One night after.

I rub my eyes at the light entering, and then, stretch and slowly get up.

“…Where am I?”

I look around the room that’s decorated in extravagant gold and silver articles which are destroying the refreshing morning sunlight, and remember what happened yesterday.

Ah, right. My room was changed.

“Hngh…Kuh~.” (Makoto)

I stretch and confirm the time.

The needles of the needlessly ornated clock at the wall were pointing at 8:30 a.m.

I confirmed with Erin yesterday. This world works on 24 hours a day, 365 days  a year, and the number of days in a month are the same as our world too.

By the way, we are currently in the ninth month.

In our world, it is the season where the lingering heat is rough, but this country that is situated in the center of the continent apparently has warm temperature all year, so it is easy to live in and the attitude of the citizens is gentle, or so I heard.

Also, looks like the money here is used in the same way.

The currency is called Norme.

It is the common currency of this world, and there’s coin and paper money.

1 norme = small copper coin
10 norme = copper coin
100 norme = big copper coin
500 norme = small silver coin
1000 norme = silver coin
5000 norme = big silver coin
10000 norme = paper money

And thus, there’s seven kinds circulating in this world as its currency.

As I am used to the currency in my world, this does bring about quite the queer feeling, but I just have to get used to it.

This is something I understood after six other parallel world summons, but no matter the world, the units for distance might differ slightly, but the outline of it is basically the same. This feels like the Gods simply half-assing things, but knowing them, that might have actually been the case. They are really half-assed after all.

“G-Good…morning…”

Is the low voice I hear as the door slowly opens.

“Good morning, Erin.” (Makoto)

“Ah, g-good morning, Makoto-sama.” (Erin)

Erin trotted her way to me and lowered her head.

I hold back my urge to touch her dog ears and stand up from my bed.

“I will make the preparations to change clo—” (Erin)

“No need to. I can do it myself.” (Makoto)

“Eh, but…” (Erin)

“Those things I can do them myself, so it is fine. Rather than that, what recommendations do you have today?” (Makoto)

I stopped Erin who was about to run off, and I walk to the closet.

While I enjoy the ‘uhm, today’s recommendation is…’ of the pondering Erin, I finish changing, and we left the room.

☆☆ ☆☆ ☆☆ ☆☆ ☆☆

I was told I am free to do whatever I want. But what is freedom?

Act selfishly? No bounds? For now, let’s not think anything crazy.

“Makoto-sama, where will you be going?” (Erin)

“Hmm, I wonder where I should go~.” (Makoto)

After eating at the cafeteria, I was walking around the castle randomly.

My meals are apparently supposed to be done in my new room now, but I adamantly refused that. It will probably all be extravagant food, but I will only find them delicious for the first three days. After that, I would just be bringing the food down my throat by habit. In other words, it is a taste that’s easy to get tired of.

I have experienced this many times in the past. It seems like I have the palate of a commoner, so extravagant food doesn’t match my taste. The food of the cafeteria fits me the best. It is by no means extravagant and the simplicity of it grabs my stomach and doesn’t let go, chef!

“For now, let’s try going to the courtyard.” (Makoto)

And so, since the destination has been set, let’s go~.

“…Ah.” (Erin)

“Is something the matter?” (Makoto)

But the moment I was going to walk on, Erin raises her voice a bit.

I move my gaze to Erin to check if something had happened, and I saw someone walking over.

“Oya, isn’t that Hero-kun?” (Makoto)

“Ah, Kamiuchi…-san.” (Yuichi)

The one who came walking here was the Hero-kun, Takahashi Yuichi.

There’s two maids a few steps back from him, and one of them is the maid that brought over Erin to me.

“Where are you going? Ah, it is fine to call me Makoto.” (Makoto)

“Ah, okay. You can call me Yuichi too….. And so, uhm, from today on, I will be doing sword training.” (Yuichi)

“Oh, I see.” (Makoto)

So he is heading to do training now.

But this guy…

“I may not be the best person to say this but, aren’t you a bit too stiff?” (Makoto)

“Uh.” (Yuichi)

The color of his face is also bad.

Did this guy even manage to sleep properly last night?

When we were summoned, I thought this guy was a harem normie, but this guy…it might actually be bad.

“There’s no hero that’s strong from the beginning. It is the same even in games, right? Everyone begins from level 1.” (Makoto)

It may be a bit meddlesome of me here, but it is bothering me so much I can’t help it.

Me meeting him here must have been some sort of fate, so leaving it be as it is now will definitely also bring harm to the other three as well.

“No matter what your surroundings say, don’t grow impatient. Go at your own pace.,, If you do that, strength will follow after as much as you want.” (Makoto)

“B-But there’s people suffering, so I can’t just be so easygoing… I am a hero after all.” (Yuichi)

“And if you were to collapse because of pushing it? Also, no matter if you are a hero, it doesn’t mean you can protect everything.” (Makoto)

“…That’s…” (Yuichi)

“Protect with your life everything you consider worth protecting. When you are able to do that, you will be a great man.” (Makoto)

I slap the shoulder of the Hero-kun, and an awkward smile was directed at me. I thought maybe I said way too many unnecessary things, but one of the maids said ‘it is almost time’ and urged Yuichi to walk.

“Ah, I-I will see you later then.” (Yuichi)

He turned back and bowed, and then, walked quickly on. I saw off that back of his, and we also resumed our walking as well.

I didn’t miss the part when the maids crossed paths with me and had laughed,  but I don’t have the intention of attacking from my side yet. Cause I now know that one of those maids is ‘involved’ after all.

[Obedient Marionette]

Because information is currently in the middle of being gathered, details are unknown.

I used my [Analyze] and the invisible window with the information appeared, and then, I shaped my finger like that of a gun and directed it at the Hero-kun, and…

“Bang.” (Makoto)

I used my own style of meddling by administering a vaccine.

The Hero-kun suddenly lost balance and staggered, and the maids hurriedly support him and let out confused voices.

…The heroes are not your toys.

I held in the anger welling up, and walk on with my back turned to Hero-kun and the maids.

“Uhm, that just now…” (Erin)

“Ah, that was like a sort of curse to make someone feel better, don’t mind it.” (Makoto)

I pat the head of Erin, and while listening to the repeated ‘I am okay’ from Hero-kun, I ponder.

Two days since arriving to this parallel world. They played their hand a lot faster than expected.

What was applied to the Hero-kun was most likely some sort of enslaving magic. I don’t know the details of it yet, but the days it was applied on him were short, so it should have been removed without any permanent effects on his mental. Maybe they thought it would be easier to bring him to their side with that move.

If that’s the case, I am worried about the other three girls as well, so I will deal with that later.

There’s also a number of people that would be better if I check them out, so I will finish those things from beginning to end.

Also, the Queen said that she would be protecting Almina, but I should try to investigate a bit on my side as well. All for the sake of my own peace.

But what surprised me the most was that the mental strength of Hero-kun was weak.

I thought a harem normie would be able to handle at least this much, but it looks like he is a lot weaker to the push than I thought. No, the first time I was summoned to a parallel world, I was pretty much like that too, huh.

In novels and manga, you can stay as an onlooker, but once that becomes reality and falls onto your shoulders, it will come baring at you with its rotten real self.

A battle between life and death.

Swords, magic, monsters, humans… People that you thought were comrades would become enemies, and enemies would call for new enemies. There were a number of times where, within all those battles that didn’t give me a respite of mind, my heart would be on the verge of breaking.

But Yuichi has three comrades.

He is different from me who was alone; he has three allies.

Having comrades that have lived in the same environment as you is reliable, but one shouldn’t be thinking idealistically that things will surely be okay.

This is a parallel world. There’s the need to always be ready for unexpected situations.

“I-is the Hero-sama…going to be okay?” (Erin)

I pet the head of Erin who had her tail hanging despondent and was worrying for Yuichi.

It is easy to say comforting words like ‘it will be okay’ and ‘don’t worry’, but it comes with hardships that can’t be put in words, so those words can’t be used casually.

“There’s no one who can suddenly become a hero.” (Makoto)

“Yeah…” (Erin)

“In our world, there’s no monsters, magic, or Demon Lords. He is now going to be facing all that, so it is normal to feel scared about it.” (Makoto)

Everyone is scared of being hurt; everyone is scared of hurting.

“Right now, he is weak to the point that it would make Erin worry just by looking at him, but he will most likely become the hero that brings hope to everyone. That’s why, let’s silently watch over him.” (Makoto)

“…Yes.” (Erin)

I did think I was a bit cheesy there, but I do think he can become a splendid hero.

He is the kind of guy that even in our world he would help people out when in trouble. There was even a time when he was publicly acknowledged by the police.

I think he is the very vessel of a hero.

I just have to hope the person teaching him will be a sincere person.

“Well then, let’s go to the courtyard.” (Makoto)

“Yes… It is over here.” (Erin)

Erin answers me with energy, and while looking at her tail that was wagging happily, I send out a cheer of support to the four heroes.

☆☆ ☆☆ ☆☆ ☆☆ ☆☆

Just as a courtyard should be, it is enclosed, but it is made so that the light of the sun can enter.

The refreshing air of the morning and the scent of the flowers was relaxing. The warm sunlight was making my eyelids come down on their own. Having a nap here would be the best.

“Ufu~.” (Erin)

I glanced at Erin who was stretching at my side comfortably, and my eyelids who were losing to the sleepiness were trying to come down.

But I suddenly felt a gaze and looked at where it came from.

“What is that…?” (Makoto)

“Eh?” (Erin)

Because of what I said, Erin also noticed and directed her gaze at the same direction.

“That’s..a Moruru?” (Erin)

“Moruru?” (Makoto)

What was reflected in my eyes was a pure white something curled up below the shade of a tree that was looking at us.

Its eyes are emerald green. It has a bluish gem at its forehead that in size would be around 2 cm. Its tufty tail is around the same size as its body. It looks like a squirrel, but its body is plump like that of a hamster.

An UMA. <Unidentified Mysterious Animal>

But it is cute.

Crap, I really want to rub that tail.

“A moruru is categorized as a demonic beast within monsters, but it is a scaredy-cat on the level that if a child were to approach it, it would run away. If I remember correctly,  morurus come in white and light brown, but this is the first time I see a pure white moruru.” (Erin)

“Ooh~.” (Makoto)

So it is a variant? Or maybe…

But if that’s the case, I am surprised it has managed to survive until now.

“There’s a legend that says they were sacred beasts originally living in the heavens, but because of a prank, they were dropped down to the surface world.” (Erin)

“Sacred beasts, huh.” (Makoto)

“Yes. The jewel in its forehead is called the eye of the heaven, Sky-Blue Eye. It is the proof that they were sacred beasts in the past. And for the beastmen, sacred beasts are Gods. I have heard that the morurus that are former sacred beasts are targets of worship in certain parts.” (Erin)

I see.

Sacred breasts were the target of worship in other worlds as well. They were a bunch of weird guys though.

Sacred beasts were the kind that would enter the skirts of girls, would come from the back, cling to you, and shake their waists…well, I brought the fist of justice on all of them though.

Those days were terrible.

“And so, what is that one doing?” (Makoto)

“N-No idea…” (Erin)

By ‘that one’ I am obviously referring to the pure white thing called a moruru.

It is staring straight at us and isn’t moving a single bit.

Is it sleeping?

The sunlight feels good and I think it is the perfect setting to sleep.

It is a scaredy-cat that would run even from a child getting close, right? Then, if we are close, you should run away, oi.

Even when we were having a conversation, it didn’t show any signs of getting surprised and running away. Really, what is it trying to do?

But, it is a former sacred beast, right? In that case, maybe…

“Hmm… Right.” (Makoto)

Okay, let’s try giving it that.

“What’s the matte—eh?” (Erin)

I stretch out my arm, and everything all the way to my wrist seemed as if it had disappeared.

Erin saw this and her eyes went wide in surprise, but for some reason, the moruru also seemed to be surprised and flinched, its body was trembling. So you were awake?

“If I remember correctly, it was around here…” (Makoto)

“U-Uhm, Makoto-sama, y-y-y-y-y-y-your hand…” (Erin)

“Does this world not have the item box magic?” (Makoto)

If there’s not, I was thinking I messed up here, but Erin will most likely be seeing a lot more than this in the future, so…there’s the need to prepare her.

“Item…Box?” (Erin)

“Yeah. It is something that lets you store things like tools or weapons.” (Makoto)

“Ah, you are talking about the storing magic ‘Inventory’, right? But that’s something that’s used with a magic tool. It is not something that someone can use on their own…” (Erin)

A gaming term had come out, but they are both basically the same thing.

When I try asking what kind of thing it is, she told me that the Inventory magic, depending on the type, the amount and maximum size it can store differs.

Also, it can’t store living things. My Item Box cannot store living things either, so in that aspect, they are the same.

“Well, mine is something similar to that.” (Makoto)

“B-But the world of Makoto-sama didn’t have magic, right?” (Erin)

“That’s because I am special. I will explain it to you later, so until then, keep it a secret. Ah, be specially tight-lipped with the heroes, okay?” (Makoto)

“Y-Yesh. I-I will keep it a shecret.” (Erin)

With teary eyes and droopy ears, she nodded several times and accidentally bit her tongue.

Yeah, she is cute, so it is okay.

“And so, I remember I had it around here, but…wait, now that I think about it, I can just name call it.” (Makoto)

Relying on the list displayed in the invisible window, I search for it, and found what I was looking for.

If I know the name, I can just name call it to take it out, but sadly, there’s several thousands of things in here. I don’t remember every specific name of the items, so I have separated them in types and put them in lists. It took me close to two months to finish that, but I have added a magic formation to it, so that it would automatically categorize the item once it entered the inventory.

“Ta-dah!” (Makoto)

“…What’s that?” (Erin)

“Food for sacred beasts.” (Makoto)

“…Eh?” (Erin)

Ignoring the dumbfounded Erin for now, I throw the food towards the pure white moruru.

“Mukyu.”

Surprised by this, it raised a low cry, and jumped to take distance. But for some reason, it didn’t run away and simply stared at the sacred beast food that’s rolling on top of the lawn, at times, its nose would twitch.

“U-Uhm, Makoto-sama.” (Erin)

“Hm? What?” (Makoto)

“W-What is…that?” (Erin)

“Didn’t I say it is sacred beast food?” (Makoto)

She blinked a number of times and maintained silence for a bit. And then, she opened her eyes wide amusingly, and cried out.

“Why do you have something like that?! What is sacred beast food?! Have you been feeding Sacred Beast-samas with that?!” (Erin)

“Ah, yeah. That’s right.” (Makoto)

“You have been… wait, what are you doing?!” (Erin)

Oh, nice retort, Erin. Atta girl, you can do it if you try.

“Well, they weren’t the sacred beasts of this world, so isn’t it fine?” (Makoto)

“Ah, right…wait, it is not fine! They are Gods in a sense, you know?! And you are feeding them?!” (Erin)

“They are big gluttons, after all. With one of those, you can make them full. It is awesome stuff. I created it myself.” (Makoto)

“Makoto-sama was the one who made it?!” (Erin)

“Yeah. It is apparently so delicious that sacred beasts would drool and devour it. I tried eating it once, but the taste was dicey.” (Makoto)

“Does it have dangerous stuff?” (Erin)

“How rude. It has no coloring, no additives, and it is a 100% made from natural ingredients, I’ll have you know.” (Makoto)

The sacred beast food is the best kind of product that was created with the highest of alchemic techniques and processes of highest difficulty.

If I had to compare it to something, it would be like the Momotaro-san that was born from a peach and had given the grandma a millet dango. It is the kind of food that, when eaten, you would want to become their comrade…apparently.

I carefully selected the ingredients, and I don’t remember putting anything that has dangerous elements in it, but every sacred beast that has eaten it has become my comrade, and so, I ended up creating a fluffy paradise temporarily once.

A shocking fluff-fluff paradise country had been born, and it had brought chaos into that world for a period of time, but I will keep that a secret. I was seriously reprimanded by the spirits after.

Thanks to that, I ended up having a constitution that is extremely likable to sacred beasts though. This little one probably got affected by it, since it is apparently a former sacred beast.

“Oh, it is eating it.” (Makoto)

“Yeah.” (Erin)

While I was speaking to Erin, the moruru had arrived close to the sacred beast food, nervously got close to it, sniffed it several times, and then…ate it.

“———Mukyuuuuu~”

Suddenly, it made a really long cry, and began to eat the sacred beast food at a terrifying pace.

It is wagging its tail an incredible lot and devouring the food with a scary face.

It is kinda off-putting.

“Makoto-sama…” (Erin)

“What?” (Makoto)

“It really doesn’t have some sort of addictive component to it, right?” (Erin)

“It…shouldn’t have.” (Makoto)

“What’s with that ‘shouldn’t’?” (Erin)

For some reason, her retorts are taking proper form. Onii-chan is happy.

While I was thinking that, I looked at the moruru that cried ‘mukyu’ as if satisfied and was sprawling with its stomach up.

I looked up to the sky and thought ‘I shouldn’t have done that without thinking’.

But I’ve got no regrets. Cause, doesn’t this look like it will be fun?

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