第４８１堀：おとぎ話なんて信じてはいない (Part2)
My ancestor. The First Kamishiro, an unparalleled mage and sage, said to be a being whose wisdom had no equal.
It is said that the pendant passed down through generations stores the incantation and magical power required for that summoning.
"Summon a hero," the legend said, "when Haiden falls into crisis..."
"That is impossible!! While it is true that magical power is stored within, I cannot believe we can control such a complex incantation! We need the approval of His Majesty and the others!"
"Kagura, you know as well as I do that we do not have the time to wait for such things."
"But!!"
"The country is in crisis. We must act now."
*You fool!!*
If you’re going to waste that much magical power on something with no guarantee of success, it would be far better to use it for our defense!
"Princess. Please, use that power for our defense..."
"No!! It is decided that your pendant and mine are to be used only to summon a hero!"
"But!!"
"No more debate. What we need now is a hero to break through this situation. Yes, we need someone like the heroes of old! Now, we begin the ritual."
"...Understood."
There’s no way something so convenient could actually happen!
But if we divide our opinions here, it literally means our total annihilation.
*Ugh, fine!!*
Let’s just do it! I have no choice, do I?
That night, we secretly performed the summoning ritual, but as expected, there was no response...
"Please, save us!! Help us, I beg you!! Save us!!"
The Princess wished for it like that, but there was no way it would respond, right? If it were that easy to bring someone here, everyone would do it.
Well, I have to say something too, or the Princess will glare at me...
"It didn't come... Why!? Why, when a Japanese person is supposed to appear!! If this keeps up..."
I said it as if I believed it. But of course, nothing happened, and that day’s summoning was a spectacular failure.
*Ugh, I’d be better off sleeping to recover my mana.*
A few days later.
"Why!? Why won't it work!? Please!! We may not last much longer. This is all we have left!!"
We’ve been wasting days like this...
I try calling out, but there is no response.
It’s grueling. My mana recovery can’t keep up due to lack of sleep.
The Princess’s mana is also depleted, and the student corps has finally suffered serious casualties.
If we don’t stop soon, we’ll lose even the slightest chance of survival.
Yet, despite failing repeatedly, the Princess shows no signs of giving up. She just prays, over and over.
As if that would bring us salvation...
In the worst-case scenario, I’ll have to knock the Princess unconscious and flee.
Though, the chance to escape is already razor-thin...
Because of today's casualties, unrest is spreading among the soldiers.
If there are more losses, we will lose control, and any hope of organized resistance will vanish.
Should I knock the Princess out now?
After all, she’s been spending her days on this ritual instead of leading the front lines, which is exactly why we’re suffering these losses...
Honestly, thanks to the Princess and her summoning, morale is hitting rock bottom.
*Yes. I’ve decided.*
I’ll knock her out during tonight’s ritual and bet everything on one last, slim possibility.
Under this air-headed Princess’s command, we’re doomed to total annihilation.
And so, that night.
"I beseech you, First Ancestor. Grant us your power..."
I stared blankly at the Princess as she spoke.
No, I was just exhausted.
I think we managed to hold off the enemy’s offensive well today. My mana held out.
But I’ve lost the strength to escape now...
As a Duke’s daughter, my safety might be guaranteed, but the other students of lower status will be violated and killed... My friends are among them...
"Kagura!! You must pray too!! We have no more time!!"
*It’s your fault we’re in this mess!!* I desperately suppressed the urge to scream.
*Ugh, fine, I’ll pray, okay!!* If that’s all I can do, then let’s do it!
But words and prayers don't reach anyone.
"It doesn't work no matter how many times we try. Ugh, enough!! Maybe another world doesn't even exist!!"
"Kagura!!"
*Yes, yes, I understand, stop looking at me like that.*
I never believed in another world to begin with—wait?
A sudden realization struck me.
*That’s it. It doesn’t have to be another world.*
This is more realistic.
I just need to call a Japanese person who exists in this world, someone who can break through this situation.
There’s no such thing as another world. The records even said the First Ancestor came from far across the sea. This is it!!
I wove the words with conviction.
"Then!! Someone who exists in this world!! Someone who possesses the power of the ancient heroes to break through the hardships I face!!"
The result was immediate.
A pale light emerged from the pendant, growing brighter and brighter.
"We did it!! Kagura, keep going!!"
*Ugh, be quiet.* Don't break my concentration; this is our last chance.
I poured all my thoughts and mana into my voice.
"You’re there, aren't you!! A Japanese person!! Save us!! Just like the First Ancestor did!! Please!!"
I don't believe in fairy tales. But... this is all we have!!
Immediately after, the room was enveloped in a blinding flash...
"...If it's Yuki or Taizo-san, they should understand!! Tell them to rely on Luna! Did we arrive already? No time lag!? Cleena, Samantha, deploy magical barriers in all directions!!"
"Yes!!"
"Mm!!"
"Milly and the others who are pregnant, get to the center!! Everyone, deploy Naurjia armaments!! I don't know the situation!! Do not let your guard down for a second!!"
"Yes!!!"
I heard those voices, but... why are there so many of them?
The First Ancestor was supposed to be alone, wasn't he?
While I was thinking about such trivial things, the flash subsided, and there was a large group of people standing there. A man stood right in my line of sight.
"Eh, what? You? Wait, black hair!?"
"That's my line. Good grief, black hair means another Japanese person? No, the features aren't Japanese. A descendant or something? Whatever. I'm taking control."
"Huh?"
And just like that, without any time to resist, the Princess and I were captured by this man.
...I don't believe in fairy tales.
Where is the romance in any of this? Really...
Well, everyone already knows if Yuki can become the protagonist of a fairy tale, right?
Anyway, this was the story of Kagura’s successful summoning after a long struggle against an air-headed princess.