Chapter 2

“Aaaaaahhh!!” Was this interdimensional travel? An instant later, Kaito found himself spit out onto an unfamiliar grass field. “Eeyow-ow-ow! Not very gentle, are they?” Kaito grumbled. He brushed himself off and stood up. He was surrounded by a spreading field of green. Far in the distance was an even greener forest and mountains, and over his head, white clouds drifted lazily through the bluest of skies. This was very much an idyllic, Middle Ages Europe–type fantasy world. “O Honored Hero!!” The shout of welcome came from behind and hit Kaito like a tidal wave, startling him. He turned nervously to find a crowd of people waving and shouting joyously. Villagers of some sort, it looked like—but then he squinted. Hmm? Huh? Narrow, pointy ears…? Are those…elves? Come to think of it, that goddess did say something about saving the country of the elves… “Ah, a pleasure to meet you.” Kaito didn’t know exactly what was going on or who was speaking, but he bowed politely just the same. “Welcome and well come, hero! I am the leader of this village, Edmond.” A magisterial middle-aged man appeared and executed a formal bow. His beautiful golden hair and green eyes were the picture of elf-ness. He could’ve been plucked out of any number of movies or video games. “Uh, the pleasure’s all mine…” Kaito was about to introduce himself when a naughty little thought occurred to him. What if he were to give them the name he always used in games? Or rather, the two names? Kaito coughed and cleared his throat. “Ahem! I am the itinerant Destiny Seeker, the Étoile Filante, Kaito!” The name Destiny Seeker was self-explanatory. Étoile Filante was French, meaning “shooting star.” It was a little over-the-top, but he liked it. However, the names set the elves buzzing. “Itinerant…?” “Desh-tee-nee?” “Ay-twal…fee…fee…?” “What will we call him…?” The elves’ confusion was painfully clear, and Kaito blushed. “Uh, never mind! Kaito… I’m Kaito! Just call me that!” He felt like a politician begging for votes, but the elves seemed to understand and accept this designation. I can’t get carried away here. God, how embarrassing. “In that case, Lord Kaito, please come to my home. I will be honored to accommodate you there.” Kaito nodded quickly at Edmond’s polite offer. He couldn’t quite meet the headman’s eyes, still feeling a little embarrassed. “Y-yeah, sure.” “We shall hold a welcome feast for you tonight, so you’ll meet the other villagers then.” The elves waved, sad to see him go. It was only then that he realized how focused they were on him. Elves, of course, were usually depicted as being quite smart and trim, but these people had gone beyond thin into what looked like starvation territory. He was a little surprised they could hold themselves up while they walked. Come to think of it, hadn’t he been told his mission was to help them with “high calories”? That goddess was in such a hurry to get me out of there; I wish she’d taken the time to explain things a little more clearly… “Now please come this way.” They walked along a road flanked by fields, at the end of which was the headman’s mansion. It was a big two-story building, but it could hardly be called luxurious. Like the elves themselves, it seemed somehow wasted away. “Beside the mansion is the shop you shall run, Honored Hero.” There was a little store for Kaito’s benefit next to the big house. He peeked inside and found a stone oven and a countertop—it was a pizza kitchen. The setup was simple, but it was obvious they’d put their whole hearts into readying it for him. “The goddess told us a hero would be coming to our aid, so we made sure to have this prepared. The oven has been heating for several days, so you should be able to use it immediately. Ah, you have no idea with what anticipation we’ve been awaiting you!” “……” Kaito didn’t say anything. It sounded like they’d been waiting a pretty long time. It probably just went to show that nobody wanted to pick the “High-Calorie Hero.” Kaito had a feeling this role had been foisted on him, but it was a little late to be worried about that. “Thank you very much,” he said. “I appreciate your taking care of things.” For the time being, there was nothing to do but give it a shot. He settled into his room, and before he knew it, it was evening. There was a hesitant knock at the door, accompanied by a girl’s voice. “Lord Kaito, may I come in?” “Oh, sure.” “Thank you.” She entered the room carefully—an elf girl with long, strawberry-blond hair and green eyes. She was probably about high school age. If they had “high school” in this world, that was. The strawberry-blond elf wouldn’t quite look at him, as if she was feeling shy. “Pleased to meet you. My name is Lilia. My father asked me to come look after you.” “Your father…?” “The headman, Edmond.” “Ahhh, so you’re his daughter.” Lilia gave a small nod. When Kaito turned to her, she blushed and turned her eyes to the floor. She was the retiring type, apparently. “If I may, shall I show you to the banquet?” “Thanks. I just got here, and I don’t know my right hand from my left. I appreciate the help!” As he followed Lilia down the stairs, the buzz of conversation reached his ears. Lilia pushed open two large double doors, and he saw bright lights and began to make out distinct voices. It was a massive chamber, and all the villagers were already waiting for him. When they saw Kaito, they started to applaud. “Honored Hero!” “Lord Kaito!” He saw a banner with HERO’S WELCOME PARTY written across it fluttering gently. Kaito, who had never been the subject of so much attention in his life, stepped sheepishly into the room. About the only time he had ever been the guest of honor at a party was, maybe, his birthday in elementary school. And even back then, he’d been oddly embarrassed by it. A group of young elf women were whispering among themselves by the wall. “So that’s him…” “Incredible! Look at that black hair…” When he glanced in their direction, they shrieked and ran away laughing. He could definitely see how he might look unusual to the elves. “This seat is for you, Lord Kaito,” Lilia said. It looked like they had forgone tables and chairs, perhaps because of the number of people present. Instead, there were cushions set out on a carpet. Kaito sat down. He felt like he had walked into the Arabian Nights. “Here, have some wine.” A silver cup was being filled with a purplish-red liquid. Wine, huh? Smells good. Then he noticed Edmond sidling up next to him. “Thank you all for coming to this, the welcome feast for our hero, Lord Kaito!” the village leader declared. “As headman, I thank you! I have brought out food and drink specially from our stores, and tonight, I urge you to enjoy yourselves to your hearts’ content!” The silver cup was extended to Kaito. “Here’s to the advent of a hero in our benighted world! Cheers!” “Cheers!” “Oh… Thanks. Uh, cheers…” Words like welcome and advent made him uncomfortable. He still didn’t feel like much of a hero, high-calorie or otherwise. As Kaito sipped at his drink, he suddenly found a plate being thrust at him. It was piled with a mountain of green vegetables. A salad of some kind, maybe. “Please eat up!” Lilia was giving him an innocent smile. Kaito felt his heart rate spike. “S-sure…!” He reflexively looked away from her. This is dangerous… That girl is way too cute. “It’s delicious.” Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. Lilia dug into the vegetables on the plate. “W-wait, didn’t you bring that for me?” “Of course. Please have some.” “Have some? There’s nothing left but leaves!” Kaito stabbed desperately at a lingering bit of green with his fork. Th-this is a competition…! “Hmm…?” He frowned as he chewed on the leaflike vegetable. What the heck? This is awful! There’s no taste at all! Couldn’t they at least put some salt on it? It feels like I’m just eating a mouthful of grass from a random field around here. What am I, a horse? “What do you think? They’re freshly picked.” Lilia was still beaming. He somehow managed to smile back at her. It would be rude to tell her he thought it was terrible.