Chapter 2

The next day, when I woke up, a voice called out from the corner of the room.

"Lord Haru, good morning. I will assist you with your dressing."

"Sherry, good morning. Where are the clothes?"

When Sherry said, "This way," the door she opened revealed a space as large as a cramped one-room apartment in Tokyo. Inside were many dresses, shoes, hats, and accessories.

"No one knows my size, I don't think. I hope they fit."

"The person who helped you dress yesterday has a rough idea of your size. I think it will be fine."

When I tried on the baby blue dress that was offered, it fit perfectly. The shoes fit perfectly too. The palace maids are truly impressive. They are professionals.

I wanted to know the details of the situation and explain the misunderstanding, but Sherry smiled and set out breakfast. From a cart that had been waiting in the hallway, she arranged steaming hot tea, milk, fruits like plums, round bread, half-boiled eggs, boiled thin slices of meat, and butter.

"Itadakimasu."

It seems "itadakimasu" is not a custom here, as she tilted her head in confusion, but the food was all fresh, the milk was rich, the tea was fragrant, and it was very delicious.

After eating my fill, I approached Sherry and said, "Now, I want to talk to someone who understands the situation." Finally, I was able to meet with a man named Benedict Farler, the prime minister.

The room was large and predominantly dark in color, with the prime minister, Benedict, sitting on the other side of a large desk. The chair I was told to sit in was made of dark fabric, with a high backrest, and the room felt like the bottom of the deep sea.

The prime minister, Benedict, has a scary smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

"Lord Haru. Are you not tired? That's good, then. What do you want to talk about?"

If the room is the bottom of the deep sea, then the prime minister is a deep-sea fish. Sharp eyes. Flawless movements. A low voice.

"Everything. Why I was summoned here, what is expected of me, how long it will last, and how I can return to my original world. I have many questions."

The prime minister listened to me with his icy blue eyes fixed on me. After I finished speaking, he ran his hand through his dark brown hair and began to explain.

"A seer predicted a great disaster a while ago. This seer has never been wrong. According to the prediction, it will be a disaster on a scale that could affect the fate of the country. And it was said that a woman should be summoned to prevent it."

"But I don't have such great power."

"No, the seer insisted that a maiden with black eyes and black hair would be summoned. That's you, Lord Haru. You just haven't realized your own power yet. We have someone coming today to read your power, so please rest assured."

"So, if I can prevent the disaster, I can return to my original world, right?"

The prime minister, who had a similar aura to a power-abusing boss, deepened his untrustworthy smile.

"The key is for us to work together to make that happen."

The deep-sea fish didn't give any concrete answers.

This... I might not be able to return. My chest tightened with anxiety.

Eventually, I was led to another room, and an old woman with white hair entered. She bowed respectfully and gestured for me to sit in the chair in front of her.

Soon, other dignitaries entered, all with sparkling eyes.

"I am the appraisal mage, Woodya. Today, I will appraise Lord Haru's power."

She took a small, round stone dish from a box and placed it on a small table between us. Then, she placed her left hand over the dish and pressed her right hand to her chest, muttering something.

Just like when Sherry did it, golden stars began to spill from her palm, and water started to rise in the dish. As I watched the phenomenon in front of me, the water in the center of the dish quickly increased in volume, filling the dish to the brim in no time. Amazing. Where did all this come from?

"Now, please place your hand over the dish."

I snapped back to reality at the old mage's call. I hurriedly placed my right hand over the water-filled dish. Of course, no golden stars appeared. Woodya's eyes widened.

"This... Lord Haru, try your left hand this time."

"Yes."

I placed my left hand over the dish. The prime minister, unable to contain himself, called out.

"Well, Woodya, what do you see?"

Woodya's wrinkled face showed a look of pity as she answered.

"Prime Minister, surprisingly, nothing. This person has no magical power at all."

"That can't be. The summoning was successful. Check again!"

I was checked over and over again with different hands.

"There is no mistake. Lord Haru has no magical power at all."

I told you so! I turned around, and the deep-sea fish-like prime minister glared at me as if to say, "I'll kill you with my eyes!"

Huh?

Huh?