- Border City “Hogomori” outer wall, Inclira Kingdom –

- around 1730hrs –

“What do you mean that we cannot enter the city!? The gate isn’t even closed yet! You’re currently in presence of the second princess of the Holy Kingdom of Nelimista! Have you got no honour to make her wait outside the city?!”. As the sun is setting down with the sky getting darker every second, the Princess’s convoy was halted by the city guards and made Court Mage Florentina who was currently in charge of the convoy slightly frustrated as their safety is in danger.

“As I stated earlier, we have our orders from our lord since we’re having bandits disguising as anything to infiltrate our city for the past few months and as such, I would have you to abide until further notice as we’re currently sending a messenger to his mansion”. The Guard replied, still unfazed by her statement. She then turned around in frustration and return to the princess’s carriage that got fixed earlier before they continue their journey. the princess that was aforementioned earlier saw Florentina parade herself back with some harsh stomping to the ground, feeling worried.

“Miss Mage, how were the talks? Are we allowed to go inside yet?” Florentina shook her head after she took off her hat, still having an irritated face.

“I do not want to make assumptions but I do have a suspicion that they’re stalling us from entering for a certain reason unknown to us. Even though I showed the royal crest & invitation letter as proof. Though, we’re half at fault too…” While they were talking, Kurogane slightly wondered what mistake that was made by them but shrugged it off as he continue to meddle with his status board.

Little did Kurogane know, they already planned this beforehand before he was summoned and all the shenanigans happened. At first, they planned to do a month of basic training for the hero to adapt to combat and get better physical endurance but thinking that the hero himself was already adapted to it and was quite strong as well, the Kingdom decided to advance the schedule of their entry into the Great Endless Forest. Despite the fact that the convoy was one day late from the agreed-upon time with the representative of the Inclira Kingdom. Florentina did send a letter of apology for their assumed delayed arrival to the border town a day before the trip, right after the duel happened, while also receiving a reply from the Inclira Kingdom’s representative that they’re still allowed since they have an alliance pact to support each other.

As he was viewing a certain status panel about his skills, Lunamaria tapped his shoulder as she sat beside him. “Sorry for all the troubles you’ve had in your first few days here sir Kurogane, we should’ve done your basic training for several months and now here we are, waiting to enter the town while having our soldiers badly wounded.”

He shook his head, “No, it’s fine, I’m not bothered at all. In fact, now I know how dangerous the demons are…”

“Yeah…” Luna then saw the status panel that he’s opening currently. “Are you planning to get a new skill to unlock later?”

Kurogane that’s currently rubbing his chin, hummed. “I actually do not know what kind of Hero I wanted to be… I’m still figuring out the system of this world. Plus, I only get one life, and I don’t want to ruin it by just going by whatever I want, the strategy here is quite different after all.” He then closes his status panel, sighing.

“Plus, I can’t use that skill again since the goddess only allowed me to use it during that situation only”. As he remembered back on the battle before, his first ever encounter, Kurogane is the only one to hear the [Goddess]. Though, he kept it for himself that somehow she sounded like a very intelligent AI than the ones he met before getting transferred to this world, which he found it hilarious.

“You could hear the goddess’s voice?!” the sound of her getting surprised attracted the others that were busy doing their own thing and tending the wounded. Kurogane shushed her while putting his palm on her mouth, shouting “nothing! She’s just too excited!”

As the Knights returned to their own activities, he sighed in relief. “Can you please not shout about it! I don’t want everyone to start hailing me as a god’s messenger or something!”. He moved his hand away from her mouth. though, He wasn't expecting to see the princess blush from what he had been doing.

"s-sorry, it's quite new to me to know that someone could directly communicate with the upper realm without using something as an intermediary like praying or something, and... it was the first time a man touched my mouth..." Lunamaria’s shy tone at the end, as well as her turning away while covering her mouth, made Kurogane conscious towards her. Their awkwardness quickly fades, and they both chuckle at how silly they are to one another. The two after which talked until the sky went dark, having an enjoyable time reminiscing about their amusing and whimsical pasts.

As the two were happily talking together, Florentina, who'd already returned to their convoy after going to the gate once more, interrupted them while breathing heavily in exhaustion as she came running in a mad rush. "y-your… Haahh.... highness..." The lord... ugh... demanded on meeting you in person... haaahh."

For a brief moment, the princess and hero exchanged puzzled looks before returning their gaze to the exhausted mage. "Well, it was quite expected since he needs affirmation whether she’s the real princess of the neighboring country or not. Don’t worry though, I’ll try my best to protect you both. So... shall we go your highness??" With a smile on his face, he rose up and extended his hand to Lunamaria who giggled as she accepted his hand.

“Oh my, what a gentleman you are”.

"I got told that a lot, hahaha". His reply made her giggle, even though she was somewhat anxious since she was wondering whether such flattery was also expressed toward him by

other girls back in Kurogane's home world. They then proceeded to the city wall, accompanied by all of the escort knights, including the injured, and were greeted by the Lord himself.

“Ah, your highness, it is truly you. Apologies for your delay in processing your entry; our city is still experiencing problems and I welcome you to Hogomori, despite the unfortunate circumstances all of you encountered along the way. Have your injured knights treated in the nearest clinic, and I'll cover the cost.” The Lord said. Having himself bowed down in front of Lunamaria. “Gosh, I nearly forgotten to introduce myself, I’m Viscount Suzukaze of Hogomori. pleasure to meet all of you”.

Kurogane's eyes widened in delight as he heard a very familiar naming from Earth. "And who is this young lad behind you, your highness?" asks the viscount, seeing the teenager's joyful gaze. “When I mentioned my name, he seemed ecstatic".

"Oh him? Sir Kurogane Hiroshi is the summoned hero we described the other day. And, as stated in the letter, we're here to help him train to fight fearsome beasts and monsters in the endless forest." Florentina interjects, standing next to Lunamaria with a momentary glare at the Viscount, who'd already unknowingly by everyone around, stepped slightly closer to the Princess. He took a step back, aware that she had seen his minimal action.

"A-ah, I see, he came from our former hero's homeland also I presume. Hardly a surprise he has the same naming practice as our Kingdom." He then coughed and cleared his throat. "Since it's getting dark, shall we discuss this in the carriage I've prepared?"

They agreed and went inside one of the two carriages that were parked behind him, boarding the carriages while the knights went to the nearest subsidized clinic, while some of the others went to the city guard infirmary as they need better treatment. The Viscount’s convoy then headed towards his residence. During their ride through the town, it’s quite a new scenery for the princess and her retainers, well… not for Kurogane, though, he’s still delighted to see his culture again even in another world, especially how it’s a mix of both Minka’s and…

“Is that Sìhéyuàn design as an inn?? It’s interesting to see how two different architecture design from two different countries on my world was built side by side” he pointed out through the window of the carriage. The Viscount chuckled, pleased that he knows about it.

"Yes, indeed. The tale went exactly similar to how it is with the Holy Kingdom, however without the two to be in a strife". He then recounted the story of the Kingdom of Inclira's industrial progress. Two humans were summoned many hundred years ago. Both were from opposite sexes; one was a Japanese architect and blacksmith while the other is a Chinese female warrior. The two of them argued their opinions a fair bit since it seems that their countries were not on good terms with each other that time, and as time goes by, they ended up marrying each other. Leaving the legacy of their respective nation for Inclira Kingdom to have, especially the Blacksmith’s metallurgy technique and the Warrior’s martial arts. According to the viscount, the major goal of the summoning spell back then was to have otherworlders create a revolution on the world by bringing their wisdom to Verdia, thus, it creates the assimilation of such tradition in that nation.

The princess was fascinated upon hearing the tale as she believed it was quite a heartwarming story to hear, and to their surprise, the Hero who was seated beside Florentina, across from the princess, was smiling and gazed outside with a long gaze upon being told the tale. "I'm glad they ended up together and made this country exciting and lively. Whereas in my world, where... the two countries where they're from still frequently despise each other..."

“Such a shame, I heard that they were actually a lovely couple back then. To think their countries still hate each other is just worrisome as it was told by their succe- I mean future generation.”

Kurogane's story made it unpleasant to continue the conversation. Florentina cleared her throat to get their attention, breaking the ice. “Viscount, again, we are grateful for allowing us to stay for 3 months here even with our delayed arrival. I hope you would show us more of this city in the future”.

“I would but I have my duties to fulfil so I am terribly sorry that I can’t escort such wonderful ladies around”. Not long, they finally arrived at his mansion. The Viscount told his attendant whom sitting in the driver’s seat to have the other carriage prepared as he waited at the gate. “This is my stop, the head maid is already informed of your arrival, your highness, so do not fret, make this place feel the same as your home.” He gave a peck on her hand and left the carriage.

Their carriage soon came to a halt in front of the mansion's entrance staircase; the mansion, like the other residential houses around it, was fashioned in the style of Asian traditional housing. It does, however, have defences and is six times larger than any of the largest commoner residences. As they were shown to their quarters by one of the maids, their stroll inside the mansion was spectacular, as there was a well-kept garden in the centre, surrounded by a pond with what appeared like Koi fish swimming around. Unlike the summoned hero, who has the look of someone reminiscing about the past, both Lunamaria and Florentina were in amazement. The three took the remainder of the day off. At dinner time, they were served authentic culinary which Kurogane could recognize. taught the girls how to use chopsticks and the etiquette of eating eastern style, which impressed the head maid with how he was well mannered.

Not long as they were nearly done with their food, the Viscount returned with quite a fuss with someone. “How many times I have told you that you are prohibited to train inside the endless forest!? now look at you! All battered!”

“Then how will I be ever strong enough to defeat those demons?! I can’t just stand here and play princess all day!”

The conversation continued, much like a parent and his child disputing about anything. It didn't take long for them to hear a slap's thunderous echo. The three went to the scene, where they saw an elf girl stroking her cheek, which had a red mark on it from the viscount's slap. “How many times I have told you to not let your anger conquer you, I know you can’t forgive them but does forcing yourself to train in an area that’s far too dangerous to be ventured into alone do better for you?”

She shook her head shamefully, slightly tearing up and gritting her teeth. “No, father, I was wrong… forgive me”. The viscount did say a word and hugged her, “go to the infirmary, don’t disobey again”. He sighed as she walked away, shocked by his guest who was witnessing the scene in silence as he turned his back.

“Ah, your highness, my apology for the ruckus, it’s my third daughter, Sicily. She’s quite a troublemaker”.

“It’s fine Sir Hogomori, though, I could argue that you did went slightly too far by hitting her.” The Viscount nodded, though, he pointed out that it is because of her feeling of vengeance towards the demons since her mother was gruesomely killed during their trip back from the Belkant Dominion. And since then, she insisted that she wanted to be the frontline commander during the next assault on the demon territory.

“I’m quite supportive of her joining the army, but her motivation is the one I’m concerned about. I can’t have her drown in anger during a battle”.

Kurogane who was feeling sympathetic towards the Viscount’s daughter, interjects their conversation. “Sir, may I suggest something?”

“What is it young lad?”

“How about Miss Sicily train with us? Wouldn’t that cover the rule of not going inside the forest alone?”