The village was once barren and ruined, but now it is flourishing with new buildings and fields of golden wheat. Children's laughter filled the air as the sun shines brightly above the clouds. Elrasla Ragnarok, an elderly woman with impressive adventurer skills, has trained fighters, contributing to the village's growth. Elhart, the renowned blacksmith of Melromarc, has provided weapons and equipment for the village's defense and field work. With the support of Naofumi's allies, Lurolona village is prospering at a faster rate than anticipated.
On this current day, Naofumi found himself in the company of Filo and Raphtalia, embarking on a delightful picnic by the serene beach. The sun's warm rays cascaded down upon them, creating a picturesque scene. As they settled down on the soft sand, they were joined by a merry group of friends, including Fitoria, the wise queen of the Filolials, and Melty, the kind-hearted princess of Melromarc. But there was someone new among them, a recent addition to their circle, Rishia.
Not only were their close companions present, but also a few adolescents from the village decided to join the gathering. They arrived with baskets filled with an assortment of delectable fruits, baked sweets, and refreshing fruit beverages. The vibrant colors and enticing aromas of the treats instantly lifted everyone's spirits, creating an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie.
As the group settled in, laughter and cheerful conversations filled the air. Naofumi, Filo, and Raphtalia shared stories of their recent adventures, regaling their friends with tales of bravery and triumph. Fitoria, with her wise and gentle demeanor, imparted words of wisdom, inspiring the young ones with her profound insights. Melty, ever the compassionate soul, listened attentively to each person's stories, offering words of encouragement and support.
The sound of waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing background melody, enhancing the tranquility of the moment. The group relished in the delicious feast laid out before them, savoring the succulent fruits, indulging in the mouthwatering baked sweets, and sipping on the refreshing fruit beverages. Each bite and sip seemed to transport them to a realm of pure bliss, momentarily forgetting the challenges they had faced in their respective journeys.
In the midst of Raphtalia's attempt to persuade Naofumi to accompany her on a fishing boat, an unexpected interruption occurred. Suddenly, a group of individuals adorned in deep purple hoods and donning grey masks appeared before them. Their mysterious presence added an air of intrigue to the scene. One of the three messengers, speaking with a composed demeanor, addressed Naofumi as the Shield Hero.
With a voice that carried an air of importance, the messenger spoke, "Shield Hero, the Queen requests an audience with you. This is a very short notice but she expects you by tomorrow" The gravity of the situation was palpable, leaving Naofumi and his companions with a sense of anticipation and curiosity about the impending meeting with the Queen.
Naofumi narrowed his eyes. The Queen's call sounded a little serious. Could there be a problem? They still have a lot of time before the next wave arrives, what could possibly the matter?
"May I ask the reason why?" Naofumi crossed his arms as he spoke.
"She would like you to be a witness"
As Naofumi and his companions entered the grand throne room, they were greeted by the presence of the other Heroes. Positioned on either side of the room were nobles, exuding an aura of elegance and authority. The anticipation in the air was palpable as everyone awaited the arrival of the esteemed Queen.
With a regal entrance, the Queen gracefully made her way into the room. In a display of respect and reverence, the four Cardinal Heroes and their respective parties, along with all the individuals present, rose from their seats and bowed in unison. The room was filled with a sense of deference, acknowledging the Queen's position of power and the importance of the gathering.
"At ease" Queen Mirellia waved her hand and everyone straight themselves back andMelty went to join her Mother beside her rught after
"Thank you Heroes for coming. I would have postponed this for another day if you weren't here." Queen Mirellia says.
"What could be the reason you called us here?" Itsuki questioned.
"I would like you to be witnesses for this trial and also I need you after the trial to... accompany someone" she said with slight hesitation.
Just as the heroes were about to delve deeper into their inquiries, a servant suddenly appeared, interrupting the conversation. With a sense of urgency, the servant announced the arrival of the prisoner, capturing everyone's attention. The news sent a ripple of anticipation through the room, as all eyes turned towards the entrance.
In that moment, Melty, acting as the Queen's representative, stepped forward. With a calm and composed voice, she addressed the Cardinal Heroes, informing them that the trial was about to commence. The heroes exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued, as they prepared themselves for the impending proceedings. Little did they know that this trial would mark a turning point in their journey, forever altering the course of their destinies.
The grand doors swung open, and the guards marched in, forcefully escorting a young woman with flowing white hair. She was dressed in a modest white tunic, brown pants, and weathered boots. The sound of clanking chains echoed through the room as they led her to the center of the chamber.
As the preparations for the trial of the prisoner were underway, Naofumi seized the opportunity to observe her closely. From his observations, he deduced that she was an adventurer, though one who had encountered unfortunate circumstances. Nevertheless, he found solace in the fact that she was being granted her freedom. Curiosity piqued, Naofumi wondered about the nature of her crimes.
His train of thought came to an abrupt halt as the Queen's voice resonated through the room, signaling the official commencement of the trial. As she began to address the prisoner's crime, Naofumi found himself taken aback by the revelation that she had become entangled with the church, leading to her imprisonment. It appeared that she had acted recklessly, yet Naofumi couldn't help but admire her audacity in challenging an institution as influential as the church, despite the potential consequences.
Naofumi remained attentive, observing every detail as the trial progressed. While his focus wavered at times, considering the trial seemed to be proceeding smoothly, his interest was reignited when the moment arrived for the Queen to deliver her verdict.
As the Queen addressed the prisoner by her name and acknowledged her reputation, Naofumi was taken aback. His gaze shifted towards the newly revealed "Gun Hero," his face displaying a mixture of shock and surprise, mirroring the reactions of the other three Heroes. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Raphtalia instinctively placed her hand on her sword, recognizing the critical nature of the circumstances that arise when a Hero from another dimension emerges. The realization that frequent waves would occur and that their adversaries would grow stronger only heightened the sense of urgency and potential danger ahead.
Noticing Raphtalia's reaction, Naofumi cast a concerned glance in her direction and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, silently urging her to regain her composure. Complying with his unspoken request, the demi-human took a deep breath, steadying herself.
Thoughts raced through Naofumi's mind, he couldn't help but narrow his eyes in contemplation. The appearance of Lar'C, Therese, and Glass had already proved how problematic it was to have other world Heroes present, and now another Hero had emerged. However, a realization dawned upon him. Evangeline Blythe had been present in this world before him and the other Heroes. She had endured and stayed here for a longer duration. The question of how this was possible lingered in his thoughts.
With the trial officially concluded, the prisoner was granted her freedom. Shortly thereafter, they all found themselves gathered in a private meeting room, taking their seats around a round table. A hushed silence fell over the room as they awkwardly glanced at one another, the silence stretching for a few seconds. Finally, it was the Queen who broke the stillness, initiating the conversation.
"If you are concerned about her impact on the upcoming Waves... rest assured, she won't have any effect," the Queen reassured, her tone filled with sincerity. "I apologize for withholding information that could potentially harm Melromarc, but I have just confirmed that her presence will not disrupt the impending Catastrophe." She offered her explanation, seeking to alleviate any worries or doubts that may have arisen.
"Well, if that's the case... How did you end up here?" Ren inquired, casting a curious glance at Evangeline. The white-haired woman responded with an amused smirk, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Oh, I simply poofed out of nowhere," she explained, accompanying her words with a whimsical gesture of her hands. The group exchanged frustrated and bewildered expressions, unable to discern whether she was being sarcastic or genuinely providing an explanation. The air was thick with confusion as they grappled with the enigma of her sudden appearance.
Evangeline's chuckle filled the room, her amusement evident. "It may sound unbelievable, but it's true," she affirmed. "As the Queen mentioned, my presence in your world doesn't disrupt anything. Consider it like a glitch in the system that poses no threat or virus. Isn't that a good thing?" she added, nonchalantly leaning against her chair with a lazy demeanor.
"Can you prove that?" Itsuki spoke, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Uhhh I mean. I didn't interrupt with the story." Evangeline responded, her tone slightly defensive. "Look, I don't also don't know how but maybe because my World isn't in your universe" she suggested, trying to offer a plausible explanation.
"How'd you end up here? Answer it with an actual answer this time" Naofumi asked, crossing his arms.
Evangeline's expression turned somber, her gaze dropping slightly as she let out a sigh. "I honestly don't know," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "All I remember is that I was fighting the Catastrophies in my world, and then... everything went black for a moment." She glanced at the others with cold eyes as she continued her story. "When I regained consciousness, I found myself in the forest just outside Melromarc. Since then, I've been desperately searching for a way to return to my world. I've tried to build relationships, but people's suspicion of me has made it difficult. I sought help from the church, but they turned me away. Eventually, I ended up being thrown into prison, and now here I am, sitting with all of you." As she finished recounting her journey, her gloomy expression unexpectedly brightened.
"Miss Heroine," Queen Mirellia interjected, "what was the name of your world?"
"Alhaven. The Kingdom of Alhaven," Evangeline answered. A playful smile crossed on her face as she added, "Oh, and you can all just call me Eve."
"Alright, Eve," Naofumi leaned forward, meeting Evangeline's gaze with a determined look in his eyes. He wanted to delve deeper into her stats and background. "There are some things we need to know," he stated, his tone serious and focused.
Is anyone even readings this? Uh yeah don't expect a complicated explanation why on earth Evangeline is there. Don't overthink it cause I honestly don't know what Im trying to achieve here alao hahahhaha.