Chapter 4: Rightful Heir

The walk back to the "city" was now a lot less silent. After Alna discovered I was the "summoned hero", she threw questions at me like a game show.

"What was your world like? How many monsters did you slay there? Was I a hero there too? Why was I summoned to this world?" those are just a few of the many...many questions. I tried my best to answer them but the responses became more and more simple. Honestly, I think her image of me began to wane quickly as she learned more about my world versus Armata.

When we reached the gates of the city I chuckled a bit. Alna had said this was a city but it really didn't feel like one. Yes, it was larger than a traditional Japanese village but there weren't huge buildings or anything that screamed city. This reminded me more of a village, one that literally was taken straight out of a game world. The doctor's office wasn't too far from the entrance and the light was still on inside. 

"Doctor, are you still up?" Alna asked as we entered into the very small house. This place really screamed cramped. There was a lone table in the middle of the room and I could barely see into the back but a bed seemed to be pushed towards the wall. How a doctor did anything medical here was a mystery.

"Stop shouting I'm awake." a voice I presumed belonged to the doctor echoed from the backroom. What came out though was nothing like a traditional doctor. It was a strange blob-like creature. Kind of reminded me of a slime from most RPGs. It did have a little doctor tool on the top of its...head so I guess you could tell it was a doctor. I held back in my laughter...I didn't want to be rude. 

"Can you look at this man's wound? He was scratched by a Dingo." 

"Meh...let me see." Suddenly the slime jumped towards my arm and covered it in it's slimy body. It felt strangely cooling but also really bizarre. 

"No big deal Alna. It was a minor scratch none of the Dingo's germs entered into his body. Let me just cast heal and he will be fine." the slime doctor burst into a bluish light matching it's color and I felt a strange tingling overcome me but then my arm went back to normal. The dried blood and small wound gone as if never there in the first place.

"Wow...thank you doctor." I said, still surprised I accepted this monster as a doctor so easily. Then again, I felt like soon I'd be accepting stranger realities while in this world.

"You welcome stranger. That will be 10 silver." It flew off my arm and returned to its original form but now held a slight arm-like appendage at me. I was about to see if I had ten silver from the small money bag Mr. Voice gave me but Alna put her arm out to stop me.

"Put it on my tab doctor." the doctor...slime made a strange noise that sounded like it was now annoyed.

"You owe me a singe gold coin now Alna...pay me next week now go so I can get some rest." the doctor started "walking" away and I wanted to ask do slimes need sleep but decided not to insult the being that just took care of me. 

We left the doctor's office and once more were back in the streets. I finally looked around more and noticed most of the houses looked identical. I've read a few books about medieval days at school and these homes kind of looked like the pictures. They weren't archaic but extremely simple. None of the homes were excessively large but they could probably house a family of two or three max. 

"Are these buildings like the ones in your world?" Alna asked noticing my curiosity.

"Not really...well kind of like homes from a different time period. In my world, houses are made with wood and metal. They can be small or the size of that mountain." Alna's eyes once more went wide in surprise but she then pointed down the road.

"Here I'll show you the blacksmith's building and then we will walk to mine which is only a few houses down."

As she said, we walked a few more minutes and we arrived at the blacksmith's abode. The lights were all off. I didn't need to be told but most likely he was asleep at this point. We continued walking and reached another small home. 

"Welcome to my place." Alna smiled. We didn't enter though. She showed me the back of the house where a large basin was. 

"This is my bath. You can use it first and then come inside I'll set up a bed for you on my sofa downstairs." She then walked over to the basin and turned some knobs near it. When rushing water came out I stood perplexed. This world has running water...then steam started rising.

"You have running hot water?" I said out loud without meaning to. Alna just laughed.

"Yes? I'm sure your world probably has running water too."

"it does but I'm just surprised. This world is full of surprises." 

"Silly...here go take your clothes off and I'll bring you a robe that should match your size." Alna walked away and I followed her commands. I was a bit embarrassed to be completely naked outdoors but I noticed no one around so I figured it was fine. Besides I jumped into the bath quickly enough and just enjoyed the warm water. It felt so soothing to be in a bath and shockingly the basin was up to my chest so I could stand up and get out when I needed to easily enough. Alna appeared with a large robe as promised. 

"This was my father's robe. He's not around anymore but you were about his height so it should be fine. I'll leave it here and when you're ready come back inside." Alna once more walked off. I stayed in the bath for just a few more minutes and finally got out. Sleep was calling to me and as much as I wanted to linger in the bath for hours, I knew I needed rest.

When I finally entered into Alna's home I was pleasantly surprised. While it was indeed like the doctor's place, it felt less cramped and more inviting. There was also a nice smell that kind of reminded me of apples. I looked to the right of the entrance and saw my makeshift bed. A decently sized sofa with a folded blanket and a small pillow. After sleeping in the office usually twice a week for "overtime" this was like a luxury hotel. 

"Hope the sofa is big enough for you. Sorry if your legs run off a bit." Alna reappeared now dressed in what looked like an oversized shirt. 

"No it's fine thank you and thank you for the much needed bath." I smiled as I sat down on the sofa. 

"I want to know so much more about your world and what powers and abilities you have Mizuki...but you should rest. We can talk more tomorrow." Alna said as headed outside to bathe herself. 

"Goodnight Mizuki" she said almost half outside.

"Goodnight Alna." I responded back. I laid down on the "bed" my legs did go off a bit but it was fine. I pulled the blanket over me and smelled it a bit. It smelled like fresh linen. I don't know if it was from the excitement or pure exhaustion but I passed out the minute I fully laid down.

I had a very weird dream that night...

I was standing alongside several people. I was holding what felt like a sword and pointing it towards another blurry object. I could see my lips move as if I was speaking but there was no sound. The figures next to me stood ready and all pointed their various weapons at the object. It came rushing at us but we held our ground. Then as it took its first swing...

"Morning Alna" a voice pierced through the dream. I opened my eyes lazily and observed the same setting from last night. Well...guess this wasn't a dream  and I was really an isekai protagonist now. Alna was standing over me with a big smile. She was dressed once more as if ready to go into a RPG battle. She was indeed quite beautiful seeing her this close and in proper light. My eyes tried their best to not be perverted and stare. 

"Morning...what time is it?" I asked as I got up slowly.

"I'm not to sure. I don't have a time device in my house but if I had to guess maybe early morning?" I almost asked a stupid question but then realized, this world probably didn't have clocks or derivatives of time. It was either morning, noon and/or night. Maybe the time device gave more accurate readings of time. 

"Ahh sorry...Let me get dressed." 

"Oh your pants and underwear are washed. The shirt is kind of destroyed so I gave you another I had lying around."

"You washed my pants and underwear?" I was a bit embarrassed by that last part. I don't think a woman's seen my underwear since I was a teen when my mom was still doing my clothes. 

"Don't worry silly. I used our magical cleaning device. We throw clothes into it, fuel it with some magical energy and it comes out clean in seconds. I don't have a ton of magic being a warrior-type but I have enough for the device."  Magical cleaning device? I had to guess that was like a washing machine in my world. You know...I've read hundreds of isekai stories but none really explained how simple chores get done. I figured to not ask and just get dressed. We had a busy day today and I needed a weapon like Mr. Voice stated last night. 

After a quick breakfast of bread and eggs that Alna prepared, we headed to the blacksmith. When we entered his home the vibe of the place was completely different. There were tools and weapons all over the place. It looked akin to a garage that exploded. The man in the back watched us then waved.

"Morning Alna and stranger. Are you here to shop?" the burly man asked. I won't waste time with details but he looked like how you'd imagine a blacksmith to look. Round, big arms, long black hair and an apron that covered his chest to his knees. I was kind of underwhelmed a bit with his look but still wouldn't want to be on the other end of his fist.

"Morning Tarn" Alna later would tell me that was his name. We are here for a weapon for him. Tarn came over to me and sized me up. He lifted my arms as if I was a doll. He turned to my back and hit it almost knocking me off my feet.

"Needs a short sword or smaller weapon. Nothing too heavy." Tarn said then dragged me into the next room. Unlike the mess of the first, this one was clean and well kept. Weapons were shown off on the walls in various sizes and shapes. Maces, two handed swords, spears and so on. Yet my eyes focused on a weapon that confused me but also felt familiar. Tarn must have seen my eyes go to it as well and went over to grab it.

"Eyeing this my new friend? Its what we call a Katana!! It should be good for your size and shape not too long and very light." He held it out for me to grab and my hand reached out. I knew what a katana was obviously being from Japan but why was it here. I grabbed the hilt and that was when something strange occurred. A sudden light burst out and my mind went blank for a moment. This part will be hard for me to explain but imagine for a moment when you almost die how many explain memories flood your mind from your youth to your current. I had this happen once before when I was nearly hit by a speeding truck but luckily it veered off last second. Anyways, the memories of a young man who wasn't me assaulted my mind. There was a gigantic army and he stood in the front. Suddenly the memory shifted to him cleaving an enemy in half and then someone stabbing him from the back. The last few memories were of him getting older and then him surrounded not by an army but by people. My mind snapped back to Tarn and me holding the sword.

"Ohhh a rightful heir has appeared!" Tarn smiled from ear to ear. Only soon I would learn that this katana was like me...from another world...