The next morning.
After breakfast, the five of them followed the palace guards to the Audience Hall they had visited the day before.
"The heroes have arrived."
The doors to the Audience Hall opened, revealing nearly twelve men and women gathered inside, all dressed in different kinds of adventuring gear. Some appeared to be knights.
"Following yesterday's discussions, I sent men to recruit volunteers willing to accompany the legendary heroes in battling the Waves. And it appears that some among them have already chosen which hero they wish to accompany." Seated on his throne as always, the king explained this to the five of them with a solemn, imposing air.
"Come, heroes of the future! Embark on your adventures with the hero you wish to serve!"
The king sat upright on his throne and announced this loudly.
What? They're the ones who get to choose?
Naofumi Iwatani and the other three looked shocked. None of them had expected things to work this way.
The adventurers filed forward, gathering behind their chosen heroes.
Ren Amaki, five.
Motoyasu Kitamura, four.
Itsuki Kawasumi, three.
Naofumi Iwatani, zero.
Ye Uchiha, zero.
"Huh?!"
Naofumi Iwatani stared at the adventurers around him in shock. Not a single one had chosen him.
Ye Uchiha stood with his arms folded across his chest, resting with his eyes closed, unconcerned with what was happening around him.
"To think it would turn out this way. Even I did not anticipate such a development." The king looked coldly at Naofumi Iwatani and Ye Uchiha. "Not a single person wishes to follow you. You truly command no respect at all."
Just then, a man in a long robe approached the king and whispered in his ear. A faint smile lingered at the corner of his mouth.
"Have those rumors already spread?"
"Did something happen?" Motoyasu Kitamura asked.
"Well, actually... rumors appear to have spread through the city that, of the five heroes, only the Shield Hero and this unknown hero summoned in addition to the others are unfamiliar with this world."
"What?!"
"According to legend, the heroes possess an understanding of this world. Thus, everyone suspects that you may not meet that requirement..."
"The same applies to Lord Ye. The summoning of the Four Holy Heroes was originally limited to four people, yet you alone appeared as an extra. Some even claim that you were summoned accidentally by sheer chance and are not one of the Four Holy Heroes."
That was the king's explanation in response to Motoyasu Kitamura's question.
"Could someone have overheard our conversation last night?" Motoyasu Kitamura nudged Naofumi Iwatani beside him and spoke quietly.
"How could this happen? All because of something like that..."
"Hey, Ye, you're on your own too. Doesn't that make you angry?"
"Oh, trash of this caliber doesn't even deserve a proper look from me. Do you think I'd care?"
Ye Uchiha spoke flatly, but his provocative words instantly enraged quite a few of the adventurers present.
"You've got some nerve for a fake hero!"
A middle-aged man dressed as a knight immediately stepped forward, drew his sword, and shouted angrily at Ye Uchiha.
Some adventurers were already watching with cold, mocking smiles, waiting for the insolent Ye Uchiha to be taught a lesson.
Ye Uchiha gave a quiet snort. An immense, almost tangible aura surged from him, making even the capable adventurers present blanch. It swept forward with crushing force, driving the knight to his knees with his forehead pressed against the floor, unable to move so much as a finger.
"As I just said, they don't even have the strength to raise their heads and look up at me, much less become my subordinates. I don't need companions who can't keep pace with me."
He slowly opened his eyes, revealing their scarlet irises and three tomoe to everyone present. It felt as though invisible hands had seized their hearts. Their breathing grew quick and strained as a heavy, murderous atmosphere filled the Audience Hall. They could not even muster the courage to oppose him.
From that moment on, no one dared underestimate or look down on this man again.
Ye Uchiha quietly deactivated his Sharingan and stood in the hall, unmoved by the countless strange looks directed at him.
What a terrifying monster!
Everyone present shared that assessment. No one dared make a reckless move or provoke him. They could only remain silent.
Seeing how Ye Uchiha had handled things, Naofumi Iwatani's mouth twitched. It looked as though he could only count on the others now.
"Hey, Ren! You've got five companions over there. At least spare me one or two!"
The moment he finished speaking, the adventurers hoping to accompany Ren-including the men-looked as timid as lambs and hurriedly ducked behind Ren.
"I hate running around in a pack. I'll leave anyone who can't keep up behind."
As though backing Naofumi Iwatani up, Ren Amaki delivered that harsh warning in a cold voice. Yet the people behind him showed no sign of moving.
Naofumi Iwatani turned to Motoyasu Kitamura indignantly. "Motoyasu, what do you think? Isn't this going too far?"
"Well, I wouldn't really say that..."
Motoyasu Kitamura rubbed the back of his head and glanced at the four attractive female companions behind him, answering in a somewhat dismissive tone.
"Perhaps giving each person three companions would be more appropriate... but forcing people into teams could hurt morale."
Itsuki Kawasumi's measured response drew nods of agreement from everyone present, leaving Naofumi Iwatani looking abandoned.
Unable to accept it, Naofumi Iwatani protested, "But you can't just tell me to go adventuring all by myself because of that!"
I've got a shield! The weapon you guys called a loser! How am I supposed to get stronger without companions to help me?
Feeling the cold distance in the air around him, Naofumi Iwatani gritted his teeth as he looked at everyone present.
"Um, Sir Hero, may I accompany the Shield Hero?"
A cute girl with shoulder-length red hair raised her hand from behind Motoyasu Kitamura and asked with a smile.
"Oh? Are you really okay with that?"
"Yes."
The red-haired girl answered brightly, a smile on her face.
To Naofumi Iwatani at that moment, she looked as beautiful as an angel.
"Would anyone else like to volunteer to join Lord Naofumi's party?"
Seeing no one raise a hand, the king sighed deeply. "It cannot be helped. Lord Naofumi, you will have to recruit suitable companions yourself to bolster your fighting strength."
"Our kingdom will provide the heroes with financial support each month. This time, we shall give Lord Naofumi and Lord Ye somewhat more than the other heroes as compensation."
"Oh, all right!" A pleasantly surprised expression appeared on Naofumi Iwatani's face. He had not expected this extra windfall. Things were not so bad after all.
"Now, here are your funds. Heroes, accept them."
Five palace attendants approached the heroes and handed them money pouches.
Hearing the heavy clinking and feeling the weight of his pouch, Naofumi Iwatani was delighted.
Ye Uchiha merely hefted his pouch in silence, his face betraying no emotion.
"I have prepared eight hundred silver coins each for Lord Naofumi and Lord Ye, and six hundred each for the other three heroes. Use this money to purchase equipment and embark on your adventures!"
Before you continue