Chapter 7

Side: Shou Amanohashi

It’s Monday. The magic item that was mentioned is supposed to be completed today, but I’ve already left home to head to school.

It feels like I’m going to school for the first time in three years… It’s been a long weekend.

There’s a bit of nostalgia, but surprisingly, I don’t feel much discomfort. It feels like an ordinary day of going to school. I tried to remember what I was thinking the last time I went to school three years ago, but the only thing that comes to mind is that it wasn’t a particularly good memory.

My grandmother had just passed away, and I hadn’t quite come to terms with it yet.

Though I’m concerned about the companions and the Demon Lord I left at home, I’ve already explained to them how to use the water, toilet, and electrical appliances in the house yesterday. They should be fine.

At the bus stop near my house, people are lined up for their commute to work or school.

It’s mid-April now, and I’ve just started high school. It’s been a little over a month since I moved here. I’ve seen some familiar faces, but no one I know well enough to greet.

Some people are listening to music through wireless earphones, and others are looking at their smartphones. Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like a lot of people are avoiding interacting with others.

I guess this is normal.

Suddenly, I remember when I first wandered around the royal capital in that other world. The people, the way of life. Some things were different, but some things were the same.

I wonder how the people in that world are doing—the humans, the demons, and the other races…

Well, it’s a world where conflicts and wars are a part of daily life. They’re probably managing to survive in their own way.

My high school is private. It’s called Kusanagi Academy High School. I chose it because it had a more liberal atmosphere compared to the local public or private schools, and I thought it would be easier to attend. After consulting with my grandmother, we picked this school from several candidates.

“Good morning.”

“Yo.”

I exchanged greetings with the guy sitting next to me, who had arrived before me, and then I sat down. My relationships with others are neither good nor bad. It’s only been half a month since we started school, so that’s to be expected.

“Hey, Amanohashi, have you decided on a club yet?”

I was recalling the events from three years ago and the last three years when the guy I had just greeted suddenly spoke to me.

“No, I haven’t.”

What was his name again? We’ve had some casual conversations, but…

“Good morning, Amanohashi-kun, Kitamura-kun.”

Ah, right. Kitamura. I remembered thanks to another classmate who just entered. It’s Asuka Horii-san. I remember her. She’s a rich young lady from a wealthy family and a picture-perfect beauty.

Of course, I don’t recall having any conversations with her beyond greetings.

“Morning.”

“Good morning.”

Kitamura and Horii exchanged greetings smoothly, without any awkwardness. She probably has good manners and is well-liked.

I had forgotten how casual things are in high school.

How should I put it… it’s relaxing. No one’s paying any special attention to me, and I’m just seen as another person like everyone else.

Back in that other world, I was always surrounded by people because I was the hero. I was always under the spotlight. From a positive perspective, I was treated as someone special. From a different viewpoint, I was likely being watched as a potential threat.

What I hear now are the mundane conversations of my classmates.

Having lived in a world where I constantly had to stay on guard, I feel an honest sense of relief. Living without being the center of attention is so much easier.

Even though I sometimes found attending school a hassle, I might actually be able to enjoy it now.

Side: Sanctina

The Hero has gone to school.

We have nothing in particular to do. The Demon Lord is in another room, working on the magic item, while the princess is training indoors. Filia-san, on the other hand, is fascinated by this world and has been watching the device called “television” the whole time.

I am offering prayers to the gods, but I wonder if my prayers are reaching the gods of the other world? Or perhaps the gods of this world?

“It seems my physical abilities have dropped quite a bit compared to over there.”

The princess, who had been training, unusually expressed a bit of unease.

But this world is free of monsters, and the people are able to live without fear… or so it should be. While the princess is wary of the Demon Lord, I personally think we can trust her.

The Demon Lord has no reason to oppose us now that she has been freed. In fact, it would probably be easier for her if she sent us back to our world as soon as possible.

“Sanctina, has there been any divine revelation?”

“No, Princess. There has been no revelation. Also… this is supposed to be a highly confidential matter, but it’s possible that some people with the skill to receive revelations might go their entire life without ever receiving one. Whether we will receive a revelation concerning us… I don’t know. I’ve never received one myself.”

In truth, I’ve heard that the last divine revelation occurred hundreds of years ago. If the stories passed down by the saints of each generation are to be believed.

“What do you mean by that? The summoning of the Hero is only supposed to happen after a revelation… Surely, you received one this time as well?”

“I…”

“Pritia, that’s just a formality.”

Seeing that I was at a loss for words, Filia-san spoke up on my behalf. As expected, she seems to know a lot. The High Priestess warned me to be wary of the elves, but rather…

“That can’t be…”

“Is there even a point to defeating the Demon Lord? You know well enough what would have happened if she had been serious. This Hero Summoning was purely for the convenience of the human race, wasn’t it?”

I wasn’t aware of that either. I knew the Hero Summoning was carried out without a revelation, but I hadn’t been told the reason.

“Damn it…”

“The Elders told me. This time, the sacrifice is a young girl.”

A sacrifice… Referring to the Demon Lord as that…

The elves are long-lived, so we shouldn’t be fooled by appearances. They’re quite ruthless. I’m beginning to understand what the High Priestess meant by her warning. Filia-san knew all this and still fought against the Demon Lord.

Of course, so did I.

“What an interesting conversation you’re having.”

I didn’t sense her presence. At some point, the Demon Lord had come out of the other room.

“What I said was the truth, wasn’t it? I wasn’t entirely sure either, but everything made sense when you mentioned that you became the Demon Lord against your will.”

“You’re far too candid. There are some things people are better off not knowing. You all want to return to your homeland, don’t you? Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get back.”

Throughout the entire conversation, the Demon Lord showed neither hatred nor resentment toward us. She seems far more noble than those in the church.

I wonder if I’ve lost my qualifications and abilities as a saint.

Return? Those words don’t fill me with joy. I don’t know this world well enough to want to live here, but even if I return, I won’t have any freedom at all.

Have I not trained enough?

Or perhaps…