Chapter 1: Summoned Hero Candidates
A mass of corpses. These are the words that came to mind from the scene he saw.
People wearing similar white clothes were lying on top of each other. It was obvious from their faces that they were dead. Each face was not only wrinkled but also warm and dried up, as if something had been sucked out of them. He can't think of what that something was, but he can't think of anything. He just got that impression.
Even he, who is used to seeing spirits of all kinds, had never seen anything like this before. Spirits after death do indeed often appear as they did when they died, but not exactly as they were. More often than not, they appear exactly as they did just before they died.
He knows that if a person dies in a terrible accident with his or her whole body mangled, or if a person dies in a violent fire with his or her whole body burned to charcoal, he or she will appear in a decent human form when he or she appears as a spirit, especially if he or she is in such a terrible condition.
The thought of being a person changes the non-physical form of the spirit into the desired form.
So what is the scene before him―― this thought of his was immediately interrupted. From his point of view, it was a person who stepped out to trample on the overlapping corpses.
That person was definitely not a spirit, but a living person. As soon as he recognized this, the dead disappeared as well.
He was no longer visible―― and he, too, was buried in the midst of many of his friends when he realized this.
A blond-haired, blue-eyed man in a priest's robe advanced on the marble floor.
Many eyes stared at him quizzically. Not at all intimidated by these eyes, the man stood in front of them and opened his mouth.
"Welcome to this world! Summoned heroes! My name is Mikhail, Bishop of the Church of the Holy Heroes. Nice to meet you."
The reaction to those words was half surprise and half understanding. Suddenly, they were enveloped in light and found themselves standing in a strange place. Moreover, they were high school students, and they were obviously young again, looking like they did when they were twelve or thirteen years old. If it is not a dream, they can only assume that they have wandered into a fantasy world. The convincing reaction is from those who have such knowledge.
And the first to respond to the man's voice and show it was someone who did not have such knowledge, or if he did, he would not admit it. It was the adult who represented them.
"E-Excuse me."
"……Yes?"
"Um, can you understand?"
A man with a sweaty forehead trying to talk to Bishop Mikhail is the homeroom teacher of the class, Takagi
"...What language do you speak?"
On the other hand, Bishop Mikhail looks at him coldly.
"It's English, but can't you understand?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"That's troublesome."
Although he was the first to open his mouth, Takagi's heart seems to be more upset than the children's.
"What are you having trouble with?"
"If you can't understand the language... did I get through?"
"I think I have been speaking normally from the beginning. Or do you not understand the words I am speaking?"
"No, I understand. Your Japanese is very good."
“Japanese? No, I am speaking in the continental common language.
"Continental common language?"
"You don't seem to understand the situation. Listen. This world is different from the world you were born and raised in. In other words, it's a different world."
The children gasped. They reacted to the word "different world" coming out of Bishop Mikhail's mouth.
"...What are you talking about? Even if you are joking, why don't you say something a little better?"
Takagi didn't take Bishop Mikhail's words seriously. In a sense, it was a normal reaction.
"I'm not joking, I'm stating a fact."
“Haha. You're trying to trick me, aren't you? I won't be fooled by such things."
"...Excuse me, but who are you?"
A displeased color appears on Bishop Mikhail's face. No matter how you look at it, Takagi doesn't look like a hero. Bishop Mikhail does not have time to spend time talking to such a man.
"I'm Takagi, the homeroom teacher of this class."
"A teacher... you don't seem to be rejuvenated. In other words, you are not a hero."
“Of course. Can you please cut the crap? I don't know if this is a surprise or what, but I don't have time for these pranks."
The upset subsided, and this time, irritation began to rise in Takagi's heart. He felt as if he were being ridiculed.
"If you don't like the current situation, please leave. We have no use for you either."
“Forcibly bringing me here, what's with those words!?”
Takagi finally let out an angry voice. But yelling at him didn't make things any better.
"We summoned the heroes. You seem to have gotten mixed up in it. For that, I apologize."
"……What do you mean?"
Takagi is not an idiot. However, even if Bishop Mikhail's words were disturbing, there was nothing he could do about it.
“Although it is a small amount, I will prepare some money, so do whatever you want. You may find a way to leave and return."
"...I'm telling you to return me to where I was. Isn't it cruel to give me money and make me do whatever I want?"
"I don't know how to return you to your original world. As long as I don't know, I can't return you. Providing money is the most sincere thing I can do."
"...Where is this place?"
It's not surprising. Takagi finally understood this clearly.
"This is the main temple of the Church of the Holy Heroes, located close to the capital of the Holy Heroes Kingdom. The summoning ceremony can only be performed at the main temple."
“…Are you serious?”
"I have not made any jokes from the beginning. Now, can you please stop interrupting me? I want to talk to the heroes."
"...I won't let you do whatever you please to my students."
"I won't do whatever I want to them. Whether or not they want to live as a hero is their free will."
"But……"
"If you disturb me any further, I will take appropriate measures. You don't seem to understand, but your statement from a while ago is an insult to our church. You can also be charged with a crime, you know?"
Bishop Mikhail did not appear here alone. Behind him are others dressed in similar clerical garb, and others in armor, like Western knights. Bishop Mikhail's gaze fell on these knights.
"...Threatening me."
"I'm not trying to threaten you. I'm just going to actually convict you. If that's what you want."
“…………”
Now Takagi is no longer able to say anything. He did not admit that everything was true, but that is why he thought there was no need to overreach here. Half of this idea is an excuse, though.
"Now then, I have taken up a lot of your time, and I may have made the heroes a little uneasy. But if you listen to my explanation, you should be able to rest assured."
Some of the students were showing signs of trepidation after listening to the exchange with Takagi. Bishop Mikhail, sensing this, spoke to the students in a cheerful and gentle manner.
"First of all, it is up to you to decide whether you want to live as a hero or refuse to do so. You have until tomorrow morning to make that first decision."
"So soon?"
One student raised his voice at Bishop Mikhail's explanation.
"……And you are?
"My name is Kisaragi, Yuya Kisaragi."
"Yuya's the name, is that correct?"
"Yes"
"Then, Yuya-kun. Let's answer that question. If you decide to live as a hero, we will provide you with the treatment you deserve. Food, clothing, shelter, a high level of education, and many other perks."
"Yes"
Just with this explanation alone, Yuya's expression brightens. Yuya is not the only one whose eyes light up. The other students also have a smile on their faces. As a hero, they can live a luxurious life like a noble. That is what they expect.
"It is only because you will serve this world as a hero. If we just give and you refuse, we will be in trouble. The various things that are given to you are financed by the donations of believers and the taxes of the people. Therefore.”
"I understand, but how could we decide that in just one day?"
The explanation made sense. But the uncertainty about making such a major decision in one day is still there.
"I'll explain as much as I can from now on. After listening to this, no one will have to worry about tomorrow's decision. Everyone will choose the path to become a hero."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Then, I will continue with the explanation. First of all, although I call you all [heroes], you are actually candidates. In order to be called hero, you must do two things."
"Is it a trial?"
"It's not an exaggeration like that. First of all, I'm going to ask you all to undergo the blessing ceremony. This is a ceremony to receive the blessin suitable for a hero from God."
“Um, is this blessing something that all of us can receive?”
This time, a female student asked Bishop Mikhail. This was the question on the minds of all the students who were listening to the conversation.
"You are?"
"Tojo, Shizuru Tojo."
“Fumu. I do not have the right answer for that. Probably all of you will receive it. But there is no certainty that it will."
There is a slight commotion among the students. They are anxious about the possibility of being excluded from the list of candidates.
"What happens to those who don't get the blessing?"
"They cannot become a hero."
"I understand that. What I want to ask is about their treatment. Are you saying that you will give them money and live as they please?"
"Oh, there's no need to worry about that. I'm not going to throw you out suddenly."
Hearing Bishop Mikhail's words, the atmosphere among the students was now one of relief. The students reacted to each word. Their feelings are wavering between expectation and anxiety.
"Then how are you going to treat us?"
"Let's continue on. Then you will understand. If you complete the blessing ceremony and decide to live as a hero candidate, you will live for one year in a house we will designate for you."
"A homestay?"
“It's an otherworldly language. What would be a word that would fit in our world?"
"I'm not sure. It means to be allowed to live in someone else's house."
"Oh, it's just like that."
"What kind of house is the designated house?"
“It varies. By assigning, I mean choosing a house that is suited to the person. And the criterion for selection is the blessing given in the Blessing Ceremony. If a person was given the blessing to excel in swordsmanship, then it would be in the house of a swordsman or a knight. If you excel in magic, you would go to a mage's house."
“So you don't just live in a house, you learn in it?"
The word "magic" came out of Bishop Mikhail's mouth. The students' hearts were filled with anticipation.
"That's right. It is a period of learning about this world, about your own benefits, and about the skills you are good at. Then, when you have mastered the basics, you will enter school to learn."
"School?"
"Yes. It is a school run by the Church of the Holy Heroes. It is the highest academic institution where the best students from all over the continent gather. You will study at the Church Academy."
"How long will that take?"
"Three years."
“We'll spend the next four years studying?”
It seems to them that they have been given enough time. The students' anxiety faded.
"I don't know about that. The treatment will vary depending on the country you go to."
"Eh?"
Bishop Mikhail's explanation caused Shizuru to let out a small cry of surprise. She had not thought of going to a different country.
"You will all acquire the skills appropriate for a hero, and will be dispersed to different countries as heroes."
"Disperse... can't we stay together?"
“Yes. We have this many candidates. Roughly about forty, right?"
“......The whole class is thirty-six.”
"I see. If there are that many heroes, it would be possible for you to go to many countries."
"Um, I don't understand. Could you please explain it a little more clearly?"
Hearing that they were going to be separated, Shizuru's heart was once again filled with anxiety. This is the same for other students. Even students who have knowledge about summoning to another world, although it is a fantasy knowledge, are bewildered by the unexpected explanation.
“You will spend the next four years building up your strength. And after graduating from the academy, you will go to a country that requires you and work as a hero. By doing so, you will protect the peace of this entire world.
"...What if we weren't asked?"
"Hoh"
A country in need. Bishop Mikhail couldn't help but let out an audible gasp when Shizuru correctly grasped the meaning of those words.
"You don't mean that, right?"
"No, that is what I meant. If you are not invited to any country, you will live not as a hero but in another way. Please don't call that cold. For four years, you will receive the best education in the world. If you use the knowledge and skills you acquire there, you will have a much better job than ordinary people.”
"You're right……"
“You already know the answer to the first question. Even if you don't receive any blessings, if you study hard at the academy, you should be able to learn how to live in this world. Of course, it is not as good as the treatment of the heroes, which in some cases can rival that of royalty."
On top of the minimum livelihood security, there is also a dream of becoming a hero. Even if they were asked to make a decision now, almost everyone would say that they are aiming to become heroes.
"Now, there is much more to it than that, which I will explain in due course. First is the blessing ceremony. Let us finish this before the sun sets."
No one complained about this. Most of the students went to the blessing ceremony with both anticipation and anxiety.
◇◇◇
The blessing ceremony was extremely simple.
The main temple of the Church of the Holy Heroes is located in the middle of a steep mountain. There is a deep cave in the mountain that one does not know how far it goes and one by one, one enters the cave.
As you walk aimlessly through the cave, a statue of a god appears before you. To some, it appears to be a fierce, multi-armed statue of Asura. To others, it looks like the compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. In the eyes of some, it looks like a statue of Daikokuten, and in the eyes of others, like a god from Greek mythology.
The image of the god reflected in each person's eyes is different. A blessing is conferred by encountering the image of the god.
As a result, there was no one who could say that a blessing was not conferred. However, not many students are satisfied with that.
A blessing was given. But the content of the blessing varied greatly from person to person. Moreover, many of the students who received the blessing did not know how much power it would give them. Because it was completely unquantifiable.
The blessing they received. It could only be understood in terms of the title given and the occupation associated with it. Even so, there are those who are convinced. They are the ones who understand the greatness of the blessings just from the titles.
The first of these is the title [Hero Egg], which Yuya received. The occupations attached to it are swordsman and fighter. Even if the occupation is ordinary, the title is a title that promises to make one a hero.
Following that is the title [Saint Egg], which Shizuru obtained. What she gained as an occupation was a healer.
Katsuragi Mei has earned the title of [Great Mage Egg]. Her occupation is a mage.
Takamiya Jin obtained the title [Holy Knight Egg]. He is a swordsman and a healer.
They were not sure what to expect. In fact, even the students, aside from Yuya's title, don't know exactly how amazing the other three are.
However, the fact that these four titles are unique and do not overlap with the other students' titles, and the thought that these four students could be special, led them to make this judgment.
They are beautiful, athletic, and have excellent grades. Even before they were summoned to another world, they were special. And even after they were summoned to another world, their specialness created feelings of both admiration and jealousy among the other students.
For many students, their first day of being summoned to another world ended with these feelings.
◇◇◇
The first day was a busy one for Bishop Mikhail. He successfully completed the Hero Summoning Ceremony and completed the Blessing Ceremony without any problems.
He allocated rooms for the nearly 40 children, prepared their clothing, and prepared them food. Such chores are not Mikhail's job, the bishop, but only a very limited number of people are allowed to enter the main temple. As long as there are no subordinates to whom he can entrust the work, Bishop Mikhail himself has no choice but to do what can be called chores.
When the children who were hero candidates entered their room, Bishop Mikhail's chores finally came to an end. He only has to prepare for tomorrow.
With this in mind, Bishop Mikhail went to the chapel to offer his daily prayer at the end of the day, but his eyes caught sight of an unfamiliar back.
A rather small back. If there is a child in the main temple, it can only be a summoned hero candidate.
While wondering why the hero candidate was in the chapel, Bishop Mikhail approached his back.
"You, what are you doing?"
"...Telling a story."
The hero candidate replied without even looking back.
"A story?"
"I do it from time to time."
“…Do you mean a conversation with God?”
Bishop Mikhail uttered this, though he did not think it was possible.
"Something like that. I don't think you can talk to God."
"...There's no way there's a Church of the Holy Heroes in another world, right?"
"Yes, but there is a church."
"A god in another world?"
"Yes. I think it is different from the God of this world."
"I see. Then I understand. I also pray at the end of the day. Is that the same thing?"
In addition to praying, he sometimes tells God about his problems and mistakes. Bishop Mikhail thought it was the same thing he does every day.
"……Well"
"But you are alone?"
“Because people in the other world, especially in our country, are not enthusiastic about these things.”
"Are you special?"
"Special... well, my parents took me to church many times when I was little."
"I see."
"...Then, I'll go now."
At that point, the male hero candidate finally looked back. Combined with the small body, the face looks quite young. He looks two or three years younger than the other hero candidates.
"Did I disturb your prayers?"
"It's fine. I can do it anytime."
"I see. Yes, that's right."
The boys' words pleased Bishop Mikhail. Even if it was for a god from another world, it was still nice for Bishop Mikhail, a clergyman, to know that he cherished his faith.
"Now, if you'll excuse me."
"Ah, you."
"Yes?"
"What is your name?"
"...My name is Ren Takashiro."
"I see, it's Ren-kun. See you tomorrow."
"Yes"
The boy who answered and called himself Ren was heading for the exit. Bishop Mikhail did not see him off and went into prayer.
Bishop Mikhail didn't notice. As he made his way to the exit, he paused and stared at him for a moment as he prayed fervently.
Bishop Mikhail did not realize that he was not talking to God, but to a being who was not God, but whom he could not see.
Bishop Mikhail did not realize. He did not realize that the being he was talking to was staring at him grudgingly at this very moment.
And there was no way Bishop Mikhail could have realized that the being Ren was talking about was the last of those who had been sacrificed in order to summon the hero candidates.
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