Volume 1 - CH 9

Act 1-9 : Hero Party’s Meeting

All the member’s of the hero’s company were convened.

Although it had been five days since Reiji had awoken, his condition had yet to return to normal. However, it was only a matter of time until he was fully healed.

Today, everyone was gathering to have a meeting in one of the spacious and airy temple rooms.

「We have to stop our subjugation against the demon king.」

Chiyuki began the discussion.

「Why do we have to do this, Chiyuki?」

Reiji asked incredulously.

「Did you really ask why Reiji? Look at your condition! You almost died!」

Tone high with frustration, Chiyuki scolded Reiji scaldingly.

Since the beginning, she had decided to put a stop to the subjugation of the Demon King if it developed into a more dangerous situation than she had initially anticipated.

Until now, they had remained undefeated, glorious warriors who reaped their enemies’ lives.The tables had turned with the recent events that had transpired, now they were the ones being hunted.

Although, if she had to be honest, she should’ve stopped Reiji before it came to this situation.

Chiyuki shook her head while contemplating the situation.

「Forgive me Chiyuki,however I can’t renege on my promise to Rena.」

Chiyuki let out a sigh of disappointment although Reiji’s refusal wasn’t unexpected.

「You little— Sahoko and the rest couldn’t stop worrying about you when you were unconscious! The Dark Knight is very powerful. There’s a definite chance that you might actually die if you fight him again!」

Chiyuki glared at Reiji while continuing her tirade, before abruptly stopping, clenching her jaw in ire,

「The Dark Knight just landed a lucky strike this time. I won’t give up, Chiyuki. In the next battle, I’m going to win.」

I was just unlucky this time, Reiji thought, I will definitely win next time- after all, I’m the savior, an undefeatable force.

「Look around you, look at this world Chiyuki-san… so many people are suffering because of the demons. Can you really abandon these people in their time of need?」

Rino clearly conveyed her convictions, Shirone and Nao nodded in unison from their place beside her.

「Rino is completely right. How can we ignore the people’s pain? This is precisely the reason Rena summoned me to this world to begin with! It’s my destiny to defeat the Demon King.」

Reiji grasped the momentum, continuing his spiel.

In this world, Demon King Modes was the supreme authority of all demons. In his attempt to become the sole sovereign of this world, the Demon King endeavored to destroy the deity of light, On his orders,demons began their assault on defenseless humans.

Though their knowledge is merely gossip obtained from the people, not facts confirmed by Rena

They claimed it was their responsibility to protect the innocent people of this world and defeat the despicable Demon King, ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity.

In actuality, the band of heroes were the human embodiment of leisure, enjoying rest and relaxation. They seemed more like tourists than beings summoned to help defeat a tyrant.

「It’s not exactly our responsibility in the first place, is it? It’s theirs.」

Chiyuki tried to communicate that they had no reason to interfere in another world’s affairs.

「It’s true that it’s their problem. While I can understand that they’re no match for an enemy as powerful as the Demon King, it was bizarre that they didn’t offer their assistance whatsoever.」

One of the girls scrunched her brow in disbelief. A raised brow and the downturned curve of her mouth clearly broadcasted her thoughts to everyone in the room – “How hypocritical.”

「I agree with Kyouka-san. Let’s discuss this matter again with Rena in the future. If it comes down to it, we’ll have to protest against this unfair treatment.」

Chikyuki chuckled.

「May I ask you something, Chiyuki-sama?」」

Kaya stepped forward and spoke up.

「What’s the matter, Kaya-san?」

Chiyuki slightly trembled, when she looked at Kaya, unnerved.

Chiyuki always felt perturbed in Kaya’s presence.

Her expressionless face reminded Chiyuki of a traditional noh mask, her true thoughts and emotions were indiscernible.

「Let’s start with the facts. Rena never said she would only send us back if we killed the Demon King. Did she ?」

Whispered echoed across the group upon Kaya’s words, coalescing into a wave of nods, heads bobbing in silent agreement as Kaya paused before continuing.

The implication of her words sunk into their minds- even if they didn’t subjugate the Demon King, they could still return to their world.

「I believe we have no choice aside from negotiating with the goddess. However, I don’t think that she would go as far as threatening us. Hopefully, she won’t tell us that our return is dependent on the death of the Demon King . I mean, they do say that Rena’s heart is as beautiful as her appearance.」

In spite of her benevolent words, Chiyuki was skeptical. Rena’s involvement in their abrupt and unconsentual arrival in this world , akin to a kidnapping, was a source of her wariness.She couldn’t completely trust a person which demonstrated little thought to others’ lives.

「Excuse me, Chiyuki-san. May I speak?」

「Go ahead, Shirone-san. What’s the issue?」

「What do you think would happen if Rena actually acquiesces to send us back? We can’t ignore the possibility that she might summon a different individual. In such a situation, the other person may find themselves in danger.」

「Definitely. We have to avoid putting another person in danger.」

Nao promptly agreed with Shirone.

「They’re correct, Chiyuki. In my opinion, it’s better if we use our time devising a strategy that will allow us to win next time. Also, staying here and trying to help won’t cause any problems, since the time we’ll be sent back to Earth at nearly the exact time we were summoned. Isn’t that the case?」

Exasperated, Chiyuki shook her head slowly. After Reiji spoke, she heaved an exhausted sigh.

Hear me out, everyone. The next time we face the Demon King in battle, there’s a very real possibility that one of us might actually die.Let that sink in. It’s been more than a year since we came to this world. I don’t know about you but, I miss my family and my friends. The thought of dying without seeing them… Don’t you miss your family, Shirone-san? Of course you have, you must have also missed that childhood friend of yours, right?

Chiyuki abruptly interrogated Shirone.

「Huh? Shirone-san also has a childhood friend?」

Sahoko latched onto that detail immediately.

「Aha! So you didn’t know about Shirone-san’s childhood friend.」

「W-what are you talking about, Rino-chan ? It isn’t like that with Kuroki.」」

Shirone unconvincingly protested against Rino’s teasing.

「Since I was rather curious about this elusive childhood friend, I visited Shirone-san’s local dojo. He’s rather ordinary, his looks aren’t bad but, they aren;t remarkable either.」

「Oh, is that so? I guess I’ll have to see for myself.」

Nao snickered.

「Now that I think about it, I really miss Kuroki…」

When Shirone hesitantly admitted her feelings,

As the focus of the intense and unrelenting gazes, Shirone squirmed, bothered by their undivided attention.

Observing Shirone’s evident discomfort, Chiyuki quickly diverted the conversation.

「Clearly,Shirone-san wants to return. How do the both of you feel?」

Chiyuki questioned Rino and Nao, interrupting their banter.

「Let’s think things over, Chiyuki. We shouldn’t rush through important decisions like that. We need to talk with Rena first. After all, we can’t go back if she refuses our request.」

Reiji cut in before Chiyuki could quickly conclude the meeting.

「You’re right. This time, we have to ask Rena. We need an answer to if she’ll allow us to return to return to our homes.」

Chiyuki said so as she concluded the meeting.