So that’s how it was. That’s what they wanted. This is when they try to figure out their standing and demand a reward. Well, they certainly were an outspoken, confident bunch. I felt like I was somehow losing to them.
“Yes, well, we would very much like you to speak with the king. He will discuss future compensation with you in the throne room.”
One of the robed men, apparently their leader, leaned against a very heavy-looking door until it opened, at which point he pointed in the direction we were to go.
“Whatever.”
“Fine.”
“I don’t think it really matters who we talk to, but whatever.”
My outspoken companions complained as they left the room in the direction indicated. I didn’t want to be left alone, so I followed them out.
We walked out of the darkened room and down a hallway made of stone. How should I describe it? The air felt fresh . . . and I can’t think of any other words for it. Vocabulary has never been my strong suit. We were able to steal a glance through a window, and the scenery took our breath away.
The clouds were high, high in the sky for as far as you could see. There, below us, a town spread out from the building we were in. All the houses were lined up neatly, just like one of those European cities you’d see featured in a travel brochure. I wanted to pause for a minute and take it all in, but there was no time. We were hurried past the window and down the hall, and soon enough we arrived at the throne room.
“Huh, so these kids are the four holy heroes?”
An important-looking older man was sitting there on the throne. He leaned forward as he spoke. He didn’t make a good first impression on me. I just can’t stand people who condescend.
“My name is Aultcray Melromarc XXXII, and I rule these lands. Heroes, show me your faces!”
I somehow managed to resist the urge to yell, “We’re already looking at you!” But I caught myself just in time. I guess he was in a position of authority, and he seemed to be a king of some sort.
“Now then, I shall begin with an explanation. This country—no, this whole world—is on the brink of destruction.”
It seemed like a rather regal introduction. The other guys with me spoke up. “Well, I guess that makes sense, considering you’d call for us from another world.”
“Yeah, figures.”
I’ll try to summarize the king’s story.
There was a prophecy about the end of the world. Many waves would appear, and they would wash over the world again and again until nothing remained. Unless the waves were repelled and their accompanying calamities avoided, the world was doomed. The prophecy was from long ago, though the time it spoke of was now, this very moment. There was also a large and ancient hourglass called a dragon hourglass that would signal the times. The dragon hourglass predicted the arrival of the waves, and its sands began to fall one month ago. According to legend, the waves would come in one-month intervals.
In the beginning, the citizens of the land mocked the legends. However, when the sands in the dragon hourglass began to fall, a great calamity visited the land. A fissure appeared in the country, Melromarc; a fissure to another dimension. Terrifying and horrible creatures crawled out from it in great numbers.
At the time, the country’s knights and adventurers were able to repel the advance of the creatures, but the next wave was prophesied to be even more terrible.
At this rate, the country, having no way to ward off the impending disaster, was doomed. Considering the situation nearly hopeless, the kingdom decided to summon heroes from another world.
That about sums it up.
Oh, by the way, it seems like the legendary weapons enabled us to understand the language of that world.
“All right,” said one of my companions. “I think I understand where you’re coming from. But does that mean you are basically commanding us to help you?”
“Seems all fine and good . . . for you.”
“I agree. All this sounds pretty self-centered to me. If your world is on the road to destruction, just let it burn. I don’t see what it has to do with us.”
I could tell by the condescending giggle he struggled to hide that he secretly thought that this was all really cool.
Well it was my turn to speak up next. “As they have said, we don’t have a responsibility to help you. If we dedicate our time and lives to bringing peace to your kingdom, do we get anything besides a ‘thanks and see you later’? I mean, I guess what I really want to know is if there is a way for us to get home. Could you tell me anything about that?”
“Hmmm . . .” The king shot his vassal a sidelong glance. “Of course we are planning on compensating you all for your efforts.”
The heroes, including myself, pumped our fists in celebration. Yes! Phase one of negotiations was complete.
“Naturally,” continued the king, “I’ve made arrangements to support you financially and also to provide you with whatever you may require in thanks for your efforts on our behalf.”
“Oh yeah? Cool. Well, as long as you’ll promise us that, I don’t think we’ll have a problem.”
“Don’t think you’ve bought us off. As long as we aren’t enemies, I’ll help you out, though.”
“Agreed.”
“Me too.”
Why did they all have to act so superior all the time? Think about where we are! Do you really want to make an enemy of the king? Still, I guess it was good to get all the particulars out of the way in advance rather than risk losing everything down the road.
“Very well then, heroes. Tell us your names.”
Wait a second—I just noticed something. Didn’t all this sound similar to the book I’d been reading in the library? The Records of the Four Holy Weapons?
A sword, spear, bow . . . and, yes, a shield.
Even the four heroes were the same. Could I have somehow gotten pulled into the world of that book? I was starting to mull these things over when the kid with the sword, the Sword Hero, stepped forward and introduced himself.
“My name is Ren Amaki. I am 16 years old and a high school student.”
The Sword Hero, Ren Amaki. He was an attractive young guy. His face was handsome, and he was relatively short, maybe 160 centimeters. If he cross-dressed, you’d mistake him for a girl in an instant. His face was so composed. His hair was black and cut short. His eyes were sharp, and his skin was white. Overall, he gave off a cool impression like a quick, slender swordsman.