Chapter 6

If only I could remember his face from the dream. I guess now it’s all coming to me, I have seen this dream countless times, even before I was summoned to this world. I guess I was destined to come across with this demon lord? How can Stein call it a chance? That’s right, scientists are always like that. But Stein is also a wizard in this world, yet he remains to be so rational.

While I am thinking all this, I feel my stomach making those hungry sounds. With a poker face, I stand up and start moving a like a zombie and go downstairs near the dining area. I see Igor’s servants are preparing for breakfast; Igor is nowhere to be seen yet. I go to the kitchen and pick an apple. The servants totally ignore me while I do that.

The people here are too weird in this world. I thought to myself and was preparing to head out when I heard “Please Sir, the breakfast will be ready within ten minutes. Please leave after you have done your breakfast”. One of the servants suddenly told me and went back on his way. Knowing how Igor is evil person, I now keep getting those spooky feelings.

Sometimes I feel like why serve me to this extent if his plans are to restore the demon lord, why not force me to do this. Why would he treat me like a guest if he really was so evil? While thinking all that, I head to the dining area, there are few maids decorating the dining table with food, the smell in air is so good, I can feel my stomach make those funny noise again.

I quietly pull a chair at my usual area and sit. Since there is no smartphone with me, I realize how boring and never ending waiting for something feels. After counting my fingers, counting all the candles and noticing all the maids around each of them are beauties by the way. Definitely look like some noble’s daughters.

I wonder if Igor holds a special place in this Kingdom or not, as per Stein, Slaya was one of the main enemies of Demon Lord, it really doesn’t fit well that Igor is living such a lavish life despite being a servant to Cromwell. I wonder if there was any kind of peace treaty signed.

“Ah, so you have awoken, your highness” Igor said in an emotionless tone as always

Cut the crap, I know you served the demon lord, what you want from me? I could have asked him the question but there were two reasons I had to hold back. I was scared that if things unfold like this, I can endanger my life. Secondly, I was too hungry. I will confront him once I am full.

I simply nodded response

Not long after, maids showed up with lots of food, my inner self was jumping around like a bunny. The smell was so intense; my watered mouth was easily noticeable. I paid it no attention, I couldn’t care. For some reason I just love the food here.

In my previous life, we were too busy with our lives that we barely paid much attention on the quality of food or how tasty they were. We would just grab some unhealthy easy to cook meal and get back to work.

That was the lifestyle I was used to and coming here and eating a food that was specially made by an actual chef and there was Turkey, beef, pork all on same table. I knew if heaven was real, this is its menu.

As soon as the food was placed, I knew the stage is set. One at a time, the serving maid would remove the cover from each pot and I will experience my mind blown away, just by the smell and looks, I can say I can keep doing this for a long time.

The meat was dark brown in color, accurately cooked, doesn’t look burnt or raw; the temperature is almost warm, not too hot. When you touch it, it feels so soft like I am touching a jelly. There was salad, soup, brown breads, nicely roasted and you can feel the warmth of it and the softness.

In my world, the breads were usually stored in refrigerators so naturally they were a little hard and when we used to put in microwave, they would just get crispier, which was still a good condition in my opinion but this… I was beyond words on explaining.

Bread was so soft; it felts like squeezing a balloon. I picked the meal and as soon as I was going to take my first bite, I looked at Igor who was looking at me dumbfounded.

“Umm, you were saying something?” I asked him while being a little embarrassed, scratching my head and maintaining an awkward smile

“Oh my, you really didn’t listen to anything I say” Igor responded in a very casual yet surprised tone.

“Ah ha-ha” what else could I say

“Never mind that, quiet an appetite you have their young master, it gives me immense pleasure to see you happy” Igor said that looking straight into my eyes, for some reason, I could say he was truly pleased from the depth of his heart. Just what is his deal?

“Yes, ever since I woke up, I was feeling extreme hunger and the food here is so tasty, I couldn’t help myself. I apologize for my rudeness though”

“Please by all means, do not apologize, this is Hero-sama’s castle and you are one, it’s all naturally only for you” Igor said while maintaining a smile. Although I could see his eyes squint a little while mentioning Hero-sama

Come to think of it, sama? Really? Well I am not Japanese but since I have read too many novels, I know what that means.

“You added Sama after hero, are you related to Japanese culture by any chance?” I just had to ask

“Oh my, you are not Japanese? My previous lord was Japanese transfer and he taught me a lot of his culture” he said and laughed.

Previous lord? I don’t know about any of this, I guess I should ask.

“I thought you only served de…. Hero in the Coffin” Shit that was close, I wipe the sweat that had formed on my forehead

“Ha-ha, do not worries, all will be revealed to you once you accept your destiny once you open the coffin” Igor was talking business again while maintaining his composure. I must quickly see if I can change the point of this conversation.

“You no, I talked to Stein about this, he told me everything. About you, about the one in coffin, not sure why I should trust you” I finally said it with a serious face.

“If what he says is true, then I am no hero, if opening the coffin is more than a relic as you say, it could be dangerous. What guarantee is there that I am not some mere sacrifice?” I added

Upon hearing the word sacrifice, I could notice Igor’s reaction change for a fraction of millisecond. So it was true. Damn it. I wanted to change the topic but I guess I unknowingly asked what was on my mind the whole time.

Igor was silent; he started eating his food quietly. As a shameless person I am, I didn’t stand up from table and continued to eat. Now that it was clear I was a sacrifice, there is no guarantee that I will survive, might as well eat what I can.

“You were supposed to be a sacrifice, but you are not anymore” Igor declared. The room was so silent I could still hear echoes of the sentence he just uttered. What is going on? Does he like me or anything?

“What do you mean? Does this mean I can go home too?” I asked with doubtful expression

“By all means, I fight for free will after all. So did my master” Igor said with a sigh

What does he mean by fight for free will, what is he talking about? As soon as I was going to say something, Igor stood up. It looks like his meal is already over after this heavy conversation.

“It is of course your own choice whether you want to stay here or not, but know this; we have not lied to you. It is true that you were originally a sacrifice which is also a heroic act, so you were our hero.

However after learning more about you, our circumstances have changed slightly. But before we tell you anything further, I advise that you learn about what happened and a few things” Igor was serious, his eyes were even open.

It was the first time I noticed his pupils; they were blood red in color.

“I can see that you look younger than you did yesterday, I suppose it was Stein’s doing? Well so be it. I ask you to enroll in the city academy, young master. That way you will first learn their point of view, after you have enough knowledge, I will then tell you my point of view. Whatever decision you take, will then be respected.” Igor added

“So what will happen if I refuse” I asked with a serious tone.

“Choice will be yours, you can return or stay, you will no longer have any ties with us” He replied.

“What about your master in coffin?” this was important to ask

“That entirely depends on your decision. After all, learning about you has made it impossible for me to believe there could be any other way around” he replied with a faint smile, he had closed his eyes again and never opened.

After he left the room, I was dumbfounded at the way he opened up, is he really an evil guy I wonder. While eating, I looked outside the window and noticed it was bright day.

“Shoot, I forgot about the meeting with Stein” I rushed my meal and went to the academy where Stein had told me to meet up.

***