Volume 6 Chapter 77 The Secret Behind The Summoning To Another World
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”The pension… the castle of dreams is burning,” Mr. Joji said, turning around with a painful cry.
I had stored the valuables myself, and honestly, the building was cheap and poorly built. We have to accept that, right? Life matters more than stuff.
The plywood walls glowed red like a campfire, and thick black smoke rose—probably from spilled oil burning.
”Dear…” Ms. Yukie looked like she might faint from shock. She felt like a sheltered princess. If it were Ms. Nina now, she would just glance once and take control—just like a strong princess from another world.
But what’s the use in crying now? We have to keep moving, even if just one step at a time.
”It’s strange. They probably want to hide their illegal occupation, right? If a fire breaks out, the fire brigade will come,” Fubuki said sharply. He was the only one thinking logically in our group.
”Is this how burglars start fires? Usually, they’d steal first, then burn the place. That makes more sense… This is just weird!” Mr. Juji replied.
Maybe they just lit the fire without thinking. Small-time criminals often act on anger, which could be motive enough. But maybe we shouldn’t underestimate them. There could be a deeper reason behind this arson.
I checked with Radar Scan and spotted Old Man Kamitake watching us. He held something like a powerful telescope—maybe a night-vision scope.
”Their plan might be to delay Mr. Joji and the others,” I guessed. “If the pension burns, Mr. Joji would worry and watch from here, just like that.”
Behind Old Man, Kamitake and his child danced like they were drunk on the flames. Seems Old Man is the main villain, and the others are just his helpers.
I remembered my uncle had night-vision gear too. You can get used ones cheap.
”Take this,” I said, handing the night-vision scope to Fubuki. I have night vision too, but walking in the mountains at night without a flashlight is rough.
”This looks like spy gear! Who are you really?” Fubuki asked, surprised.
Well, normal people don’t buy gear like this. Military, security, collectors like my uncle, or criminals. If someone asks, I’ll just say I’m a passing traveler. Sounds like a drama line, but it works.
* * *
The back road Fubuki found was rough—no wonder Mr. Joji and his wife were scared. Walking through thick bushes at night is hard.
”Impossible! I can’t do this at night,” he said, shaking his head.
”Talking might help. Maybe Kamitake would forgive us if we explain now,” his wife suggested.
”Is Dad stupid? Why would criminals say sorry just because we got in their way?” Fubuki said.
”Fubuki, that’s enough. Apologize to your father,” I told him.
I didn’t know what to say.
”It’s decided. Mr. Joji, hold tight on my back. Fubuki, you lead from here,” I said.
I lifted Ms. Yukie in a princess carry and put Mr. Joji on my shoulders. I’ve trained hard, so carrying two adults isn’t a problem.
Am I superhuman? No. People in the Edo period carried heavy rice bags, so maybe we’re just weak now.
”Really… who are you? Farm training?” Fubuki said with admiration.
”Carrying like this spreads the weight well,” I said. Ms. Yukie is smaller than Ms. Shirakaba, so it’s easy to hold her.
Together, they weigh about 120 kg—like two rice bales. Even a farmer’s wife could lift that back then.
The mountain night in Shinshu was cool, even in summer. We followed the scent of ferns Fubuki stepped on, moving deeper into the dark. To me, it almost felt like daytime.
Maybe Fubuki’s eyes got used to the dark since he moved without his night vision. But bushwhacking slows us down—maybe 100 meters an hour at tough spots. This made me realize how valuable a proper trail is.
A flashlight’s flicker appeared behind us.
”Found you—Niimi! Surrender now!” Kamitake shouted, shining his light wildly.
”We’re caught!” Mr. Joji whispered nervously.
”Calm down. It’s just bluffing,” I said.
”No way to run. They have guns,” Mr. Joji said.
”You won’t get hit without a clear shot,” I told them while keeping pace with Fubuki.
Bushwhacking didn’t slow us much, so they probably couldn’t catch us fast.
I secretly tied grass to mark our trail like a trap. It’s low risk and might only stall them a little, but it’s better than nothing.
Kamitake and his child didn’t seem like good trackers, but they closed in, guided by the radio.
Old Man Kamitake climbed a tree alone. Carrying a gun up there meant he planned to shoot us from above.
I checked the terrain from my view—there was a small suspension bridge over a creek ahead. If they attacked there, it would be over.
So Old Man knew this back route all along.
”Found you—old man! We got them!” Kamitake’s child yelled, flashing his light. Modern flashlights are so bright, almost like spotlights.
But they crashed through bushes with heavy steps. Strong and loud.
I thought, This one will pay for trying to steal Ms. Shirakaba’s lips.
I supported a rock under his foot with an invisible hand, not helping but holding just enough.
Suddenly the rock gave way. “Whoa! I’m falling! Help, dad!” he screamed.
He slipped down a steep slope toward the valley. Somehow, he grabbed bushes and stopped but never let go of his gun—either out of guts or obsession.
He fell only a few dozen meters with minor scrapes. Lucky, or maybe not.
Judging him as weak would be wrong. His spirit wasn’t broken. He was foolish but dangerous in his own way.
He’s a scoundrel, but honest with himself. People like that don’t realize they do evil, so their conscience doesn’t stop them.
His rifle was strong, but he had a slim knife in his boots—he’s experienced.
Maybe I should have ended him for safety, but humans survive falls better than expected.
Old Man’s pace slowed now. He might escape after all.
I thought about causing an avalanche to trap them, but when things calm, my urge to kill fades. The more space I get, the weaker my killer instinct feels.
I need to toughen up or Old Man Kamitake will outsmart me.
* * *
”It’s pitch dark. We can’t cross this bridge,” Ms. Yukie said, trembling in front of the old suspension bridge.
Half the wooden planks were missing, and rusty wires held the rest together. Even in daylight, this would be scary.
Water rushed far below. Mr. Joji trembled too.
”Fubuki, you go first. I’ll carry the rest one by one after, just to be safe,” I told him.
”Fubuki, don’t push yourself!” Ms. Yukie warned.
”Trust your son. I’ve crossed bridges like this before,” Mr. Joji said confidently.
True to his word, he crossed smoothly, remembering where to step. Brave, for sure. Without cheat skills, I’d feel completely useless.
”Alright, Ms. Yukie, your turn,” I said and lifted her in a princess carry again. The other side was about 8 meters away. I could jump, but it would be risky with the rocks nearby.
Holding her close, she trembled and clung tightly as I crossed carefully like walking a tightrope.
”That was scary,” I said after crossing. “But as a magician, this would be nothing. I used to do this in the circus.”
Circus acts aren’t done on a whim, and they usually have balancing rods, but those details don’t matter here.
Now I had to go back for Mr. Joji, but Old Man Kamitake was still aiming at us from the tree.
It’s okay. Old Man’s gun barrel should be sealed tight with epoxy.
Carefully crossing the bridge again while warning Old Man wasn’t easy, but I managed.
Suddenly the Old Man fell from the tree.
After a brief pause, gunfire echoed through the night.
”Kyaa!” Ms. Yukie screamed.
No bullets came near. It was just a misfire.
Honestly, I didn’t know much about misfires. I heard sealing barrels could cause accidental shots, but that was just from manga and movies.
The Kamitake family used homemade smuggled guns. Their power and accuracy were unpredictable.
The Old Man seemed hurt by flying debris, but it was clear he hit his head hard when he fell from the tree. He didn’t move at all. This looked serious enough that he needed to go to the hospital immediately. If we left him like this, he might die. But it was his own fault.
Once Old Man, the commander-in-chief, was gone, his son and the other probably wouldn’t be much trouble. Or maybe their violent power would spiral out of control? Usually, things get worse like that. In another world, it might be best to just erase all three of them. But here in Japan, the law comes first—not personal justice.
If we’re going to do it, it has to be a perfect crime, or we’ll be caught for sure. Mr. Joji and the others tend to talk too much, and if the Niimi family finds out, there’s no perfect crime. That’s the hardest part.
* * *
I was about to cross the suspension bridge carrying Mr. Joji when Old Man Kamitake finally caught up, dragging himself out of the bushes. Without hesitation, Kamitake pointed his gun at Mr. Joji. Looks like things were about to twist again.
”Stop right there, don’t move,” Kamitake said.
The gun’s barrel was jammed, so it couldn’t fire properly anyway. At this close range, a misfire could hit us too. Unless it was instant death, I could heal with the Dragon God’s Herb. I needed to protect my brain and heart.
”Hey, Kamitake. Why are you doing something so stupid? Even if you trick the mountain, it’s just a small sum. Is it worth killing for?”
Mr. Joji sounded oddly calm now. Maybe he finally settled down after all that chaos.
”Twenty billion is just chump change to you?” Kamitake asked. “Hey, the buyer is already set. All legal business. It was supposed to go smoothly if you two hadn’t messed everything up.”
Twenty billion. I didn’t know the mountain’s exact value, but for a person, that was a huge amount. No wonder the Kamitake family would do anything to get it.
”Stop dreaming, you fool. You used to talk so passionately about planting flowers in the Alps, remember?” Mr. Joji reminded.
”You idiot, don’t be so naive. That creepy resort was a total failure,” Kamitake spat.
”You worked so hard making that girl’s statue. Remember the feelings you had back then,” Mr. Joji said softly.
”Disgusting. Whatever. Just die already,” Kamitake snapped and fired his gun.
A sharp crack rang out, and pieces flew off the gun’s base. It was just a misfire. Kamitake wasn’t badly hurt.
”What’s happening? Is that a misfire? Kamitake, are you okay? Let me help your wound,” Mr. Joji said.
”It hurts! It hurts! I’m dying!” Kamitake screamed, though he only had a few fingers grazed by shrapnel.
Despite almost being attacked, Mr. Joji seemed ready to help Kamitake. That was… surprisingly kind. Maybe that’s normal in Japan.
Because of my experience in another world, I found Mr. Joji’s kindness interesting. I could watch calmly from the outside.
”When you leave the mountain, turn yourself in,” I told Kamitake. “I’ll come with you.”
”It’s not a crime. When the statute of limitations ends, it’s no longer a crime. I’ll give you a billion to keep quiet. We split it evenly, okay? Okay?” Kamitake said, pressing a bloody handkerchief to his wound. His eyes darkened. He was trying to push us toward the bridge, but it was obvious.
”If that sniper is an old man, he probably fell from the tree and broke his back. We have to get him to the hospital fast, or he won’t survive.”
”What? The old man died? No way… Then all twenty billion is mine! I’m free now!” Kamitake cheered foolishly.
He was more stupid than I thought. Listen carefully—he never said the old man died.
And he was cruel—celebrating because he thought his father was gone.
”Stop talking nonsense. Let’s get to the police now. Your son fell down the valley too; we need to find him.”
Mr. Joji looked determined to save all three. That’s what a good person does.
He’s a good man, but maybe too trusting, even as a businessman.
”That guy is a failure. If he dies too, all the money is mine. With money, I can find a prettier wife and make a better son. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do,” Kamitake said selfishly.
His son was hiding behind some bushes, waiting for a chance to strike.
He lost his gun climbing back, and only had a knife. That wasn’t enough to threaten me, trained in another world.
”Niimi, I’ll give you a hundred million just to stay quiet. It’s legal profit. And I’ll give you a hundred million too. Those damn old man and brat are dead. From now on, I’m the boss of this mountain,” Kamitake shouted nonsense.
What happened to giving Mr. Joji ten billion? He probably forgot because it wasn’t real.
Honestly, I doubted how much he understood. He seemed like a puppet following orders from the old man.
He acted on impulse, no plan or thinking, not smart enough to be a real criminal.
Without the old man’s wisdom, he was like a kite with a broken string. The police would catch him soon enough.
Suddenly, Kamitake’s life ended.
His son stabbed him in the heart with a knife. Kamitake died instantly.
”Damn you, Dad!” his son shouted, running out. For some reason, he killed him.
I was ready to defend myself and Mr. Joji, but I couldn’t react fast enough.
Why did they suddenly turn on each other? Maybe the son thought Kamitake betrayed him. More likely, he just snapped in anger.
The son’s expression changed as if possessed, muttering to himself.
”It’s crazy. Nothing goes right. The world’s lost its mind. When did this start? Even Dad’s dead. I can’t take it anymore. Let this awful world disappear. Let everything vanish!”
He muttered what sounded like a curse or poem, then staggered to the suspension bridge and vanished.
Vanish?
”No! He fell into the river!” someone shouted.
No, that’s not right. He disappeared—vanished from this world.
No mistake—it was an interdimensional summoning. I saw the flow of mana.
Was his despair the condition? And crossing a gate or boundary like the bridge? That seems to be how summoning works.
The chance he reached the other world is about fifty-fifty.
That troublemaker went there, but at level one, he probably can’t harm Ms. Shirakaba.
I need to follow his trail fast. Luckily, I recorded the summoning spell perfectly. With it, I have a program sample for world transfer.
I could go now using the agency’s system, but if they find out it’s a second summoning, it’d be awkward.
Should I shift the teleport coordinates a bit, or prepare a new teleportation magic circle? I’ll need allies on the other side. If I contact Mr. Zenom, things will be easier.
Still, I never thought Kamitake’s son would trigger a Hero summoning.
Is this fate? A bad kind of fate.
”Kamitake… is dead,” Mr. Joji said, crouching beside the body, unable to accept it.
The eastern sky was brightening. It was summer.
”Let’s go. The rest is the police’s job,” I said.
”It was just a dream. We wanted an ideal world wrapped in nature… Tell me, where did we go wrong?” Mr. Joji whispered.
”That was clear from the start. It was a scam all along,” I said quietly.
Sorry to be blunt, but if I don’t say it, no one will understand. I’m used to dealing with dreamers.
* * *
I thought reporting to police would cause a big fuss, but they just had me fill out a bunch of reports—mostly Mr. Joji did.
People who don’t know what happened just write down what the police say. It’s predictable, but since I can steer the story, the result was okay.
The police didn’t want to dig into the fraud. They mainly asked about Kamitake’s death and illegal guns.
The old man was alive, rescued from the valley’s bottom. Scary to think he was conscious despite his injuries.
He stayed silent, warning that if he talks, the underworld will kill him. So, a shadowy boss was behind everything.
Police seemed ready to call it an old man’s delusion.
If there really is a mastermind, the old man will be gone soon anyway. Even if he was the villain, being bedridden stops him from causing trouble.
The priority is the Niimi family’s safety.
If there’s a god, maybe they’ll get justice soon.
Ms. Yukie’s family was rich, so the displaced Niimi family stayed there. Her grandson is spoiled and well cared for.
In the end, the luggage I was asked to keep wasn’t returned.
The Niimis thought I helped them run away. Ms. Yukina and Ms. Yukie stayed on good terms, so the kimono will make a nice gift for Ms. Shirakaba.
I couldn’t announce my marriage, but I think freeing Ms. Shirakaba’s family from Kamitake’s curse was worth it.
One day, I want to send a marriage announcement to Ms. Shirakaba.
I hope it works. I plan to bring cameras and printers to the other world.
* * *
Anyway, it was a miracle I got the Hero Management Bureau’s summoning magic circle. Maybe it was luck—or fate.
It’s the current version of the teleportation magic circle from Japan to another world.
With it, I can go anytime. There’s about a 50% chance of failure, but that’s unavoidable.
I thought about ways to avoid the bureau’s watch.
I’ll use the circle as is, then hide with Stealth skill.
Simple, but the magic circle is guarded by expert mages—they invite unknown beings to the royal capital. If caught, I’d have to fight.
I thought about teleporting higher, then gliding down with a paraglider, but that would draw attention. Flying is risky in the other world.
Or, I could change the circle’s target to an older number.
Some old magic circles might still work.
The circles have serial numbers; changing to a lower one changes destination.
If I send a drone with a return-to-Earth circle, I can check safety.
There are other ideas, but these are the main ones.
I want to see Ms. Nina soon, but I want to spend time with my family first.
Reuniting with my Japanese family was normal, not like drama.
If I go to another world next time, I might never see them again. That’s painful.
Notes:
• Joji – Male. Ms. Shirakaba’s father. Described as handsome and charming. CEO of a pension in the mountains. Quit his corporate job to build the pension. His relationship with his wife, Yukie, seems strained.
• Ms. Nina – Doll Princess (Auroora 217), renamed by the protagonist. Beautiful blonde, ~168 cm, slim waist. Wears adventurer attire. Made from artificial parts and wooden limbs, resembling a princess. Knowledgeable, can read, write, and use basic healing magic. Reliable partner, often saves the protagonist with her skills.
• Yukie – Female. Ms. Shirakaba’s mother. Beautiful and resembles her daughter. Her relationship with Jōji appears to be troubled, with hints of jealousy and infidelity.
• Nina – Doll Princess (Auroora 217), renamed by the protagonist. Beautiful blonde, ~168 cm, slim waist. Wears adventurer attire. Made from artificial parts and wooden limbs, resembling a princess. Knowledgeable, can read, write, and use basic healing magic. Reliable partner, often saves the protagonist with her skills.
• Fubuki – Male. Ms. Shirakaba’s younger brother. Handsome and around the same age as the protagonist. Not attending school recently. Lives in a mountain-top pension. Has an older sister named Yukina.
• Kamitake – Male. Employee at the pension. Greasy appearance and rude attitude. Attempted to approach Yukie, Ms. Shirakaba’s mother, inappropriately.
• Shirakaba – A paladin who seems to be a skilled fighter. He’s introduced as someone with a strong defense and healing abilities.
• Mr. Zenom – Tough dwarf blacksmith from Toyoata Village. Repairs weapons, improves accuracy. Charges 100 gold/arrow. Becomes protagonist’s strict master. Assigns hard tasks like pre-dawn cleaning, firewood, water pumping. Owns well-equipped forge. Challenges protagonist to prove ideas.
• Yukina – Ms. Shirakaba real name. Female. Fubuki’s older sister. Introverted and considered beautiful. Ran away from home after an incident with her older brother. Her family’s circumstances are a source of worry for her.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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