was just plain embarrassing if you weren't a girl, Ai-chan-sensei, or the alpha male Amanogawa Kouki himself.
Speaking of which, it was why they were all walking congregated like they would when switching classrooms on the first day of school. Unknowingly, they moved with a pack mentality, so to speak. They even had the metaphorically weak link trailing the rear.
They might even unconsciously think they left the most cowardly of them all behind.
It wasn't a secret that the majority of the class believed the transfer student was a coward. After his outburst of a refusal and the weird sudden proclamation of getting them all back home by surpassing god, everyone either thought he was off his rocker or a boasting coward.
Some of the girls and a handful of boys thought the former. Hiyama and his posse fully believed and was ridiculing the guy about the latter. As for these two, they had chosen neither.
After having met Yamamoto, he didn't seem like he was a religious fanatic that strongly opposed war. Maybe it was one of this Anima's version of the Christian Ten Commandments or something. But he wasn't really much of a coward either.
He was just seemed like someone who didn't want to get unnecessarily pulled into conflict.
Actually, they thought he was amazing for keeping such a calm mindset during the whole thing. They had immediately opted to join Kouki in the war as long as they could go back home after, but Yamamoto didn't. He was even calm enough to point out the inconsistencies of the pope's words.
A bit of a downer once they realized Ishtar was hiding the fact that even he didn't know Ehito's plans for them after, but now they had the pope's word that his god would reward them in some way. Yamamoto, deciding that the vague promise for a way home wasn't enough, vowed to surpass the god of this world and find his own path.
Ambitious, maybe. Arrogant, most likely. But they both had to agree his logic was sound. Ehito needed them to do something he couldn't. That meant, in a way, they were probably stronger than or as strong as Ehito.
Neither of the two really worshipped god back in their world. They prayed at shrines, during ceremonies, asked for god's blessing at weddings, or family grave visits but that was more of a formality and well-wishes than actual religious devotion. But thinking it was necessary to summon otherworlders for help only reinforced the fact of their near equality to Ehito's power.
Religion aside, as for Yamamoto, such a calm yet determined stance against war and the ambition to save the whole class from that fate. Was this what they called an ideal Japanese of the modern world? Where did such conviction come from, they wonder?
Was it because he was raised outside of the peace-loving Japan? The country wasn't free from crime, no. But it hardly took a downward spiral as bad as terrorist attacks in America or like the child soldier thing Ai-chan-sensei said that happened in Africa. Was it because Yamamoto was just more knowledgeable about these things?
Whatever the case may be, they silently agreed that, in some way, the transfer student was more impressive than Kouki who took justice as the only right thing to do. When compared, both teens would agree to go home rather than be forced to fight in a war. It was just their one-choice situation that forced them to agree with Amanogawa.
"Think he still might be in his room?" Kentarou mused. "I'd hate to leave him hanging back there if we start training today."
"Maybe he had trouble sleeping like you," Jugo replied. "It'd probably be best to just let him rest."
Having already left their rooms about five minutes ago, going back didn't seem like a good idea unless they were able to ask for some help getting back to the group. But only maids roamed these halls! It was hard to even look at one without blushing. That was just how beautiful they looked. Of course, they were palace maids, so appearance was no doubt one of the criteria for hiring one.
Then again, they were teenagers going through puberty. It was a solid fact that the majority of the guys in the class could not compare to the one and only embodiment of perfection himself, Amanogawa, that their sense of inferiority caused a drop of confidence levels.
"Don't worry—" "Uwah!"
"I checked his room a while ago. He wasn't there."
"Oh, thank god, it's just Kochin…"
"Good morning to you too, Ken-chan."
Seemingly appearing out of nowhere, Endou Kousuke made his morning debut. A slight twinge of anger apparent in his greeting to Nomura.
"Eheheh… sorry…"
"It's fine."
It was the usual. He wasn't really mad. Just slightly annoyed at how loud Kentarou shouted in surprise. If he didn't announce his presence, no one would be able to notice he was even there.
Of course, the new exception so far was Yamamoto, but he wasn't even in his room. That lead to the question: Where did he go?
"Maybe he went exploring?"
"After he made his point that he didn't like being summoned here? Eichirou already said he wanted to leave. I doubt he'd want to spend his free time playing hooky instead of looking for a way back."
Jugo shot down Kentarou's suggestion. After what they witnessed yesterday, it was clear Eichirou would not help them fight a war. He said he would try to find a way home by himself if he needed to. Even if it was just for his own sake, it would be a literal godsend if he actually did so. Neither knew who Anima was nor ever heard about such a god before, but they would be saved from the risk of death.
"Eh, you've got a point."
Fighting a war wasn't on the top of any of the trio's list. It didn't even make it in the top one hundred things to do. But since they had no other option available to them, they had to at least do something. It didn't occur to them to suggest another way, but they were really about to lose their minds yesterday. It was the same for most of the class.
Which was why Nagumo behind them and the rest of the class before them never mentioned a peep about Yamamoto Eichirou. No one mentioned the missing transfer student who promised to find them a way home without fighting the war they all volunteered for as they made their way down the hall.
After a few minutes, the group stopped at the massive doors of the royal family's dinner hall. They had been invited to do so the night before to have a meal with the King, who was a devout follower of Ehito and the Church of Saints as proven by his honoring the pope with a kiss to the palm. Being such a religious man, he wanted to express his gratitude to the Apostles who were the salvation of the world. As if he didn't do so much already just last night.
"We have arrived at the hall. I've been told to pass a message to you all that the Knight Commander, Meld Loggins-sama will arrive after your meal to orient you on your training."
The maid which escorted them said as much and gave a small curtsy before leaving. Many of the boys eyed her as she gracefully took her leave. Some with lecherous eyes. Those were countered by the girls' scolding glares. Being at the end of the group that saw the girls' response, the trio plus Nagumo reacted differently.
Jugo kept his eyes straight and lightly bowed as the maid passed, which she regretfully returned, causing 'old man' face to glow red slightly. Kentarou ignored her completely, pretend-whistling while trying to admire the beard of the previous King's portrait. Kousuke disappeared. And Nagumo, who felt a strong glare from the front, was forced to wonder why Shirasaki was still staring at him. It was a mystery as to why.
Not that he would find out until waaaaaaaay later.
But, anyways, they were before the door.
"Everyone let's be on our best behavior now. Stay calm and be polite, okay? Do it for sensei, okay?"
Ai-chan-sensei, despite acting like a teacher was anything but one in the class' eyes. But her words held truth.
They were to meet with the King.
Knowing this, they all presented themselves as best as they could. Yesterday was an impromptu meeting, so they weren't able to prepare. But after a good night's rest, for most of them, they had to look decent. The King himself wanted them to be comfortable with their stay and was not expecting them to come in formal. So they agreed to be presentable at least.
With the advice of the maids, they all wore clothes that made them feel at home in the palace. Some kept their uniforms. Others wore the fine but more reserved of the garments stored within their closets. Of course, as soon as they found them too gaudy or frilly to even wear, most of them, specifically the girls, opted out of the rich Victorian-era fashion and wore simple pants, blouses, dress shirts, and in some cases, vests.
Amanogawa took to wearing a white dress shirt, black trousers and a brown waist coat. With his brown indoor shoes and the unbuttoning of the dress shirt's collar, it only made to accentuate his impressive 'cool aura'. The guys wore similarly but failed at the presentation. Some were tight fitted and a bit on the ripping end like Sakagami, while skinny ones like Kousuke looked like they were stuffed in a white bag. Hiyama Daisuke looked decent but was actually a slob with his own dress shirt untucked and wrinkled under the vest.
The girls somehow made theirs worked, just barely though. Taniguchi Suzu as well as Hatayama Ai-chan-sensei looked like children trying to play dress-up pretend. It was adorable, to those who weren't them. But Suzu, who despite her childish appearance was actually an old man on the inside, played her revenge through teasing the busty classmates who found it difficult to wear the Victorian-era blouse-and-skirt combo.
Yaegashi found it most difficult. Tomboyish and normally sporting shirts and shorts under her kendo gi and hakama, her curves were exposed more than she was used to. The skirt reaached down to her knees but actually accentuated her thin waist. Her face was slightly red, but she endured as best as her kendo spirit could. Shirasaki, meanwhile, looked like the usual angel she was, comfortable and beautiful without a shred of doubt.
All in all, they were as casual as they could be. And yet, they lacked the proper air of the Apostles they were deemed as. They all acted nervously, exempt for a handful, but akin more to a school trip than a meal with royalty.
CLACK~CREEEEEAAAAK
The heavy doors made a loud noise, enough of an announcement to the class' presence.
"HAHAHAHAHA! And you say this young girl, not even of seventeen years of age, was leading armies to battle under the banner of Anima?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Joan was but a child only a few years older than the princess. And yet, with her pious faith, she turned the tides on every battlefield she was present on."
However, they didn't expect the King to already be entertaining a guest.
Sat next to the King with his arms waving about, was a young man formally dressed in black trousers and tailcoat. The dark vest he wore above the grey dress shirt depicted sophistication as well as maturity. Not one article of his apparel would look out of place in a ball. His extremely formal attire made Amanogawa's look smart casual in comparison. Only a handful of the class noticed it was Yamamoto who had been absent from his room since the beginning.
Despite being so formally dressed, he spoke quite informally to the King. Although, the monarch wasn't offended. In fact, he was enjoying it, as well as Princess Liliana who sat opposite the guest to her father's left. An enthused smile adorned her beautiful features, befitting of the child she was. It was unlike the pokerfaced princess the class had met yesterday.
"An amazing story. Truly, and of such a young girl strong in faith. How I wish there would one day be someone of similar faith to be born in my kingdom." Shaking Yamamoto's hand with both of his own, the king continued to shower him with praise. "Your god Anima is truly benevolent to have blessed his people with such a heroic child."
"I wouldn't say so, Your Highness," Yamamoto shook the aged man's hand back with a lowered head. "Joan was simply doing what she believed to be Anima's will. I highly doubt such a humble and simple soul would accept anyone calling her a blessing. But I agree with you that having such a martyr born to defend your country is more than enough proof that you and your people are beloved by Ehito."
"Indeed," The king agreed with a nod and a smile. Noticing that the door had been opened too let in new guests, the king changed gears immediately. "Ah, the Hero and the rest of your companions have arrived. Regrettably, it seems we have to cut our exchange short. I quite enjoy your stories. I would like to hear more of them."
"It would be an honor, Your Highness." Getting up and kneeling before the monarch, Yamamoto's actions momentarily brought pause to not just his classmates, but to the King as well.
"Please, Eichirous-sama! An Apostle of Ehito shouldn't prostate so much to a mere follower of god!" reaching low, the king tried to get Yamamoto to stand up. But unsure as to how to do so, he ended up hanging both arms just above the well-dressed teen's shoulders.
Yamamoto acquiesced. However, he addressed the king formally with a standing bow instead.
"You may call me that, but I am also merely a follower of Anima." Smiling at the king, he added. "As fellow believers of our respective gods, we are equal in soul as well as faith, rank be damned." Immediately, he lowered his head once more. "However, this is your world. Your home, as well as Ehito's domain. As it stands, I am merely a guest both to your palace and to your world, and thus, not your equal. So please, accept this much as a token of my respect to your rule as well as granting me the favor to study in your library."
"But…"
The king looked conflicted. Even the princess gave up her poker face once more to glance between her father and their guest. The class wasn't even part of the conversation. As Endou has done since he was born, they simply observed, waiting for Eichirou's reply.
"If you cannot accept me as inferior to yourself, could you please accept me as a friend, instead?"
Everyone's hands clenched in nervousness. After a few seconds, the king looked to burst out in anger at the audacity. Amanogawa seemed ready to jump in and scold his classmate's arrogance. But the king wasn't mad. He just struggled to accept such a gracious gesture. After the moment passed and before an interloper could intervene, the king sighed in defeat.
"Haaah… Very well. Then, from this day forward, you are Yamamoto Eichirou-sama, one of the Apostles of Ehito and my very own friend. May our conversations be as fruitful as they are entertaining."
The King could only relent. Such a logical argument was not lost to the classmates, but having rarely prostrated before the monarch, they all just stood, stunned by the scene. The king didn't mind them, however. He simply smiled like a grandfather awaiting his grandchild's first words.
"Then, may my stories entertain you as your words have honored me, Eliheid S. B. Heiligh-ousama."
"None of that, Eichirou-sama. Refer to this one as simply Eliheid." The King smiled warmly and then turned to his daughter to whisper something into her ear. It must've been good news because she had never beamed as she did until now. She approached the formal Yamamoto and curtsied.
"Eichirou-sama, as you are a friend of the king, you have permission to study all our history and books on magic for as long as you wish. Please, allow this Princess Liliana S. B. Heiligh to escort you to our great library."
"It would be an honor, my Lady." Returning a courteous bow to the young fifteen-year-old princess, Yamamoto replied. At the same time, he did so with the king as well. "Your Highness."
Nodding in response, the king let his new friend escort his daughter out. Soon, the pair were walking side by side, with Yamamoto arm being dragged by the princess' own.
Jealous gazes filled the hall. The boys were doing their usual spite glares. The girls, however, was starting another rumor of the previous nobody becoming a dashing prince charming that successfully wooed the princess. It was another one of those days. But Yamamoto didn't seem bothered by it. At least, not in Endou's eyes, as he had been observing the guys every move ever since he spotted him chatting up the king.
"Ah, my Lady, forgive my rudeness, but would you allow me a moment to speak with my friends?"
"Certainly."
Relinquishing her grip on his arm, Yamamoto approached Nagayama, Nomura, and Endou, all the while attracting the attention of the other students. Even Kouki was walking towards him, albeit a bit slowly as he was unsure on how to react with the King and Princess present.
"Eh? Eichin? Eh? EHH?!"
"Good morning to you too, Kentarou-kun."
Nomura could only glance between Yamamoto and the Princess. It would have been considered rude, however, neither Royals minded their reaction. To them, it was Yamamoto acting weird as he brought it upon himself to bow before someone who considered himself beneath the Hero and his companions.
"Did you sleep well, Jugo-kun?"
"Uh, uhm. Yeah," Nagayama, suddenly being addressed, initially stuttered. "You?"
"Slept like a log, but to be honest, I missed home a bit too much and woke up early."
"Ah… so that's why no one saw you leave… How'd you end up with the king though?"
"Yeah, I was a bit hungry. Asked a maid if I could have breakfast early as I wasn't feeling too well. Turns out, they told the king and he just popped in to keep me company. The princess joined us as soon as she woke herself. Only Princess Liliana and I ate, though. The king wanted to have a meal with all of you."
Well, that explained it. Most of it. They didn't understand why he was telling the king stories though. It was odd. Or why he was so dressed up for it too.
"…"
"Good morning to you as well, Kousuke-kun."
"!"
"Yes, I still see you. Did you think I'd forget you exist after a day?"
"Uh… no… not really…" Endou mumbled. "What's up though? And why are you all dressed up like you're taking the princess to a dance?"
"Well, when I heard there was a library, I thought I should ask permission from the royal family if I could browse. Of course, I said it was to find a way to aid the Hero and the other companions, but I also said I wanted to find a way home."
"They let you do that?!"
"Well, when I told them it may be best to find more help rather than leave it to just us kids, the king agreed almost immediately. He even apologized for what happened. Seems Ishtar filled him in on my stance of the problem."
"The king… agreed?"
"Well, when you think about it, you ask for help from those most capable of giving it. Asking children like us to fight a war is a bit careless in hindsight, especially if you all want to get out alive. But as we are now, it would be best to do what we can, right?"
Not a hint of a lie, and yet not the whole truth. Endou could smell a secret but didn't bother prying. There was no need to do so when the guy was just doing what he thought was right.
It was a stupid thought. With just how much Eichirou had managed to impress not just Kousuke, but the entire class as well, it was hard to be surprised at what he did anymore. And they've only known each other for a day! Speaking of the class,
"Yamamoto-kun! Is this where you've been this whole time?! Mou! Sensei was worried about you, y'know?! Don't ever scare sensei like that again! You hear me?!"
Despite the angry little sensei before him, Yamamoto just took in stride.
"I apologized for causing you to worry, Hatayama-sensei." Bowing in her direction, it seemed like he was leaning in for a kiss, or so everyone of the gossip girls would think, but he was actually looking down towards his feet. "I just wanted to put in some early effort to find a way home. I promise I won't jump ahead of myself again, Sensei."
"Ah—! Erm, well. Ahem, as long as you understand. Sensei forgives you." Hatayama quickly concedes just after being shown proper respect normally given to a teacher. 'Too easy,' thought most of the class. Endou could only let out a half-cough, half-laugh that went unnoticed to everyone else.
"Excuse you, Kousuke-kun." Except Yamamoto.
"Yamamo—"
"Eichirou-sama," cutting Kouki off, Princess Liliana quickly grabbed on to Eichirou's arm and began dragging him away. This only reinforced the delusions the girls were having and deepened the envy the boys were suffering. "If you don't hurry, I won't be able to hear more of your stories before my less—ahem. I mean, you won't be able to enjoy our assorted collection!"
"Please, don't worry, Princess Liliana." Eichirou spoke to reassure the child acting as she should for someone her age. "It's very early in the day. I'm sure we have the time to enjoy it all."
Endou watched as Yamamoto left the hall. On his way, he passed by Nagumo who he spared a glance and, from what Kousuke saw, a few words. Nagumo made a confused face for a while but returned to neutral immediately after.
Kousuke neither knew nor understood what he just saw, but it obviously meant Eichirou wasn't joining them for breakfast. How disappointing.
And he also wanted someone to talk to and not just observe everyone else all day.
Turns out observing was even more of a nightmare with no one to talk to. The rumor mill had begun to pump out random stories about how Yamamoto managed to become the Princess' fiancé in under a day. And it wasn't even past breakfast time yet. The guys that were jealous chewed but didn't taste the food.
The king, however, was preoccupied to even hear the news of his daughter's unofficial engagement. He was too busy conversing with Amanogawa's party. Praising Ryutarou for his muscles, Shizuku for her poise, and Kaori for her beauty for the umpteenth time. Kouki, however, looked listless. It was as if he was deep in thought. He responded to the king but even the other three could tell something was off with Mr. Popular.
Endou Kousuke simply watched on and about the table, taking it all in like the observer he always was.
"I wonder what's Yamamoto planning on doing?"
"He said he was going to the library to find us a way home, wasn't he?"
"Heh, maybe the coward's just playing hooky?"
"Daichin, is that really all you think he is?"
"Daisuke, Eichirou isn't that kind of person."
"You really sure about that? You've only spoken to him yesterday. What else is he gonna do right now, other than seducing the princess, of course?"
"Hiyama, you shut your disgusting mouth! You're at the king's table!"
"Suzu, calm down. Hiyama-kun, that's not a good thing to say about someone who's trying his best to help our situation."
"You don't have the right to talk, Hiyama. You didn't even think of trying to find a way home."
"Shut up, Tsuji! You're just the same."
"Even if she wasn't you're still showing disrespect for the royal family. You should be ashamed for even suggesting such a vulgar thing."
"Aya-chan, Mao-chan, and Eri-chan are right. Stupid Hiyama!"
"Tch. Hmph!"
The boy was defeated with a sour look on his face. The argument ended without the king even taking notice. Having been too distracted by the popular gang, not a single word from their spot on the table bothered the others. Endou watched as Hiyama continued to gorge on his meal. The girls, Taniguchi, Nakamura, Tsuji, and Yoshino, not wanting to spoil the food simply ignored him and his gang for the rest of theirs.
Jugo and Kentarou, who had immediately rushed to Eichirou's defense just resumed eating but refused to glance in Hiyama's direction. Endou sighed in frustration. After watching that exchange, the lines drawn in the sand were clear.
He, Jugo, and Kentarou were on Eichirou's side. The girls, or these four at least, didn't find any reason to hate him. But Hiyama and his posse were solidly against, even hostile, towards the guy.
Maybe it was envy or inferiority at the realization that the one they originally thought was going to be just another transfer student was actually as capable as, or more so than, Kouki in garnering favor with the King. Maybe they saw Eichirou's theoretical claim to be superior to Tortus' god Ehito as foolhardy arrogance and wanted to take the guy down a peg.
Either way, it wasn't going to make it any easier for Eichirou to find a way back if the Four Assholes, Endou's personal name for them, decided to mess with him. Normally, they might resort to passing around rumors or some light harassment. That would be typical as they were all teenagers.
But not here in Tortus. Here, they were the equivalent of prophets of god. What any of the class said could be interpreted as the will of the god.
If the person that overhears them was a real live fanatic, it would be disastrous for Eichirou if they tried anything too far.
Taking this in, Endou mentally noted to keep an eye out for the Four Assholes. And maybe warn Eichirou as well when he got the time to speak with him. Speaking of which, when would that be?
Having said that he was going to the library now, maybe they would meet up with him in training later? Or Endou thought so.
All this while, Nagumo sat quietly in his seat with two seemingly empty adjacent ones. He had been eating his meal, but every now and then, he would glance in the direction of the door one of his classmates had exited.
Time passed and the class, minus one, finished with their breakfast. As soon as the maids were done carting away empty plates and trays, the door opened once again. A few of the class expected Yamamoto to randomly enter but those expectations were disappointed.
Instead of a strapping, well-dressed lad, what came in was a heavily armored soldier. Metal clanked with every step he took as a dark cape fluttered behind him. Posture as straight as a pole, eyes as sharp as steel, and a face marred with scars from past battles he survived.
"Ah, great timing," the king suddenly spoke up. "My dear Apostles, this is the Knight Commander who will be training you all before you face off with the Devils."
The knight stood ramrod straight and saluted before children probably a third of his age.
"Meld Loggins, at your service. As His Highness has said, I shall serve as your combat instructor. I pleasure to make your acquaintance."
His deep voice exuded command. A confident aura that enveloped him was enough to make some of the girls swoon and the boys look in admiration.
Kousuke just stared at the metal man with awe.
'Such a strong presence. How do I get that?' was probably what he was thinking and also probably something Eichirou would have teased him for if he was present. How Kousuke thought he knew what Eichirou would do was beyond him but it was as good as truth.
Meld Loggins seemed to be a man of many experiences, on the battlefield as well as off it. It was probably why he had been chosen to train them.
Following after the man as he led them down the hall, they came upon the training grounds. From all the weapon racks, equipment cases, practice dummies and more, it was clear the place was just that. And a rather large one to boot, judging by how Yaegashi was looking around in awe. Her family dojo's training space wasn't as vast as this and it showed at just how her eyes seemed to gleam. As expected of the Samurai Girl she was informally labelled.
"Please, young Apostles, gather around. We don't know when the Devils will resume their attacks so we better get you all prepared as soon as possible."
Emphasis on young, seeing as the youngest of the guards that observed from the entrance to the training area appeared to be in their early thirties. Endou watched as they all looked upon the classmates with nervous expressions. A few even had their hands clasped together in prayer. Endou probably thought it had something to do with their status as Apostles. The people of the Heiligh Kingdom were devout believers it seemed. But regardless of this fact, Meld kept his respectful expression but spoke to them as their superior. Despite asking them to refer to him in an informal manner, Meld's carfree personality still exuded admiration.
"This is a Status Plate," Meld suddenly held a transparent-looking card above his head for all to see. Endou and the rest started paying attention as a few guards began distributing similar cards to the class. "Simply put, they serve as identification cards and are able to show you your status and skills. Don't lose them, otherwise no one will be able to verify your identities until you get another one."
Endou observed the plate. 'Transparent' was not the word to describe it now that he had a close look of it. More reflective like glass. It was approximately the size of a smartphone, if not a bit larger, and there was a small carving in the corner.
After a short explanation of how to register themselves as the owners, they all took turns in letting a drop of blood touch their respective plate's magic carvings. The carvings glowed red at contact with the blood for a while. Soon they were all saying "Status Open" to see what stats they had.
Endou joined them as well, and soon, his stats were revealed.
His class was an Assassin. Subterfuge, spying, and covert operations specialization. In game terms, he would be a rogue class that sneaks around, causing confusion and distracting low-priority targets while targeting weak and high-threat ones or maybe scouting for traps and warning the group of ambushes.
An 'Unseen Threat' so to speak.
'Was that a jab it his low presence?' Kousuke felt a twinge of annoyance at the god who though it was funny to play around with his insecurities. Looking over his friends' shoulders, Jugo was Heavy Knight, a vanguard. Kentarou was a Geomancer. 'Was that a type of Earth Magic?'
Kousuke looked at his card again. Looking over his stats, his highest one was his Agility, meaning he was faster than most, supposedly. The second highest was Vitality. This was usually the equivalent of 'HP' or the 'Health' stat in some games. The rest in terms of highest to lowest was Strength, a tie between Magic and Magic Resistance, and finally Resistance. The 'Resistance' ones were probably equated to defensive stats or how much he could get away with before suffering damage while Strength itself was how hard he could hit things.
As it was now, his stats were just below a hundred each, the exception being Agility. Looking over to Jugo and Kentarou's again, they had differing stats each. Jugo's had higher in Resistances and Vitality but lower Magic and Agility. Kentarou had higher Magic but lost to even Kousuke in Strength and Resistances.
Looking over it, Endou saw there trio was pretty well balanced. Jugo at the fore, Kentarou as the rear, and him switching between when the situation demands it. Even if the Status Plates were mocking his non-existent presence, he had to admit, they were strangely cool.
"You've never heard of such a device, huh? I wasn't aware of that." Meld briefly sighed as a few others were showing amazement over the card. "Supposedly, this Status Plate is a type of ancient artifact."
"Artifact?" Amanogawa suddenly asked.
It was a simple term to denote its ancient nature, but the class had likely assumed it was supposed to be a historical relic to be placed in museums. Not put into the hands of children for use as identification.
"Artifacts are ancient tools that we have no possible means of replicating today. Stories about them are that they were created when Ehito-sama still roamed this land with his family."
'Ehito had a family? That was new,' Kousuke thought. 'Yet oddly strange as the king never mentioned it even when he spoke of Ehito's greatness during their meals.'
That aside, they resumed their lecture. Soon enough, Meld had run down the basics of their stats compared to other residents of Tortus.
In summary, they could get easily ten times more powerful than the average Tortusian, temporary term as Tortusling didn't have the same synergy as Earthling. Tortusians' stats are averaged in the tens to the teens. Supposedly, it had something to do with having a high magical power to exponentially increase stat growth.
Exceptional Tortusians like Meld were at the 200 mark but he had to get to level 62 just to get to that point. Amanogawa as a sample had all 100s in his stats but was just level 1. Quite the blessed character as always, Kousuke kept the thought to himself and reflected on the fact.
Endou surmised that if Amanogawa reached Meld's level, he would be three, if not five, times more powerful than the Knight Commander. And as Kousuke's class was that of an Assassin with a 100 Agility stat, he could be just as fast.
They soon got to classes and the division to two categories: Combat and Non-combat classes. Meld's lecture emphasized the rarity of classes amongst the people of Tortus. Out of every 1000 classes, only 1 gets to be a Combat type. As for the Non-combat types, the rule is the same but in a smaller less important scale, 1 exceptional one out of every 10 and a class out of every 100 people, e.g. 1 exceptional non-combat type out of a thousand people.
The numbers sound confusing, but it appears that Combat classes are considered rarer and more important than the Non-combat ones. Especially since the latter is delegated the jobs of supplying the former. In short, they value a Knight Class more than a man with the occupation of a knight. Going both ways, a Blacksmith Class outfitting a soldier is frowned upon as it is better to have them service a Knight Class instead.
'Quality over quantity,' Endou deduced.
Skills were a factor as well. The average Tortusian with a class had two or three. They were all based on the individual's talent or actual skills in life. They won't change and will remain as they are, but addition 'Derivation Skills' can be made by honing the originals, or so Meld described. It seems it was just a theory and not yet a proven fact.
From just peeping into the classmates around him, Kousuke guessed everyone had at least four or more. He noticed Jugo had a Resist Physical skill, reinforcing his role as a tank. Kentarou had an Aptitude to Earth Element. A very earth mage skill indeed.
"Oho, definitely a Hero then," Meld voiced his opinion as he was evaluating Kouki. Endou turned his attention there as soon as he heard it. "Having so many skills at such a young age. And only a Level 1 to boot, I'm a little depressed now. As a Hero, yes, this is very reliable."
Amanogawa was scratching his head in embarrassment at the praise for having 13 skills. But Kousuke read between the lines. It wasn't that Kouki was reliable, but that it would be good to have his cheat of a class in the fight with the Devils.
Looking down on his own card which only had 4 skills, 2 of which were mobility and stealth-based and the last as Language Comprehension, he felt slightly miffed at the results being anti-climactic. He expected to have something flashy or amazing as an assassin. Something ninja-like, akin to ninjutsu or similar.
And as much as having a very chunni, but embarrassing, Shadow Dance Skill sounded cool, , it was a bit underwhelming when all it could do was allow him to run on walls. The Presence Concealment Skill was an insult. It was nice, sure. But that was an insult to his pride. Especially since he probably couldn't turn it off on his own. What the hell, Ehito.
"Oi, oi, Nagumo," Hiyama's mocking voice suddenly broke through the excited murmuring of the class. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but did you get a non-combat class? How is a crafting class supposed to fight? Meld-san, is this class rare?"
Ah, he was at it again. Looking over the card he was flailing about in his hand, Kousuke saw Hiyama's stats and class. A Fighter, offensive frontliner. Tanky with high Resistances, Vitality and Strength. Average Agility and Magic. Glancing at Nagumo's, Kousuke had to blink twice and look again.
Synergist. All stats at 10. Skills consisting of the default Language Comprehension and a Transmutation one.
Non-combatant and as average as a Tortusian to boot. No wonder Hiyama was targeting him. Meld's shaky reply of Synergists' commonality, being 1 out of 10 and employed by all countries, didn't help.
One look at the phenomenally low stats and Hiyama's posse only jeered and laughed. Kousuke wanted to say something in Nagumo's defense, but really, what could such measly stats do? If the people of Tortus needed the help of otherworlders, what would one with stats equal to their own be worth? Another baggage to save, is it?
Unable to think of a defense, Ai-chan-sensei immediately rushed out.
"Hey! Stop laughing at your fellow classmates! Sensei won't allow such a thing! Absolutely not! Now return Nagumo-kun's plate!"
The little yet mad Aiko-sensei tried to comfort Nagumo. Kousuke overheard her saying she too was a non-combat type. Taking a peep, his eye's twitched at what he saw.
Hatayama Aiko-sensei, Farmer, had 100 magic, 90 more than Nagumo as well as 14 skills, 13 of which were farming-related, from planting to animal husbandry to fertilization to even rain control.
Well, she tried comforting him, at least she tried. But it only served to kill his last bit of confidence. Endou watched as Nagumo's dead eyes looked even more so. His last shred of hope being absentmindedly crushed by the airhead of a teacher.
She may have meant well, but she also may have forgotten her economics. In war, food was worth more than weapons. Even if Nagumo was able to outfit a hundred men, Ai-chan-sensei's airheadedness could keep a thousand well fed.
Kousuke looked away from the exchange just as Shirasaki came to Nagumo's aide. Looking around, no one dared to spare the same effort to console the poor guy. Kousuke would have if he could but there was no defending Nagumo's position. Jugo and Kentarou probably agreed with him as they went back to looking at their own plates.
From the corner of his eye, though, Kousuke saw a soldier approach Meld with another Status Plate in hand. Making a confused face, Meld started looking around. It was then Kousuke made his presence known. Damn Presence Concealment.
"Is something wrong, Meld-san?"
"Ah!" Meld was surprised to see Kousuke. How rude. He was just standing a few feet next to him, too. "You're…?"
"Endou Kousuke. Assassin." Giving the plate a glance, Meld must've understood now why he didn't notice Kousuke approach. Damn Presence Concealment.
"Ah, Kousuke-kun, well, it's nothing." He made a confused face so it was anything but nothing. "Just that we have a spare Status Plate. Strange, I thought every one of the Apostles were present."
"One of us is not here though."
"Eh?"
Kousuke looked at the man with a straight face. While his expression wasn't something as emotional or easily read, it hardly ever looked like he was making a joke with such a pensive face.
"Yamamoto Eichirou," Kousuke answered Meld's unasked question. "He went with Princess Liliana to the library just before we all had breakfast."
"Is that so?" For a moment, Meld's confident aura waned to one of uncertainty. "Strange, I wonder why no one informed me yet."
'That was strange,' thought Kousuke. But never mind the complicated things. It was an easy thing to fix anyway. "How about I pass it on to him? I could give him a quick explanation too."
Of course, he had been listening. Small drop of blood to the carving, stats, skills, and class, etc. Too simple. Like a tutorial to an RPG he usually played on mobile phones.
"If it's okay with you, thanks." Handing him the card, Meld nodded in gratitude. "If he's preoccupied for the moment, then it would be a great help for you to pass it on to him. I still have to start your group's training, after all."
That was fair. It was his job to ready them. So maybe he could pass the plate to Eichirou later. Nothing wrong with dropping by after a good workout.
Oh boy, Endou Kousuke regretted thinking it was just a workout. What they went through had probably reduced his Vitality by a good two-thirds. Thank god for his Agility, though. He remained in the front of all the laps they were made to run, just a fair bit behind Amanogawa and Yaegashi. Soon, it was enough for him to recognize the advantage of having his new Presence Concealment skill just to get away from the drills they were being put through.
He still cursed the infernal skill and the god who gave it to him in the first place, but damn, it was useful in its own way.
He fucking hated the Presence Concealment Skill.
Some time back, just after I met with the class.
Princess Liliana was such a child. Well she is just fifteen years old, but she was so very mature when we first met. The way her eyes just surveyed the class with a pokerfaced expression. Her greetings and gestures of respect to the creepy Ishtar and them, the so-called Apostles, were more than enough signs that she was more mature than others of her age. Well, Earthling teenagers, and maybe not the teenagers of Tortus. I highly doubt they would have teens here that spent most of their time talking about boys, clothes, and fashion if they were too busy just trying to get by or maybe dying of dysentery.
I don't know how it is outside this palace, but being all Medieval and such, I can only assume what life's like out in the streets.
But after she heard my stories from the Knights of Camelot to Joan of Arc, she suddenly did a 180 and kicked my expectations to the curb. She was soooo… childish. She enjoyed the fantasy elements even more so than her father enjoyed the faithful ones.
The only reason I chose those stories was because I was trying to pander to the King's religious tendencies. If I could find some common ground with him as a follower of my own god as he was with his, then maybe he could sympathize with my plight of wanting to return to my world.
And it worked! Sort of.
Now, I was doing it not just to get home, but also to find a way to get reinforcements for the war. Not my brightest idea, but if I'm gone by the time he realizes it was another bluff, what could happen? I mean, why the hell would I promise to give Medieval and religiously controlled nations the power of modern military armies? No way I could do THAT without getting into trouble with my OWN world's international laws. I mean, encouraging religious crusades against non-human entities should be covered in the Geneva Convention, right? RIGHT?!
I was also an entitled "Friend of the King", or whatever that was. I wasn't just given the position of a jester, was I? I mean, I did try to entertain my way into his favor—no, don't think about that. Don't think about ANY of that.
First off, objective one has been cleared. I have permission to study in the library, awaaaaaay from the fighting.
That being said, I had to deal with problem numero dos.
"My Lady, there's no need to rush. I'm not going to be leaving your company anytime soon."
"That may be true, but I mustn't disgrace my father by failing his request to guide you to the library. After all, I still have lessons to attend to after and I won't have the time to, ahem, help you browse our collection until my break time in the afternoon."
Yes, well how nice of you to think of your father's honor first and your desires to squeeze another fantasy story out of me second.
I'm not gonna lie, she reminds me of my siblings when they wanted a bedtime story. However, that only happened until they were the age of seven! Seven! Half the age of Lady Liliana next to me! What kind of childhood-deprived life has she lived up till—oh, wait.
Christ, she was a princess, the eldest child to boot. Fuck, I forgot these kinds of kids had a lot of expectations placed upon them, at birth no less.
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Goddammit. I'm too soft on kids.
"My lady, I may be an Apostle of Ehito, but I do need to rest as well." I smiled politely as she stopped in her tracks. The smile on her face that was only visible from the side had already said 'yes', but I had to give, let alone finish, the question first. I just didn't want to be direct about it, lest it causes a grave misunderstanding! "If I have the time, I would like to have some tea as a short break."
"Why yes! That would be—! Ahem," the maid behind me, an aide to the princess, almost snickered at the blushing cough Princess Liliana used to stop herself. "That's a wonderful plan for the day, Eichirou-sama."
Oh god, her expression was too obviously a yes. I have to invite her now.
"If it's not too presumptuous to ask, would you like to join me during your break, Lady Liliana?"
I bowed with respect. That is all it was. Respect. I'm not trying to woo the princess over here. I'm not seducing anyone. She's just fifteen for Christ's sake!
"Why, abso—ahem! Yes, that would be lovely, Eichirou-sama!"
"Well then, would my Lady please guide my humble self to the library so that we may finish up our duties as soon as possible?"
"Oh, uhm. Certainly, Eichirou-sama!"
Oh god, even the knights on guard duty were trying to stifle their chuckles. I CAN HEAR THE ECHOES IN YOUR HELMETS, GODDAMMIT! Hey! Don't you dare turn away! I know what your doing! The squeaks of the helmet can't hide what you're doing! I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE! OI!
Regardless of my opinion, they all continued to laugh behind my back. Hell, the princess' aide had given up restraining herself and was now just covering her mouth with a hand to her stomach. Any minute now and she would probably keel over.
Ah, shit. This was going to cause some major misunderstandings with the classmates. And that's if Amanogawa Kouki doesn't start scolding me of how I am now taking advantage of Lady Liliana's kindness!
As soon as that bastard opens his mouth, I should stuff it with some piping hot tea. And maybe some crumpets or biscuits just so he doesn't spit it out. Wouldn't want the Princess to be influenced by that self-righteous idiot.
One pawn to lead the class was enough and Liliana's father was already a pawn-turned king. I call bullshit on the illegal chess move to puppet the kingdom's team for the church's side, but I was trying to do the same with Eliheid for myself so can't talk, can I?
That being said, I really expected the king and princess would be more formal with me. Had I known; I wouldn't be wearing this ridiculous-looking outfit! God, Kousuke and the others were staring at me like I was a weirdo! How embarrassing! The tailcoat was a lucky find. If I had to wear one of those with frills and laces on the collar as well as the sleeves, I would have tried ripping them off to save myself from the shame.
If the twins were with me now…
"Aniki, you look so cooool! Me next! Help me be as cool as you next!" "Oniisama is dashing no matter what he wears. As expected of oniisama!"
No! Stop! No matter how much Daiki and Hanami praise me for this attire, this is going to be a one-time thing! Oniichan isn't the type to style up unless absolutely necessary! So DO NOT take notes on how to do it, Daiki! And STOP TAKING MEASUREMENTS, Hanami! Oniichan will never wear something this embarrassing again, you hear me! Never!
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Well, maybe if they ask very nicely, I can—STOPU!
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What if they heard I was associating myself with nobility in this manner—!
"Aniki, you lady-killer, you!" "Oniisama is so cruel, teasing a girl so hard. But then again, it's one of oniisama's charms…"
Daiiki, shut up. Hanami don't misunderstand your Oniichan! And stop saying such misleading words!
"Eichirou-sama? Eichirou-sama?"
Oh, shi—!
I snapped myself back to reality.
"Yes, my Lady?"
"Is something the matter? You were spacing out. Are you feeling unwell?"
Princess Liliana was leaning closer to my face and placed a hand to my cheek as soon as she asked. The cool feeling of a young girl's hand to my face sent alarm bells ringing in my HQ (aka. Le Brain). Not the puberty kind of alarm, but the 'King finds me messing around with his innocent daughter' alarm.
Oi, oi, oi! That's gonna cause even more misunderstandings if you do that!
I tried a quick glance around us. Everyone else was already looking the other way.
I was metaphorically alone with the princess in this scenario as every guard and maid that that passed by made like Endou and snapped their presence to non-existence.
Well, fuck. Just wing it. Go with plan L, subsection G, 'Lancelot and Guinevere'. With that in kind, I played the role as I remembered my acting instructor handled it.
Clasping her hand with my own, I lowered hers from my face but held them before my chest.
"I thank you for your concern, Lady Liliana," I gave her a smile of gratitude. "I was simply reminded of something as I talked with you. I'm feeling much better now with you by my side!"
A pause for silence as I awaited her reply.
"Ah, is that so," flushing red and slowly withdrawing her hand, which I released of course, she replied. "That's great. I was beginning to worry I had made you remember something bad."
I smiled and tried to reassure her. At least, during the moment, it was what I thought I did.
"My Lady, your presence has never done so nor will it in the future. In fact, your concern has calmed the turmoil within me. I thank you for that."
And a bow with a hand over my heart for formality's sake.
Oh, if she was a radish red before, she was a real tomato now. Was it something I said—?
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OH MY GOD, WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST DO?!
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Wait, keep calm. Maybe she's just anemic or something. She's probably flushed from the heat, right? Right?! RIGHT?! Let's caaaalmly ask and resolve the situation like adults, okay, Eichirou?
"My Lady, are you alright? Your face looks flushed." I placed a hand to her forehead. Oh god, it was hot. The temperature, not her fore—ah forget it! "You're burning up, my Lady! Maybe we should postpone the visit to the library—"
"NO!" She suddenly shouted. She probably didn't know she did. "No, I will be fine. I'm Liliana S.B. Heiligh. I won't fail my task because of something as simple as a small illness."
Whoa. Admirable. Such pride overflowed from her voice. An air of confidence brought not by talent, but hard work and effort. My asking to postpone her escorting me must've been like an insult. And yet, the look she gave me was more sensual than something given with a firm drive to complete a job. You are still as red as a tomato! Is this really alright?
I looked to her aide. She looked away from me but spared a glance with a knowing smirk. I looked to the guards. They all look away as well. But one of them gave me a thumbs up from behind his back. Another appeared to give me a nod, or maybe a wink under the metal face mask.
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Oh Shit. I actually seduced the Princess.
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SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII—
Lady Liliana led me to the library.
Or more specifically, she escorted me. Gone was her pulling me by the elbow like a child. She had returned to acting mature now. Well, as mature as a fifteen-year-old first princess could be, but hell, she acted like a woman and I had to show my respect for one.
Her aide wasn't helping as she resumed her duties in following after her charge. But the glances she gave my back told me all too well of what she thought I just did.
'DON'T! Just breathe.' I breathed. And released. 'Now focus on the task at hand.'
Right. To find a way out of this mess—…
'Which mess specifically—' BOTH!
"We're here. Please, right this way, Eichirou-sama."
I was too preoccupied with the argument in my mind that I failed to notice that we had arrived. Waiting for us in front of the large doors was another maid. Older, more experienced. She had a strict look but her air exuded experience and seemed to demand respect with just her expression alone.
"This is the head maid," Liliana introduced to me before addressing her. "Have you selected one yet?"
"Yes, as His Highness commanded, I have one ready to await Eichirou-sama's every word."
"Thank you for being so diligent, Head Maid."
"Anything for the Apostles of Ehito-sama."
Liliana gave a nod while the Head Maid bowed in respect, maybe reverence.
'Uhm… what just happened?' Confused as I was, I didn't dare speak up. As soon as she was done with their little conversation, the Princess dismissed the Head and she vanished behind the shelves that were as large as—! 'Oh, my…'
I could only stare with a dumbstruck expression. How could I not? The bookshelves were huge—no, MASSIVE. The door didn't even reach the ceiling but the shelves were easily two stories high! They had ladders, LADDERS! To reach the top of each shelf. And they didn't have like ten or so shelves. Ooooh no. They had more. A LOT more.
Looking around, the walls were lined with books. A line of about twenty or so shelves on one side and another twenty on the other. Two long tables spanned the length of the room from either side of the center, where a stairwell was located leading up to a third, I say 'third' because the shelves easily counted as the second, floor. A single librarian stood perfectly still behind her desk at the other side of the hall, awaiting for the Princess' word while I stood there, stunned by awe at the size of the place.
Liliana had approached her, spoken a few words, immediately returned to my side. All the while, I was still silenced.
"Are you impressed with the Grand Library of Heiligh, Eichirou-sama?" Her proud smile seemed to boast.
"Yes, my Lady." I had to concede here. It was just too amazing. "How many books did you say was housed in this Library?"
"Approximately 500,000 books and about 200,000 scrolls from the old era."
Damn. That was a lot more than the Royal Library of Alexandria of Egypt or the Academy of Gondishapur of Iran. Neither of those ancient libraries could hold a candle to this. The US's Library of Congress beats them by millions, sure. But that was made possible through modern technology and the power of printing.
Looking over the nearest shelf and sliding a hand down the spine, I noticed it was a handwritten job with fine cursive writings and golden marks probably etched in by hand. I looked over to the Princess who gestured me to open one. I did so. I was right. Handwritten and perfectly preserved. Maybe it was magic, but not a single page looked yellowed out by age.
"This collection of yours is truly amazing." I spoke my thoughts aloud. "With such care and detail put into collecting, organizing and writing all these books, I must say. I have never seen anything as amazing as this place."
I closed the book I held and carefully returned it to its original spot. The librarian gave an appreciative nod in thanks. Well, if you had to maintain civility and organization in this hall of a library, even I would empathize with her job.
"I thank you once again, my Lady. Truly, you have given me more than I could've asked for."
Not a lie. With how ancient this library may have been, as well as how vast it was, there was sure to be something here that would lead me to finding a way back. If the magic they used to bring us here was from the god himself, then all I have to do is find something on the Age of Gods itself.
If magic itself was a science, then even better, I could try to learn and study it to make a portal back. Even if it wasn't specific as to what I had to do or how to obtain such power, I could look to the stories and fairytales about the oldest era.
All fiction is grounded in reality.
Red Riding Hood was a cautionary tale to prevent wandering out in wolf-infested forests, but it was similar to a child-friendly take on bandits that would murder, kidnap, rape, and pillage the unwary. Alibaba was a mystified version of how a simple yet kind merchant rose to greatness by outwitting thieves with the help of his loyal servant. Any magic worth its salt would spice up a good story, but they could also prove certain aspects of it.
If I've learned anything from those stories, it's that in one version or another, the real facts have been preserved. Unlike in my world, magic has existed in this world since Ehito made it. If I could have a crack at analyzing stories from this era, and differentiate truth from the exaggeration, then that's a new set of clues.
This was not a hopeless situation anymore.
"Eichirou-sama?! What's wrong? Why are you crying? Is it something I did?"
I didn't even think I was overreacting to my situation. I mean, sure I found the place were there could be a chance to find a way back. But that was all it was. A chance. It wasn't even one percent guarantee, let alone one hundred. But maybe it was because I had been stressing about it since yesterday that the tears just escaped.
Maybe that was also why I accidentally enveloped the Princess in a hug.
"Eichirou-sa—Uwah?! Eichirou-sama? Um, please, we mustn't. I'm not worthy of such an honor—!"
"Thank you."
She stopped struggling. After a few seconds, she had a hand on my cheek.
"No," she said. "Thank you for trying to save my world."
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Oh, right. There was that.
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SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII—
The two of them broke up from the… 'hug'. Or maybe it would be better to call it an 'embrace'—?
No. Stop. You're simply a servant girl. A maid. Don't think stupid thoughts. Apostle-sama, or Yamamoto Eichirou-sama, deserves better than a maid. Perhaps, the princess, yes. But not a maid.
A pang made itself known in the young maid's chest.
Once the two were done, Yamamoto-sama with drying up his tears with a cloth he pulled from his pockets and Liliana-ojousama with brushing down her dress and coughing to cover her flushed face, the Head Maid standing before her stepped forward. The moment she spoke, the young maid noticed the two's peaceful, romantic, atmosphere had popped like a bubble.
"Forgive my rudeness for interrupting, Liliana-sama." The strict old hag—I mean, lady bowed before the first princess. "I have brought her as requested."
"Ah, uhm, thank you, Head Maid."
Liliana-sama was flustered. A given, considering she seemed to enjoy Yamamoto-sama's presence.
"Eichirou-sama," the young maid felt the pang in her chest again. "I thought it would be hard for you to browse a large collection without some help. So I took the liberty of asking the Head Maid to assign someone to you. Of course, if it's fine with you?"
"Uh, oh! I thank you for your thoughtfulness, my Lady." It panged again. It hurt more this time, but she persevered without breaking a sweat. "I'll gladly accept any help you give me. I swear, on my faith to Anima, I will not let your efforts go to waste."
Anima? Help? None of these words made sense to her at all. For all that was on her mind, the young maid only firmly believed she was ruining the time Liliana-sama could spend with Yamamoto-sama. But the princess didn't let that bother her. Instead, she spoke to the maid respectfully and gestured her to step forward.
"Now, please, introduce yourself to Eichirou-sama. No need to be shy."
Of course, having spoken to Yamamoto-sama before, she could manage something of this caliber. And thankfully, this time he was fully clothed. And with just how handsomely he was dressed, there was very little need for the young maid to avert her gaze from that muscled chest, those hard yet supple abs, or the strong, large arms—!
Oh, no! She was back to daydreaming about the— NO STOP! You musn't! Otherwise Head Maid will—!
"The Princess has asked you introduce yourself." A chilling voice spoke next to her. Although it was softly spoken, there was the threat of a beating that followed. "Do not embarrass Her Majesty any further."
"She has done no such thing, Head Maid. Maybe she's just shy."
Liliana-sama, the angel she was, came to her, a maid's, defense. It was heartrending. Especially since she understood she might only get in-between the handsome young man and the kind angel. But still, the orders of her princess should not be spoken twice. So she stepped forward.
"Good day to you both, Liliana-himesama, Yamamoto Eichirou-sama."
A curtsy as per the norm and a bow. Lifting her head, she watched as the Apostle of Ehito's eyes widened slightly and stared intensely into her own. Her heart started beating like a drum as the intensity nearly silenced her once again.
'No! Not again! Remember! Focus! Think of brother and mother. You need this job to provide for brother and mother.'
Before she let that thought devolve into another shameful imagination, she spoke clearly and refined as a maid of the palace should.
"My name is Iselda and I shall be Yamamoto-sama's personal maid to assist you in the days to come."
Needless to say, Yamamoto Eichirou-sama's gaze intensified even more so. And it threatened to make steam escape her ears once again.
Ah, why must a maiden's heart be so confusing and fragile, she thought.
However, it would have been confusing to anyone had they heard Yamamoto Eichirou-sama's line of though in this exact moment.
'I KNEW IT!'
No, calm down. We might be overthinking this!
'I FUCKING KNEW IT!'
Wait, calm down. Calm the fuck down before we actually make a mistake!
'FUCK YOU, ISHTAR! YOU SHIFTY-EYED FUCK!'
Please just calm down! Breathe! Just fucking breathe! Goddamn! If you lose it, they might think it suspicious!
'IF SHE'S HERE TO SPY ON US, THEN IT JUST PROVES IT! ISHTAR'S ON TO US!'
She IS NOT here to SPY on us! Okay?! Calm down. Just calm the fuck down! Unless we want to give away anything!
'WAIT, WHAT CAN WE CONSIDER AS A DEAD GIVEAWAY?'
Well, obviously, the princess' feelings—!
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OH MY GOD, WE'RE GONNA DIE!
'FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!'
Some of you probably gonna ask 'Why the hell is this updated faster than the other fics you got?'
My answer is "This is easier to write. So to speak."
I mean, don't really love the web novel and stuff nor do I obsess over it. It's just having a type of self-insert OC is actually easier to do in an isekai setting than others. Think
"If I have never lived in this world before, then I know next to nothing on norms, the daily things, and whatnot. And therefore, I can get mixed up as I go along for the ride"
as opposed to
"I've lived in this world all my life. I know how shit happens around here. Ain't nothing gonna surprise me—wait why am I even thinking this? I know it enough that I don't have to spell it out for myself. Stupid".
Add to the fact that I wanna broach some parts of the story before the anime takes off. But that's probably a pipe dream as I have two chapters and not even done with their second day in Tortus, DAMN YOU EHITO!
Anyways, thanks for the 14 Favs and 19 Followers. You guys/maybe gals, not sure, let's go with peeps, are the worst for choosing someone as unreliable as me. This may have updated exactly a week since the first, even though I said I wouldn't update regularly, but you peeps somehow powered my dry will to continue this BS.
Anyways, have fun with this abnormally regular update. Enjoy it while it lasts as after the fall, I'm gonna bring this fic on a trip to uncharted waters.
And before you peeps ask, I will NOT give pairings. I've seen what that does to the mind. It's unhealthy to set it in stone.