The next morning.
After leisurely enjoying another breakfast provided by the kingdom, the group eagerly awaited the king's summons-mainly Motoyasu Kitamura and the other two.
Perhaps because of what he had experienced and felt yesterday, Chuan Wenwu found the people here rather difficult to read, and his attitude toward the king had naturally changed as well.
But he was living under someone else's roof now... Though he had been summoned here against his will, there really wasn't much he could do. He could only wait and see how things developed. At least he had established a good relationship with the other three heroes.
After a long wait, the king finally seemed to be ready. He sent someone with the summons, and the group followed their guards to the audience hall once more.
As soon as they stepped through the doors, a guard stationed there announced loudly, "The heroes have arrived!"
They certainly had the ceremony down.
Inside the audience hall stood twelve men and women dressed in various adventurers' outfits. By contrast, the heroes, who had only been summoned yesterday, still wore their "otherworldly clothes" from modern society and looked completely out of place.
Even if only for appearances, they all bowed to the king and listened attentively to his speech. "Following yesterday's discussion, I sent people to recruit those willing to accompany the heroes as companions and stand alongside them. We have now gathered these twelve outstanding adventurers."
As expected, the people in the audience hall were their future companions. After all, that baffling legendary weapon system didn't allow the heroes to form a party together.
As for whether these future companions selected by the king were the finest adventurers in the kingdom, he had his doubts.
He was more inclined to believe they had all been specially arranged, with exchanges of favors between the king and the nobles behind their selection-wasn't that how novels always went? If
a member of a noble family became a companion to a hero who saved the world, surely the whole family would rise to greatness along with them?
Chuan Wenwu turned his head slightly and glanced toward the side of the audience hall. Besides the ranks of knights standing neatly at attention to maintain order and dignity, countless officials and nobles were watching. They seemed to place considerable importance on this ceremony for selecting the heroes' companions.
Twelve people meant three for each of them, making four-person parties...
The king continued, "Come, future champions! Choose the hero you wish to follow, and embark on your adventure together!"
*???*
We don't get to choose our companions? These adventurers get to decide for themselves?
Hmm... That isn't so bad. After all, we're just strangers from some unknown other world. Rather than having us choose, letting this world's adventurers decide will show who they find more dependable.
At that thought, Chuan Wenwu straightened slightly, clasped his hands behind his back, and stood at ease with his head high and chest out. Though he had yet to enlist or undergo any real military training, he still faintly projected something of a Huaxia soldier's bearing.
The four heroes stood in a row, waiting quietly for their future companions to choose.
Before long, everyone had selected their preferred hero.
Ren Amaki: five people
Itsuki Kawasumi: three people
Motoyasu Kitamura: four people
Chuan Wenwu: zero people
Chuan Wenwu: "..."
If he had only suspected something fishy about the companions selected by the king before, he was certain of it now!
From the guards' inadvertent differences in their treatment of him and the other three heroes when they were first summoned, to the king's mockery and deliberate neglect during their audience, and now not a single adventurer choosing to join him.
This kingdom seemed deeply prejudiced against him. Was it because he was the Shield Hero?
"Oh dear, even I never expected something like this to happen. Not a single adventurer wishes to follow the Shield Hero? Oh dear, whatever shall we do...?"
The king put on a surprised expression, but he couldn't suppress the amusement at the corners of his eyes. This was clearly a result he was delighted to see-or rather, one he had arranged himself.
A minister beside him casually shifted the blame onto Chuan Wenwu. "He commands absolutely no respect."
"What's going on? Why didn't any of you choose Wenwu?" Ren Amaki, who had received the most companions, was dumbfounded as well. He simply turned to question the people who had chosen him.
But they looked this way and that without directly answering Ren Amaki's question.
Motoyasu Kitamura also spoke up. "So what exactly is going on? Whatever the reason, surely at least one of the twelve of you should have chosen Wenwu?"
Itsuki Kawasumi spoke up for Chuan Wenwu too.
Harmony between the heroes should have been a good thing, but someone apparently didn't want to see it.
The king gave them a look. The adventurers, who had been stammering evasively under the three heroes' questioning, finally answered:
"Well... Rumors have spread through the city that, of the four heroes, only the Shield Hero seems unfamiliar with this world."
*?*
"The traditions contain a record stating that [the heroes understand the structure of this world]. So everyone suspects you might not meet that requirement..."
Motoyasu Kitamura poked Chuan Wenwu in the side. "Could someone have eavesdropped on our conversation yesterday?"
Chuan Wenwu shot him a look. "Isn't that obvious? Of course they did!"
The adventurer continued revealing what he knew. "And people also say that, of the four heroes, the Shield Hero is the weakest... Or that he has no fighting ability at all. Even the other three heroes told the Shield Hero to stay in the city and enjoy life... So everyone preferred to choose the other heroes, who have greater combat strength..."
At that, Motoyasu Kitamura and the others stiffened and cast apologetic looks toward Chuan Wenwu. None of them had imagined that last night's joking conversation would leave him in such an awkward predicament.
Chuan Wenwu shook his head.
They couldn't be blamed. This clearly had nothing to do with them. Someone was deliberately stirring things up to make life difficult for him, the Shield Hero.
Though he didn't know the source of that malice, he couldn't afford to lose his dignity as well. Shamelessly begging the king to assign him a companion now would only weaken his position.
Chuan Wenwu stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and declared clearly, "Since no adventurer wishes to choose me as a companion, I must still have shortcomings. I will strive to improve, rather than blame others."
"However, I am a hero summoned to this world to fight for its salvation, and the Shield Hero, who isn't suited to combat, at that. Without companions to support me from the outset, my first steps may be rather difficult..."
"Heh. So you wish to beg me to arrange other companions for you?" The king laughed coldly. "That is not for me to decide. Even I would not force someone to go against their wishes and choose a hero they do not want to follow."
What an act.
Chuan Wenwu shook his head. "No. I mean that, if you cannot provide support in numbers, then please at least provide more financial assistance."
"Straight to asking for money? What a vulgar hero. Very well, I shall grant your request..."
While Chuan Wenwu was bargaining with the king, a woman who had originally intended to join Motoyasu Kitamura's party suddenly raised her hand. "I've just realized that the Shield Hero seems very dependable too. May I switch to his party?"
She was an attractive woman with shoulder-length red hair, a slender waist, large breasts, alluring eyes, and a tall figure. Judged purely on appearance, she was undoubtedly a first-rate beauty.
Motoyasu Kitamura was happy that someone wanted to help the good buddy he had made yesterday, but why did it have to be her?
When he saw who had raised her hand, a pained expression appeared on Motoyasu Kitamura's face, as though he were constipated and couldn't put his suffering into words.
She was the prettiest girl in his party! When she had chosen him with such radiant charm, he had already planned a sweet romance with her to celebrate his arrival in another world!
But now she had changed her mind and wanted to join the good buddy who understood him-and that buddy was pitifully standing there without a single person choosing him.
So which should he choose: a pretty girl who wasn't his girlfriend yet, or a good brother he had met yesterday?
Was there even a question?
"Wenwu, this beauty wants to join you." Motoyasu Kitamura called to Chuan Wenwu with a heartbroken expression.
Chuan Wenwu: "..."
Chuan Wenwu said, "If you don't want to let her go, there's no need. Having companions or not really doesn't make much difference to me. Bruce's help is enough..."
But Motoyasu Kitamura showed his loyalty. "It's fine. This other world is huge. There must be plenty of pretty girls. With my handsome face and great strength, I'll find a new prospect sooner or later. Hehehe... You, on the other hand, finally have a pretty girl who thinks you're dependable and wants to join you. You're single, so seize the chance and think about how to finally lose your virginity!"
"Lose your virginity, my ass! My upbringing and my country's laws don't allow me to fool around... Of course, I wouldn't do that anyway. I'm only eighteen, after all!" Chuan Wenwu blurted out in protest.
"Huh? We're already in another world. Why do you still care so much about the rules back home?" Motoyasu Kitamura couldn't understand it. Wasn't coming to another world all about saving it, earning countless people's adoration, building a huge harem, and reaching the pinnacle of life? He felt Chuan Wenwu was a little too rigid.
Chuan Wenwu ignored him. Instead, he scrutinized the smiling red-haired woman and asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to switch to my party?"
Everyone here was clearly connected to the king's arrangements. For her to suddenly change her mind felt wrong somehow.
"Because it just occurred to me that the other heroes all possess great power. If I joined them, I wouldn't really have a chance to show what I can do... And if I choose you, Shield Hero, you'll be sure to protect me, won't you? That way, I can help you defeat monsters and put my abilities to good use!"
"..."
Chuan Wenwu studied her with a piercing gaze for a long time before slowly nodding. "Then join the lineup."
With that, he turned to face the king on the raised platform ahead, without sparing her another glance. Naturally, he didn't notice the slight crack in the smile of the woman behind him.
But he was already wary of this strangely behaving woman.
"Is there only one person willing to serve under the Shield Hero?" the king asked loudly from the platform.
He waited a good while, but none of the followers behind the other heroes moved. Only then did he give a deeply regretful sigh. "Then there is nothing to be done. With no companions, or only one, his party's fighting strength is indeed insufficient. We can only offer additional compensation in support funds."
"Guards!"
At the king's call, four fully armed guards approached them, each carrying a large money pouch.
"Now, accept these. This is the support money the kingdom will provide to the heroes every month. Naturally, Lord Wenwu will receive a little more."
Indeed, the money pouch handed to Chuan Wenwu was noticeably larger than the others.
The king said, "I have prepared eight hundred silver coins for Lord Wenwu, and six hundred each for the other three heroes. Please use this money to purchase equipment or recruit new companions, then embark on your adventures!"
"Yes!" ×4
After each of them bowed to the king, the audience ended.
Once they left the audience hall, they all had their own parties, so it was no longer convenient to stay together. They exchanged farewell glances, then each found a quiet place to introduce themselves to their companions.
Of course, since the adventurers had chosen the heroes, they already knew who the heroes were. Only the adventurers needed to introduce themselves to their chosen heroes.
"Shield Hero, my name is Myne Sophia. Just call me Myne! I look forward to working with you!"
Myne introduced herself to Chuan Wenwu with an easy, open manner, showing no trace of reserve.
Myne?
Hearing that name, Chuan Wenwu froze for a moment and wondered whether it might be an alias. Its pronunciation sounded rather strange.
Then he remembered this was another world. Why entertain so many ridiculous notions? The name was a little odd, but it was probably real.
After silently muttering, The internet has corrupted me, Chuan Wenwu nodded calmly to Myne. "Yes. I look forward to working with you too."
He paused, then got straight to the point. "So, Myne, what do you suggest we do next? I've only just arrived in this world, after all. There's a lot I don't understand, and I'll need your help explaining it."
"No problem. Leave it to me!"
Myne nodded brightly. After a brief moment of thought, she said, "The heroes will definitely need to venture outside the city and grow stronger. Before that, let's visit a weapon shop! Buying some good armor and weapons will make fighting monsters more efficient!"
Before you continue