The darkness of the cloudy night sky shrouded the light of the silver moon. Yet the capital streets of the Albanian Kingdom still glittered with the vivid glow of magical artifact lights.
"This is… A pastry shop? When you suggested we talk somewhere else, this wasn't exactly what I had in mind."
Katsumi tilted her head slightly as she looked at the signboard of the store. Since their conversation seemed likely to drag on, Alya had suggested relocating to a place where they could speak freely, without concern.
"Fufu, what's with that dubious look on your face? Are you perhaps thinking it's odd for a spirit like me to be interested in sweets?"
Alya questioned, effortlessly seeing through Katsumi's inner thoughts, she casually twirled soft strands of her hair with her fingers.
"W-Well, yeah… I didn't think spirits like you needed to eat."
"Of course, we don't—but that doesn't mean we can't, you know? For me, eating isn't a necessity… it's a luxury."
Alya shrugged nonchalantly as she responded. Her mouth twisting into a grin.
"I-I see…"
"Anyway, shall we go in? You can ask all your questions once we're seated with some sweets."
She smiled as they entered the shop. The warm aroma of cakes and pastries immediately filled their noses.
"Ooh, those look delicious."
Alya said, visibly drooling as she stared at the cupcakes inside the glass display.
"Cough—you're drooling, you know? Let's just sit."
Katsumi muttered, her lips twitching with embarrassment as she gently reprimanded Alya for her behaviour unfit for a proper lady.
"Oh, who are those girls?"
"Black hair? An unusual colour."
"They are so beautiful."
Various whispers resounded from customers sitting nearby. Their hearts were stolen by the beautiful appearance of Alya and Katsumi.
Both Alya and Katsumi were strikingly beautiful, each in the prime of their youth. Naturally, they drew the attention of other customers as they entered.
Feeling awkward under the weight of those stares, Katsumi quickly grabbed Alya's arm and pulled her toward a vacant table tucked away from the crowd.
Once they were seated, Alya quickly grabbed at the menu already left on the table with such speed that it even left Katsumi astonished.
"Ooh, this menu looks amazing! There are cheesecakes, banana pudding and even cookies."
Alya's eyes sparkled as though they were stars as she browsed through the list of sweets, struggling to decide what to order. Meanwhile, Katsumi, seated opposite her, visibly frowned at the prices listed.
"When I left the castle, I didn't think I'd end up in a café. I didn't ask Princess Sofia or His Majesty for any money…"
Naturally, Katsumi had no means of paying. Although she could speak the language fluently, she was unfamiliar with the local currency.
(Should I reveal my status as the chosen hero summoned here?)
She hesitated. Heroes were revered in this world—revealing her identity might earn them a free meal. But the risk of causing a commotion made her falter. Not to mention—
(We just got away from those bothersome guard knights following us, making a scene here would probably alert them of our presence.)
She thought inwardly. As the chosen hero, she was in a position where she had to be protected by the kingdom at all costs, naturally the royal family couldn't have their precious hero wandering around without a single guard nearby.
It was Catalina who had ordered the royal knights to follow her from a distance, but even without her orders, they would've most likely acted on their own, princess Sofia had left them behind as her guards after all.
But for someone like Katsumi who enjoyed her moments alone, it was a source of annoyance. Her beautiful refined facial features contorted into a sullen frown.
"Fufu, there's no need to worry, young hero. Since I brought you here, meals are on me."
Alya chuckled, her lips curling into a charming smile in full bloom.
"Eh? You actually have money?"
"Of course I do. Just so you know, my partner is very wealthy."
Alya said proudly. Haruto still had plenty of funds left over from what he received from the Watanabe royal family, and he'd generously given both Alya and Nikita a hefty sum to spend as they pleased.
"Partner? So, you have a contractor already, Lady Alya?"
"That's right. My contractor is my wonderful prince charming."
Alya beamed, her expression that of a girl deeply in love, as she placed a small pouch—heavy with the clinking sound of coins—onto the table.
"I-I see…"
Katsumi responded awkwardly, overwhelmed by Alya's enthusiasm. Just then—
"Thank you for visiting our store. May I take your order?"
The soft, melodic voice of a waitress interrupted them. Her presence was graceful, almost enchanting. She looked to be in her late teens, with long brown hair tied into a neat bundle. Dressed in a maid-style uniform, she held a quill and notepad.
Alya's emerald eyes narrowed sharply. Her body tensed, as if sensing a powerful threat.
"I'll take the strawberry muffin. What about you, Alya?"
Katsumi asked, oblivious to Alya's sudden change in demeanour. The waitress tilted her head slightly, puzzled by Alya's intense gaze.
And upon seeing the frown on the waitress's face, Katsumi followed her gaze.
"Alya? Is something wrong?"
Katsumi asked, growing slightly concerned. This was the first time she'd seen such a serious expression on Alya's face, considering how playful and teasing she was.
"N-No, nothing's wrong. I'll have the vanilla ice cream."
Alya replied, smoothing over her expression.
"I see… One strawberry muffin and one vanilla ice cream,"
The waitress repeated as she wrote down their respective orders and walked away. Alya's gaze lingered on the girl, tracking her movements.
Meanwhile, the waitress's pleasant smile gradually faded into a faint frown.
"As expected of a spirit… I really can't let my guard down around them."
She muttered under her breath as she left.
"Is something wrong after all?"
Katsumi narrowed her eyes as she peered into Alya's face from where she sat.
That green-haired beauty who was like an ethereal Goddess who enjoyed teasing and making playful comments was now making a serious face, it was naturally impossible for someone as sharp as Katsumi to not notice the abnormality.
After a faint pause, Alya smoothed over her expression into her typical smile as she coughs to clear her throat.
"It was nothing, I just felt something strange just now, it must've been my imagination."
Alya said, her eyes wandered back onto the menu. However, Katsumi gazed at her with a dubious look, but she didn't make any further comment on it.
"Anyway, now that we have ordered can we begin our conversation now?"
"Of course, I'm feeling generous tonight go ahead and ask whatever you like."
As Katsumi decided to begin their discussion, Alya happily consented in a show of generosity.
(She sure is good at making herself seem noble.)
Katsumi thought inwardly, her beautiful smile twitching faintly.
"Firstly, I'd like to ask about the Goddess of water, Aqua. From my memories it seems you two are deeply acquainted."
"Indeed, I guess you could say we are all siblings in a way, we all came into existence from the same source."
"The same source. What does that mean?"
Katsumi tilted her head in doubt. She was extremely confused, Alya was a high-ranking spirit and Aqua was a Goddess, she didn't understand how they could originate from the same source.
"I guess she didn't share her true origins to you, did she?"
Alya's enchanting emerald eyes which were like gorgeous gemstones shone mysteriously as she uttered.
What she meant was the fact that the Elemental Goddesses were created by the God of Creation, as well as the Elemental Spirits as well. The God of Creation did indeed create several races that exist in the current era.
But the Goddess, Aqua did not share that kind of information. Alya was also secretly pleased by this, she also didn't want this kind of information spreading either.
"Ahem, don't worry about it. But I'm curious what exactly do you want to know about the Goddess of Water?"
"… Is she trustworthy?"
Katsumi asked, her voice was like the pitiful weeping buzz of a mosquito. And her expression was slightly pale, the sight of her seems truly pitiful.
And the reason for her concern was—
"Be careful when you speak of those Goddesses, it would be bothersome if someone overheard you."
As expected, Alya's expression was similarly troubled. The Goddesses were revered highly in this world by humanity; any kind of insult could only be seen as blasphemy from the view of the public. Alya didn't particularly care about the reaction of the observers, but as expected she didn't want to create a commotion here in consideration of Haruto in mind.
And with that thought in mind—
"Hm, this is… A wind barrier?"
Katsumi murmured as she felt the stirring of the wind whipping around them. A barrier of condensed wind had been erected; it had created a noise isolation barrier around them.
"I had originally planned on using telepathy to communicate my thoughts with you, but doing so with someone who isn't my contractor would be insufficient energy consumption. So, I figured it would be best to create a noise isolation barrier. Now we can chat without holding any kind of reservations."
Alya said, her lips curled up into a smile. Katsumi subconsciously swallowed her breath towards the beautiful spirit who was like a Goddess straight out of a fairytale.
Even though it wasn't her intentions Alya's bewitching smile seems to have stolen the hearts of many of the men and women seated nearby.
Many men were throwing around comments like.
"M-My Goddess, to think I'd be fortunate enough to witness a Goddess today."
"So beautiful… Is that lady a Princess?"
"As expected, those of higher birth really are of another world."
But Alya splendidly ignored them with indifference.
"Now then you were asking if that vulgar, ahem, that Goddess was trustworthy, was it."
Alya said, although she almost called her "that vulgar woman" in her usual way, she coughs to cover it up in a natural lady-like way.
"Let me guess, you are worried whether or not she would really keep her promise to send you back home once you've completed your purpose here, right?"
"Yes. Before I came here, I had a life of my own back on earth, one that was unfairly taken away from me. I didn't even get to see my parents before I was whisked away to this world."
Katsumi's lips trembled as she clenched her fist. She didn't even get to let her family know she was safe and well.
Even though it hadn't been a month since she was suddenly summoned here, she couldn't help but feel a sense of homesickness. Her heart yarned to return to her place of belonging.
With such heavy emotions raging rampant inside her chest, those feelings eventually became a desire.
Seeing that gloomy expression on Katsumi's face Alya's expression similarly became complicated, that was because, she had seen that expression before, it was similar to how Haruto had looked back in the Kingdom of Watanabe when he had learnt that he might not return home. It was a look of despair.
(Those two are really alike, how scary, she could be another worthy rival. Humph, well she probably has more guts unlike a certain beast.)
Alya thought as she raises her opinion of Katsumi without the girl in question noticing. For a moment, her thoughts drifted towards a certain stubborn silver-haired fox beastkin.
"The answer to that question is rather difficult to answer with one hundred percent certainty, but I'd say if a Goddess made a promise to you then you can see it as an oath of the highest honour. It was like the will of the world."
No Goddess would sully their honour by lying to the ones they are indebted to. The heroes in particular were the saviours of humanity, and they were the champions of the Goddesses, as beings they themselves summoned here to save humanity.
Even if they do hold ulterior motives, they wouldn't openly do something that would stain dirt on their divinity. That was the pride of a Goddess.
"I do believe she would uphold her promise to return you all to your home once the mess of the Demons have been taken care of, but—"
Alya frowned.
(The situation with the Demon God is pressing, but that isn't the only crisis this world will face in the future and here after.)
Alya's thoughts wondered as she became sentimental. The future of this world seemed very dire.
"But what?"
"Nothing, as a Goddess worship by the people of this world I doubt she would go back on her words, your fears are needless."
"I see, if you say so, then surely…"
—Surely, it's as she had said, right?
At that, colours finally returned to Katsumi's pale face. The dark depressive clouds hanging over her heart seems to lessen.
"What other questions do you have?"
"Oh, I also wanted to ask about the Nullborns, from the memories she bestowed onto me, it seems they were a group of absurdly strong individual."
"The Nullborns, you say."
Alya tilted her head slightly.
"Do you not know of them after all?"
"…. I do, but they have been uninterested in this world for several decades, you know. I don't even know where most of them are at this moment."
Alya replied with a frowned.
The Nullborns were also the creation of the God of Creation, they were special existences created as super warriors made for combat, as the God of Creation himself never participated in such trivial things unless necessary, he would leave them to take charge of such things.
But, after the God of Creation died, they lost interest in the world and disappeared, as only the God of Creation could order them around no one could control them.
Incidentally, many Kings and Emperors once tried to capture them to make use of their exceptional abilities, but without exception those Kingdoms and Empires were all flattened to the ground mercilessly.
In particular, the Dragon Lord.
Lyra was known to be as fierce as a natural disaster. Many Kingdoms were burnt to the ground by her flaming breath and the serpent had once terrorized humanity before falling asleep.
As for the Vampire king Nullborn and the Mermaid Princess Nullborn, they mainly stayed in their own territory far away from humans.
The vampiric Nullborn was a sadistic, and narcissistic man who only cares about his own interests, although he didn't particularly need to drink human blood to survive, he had drained the life force from many innocent humans in the past. In particular, young women.
He would even use humans in his experiment, subjecting them to harsh punishment that would easily break the mind, Alya didn't have a very good opinion of him.
If she had to be blunt about her feelings, then she'd probably say he was a scumbag that shouldn't have been created. But Alya kept her thoughts to herself.
The vampiric Nullborn and Dragon Nullborn were the most bothersome with their destructiveness and lack of consideration.
As for the Mermaid Princess, also known as the Sea Goddess, she was the most compassionate among all Nullborns, although she occasionally causes natural disasters by the sea, that was merely her way of dispelling her overly accumulated energy.
But the most dangerous and difficult Nullborn was certainly the serpent, when the God of Creation was still around, he could satiate its endless hunger, but that's no longer the case anymore.
(I don't know why that thing fell into a deep sleep, but I really hope it doesn't wake up any time soon.)
Alya prayed in her heart. Although it was unknown which one of the four Elemental Goddesses she was praying to. Perhaps, only Alya knew. But leaving that matter aside—
If the serpent roused from its slumber, she would be forced to sealed it away, which would be a difficult task, one she wanted to be parted from.
"… The only one who would most likely agree to help you are the Dragon Nullborn and the Mermaid Nullborn, I can't say for the others."
"I see… So, it's just as I thought."
"You wouldn't happen to know where they might be, do you?"
"I know that the Dragon lord, Lyra resides in Vulkaros."
"Vulkaros… Isn't that a volcano located several kilometres south from here in the mountainous regions?"
"Yes, if you are thinking of going there let me warn you, that place isn't in stable condition. And that volcano is in constant eruption."
Alya warned sternly.
It was also the place where Lyra frequently rampaged, making it one of the most hazardous and dangerous places.
"As for the Vampiric King, unless something has caught his interest he generally stays in his castle Crimsonvail, on an island far away from here."
"Crimsonvail? That's an interesting name."
"Although he is immune to sunlight unlike those typical vampires normally spoke of in your world, he still doesn't have a good impression on it. His Crimsonvail castle is a special artifact capable of creating a vail of darkness like an artificial night."
Alya explained, shrugging her shoulders.
The Crimsonvail was actually a high-class artifact that was also created by the God of Creation, it can create artificial weather with ease.
"You just spoke of knowledge from my world so nonchalantly as if it's common knowledge in this world. I'm curious, how did you know?"
"Fufu, that's not something I can just explain, you know."
Alya dodged the topic with a knowing grin.
"Really?"
"Yes, it would be rather troubling if you are going to ask that as it would touch on other various topics I'd rather not go into."
Alya said, gently tapping her finger on the table with a slightly troubled look.
"I see… Well, setting that matter aside, getting an audience with those Nullborns aren't going to be easy, huh."
Katsumi stared at Alya in suspicion for a moment, before pressing her head as if she was assaulted by a terrible headache. In order to face the surge of the demonic army, Katsumi needed to gather up the heroes scattered around the various neighbouring Kingdoms, and also—
"I have to get the corporation of the Nullborns as well. That was what the Goddess of water, lady Aqua had said."
Gaining the assistance of the other heroes shouldn't be a problem, as the King of the Albanian kingdom can easily request their assistance after informing the Kings of each nation's the heroes were affiliated with the situation.
But she wasn't sure how she could convince the Nullborns for their corporations, even the Goddess, Aqua wasn't very confident they would agree.
"Indeed, your worries are certainly understandable. But it's a shame you don't have anyone else you could ask for assistance."
Alya said nonchalantly, sipping her glass of water. However, suddenly, as if a lightbulb had gone off, Katsumi's onyx eyes sparkled as she stared at Alya intensely. It was as if she was looking at her ray of light amidst the dark.
"Hm, what? What's with that look!?"
Alya tilted her head, for some reason she had a bad feeling.
(Why am I being stared at with such desperate eyes?!)
Such thought rang in her mind.
"Will you lend us your strength, Alya-sama?!"
Katsumi asked, her eyes were pleading.
The corner of Alya's lips twitch.
"Eh, why did that Idea suddenly come up? And what's with that sama at the end of my name?"
Alya was bewildered. Her face blank.
"You are a high-ranking spirit, so it's natural I'd request your help, and then there are also the other elemental spirits as well."
"No way, even if you're asking me, that's not a decision I can make without consulting with my contractor first, you know?"
"Th-Then I want to see your contractor, I'll ask that person myself."
"I refuse."
"Please, I'm begging you."
"I said no already."
Such back and forth exchange continued between them, until—
"Ahem, excuse me, your desserts are ready."
A beautiful young woman dressed in a maid-style outfit appeared, holding their respective order. Her smile was oddly stiff, even though she couldn't hear what they were saying due to the existence of the noise isolation wind barrier, it seems she could at least feel the tension in the atmosphere.
And so, she called out to announce her presence and hopefully dispel the strange atmosphere lingering around them.
Incidentally, the reason the first waitress chose not to appear and had been swapped with another waitress was most likely due to her wariness towards Alya.
However, towards such an Alya—
"Oo, good, it's finally here."
She was only interested in her vanilla ice cream. Seemingly uninterested towards such matter. At this moment, the only thing she cared about is her vanilla ice cream.
"Thank you."
Alya promptly took the vanilla ice cream and Katsumi took the strawberry muffin while saying her gratitude to the waitress.
"As expected, it's delicious."
Alya commented, the taste of the vanilla spreading in her mouth. Katsumi on the contrary, remain silent as she munches away.
"… I'll allow you the opportunity to have a chat with my partner, Haruto. But I can't say whether or not he'd agree with working with you all."
After enjoying the taste of the ice cream for a while, Alya finally spoke up.
(Although, knowing him, if someone ask for his assistance, I doubt that boy would say no, more so if they have a common enemy.)
Alya thought, frowning to herself.
"So, his name is Haruto…"
Katsumi's expression became strange hearing that name.
"Is something the matter?"
"No, it's just his name sounds different from those of this world, although I don't usually leave the castle to interact with more people of this world, his name just now gave me a feeling of familiarity."
Katsumi explained.
"I see…"
(I guess it's impossible to keep the fact that he's an otherworlder a secret from her.)
Alya thought inwardly. Setting his unusual name aside, Haruto had black hair which was considered a rarity in this world. She would notice something was off sooner or later.
(I guess we might as well explain that too.)
She thought to herself, narrowing her beautiful emerald, green eyes.
"With that decided, I'm curious, what other information did that vulgar—I mean that Goddess transferred to you?"
"You don't have to cover your comment, you know. I already more or less figured out your relationship with the Goddess of Water."
Katsumi said, while shooting an exasperated look at Alya.
"Hmph, I hate how self-important those annoying, ahem, those Goddesses are. To behave in such scandalous manner before this world-shaking beauty should truly be considered a sin."
Alya was saying such words while sighing gently as though it was only natural. Katsumi on the other hand, was naturally taken aback by Alya's haughty words that seems incredibly narcissistic which was spoken with such a meltingly sweet voice that was oozing confidence.
"… I know we just met but, I feel I have an understanding of your character perfectly well. But leaving that aside..."
(What's with that… World-shaking beauty? Aren't you acting far more self-important than those Goddesses, though?)
Katsumi secretly thought to herself, she wanted very much to say those exact words out loud but reflexively stops herself from uttering them to her face. If Nikita was present, she would've immediately nodded her head in agreement with Katsumi while directing a smug smile towards Alya.
However, Katsumi heaved an exhausted sigh while munching on her half-eaten muffin.
"Fufu, oh my, is the hero not yet comprehending the greatness of this amazingly wise and beautiful Alya?"
Alya said such words while heaving a sigh. She shot a half-exasperated look at Katsumi as if saying, "Aren't your comprehension speed a little lacking there?" Which made Katsumi's lips twitch faintly in annoyance.
"…. I guess Spirits and Goddesses really aren't that much different, I can see why you said you two came from the same source."
"Eh, the gorgeously beautiful woman named Alya, is a very graceful woman, you know? To compare the beautiful, me to that vulgar—Ahem, that Goddess is a very distasteful comparison, you know?"
"You say that while struggling to call a Goddess formally by her name. I must say for a high-ranking spirit you are very shameless."
However, Alya tilted her head while pointing at herself innocently as though she had done nothing wrong.
(…. What a punchable face.)
Katsumi thought to herself. But—
"My, my, did the legendary hero just think of something rude there, I wonder?"
Those words were accompanied by a sweet smile that also seemed too bewitching for a young girl in her mid-teens.
That smile was enough to charm the hearts of the observers. In fact, seated not too far away from them was a young couple who seems to be enjoying their date, but their hearts were stolen away when they saw Alya's sweet smile.
They stared at her graceful bewitching smile in a trance. But perhaps thinking it was rude to stare at someone for so long, the young woman quickly snapped back to her senses and showed an apologetic expression, before slapping the face of her partner who was still mesmerized by Alya's enchanting beauty, he bowed his head slightly embarrassed while adverting his eyes from the cold stare of his female partner.
However, contrary to everyone else, Katsumi felt chills as she was on the receiving end of that smile, she adverted her gaze awkwardly while coughing. And, to change the topic—
"…. A-Anyway, the other information is mostly some knowledge about this world and some brief information about the previous water hero's techniques."
Katsumi stuttered over her words as she hurriedly explained, attempting to change the topic.
"I see… In that case, when would be the best time to meet with you? You are a hero. A woman who holds supreme authority and paramount status in this world, I don't suppose it would be easy to meet you, right?"
Alya also did not pursue the matter of Katsumi's inner thoughts any further and happily went along with the sudden change in topic.
"…. Yes, you're right, today was a special occasion, now that I have ran away from my guards, I doubt they'd leave me on my own anymore."
Katsumi murmured, slightly troubled. Setting the matter of the magic communication transmission aside, there wasn't anything as convenient as a cell phone for communication in this world.
(So much for being able to take an evening stroll alone… They won't use some kind of artifact to monitor my actions and movements, will they?)
Katsumi was chewing her muffin absentmindedly as her expression darkened.
"… It's as I thought. Having a meeting face to face is out of the question, isn't it."
Alya smiled wryly as she saw Katsumi's bitter face.
"I'm not sure… Probably?"
Katsumi tilted her head in doubt. Although she wasn't familiar with the needed requirements, she could at least guess they'd need the permission of the royal family beforehand.
(Although, maybe Princess Sofia could mediate between his majesty for me?)
Katsumi wondered to herself, tilting her head slightly. Honestly, she was unsure. Her conflicted downcast gaze seems to say as she stared outside the scenery from the glass window.
"Kukuku… Then since an official meeting is impossible, how about we sneak you out of the royal palace instead?"
Alya suddenly suggested such a plan with her sweet little lips twisting into an evil, sardonic grin. Katsumi's face visibly twitches as she processes the meaning behind Alya suggestion.
(Isn't that basically kidnapping, though?)
Katsumi thought, cold sweat dripping down her brow. She subconsciously caresses her long ponytail hanging down her shoulders as she collected her thoughts.
"… An official meeting would be difficult, but not impossible. At least, if necessary, I'll do my best to get his majesty the Kings permission. As for sneaking out, that's a risk I'd rather not take."
Katsumi explained, her brows furrowing faintly at the thought of what punishment might befall them if they were caught, Katsumi herself probably wouldn't be in much trouble, but as for Haruto and Alya, they would be seen as a criminal trying to kidnap the hero from the countries point of view.
The situation would be extremely dire if such an outcome were to occur. So, a meeting would have to be in person, along with the permission of the King.
However, this was a discussion with one of the chosen heroes, it wasn't a simple matter of a casual conversation.
"Then I suppose we should use this opportunity to allow you to meet with him right now?"
Alya suggested. Now was probably the best time to set up a meeting with the hero, Katsumi was now free to move around. To establish a formal meeting, Haruto would have to schedule one by visiting the royal castle and go through all the necessary procedures.
However, it was unclear whether or not the King would agree to such a meeting, the legendary hero meeting an unknown stranger who wasn't even nobility would be unacceptable. The upper echelons of this Kingdom would never agree to it.
But as long as it's the heroes desire to meet with him even the King cannot bluntly refuse him, but as expected, going through an official meeting would be very bothersome. Alya clearly didn't have the patience for that.
"Can you do that?"
Katsumi also seems trouble about the difficulties of an official meeting herself as she gazed at Alya with her beautiful gem-like eyes brimming with expectations.
"Of course, I'll contact him right—"
—Now!
Alya was about to give her agreement, when—
"M-Monsters! Quickly defend the front gates! Don't let any of them enter the city!"
A loud youthful voice suddenly cut her off.
From a single point in the skies, huge, towering monsters surrounded the capital city, lightning arcs across the sky, occasionally illuminating the cloudy sky in brief flashes as it was circling the city with dull lifeless eyes.
They seem to be drawn over by the life essence of those inside the city.