Chapter 2

Suddenly, I, Kato Tarou (41 years old, single, and a section chief at my company), was summoned to a world filled with deserts as a "Reformer," but it seems I did not meet the king's expectations.

The king said he would provide minimal support, but since he had no further business with me, I was told to leave. It seems he no longer wanted to see my face. If I were young and handsome, it might have been different, but since I was summoned here unjustly, I had no obligation to meet their demands.

A male noble who explained the situation to me earlier also left the king's presence and ended up taking care of me. As soon as we were alone, he apologized to me.

If I hadn't claimed to be a noble, he might not have apologized so sincerely, given that he is also a noble. It seems that pretending to be a noble, even if it was a bluff, was a good decision. Also, having a last name is proving to be very useful right now.

"Tarou-dono, may I introduce myself... You are a noble, aren't you? That's why you are wearing such fine clothes, I see."

"Yes, well..."

I was summoned while I was sleeping, so my current attire is just a set of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. They don't look particularly noble, but the purple color of the sweatshirt seems to have made a good impression. In this world, purple is a noble color, just like in old Japan. Wearing purple as my sleepwear led to the misunderstanding that I am indeed a noble. The king was angry that I, a noble from another world, was wearing purple without permission, especially since I am an unimpressive middle-aged man.

"I would prefer it if you didn't walk around outside the castle in that outfit."

"I was summoned suddenly, so I don't have any other clothes."

"Of course, we will provide you with new clothes. There are other matters to discuss, so please come with me."

The noble led me to a room inside the castle.

"Let me introduce myself again. I am Leible Stein, a baron and a financial bureaucrat in the Kingdom of Bato. I don't have a fief, but my position is hereditary."

He looks like a typical middle manager, and as a section chief who often finds myself caught between my superiors and subordinates, I felt a sense of kinship with him. He seemed to be a kindred spirit, and we are about the same age.

"Baron Stein..."

"You don't need to use 'sama.' After all, you are a noble. By the way, what is your rank?"

"I am a baron, but I don't have a fief."

I was going to bluff and say I was a knight, the lowest rank, but since I am wearing purple, it would have been unnatural. So, I decided to say I am a baron, the same as Baron Stein, to make things easier.

"Since we are both barons, you don't need to use 'sama.'"

"Then, Baron Stein, what will happen to me from now on?"

"You will undergo basic training for about a month to raise your level."

"Level?"

"In your world, levels don't exist, do they?"

"No, we don't have such a concept."

"I see... That will be quite challenging."

"Yes... (Actually, it's not that big of a deal...)"

It feels like a role-playing game I played as a child. Raising levels and all that.

"Reformers possess talents, skills, and abilities that are not found in the people of this world, but without training, they are no different from ordinary people."

So, for about a month, I will undergo basic training to raise my level and draw out abilities that will benefit this world. This will also make me stronger and less likely to die. I heard that the deserts, which cover most of this world, are filled with sand beasts, making it a dangerous place.

"Normally, this process takes years. Reformers are summoned only once every fifty years, so they are valuable. The king doesn't want to lose you, but he doesn't like you."

"I can tell from his attitude."

The reason he doesn't like me is that I am an unimpressive middle-aged man, which makes him doubt the future of his country. It's a bit childish of the king to judge people based on their appearance.

"The king is a perfectionist. He became twisted due to the difficulties he faced in succession."

According to Baron Stein, the king was not originally meant to inherit the throne. He became king suddenly after his brother's sudden death, which is why he lacks the support of the nobles.

"His brother was an excellent ruler, and many still lament his loss. The king, knowing this, dislikes having someone like you around because he wants to be remembered as an outstanding king."

He probably thinks that an unimpressive middle-aged man as a Reformer is not needed for his future achievements. I can understand his perspective, but he should evaluate me as a person first. If a king only surrounds himself with people who look good or say pleasant things, the future of the country is in jeopardy. Perhaps this is a tragedy of inheriting a throne he was not meant to have.

"I think it's best to keep a distance... Thanks to Baron Stein, I wasn't just thrown out. I appreciate it."

"Tarou-dono, you had a life in your world, and it was unjust to summon you here. Throwing you out immediately would be inhumane."

Baron Stein is a good person. However, he probably won't advance under the current king. In the real world, having ability doesn't always lead to advancement, as I learned from my experience in the corporate world.

"So, what will happen to me from now on?"

"I am a civil servant, so I can't train you. The Kingdom of Bato has a 'Reformer Training Program' manual, and the officers of the kingdom's army are trained in it. You will undergo training with them in the desert outside the capital."

At my age, I will be fighting monsters. Humans adapt to their environment, and since I was summoned here because I have some talent, I have no choice but to do my best. I should think of it as a large-scale hunting expedition.

"Then, I will take you to the barracks. Your instructor will be... I believe it's Lieutenant Colonel Thunder. He is a good person and takes care of his subordinates, so you can rest assured."

Baron Stein led me to the barracks next to the castle. Here, I will receive combat training from the military, draw out my talents as a Reformer, and acquire the skills needed to survive in this world.

I wonder what will happen from now on.