Eve marvelled at the beautiful city laid out before her. Pillars of white held up many grandiose buildings of marble and stone. The streets were clean and organised, and the people were all bustling and happy. The children who frolicked through the crowd were especially pleasant sights.

"This is our capital, dear Heroes," Livia spoke as she sipped on a cup of tea. The carriage that they rode on barely shook as it travelled through the city. "We are followers of the Eye. A God who grants us foresight and wisdom so long as we govern our subjects correctly. We must act in a way that is pleasing to Them, construct a city that fits Their Holy Vision. And, after generations upon generations of hard work, this is the world we were able to build."

"A place where evil is punished and good is rewarded... Is that it?" Havesch asked from the side. A gleam flashed through his eyes like the bright rays of hope in a child's gaze.

"That is indeed so," Livia smiled, "The law of the empire is firm and unyielding. It is fair and just, all under the orders of the Ear, with the Eye as our intercessor."

"Gasp! Can I play too?" Mira spoke, almost launching herself out of her seat. The games that the children were playing piqued her interest. The smile on her face at this moment was full of splendour, and the shine in her eyes could make any dragon waver in their choices.

Livia chuckled, caressing the head of the child.

"Go ahead. A world is only worth saving if it is dear to one's self." Eve nodded, "Of course, that is only if Princess Livia allows it."

Mira turned her head to the woman who patted her head. "May I?"

"You may, little one."

The door thus opened up, and Mira dashed out. It left the four in the carriage at a loss for words.

Lior, whose expression was crumpled, darkened further when he saw this. He agreed with Eve's words. Unfortunately for him, this world wasn't his own. Why would he want to be a Hero in an unfamiliar land?

Livia saw this, and shook her head slightly. Familiar was the arrogance of a teenager. It seemed to be the same, even in the world of Heroes.

"Oh!" Eve perked up as her eyes spotted certain establishment. "Is that... a café?"

Livia blinked, "It is, dear Hero. Would you like to have a taste of our local drinks? I promise, at least, that the tea is something that will soothe your soul."

"Mister Havesch, Mister Lior," Eve smiled, "Would you two like to accompany the Princess and I?"

Havesch huffed, "My interest lies elsewhere, though I am grateful for the offer. Perhaps we should split up for now. We can reconvene here after a few hours."

Lior sighed, "Let's do that. Sitting in this carriage is boring. I'm going to look for something fun to do."

Thus, the four Heroes explored the empire's capital. Eve and Livia spent their time tasting pastries and drinking tea. Their conversations revolved around a variety of things, from their favourite beverages to the governance of countries. Given their similar age, they were able to converse quite well. Livia was surprised at how educated Eve was, despite the simple clothes she wore.

'She is no noble, and yet conducts herself better than one.'

Meanwhile, Havesch returned to the group covered in bruises and small wounds. He had visited the arena to compete in some friendly matches. He was able to glimpse at the combat prowess of the people of this world.

[Name: Havesch Su]

[Age: 38]

[Title: Hero of Fire]

[Level: 0]

[Class: Brawler]

[Strength: 16]

[Agility: 9]

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[Defense: 13]

[Mana: 5]

[Skills: Hotblooded]

[Physique: Hero's Constitution]

His status had already undergone a change, and he accepted it with a smile.

As for Lior, he returned after a long walk. He had done nothing in particular, other than observe. This allowed him to calm down a bit, and his mental state began to stabilise. The realisation of being in a world far from the things he loved was now cementing itself in his mind.

'They should really figure out a more conscientious summoning system. At least allow me to prepare before I say yes.'

These were his thoughts.

Last but not the least was Mira.

She played for hours on end and made many friends. The other kids instantly accepted her presence, and they all went around the city to have fun. The energy reserves of children was a bottomless pit.

"...Mira! You're sweaty and dirty!" Eve squeezed Mira's cheeks, "You need to shower when we get back to the palace."

Overall, the Heroes enjoyed their first day in the Empire.

This was indeed a world worth saving.

...

I discovered a uniqueness with my power.

By closing one eye, and keeping the other one open, I can have a glimpse of the dark side of this city. The crumbling buildings and the beggars sitting on the curb. Homeless people lied on the streets as shining knights marched through. Two opposing aspects residing as two different sides of the same coin, superimposed upon each other, unable to interact.

"This..."

I could not believe what I was seeing. The minutes, the hours, the day itself flew by, feeling like an eternal dream. Ever since the arrival of my memories, the visions began and had never stopped. I could feel my mind being thrown into disarray.

Were those truly my own memories of a life I once lived?

Had it been visions that were simply more vivid than the ones now?

Who was I, really?

A social outcast, shunned by the people for living a privilaged life?

Someone ignored by the Gods?

I was no longer sure about anything.

I could feel my sanity slipping. My grasp on what I knew and felt grew weak. As if the flesh in my body was melting and my bones crumbling to dust.

Yet, I continued to walk forward.

I ventured deep into the neglected corners of the city, with one eye closed and the other one open. The bustling main streets turned desolate and lonely. Or peaceful and tranquil.

It all depended on which world my gaze fell upon.

Is this what the Eye desired? Or was this a culmination of humanity's desire to please the Gods?

My eyes began to blur.

I cast aside my mantle, my robe, and my jewellery. I walked until I reached the towering city wall. I walked through gates, hiding amidst the common populace. The clamour of carriages and the wheezing of horses breezed past my face, dirtying my white garments with dust and soil.

The other world was now a desolate street filled with the homeless. Ruined buildings and a wall of nothing but rubble stretched out as far as the eye could see. People fought for their lives just beyond the gate, slaying the monsters that existed only in their side of the world. They lost limbs, fell under the pressure, and were slain by the endless duress of humanoid monstrosities.

For the second time today, I found myself frozen in shock.

The world I knew wasn't anything like the one I was seeing now.

Had I finally lost my mind?

No...

I wasn't about to turn a blind eye. I watched as life after life was brutally sacrificed in a place where no one would ever recognise their efforts. Hidden from the beautiful utopia of the empire's capital was a hellscape made so that no tainted being would ever touch us.

For the first time in my life, I felt a powerful emotion rise within me. These people... dying at my feet while I stood in a beautiful grassy plain where children frolicked about, flying their kites and playing to their hearts content.

These people... suffering underneath a dreary grey sky while I allowed the beautiful sun grace me with its warmth.

This world...

"It's just like mine,"

Imperfect.

"Disgusting,"

I closed both of my eyes, fully immersing myself in the life of someone else. While the real world slowed to a stop, the visions rushed forward in full force.

A young boy, about my current age. Growing up in swamp-like sewers, feeding on rats and insects. His teeth was a pale, malnourished yellow. His hair couldn't even grow properly, sprouting like weeds on his head.

His eyes were dull, surviving only because his mother was lying beside him, coughing out blood every few hours.

With his hands cupped, he would feed her soft food he found from the trash dump nearby. His sister would look at him in envy, wishing that she, too, could have some food to eat.

Yet he was starving as well.

"Why would you leave us behind, Father?"

"WHY?!"

"For those bastards in heaven?!"

—BOOM!

I watched as a bolt of blood-red lighting shot down from the sky.

An infernal scream shook the world, scratched out from a bleeding throat. The boy was turned to cinders. His final moments spent gazing at the heavens with a hateful glare.

If he was given another moment to speak, he would have wished for the world to be destroyed.

Yet no one was there to hear him. No one was there to see his end.

There was only me.

Only I had witnessed his unfortunate demise.

“Fear Them, for They know your every move.”

I opened my eyes once more, and the beautiful, colourful world blanketed my sight. Yet, after experiencing another person's life, no matter how short, painted an emotion within.

The depths of my gaze was thus,

[ Pity ]

The same words sprouted from my lips.

"No such beauty can exist without the sacrifice of a soul."

In my mind, I continued my statement. A murky yet firm resolve had solidified within my mind.

'No longer will I live in ignorance. I pity this world beneath the gaze of the Gods. I pity all those who have no way to escape the shackles of heaven.'

'I pity them all.'

This world was not worth saving.

"And so am I,"