Rage and hatred that was all Queen Mirellia could feel for her husband and 1st daughter.

She had been on a diplomatic mission with the rulers of 4 other major nations Siltvelt, Shieldfreeden, Faubrey, and Zeltoble. They had all agreed to set aside their differences and arranged a meeting where they would discuss the future of their nations and the world at large.

Old and new enemies sat at the same table for hours putting aside their hatred for the betterment of the world.

After days of negotiating they had finally come to an agreement, they would all summon one of the 4 cardinal heroes each one specifically chosen for a specific nation with Melromarc being the last.

Melromarc's relationship between the nations had been higher than they've been in centuries, especially with Siltvelt a Kingdom that Melromarc has been warring with for centuries now.

Well, that's what it would've been like if it weren't for her damned husband. She knew once her right hand died to the wave the King would do something stupid, and she was right.

The damned fool had summoned all 4 cardinal heroes to Melromarc turning the days of negotiation into nothing but useless squabbling.

She would've been back in the capital by now if she wasn't so busy trying to convince the other nations not to declare war on Melromarc.

But mark her words, once she does return that idiot she called husband will be punished thoroughly, and if her eldest had any part in this then she'll join him.

With all this rage she felt for those damned idiots there was only one way for her to properly express it, by destroying and ripping apart any portrait or painting of them she had on hand.

She burnt them, used them as target practice, viscously slamming and holding them underwater, everything she could think of she did.

She was normally a calm, reasonable, and caring leader for her nation. When she was younger she had been inspired by the tales of legendary heroes with one of them in particular standing out.

Their acts of heroism and selflessness resonated with her. She vowed that once she became Queen she would do everything she could to improve her Kingdom and their relationship with other nations. Going as far as to use even her family to help further her goals.

But make no mistake she still loves her family with all her heart, although two of them were on her shitlist at the moment, she knows she still has at least one family member she could rely on. Her second daughter and heir to the throne Melty.

After seeing the…issues spoiling her first daughter had caused to her personality she decided to take Melty under her wing personally.

Due to being raised by the queen, her personality is relatively normal, if not a bit sheltered, she had brought her to almost every diplomatic mission, including the one she was at now, to help teach her about what being a queen entails.

She had also developed an interest in Filolials just like Mirellia and was also raised hearing the stories of legendary heroes with their favorite being a book that explains in great detail the life and adventures of the greatest hero this world had ever known.

There wasn't a soul in this world that didn't know of that man and his deeds with his final words being equally famous.

The queen walks toward a mirror and starts making herself look presentable. She had to go wake up her daughter right after, after all, today was going to be another long day of negotiations.

But as she finishes up she looks outside at the rising sun thinking about that man's final words.

'If there was ever a time the world needed you, it's now' She walks out onto the balcony and looks down at the city below. 'But the world can't afford to wait any longer—whether with you or without you, we must act!'

The queen stood there for a moment, her eyes scanning the horizon as the last echoes of her words hung in the air. With a final, decisive breath, she turned her back to the vast expanse of the kingdom, her regal posture unwavering. The sound of her heels clicking against the floor was the only sound in the stillness. She walked away from the balcony, each step resonating with the force of her leadership. As she disappeared into the hall, the doors behind her closed with a resounding BOOM.

XXX The day before XXX

"Brave heroes, won't you please save our world from pure evil?"

"What?" 4 voices rung out

Naofumi, who had been completely lost turns to his left to spot three other individuals: a tall blonde with a spear, a broody-looking guy with a sword, and a short guy with a bow.

'The hell, who are these guys, and where am I?' Naofumi stood up and looked at the men and women in robes before looking down and inspecting himself before flinching back noticing something on his arm.

"What the hell is this, a shield?" He inspects it, noting how plain it looks with its only defining feature being the green orb in its center.

"Great heroes, please lend us your aid this world is in dire need of saving" The man in robes looks from left to right noticing their confusion " I'm sorry, I can't explain much right now, but to put it simply you are the 4 cardinal heroes and were all summoned here via an ancient ritual"

'Cardinal huh, so these guys think we are some great heroes of legend?' Naofumi contemplated his words, in confusion but also a small amount of excitement. This was no dream it was too real, too elaborate for it to be a dream he had been isekaid to another world. Returning his gaze to the robed man he speaks up.

"I mean, I guess I could hear you guys out"

"Forget it"

"I also refuse"

"You can send us back to our homeworld right, do that and maybe we'll talk"

"Huh," Naofumi turns his head to his fellow heroes shocked at the blatant disregard for the man's pleading. 'What the hell, they're just ignoring this guy asking for help aren't they supposed to be heroes?' The raven-haired boy points his sword at the man

"You brought us all here without our consent, don't you feel the least bit guilty about it?" The short guy next to him decided to add his two-sense.

"Not to mention if you throw us out once we restore peace we have done all that work for nothing" The blonde with the spear decides to finish for them.

"How willing are you to accommodate our request, depending on your answer we might end up as enemies instead of allies." Naofumi could only look at them in shock.

'What's with these guys we've been here for less than 10 minutes and they've already started demanding compensation and respect' He turns back to the robed man who begins walking towards them.

"Good sirs, before we continue we'd like you to have an audience with the king of Melromarc, you can negotiate any reward you want with him so please." The other heroes pause for a second with the sword hero lowering his sword.

"Alright fine"

"I suppose we can consider their offer"

Seeing the sword and bow heroes walking off the spear decides to follow. "Sure, it doesn't matter who we talk to king or not, our demands won't change" Naofumi not having moved could only watch their receding figures in astonishment.

'Yeesh, could these guys get any more smug"

"We really are in a different world" Naofumi states while looking out of a tower window at the medieval city. "Even the air feels different"

"Never travel outside Japan before?"

"I'd say this place has a fairly standard Mediterranean climate"

Looking up at his fellow heroes and the robed man he scratches his head with an embarrassed smile "Uhh, yeah that's what I meant, just couldn't remember the word for it you know" The heroes continue following the robed man all while inspecting their surroundings.

Unknown to them as they walked through a courtyard a redheaded woman in a room above them watched silently.


"So, you young men are the 4 cardinal heroes of ancient legend, the land you find yourselves in is known as Melromarc, and I am its king Aultcray Melromarc the 32nd, I welcome you brave heroes please identify yourselves to all that are present" The heroes stared a while after all its not every day you get to speak to a king but eventually the sword hero speaks up.

Lifting his sword and placing the blade in his palm he introduces himself "Ren Amaki, I'm a 16-year-old high school student" The spear follows suit.

"The name's Motoyasu Kitamura, and I'm a 21-year-old college student"

"I suppose I'm up next" The bow hero lifts his bow to his chest "I am Itsuki Kawasumi, and I'm still in high school, and I'm 17. Naofumi steps up to introduce himself

"I guess that leaves me, My name is Naofumi-" But is soon cut off by the king's voice.

"Ren, Motoyasu, and Itsuki" Naofumi surprised by this speaks up.

"Wah, hey King dude aren't you forgetting someone" Itsuki looks over at him.

"Hey, you can't just call him king dude you have to address him with a little respect"

"So what do I call him then...his majesty?" Motoyasu decides to join in

"I think his majesty that might be a little too formal, maybe we can call him-" Ahem Their bickering stops with the sound of the king clearing his throat. They stand back in place waiting for the king to continue.

"Just king would be fine" Naofumi scratches his head in a little surprise.

"Alright alright whatever you prefer, I'm Naofumi Iwatani, I'm a 20-year-old college student" Naofumi couldn't help but notice that the King looked a little agitated, but that was probably because of him and the other heroes bickering about what they should call him.

"Hm, now then I suppose I should explain why you have been summoned here."

'Is he ignoring me, man he must be more annoyed than I thought' Naofumi was rather embarrassed since pissing off a King is not the first impression you want to have on entering a new world.

"My beloved country of Melromarc and the entire world surrounding it is heading down a path of certain doom, an old prophecy in this world exists one that speaks of a series of incursions of a force known as the waves. If the calamity brought by the waves isn't stopped the world will fall. Every country has possession of an ancient dragon hourglass, these devices can accurately predict the arrival of the waves not long before you were summoned the first wave in a century washed over this country. With the help of traveling adventurers and knights, this wave was fended off. But every wave after it will be even more devastating than the last, and as long as the sand within the hourglass trickles the waves will keep coming, next one will be upon us in only a month." The King pauses allowing the heroes to digest the information.

"We had underestimated the potency of these waves, once we had defeated the first one and barely survived, we realized only the 4 cardinal heroes could fend off the waves long enough for them to arrive, so we followed the legend and summoned you 4, but now we have no time to lose." Naofumi realizes something as the King finishes his speech.

'Wait, who's them is he referring to a group of people or one person, he clearly isn't referring to us when he says that. But if that's the case then why summon us at all if they already have someone powerful enough to fight off these waves?' Naofumi's thoughts were soon interrupted by a loud CLANG saving that thought for later he turned to look at Ren who had caused the noise.

"Ok, I think we get the gist of it, I'm hoping you didn't summon us all here thinking we'd just save you for free now?" Naofumi couldn't help but be annoyed at Ren.

'Really, he's still on about that did he not hear everything the King just said, if we don't fight these waves then everything will be destroyed." The old noble-snobbish-looking man on the King's left speaks up.

"Oh, but of course not once you're done holding back the waves you'll all be rewarded most handsomely." The heroes now seemingly satisfied agreed but with some added threats from Itsuki and Ren.

"Yeah, well it seems we have no choice but to take you at your word."

"Long as you don't renege we'll work with you, but don't think for a second that you have control over us."

"Exactly, we aren't gonna put up with you guys looking down on us."

"Uh, right what these guys said." On the outside, it looked like he agreed with them but on the inside Naofumi was extremely annoyed. 'Good lord, can these guys get any fuller of themselves.' The King's voice once again cut off his thoughts.

"Now that we have come to an agreement, please check your statuses."Naofumi turns to the King.

"Hey, what's a status?" With Itsuki and Motoyasu joining him in his confusion.

"Uh, yeah." Ren looks between the 3.

"What are you guys dense?" They all turned to look at him "It should've been the first thing you guys noticed after we were summoned it's at the bottom right corner of your vision."

'Oh but a sock in it, you damn know it all' Naofumi looks down at the icon. "How do you open this?" Ren turns to look at him

"Focus your attention on it" Naofumi focuses on the icon, flinching back when it opens.

There was one thing about it that caught the attention of the heroes.

"What, we're only level one, well that's disconcerting isn't it?"

"Yeah no kidding, can we even fight like this?" Naofumi looks up at the throne.

"What is all this anyway?"

The snobbish-looking nobleman answers him"It is known as status magic, only accessible for the 4 heroes."

"So where do we go, what's the first step?" Ren asks

"You must set out on an adventure, to develop and upgrade these legendary weapons."

"You mean our weapons weren't already maxed out when we were summoned, also mine isn't even technically a weapon." Motoyasu starts twirling his spear around and posing seemingly trying to show off.

"Can't we just use stronger weapons until these are usable?" Motoyasu finishes by striking a pose. Ren looks down at his sword and then back up at the others.

"I suppose we have to figure that out as we go, regardless we all have a lot of training ahead of us." Itsuki raises his bow to his shoulder.

"It looks like we'll have to level up fast if we want to be strong enough to face those waves." Naofumi raises his shield with a smile.

"Yeah, and when we feel ready we could form a party and-" He stops when a voice interrupts him.

"One moment" The heroes turn toward the throne. "I neglected to mention that you must not form a party with each other but with other individuals instead." This surprises the 4 heroes.

"And why is that?" The nobleman then continues.

"It is said that by their very nature, the legendary weapons repel one another, hindering their growth." As he says this Naofumi looks at the pop-up that appeared in front of him stating that the man was telling the truth. King Aultcray who had been watching silently decides to speak up once more.

"Since the sun is about to set rest here for the night and prepare, for tomorrow your quest will begin. In the meantime, we shall scour the lands and bring only the best of the best to form your parties." The heroes look back as a beautiful woman approaching them.

"Right this way heroes, we have chambers prepared for you." As she motions for them to follow.


At an inn within the city, 2 adventurers sat at a table eating before one of them brought up a rumor he had heard while he was through town earlier that day.

"Hey did you hear the 4 cardinal heroes were summoned here in Melromarc."

"All of them, even the shield?"

"Yeah, at least from what I heard." The other man stops for a moment to think before realizing something.

"Hey dude"

"Yeah?"

"You think any of the heroes could be the one the world's been waiting for?" The first man looks down in contemplation before looking back up.

"Maybe?"

"...Maybe"

"I don't know man, it could be one of them but I don't know so maybe, that's the best answer I can give."

"Alright, alright I was just asking" They both returned to their meals, not knowing their discussion had already occurred thousands of times that day across the city between children and elderly from peasants to nobles one main thought crossed their minds time and time again.

'Could one of them be the one?'


"Man, I guess being legendary heroes has its perks, huh, that girl who brought us here was a real cutie too," The 4 heroes were all gathered around in a circle in the middle of the room. Itsuki turns to him before turning back to Naofumi and Ren.

"I mean I guess that meal we had was pretty sumptuous, even if it did taste a little unusual." Naofumi who's been looking over at a tapestry on the wall looks down at his status before turning it off and turning to the group.

"Hey isn't this kinda like a video game?" Motoyasu turns to him.

"Well that's because it is a game dude, it's exactly like Emerald Online." As he says this he can't help but notice how puzzled Naofumi looked. "What don't tell you haven't heard of it."

"Sorry, but I haven't"

"Seriously, it's huge like everybody back in my college plays it religiously, me included."

"What are you guys talking about?" They both turn to look at Itsuki.

"This isn't some big online game it's a new console game called Dimension Web"

"You're both wrong" All three of them turn to look at Ren

"Everything about this is similar to a VRMMO called Brave Star Online." Motoyasu stands up.

"Alright, alright let's sort this out, Ren when you say VRMMO are you actually referring to a real VRMMO?"

"Yes" Motoyasu looks at Itsuki then Naofumi.

"You guys do know what he means by that right?"

"A sci-fi game that I'm familiar with explored the concept."

"Ya, I read about it in light novels before." Motoyasu puts his hand on his chin.

"Ok, ok games are a pretty broad concept it isn't uncommon for people to know one popular game and have no knowledge of another, so how about we share general knowledge instead." The other three heroes nod in agreement.

"Ok then, whose face is on the 1,000 yen bill, ready and," Motoyasu uses his spear to signal them. But when they say their answers they all say different names.

"Wait who?" They all said in confusion before they all started to ask more questions.

"What was the year last year?"

"Who won WW2?"

"Who's the prime minister?"

"Popular anime!"

"Voice actors!"

"Famous movie franchises!"

As the heat died down all they could was stand in silence at the implications. They did get similar answers with 2 of them agreeing even 3 sometimes but never all 4, hell in Motoyasu's world apparently Mexico never existed it's instead known as the Anahuac Empire which is run by the Aztecs who had apparently defeated Spain in his world.

"There is only one explanation for this, we're all from different versions of Japan, or well different versions of Earth to be more exact." Ren looks over to Itsuki.

"Right, and pretty much none of them sound similar at all especially yours Motoyasu."

"Yeah I know, I mean you guys aren't just pulling my leg right, the Aztecs actually lost to Spain on your Earths." The other heroes all nod.

Motoyasu scratches his head in astonishment "Really, damn I guess the ones from my world were just stronger or at least had stronger immune systems." Naofumi collapses back onto the couch.

"So we're all from different alternate Earths?" Motoyasu looks down at him.

"I guess so, I initially thought we were all just from different periods of Earth's history but I guess not."

Naofumi who had been looking at the tapestry again turns back to the others. "I can't believe you all had games so similar to this world, how come I'm the only one unfamiliar with this." The others just stare at him in silence. "What is it?" Itsuki looks away for a split second before looking back.

"Uh, don't take offense to this but I just assumed that's because you're the shield hero." Ren and Motoyasu turn to him.

"Hah, you too huh?" Ren looks back at Naofumi.

"I mean yeah that only makes sense." Naofumi looks up in shock

"What, is there something wrong with the shield?" Motoyasu sighs before approaching him.

"As the oldest one here let me inform you of the basics, the shielder class" Naofumi waits in anticipation as Motoyasu leans in stopping only a few inches from his face. "Is for losers since no real gamer would ever play it." Naofumi's eyes widen he grabs his head in despair and screams.

"NOOOO" He turns to Ren and Itsuki "What about you guys, the shield class has gotta have something right?" He asks hoping for anything only to be put down once more.

"Sorry man, it was only good during the early game everything after that it was useless."

"Ya sorry but the shield class sucks." Naofumi hearing this could only collapse onto the couch. The others silently decided to lay off him as they turned to each other.

"So what's the terrain like here, anything familiar?" Motoyasu asks Ren looking over at him.

"Not sure, but it is very similar to what I'm used to." Itsuki inspects his bow before doing the same for Motoyasu's spear and Ren's sword.

"Each weapon would have its own ideal hunting ground if we spread out we could-" Itsuki's voice slowly quiets out to Naofumi as he gets up from the couch."

'Ya, whatever, if I'm too weak then I can just rely on my party, if I'm lucky I might even have some hot girls in my party. A shielder's job is to protect his allies by blocking and redirecting enemy attacks, maybe I can even parry them like something out of an anime.' As he thinks this he looks behind him to look at the tapestry on the wall again.

"Hey, Naofumi" Naofumi looked back at Ren who called to him. He turns back around to properly face the other heroes

"What's up, man?"

"You've been staring in my direction since we got here, do you have a problem with me?" Naofumi glanced back and forth between them. Before lifting and waving his hands at them in embarrassment.

"Oh no no, it's not like that at all."

"Then what's wrong?" Naofumi puts his hands down before pointing at the tapestry behind Ren. "I've been looking at that on the wall behind you and Itsuki." The rest of the heroes turn to look at the wall with all of them finally noticing the tapestry that has had Naofumi so entranced since they entered the room. Itsuki gets up from his chair and approaches the tapestry with the other heroes following. They stop in front of it with all of them inspecting the scene that was being depicted.

In the middle of the tapestry was a man with his back facing them but even then they could see he was wearing a set of extremely high-quality armor. It was bronze and gold with intricate patterns adorning it. There were small red ropes on the armor as well. The shoulders had what looked like Chinese lion heads designed in a way to make it look like they were biting down on his shoulders, and in his hands was a beautiful black and gold staff with one end planted in the ground next to him. From what they could see both ends of the staff were golden with an Eastern dragon wrapping around it. He also wore a very intricate crown with 2 large feathers sticking out of it. Even the man himself stood out from all of it as well with his shoulder-length white hair flowing behind him. What was depicted in front of him was equally eye-catching for the heroes.

In front of the man was an army of eldritch horrors. Even though they weren't real the monster's looks alone were able to inspire a primal fear in those who saw them. The heroes could only look at the tapestry in awe. Was the tapestry depicting a real event that happened in this world and were the monsters being shown similar to the ones they are expected to face?

"This looks like the type of battle you'd see at the ending of an anime or a big video game," Motoyasu said with the other heroes nodding in agreement. Itsuki looks at the others before returning his gaze to the tapestry.

"You guys think this really happened?" Ren turned to him.

"Probably not, this looks like some drawing made based on a fairy tale, magic world or not nobody would be able to face all…that." Pointing at the monsters emerging from the portals. Motoyasu side-eyes him before looking back.

"Well, whatever it's depicting it was something intense." Motoyasu turns away from the tapestry."We could look at that another day, let's go to sleep we start questing tomorrow remember gotta be in tip-top shape." Ren and Itsuki watch him walk away before they start following agreeing with his words. Naofumi noticing this follows soon after. He glances back at the tapestry one more time before walking off.