第１７２３堀：よくありすぎる定番の始まり (Part2)
Coming from someone with my youthful appearance, such words might carry little weight.
"I... I see. I must offer my sincerest apologies for summoning you here, quite against your will."
She managed to wring the words out, showing at least enough common sense to lead with an apology.
"The reason I have called upon you both... is that I need you to save this nation."
A weary, synchronized sigh escaped them both. It was the same tired trope I had heard so often from my brother and Taiki-onii-sama. To snatch someone away and then beg for salvation—how audacious. Usually, the kidnapped party is the one in need of saving.
"To be precise, we are currently under siege by both the Demon Lord and human forces. At this rate, not only we, but all our citizens will be slaughtered. We performed this summoning in search of heroes who could break this deadlock."
"...In other words, you want us to fight your war?"
"If only it could be settled through dialogue, but for now..."
Well, if words sufficed, they wouldn't have resorted to the crime of abduction. I understood her plight, yet experiencing it firsthand made me realize just how infuriating these summoning tropes truly are. There is no greater absurdity. To be snatched away and told to join a war—unless one has a hero complex, it is nothing but a nuisance. No sane person wants this; they simply want to live their lives.
"I understand the circumstances, but why us? And as I mentioned before..." Holy listed several names of people who had gone missing. The elven woman’s eyes widened.
"Yes... those individuals are currently training within this very castle."
"Training? Can't you just send them home? Besides, what use is a group of ordinary civilians?"
Exactly. Unless they were exceptionally brilliant and handsome like my brother, I hadn't heard of any hidden talents among those from that remote village. In response to the question, the elven woman averted her gaze slightly.
"Well... when one is summoned, they are granted special powers. They are far from helpless."
Good grief, it really is a textbook case. I suppose they wouldn't gamble on random abductions if there wasn't a guaranteed power-up. The more they call, the more their military strength grows.
"I assume the condition for going home is victory?"
"...Yes. That is what they have been told. Summoning is not a cheap endeavor, after all."
The sheer gall—to kidnap someone and then attach strings to their return. But wait. There was a slight hesitation in her response. Can they *actually* send them back? The thought stoked my anger, but pressing her now might derail the conversation. I needed to stay calm and prioritize gathering information.
Just then, my brother’s voice crackled in my ear.
*“Ah, sorry to interrupt your intel gathering, but you’re missing the most fundamental part of a negotiation. Do you realize what it is?”*
Was I forgetting something? As I tilted my head in thought, the elven woman mimicked the gesture, looking puzzled. Ah.
"I’ve heard enough for now, but I realized we missed something vital," Holy spoke up, catching on at the same moment I did. "Who exactly are you?"
Whether friend or foe, a name is the first step to establishing an identity. The elven woman looked startled, then straightened her posture, composing herself.
"Forgive my late introduction. I am Suena, a princess of the Kingdom of Oue."
Princess Suena shed her look of bewilderment, adopting a regal air as she looked at us. In the past, I might have been intimidated by such royal poise, but I have seen much since then. Judging by her aura and conduct, this was likely a minor nation on par with Fiora or Dafaio—perhaps even smaller.
While harboring these somewhat rude assessments, we introduced ourselves and continued to probe for information. A pincer attack by both a Demon Lord and fellow humans—the worst-case scenario. Yet, a common one. Fortunately, they were so backed into a corner that they likely didn't have the luxury of weaving complex lies.