Chapter 2

As he passed through the long stone corridor, Zenjiro was led to a spacious room where bright sunlight streamed in. Two large leather sofas were placed facing each other, with a long stone table between them.

Zenjiro sat down on the sofa as the beautiful woman gestured for him to do so.

After confirming that Zenjiro had taken a seat, the woman sitting opposite him began to speak.

"Let's start with introductions. My name is Aura Kaipa. I would like you to call me Aura."

"Ah, yes, Aura-san. I am Zenjiro Yamai. Yamai is my last name, and Zenjiro is my first name."

"Hmm. Is it alright if I call you Lord Zenjiro?"

"Yes."

Seeing Zenjiro nod, Aura smiled happily.

"Thank you, Lord Zenjiro. Now, I will explain what I have done to you. It might sound like a rash act that would make you angry, but the situation is not irreparable. If you are not satisfied, I promise on my honor to return everything to how it was. So, could you please listen to me first?"

Zenjiro, who felt a bit uneasy at Aura's serious and ominous preamble, thought for a moment and finally nodded.

In any case, Zenjiro had no idea what situation he was in. As Aura said, he couldn't be angry without understanding the situation. You can't complain to a client without first hearing their side of the story.

"Alright, please tell me what happened."

Relieved, Aura took a deep breath and began to speak.

"First, let me explain where we are. This is the Kingdom of Kaipa, located in the western part of the Landreion continent. This room is part of the royal palace in the capital, Kaipa. These names are probably unfamiliar to you, Lord Zenjiro. That's only natural. This is a world different from the one you were born and raised in, a different dimension, or what you might call an 'alternate world.'"

"Al-alternate world...?"

Ignoring Zenjiro's tilted head, Aura continued her explanation.

Aura's explanation continued for a long time. It was hard to tell exactly how long, but when Zenjiro checked his watch midway, it was past 7:30, and now, with all the talk over, the clock read past 8:00. After somehow piecing together Aura's hour-long explanation in his head, Zenjiro said in a dazed tone:

"So, this is the Kingdom of Kaipa in an alternate world, and you, Aura-sama, are the queen of the Kingdom of Kaipa? And in this world, magic exists, and you used a special 'spatial magic' that only the Kaipa royal family can use to summon me from my world to this one?"

"Yes, that's correct. It seems you finally understand. Ah, and please, no need for formalities. Just call me Aura. While I am the queen of this country, you are not one of my subjects. Rather, I am just a perpetrator for bringing you here without your consent. There is no reason for you to show me any respect."

Aura said this and bowed her head slightly, looking apologetic.

"Ah, I see. Aura...san."

Zenjiro averted his eyes from Aura's chest, which was revealed when she bowed her head. It took him nearly an hour to understand her explanation because he had a hard time grasping her words. Well, it's not surprising. It's impossible for a modern, ordinary Japanese person to accept being summoned to an alternate world as a reality.

Despite Zenjiro's reluctance to believe he was in an alternate world, Aura patiently continued her explanation without losing her temper. As a result, Zenjiro finally came to accept the fact that he was indeed in an alternate world.

The deciding factor was the 'knight' riding a 'running dragon' that appeared at Aura's command. The lizard, about twice the size of a horse, stuck its long neck through the window from the courtyard and licked Zenjiro's cheek. The warm, real sensation of its tongue convinced Zenjiro that this was neither a dream nor a prank.

Wiping his cheek, still damp with the grassy saliva of the 'running dragon,' Zenjiro asked:

"I don't understand why you summoned me."

Zenjiro is a very ordinary Japanese man with no particular special skills. He can't see any reason why a queen from an alternate world would use magic to summon him.

"What do you want me to do? I can't wield a sword or use magic."

Hearing this, Aura smiled and shook her head.

"No, I have no intention of asking you to do anything dangerous. Indeed, the western part of the Landreion continent has been in turmoil for a long time, but it is relatively peaceful now.

What I want to ask of you, Lord Zenjiro, is one thing. I want you to become my husband."

"Husband?"

Taken aback, Zenjiro tilted his head and repeated her words.

"Yes, husband. I want you to marry me."

Husband, wife, marriage. Even with his mind not fully functioning, Zenjiro understood what she meant.

"Wh-what!? M-m-m-marry, why!?"

Understanding Aura's proposal, Zenjiro jumped up from the sofa.