Chapter 40: A Nostalgic Dream

I was dreaming.

It was a dream of a fleeting moment spent with my comrades... back in the other world where I had been summoned.

"Tell me, Reima. Why do you push yourself so hard?"

"Where is this coming from? We’re fighting the first of the Four Heavenly Kings tomorrow, remember?"

It was the night before the decisive battle against the first of the Demon King's Army’s Four Heavenly Kings. A silver-haired girl with crimson eyes had cornered me with that question. I remembered giving her a blunt, half-hearted answer; everyone else was fast asleep, and I was exhausted.

"Forgive me. It’s just... I cannot help but wonder. Why does a man from another world strive so desperately for our sake?"

"I don't know... I mean, I want to go back to my own world, obviously, but..."

"But what?"

"Maybe... I just want the people I’ve contracted with—and all of you—to be able to smile."

It was a simple wish.

That world was overflowing with tragedy. Compared to the modern era I came from, it was nothing but endless war. Monsters were everywhere, life was cheap, and the world was utterly indifferent to those struggling to survive. It was a world living under the shadow of a Demon King said to be the strongest in history.

I wasn’t some saint with a bottomless well of kindness. I didn't help people just because they asked. But I did have one selfish desire: I wanted the people I had shared a connection with to be happy.

"I don't have any real talent. The only reason I can even stand on a battlefield is because of Luna and the others—and because of you guys. This is my way of paying you back. I’ve decided to give it my all until the day I finally go home."

According to the kingdom that summoned me, I was the first successful case of an extra-dimensional summoning. Even then, it had apparently been an accident; they had intended to summon a monster to contract with. Technically, I had no duty or obligation to fight their war. But when I thought of the Summoned Beasts I had met and the comrades I was traveling with... I couldn't stand the thought of doing nothing.

"Anyway, that's all there is to it. Seriously, what's gotten into you? You're acting weird."

"Hmph. The answer is simple. I merely wondered what thoughts occupied the mind of a man as foolishly honest as you. Nothing more."

"There’s the girl I know. So? Did I pass the test?"

"I am satisfied. It was an idiotic reason, quite befitting of you."

"That’s a bit harsh, don't you think?"

"It is a fair assessment. However... I do not dislike it."

"Heh. Well, I’m glad I could satisfy the great Ritter der Nacht!"

I wasn’t one of those protagonists who was conveniently deaf to subtext. Besides, my hearing had been magically enhanced thanks to Luna; I could hear a whispered mutter clear across a room.

"Wh—! Do not just listen to whatever you please!"

"I think the person who said it is the one at fault here."

"Reima? Aren't you sleeping? The big fight is tomorrow."

Perhaps because of our bickering, my Beastman comrade-in-arms had woken up, rubbing his sleepy eyes. I turned to tell him what was going on.

"Oh, sorry. Hey, listen to this. This girl just—"

"Ugh, just kill me already!"

The dream cut off there.

It was a nostalgic memory of that other world. A faded fragment of the past... a conversation with precious, irreplaceable comrades that I would never be able to have again.

"Ugh... My head feels heavy."

Four days had passed since the battle with Perseus. That was my first thought the moment I opened my eyes.

Why the hell did I have to dream about that world now?

Feeling a bit melancholic, I dragged myself downstairs to start on breakfast.

"Wait, it’s already noon? I slept way too long."

I checked the clock. 11:00 AM. It was basically lunchtime. I must have been more exhausted than I realized. It was Saturday, and since my parents were already at work, I was looking at a lonely meal.

"Let’s see, what’s on the schedule for today... Ah, right. The celebration party."

Between the government red tape regarding the Dungeon and the flood of media requests, the last few days had been a blur. I’d almost forgotten that we were supposed to meet at Kagura’s house today to celebrate clearing the 【Great Sea of Stars】.

I also intended to use the occasion to explain my situation to Shiki and the others. It was an important day—which made the weight of that dream feel even heavier—but I had to push through it.

"Wait a second... I think the party was supposed to start at twelve. Crap, I don't have time to cook!"

Realizing I was cutting it close, I threw myself together. I summoned Luna, activated [Stealth] to vanish from sight, and bolted toward Mount Takao.

Afterword

And so, Act Two begins. I’ll be continuing the daily updates, so please look forward to what comes next.