Chapter 6: Summoning of the Heroes II

Point of View: Kaori TanakaThe morning sun touched my skin, and footsteps echoed in the room as I curled deeper into the blanket. The sound of blinds opening made the light even more unbearable, forcing my eyes to squint. The fresh morning air filled my lungs, but all I could think was, "Mom, just five more minutes…" I grunted and buried my face in the pillow, which, for some reason, felt softer than usual."Miss, His Majesty is waiting," a completely unfamiliar voice echoed beside the bed."Whose Majesty?" I murmured, confused. I suddenly opened my eyes and sat up in bed, staring at the surroundings around me. This wasn't my room.I was in a large bed, in a gigantic room. The ceiling and walls were made of gray stone, while the floor gleamed with a white, smooth marble-like stone. To the left of the bed was a polished redwood desk, and at the center of the room stood a small table surrounded by two velvet red armchairs."Was I… kidnapped?" I gasped, quickly rising and using the bed as a barrier between myself and the strange woman. She was dressed like a maid, in an outfit that reminded me of those themed cafés that otakus love to visit. However, she wasn't young like the staff at those cafés. She appeared to be around forty, with blonde hair neatly tied up in a bun, and her eyes conveyed a sense of severity."Don't worry, young lady. Everything will be explained shortly," the woman said, her tone firm yet respectful. "Please, follow me."I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding. My gaze scanned the room again, trying to find any clue of where I was or how I had ended up here. Feeling that I had little choice, I took a cautious step forward, still keeping the bed between us."If this is some kind of joke or prank, I swear it's not funny…" I muttered, trying to stay calm, though my trembling voice betrayed me. The woman didn't respond. She simply turned and walked toward the door, gesturing for me to follow.The hallway was well-lit; statues of armored figures and framed paintings adorned the space, showcasing figures I had never seen before in my life. After passing through the hallway, we descended a staircase that led us to an exit. As we walked through a stone archway, I couldn't help but notice the courtyard's decorations, with fountains and flowers arranged artfully.But something felt off. I felt strange, like I wasn't myself. My hands seemed smaller, my height different, even the way I walked felt abnormal. I was wearing a white tunic that the woman had provided. Moreover, this place didn't resemble Japan in any way. Maybe it was some ancient castle in the West.We entered another building, walking through another beautifully decorated corridor. However, the people in the paintings of this space were all men, and they shared physical similarities. I noticed that the frames had inscriptions written in a language that wasn't Japanese, but oddly enough, I could understand it.The guards in the hallways watched us with curious gazes, but none of them spoke. It was as if I was a stranger, someone who didn't belong here. Their silence only heightened the feeling that I was trapped in a nightmare.Stopping in front of an ornate door, the woman pushed it open firmly and gestured for me to enter.Hesitant, I stepped through the entrance, scanning my surroundings. There were people dressed extravagantly, as if in an old-fashioned ball. The hall was vast, with six marble pillars extending from floor to ceiling along the sides, leaving a red carpet that led directly to a throne at the end of the space.The man seated on the throne was tall and robust, appearing to be about fifty years old. His hair was completely white and spiked, and he wore a gray tunic adorned with golden details, with white feathers around his neck."Welcome to Calyndor, great heroine. I am King Eryndor, of the Valier royal family." His eyes locked onto mine with intensity. What was I supposed to do in a situation like this? Kneel? King? Heroine?"What kind of nonsense is this?" I questioned, even more confused."Oh, great heroine, you have been chosen to save this world from a dark threat. They call themselves the Lords. For this fight, you have been blessed with a new body that possesses abilities beyond those of an ordinary human. We offer you all the necessary support to help you develop and become strong enough to face our adversaries."What was he saying? None of it made sense. What place in the world was Calyndor? Why was he doing some kind of fantasy role-play?"I don't want to play this game. I want to go home.""I understand your confusion, but if you are here, it means you died in your world. There is no home to return to." He gestured with his hand, and the maid approached, carrying a cushion with a small silver mirror."Take it," she said, extending the mirror.Reluctantly, I took the object and looked at my reflection. A blonde child with green eyes stared back at me. There was no trace of my old brown hair. This person… isn't me.Did I really die? What happened to my mom? I never got to say goodbye… Does she know what happened to me? The thought of never seeing her face again, of never feeling the warmth of her embrace… made me feel as if a part of me was disappearing.