Hero Summoning (2/2)

While the chaos happens, Yatanagi, Kataraki, Takeru is asking a question with the king.

"Please forgive me if we said something sensitive, your majesty." Yatanagi said with a bow to show respect.

The king smile "It's okay, we understand your situation. It should be us who said sorry for summoning you." assuring Yatanagi with calm.

Yatanagi then asks "Is it okay if we ask for your support. Considering us didn't know anything about this world and no guarantee that we would return to the original world. We had to ask your support for us to live in this world." He said while repositioning his glasses.

Kataraki then cut in "Yatanagi, you're too rude to ask for money.". Then Leon answer "As a king. I could assure you to have a living place but My kingdom isn't the only one that helps me with the summoning. To summon all 37 heroes, we require so much mana that some mage collapse and now resting."

Yatanagi then asks back ignoring Kataraki "So, from what you said. There's a possibility that we will live separately from one another? How about if some refuse the request?". Kataraki quickly answers after looking at Leon's troubles face " You can't trouble people like that. Everyone will help, I assure you. Your Majesty."

Takeru then gives a follow up "Yes, If we can help people in this world. Everyone would also help." Yatanagi keeps his stature "Then, back to what you said. Analyzing what you said. There are 37 heroes. From the situation here I could notice the ones that are called here are people from our class but our class consist of 36 people. Who's the other one?"

That's when they start to realize. Everyone shocked and start to look at the rest of the classmates that eating and chatting. They start counting but some people just couldn't be seen in the crowd.

Yatanagi then back to the question "Let's continue counting later when everyone gathers. Now, we should help you but is there any compensation while we're here? Not just living. There's also money and knowledge. We only need to know about this one before we plan our future."

The king took a deep breath "There's 6 other kingdom that participates. So rest assured about the expense you, heroes need.". Kataraki made a slightly annoyed face " No, we can't accept that. We should help people here but what you keep asking is money from people's taxes. We're not here to take people's money."

Soon, Yatanagi and Kataraki argue. Takeru just stands there made him looked like a bodyguard. Soon, the king interrupts them. "It's ok. Young heroes, we even prepare to spend money for the next 3 years in advance. We called you here while we keep defending from the demon as long as we can until you're stronger. War can take years to win. That's why we summon you, heroes, as fast as we can."

Yatanagi then asks "So, you said years. Won't we get old by the time we got back.". The king then shakes his head "No, The Goddess already assure me by saying that you will be back at the same time you get here."

"Then what will happen if one of my classmates decide to stay here?" Yatanagi ask. The king then said "This is also the thing we should warn you. The only way you hero can stay is by marriage. Each of the kingdoms where you stay would try to arrange a marriage with the heroes but I'm afraid bigger war would start if the balance of power being disturbs."

"I see, it's reasonable. Being tied with marriage. Then what power do we have in this world?" Yatanagi kept asking. "This world runs based on our status. We didn't know what kind of power the hero would get. You need to open your own Status to look. Just said 'Status'" Leon explain.

"Status" Yatanagi said quick checking. "So, it basically just like a game. What is the power for normal people here? Like strength and other things.". Leon then explains " The status varies. It depends on their training. Normal people that didn't train could get their status on 100 at the lowest. It's for adult male but noble tend to train their son or daughter from a small age. We can reach 1000."

"Then, what is the highest level in this kingdom?" Yatanagi said. Leon startled, "We don't have that in our status. The only thing we had level are our skills, not the individual level. Maybe it's the power you got."

Yatanagi then turns toward Kataraki "Kataraki-san, what is your status? Mine got most of the status at 10 with my intelligence 100.". Kataraki then said Status and told Yatanagi "Mine got all of them at 100."

Yatanagi then said, "Hmm, So you're already that powerful.". The king then said "Yes, but training skills took a lot of time. Even if we're powerful, the skill could help us in battle."

"Hmm, our skill also got level on it but mine only said Beginner Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water magic with their level. How about this world's" Yatanagi ask for a difference with this world's status. Then Arlette cut in "Excuse me, hero-sama. Since talking about my father and mother's status can be a problem. Let it compare to mine. Please forgive us."

Yatanagi didn't mind at all and only ask "Then, what's written in yours?". Arlette gives a quick comparison by writing it in a piece of paper.

" Hmm, You had a number beside the level which looked like the mastery skill since you said you need to number to add up before the skill level up. While us, we had skill points that I assume we can use to level up our skill. Now the question, how much our status will rise when leveling up and how much skill points that we get. Also, We didn't have any space for God's blessing which could be a help here." Yatanagi quick analysis.

Everyone starts to think. There's only silence around them before a loud noise could be heard from their classmates. Kataraki quickly turns his head, he recognizes this voice "Iseri-san is yelling. We also need to talk to Iseri-san since she stops coming to school, Yatanagi." This time Yatanagi agree and only nod.

The voice becomes louder "Open your hood!! Let me see!!" "Please, lady. We only met once stop pulling it.". Leon then asks "That clothes, is that person also one of your friends, hero?"

Yatanagi shakes his head "I don't know, but looking at his clothes. It might be a cosplayer. No, the only one that didn't come to school is Iseri-san and she wears casual clothes. We don't know who he is. He might be here to spy on us."

Hearing Yatanagi analysis, Leon surprised and his explanation fit. "Guard, help that man but don't be too rough. He might be one of the hero friends."

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I keep holding my hood and walk away from Iseri, but then I notice the guard start moving toward me. "Hey, can you help me not to let her open my hood?"

The guard only nods "Yes, but I'm sorry hero-sama. But wearing hoods here made you look suspicious. Could we ask for you to remove it?"

I got caught after all. "Fine, just let her stand back." The guard helps me and separates me from Iseri. Rime also glance at me curiously.

I remove my hood then arrange my hair. "See? I'm not your friend.". Iseri keeps looking, her lips are agape. "No, You are him. The only one that arranges his hair like that is only him. You got to be him.". Rime quickly hold Iseri back "Chiaki, can't you see that it's not him."

But then someone bumps into her. A girl running past the crowd. She hugs me while crying "It's you!! I'm sorry!! I don't mean to say that!!"

Everyone turn silent, the only sound heard only the woman crying on me. The most shocked of all is Leon the king and Edlyn the queen. Since the person who runs and hugs me is Arlette the princess.

"Emm... I'm sorry, princess. I think you got the wrong person." I said while trying to remove her hand slowly without hurting her, but she tightened her grip more "No, I promise myself. I won't let you go again."

"Annette!" Edlyn quickly calls Arlette. "Don't disrespect the guest.". Arlette keeps hugging me and replies to her mother that already walking toward us. "But mom, you're the only that told me to never let him go again."

I felt awkward "I'm sorry, my queen but this is really our first time meeting. I guess she might take me with the wrong person." Edlyn took a quick guess from her daughter. "Are you the one that kills orcs to save my daughter?" She asks me.

Hearing her question, a thought came to me. My eyes widened and look at Arlette that hugging me. "Fufu~ No need to answer. Your face tells everything." Edlyn said and turn to the crowd. "I'm sorry hero since it's night time. You all must be tired. Let's continue the talking tomorrow. Gillhart, show them the room."

Everyone still confuses and curious about what happen but follows Gillhart out of the room. Now the room only consists of us 4. Me, Arlette, Leon the King, and Edlyn the Queen.

Leon come to me and said "I'm sorry for the troubled boy. We need to talk. This way.". I had a hard time walking, so I just carry Arlette in a princess carry to the room.

Arrived at the room I whispered to her "Let your hands go. I'm about to put you down.". She shakes her head and keeps clinging to me.

Giving up I sat at the sofa opposite of the King and Queen. Leon starts the conversation "Now, boy. From the hero statement. You're not their friends. Are you a hero or not?"

"I'm sorry your majesty. But I want to ask, what if I'm and what if I'm not?" I said to him. Leon then said "If you're the hero. I will also ask you to help the world and if not I need to know how you get inside and why are you here. Please answer truthfully."

"Then, what happens if I'm not answering the question, your majesty?" I said with a little hidden smirk. Leon then said "If so. I'm sorry that I couldn't help you."

"I see. You plan to dispose of me but did you forget, your daughter clinging on me right now. Are you willing to risk her life? As I thought all noble and royalty are the same, not even batting an eye." I said to him. His face turned sour, while Arlette that heard me, start tearing up again after her happiness being carried to the room.

"You... You!! You threatened me with my daughter." Leon starts gripping his chair tightly. "Shut up, dear!! You always got tricked when it's about Arlette. Have you gone senile? He tricked you from the start."

"Hoo... Seems like not everyone got tricked." I said with an amused face. "By what you saying. You're the resident of this world. That means you're not a hero. Aren't you?" Edlyn asks me since Leon just stays silent.

"Yes and No." I said with a smirk this time. Arlette loosens her grip and I take this chance to remove myself from her binding.

Leon then starts his anger "You!! How are we going to believe you when you just threatened our daughter." Edlyn quickly shoots water magic on Leon's face "I told you to shut up. Cool your head, you daughter-con. If he wants to harm her, he already did back then to escape but instead, he brings her here even escape her." Edlyn said to her husband while amuse looking at me that hold Arlette's arm to prevent her from hugging me again.

"Now, mind if you explain to us what do you mean by that?" Edlyn ask. "And what do I get for that? Do you think I would trust people that said they're going to kill me?" I said taunting her.

The person she lashed out instead is her husband "See? Because of you. We failed to ask him.". Edlyn them coughs a little even after Leon becomes gloomy. "Then you don't need to tell us. Just hell us save the world."

"Again. What do I get from that? Aren't you scared? If I'm the hero which means I would become stronger then people here. With me being in this world. Even if you tell all the church not to let me get married. I still stay here." I said pushing them to their limit.

"Oh! It's the opposite. I would use all my power to keep my daughter to keep seeing you all the time. I could judge people. You're a kind person, you won't kill us unless we poke you first." Edlyn said with confidence.

I couldn't hold back my laughter. "Okay, you win. I would tell you then. I know them. I'm used to be one of them." Edlyn hadn't expected this kind of answer "What do you mean you used to be one of them?"

"Before that, ask your daughter not to cling to me again." I said to Edlyn. Arlette shocked and turn sad. "Before we go back to the topic. Do you mind if I ask why are you so against my daughter?"

My eyes turned cold. Everyone in the room could feel it. The situation turned tense. I leaked the mana that I trained for years. It suffocating for them. Leon and Edlyn also Arlette start to release their mana to protect themselves.

"Let me answer you then. Most of the noble and people in power are the same." I said while my tattoo starts pulsing and made me calmer. I wake up from my anger and start guiding my mana back "Sorry, for my rudeness."

Edlyn then took a breath "No, it's ok. For you to get that amount of mana. You're trained from small by you said most of the noble and not all of them. You had a connection with noble or you're used to be one of them. Am I correct?"

I try to keep poker face but I could feel sweat start forming on my back. 'This one is dangerous. Did I step on a land mine.'. I took a deep breath since the longer I talk the more Ingot exposed.

"Fine, let me tell you then. I'm used to be Suntalia's noble family. Kursvelt family, the first territory that being attack by the demon. Thinking day by day. The village closer to the border looks okay. Which means my family got betrayed. My butler knocks me out and brought me here. I got another identity, Ryūtarou from Japan. Where the hero you call came from. I died there and reborn here. Any question?" I said still keep my face as if it's not a big deal.

"You still haven't answered my question. Why are you so against my daughter? I don't think my daughter that bad looking is she?" Edlyn said while covering her face with her fan.

"For me, I don't mind the look. What I want to share my life with is people that understand me not the one that can give me. Frankly speaking, the first time I saw your daughter back in the room. I would say, your daughter is the prettiest so far. Her stature, she's graceful, elegant but can still show her childish attitude but so what? Do I need someone that flaunting her money to get what she wants?" I said looking straight at Edlyn with a disgusted look.

Edlyn moves her glare to Arlette. Arlette that happy when I compliment her turned to cry at my final words. "I.. I said sorry.. *Sniff* I never had someone to talk to. Uwaa... I don't know what people want. I don't know what to say *Sniff*. I never confess before *Sniff*, I scared to lose you *Sniff*. I... I don't have anything else *Sniff*. I'm sorry. I only want to stay by your side *Sniff*"

She cried and started hugging my arm. Listening to her made me feel bad about her. "Alright.. alright... I took back my words. Stop clinging to me."

She started to calm down and look at me in the eyes "Then, will you accept me?". " No." Quick and straight answer.

"Why? I promise I won't get in your way. I won't even turn like my mom, I will share you with the other. Just let me stay beside you." I plead. At this time I start to feel bad for her but I keep collecting myself.

"Still no. Even if I'm a hero. I don't like being one. Then if I marry you, as a default, I will become King. Which a lot of work. Not gonna do that. Let's not talk about maintaining good relations with other noble. Nope. Not happening." I said while closing my eyes not to let me look at her crying face. I start to recognize it as my weakness. When woman crying, made you want to hold them and comfort them.

Arlette then turns to her mother. "Mom, please. Is there no other way to let us be together?". Edlyn then smiles at her daughter "Are you sure that he's the one? You used to hate other nobles that stuck up to you." Arlette nod repeatedly.

"Ufufu~ Then the solution is easy. You need to handle the work for King and Queen by yourself, honey. So he won't have any burden." Edlyn said. I quickly cut in "Oi, oi. If I got married to her. That means we share the burden together. Do you think I would let her handle it alone?"

"Ooohh! Actually, that's just a test for you. Looked like you got yourself a fine man, honey." Edlyn said. "Since when am I agree to be with her?" I said starting to doubt that they will give up.

"You see. I can assure you my daughter won't cling on you but I can't guarantee that she will always close to you. That's how I got my husband after all." Edlyn said while looking at her husband. Leon starts shivering by only remember his past.

"Just this time, Arthur right? Run! before it's too late." Leon said before being blast by water that Edlyn created. 'This Royalty is worse than I thought.' "Then excuse me." I said while standing up. Arlette following me stand up. I start walking out and she also follows behind me.

I stop by the door. This won't go anywhere. I turn back to take a seat. "Right, if it's like this. Fine, I agree but not forever. If I noticed that she's like some spoiled noble brat then I won't accept her. At least I gave her a chance to get to know each other." I said making a deal with Edlyn.

"Okay, then Arlette. Pack your thing. You two will live together. I will prepare the room here while your house is renovating." Edlyn said. My smile twitched "How is it turn into living together?".

"Hmm? I try to be a good mother-in-law and a good mother to my daughter. If you decide to reject my daughter you can return it back to us and I know you will make a fair judgment whether my daughter good enough or not." Edlyn said while walking out of the room. Leon weakly gets inside the room "I told you so. Run!" He said before he collapses.

'Am I going to be fine now?' I blank on my seat. Then a maid walks inside the room and leads us to our room. I keep my straight face even in the room. While Arlette sleeps beside me, peacefully. Now, I don't know if I can sleep."