“ “ (name) is normal conversation.
[ ] (name) is a person's thoughts.
< > (name) is conversation through device or telepathy.
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Currently, within a room that seems to be used for reception are eight people. Sitting on a couch in the middle are the five youths. Sitting across from the youths is the Pope of Light Abednego. Standing behind the pope are two people from the group of seven earlier, one man and one woman.
After healing Lee, the pope had told the four to follow him. When they reluctantly followed they were lead to this room. When they entered, the pope whispered to two among the group of seven, the seven people turned out to be cardinals, and then those two plus three others left leaving only the last two to stay with the pope.
When we reached the room Lee woke up and when she noticed that she was being carried by Salvador in princess style she blushed up to her ears and it gave off the image that steam was coming off her head.
When she heard what had happened to her she became terrified. However, when Salvador told her what the pope had done for her she had profusely thanked him over and over again.
When they were all seated one of the cardinals, the man with a pair of two-inch horns protruding from his forehead and looked the same age as the pope, served tea, while the women, who had pointed ears and green hip length hair who looked to be in her late thirties, served snacks.
When everything was placed on the table the two cardinals once again moved back to the side of the pope, the man on the right and women on the left, and for some reason, they started at Lyle.
The pope picked his cup of tea and took a sip. When he noticed that none of the five teens moved the pope gestured to them showing that they can take some. Seeing that they were still reluctant to take anything the pope smiled and spoke.
"Don't worry they're not poisoned, after saying your friends what would be the point in harming you. Plus it tastes great, so don't hesitate and try some." (Pope)
After saying that the pope went back to drink his tea. After some hesitation, the group decided to take the tea and snacks placed before them. When they took a sip of the tea a bitter flavor spread through their mouths. The bitter flavor complemented the sweet scent the tea gave off.
As they continued to drink and eat snack the pope started smiling and chuckled while looking at Lyle. Seeing the popes gaze land on him Lyle couldn't help but be confused and ask nervously.
"What are you staring at?" (Lyle)
In response, the pope chuckled.
"It's not much, just that it's been awhile since I last saw someone eat and drink with a mask on."
After hearing that his mask was still on Lyle realized why both the pope and cardinals were staring at him. When he tried to remove the mask, no matter what he did it would not budge. Seeing that he was having trouble Marc and Salvador tried to help him remove it but instead of the mask coming off it felt like his face was about to tear off. Lyle quickly screamed.
"Stop, STOP, gahhhhhah, that hurt. Why's it not coming off." (Lyle)
Seeing that the mask wasn't coming off the other's became confused. Seeing this as well the pope became curious and spoke up.
"Let me see it. I have seen a similar case in the past when someone was summoned with a mask and could not remove it." (Pope)
With what the pope said Lyle looked at him. When he looked the pope directly in the eyes he noticed that the pope's iris's turned golden. When one looked into them it gave them the feeling of insignificance and minisculality and their very being was being seen through.
When the other four looked into the pope's eyes they also felt awe and at the same time some unknown fear.
After a few seconds went by of the pope looking at Lyle he once again leaned back in his chair and sighed. His eyes also returned to their original green color. He spoke.
"There seems to be some type of magic on the mask. It was probably placed when you all were summoned here." (Pope)
"To remove it we will need a certain device that is not in our possession at the moment. We will take you all to the place where the device is located a bit later." (Pope)
Seeing that the group had blank looks on their faces the pope became confused until Lee muttered ‘magic?' Upon hearing this the pope had a realization.
"That's right, in your world, magic is not commonplace, in fact, it is extremely rare and unknown to the populace of your planet." (Pope)
"Well magic is what we call the ability to guide, altar, and bend the concepts of this world, or in some cases, depending on the magic, shatter them." (Pope)
Before the pope could continue with his explanation of magic Marc butt in
"Wait, your mentioning of magic reminded me, where are we and what happened?"
At what Marc said the pope made a complex face.
"Well as I said before you all are in the world of Alderaan and we are currently within the main headquarters of the Church of Alma. Alderaan is what people from your world would call a world of sword and magic, however unlike your concept of a world of sword and magic." (Pope)
"There are eight races in Alderaan spread out on the five continents, Una(U-Na), Igles(Ig-Les), Umbra(Um-Bra), Trea(Tre-A), and the one we're currently on Adeeren(A-Dee-Ren)." (Pope)
"Each continent has various different Kingdoms and Empires except Una which has neither." (Pope)
When the pope had finished speaking the group of five felt mixed emotions for various different reasons and even though the pope seemed to have noticed that he didn't comment on it which was most likely because he was being thoughtful towards them. He then continued.
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"As for the reason you all are here, even I do not know." (Pope)
Hearing the pope say that the five became distraught and started to barrage him with various questions.
"What do you mean you don't know!?" (Lee)
"Yea, we were ‘summoned' into your domain and you don't know the reason why!?" (Elizabeth)
"If you don't know ‘exactly' why then you must have some guesses, right?" (Salvador)
"It's not some reason like saving humanity from the demon king is it?" (Marc)
Upon being barraged with their questions and having to deal with their attitude that was clearly disrespectful towards someone of his level, even though the two cardinal seemed to be greatly agitated by this show of disrespect, the pope stayed calm and replied.
"There is a demon emperor in this world but he is not evil, in fact, I rather consider him to be a big lovable buffoon, he is extremely doting towards his family and caring towards his friends. In fact, if it wasn't for how reliable his wife and children are I believe the demon empire wouldn't be as prosperous as today." (Pope)
Although the first part was said aloud and everyone heard what was said, when the pope mentioned the prosperity of the Demon Empire and the Demon Emperor's lack of ability to govern his own empire it was only heard by the two cardinals behind the pope who made wry smiles and sighed as if remembering the demon king's antics, especially Sparta who was of the lord race himself.
"In Alderaan, there is no ‘evil' race, there are only evil people." (Pope)
"However, there was the ‘War of Races' that happened ten years ago but it was quickly settled with the summoning of the hero ‘Kaiser'." (Pope)
"‘War of Races'? What's that? And who's this ‘Hero Kaiser'?" (Lee)
"The ‘War of Races' started ten years ago. It was a war that engulfed the entire world that was started by the two twin sister goddesses Alma and Adreanna. In it, the world was split in two, the Demos and the Alliance. In this world, there is a total of eight races, which are Dragons, Dwarves, Lords, Beastmen, Elves, Fairy, Humans, and the Fallen. The Demos side consisted of the Dragons, Lords, and Dwarves while the Alliance consisted of Humans, Fairies, Beastmen, and Elves . In this war, most of the Fallen had taken a neutral standing. The hero defeated and befriended the strongest fighter and leader of the Demos and made the two sides, The Demos and The Alliance, enter peace. However, even if it was a war that split the world in half it didn't matter for the war was only a game which the gods started, and since no one perished in it the participants never held animosity towards the gods for starting it." (Pope)
When the pope answered he was staring at the group of five the whole time and he noticed that the more he continued the more their faces started to light up excitement. When he saw that he became amused and decided to continue.
"The reason the war was started was because we, their followers had received an order that stated ‘Thou shall all represent one of us in the upcoming war and fight for our victory. However, never fear for whoever shall participate in this war even in death shall not perish for we shall not allow it. Those who do perish, their souls will be sent to our domains where they will watch the remainder of the war and after a victor is decided, those who had perished shall be returned to their homeland unscathed and unharmed. In this war, the victorious side will be granted prosperity while the loser shall not gain a thing.'" (Pope)
"Since this was an order by the goddess and also since there was nothing to lose, only gain, what reason was there to refuse. However, because the Alliance still did not wish to lose they summoned the hero ‘Kaiser', or at least that is what he named himself as, to assist them. When the Demos side heard of the summoning of the hero they had used an ancient magic on their leader and strongest warrior, the Dragon Empress, who originally was already extremely powerful, to gain even more power and nearly ascend into godhood." (Pope)
"When the Alliance heard of the Demos side using the ancient magic they sent a proposition towards the Demos. The proposition stated that the hero and dragon empress fight representing their own sides and the victor of said fight would decide the victor of the war. When the Demos received this proposition they accepted." (Pope)
"After the proposition was accepted the battle happened on a secluded island off the coast of Una. The Dragon Empress and the Hero fought for seven days and night until the morning of the eighth day, when even with her boost in power, the Dragon Empress lost the battle." (Pope)
"Their fight was shown to the whole world. It was so immense and enthralling, as well as one of the most amazing things I have ever seen." (Pope)
The pope had said that with an excited tone while if one looked closely they would also notice that the two cardinals eyes showed the same feeling.
"How big was this fight truly?" (Marc)
"The fight was so grand that the island they fought on crumbled and sank to the bottom of the sea with no traces of it remaining. The world would have lost that island if the hero ‘Kaiser' had not felt bad and decided to fix the destruction their fight caused." (Pope)
Upon hearing this Elizabeth whose curiosity was peaked asked the pope.
"An island crumbled and sunk to the bottom of the sea with no traces remaining. How did he fix it!? Using magic?" (Elizabeth)
In response, the pope chuckled.
"Yes, he used a magic to restore the island but since it was no longer connected to the tectonic plates of the planet it would have sunk again if the Hero had not given it the ability to fly in the air. The method he used, I can not say." (Pope)
"He even built a magic academy on the island, that, with the help and backing of many powerful people and organizations, has now become the top magic academy in this world. Alas, that was nine years ago and the hero has now returned home." (Pope)
The last thing the pope said was with a look of nostalgia on his face and a mix of emotions within his eyes.
However, the group of five did not seem to notice this because.
"He returned home, wasn't he summoned, though?" (Marc)
To Mark's question, the pope smiled.