Chapter 3

The dignitaries, who had been so excited, calling out, "Summoning successful! Yay, yay!" without listening to my protests that they had the wrong person, were now all dejected.

I don't care.

"Can you send me back to my original world? I didn't come here willingly."

I said this many times, but no one responded. In the end, I was shouted at, "Shut up!"

...A deep-sea fish shouted at me. After abducting me so forcefully. When I was about to lose my temper and return to my room, someone spoke to me from behind.

"Master Haru, we cannot send you back."

I turned around to see a man with a beard standing next to the prime minister.

"Can't send me back? Or can't send me back?"

"Both."

I almost raised my voice in anger but held back. Stay calm. I mustn't forget that I have no allies here.

"I don't... understand."

The bearded man explained apologetically.

"Summoning from another world uses up a summoner. Victor, who summoned you, is no longer a summoner. The magical veins for summoning have been burned out. If we use another summoner to send you back, they will also lose their future."

"So?"

"We can't ruin a summoner's life just to send you back without doing anything. That's why we can't send you back. We'll check again in a week. If you still have no magic, you can do as you please."

This is such a selfish statement. But I endured. I have nowhere to run. The maid who comes to my room is now only Sherry. Fine with me. I don't want to be treated as a holy maiden with such formality.

Of course, a week later, I still had no magic. This time, the prime minister spoke.

"Ah, one more thing. Don't tell anyone that a great disaster is coming to this country. The people will panic. If you talk, your life won't be guaranteed. Now, you can go anywhere you like. Leave the castle quickly."

Did he just call me 'you'?

Scum. This guy is too much. But once they realized I was useless, if I make a fuss, they might really kill me. I should back down quietly.

I ran out of the room and calmed down in the courtyard on the way back. Sherry was with me the whole time. After a long while, I returned to my room weakly. When I opened the door, the room had completely changed.

It was empty, with no furniture. The closet was empty, not even a handkerchief. Only the jeans, hoodie, and underwear I wore when I arrived were on the floor. I couldn't help but laugh at the thorough selfishness.

Of course, I had to think about what to do next as I slowly changed. Sherry came in and spoke softly.

"Master Haru, I'm really sorry. This is too cruel..."

She bit her lip and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Sherry, it's not your fault. Don't cry. I just don't know what to do in this country where I don't know anyone."

Sherry came closer and whispered in my ear.

"When you leave the castle, you'll be searched, so I can't give you a note. Please remember this. There's an inn called Aula in the third district of the South. It's my family's home. Please go there. If you say you were told by Sherry, they will help you. I can't forgive what they did. It's too selfish."

Oh, that's good... There are people with hearts here. I thought this country was full of scum.

"Sherry, thank you. I will never forget this kindness. The third district of the South, Aula. I remember."

"Please be careful until you reach Aula. I'll take my leave now."

Sherry said this and hurriedly left the room.

Soon, two soldiers came and stood on either side of me, escorting me to the exit. To others, it probably looked like I was being taken away.

I walked through the large castle with the soldiers. Everyone we passed avoided my gaze. It seems my lack of magic is known. When we reached the commoners' entrance, the two soldiers stepped back.

As Sherry said, I was searched by female staff. After confirming I had nothing from the castle, she said, "You may leave."

I was summoned unwillingly and now ordered to leave. I must reach Sherry's family home before I get stoned.

I turned back to the towering castle and etched it into my heart. I will never come back here, no matter what.

♦︎

I walked through the busy streets of the capital. Some people stared at my unusual clothing, but most ignored me. I asked for directions from a kind-looking person and eventually reached the inn Aula.

The inn Aula was a small, well-built place. Sherry must have been a well-off young lady to be chosen as a caretaker for someone from another world. And she has a good personality. I was very fortunate with Sherry.

A young woman who was soliciting customers at the front of the inn looked surprised at my clothing but greeted me warmly.

"Are you here to stay?"

"No, I'm not a guest. Sherry told me to come here for help."

"Please wait a moment. I'll go consult with my husband!"

The young woman ran inside and returned after a while, leading me to a reception area.

When I was served tea and cookies, a man named Modal, who looked to be in his forties, kindly asked about my situation. Modal was Sherry's father. I hadn't been moved much until then, but once I started talking, tears flowed like a dam had burst.

"So, I'll do anything. Please let me work here. I beg you."

As I sobbed and explained my situation, Modal nodded sympathetically.

"I don't want to speak ill of the people in the castle, but that was too cruel. Please stay as long as you like. And please don't hate this country that summoned you so suddenly."

Oh, how grateful I am. I bowed my head repeatedly to thank him.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.