Chapter 5 - Hero Summoning

Charlotte

Arriving back to her home, the time was somewhat late. Feeling tired and hungry, Charlotte began reheating the soup she made from earlier. Grabbing another slice of bread, she began eating her meal.

While munching on the hard bread, Charlotte began thinking of the woman's words once more. It seems that she really can't get rid of the woman's words in her head, despite her disappointment.

A locked wooden door... Charlotte muttered in her head. She isn't talking about that door, is she? Looking at the door that goes to the basement, all of the woman's descriptions fit oddly well. The door is a wooden one, which also is locked and its located in her home which is a house mainly made of wood.

With her attention focused on the door, Charlotte felt an odd sensation emerging from inside her. It's as if the basement door is alluring her to open it.

Feeling somewhat scared, Charlotte quickly finished her meal and began preparing for bed. Despite her ever curiosity of wanting to know what's inside, her fears still outweigh her interest.

So, with that in mind. Charlotte made her way back to her bedroom, and put on her sleeping pajamas. Not wanting to think about the ominous door, she tried sleeping away her thoughts of it. But despite how much she tries, it seems that she can't get rid of it.

Sighing in exhaustion, Charlotte then gets off her bed and open her window. Seeing the night sky and the still busy street, Charlotte's mind manages to ease off for a bit.

With the cold breeze blowing through her skin, Charlotte smiles and closes the window. Being more relaxed than before, she then went back to her bed and continued sleeping.

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-7th Oscuridad Estrella

[Bang!]

"H-huh...?"

Sleeping comfortably in her bed, Charlotte was suddenly awoken when she heard a loud noise from below. With a tired look still present in here face, Charlotte listlessly grabbed a lamp from her room and made his way back to the living room.

Arriving at the place and seeing nothing present, Charlotte can't help but be confused. She was pretty sure that she heard a loud noise in the place, so it was odd seeing everything fine.

"That's weird..." Charlotte quietly said. "Was that noise just my imagination?"

Not being sure if it was real or not, Charlotte then made her way to the kitchen. Upon reaching the place, what she saw was something she didn't expect.

"A-ahhh..."

In floor of the place, is a fat raccoon like creature munching on what remains of Charlotte's left-over bread. Near said raccoon is also the pot that holds Charlotte's left-over soup. Judging from how empty the pot is, Charlotte quickly assumed that the creature also ate all of it. With their eyes currently at gaze with each other, the raccoon momentarily stopped eating the bread and spoke some words to Charlotte.

"So, you must be the whom summoned me." The raccoon spoke. "How truly odd, I'd expected my summoning to be grand just like before. But being summoned in a dusty basement with no one to even greet me. How truly cruel."

Hearing the raccoon talk, Charlotte can't believe what she was currently seeing. From the little knowledge that she has in this world, she knows that the animals aren't able to talk like humans do. But her belief is now at question, for the creature in front of her is doing the thing that she thought was impossible.

"Why the sharp looked, young miss?" The raccoon asked. "You looked like as if you saw a ghost right in front of you. Wait..."

Still in disbelief at what she's seeing, Charlotte began rubbing her tired eyes. But seeing how the fat raccoon is still present, Charlotte quickly conforms that what she's seeing is isn't a dream.

Not knowing how to converse with the thing, Charlotte began greeting the thing in hopes of something happening. "U-uumm... h-hello...?" Charlotte awkwardly greeted.

"Hello to you as well, young miss." The raccoon replied.

Seeing the raccoon reply with no harm intent, Charlotte became relieved. She really doesn't understand what's happening, so she hopes to figure out some answers with the creature in front of her. Calming her senses, she then continued conversing.

"U-um... who are you and what are you doing in my kitchen?" Charlotte questioned.

"Eh?" The racoon looked at Charlotte with a confuse face. "Aren't you the one whom summoned me, for the hero summoning ritual."

Hero summoning ritual? Charlotte confusingly thought. "I-I don't know what you are talking about."

"Eh?!!!" The raccoon shouted. "What do you mean, you don't understand what I'm talking about. Isn't this home yours?" The raccoon questioned.

"Well... I suppose so." Charlotte replied.

"Then that would mean that the summoning ritual in the basement is your doing." The racoon said.

"U-umm... I'm very sorry but I don't know what you are talking about. I was just sleeping when you suddenly came here eating my remaining food."

Hearing Charlotte's words, the raccoon began a deep thought. It's circumstance in being summoned, has been truly odd. Not being greeted by its summoner upon coming to said world and being summoned in some short of wooden house. Everything has been really strange for the fat raccoon. Looking at the confused Charlotte, the raccoon then began questioning her.

"Say, kid. You said that this is your home, right?" The raccoon asked.

"Y-yes." Charlotte answered.

"I see... Then are there anyone that lives along with you?" The raccoon asked again.

"My father used to live with me, but he's currently in an adventure. As for when he'll come back, it's a mystery even for me."

"I see, I see, so you have a father with you. Then that might explain my odd summoning."

Still confused by the raccoon's words, Charlotte asked the creature what it's talking about. "You keep saying the words summoning and rituals, can please explain it to me?"

"Well I suppose I had to." The raccoon said. "But first do you know who I am, young miss?"

"Not really." Charlotte answered.

"My... how the times have changed." The raccoon uttered. "Well for starters let me introduce myself. I am a spirit that helps guide the Hero in its journey. As for my name I currently have none, but humans have given many titles."

Hearing the raccoon's words, Charlotte still hasn't got any clue of what's going on. "H-hero, spirit? I'm very sorry but I still don't get it."

"How uneducated are you, young miss?" The raccoon asked.

"U-umm... I'm sorry..." Charlotte muttered. "The privilege of going into schools is out of reach for a commoner like me."

"Don't misunderstood, young miss. I'm not talking about such thing. I'm just referring to how back in my day, even a lowly commoner knows about my existence."

"I see... so you must be famous, s-sir raccoon." Charlotte said.

"I am." The raccoon said in a proud manner. "Which is why it pains me to see not being recognize."

"I see... your famous. But that still doesn't explain the things you've mentioned earlier." Charlotte said.

"Actually, it does, young miss." The raccoon replied. "But seeing how you currently don't know the famous me, then I have no choice but to explain. So, listen up!"

Really wanting some sort of explanation of what's going on, Charlotte has no choice but to listen to the fat raccoon. Preparing a chair to sit on, she then carefully listened to every word of what the raccoon said.

"As mentioned before, I'm a spirit that guides the hero. But that's not just my only job, for I am also the one that helps the blessed one summon the hero."

"Blessed one?" Charlotte echoed.

"The one whom is bless by the goddess to have the ability to summon the hero." The racoon answered. "It seems that you're still confused. But before that, I'll first answer your earlier question which is how I came here."

"That would be great." Charlotte said.

"As for how I came here, it's pretty simple. All one would need is to prepare the summoning ritual in any day where the Demon King is resurrected and have the blessed one near the ritual's vicinity."

"I-I... I'm still confuse on some parts, but I think I get it. You can only be summoned when a ritual is present, which you've mentioned existed in the basement. It also would need this blessed one, which is... wait... you don't mean me, don't you?" Charlotte asked.

"No, young miss. It's definitely you. I can even feel the blood of the blessed one coming from you." The raccoon answered.

"Wait, wait, wait... what do you mean that I'm the blessed one?'

"Well, you're not the original blessed one, that's for sure. But seeing how I can feel her blood in you, that you'd mean that you're probably a descendant of hers."

"Okay... I'm more confused." Charlotte said.

"I suppose that's understandable." The raccoon spoke. "My words might sound bullshit for the uneducated. But I assure you that what I'm saying is true." The raccoon said with confidence.

"I-I guess I have no choice but to believe you. But still... Hero, Demon King, summoning's. How confusing."

"Hmmm... how odd." Hearing how Charlotte is still confused with what his saying, the raccoon grew suspicious. Wanting some conformation if his assumption is true, the raccoon then asked Charlotte a question. "Say kid, could explain to me, what's happening to your world."

"What?"

"Just anything, that you can say."

"Well... for starters, we currently live in peace I suppose. There's no ongoing wars and people living their lives normally."

"I see... then how about the dangers you encounter?"

"Monsters tend to wreak some havoc, but adventurers and the knight guards usually deal with those threats. And there's also banditry and other stuff."

"How about the demon threats, what about the hero?" The raccoon asked.

"Demons are classified as monsters, so adventurers and the kingdom's army and guards deal with those. As for the Hero you mention, I have no clue." Charlotte answered.

"How odd..." The raccoon said. "Then do you also know about the Demon King?"

"Not a single a clue." Charlotte replied.

.

.

"Last question, young miss. What year is it?"

"Well... its 1414 G.A. I think." Charlotte answered.

1414 G.A? The raccoon confusingly thought. How many years have passed since we defeated the Demon King?

Piecing together Charlotte's answers. The raccoon's assumption of what's happening was conformed. Despite Demon's existing in the people's mind, it seems that the public has no knowledge of what the Hero is and the Demon King. If such is the case, then how did the people in this world fought off the Demon King and its army, after the Hero returned to its world. The raccoon thought.

But with no answer in hand, the raccoon quickly thought of the worst-case scenario and grabbed Charlotte's hand. Confused as to where the raccoon is dragging her, Charlotte can't help but ask.

"U-umm... where are you taking me, sir raccoon?"

"You're having a hard time, believing my words, right?" The raccoon said. "So how about we just summon the Hero first. Maybe then you'll understand."

Arriving at the basement door, the raccoon magically phase through the locked door, which surprises Charlotte for a bit. After a few seconds of waiting, the locked basement door was suddenly opened with the raccoon on the other side. Inviting the young Charlotte to follow him, Charlotte was left with no choice but to follow the creature.

Making her way to the basement, what Charlotte saw a dark and dust filled place. Cob webs everywhere and abandoned things. But it was somewhat surprising for Charlotte to see the place was not cluttered with more things. Looking at a barrel filled with various items, Charlotte tried thinking of something to do with all the things. But before she can even start to think, she was quickly called by the raccoon.

"Hurry, young miss!" The raccoon shouted.

Leaving the items, for now. Charlotte then made her way to where the raccoon was. Arriving at the place, she saw a circle shaped diagram in the floor. Confused at what she's seeing, she then asked the fat raccoon.

"W-what's this?" Charlotte muttered.

"It's the summoning circle used to summon me." The raccoon answered. "But still thou... Are really you sure that you know nothing about this, young miss?"

"I'm certain." Charlotte answered.

"I guess, how this thing is made will remain a mystery for now." The raccoon said. "Now then, will you please bring me the mana dust, young miss."

"Mana dust?" Charlotte echoed.

"It's the one you're currently seeing in the floor." The raccoon answered. "I saw a bottle filled with those in a table not far from here. So, could you please bring those to me."

Following the raccoon's order, Charlotte then looked for the mentioned table. Not long after in her search, she saw a dusty wooden table with things in it. An ominous notebook covered in dust and a bottle filled with white like sand. Judging from its description, the bottle was probably the thing the raccoon was looking for. Charlotte thought.

But before she can grab the bottle, her attention was quickly allured by the ominous notebook. Out of curiosity, Charlotte then opened the notebook. What she was a ton of scribbled notes, from page to page. Reading the thing, she soon discovered that the thing is a diary.

"Huh!?... T-this is... Father's diary." Charlotte said.

Flipping from page to page, Charlotte carefully read the pages contents. What she found from reading the things are words detailing her Father's adventures when he was still an Adventurer. I never knew that Father would write such a thing. Charlotte thought. Thinking that her Father's diary might prove useful, she then grabbed the thing along with the bottle.

"I have the bottle your looking for." Charlotte exclaimed.

"That's good, young miss." The raccoon replied. Receiving the bottle from Charlotte's hands, the raccoon then carefully opened its lead with its tiny hand. Surprised to see the raccoon open the thing, Charlotte can't help but be impressed. With such cute hands, Charlotte was doubtful that the creature would even open the bottle.

"So, what are going to do with the it." Charlotte questioned.

"We'll be making a summoning circle for the Hero Summoning." The raccoon answered. "So please prepare yourself for the ritual."

Now that they have arrived in the summoning phase, Charlotte can't help but get worried. She still hasn't understood much of what's happening. Yet she's complying to every word that raccoon has told her to do.

"U-umm... why are we doing this again?" Charlotte worriedly asked.

"Because I was summoned here, that would mean that the Demon King has also risen. Such threat being present in this world, we would need someone to oppose it." The raccoon answered.

"Hearing you say those words. I still find it really hard to believe it."

"Again, I find it understandable." The raccoon said. "But you'll believe soon enough."

Brushing the circle off using its tail, the circle's remnants was quickly erased. With a now clearer floor, the racoon masterfully creates another circle diagram. Proud of its work, the raccoon then summoned a bright looking stone out of nowhere. Which he carefully placed at the circle's middle.

Finished with its preparation, the raccoon then called Charlotte to begin the ritual.

"S-so... what now?" Charlotte asked.

"I'm already finished with the preparation, so all that is needed to do is to begin the ritual." The raccoon answered.

"And how are we going to do that?"

"Nothing much. Just drop some blood at the thing and the ritual will naturally commence." The raccoon said.

"B-blood?" Charlotte echoed with a worried look.

"No need to be afraid, young miss." The raccoon spoke. "It nothing lethal, I assure you. Just one drop and you'll be fine."

"O-okay..."

Trusting the raccoon's words, Charlotte then prepared herself. Biting from one of her fingers, she was able to make a small wound. With a sharp sting of a pain lingering in her finger, she then looked at the fat raccoon. Seeing the raccoon invite her to drop her blood, she then brought her hand in the beautifully drawn circle and await for a blood to drop. After a few seconds of waiting, a small drop of blood forms from her small finger, which clutches firmly like an insect. Shaking her small hand, the blood from her wound then formed a droplet, which quietly fell to the drawn circle.

With the task completed, she worriedly awaits for the results.

.

.

"U-umm..." Confused as to why nothing was happening, Charlotte tried asking the raccoon. But before she can even open her mouth. The circle diagram suddenly burst with a bright light, which caught Charlotte off-guard.

Falling in the floor, due to being surprised. Charlotte felt a painful feeling in her crack. But despite said pain, her focus was entirely at the glowing light. Such a bright and colorful light, allures the young Charlotte. She even felt like touching the thing. But seeing the raccoon focused on a chant, she decided to hold her urges and just watch the thing.

Not long after the ritual, a silhouette of man was formed from inside the circle. Dazzled at what she was seeing, Charlotte can feel herself holding her breath. Such sight is so shocking for her young mind, that she can't help but feel like everything that just happened was a dream.

"Oh, Hero from another world, please answer my call." The raccoon chanted.

With the bright ritual light suddenly bursting once more. The unsuspecting Charlotte was blinded with the blast. Brushing off her eyes, she saw that bright lights from the ritual was no more. Not far from where she sits is a man dressed in odd clothes. Confused as to who the man was, Charlotte then said these words.

"W-who are you?"

-End