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Two Worlds Reconnected – Part 02

“Wait, is three people not possible?”

“Huh? Oh, no, I think the three of you can easily make it… B-But are you serious?!”

“What’s wrong, Hikaru? Is your hometown that dangerous?” Selyse asked.

“Compared to this world, Japan—our country—is extremely safe. In fact, walking around with weapons will get you arrested.”

“What? They’re for self-defense.”

“Blades with a length of more than six centimeters are illegal. Actually, it’s way better not to carry anything bladed at all. Wait, that’s not the point! Are you really going over there? If our research here doesn’t go well, you might never be able to return!”

“It’s fine. Neither Sara nor I have any relatives in this world.”

“As for me,” Sophie cut in, “I simply ask you to send me the newly written interpretation of the Scriptures once it’s published.”

Paula was nodding along. Were they starting a dimension-spanning delivery service or something?

“Fine. I can’t say I agree with this entirely, but if the three of you really want to go there, I don’t have an active reason to stop you.”

The three girls rejoiced. Hikaru was about to say that they weren’t going on a sightseeing trip, but he thought twice about it. These three probably intended to go sightseeing. If they couldn’t return, they just planned to live there.

Even if they didn’t know the language, even if their values were completely different, they wouldn’t be discouraged.

Probably because Serika is there.

The four of them were the Four Eastern Stars, so if one of them went to a place they couldn’t return from, they followed a simple logic: just go there too. There was no way he could stop people like them.

For the next thirty minutes, Hikaru talked to Selyse and the others one last time. Sophie, reluctant to part with Paula, kept inviting her to come with them, but was reprimanded by Selyse. Paula and Selyse, both Healers, had been helping each other since Paula’s suicide attempt, the treatment for Accursed Toxin in the royal capital, their journey to the Quinbrand Empire, and the battle in the pit under the holy city of Agiapole.

Of course, if Selyse didn’t stop her, Hikaru would have.

“It’s almost time.”

Selyse led them to a spacious area at the back of the Adventurers Guild. It was a training ground, but since there weren’t many adventurers in Agiapole, it was rarely used. The guildmaster had lent them the key because it was the Four Eastern Stars that asked for it.

“Careful with our key too.” Selyse winked and pointed at the key that Hikaru had received earlier.

The training ground smelled like spoiled food. The bare dirt was clean, suggesting the place was barely touched.

All the items they were taking to Japan were already ready. Each person had a small amount that they could carry easily. They didn’t bring weapons or armor, only spare clothes, convertible gems, and rare potions.

I wonder what kind of effects those potions will have back on Earth… Actually, does magic even work there?

There were still many mysteries, but Hikaru’s role was to send them to the other side.

In the dim and quiet training ground, Hikaru spread out a piece of paper inscribed with the sigils for the spell for crossing worlds. As he set the magic catalyst on it, the magic formula began to emit light. All that was left was to place the elemental magic stone on it.

“Well then, everyone, please give my regards to Serika.”

“Is that all? I was hoping for something more sentimental,” Selyse teased.

I really can’t read her mind at all.

“Well, we can communicate through letters,” Hikaru said.

“I really can’t tell what’s on your mind.”

They apparently shared the same thought.

“Paula, I’ll be praying to God every day,” Sophie said.

“I-I will do the same!”

“In prayer, everyone is a child of God.”

“Yes!”

They were like mentor and student.

“Hikaru’s hometown… I want to visit it,” Lavia said.

Sara grinned. “Looks like we’re getting there first.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Now, now. If I find something interesting over there, I’ll send it to you next time.”

“I’d like something delicious.”

“Roger that. And if we find something that’s profitable over there, I’ll let you know, so you can send it.”

“No problem.”

Lavia and Sara were making some kind of agreement. Hikaru wondered if Sara had some money-making scheme in mind for their trip to Japan. The idea of interdimensional trade sounded pretty clever.

“It’s time to begin,” Hikaru said.

“Okay.”

“Understood.”

“This is so exciting!”

The three members of the Four Eastern Stars appeared more excited than nervous. It was Hikaru, the one performing the spell, who felt the most jittery.

“With an elemental magic stone of this size, the three of you should make it no problem. But it’s still better to hurry, so as soon as the rift opens, jump right in.”

Hikaru lifted the elemental magic stone. It was heavy, and he almost staggered as he approached the paper marked with the sigils for the spell for crossing worlds.

I wonder how Serika is doing. Will she be disappointed when she finds out that we haven’t made progress with our research at all? No, if her friends are coming to visit, she will surely be delighted.

Suddenly, an unwelcome hunch crossed his mind: What if Serika wasn’t on the other side? If that happened, he would have to stop the experiment immediately and make sure the three of them didn’t jump in.

Hikaru stood before the sigils. They were glowing, an indication that the spell was already beginning to take effect. He felt a pull, as if the elemental magic stone was being drawn into it.

“Ten seconds left until 10 o’clock,” Lavia, acting as the timekeeper, announced while gazing at a costly pocket watch.

“Here goes nothing. The moment I place it, a strong wind will blow, so brace yourselves.”

Hikaru positioned the wind elemental magic stone in the center of the shimmering magic circle. A crack appeared in the stone, and a tornado-like wind burst forth. The stone’s attribute was intensifying the breeze produced by the sigils.

“Wow, space is tearing apart.”

“So cool.”

Selyse and Sara, having mentally prepared themselves, remained composed, while Sophie clung to the other two.

The rift continued to expand. On the other side, a familiar Japanese landscape unfolded before Hikaru’s eyes.

“…Huh?”

Hikaru stood in disbelief. There was Serika, unmistakably. It was nighttime on that side too, and she wore a white hoodie and a checkered skirt that she clearly got from over there. She looked like an ordinary Japanese high school girl.

But…

Wh-Wh-Why are there so many photographers?!

Lights flashed. There were even TV cameras. Serika held her hands in an apologetic pose, but Hikaru couldn’t hear any sounds—only the blinding flashes.

And then…

Hazuki…

Looking at Hazuki, who stood behind Serika, a wave of nostalgia washed over Hikaru. He instinctively took a step forward but stopped himself. This wasn’t about him right now.

Selyse was taken aback by the unexpected sight. “Um, what is this—”

“It’s okay! Just jump right in!”

As Serika reached out towards them, Hikaru made an “X” sign with both hands to stop her, and instead, Selyse emerged. Serika looked puzzled at her appearance, and in the next moment, her face turned to one of astonishment.

The rift had finally grown wide enough for a person to pass through.

“Bye, Hikaru!”

“We’ll see you in thirty days.”

“Goodbye!”

First, Selyse jumped in, followed by Sophie and Sara, and more flashes lit up the scene.

The rift began to close. Selyse, who had leaped in first, embraced Serika, and Sophie and Sara joined them just before the portal sealed shut.

The spell vanished, leaving a burnt smell from the scorched magic formula.

“Um, Hikaru? I thought I saw lots of people there.”

“That idiot…”

Serika must have caused a scene in Japan, attracting the media’s attention. He was almost sure about it.

“Let’s head back to the inn for now. I’m exhausted.”

“O-Okay. That sounds good.”

“Chin up, Lord Hikaru.”

Lavia and Paula’s words of comfort touched his heart.

---

The following day, after a much-needed break, they returned to their lodgings to find a note from Selyse that said, “I broke the White Ray Blade, so I’d appreciate it if you could apologize on my behalf.” Hikaru grew even wearier.

In the evening, Jillarte arrived, and they caught up on what had happened since their last meeting. Gerhardt had made a swift recovery and seemed to have developed an insatiable appetite, convinced that eating meat would heal him. While the loss of the Beastman was unfortunate, their heroic deeds had earned them a great deal of respect.

However, a new problem had emerged. The Pope, Luvain, had approached them with a proposition.

“He’s asking if we could help thin out the monsters that come from the unsealed pit,” Jillarted said. “He claims the temple guards are understaffed. Lord Gerhardt is considering it favorably.”

“Favorably? I don’t see a lot of benefit in it.”

Now unmasked, Hikaru spoke as an adventurer, adopting a more polite tone. Jillarte, with a tinge of sadness, continued the conversation.

“Simply put, many Beastmen are eager to fight the monsters emerging from the pit because they’re not found in Einbiest. The payment is pretty good too, and I believe Lord Gerhardt sees it as a step toward something more.”

“A step toward what? Is he thinking of an alliance with Bios?”

“You catch on quickly, Silver Face. While not a full alliance, he’s considering increased interactions. I was surprised too. The Leader is truly something. I still have a long way to go to reach his and your level.”

This war was poised to end a long history of animosity between the Confederacy of Einbist and the Theocracy of Bios. The question now was, what should come next? Gerhardt might be thinking that establishing relations with the current Pope, Luvain, was possible.

“Paula, according to the teachings of the Scriptures, there’s nothing wrong with humans and demi-humans associating with each other, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. The old Scriptures don’t make racial distinctions. Such discrimination against Beastmen only emerged recently, in the past 100 or 200 years.”

The fact that they considered 200 years recent spoke volumes about the Church’s age. Nonetheless, if the Pope was adopting a more flexible stance, there was hope for increased cooperation with Einbist.

Luvain’s goal is to buy time until they can seal the great pit again. But it seems he’s come up with a clever plan to achieve two goals: buying time and turning Einbist from an enemy into an ally. He’s as cunning as ever.

“Also, the Pope wishes to speak to you,” Jillarte added.

“What?”

Hikaru couldn’t shake the bad feeling in his gut. Asking him to come after their last conversation, it would be odd not to be cautious.

However, Jillarte’s next words took him completely by surprise.

“The Pope wants to improve relations with the Quinbrand Empire. He’s requesting your assistance with that.”

Hikaru looked up above.

To improve the spell for crossing worlds, he needed to return to the Kingdom of Ponsania and consult with Queen Kujastoria. But leaving the conflict between the Quinbrand Empire and the Theocracy of Bios unaddressed didn’t sit right with him. As long as the empire continued to encroach on their borders, the liberation of Beastmen slaves wouldn’t progress, and Jillarte would remain immobilized.

If Luvain had considered the relationship between Jillarte and Silverface when making this offer, then it would be best to assume that he possessed a cunning that exceeded Hikaru’s imagination.

“So, what does he want me to do?” Hikaru asked the obvious question. “There’s not much I can do by myself.”

“Pope Luvain wants you to be his bodyguard,” Jillarte explained hesitantly.

“Bodyguard? Where is he planning to go?”

“To the Quinbrand Empire.”

Hikaru did not expect to hear this.

“The Pope wishes to personally visit the Empire and offer a direct apology to the Emperor. He believes that only you can ensure his safety during the journey.”