Chapter 2

With his hands covering his face and his eyes tightly shut, Aichi slowly opened his eyes after feeling countless breaths and the noisy voices around him. Aichi gazed blankly at his surroundings, and the first thing that caught his eye was a massive mural. The mural, which could be about ten meters in length and width, depicted a gender-neutral figure with a halo behind them, long golden hair, and a faint smile. The background showed a grassland, a lake, and mountains, with the figure appearing to embrace them with outstretched arms. It was a beautiful and excellent mural. However, for some reason, Aichi felt a thin chill emanating from the figure's disappointed eyes. Upon a closer look around, he realized they were in a vast hall. The hall was made of marble, emitting a beautiful luster, and the smooth white stone was supported by massive columns intricately carved with patterns, topped with a dome-shaped ceiling. The hall exuded a solemn atmosphere, and it would be more natural to call it a grand cathedral.

Aichi and the others were on a platform-like area at the deepest part of the hall, higher than the surrounding areas. Aichi looked around and saw his classmates, all of whom were similarly dazed. It seemed that the students who were in the classroom at the time had all been brought into this situation. Aichi turned around and, as expected, saw the dazed figure of Kaori. She was unharmed, and Aichi let out a sigh of relief.

Then, perhaps to explain the situation, his attention shifted to the people surrounding the platform. Yes, the hall was not only occupied by Aichi and the others; at least thirty people were kneeling with their hands crossed over their chests, as if in prayer. They wore white robes embroidered with gold, similar to priestly garments, and had staffs beside them. The staffs had a fan-like shape at the top, with several circular plates hanging instead of a ring.

Among them, an elderly man in his seventies stepped forward. He wore particularly luxurious and splendid robes, even among the group of priests, and a wizard-like hat that was about thirty centimeters tall, narrow, and long, with a unique design. However, the old man exuded a powerful aura. Looking at his wrinkles and mature, experienced eyes, he could have been mistaken for being only fifty years old. (Note: I see Medusa Gorgon...). As he held his staff, which made a rustling sound, he spoke to Aichi and the others in a deep, calm voice.

"Welcome to Todes, brave sir, and your fellow humans. I am Istar Langbard, the Pope of the Holy Church. Please, feel free to make yourselves at home, no need for formalities."

Saying this, the old man named Istar smiled like a kind grandfather.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

Now, Aichi and the others had been moved to a hall with several large tables, each over ten meters long. The previous halls they had passed through also had such large tables. This hall was no less magnificent; even a layman could tell that the furniture, paintings, and murals were the finest works of art. It was probably a place for dinner or meetings. Seated at the head of the table were Teacher Hatanaka Aiko and the four members of the Hikari group, followed by the students in order, with Aichi at the back.

No one caused much of a commotion until they were led here, perhaps because they hadn't fully grasped the reality of the situation. Istar had explained everything, and Hikari's presence, with his maximum charisma, was another reason for the calm. Surrounded by students who were more like teachers, Teacher Aiko was on the verge of tears. (Note: 1.45 meters, childlike face, teacher attributes, tears streaming down...).

At the perfect moment when everyone was seated, maids pushing carts entered. Yes, real-life maids! Genuine, beautiful, and dreamy maid girls! In this situation, driven by the intense curiosity and burning desire of adolescence, most of the boys in the class stared at the maids. However, the girls who saw the boys' gazes seemed to have a chill from the Ice Age in their eyes...

Aichi couldn't help but stare at the maid who served him drinks and attended to him... but he suddenly felt a cold chill on his back and immediately fixed his gaze straight ahead. He felt the cold gaze coming from the direction where Kaori was smiling at him, though he didn't see her. After confirming that everyone had been served drinks, Istar began to speak.

"Then, I'm sure some of you are confused. I will now explain the situation. First, please listen to me until the end."

Istar's words were so fantastical and casual that it left everyone at a loss. In summary, the name of this world is Todes. Todes is roughly divided into three races: humans, demons, and sub-humans. Humans rule the north, demons the south, and sub-humans quietly live in the Great Tree Forest in the central-eastern region.

Among these, the war between humans and demons has lasted for several hundred years. Demons, though fewer in number than humans, possess great individual strength, which balances out the numerical advantage of humans. There hasn't been a large-scale war in the past few decades, but recently, an abnormal situation has arisen: demons have begun to control large numbers of monsters.

Monsters are considered abnormal beings that form when ordinary wild animals absorb magic power. It's unclear if they can be classified as living beings, but each of them can use powerful, race-specific magic, making them fierce and dangerous. Until now, they have acted on instinct, and the number of people who could control them was minimal, at most one or two. This common knowledge has been overturned, which means the numerical advantage of humans is collapsing. In other words, humans are facing the threat of extinction.

"The one who summoned you is 'Lord Eshid.' The guardian deity of our human race, the only god of the Holy Church, and the supreme creator of this world. Perhaps Lord Eshid has realized that, if things continue, humans will face extinction. To prevent this, you were summoned. Your world is a higher existence than this one, and you all possess great power. Before the summoning, Lord Eshid issued a divine command, sending you to 'save' us. You must use your power to defeat the demons and save humanity under the will of Lord Eshid!"

Istar had a dreamy expression, probably recalling the moment he heard the divine command. According to Istar, over 90% of humans are followers of the Holy Church, which worships Eshid. Those who hear the divine command are invariably given high positions in the Holy Church. The 'will of the gods' is unquestioned, and people follow it with joy. Aichi felt the unreasonable and twisted nature of this world and a sense of impending crisis. Suddenly, someone stood up to protest. It was Teacher Aiko.

"Please don't joke! In the end, you want these children to go to war! I will never forgive that! I absolutely won't allow it! Please let us go back! Our families must be worried! What you're doing is kidnapping!"

Teacher Aiko, 25 years old, is a popular social studies teacher. She is about 1.5 meters tall, with a childlike face and short hair. Her efforts for her students, despite often being in vain, evoke a sense of protectiveness in many. People affectionately call her 'Aiko-chan,' but she gets angry if called that to her face. This time, she was angry about the unreasonable summoning and stood up abruptly. "Ah, Aiko-chan is trying so hard again..." The students, who were watching the exchange between Teacher Aiko and Istar with a gentle heart, froze at Istar's next words.

"I understand your feelings. However... it is impossible for you to return now."

The scene was filled with silence, as if the cold, heavy air was pressing down on everyone. All eyes were on Istar, with expressions of confusion.

"Impossible... What did you say? If summoning is possible, then returning should be possible too, right!?"

Teacher Aiko exclaimed.

"As I mentioned, it was Lord Eshid who summoned you. We humans cannot use magic to interfere with other worlds, so whether you can 'return' is up to Lord Eshid's will."

"That... that's..."

Teacher Aiko slumped back into her chair, and the students around her began to panic.

"Are you kidding? We can't go back?"

"No way! Do anything, just let me go back!"

"War? You must be joking! What's going on?"

"Why, why, why..."

The students were in a state of panic. Aichi remained calm, only because, as an otaku, he had read many stories with similar plots. This was not the worst scenario he had imagined, so he was more composed than the other students. The worst scenario would be if the summoners treated them as slaves. While everyone was in a state of chaos, Istar did not try to calm them down. Instead, he watched them, and Aichi felt a hint of contempt in his gaze. Given his current behavior, it seemed he was thinking, "Why wouldn't you be happy to be chosen by Lord Eshid?" Before the panic subsided, Hikari stood up and slapped the table a few times. The students, startled by the sound, turned to look at him. After confirming that everyone's attention was on him, Hikari began to speak slowly.

"Everyone, arguing with Istar here is meaningless. He is also in a difficult position... I mean, we should fight. It's true that the people of this world are facing the threat of extinction. I can't just stand by after knowing this. Moreover, if we were summoned to save humanity, perhaps we can return home after the mission is completed. ...Mr. Istar? Is that correct?"

"That's right. Lord Eshid will surely grant the wishes of the saviors."

"We all possess great power? I do feel a strange surge of strength since coming here."

"Yes, that's correct. Compared to the people of this world, you can consider yourselves to have several times to several dozen times the power."

"Then, it's not a problem. I will fight. I will save the people, and we will all go home. I will save both this world and everyone!"

Hikari clenched his fists and made this declaration, flashing his shiny teeth. However, at that moment, his extraordinary charisma as a leader had a significant effect. The students, who had looked despairing, gradually regained their energy and composure. Their eyes sparkled with hope, and more than half of the girls sent him heated gazes.

"Ah, if you say so. I'm worried about you going alone... I'll help too?"

"Ryotaro..."

"It's not just you anymore... I can't stand it... I'll help too."

"Shizukanae..."

"Um, um, if Shizukanae is going, I'll do my best too!"

"Kaori..."

The usual four-person group agreed with Hikari, and naturally, the other students followed suit. Teacher Aiko was sobbing, saying, "No, no, no," but her tears were powerless against the flood of enthusiasm created by Hikari.

In the end, everyone decided to participate in the war. The students probably didn't understand the true meaning of war. Perhaps it was a way to escape the reality of their collapsing mental state. Aichi, while considering this, secretly observed Istar and noticed his very satisfied smile.

Aichi realized that Istar had been observing Hikari's reactions to his words during the explanation. When discussing the tragedy of the humans, Hikari's strong sense of justice was evident. Istar then emphasized the cruelty of the demons. It seemed Istar had seen through who had the most influence in the group.

For a leader of a world-class religion, this was to be expected. Istar was not someone to be underestimated. Aichi added Istar to his list of key figures to watch.