Chapter 63

"If there is anything else you would like to know, our country will do its utmost to cooperate."

"Then, right away... Is the language of this world Japanese?"

The class representative raised her hand and asked.

The way she spoke didn't change even in front of the king.

The class representative's way of speaking sounds more like a minister.

"There are records of the reactions of past interworlders. The answer is no. They understood the spoken language when they were granted their abilities. In exchange—"

The minister showed us the text on the parchment he was holding.

...It was written in characters I had never seen before... but Kurohon approached and read it.

"Interworlders who do not have the corresponding ability cannot read the text without learning it...?"

"Kurohon, can you really read it?"

"Yes, I can read it clearly."

It was here that we learned Kurohon, who has the ability of a scribe, can translate the interworld text.

It wasn't useful in the forest, but now its applications have greatly expanded.

"I think it would be better for me to do research and help the people of the country in various ways?"

Everyone agreed.

We can converse, but it seems we can't read the text yet.

"Then, since we don't know how long we'll have to stay in this world, I'll help everyone understand the text."

That was the moment Kurohon's job was decided.

Well, it seems that various things can be manipulated with abilities.

Kurohon will apparently investigate past documents and consult with experts.

Incidentally, Kurohon's ability will awaken to even greater potential.

Using magic books... it will be revealed that she has the ability to use magic.

"That's all. Our people look forward to the potential disasters that may arise and the benefits that interworlders can bring to our country."

"What if we can't meet those expectations?"

"Is there no commerce in your world? Enormous profits cannot be made without risk."

"...I understand."

"Then, we will provide a corner of the town to you. If you have any requests for shops or other facilities, we will prepare them. Please stay in our country for a long time and help us."

That's how we ended up staying in the country of Raikus.

We were allowed to rest in the castle that day.

Like a school trip, everyone is resting in nearby rooms within the castle.

After some time, we gathered and held a meeting.

The combat group... classmates with combat-oriented abilities, basically chose to become knights or adventurers, while the base group... classmates more suited to crafting, decided to open shops.

To prevent non-combatants from being threatened or intimidated, knights will be stationed at the shops.

It feels like they are taking a strict approach to keeping us as important assets.

The combat-oriented ability users are already battle-hardened from the forest, and the base-oriented ability users will start to show their strength from here.

Basically, friends will manage the shops together, and those who are close to the combat-oriented will live together.

"Gau?"

I decided to live with Shigenobu and Hagizawa.

Shigenobu and Hagizawa have good ability compatibility.

However, Shigenobu will go to the country's blacksmith for training, and Hagizawa will study alchemy and related subjects.

Miki apparently decided to work at the town's church for base recovery.

The church representatives who recruited her were negotiating her daily wage.

What about me...

"Kosei, you were silent. Was there anything that bothered you?"

"No... I was just worried that everyone might take dangerous jobs. I'm concerned if it's okay for them to become adventurers or knights, which are dangerous professions."

"Weren't you recommended to prioritize safety? That's why you were silent, right?"

"...Yeah."

We are recommended to avoid death.

Even if we become adventurers, we are required to travel with others recognized by the country.

We were instructed not to easily strip or intimidate interworlders.

The conditions are surprisingly good, and I'm surprised too.

I think there might be loopholes, but it's hard to point them out.

"It seems you're worried that something ominous might happen. They want us to get stronger by taking us in, right?"

...Right.

I don't know what they are wary of, but there is a sense of unease about the future.

It seems that everyone in this country, from the villagers to the knights and the king, shares this unease.

"Hey, Shigenobu."

"What?"

"How can we get everyone back to Japan without losing anyone?"

Shigenobu folded his arms and grunted at my question.

"Isn't everyone working hard to find that out?"

...Indeed.

Incidentally, the equipment Shigenobu made to get through the forest was proven to be quite excellent by the country's investigation.

They will provide what is lacking, but the classmates who want to fight will have Shigenobu make their weapons.

Apparently, they trust Shigenobu's weapons more than anything, which is a very professional opinion they wouldn't have said before coming to this world.

"Anyway, what we need to do now is level up and find a way back to our original world. That's it, right?"

"...Yeah."

"Didn't you hear from Hagizawa? Kosei, you don't have to take unnecessary risks. There might be times when someone dies in the days to come."

Shigenobu's words made my arms tremble.

I don't want that to happen at all.

"But, Kosei, it's different from what happened in the forest."

"..."

"The combat-oriented group realized this in the battle with Ono. The base-oriented group is the same. It's different from being killed without being able to make a choice, like what happened then. Everyone is making their own choices and taking action. They have made their decisions."

Shigenobu grabbed my shoulder and said seriously.

"Everyone might die. But if you try to keep everyone safe and do everything yourself, they won't be happy. Everyone has made their choice. Even if death might be ahead."

"Everyone..."

In this interworld, where no one wants to fight or be hurt, they chose to find a way back...

"Meguru protected you. The feeling of being protected... you understand it, right?"

I could only nod in response to Shigenobu's question.

If she dies protecting me... what will I do?

I want to use this life to achieve what Meguru wanted, but I feel like I can't move forward.

It's very frustrating.

If I can get everyone back to Japan by risking my life, I would gladly take that bet.

"That's why, Kosei, everyone doesn't want to die being protected by you. And... there might not even be a way to return to Japan. That possibility is very real."

"No, that's—"

Shigenobu interrupted me with a strong gaze.

"But, everyone also knows that doing nothing is even worse."

I remembered everyone in the forest.

We accepted the control of Taniizumi.

Because we did nothing.

"The possibility is not zero. As I've been saying all along, Kosei, if you level up and get stronger, you might be able to transfer back to Japan, right?"

"Yeah."

What I need to do now is level up... to get everyone back to Japan alive.

"So, don't rush to die. The opportunity will surely come. Prepare now so you don't regret it when the time comes."

"...I understand."

"Gau!"

"Even this bear wants to get stronger with Kosei, right?"

"Gau Gau!"

The bear nodded and barked in agreement.

That's how I decided that my immediate goal is to level up.