Side: Amakashi Sho
After the lingerie specialty store, we visited a few more shops, including one that sold the kind of fabrics that Filia desired. Filia was surprised by the low prices of ready-made clothing and the high prices of fabrics.
Since it was lunchtime, we entered a fast-food restaurant. It was one of those places that serve hamburgers, found all over Japan.
“What a hearty meal,” she remarked.
When I took a bite of my hamburger and showed her, Pritia looked a bit surprised.
In that other world, there are indeed dishes that you bite into, like meat dishes. However, such manners don’t exist in noble dining.
That said, Pritia seemed to understand that there are people who eat this way, and she bit into the hamburger, mimicking me.
“Oh my, this is delicious.”
She had a slightly surprised expression. I wondered why. Despite her noble birth, I guessed she didn’t resist too much because she had served in the military.
Meanwhile, Noctia, who also seemed to be of noble status, was eating normally. She seemed quite adept at maintaining an atmosphere of familiarity with everything, though I doubted she had eaten a hamburger before.
Overall, the other customers around us looked like they were enjoying their meals, and it appeared that everyone was in a good mood.
However, after taking her second bite, Pritia looked as if she recalled something.
“By the way, Kakeru, since it’s a precious day off, don’t you want to meet your fiancée? We’re already fine on our own.”
Pritia’s sudden words caught Noctia by surprise for the first time.
In fact, I had completely forgotten about that.
“Oh, that… It’s a lie.”
Now that I had no need to hide, I revealed the truth, and it seemed Filia had somehow sensed it, as Pritia, Sanctina, and Noctia looked astonished.
Since Noctia was likely hearing this for the first time, I decided to explain briefly.
On the night I was summoned to this other world, a woman came to the room where I was resting. She was there for a night visit. To use an older term, it might be referred to as “Yotogi.”
She was around my age or slightly older. I remember she was beautiful. However, I was bewildered as I had been summoned to an unfamiliar place and was asked to fight the Demon King as a hero.
I had a lot of internal conflict, but when I was about to decline, she made a troubled, sad face, prompting me to quickly lie and say I had a fiancée.
As expected, she accepted that and left the room.
“You mean it was a lie…”
“I’m sorry. There’s a saying in this country that nothing is more expensive than something given for free. At that time, I never thought I would take on such a role. We didn’t have such customs here, and I was scared of the consequences.”
Pritia is a serious person. She genuinely wanted to help me return to my original world. That’s why I felt bad for lying to her.
Honestly, I might have accepted it if I had been a little more composed at that time.
Of course, there had been several discussions about that after, but I declined every time. I had already decided to return home.
“You’re surprisingly crafty.”
“I think it’s just cowardice,” I replied.
Filia seemed to grasp my feelings through Sanctina’s ambiguous words. Cowardice, indeed, I thought.
“It’s been a long-standing practice to assign women to those who take on roles like yours. In the past, we also operated undercover in our own camp. The lesson learned from that was to assign women in the opposing camp, and the holy warriors were centered around the opposite sex.”
Noctia spoke casually, but Pritia and Sanctina’s expressions stiffened. They likely hadn’t known the details.
“Those people truly…”
“Pritia, this isn’t something that can be brushed off with pretty words. You understand there was no reason for Kakeru to fulfill his role, right? I’ve heard that among historical figures who took on such roles, there were several who changed their standing by gender.”
Pritia, being serious, even showed anger towards the behind-the-scenes of war. However, when Filia spoke to calm her, she suppressed her anger and concealed her expression.
Well, I understood her feelings. A decent person probably couldn’t fight for the peace of a world they had no connection to. That’s why they might have lured him back with promises of return, wealth, fame, or women.
“The fact is, I wanted to return. Now, let’s put that topic aside and get back to shopping.”
To be honest, not everything from that side was calculated. Some felt guilty for making a hero fight. I think sending women over was also meant to ease that guilt.
I heard that those chosen to accompany the hero were proud to do so and considered it an honor.
In the early days, there was a guard who had trained me, and he advised me not to overthink things and to enjoy myself. He even suggested that if I was interested in the castle women, I could secretly visit the town’s brothels.
It wasn’t entirely out of goodwill, nor entirely out of malice. That’s how I perceive it now.
Well then, let’s take a look at shoes and smartphones for a bit.
I need to see if I can take a train too.
Side: Filia
The complicated situation surrounding the hero is far too difficult for teenagers among the human race. In that sense, Kakeru has managed to navigate through the tight spots quite well.
Noctia probably knows this, but the greatest concern for both humans and demons is if the hero and the demon king were to join forces. For that reason, it has been thoroughly avoided at all costs.
Individuals possess the power to shake the world. Managing such a dangerous existence is a challenge for the rulers of that world.
“By the way, we need cosmetics too. I completely forgot about that.”
After our meal, we visited a few more shops when Kakeru suddenly spoke up as if he remembered.
It seems he didn’t take much initiative before, but since returning here, he has been quite proactive. While it is true that this is necessary, he also seems to be enjoying himself.
“I’d like some lipstick at least.”
“Yes, I’d like to see what options are available.”
As expected, Noctia doesn’t show any interest. It’s only natural since neither demons nor elves typically use makeup. However, both Pritia and Sanctina, who are human, seem to want some.
Why did the gods leave behind the technique to summon heroes from another world? They must have known it would be used for selfish reasons.
The elders said that the gods have no interest in human affairs.
Is that really the case? Could there be schemes that even elves and demons are unaware of?
Watching Kakeru, Pritia, and Sanctina enjoying themselves makes me ponder such things for some reason.
Well, it’s fine for now.
Eventually… I feel I will understand.
Though there’s no particular reason for it.
