"What the... you... You're Kenji, aren't you?"

"You... you're Akira!"

The man rushes forwards and gives me a hug.

To my displeasure, I might add, since:

1. I only like hugs from attractive females, preferably ones with big boobs

2. I hate this guy.

"I'd never expect to see you here! So you got transported to this world too, huh?" he says with that annoying smile of his after he finishes his hug with me.

Yes, this is Kenji. My classmate, sadly enough.

Definitely not my friend, though he might act all friendly friendly to me.

"Y-yeah, I-I suppose." I respond groggily.

"Man, isn't this awesome? Now we two can save this world together from the Demon Lord!"

This guy... this guy is definitely annoying.

And now, Fate has decided to bring him here too.

Just my luck.

"Oh? I see you two have known each other." The girl behind him speaks.

She wears a modest and long white robe decorated with curious blue lines. Her hair is silver, and it goes up until her waist both at the front and on the back. She has a short stature like that of a child.

Wait, her face! I recognize her from somewhere!

Oh yeah, she's the empress of the Human Empire!

Human Empire, as opposed to the Human Kingdom that summoned me, is another human faction in the game. However, they differ quite greatly from the Human Kingdom. First of all, they have an official religion where they worship the so-called Queen of Eternity, They claim she was the creator of the world and the mother to all, and that she ruled at the era where the civilization of Phantasma still existed. They also claim that their rulers are reincarnations of said Queen, backed by the fact that all their rulers have the ability to use psychic powers whom they say are exclusive to the Queen.

So this little girl here is pretty much a demigod at her country.

"What? What are you looking at?"

"Oh, pardon me. It's just that your beauty has charmed me, Your Highness."

"Liar."

H-how cold.

Now that's odd. The empress I know of wouldn't act this way. She was characterized in the game as an insecure girl who's just a puppet of the archbishop.

Now she has become a much more confident person.

"So, I assume you're the Human Kingdom's summoned Hero?"

"Indeed, my lady. My name is--"

"Akira. I already know that. Kenji here has already told me all about you. And yes, that includes your unusual... fascination with women.""

I glare at that buffoon. Don't tell me he's been talking badly about me behind my back to her?

"Anyway, why don't you introduce me to those two behind you?"

"Ah, yes, this one with the knight outfit is Eleanore, one of the Royal Knights of our kingdom. The other one wearing a dress is Lilia, the second princess."

"I see." She eyes the two of them with a look of disapproval.

"S-something wrong?" Lilia asks.

"Well, pleased to meet you both." She does a curtsy, ignoring Lilia's question. "Now, I suppose it is common courtesy to introduce ourselves too. I am Slyphia, the empress of the Human Empire, and Kenji here is a Hero that I have summoned from the other world."

"A-another Hero?" Eleanore is shocked.

"Yes. I decided to take this action after your Hero stole the legendary Phantasma shield from the Maze of Air."

"Wait, stole? I get that fair and square!" I protest.

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"Yes, stole. I am the reincarnation of the Queen of Eternity of the Phantasma, thus anything that the Phantasma owned belongs to me."

What an arrogant kid! What happened to the insecure empress? Is she some kind of impostor or something?

"So, I decided that I need my own Hero to combat yours. And this boy named Kenji answered my call."

"W-well, actually, it's more like she just spirited me away without my permission, while I'm sleeping no less..." Kenji interjects.

"Nonsense." She turns her glare at Kenji. "You said it yourself that you're really grateful I have summoned you to this world."

"Y-yeah, t-that's true, but.--"

"Anyway, back to my story. That's not the only reason I summoned him however, I need his strength to fight off the invading army of the Demon Lord and his half-beast allies. Like your kingdom, mine is also under relentless assault by the demons. Just a few moments back, we ended up with a fight against one of their Demon Princess. A really unpleasant woman, that one. Obsessed with battle and strength, she really took a liking to my Hero. Luckily, we were able to drive her off, though I doubt that would be the last time we fought her."

"So, why are you here then, in our territory? Shouldn't you be defending your own instead?" Eleanore asks with a suspicious tone.

"Simple. From my spies I've heard that a young Demon Princess had made her nest here. As she is young, I presume that she will be easier to defeat than that unpleasant woman. And I also wish to test out the item I obtain from the Phantasma ruin we just cleared."

"W-wait, you cleared a Phantasma ruin?"

"Indeed. It's an easy task for someone born with the blood of the Phantasma after all. Oh, and don't bother begging for me to show you the item. How foolish do you think I am to show my trump card to my enemies just like that?"

T-this little girl. I think I'm beginning to hate her.

What a spoiled little brat.

"So, where's the Demon Princess? Or should I assume that you three have subjugated her?"

"W-well, a-about that... We kinda let her get away. A-Akira-sama almost defeated her though!" Lilia answers nervously., which earns a sigh from the little brat.

"I would hold that against you if I didn't let my own Demon Princess to run away. What a shame. All the journey here for nothing."

"H-hey, that's not true! We meet Akira after all!" Kenji tries to cheer her up.

"Hmph, I suppose so, though I would never expect a sad person like him would be a Hero of all people."

"H-hey, d-don't insult Akira-sama!" Lilia shouts angrily.

Oh, thank you, Lilia! I said to myself.

"And what's wrong with you? You're the princess and you're speaking as if he's your master and not the way around."

"N-no! H-Hero-sama has helped Lilia lots of times! I-I can't think of him as my subordinate!"

Oh, Lilia! You're so kind!

"Hmph, what a joke. If I have a daughter, I will make sure to teach her not to the place herself below others."

"Come, Kenji. I have no more intention to talk with these people."

"S-see you later, Akira! Eat well! And stop being such a pervert!"

Those two. They're the perfect pair to annoy the hell out of me.

With a flash of light they're both gone from my sight.