Chapter 4 - Popes Explanation (1/2)

”Excuse me. Have you calmed down, O Great Hero?”

An important-looking old man stepped forward and questioned Rio. His jingling staff attracted the attention of everyone. He was an old man in his seventies, dressed even more lavishly than his peers, with a richly decorated monk's cap that stood about thirty centimeters tall. Old was perhaps not the best word to describe him. If not for his deeply wrinkled face and aged eyes, one might think him a man in his early fifties.

”Ah, yeah, sure. Sorry for causing a scene.” Rio apologized awkwardly at the old priest. Inwardly, he was guessing the identity of this old man. He guessed that this old man was Ishtar Langbard, the one who would explain the situation for the summoned class.

While Rio was busy pondering, the old man turned at the summoned students and the teacher. Finally, he opened his mouth and greeted them, ”Welcome to Tortus, O Brave Heroes. It is our p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to welcome you here. I am the pope of the Holy Church, Ishtar Langbard. It is an honor to make your acquaintances.”

The old man, who called himself Ishtar, broke out into a good-natured smile. Rio had a very subtle reaction, which was missed by everyone when he heard Ishtar's greeting. He had a suspicion about the old man's identity, but he never thought that his suspicion was accurate.

Afterward, Ishtar led the silent group of students into another room that was furnished with numerous chairs and long tables, saying it would be easier to speak calmly there. Rio was tagging along at the back of the group, walking side-by-side with Hajime, who was deep in thought as he followed after the others.

As they walked into their destination, following after Ishtar, Rio was pondering about his second wish. He had asked God to give him unlimited magic energy. However, he couldn't feel the unlimited magic energy inside him and wondered if God had tricked him.

If God tricked him, it would be a big problem for him. After all, this world was very dangerous, and Rio didn't want to face deadly trials and tribulations. He thought that it wasn't worth the trouble and sacrifice.

Rio stopped his silent musings when they arrived at their destination. The new room Ishtar had guided them to was just as lavishly built as the first. The exemplary craftsmanship of the furniture and the tapestries hanging on the walls was evident even to their untrained eyes. The layout of the room implied that it was some manner of a banquet hall.

When it was the time for them to pick their seat, Rio decided to sit next to Hajime. He saw the teacher, Aiko Hatayama, and a group, which consists of two good looking and athletic boys and two very pretty girls all claimed seats at the head of their respective tables, and the rest arranged themselves around them. Rio and Hajime ended up at the very end of their table.

The reason no one had made a fuss so far was that everyone was still too busy processing what had just happened. Though Rio's crazy behavior had attracted their attention, they only thought that Rio was a weirdo and quickly lost interest in him. Besides, Ishtar had stated he would explain what was going on and they latched on his promise desperately.

The moment everyone had finished seating themselves, a number of carts entered the room, pushed along by a retinue of maids. When Rio saw those maids, he gasped in admiration and excitement. It was the first time for him to see an actual maid. In the past, he only saw them from anime or digital media, so it was a very new and novel experience for him. But, Rio soon realized that something was amiss with these maids.