Volume 2 Chapter 1
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The first thing I felt was a bone-chilling cold.
Ice walls and an ice floor.
In a chilly little room, I was face to face with a woman I didn’t know.
I was pretty sure I had come to Another World. The ice wasn’t melting, and it wasn’t too cold either. At first, I felt the chill, but it quickly faded away. It was probably some kind of magic effect.
The room was designed entirely out of ice, detailed down to the last bit.
”I’ve been waiting for you, Hero.”
The unfamiliar woman had a charming, bright smile. She had long, pure white hair and a cloak with an ice emblem on it. She was a professional beauty, but also someone you could easily talk to.
”It seems you know a bit about our situation.”
”Yes, I’ve heard from the noble beings who reside in the heavenly realm. Also, you don’t need to use honorifics with us.”
”That’s a relief. I’m Hyakudou Koushi, nice to meet you.”
When I reached out for a handshake, she looked a bit confused. I guess there’s no handshake culture in Another World?
Still, she quickly switched her attitude and took my hand. It was through white gloves, but she didn’t seem to mean any harm.
”I’m Winna from Ice Eden. If I may be so bold, I’ll be your guide, Heroes.”
”Ice Eden?”
When I asked back, Ms. Winna’ smile seemed to gain a bit of intensity.
”The Frozen Island, Ice Eden. This island that has invited you Heroes is a resort known as the paradise of ice.”
…So after the Demonkind’s island, it’s an ice island now?
”I don’t really get it. You called us Heroes all the way here just to let us enjoy a resort?”
In response to my question, she smiled softly.
”This island is a great place for skill development. I hope you Heroes can grow in a comfortable environment and prepare for the battle against the Demonkind.”
A comfortable environment, huh… well said.
This situation seems to welcome us at first glance, but in reality, it’s like being trapped on a closed-off island. They probably want to limit our actions so that the heroes from Another World can’t do anything unnecessary.
First off, the fact that they’re explaining things to us one-on-one instead of gathering all the heroes shows how cautious the people from Another World are. We’re not the first heroes, and there must have been some trouble caused by past heroes.
Their approach to heroes feels like a template, like they’ve got it all laid out. They probably even have a manual for it.
”Are you going to make a special training menu for us?”
”If you’d like, we can create one, but… for now, please take your time and enjoy a relaxing moment. After you’ve recovered from the trial at our facilities, we can discuss what’s next.”
So they know about the trial. Just how much have those Godborn folks shared?
”Also, there are a few rules for staying in ‘Ice Eden.’ Anyone who breaks the rules on this island will face exile, so please keep that in mind.”
That’s a tough stance.
If we get exiled without knowing anything about Another World, it’d be hard to survive. I hope the rules aren’t too unreasonable.
”First, don’t step into restricted areas. Second, don’t contact outsiders carelessly. Third, try to act ethically.”
There are some things I’m a bit concerned about, but it doesn’t seem too weird overall. The second rule probably means we should consult with Ice Eden first if we want to contact anyone outside. There’s a risk of getting tricked by shady groups, so I can understand that.
Still, there’s something I’m a little worried about.
”Is ethical behavior… the same as our world and way of thinking? Like, don’t be violent, don’t commit crimes. Of course, I plan to be careful, but we don’t know the laws of this world. It would really help if there was a simple textbook or something.”
”If you could just try to act with common sense, that would be enough.”
Hmm. It doesn’t seem like they’re going to prepare anything for us. I wish there was a place like a library.
”Can I get a map of this Island? I want one that clearly marks the forbidden areas.”
”Yes. The map is located on the first floor of the Ice Palace, in the central hall.”
”Wait, is this place the Ice Palace?”
”That’s right. Everyone else is already gathered in the hall, so you, Sir Hyakudou, are the last one.”
Then I might have kept them waiting for a while. I spent too much time with the Goddess.
* * *
When I was guided by Ms. Winna to the hall, my companions were already there.
Kashiro noticed me and gave a relieved smile.
”I thought you weren’t coming. I want to talk about a lot of things later.”
”Yeah. Let’s meet up at the Base when we have time.”
As I scanned the room for my friends, I realized one person was missing.
”Where’s Mayuki?”
When I asked, Kashiro lowered her voice.
”…Wasn’t she with you?”
Oh man, is she lost again?
She definitely came into the Door of Light with me, so she should be in Another World.
”──Are you perhaps looking for Cesia?”
Did Ms. Winna overhear our conversation? He chimed in.
”…Cesia?”
”Ah, I apologize. Her name in our world is Cesia. Over there, she was called Sotozaki Mayuki.”
She talks about it like it’s no big deal. But this is the first I’m hearing of it.
”…I thought she was hiding something, but she’s from Another World?”
”Cesia… Mayuki is a colleague from ‘Ice Eden.’ Before this Hero summoning, she was on a special mission with the Godborn’s collaborators.”
It was a series of shocking statements. Is Godborn’s collaborator that big sister? Were those 2 in cahoots? No wonder she has such a tough body; I can’t believe our meeting was all planned out… Well, whatever.
”Actually, I was worried because I hadn’t received any reports for a while… but it seems she was having a good time.”
Ms. Winna was smiling brightly. Is it okay to share that with us? Probably, Mayuki felt guilty about me, which is why she abandoned her duties, but I’m worried that might have put her in a bad spot.
”So, where’s Mayuki?”
”Given the circumstances, she’s currently talking with the administrator of this island. I can’t guide you to her right away, but I think you’ll be able to meet again while you’re here.”
Ms. Winna was smiling, but her words didn’t sound very optimistic. I want to see her and make sure she’s okay, but judging by Ms. Winna’s reaction, it doesn’t seem like it’s that dangerous.
Still, I decided to use the magic detection Necklace just in case.
I was able to find Mayuki’s magic safely, but…
(What the heck is this monster nearby…?)
There was a creature with a magical power that rivaled a Demon King-level Dragon next to Mayuki. From what Ms. Winna said, it must be the administrator, but it doesn’t seem human at all.
And this island… just like during the Island of Trials, there’s Demonkind magic scattered everywhere.
”Ms. Winna, is the reason we can’t enter the forbidden area because of the Demonkind?”
When I asked, she smiled sweetly.
”Yes. This Island is home to Demonkind. It’s dangerous, so please be very careful.”
Why haven’t they exterminated them? Is it for the training of Heroes? Even so, I think there’s a risk of losing lives… This place seems like it’s going to be a real hassle. It’s getting super sketchy all of a sudden.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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