This all began with a witch four hundred years ago. The witch claimed that she had received an order from the god to summon heroes from another world.
With ancient magic, the witch created summoning spells that she placed in several locations across this world, which would activate at a predetermined time.
The witch said that summoning heroes was necessary to determine the fate of this world in the future.
Of course, everyone wondered what exactly was going to happen.
Without giving any answer, the witch suddenly disappeared, leaving only those questions behind.
As time passed, the questions began to fade.
After all, life had to go on, and the future would reveal itself in time.
As the day of the summoning spell's activation drew closer, strange rumors began to spread.
It was said that demons from the demon continent would invade.
And the purpose of the Heroes' arrival was to defeat the Demon King.
"That's just a foolish rumor spread by those filthy churches."
"Lord Cyrus, your words are disrespectful. You must mind your dignity and also, please stop insulting the church! Have you forgotten that Keil comes from the church?"
For some reason, King Cyrus began cursing the church with an unpleasant expression.
But the female knight behind him scolded him while glancing sideways at the male knight beside her.
"Haha, it's fine, Silvia. I'm not that fanatic. I also feel that the church has been making strange moves lately."
The man named Keil only chuckled lightly and responded to the words of the female knight named Silvia.
"Hahaha! See! Even Keil says so, so there's no problem."
"Haa~, you really are..."
Hearing Keil's words, King Cyrus defended himself, and Silvia could only sigh in resignation.
After that conversation, King Cyrus focused back on us.
"So, that is why you were summoned. The true purpose of this summoning is still unknown, I apologize for that. If you have any questions, I will answer as best as I can."
When King Cyrus said that, Fujita raised a question to him.
"So, what should we do now?"
After listening to Fujita's question, King Cyrus explained what we were to do for now.
"For the time being, you will have to stay here. In three days, envoys from the church will arrive to meet you."
The church! Isn't that the religious organization King Cyrus despises! Why would they want to meet us?
"The church? Why do they want to meet us?"
Fujita asked that of King Cyrus.
"I actually don't want anything to do with them, but they have to come here because of you. They said they want to examine your special abilities."
"Our Special Abilities?"
Renaldi responded with excitement when King Cyrus mentioned our special abilities.
"Yes, I don't know how they found out, perhaps from the god. They said that beings from another world each possess their own unique abilities, different from this world's magic system."
King Cyrus answered while folding his arms.
Special Abilities different from this world's magic system! Do I also have a Special Ability? Or only those who came from Haru's world?
It seems the church will be the one to check us for that.
"And since you are heroes summoned by the order of the god, of course the church will act if it's related to the god. I suspect they will try to recruit you under their banner. Just so you know, many sides will want to take you under them—including me.... Well, that can be thought about later, the decision will be in your hands."
**********
After a while, King Cyrus decided that the discussion was over.
"Oh, it's time. Sorry, but I think our conversation should end here for now. I have matters to attend to. Rest well, you must be tired."
Well, I understood, a King must have many important matters. Perhaps they were even related to us.
After that, King Cyrus summoned several servants and said,
"These are the servants who will attend to you during your stay here, they will take care of your needs. If you wish to meet me, just tell these servants."
Seeing the servants, Renaldi's eyes lit up.
"Oooh."
After that, Cyrus ordered the servants to guide us to our chambers. We left the room under King Cyrus's warm gaze.
**********
After the heroes left Cyrus and his two guards, Cyrus fell silent. Seeing him silent made Silvia ask,
"What's wrong, Your Majesty? Are you worried about something?"
"Yes, I'm concerned about the attitude of those heroes."
"Worried? I think they're good people, they responded to us positively."
Silvia was confused by Cyrus's concern. From their conversation earlier, she thought there was nothing to worry about.
"Silvia, what would you do if you were lost in a place you didn't know?"
Keil suddenly asked Silvia that kind of question.
"What do you mean, Keil? Of course I'd look for a way out of that place."
"But they didn't."
"Huh?"
Silvia was puzzled by that.
"Those beings from another world don't think that way. They were sent to a world they don't know, but they never even mentioned returning to their own world—in fact, they didn't have that thought at all."
"..."
Silvia fell silent at Keil's words.
"Keil is right, Silvia. I also received reports that when they arrived in this world, they showed no signs of anxiety."
Before the heroes came to the palace, Cyrus had already received reports from informants about their behavior from the moment of their arrival in this world until they entered this room.
"Very few know this. After placing the final summoning spell, the witch from four hundred years ago told some of her disciples: 'The beings that will come from this summoning are ones unbound to their world. Therefore, make them care for this world, so they will help you.' After leaving those words, the witch disappeared."
"..."
"..."
Hearing Cyrus's words, Keil and Silvia could only fall silent.
Seeing their reactions, Cyrus sighed and said,
"Haa~ At first I didn't understand what the witch meant by beings unbound to their world, but after seeing them, they seem like beings who belong to no world, walking in a new one without any attachments."
They were beings no longer tied to any place. In this new world, they stepped forward without burdens, without shadows reminding them of the world they had left behind.
No longing, no bonds. Their original world was nothing more than an untold story, and now they were free like the wind—unaware of where it came from, or where it would go.
After a moment of silent reflection, Cyrus rose from the sofa and left the room, of course with his two knight-guards following him.
"Keil."
"Yes."
On the way, Cyrus called Keil's name and began commanding him.
"I order you and the special unit to ensure the safety of the heroes until they can protect themselves."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hearing Keil's response, Cyrus continued with a serious tone and expression.
"Remember! This is the highest order. Whoever threatens their safety... cut them down."
"Your words are absolute, Your Majesty."
Keil bowed respectfully and vanished from sight, leaving only Cyrus and Silvia.
"What about the plan?"
After Keil left, Cyrus asked a question, and Silvia responded.
"With the arrival of the heroes from another world, we can begin the next phase at any time."
Hearing Silvia's reply, Cyrus nodded and said,
"Umu, in that case, proceed as quickly as possible. You may go now."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After receiving her order, Silvia turned and left, leaving Cyrus alone.
Why would a King be left to walk alone?
Were they not afraid something bad might happen to him?
Of course, they were afraid if something were to happen to their King—but they knew, no, most people on this continent knew, that the King of Jatumheim was not someone who needed protection.
In fact, people would even take shelter behind him if their lives were threatened, for he was one of the strongest on this continent.
"Haa~ For now, I will deal with those church people. I hope they don't trouble our guests from another world."
With a sigh, he continued walking.
**********
After leaving that room, we were guided to our respective chambers by the servants.
"This is your room, Sir."
The servant guiding me was named Mel. She was a cheerful demi-human girl with dog features. She had long brown hair and green eyes.
She would be my servant for the time being while I stayed in the palace.
After entering the room, I looked around.
Wasn't this room too spacious for just one person?
"If you need anything, you can tell me. You can call me by using the stone I've placed on the table there. To use it, you just need to lightly tap it, and I will always respond to your call."
At the place Mel pointed to, I saw a small stone with several intricate patterns. Was that stone using magic?
After explaining a few things, Mel excused herself.
"Well then, I will take my leave."
"Thank you, Mel, sorry to trouble you from now on."
"I-it's no trouble, I'm happy to serve you... Please enjoy your time."
Saying that, Mel bowed politely and left the room.
Once I was left alone, I stored away my helmet.
Yep, I had been holding onto it this whole time. I didn't want anyone touching it—it could cause complications if someone accidentally activated something.
I walked over to a table and picked up the small stone on it.
The stone was a transparent blue, with structured patterns on its surface.
I gripped the stone tightly.
Using the chip installed in my brain, I ordered the nanobots to analyze this stone.
Nanobots emerged from the palm of my hand, slipping through my glove.
They touched the stone and began scanning it, transmitting information back to my brain.
[ Initiating scan__ Material : Tachyogem __ Energy Capacity : 97% __ Detailed Info : Tachyogem is a crystallization of Tachyon particles (a matter that constantly moves faster than the speed of light) __ Code Name: T-c011 ]
And that was the information I saw.
Tachyogem! This was the material used as an energy source for weaponry!
"The function of this stone is quite dangerous. Well, in my world at least. It seems this world handles it differently. With this stone as its energy source, these patterns must be the control valves."
I examined the patterns. The nanobots didn't even classify them as part of the material. So this was magic.
Could this be the reason why we could understand this world's language?
It seemed some kind of magic was engraved onto our bodies—that's why the nanobots hadn't detected it.
After learning about magic during our journey, I had tried detecting it in my body but found nothing.
Outside the window, I saw the evening sky showing signs of nightfall.
I placed the stone back and walked to the large bed, lying down.
Though I wasn't physically tired, my mind was exhausted from everything that had happened today.
Closing my eyes, I fell asleep.
**********
An hour later, I woke up to the sound of knocking.
*Tok... tok...
"Yes?"
"Sir, may I come in?"
"Please, come in."
I heard Mel's voice from outside. After giving permission, she entered the room and began preparing clothes while asking me,
"Sir, we have prepared warm water. Would you like to wash up first? After that, we will be having dinner with the royal family."
Well, I guess I'll freshen up first.