Chapter 2

With a thud, I fell onto the stone floor and groaned.

I instinctively tried to break my fall, but since I was holding Amane in my arms, I was naturally crushed by her body as it fell.

Perhaps it was fortunate that Amane was light.

I gently moved Amane to the side so she wouldn't roll off me, took a deep breath, and managed to get up, only to widen my eyes at the strange surroundings.

"......Are we in the middle of a shoot?"

No one responded to my half-joking remark.

A white stone temple supported by several thick pillars.

That was my first impression.

It was spacious and empty, and Amane and I were in the center.

On the floor, a circle similar to the one that had appeared on Amane's back was drawn with some kind of paint.

But what surprised me the most was the row of people in front of us.

"......Is this fantasy?"

"Two people summoned at once..."

A dazzlingly handsome young man with golden hair and blue eyes, accompanied by dozens of people who looked like priests and knights, looked at Amane and me with a puzzled expression.

Hmm? This guy is unusual.

Out of ten people, nine would definitely ignore me if I were next to Amane.

I'm the one in ten.

As I stared at him with the eyes of someone observing a rare creature, he asked in a beautiful, deep voice.

"Where is the hero?"

Well.

This is troublesome.

Without a second thought, I pointed to Amane, who was still in a daze.

"It's her."

The handsome young man still looked puzzled, but when he saw me nod confidently, he knelt before Amane and bowed deeply.

"Hero, we are deeply grateful for your visit to our country."

"......Huh?"

It was only then that Amane, who had been raised to a high status, finally realized what was happening and complained in a small voice.

"Sis, that's mean...!"

What's so mean about it?

Beautiful.

Intelligent.

Athletic.

Who else but you, who is so blessed by the gods, could be the "hero"?

Surrounded by a crowd and with the dazzlingly handsome young man bowing to her, Amane clung to my arm with teary eyes.

"I am Prince Arthray Rhyno Igzex, the first prince of the Igzex Kingdom."

Kneeling, Prince Arthray looked at the timid and frightened Amane with a passionate gaze.

Ah......

Here we go again.

My step-sister can make anyone fall in love with her, anywhere.

Even in another world.

Pretty impressive (though I'm not really impressed).

I sighed inwardly as I listened to the prince's explanation.

Apparently, the demon king has been resurrected, and we need to defeat him, hero.

...Well, he said a lot more, but in essence, it's like a typical RPG where "heroes are summoned!"

Amane was definitely the one summoned.

Well.

I got dragged into this.

My step-sister is a superhuman, but I'm just an ordinary person...

While I was staring blankly at the high ceiling, the prince finished his explanation.

Thanks to the evil deeds of the demon king and his minions, which were inserted between his roundabout and selfish requests, the justice-minded Amane was quietly angry.

You get pulled in so easily.

I know your personality, though...

"By the way, may I ask your names?"

"I am Amane. This is my sister, Rio."

"So, you are Lady Amane and Lady Rio. Please, this way."

I gently nodded, but I held back the easily swayed Amane.

"Can you wait a moment?"

The prince, surprised by my presence, flinched and then focused on me, nodding.

"......Yes, what is it, Lady Rio?"

"Just call me Rio. I have some questions, is that okay?"

"Of course, anything."

"I have four questions."

"First, how do we return to our original world?"

"By activating this summoning circle, we can return you to your original world. However, it requires an enormous amount of magic power to activate. The next 'twin moons' will be in four years, and we plan to send you back with the help of ten mages and twenty priests at that time."

"Does that mean four years will have passed when we return?"

"No, you should return to the time just after you were summoned."

What does "should" mean?

It seems they intend to send us back without any time lag.

Still, four years is a joke, right?

"Second, Amane is an excellent person, but she doesn't have any special abilities. Do you really think a girl like her can defeat the demon king?"

"We will awaken her dormant powers at the 'Spring of Awakening.' Besides, we do not intend to let Lady Amane face the demon king alone. We will prepare thoroughly and provide her with our country's elite guards."

The part about the guards went in one ear and out the other.

Awakening. Awakening?

Ah. So, "awakening," huh?

......So, Amane, you're finally giving up being human.

You were already a superhuman, though.

Amane glared at me as if she could read my thoughts.

You're still just cute, no matter what face you make.

......Ahem.

"Third, who decided to perform this 'hero summoning'?"

"Of course, it was decided by our king."

I nodded in approval at the prince's proud answer.

Now I know who to take down in the shadows.

"Fourth, how many times has this 'hero summoning' been done?"

"......According to historical records, this is the third time."

The prince answered with a slightly surprised look.

Amane, you're the third "hero."

That means two other people have been dragged into this world's arbitrary affairs before.

Hmm. Poor them (though I don't really care).

Still, what's with these people?

Is cowardice hereditary?

I had a lot to say, but it wouldn't be wise to complain and create a hostile atmosphere right away.

I plan to rely on them for food, clothing, and shelter for the time being.

I thanked the prince for answering my questions and followed him and Amane to the "Spring of Awakening."

Rio, who is quite strict with people outside her family, is actually a hardworking older sister because Amane is so defenseless.