"Mom, Dad, I'm sorry, but it seems that I have isekai'd."
Issei murmurs as he traces the line grains of the ceiling's pillars in a futile attempt to distract his mind from the reality of his current situation. He shifts his gaze towards his stomach — wrapped in clean, white gauze, but a phantom shade of bright red lingers within his field of vision before he stifles it away with a hesitant sigh.
Only a sensation of tenderness responds to his apprehensive fingers as they trace over the rough bandages. It is then that relief begins to soothe his tenseness.
It is all still confusing to him.
He could remember his wonderful first date. Yuuma appeared to be having fun! He could lose himself in her mischievous smiles; or he could forever listen to her enchanting laughter. He thought he did his best!
Except Yuuma wasn't Yuuma — she was Raynare, some sort of winged being that he could make neither heads nor tails of.
But he could clearly remember the disdain in her eyes. Issei is used to being looked like trash by the girls in his school, but not like hers. In them, she casually disregarded him as if his sole existence was just inconvenient.
Boring.
Pathetic.
Unworthy.
Her spear may have physically torn up his stomach — but his heart hurts just as much.
Then he finds himself somewhere that is definitely not Kuoh. The last he could remember before losing his consciousness was a beautiful shade of red. A shade that reminds him of one of the Three Ladies of Kuoh…
The usage of healing magic definitely proved that he wasn't on Earth anymore. But that can't be right, a small part of him reasons. Whatever Yuu— Raynare did was definitely magic, right? That is the only explanation why she had such a lewder version of a magical girl transformation scene! So did that mean there was magic back on Earth? Did that mean he was still on Earth?
Issei groans as he rubs his forehead, trying to make sense of all these questions.
A slight knock drags his attention towards the door as it opens. A beautiful girl steps in with a glass flask of green liquid in one of her hands. Her silver hair billows under her cap as she notices Issei's alertness.
She reaches out to grab his arm — a soft tingle gives his heart a slight elation — to examine his pulse.
"Ah, Hyoudou-san. How are you feeling presently?"
"Eh, I don't feel any more pain anymore, Teasanare-san," Issei answers, unable to quite meet her inquisitive gaze as she presses the back of her hand against his forehead.
Damn, all the healers here are really hot! Definitely just as beautiful as the girls in Kuoh. He could barely find himself unable to stop staring at them, but Issei knows it's rude. He can't be that blatantly perverted to someone who saved his life.
Airmid Teasanare continues on, "Very well, it looks like your condition is stable after we closed your wound. Your pulse seems normal, and you don't seem to be running a fever. No sign of infections is a good indication of your recovery. Just one more administration of this elixir, and you should be able to leave soon."
"That's good to hear, but I don't think I have the money to pay for this treatment," Issei admits, apprehension on how to pay for all of this begins to drain what little color left in his face. Would they even accept Yen here?
Airmid continues to uncork the flask. She begins pouring it into a cup. "It seems like Lady Hephaestus is willing to pay for your treatment. She is the one who brought you here."
The mention of her name shines brief clarity to his muddled memories. A brief flash of a woman frantically trying to staunch his stomach's wounds comes to his mind.
Her beautiful hair was just as red as his blood that dyed her hands.
"I see, then I'm in her debt." Issei nods as he accepts the cup, staring at the brilliant green color of the medicine. It reminded him almost of green matcha tea.
He couldn't ever imagine drinking something that seems to be from a RPG, but surprisingly, it wasn't too hard to stomach. He could feel its effects reducing the tenderness around his stomach area, and even relieving the tension elsewhere in his body due to laying down for so long.
After witnessing Issei imbibing the elixir, Airmid took the cup to clean up. "By the way, Hyoudou-san. The Ganesha Familia will be sending someone to inquire about your situation."
Issei isn't sure, but he thinks Ganesha is the name of an Indian god. Or at least, that is what he could gather from his experience with video games and manga. Hephaestus is definitely another god as well — though wasn't he a male god? Still, he wonders if they were really gods in this world.
"I'm assuming they're like the police?" Issei asked.
"Ah yes, I forgot you mentioned you were new to Orario," Airmid nodded. "Yes, the Ganesha Familia acts as Orario's police. It is rare that a non-adventurer like you is found attacked in the middle of Orario."
That makes sense, Issei agrees silently, though he wonders what he says would be believable.
I got attacked by someone I thought was my girlfriend, but she was actually some girl with magic and wings — and she stabbed me and left me bleeding in Kuoh, but somehow I arrived in Orario.
Issei could only shake his head at the ridiculousness of that explanation. Maybe he really should have read more of those isekai light novels back then. He wasn't even sure if he even got a power-up like those characters did.
Airmid picks up on his anxiety and reassures him. "Don't worry, as long as you are truthful, the Ganesha Familia will be fair to you. If your testimony needs verification, it's a simple matter for a God to observe. They will be able to ascertain the authenticity of your words."
Right on cue, there is a knock on the door.
"Excuse me, is the victim awake? I've come to interview him."
Airmid opens the door to admit a statuesque woman with short blue hair. She briefly observes at his bandaged midriff before meeting his eyes.
"Issei Hyoudou, correct? I'm the Captain of the Ganesha Familia, Shakti Varma."
"Ah yes." Issei bows slightly in greetings.
"I've received firsthand correspondence from Lady Hephaestus herself," Sharti continues, briefly consulting her notepad. "She states that she found you injured and bleeding out near one of the stores. She and her Captain, Tsubaki Collbrande then rushed you to Dian Cecht's Pharmacy for healing. From then, after you received healing, you briefly mentioned your name and confusion about your whereabouts before losing consciousness again. Is this correct so far?"
It sounded right so far, so he could only nod in agreement.
"After consulting with the Guild, we have come to the conclusion that you are not an adventurer nor that you are affiliated with any Familia. Is that correct?"
Issei figures that there is little to no point in pretending he knows what adventurers are supposed to be, nor what familias are either. "I don't know what those are."
Shakti didn't seem to be surprised. "Judging from your name and your mannerisms, you appear to be from the Far East. However, we have no known records of any Far Eastern travelers passing through Orario's gate recently."
"I come from a city named Kuoh — if that is in where you consider the Far East. I have no idea how I arrived in Orario though."
"Very well. We'll consult with Lord Takemikazuchi about that."
Issei didn't expect the mention of Shinto gods here.
"But that isn't the pressing issue here. Do you remember what happened to you that day?"
Issei frowns, unsure of where to start, until he decides that it is best to start from the beginning. "I was on a date with a girl in Kuoh. However, she wasn't who she said was — she transformed and grew wings. Then she stabbed me in the stomach, saying that I should blame God or something for this. I don't know what happened next."
Shakti pauses with writing in her notepad. "Are you saying a monster attacked you in Kuoh, and you somehow arrived in Orario in that time span?"
"I know it sounds ridiculous," Issei laughs in spite of himself, "I can barely believe it myself."
"You said this monster mentions a God. If a God's arcanum was involved, then it might not be out of the realm of possibility. I will have to ask you to verify later what you said right before my God though. If an outside God is involved with Orario, it may become a major problem."
Issei gulped. "Am I going to be responsible for that?"
Shakti empathizes with him. "If you're telling me the truth, then you are merely a victim. Perhaps we can arrange for you to return back to the Far East, but it seems you have no resources or anyone that can help you."
Issei sighs, not sure what he could even put on his resume that'll get him a job here. He wasn't even sure if this Far East is where he came from.
"You mention something about adventuring?" Issei recalls and asks, "Maybe I can become one to work off my debt to Lady Hephaestus?"
Shakti's gaze hardens as she rubs her forehead. "Listen, the Dungeon in Orario is no place for an uninitiated person. Especially with someone who looks to be fresh and inexperienced in combat. You'd need the blessing of a God in order to receive the strength to fight against monsters. Else, you'll just experience the same thing that hurt you like this."
Issei could only clench his fist in frustration. He was powerless against Raynare — he couldn't see how he could fight against beings like her. "I see."
"My recommendation to you is to seek out the Guild and ask for jobs that non-adventurers can do. Else, go find a Familia that is willing to take you in. Only then, with the blessing of a God, should you adventure in the Dungeon."
"I understand. Thank you very much for your advice."
"You're too polite, kid," Shakti sighs, "I didn't mean to sound so cross, but too many people come to Orario in the hopes of making it big in the Dungeon. Only for them to die alone in a meaningless attempt for glory. You just got your life saved — maybe that'll give you another perspective on it."
Shakti closes her notepad and heads toward the door. "Once you're dismissed, please come back to the Ganesha Familia to speak with Lord Ganesha. If you don't know the way, the Guild will direct you to us. Have a good day, Issei Hyoudou."
She exits, only leaving behind Airmid and Issei in the room. Airmid turns to Issei and says, "My condolences for your circumstances. If you plead your case with Lady Hephaestus, I'm sure she will be more lenient with your debt. She is known to be a fair Goddess after all."
"Ah yes, I still need to thank her. Also, thank you for treating me all this time, Teasanare-san." Issei bows once again to her.
She bows back. "No, it is only my duty here."
The next morning, Issei sets out from the Dian Cecht Pharmacy with only a hand drawn map to find Lady Hephaestus's shop. Surprisingly, it looked like it was just down the street from the Pharmacy.
Though, Issei reasons, that was probably why they were able to bring him to the Pharmacy so fast.
It is the first time since he arrived here that Issei manages to see Orario in its entirety. He definitely feels like he entered some sort of JRPG world when he catches the sight of adventurers in all sorts of armor and wielding all sorts of swords, axes, and spears.
But what is more refreshing for his eyes are the girls here! Those special ears they have! Cat girls, dog girls, and even elves! And damn, he could barely stop drooling at how scantily clad some of these tanned girls were!
Blessed breasts should be like that — free to bounce and spread their bounties upon the world!
For once since he arrived here, Issei begins to think he might've gone to Heaven instead! But he should stop gawking — because unlike the school girls in Kuoh, these adventurers would probably just kill him.
He stops right before where the map leads him to. He couldn't read the language of the sign, but peering through the window allows him to see armor wearing mannequins on display. Issei opens the door and walks in.
He calls out, "Excuse me, may I speak to Lady Hephaestus!"
The twin-tailed girl sitting at what appears to be the shop's checkout stand perks up. "Welcome to Hephaestus's personal shop, customer!"
"Ah yes, I wanted to ask if Lady Hesphaetus was in. I'm Issei Hyoudou, and I wanted to talk about —" Issei pauses his introduction as he finally catches what the cashier is wearing. A marvelous white dress that generously reveals her bountiful assets. And amazing of all in particular, is a blue string that seems to be carrying said wonderful assets with no problem.
Never would Issei have thought that he wanted to be a string before.
"- I wanted to talk about my debt to Lady Hephaestus," he finishes.
"Eh, Issei Hyoudou?" The girl cups her chin with her fist, eyebrows furrowed in contemplation. "Ah yes, you were the boy that Hephaestus saved. How are you doing?"
"Ah yes, thanks to Teasanare-san and the Dian Cheht Pharmacy, I've made a full recovery!" Issei rubs the back of his head. "May I ask for your name, miss?"
"Ah, my name is Hestia," she beamed, gesturing for him to take a seat on the chairs in front. "I'm just a part-time worker here. Hephaestus had to run a quick errand, but she said she'll be back in shortly. Are you an adventurer too, Hyoudou-san?"
Issei shakes his head. "No. I was told that I needed to join a Familia first before I could even begin to think of adventuring."
"Eh, you don't have a Familia yet?"
Hestia's eyes start shining as she jumps out from behind the cashier and clutches his hands. Issei could barely hold back his nosebleed as his eyes trace how much Hestia's Hestias move about.
"How about joining mine! My Familia has been looking for more people! I mean there's only Bell-kun and me, but we're still just as good as any other Familia!" Hestia continues on, blissfully unaware of Issei's internal conflict to try and draw his gaze away from her.
Wait a second, Issei realizes, this bodacious lady is a Goddess?
Thankfully, it is that moment that the door opens, and the familiar sight of vivid red hair attracts his attention.
"I'm back, Hestia, did anything hap—" The red haired woman with an eyepatch glares at Hestia. "I see that you're getting a bit chummy, hmm, Hestia?"
Hestia pouts, "Eh, don't be stingy, Hesphaetus! You have a big Familia, it's only fair for me to recruit him first, no?"
"Enough of your antics, Hestia." Hephaestus turns to Issei. "I've received a report of your circumstances from Shakti just now. You mentioned that a God might've been involved in your arrival to Orario?"
Issei could help but shiver as her lone eye pierces him — as if it could observe his very soul.
"Yes. When I was attacked by my girlfriend, or I guess my ex-girlfriend, or…did she even count as a girlfriend?"
"Calm down, Hyoudou-san." Hestia lays a comforting hand over his. "You're rambling. Take a breath. We aren't here to judge you."
Issei accepts her advice and closes his eyes to steel himself. Really, why did he have to make a fool of himself right in front of them?
"After I got attacked by Raynare," Issei continues, "She says if I should blame anyone for this, I should blame God himself for this. I passed out later. All I know is that I'm not from Orario, and maybe not this Far East that I heard of. I might be from another world entirely."
Hephaestus frowns. "Where exactly did you come from?"
"A city named Kuoh, in Japan, back on a world called Earth," Issei reveals.
"I see. If anything, that proves you are definitely not from Genkai at all," Hephaestus sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"We Gods came from Tenkai to this world Genkai," Hestia begins to explain in Hephaestus's stead, "Each God had their own reasons, but for the majority, it is to seek enjoyment in watching mortal heroes grow."
"Is that what a Falna is?" Issei asks. "I was told it was a blessing from the Gods could give."
"Yep, the Falna is similar to a contract between the mortal and the God," Hestia confirms. "In exchange for leaving Tenkai, we Gods had to sacrifice the majority of our divine power. However, with the remainder, we could bless the mortal races and give them the strength to go stronger."
"But back to your situation," Hesphaetus continues, "You correctly suspected that you are not from this world. You are neither from Tenkai or Genkai but from another world entirely. I can safely mention that we Gods have knowledge of other worlds, but we cannot interfere or interact with them so easily. Whoever sent you here was strong enough to bypass the barriers between the worlds."
Issei suddenly could hear his own heart; each beat began to thunderously roar in his ear. "You mean, I might not be able to go home?"
"I'm sorry," Hephaestus apologizes, unable to meet his desperate gaze. "I'm not the right God to talk to about this. I know no way to return you back to your world, nor would I have the power to do so."
"No, it's not your fault. I mean, it's like this in the stories…usually most of them can't return home, I shouldn't expect anything different," Issei tries to rationalize it, but a sense of emptiness and loneliness is already eating away at what remains of his rationality.
"It's just that…my mom and my dad. They'll be missing me, won't they? I know I haven't been a good son to them, but…I never got to say good-bye —"
Issei freezes as Hestia cups his cheek, her finger wipes away the tears he didn't know was flowing. She embraces him, bringing him towards her bosom.
"It's fine, child. Don't swallow away your sadness and let it out. Let the heat of this hearth bring you comfort in your darkest time."
For once in Orario, Issei could finally feel safe in the midst of the two warmest flames in this world.