Currently, I am in a dimly lit room deep in the dungeons of the palace. Though I say dungeons, this room is built much more luxurious — I could say it is similar to the prince’s chamber — and it can only be said to be spatially near the dungeons, but not related to it at all. I am in the Hero summoning.

«...Roses are red — Violets are blue — Come oh hero — We summon you»

Our court mages were sweating profusely as they seemed to have finished their chant. The aria took almost half an hour to recite and they did it perfectly. They’re court mages after all. Most of it was unintelligible blabber to me, but those last words... must be my imagination.

“My lord, should I get them something to drink?”

“Wait Cleph, it’s almost time. You have a duty here”

“! My apologies!”

Cleph asks me as the rune on the floor starts glowing in divine blue. She has been my aide for a few months now, and though she’s excellent in her work, she has a way to be randomly clumsy to the point I sometimes think she may be possessed by a foolish ghost. Or is it an intelligent ghost and her real self comes out by chance?

Nevertheless, she can’t leave from here right now. The mages look exhausted but they have to bear it for now. Some of them seem to be glaring at me as I ruined their chance to be served refreshments by their lovely Cleph... but I ignore them. Fools, a true man knows that small breasts are—. Anyway, her duty is here. She and Janr standing on my other side, he is necessary as well.

The dazzling glow in the room made it seem as though a thousand candles burned on my eyes, and I reflexively held my hand up. Soon after, as the shine was dying down, I peered at the fruits of our (the mages’) labor. The figure was clad in blue and had human shape. The sex was unknown as the figure undulated as if waves from a tiny sea was covering its body. Soon after, the waves also calmed and the shape, his shape was revealed.

Congratulations! It’s a boy! I was reminded of the cliche line a healer says to all the new fathers, but I don’t have any special emotion towards the summoned hero. I must be fairly excited too.

The blue fades and he appears to look at us— No, his eyes are open, but there’s no light in them. Cleph beside me looks anxious and slightly panicked. Why are you so worked up? The mages briefed us on the process remember? Janr on the other side looks same as usual, but I sense a hint of disappointment. After all, he lucked out this time. A moment after, light returns into the hero’s eyes as if his soul was inserted in.

“!? Wha—”

“Welcome oh hero, to our great kingdom of Albla— Albama!”

Please don’t bite your tongue on the country’s name. Cleph gave the hero his first words coming to our world. The reason I, the minister, didn’t address him foremost despite being the highest ranked in the room, it’s because of appeal.

It has been recorded that heroes will often respond well to someone attractive. Thus, we prepared Cleph and Janr. They’re both my excellent aides, but also, a pair of extremely handsome man and woman. The hero was a man, so we responded with Cleph. He could have been of that kind of taste, we couldn’t simply ask him, so there was an element of risk as well but— Looks like it’s a success. The boy’s completely mesmerized.

Stolen story; please report.

“He,llo. I... have a lot of questions, but am I in a different world?”

“Y-Yes, this is likely a world much different from where you are from, but please be at ease! We do not have any intention to harm you. In fact, you are our esteemed guest and we will go meet the King and— Ah! Cleph, my name is Cleph Bonfoix, an aide of the minister, this is Minister Crem Tonnere!”

The boy seems to have guessed his situation somewhat. That was a surprise. How would he know this is another world? Well, it doesn’t matter, the summoned beings, the Testers are always mysterious.

But that Cleph, just what are you doing girl! Should I fire you? She must have been surprised by the hero’s insightful reply, panicked, and started to ramble on about our whole itinerary. We planned to take things a bit slower, but it seems like I have to take charge now. She introduced me going in the flow so it’s good timing.

“Welcome, esteemed hero. I am Crem Tonnere, serving as minister of this kingdom of Albama. Please call me Crem. I’m sure you may be confused or scared suddenly coming here, but as Cleph here said, we mean no ill will, and we hope you will cooperate with us as a hero. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask me, or my two aides Cleph, and Janr anything.”

I think that should get the message across. We need to have him willingly come to us, otherwise, this whole thing would be a magnificent waste of time and resources. I can almost see the treasurer eating me away with her complaints. But if the hero shows his ability... He’s, awfully quiet. Looking carefully, he seems to be wary of me. If asked whether it was expected, then yes, it was indeed expected. My face is said to be scarier than someone using the Fear spell.

“... ... Is this supposed to be a fantasy world?”

“That is probably correct. We know the term Fahntashi implies the existence of Magic and Monsters. We have such things in this world. Does that answer your question?”

“Y-Yeah. So it’s like that. Fantasy world summonning huh...”

I directed my glance at Janr, and understanding my intentions, he nodded and answered him. A very, dry tone. But the hero seemed to be relieved directing his attention from me to Janr. It’s good news, but I’m a bit hurt. That being said, things sure are progressing fast. We may have gotten someone incredible. Surely the next thing he will ask about is,

“... So, what’s this green thing in the corner there? Don’t tell me—”

“Ahr-Pii-Gee! It’s the Ahr-Pii-Gee Gehm right? That green icon is the First-timers Dot. It will disappear after the first time you use the Menu. Ah, you can use your Menu by saying or thinking Menu. Please give it a tr—”

“Woahh!”

He seems to be excited with the Menu. Cleph is the one who answered him this time, but he was already busy saying things, moving his fingers around, and sometimes looked like he was concentrating. ... What is this? He’s figuring out all the methods of accessing the Menu in mere seconds? Just, what is, a hero?

Still, that Cleph, and Janr too. It’s Fantasy and RPG Game. You two need to revise your Tester Terms. You better be ready when we get back up to the palace. Speaking of which, we should really make our way there. The mages seem to have regained enough energy to walk, and we mustn’t keep his highness waiting too long. But before that, or rather, we should have done this first,

“Esteemed hero! Please tell us your name”

I try to gloss it over with an excited tone, but no good, my face has him in shivers again. But, he calms down and looks a bit downwards, focusing directly in front of him.

“...Name: Dark Reaper 666... ”