Chapter 62

The next day, the head of the knights decided to grandly escort us to the castle.

When we saw the accommodation for the village's knights, a tamed monster, similar to Kumako, was pulling a carriage.

Well, it was a monster like a horse... and a monster like a caterpillar.

It seems they will take us with great ceremony... under the strict security of the knights. Maybe it's because of that?

Even during breakfast, they treated us with great respect, not as if they were trying to prevent us from escaping, but as if we were important visitors to the country. They even provided us with a proper meal, and any knight who showed the slightest disrespect was immediately reprimanded by others before we could even get angry. There was no malice.

"Are we going in that carriage?"

"No."

The head of the knights answered. Then, a soldier dressed like a mage approached us, who were waiting in the village square, and showed us a crystal-like device.

"Huh?"

Hagizawa focused his eyes on the crystal and activated his ability.

Return Crystal: Effect - Return to Base, Point Value - 1,000,000

Device - A teleportation device that can return to the registered base's barrier

Activates immediately when broken

Is there an incredibly expensive tool right in front of us?

A million points seems incredibly high.

Considering that a Metal Turtle sword costs about 100,000 points, you can see how expensive it is.

"This device will be used. Please, everyone, go in order and don't crowd."

"Then, I will use it. Everyone, are you all in the party?"

The soldiers instructed us to form a party.

"What is the limit of how many people can be teleported? If there is a limit, I can use my transfer ability if Moushin is here."

"Technically, it's ten, but please don't worry."

"Hmm..."

While we were waiting, the head of the knights gave instructions to the soldiers. The soldier then raised the crystal to the sky. Instantly, our vision changed, and we were teleported to a large, unfamiliar square.

In the center of the square was a large, glowing crystal... and there was also a stove-like device.

Is it wrong to think it looks like a save point in an online game?

That device is probably for returning here.

"Here we are."

The direction the head of the knights pointed to had a large castle.

I couldn't help but gasp.

In an online game, it might just look pretty, but seeing it in person is overwhelming.

I've heard that castles from medieval Europe still exist in foreign countries.

But this is a bit different.

It's hard to describe exactly what's different.

"Wow..."

"Yeah."

We followed the head of the knights, each of us expressing our thoughts.

There was the usual hustle and bustle of people, but not many seemed to approach the area with the large crystal.

Suddenly, people teleported in, landing in a hurry.

"Phew..."

The armored people muttered, giving off the vibe of adventurers who had narrowly escaped with their lives.

They didn't seem to collide with anyone, so the device didn't seem to have the aggressive nature of my transfer ability.

It was more like Meguru's ability.

"Moushin, let's go."

"Ah, yeah."

Under the guidance of the knights, we passed through the gate to the castle.

The adventurers in the square seemed to look at us curiously.

Objectively, it probably looked like a group of strange people entering the castle with the knights.

Inside the castle, a carpet ran along the stone floor.

There was a reception area... and the ceiling was surprisingly high.

There were stairs at the back, and we seemed to be heading that way.

We walked in a group.

"Are we going to meet the king?"

"Yeah, the head of the knights said so."

"Is Moushin the representative?"

"For now. The rest are the class representatives."

Well, if we leave it to these two, there shouldn't be any mistakes.

We followed them and listened to various conversations.

After climbing the stairs and passing through a door, we found a throne.

There, a middle-aged man with a sharp-looking crown and a beard sat.

His eyes were sharp... but his face was well-structured. He looked like a handsome middle-aged man.

I thought he would be more robust or have a bad personality... but yeah, he might have a bad personality.

Kings often have an image of being obsessed with power.

"Welcome, visitors from another world. Welcome to our country, Reicks."

His tone was somewhat stern but also somewhat friendly.

"I have heard your story. You escaped from the Great Meirasia Forest, and it must have been a very difficult journey. I deeply sympathize with your experiences in this unfamiliar world."

"Y-Yes..."

He seemed to be very humble.

The knights were the same.

It's strange, but they don't seem to be acting evil or secretly plotting. Instead, they are giving us a warm welcome.

"Of course, we have heard the situation. In the midst of various problems in our country... and the world, you have come to visit, and we would like you to help solve these problems. Is that the gist of it?"

Moushin bluntly stated it.

The king and the knights nodded slightly, looking a bit troubled.

"You are half right. More accurately, we might face even greater calamities in the future, so we would like you to acclimate to this world and become stronger during this time."

"Maybe?"

The king nodded in response to Moushin's words.

"Of course, it would be best if nothing happens. There are indeed problems in our country, but if we dump all of them on you, it would lose its meaning."

"What do you mean?"

"Even if you are visitors from another world, you are still citizens of our country. You should not be treated poorly."

At this point, a minister-like person stepped forward, understanding the king's intention.

"Looking back at history, there have been requests from visitors from another world. Please review them."

"Ah, yes."

"First, regarding the participation of visitors from another world in wars. We will only recruit volunteers, is that acceptable?"

"Wow! Suddenly, a favorable condition has been proposed. It's something the protagonist in a story about modern people transferring to another world would say first. In other words, this means that we won't be conscripted into the war."

"Yes."

"Next, the country will provide certain support to visitors from another world. This includes providing food, clothing, and housing, job placement, and mediation with various guilds. If requested, we will also dispatch personnel to protect your lives."

Hmm...

The smooth explanation made me wonder if there was something hidden.

At this point, Moushin, Hagizawa, and other combat members raised their hands.

"What is it?"

"Regarding the war, can you guarantee that the country will not force us into a situation where we have no choice but to fight?"

"Of course, it might be a mere promise... but we recognize that this is a difficult issue to accept without trust."

Well... if they provide a certain level of living, it might be unavoidable.

We won't know until the time comes.

However, it felt like they were well-prepared.

Perhaps many visitors from another world have come here.

We are quite a number of people, after all.

I heard that dozens of people came at once, according to the legend we heard yesterday.

"We understand that visitors from another world have their own value systems. Some of our nobles, knights, and merchants might try to use you."

Considering the abilities of visitors from another world, there is no reason not to use them.

In stories about visitors from another world, it's common for the authorities to use the protagonists.

"We will do our best to prevent that. However, we cannot monitor everyone, so we ask that you also deal with such conspiracies on your own. We, as a country, request this."

"...Understood. We will accept it."

"What about the support?"

"Visitors from another world are said to have superior abilities. We want to help you live better in this world. However, this is only for protecting your lives, not for funding a lavish lifestyle."

"They will provide food, housing, and job placement, but not excessive financial support?"

Hagizawa's words were met with a nod from the minister.

"Those who are good at fighting will be placed as knights or adventurers. Those with other abilities will be introduced to suitable jobs. Of course, if you wish, we can also mediate for jobs that do not match your abilities."

"In other words, even if your abilities are not combat-oriented, you can become a knight or adventurer and get stronger, right?"

"Yes. In fact, the potential of your abilities might be greater than you imagine. Feel free to experience various professions."

"Support is provided, but it's mainly for living assistance and job placement in combat environments."

"Of course, we want to build a good relationship with you, so we will provide some preferential treatment. For example, if you want to do adventuring or monster hunting, we will lend each of you a Return Crystal, which we used to come here. Use it immediately if you feel your life is in danger. There is nothing more valuable than life."

Oh... the class members exclaimed.

Lending us that device for free is a good condition.

If we encounter dangerous monsters, we can use the device to escape.

It only seems to work for returning, though.

*Since it is a loan, it cannot be converted into money.