Chapter 4

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"Seriously, is this for real..."

After completing the teleportation, Yuto appeared in the ruins of Falv, now part of the Valtlud territory, and was speechless at the scene before him, clutching his head.

Clearly, the thick, tall castle walls.

The tall spires rising in the four directions, even higher than the walls.

The massive castle gate at the end of the drawbridge.

The castle visible beyond it, with a grandeur that could overwhelm even from this distant hill, seemed capable of housing over a hundred soldiers and functioning as an administrative center.

"Oh... I'm surprised."

Val, dressed in a turquoise tunic and pants, nodded.

"I didn't expect such a magnificent castle. We should thank Helionia."

"Not that, you idiot!"

"It's a big castle..."

"Such a childish comment... Actually, Yona is about elementary school age."

"Meaningless."

"The distance is too great for me to grasp the scale..."

The red eye patch must not have given a full view. Alcia, wearing her usual robes with a holy seal around her neck, tilted her head cutely.

"It's certain that a fortress has appeared where Falv once stood."

"...There's no point in just standing here. Let's get closer and investigate."

The village of Falv, once a ruin infested by undead (which Valtlud and his companions had cleared), now had a fortress suddenly appearing on the site where the temple once stood.

The four of them were overwhelmed by the grandeur as they approached the castle.

The castle walls, which appeared to be made of stone, had no visible seams. When Yuto examined them, he thought the hardness might be even higher than that of stone walls.

"Yuto, should we try a power attack?"

"Not now, please."

While Yona was carefree, Yuto was also somewhat reluctant to agree.

Inside the walls, stables, barns, and wells were strategically placed. It seemed that everything necessary was present.

"Hmm. The interior is also very clean."

Valtlud, who entered the castle through the main entrance, muttered in admiration. Yuto, hesitant to enter the miraculous creation, was different from Valtlud, who had no such adventurer's hesitation.

Adventurers, after all, are creatures that rely on brute force after thorough preparation.

"There are many rooms."

"Office, private quarters, meeting room, storage, kitchen, everything is here."

"There's also a basement. It seems to lead to that place."

After about an hour of exploration, they concluded—

"The only thing missing is people, it seems."

"The miracle of the gods is truly great."

While Alcia, the cleric, praised it simply, Yuto couldn't nod in agreement.

"It was right that Egu and Lashia didn't come."

"You're heartless. I thought you were better than that."

There had been a minor incident in the early morning, but Lashia and Exile had departed as planned. From now on, the four of them would be working together.

Even though it was a decision made long ago, parting ways with comrades with whom he had shared life and death for over a year was a sad necessity. Yuto's comment, which she criticized as heartless, was understandable.

However, it was Valtlud who always reacted first to Yuto's words, and Alcia observed the two with a smile.

"If they had seen this castle, they would have canceled their journey."

"Why? Your explanations are always so roundabout, Yuto."

"Because I'm a mage."

"I think it's his personality."

While Yona's comment was met with a grimace, Yuto continued his explanation.

"They're both quite considerate of their companions, despite appearances."

"Hmm."

Yuto's intentions were unclear, and his lack of enthusiasm for the castle's existence was a source of dissatisfaction. However, only Alcia noticed this.

The story goes back to the night before.

A farewell party was held at their home in the capital, Sejour, for Lashia and Exile, who were about to depart. Although they were usually in high demand for parties, this time it was a small gathering of just six people.

It was a bit noisy but not overly sentimental, and they had a good time.

Yuto, after giving the two emergency communication devices, enjoyed himself, forgetting about work for a while.

However, an incident occurred afterward.

After calling it a night and lying down in bed, Yuto found himself in a golden palace as soon as he lost consciousness.

"A dream... but I don't understand."

It was indeed a dream-like scene.

The ceiling was high, reminiscent of the entrance of a high-rise building on Earth. The floor and walls, made of an unknown material, seemed to glow.

Whether it was new or old, it was impossible to tell.

The scene was too realistic to be dismissed as just a dream. Being in a uniform in such a place felt out of place.

The most striking feature was the throne at the far end, made of gold and adorned with countless jewels. It was an opulent sight that might make a Japanese person frown, but it was also impressive.

However, there was no figure on the throne.

"Hmm. What a strange fabric. What is it made of?"

"Polyester, I think."

"Polyester?"

A blonde boy tugged at the hem of Yuto's uniform, looking at it with sparkling eyes. He compared it to his toga, feeling the difference in texture.

He seemed like a child in front of a new toy.

"Polyester is a fiber made from a liquid derived from the remains of living creatures, heated and pressurized."

"Creating threads from a liquid. The people of your world are quite inventive."

"I thought it was strange too."

Satisfied, the boy moved away from Yuto and headed toward the throne. Both the child and Yuto accepted this as a matter of course.

The golden palace and the young master. With these clues, even Yuto, a person from another world, could identify him.

Zelas, the god of knowledge.

The husband of Thras-Sinque, whom Alcia worships, and the patron of sages. A god often depicted as a child—

"I didn't expect him to actually be a child..."

"I, as the god of knowledge, cannot be bound by the weariness of the undead. Well, forgive me for everything."

(He must be including the current situation...)

Having reached this understanding, Yuto spoke directly, using polite language.

"So, is this a reward for preventing the revival of the Spiral of Despair?"

"Yes, that's correct. Yuto Tensou, other gods will also visit your companions."

The knowledge god, seated casually on the throne, stated a shocking fact as casually as saying spring follows winter.

"Seriously..."

Alcia will be fine. Val will probably be overwhelmed with emotion but will manage.

"I'm worried about the other three. I hope they didn't offend the gods and get punished..."

Imagining the worst, but a very plausible scenario, Yuto realized he hadn't shown any respect to Zelas.

Just as he was about to kneel—

"It's fine. You are not a native of this universe."

"Thank you."

"Besides, both my wife and I were once mortal. Your attitude is somewhat nostalgic."

In the fantasy world of Bluewars,

The boundary between gods and humans is not absolute. While many gods were born from the "Origin," many others ascended from the material world, becoming demigods and eventually gods.

Yuto initially thought, "Like Sugawara no Michizane?" but they became gods while still alive.

Perhaps closer to "ascending to immortality" or becoming a sage.

"Yuto Tensou, I have many questions about your world, but let's save them for another time."

The knowledge god Zelas, seated on the throne, straightened up slightly.

Just that subtle change in posture, and the invisible but tangible aura made Yuto instinctively want to kneel.

"This is a god..."

The words he meant to keep to himself slipped out.

"State your wish."

Without considering Yuto's confusion, the knowledge god Zelas commanded, offering to grant any wish as a reward for his great deed.

(Val will probably be crying with gratitude...)

While indulging in wishful thinking, Yuto also considered his desires pragmatically.

However—

During the battle with the "Void Ledger," he might have wished for more spell uses or a powerful magic item, but now he didn't need them. He had prepared to return to his original world on his own.

He had wealth, and he didn't need status, honor, or power.

"Then, just one thing."

After careful consideration, Yuto spoke.

"Why was I called to this world?"

Zelas's face contorted upon hearing the question.

(Did I ask something I shouldn't have?)

Sweat beaded on his forehead. He tried to wipe it with his uniform but stopped himself with willpower.

"It was a coincidence."

"Huh?"

"Yes, truly. There was no particular meaning. It was just chance. You were not protected by fate or anything. You accomplished a great deed and saved the world. You should be proud of that."

The attempt to soften the blow was painful.

"Y-Yes, I see..."

A man who made the god worry—

(Nothing to brag about...)

Yuto managed to respond to Zelas's broken tone, but he was filled with regret.

"Since that's not enough, I'll give you one piece of advice."

The knowledge god, in the form of a child, crossed his legs and spoke solemnly.

"In a year, you will face a significant decision. I hope your choice will be fruitful."

The unexpectedly gentle smile of the knowledge god.

The audience with the god ended there.

While Yuto's other companions also received rewards from the gods they revered or were related to, Exile received "Strength," Lashia received "Good Fortune with Women," and Yona received "Unnecessary."

Alcia remained silent, and surprisingly, the only one who made a practical request was Valtlud.

She desired a fortress to serve as the base for her territory management.

However, it was also a politically troublesome existence.

"A castle suddenly appearing in a ruin overnight. This is a literal miracle of the gods. Valt is a lord blessed by a miracle. A tremendous hero."

"So what? Isn't it a great achievement?"

"For the common people, yes."

What would the king and other nobles think if they saw this? Their reaction is hard to imagine, but they wouldn't be moved to tears.

"Still, it saved us a lot of trouble. We can adjust our plans. We intended to establish our base in Falv anyway."

This place, though now a ruin, was geographically advantageous.

Simply put, it was almost at the center of the territory granted to Valtlud, the Istas barony.

"Finally, you're being positive."

Alcia smiled and patted Yuto's head.

"Can you stop that, Alcia?"

Despite his words, Yuto let it happen. Valtlud, seeing this, looked displeased.

However, as long as Yuto didn't reject it, she thought it would be unbecoming to interfere.

"So, what should we do now?"

Valtlud, who had interrupted Yuto and Alcia, said with a pout.

"Nothing changes. Nothing at all."

He pulled out a thick document from his pocket.

"Let's start our first territory management from here."

This concludes the first chapter. Finally, the introduction is over.

I have some stock, so I will continue to update daily for a while.

Thank you for your continued support.