New Calling

Today marks exactly one month since my summoning in this new world. But time seems to go by very slowly compared to where I am from.

For one, in this world humans lived longer. Their lifespan being two hundred years maximum for both men and women. What's more, there are many other different intelligent species who outlive them. So once you put everyone together it is no wonder that it would differ from a human-only society like the one I came from.

In addition, I learnt that the beautiful woman I saw in the summoning room as well as Mr. Prakia are what they call "Elves". In addition, one of the characteristics of their race is apparently their long lifespans. Being able to reach seven thousand years of age and ranking them second, only losing to dragon kin who could expand their own lifespans as much as they wished to, albeit under certain conditions.

When I consider all this to have been the norm for thousands of years, I can imagine how they would not need to rush their lives as much as humans did back in my world. Which, quite frankly, makes for a nice change of pace for me. I marveled as I wrote down the various information in my diary.

I should probably summ up the most important from each month under a separate headline. Yeah let's do that.

First off, during this month besides Mr. Prakia I met four other people.

The one I have been the most involved with, and will keep on seeing is Shimka. After the first week, she was introduced to me by a tall and handsome butler with long white hair which resembled a lion's mane, named Vradio.
Regardless of my consent, It had apparently been decided that after a month Shimka, a maid, would be assigned to me. 

She had sharp almond-shaped eyes and long jet-black hair as well as porcelain white skin, and honestly, if I was told she doubled as an assassin I would believe it. This was how intense her gaze and overall demenor felt upon meeting her for the first time. Also, since she conducts herself so neatly, it adds a sort of rigidity to her already practiced manners. 
I have to admit, I find everything about her beautiful.

As for her age, it was difficult to tell. By my world's standards I would give her around thirty. But considering the lifespans here, and if she was human and not something else I did not recognize, she could very well be in her fifties or more, which would make for a difficult pill to swallow as a healthy young earthling. 
Anyway, her job as my personal aide would be to deliver my meals to me in a timely manner, which thankfully seems to be around the same hours as what it was back in my world.
By the way, days, weeks, months and years also work like those I'm familiar with, which is godsent to be honest. I had feared that considering their extanded lives they would maybe even ignore principles such as keeping track of time as well as measure it, but it turns out that they do have a calendar after all.

Going back to Shimka's role, recently she has started asking me if I needed help to change or to bath. Granted, sine the summoning I was using clothes they had prepared for me, and while I struggled with their bath at the beginning, I had no longer any need for assistance. So I wondered, why offer your help now ?
She didn't seem to be trying to seduce me, otherwise she or rather they, the king and Vradio, would have used her from the start. Or so I thought. Considering how at the time I was still in need of guidance, information, and above all was still trying to make peace with what had happened to me in the first place.

It's making me uneasy, and I don't want to build hopes either. For what anyway ? Right now I still plan on returning to my world, so it shouldn't even cross my mind.. I concluded with a sigh.
Putting that matter aside for the time being, I'll shortly introduce the other two I met.

First is Nelly, she is the chief cook in the castle and is a "dwarf". I don't know much about her admittedly, only that she crafted the whole set of tablewear available for use on top of having prepared meals for hundreds of people since she was hired here.
She is quite small for an adult, around one fifty centimeter if I had to guess, but since she is both a little round and most importantly has bulky arms and legs, she appears bigger.

Lastly, there is the gardener, Helliot. Judging by his skin color, a dark red, as well as the small horns protruding from each side of his temple, he must be what they call a "demon".
I tried to introduce myself to him once when I was taking a stroll in the rear garden, but he simply bowed to me and went elswhere as soon as I said hey.

                                                                      _______________

"So you were here Hero-sama, I have been looking for you."

For once I'd found myself inclined to write my diary somewhere other than in my room, so I was in the small castle library situated on the third floor.

"Good evening Shimka."

"Good evening Hero-sama. I knocked and waited outside of your room for a while before concluding that you must have gone elswhere, I was looking for you." She said without so much as a furrow in her brows.

"Ah sorry about that, is it time for dinner ?"

"Yes. Although there is something I must ask you regarding that matter."

Hm ? I cocked my head to the side in wonder.

"Vradio-sama has discussed it with the king and together they decided it was about time I asked if you were willing to have dinner in the dining room instead of your room." She delivered matter-of-factly.

I wish they'd ask me directly though. Unless its a matter of politeness unique to this world.. or maybe it's because they treat me as a hero ? Regardless I see no reason to refuse as I am now, so let's roll with it for the time being.
"Sure, but there is no need to go to such lengths to accomodate me you know ?"

"Pardon my bluntness Hero-sama, but that simply wouldn't do. You may only be a Hero in the making right now, but as a guest of our country, you must absolutely be treated accordingly. The last thing our King wants is for you to feel uneasy or pressured by our customs or our expectations."

I guess that makes sense.

"Then I will gladly accept your offer. I do not know if I will be able to stick to the etiquette of your society, much less one befitting that of a Hero, but I will try my best not to embarass myself and those partaking alongside me." I responded, as politely as I could.

"Your consideration alone is proof enough of your respect towards us, and is more than we deserve." She answered, expressionless. "When it comes to etiquette, I will do my utmost to teach you what you may be lacking in due time. For now you will not need it however."
For now ? I almost asked, but I had a feeling she wouldn't answer me even If I did, so I kept it in a corner of my mind for the time being.

                                                                     ________________

I guess that's what she meant. 

After taking a bath and returning to my room, still in my bathrobe, I sat in a chair on the balcony of my –way too spacious– room. Reminiscing on what happened at dinner.

As we had made our way through the large corridor on the second floor of the castle where the rooms for royalty were situated, along with mine, I tried to make small talk with Shimka. To no avail. She had deflected each of my questions with simple nods or short answers. That being said, I was still able to confirm a couple things.
First, I was right about Nelly's and Helliot's races. However, I learned that Vradio used to be a demon and that now it was unclear which race he belonged to. Unfortunately though, when I tried to ask what she'd meant by that, she gave me the silent treatment. Maybe she let it slip and was not supposed to ? I considered for a while.

Shortly after, we had finally reached the dining room on the third floor. And that's when I think I understood why she said manners would not be important for now.
It was empy. Not only that, but for the remainder of my meal, only the sounds of my fork, knife, as well as my mouth could be heard throughout the room. Which had felt incredibly unnerving.
As for Shimka, she simply stood there beside me, slightly removed from my side so I wouldn't hit her while I moved my arm, and she said nothing after she wished me a good meal.

Anyway, for now, gazing at the stars is the only way I can think of to empty my mind when my head hurts from too much thinking. 

                                                                      ________________

After a while, and realizing I had apparently fallen asleep on the balcony couch outside, I suddenly sprung awake at the sensation of being lifted in the air.
By the looks of it, Shimka must have come in at some point and found me there. She had then decided she would try to gently carry me back into the room and to my bed. Which is embarassing to notice while awake !  I thought with distress, trying to supress my cheeks from twitching. Since it would indicate that I was actually well and truly awake.

It must not be the first time too... I recall being about to drift off over there and being too tired to move, only to myself waking up in my bed assuming I must have unconsciously gotten up at some point and headed to bed on my own.

"Pfft hehe.."
 
"..?" I thought I heard a quiet giggle coming from the next room over. Or its own balcony I should say.

"Sorry Hero-sama, I must have handled you poorly, did I wake you up ?" Shimka asked with an even voice.

"No, well..." I was at a loss. "Was it you who giggled just now ?" I still decided to ask.

"..No ?"

"Must have been my imagination then."

Clack, came the sound of shutters shortly after.

The last thing I heard before surrendering myself entirely to the sound Shimka's soft, careful steps, along with her bouncing arms rocking me to sleep, was the sound of shutters being closed from the next room over.

                                                                       _______________

The next morning, as I was still in the process of waking up and had only gotten started on my early stretches, albeit languidly, there came a few knocks at my door.

Weird, she doesn't usually knock in the morning.

"Yes ?"

"My apologises for showing up so early in the day, but I have come with an important message from King Faluxis. Will you hear it ?" Said the same soldier who escorted me to the court mage's quarters the day before.

From the king himself ? I wondered, slightly alarmed.

"I do not mind, speak away." I tried to answer with composure.

"You have my gratitude. Then I hereby inform you that our king, Faluxis-sama, requests an audiance with you." He announced.

"Did he share the specifics ?"

"Negative. But he did look concerned about something, so if I may, I would advise that you respond favorably to his Majesty's summon within the week if at all possible."
This is basically forcing my hand, I thought. Then again, it's not like I found much to do besides learning how to read for now, so let's at least hear what he has to so urgently discuss.

"Understood, then you can relay that I will be ready in two hours time." I finally responded. 
"I would like to at least eat breakfast and wash my face before meeting him ideally."

"Of course ! Thank you very much Hero-sama, I will inform His Majesty right away."

Guess I should get ready then. Being early should please him and ease the tension.

                                                                    _______________

After a quick breakfast in the dining room –by myself once again– I just as quickly went to the bathroom to at least wash my face, and made my way to the king's office on the third floor.

Knock knock

"You may enter !"

As I made my way inside, I was met with three pairs of eyes.

Considering the setup and their expressions, it really must be important.

"Welcome Hyouma-sama, please take a seat at the far end over there."

The last time I was here, in place of this gigantic, rectangular table, were two couches facing eachother with a small tea table in-between.

Then let's hear what justified this new arrangement.

"We will begin with introductions. To my right is my son and the first Prince of Ispron, Tokesa Ispron. Now Tokesa, proceed with your greeting." Said the king.

"Yes, father."

As he stood up, I realised that this man was in fact taller than me. While I was myself taller than average at almost one-eighty centimeters, he had to be at least one eighty-four. 
With pitch-black spiky hair and with only a single small scar on the right side of his mouth to disturb the balance of his otherwise handsome features, Tokesa Ispron, the first Prince of Ispron, exuded an air of confidence and carried himself with assurance and dignity as he stood from the large table.

"I, Tokesa Ispron, first son of Faluxis Ispron, the king, am honored to make your acquaintance sir Hero, Hyouma-sama."

"The pleasure is mine Your Highness." I answered with a little bow. "I have yet to make a name for myself in this world and yet everyone treats me with such reverence and care, I truly am the one who is honored." I continued.

Such good manners. Is he really just a commoner ?
As I listened to the murmurs from the knights and maids present, standing on each side of the door, I caught a small smile forming on the prince's face, his eyes relaxing for a moment before he turned serious again.

"Now then, I believe you two have met already, so we will skip on the pleasantries this time." The king proceeded. "This is Vradio, head butler at the castle as well as Tokesa's personal aide."
As he gestured towards Vradio, who sat to his left, the latter silently got up from his seat and bowed his head to me.

"Moving on, in light of today's problematic, I am saddened to bring the unfortunate news that Court Mage Prakia who should have been sitting among us today, will not participate." He announced. "He is currently bedridden in the town's hospital due to severe injuries sustained during the attack on Fort Brighton, our last line of defense at the northeast border-gate."

After gesturing for the maids and soldiers to keep their reactions to themselves, the king continued.
"So without further ado, today I will ask the two of you to discuss a plan to strenghten the fort. And of course if Hyouma-sama would like to share his opinion, he is allowed to do so." Faluxis said, sparing me but a glance. "That being said, the reason I asked you to join us in this situation, is for you to familiarize yourself with our war councils. i know you may not become our Hero in the future, still, I wish for this experience to serve as a sample of what you could expect were you to reconsider and decide to help us in this struggle."

                                                                    _______________

After about three hours of debating a plan with a map and what looked similar to chess pieces moving back and forth depending on who was speaking; at last they had seemed to reach a consensus.
I say they they, but in the end the king did not utter a single word in the whole process and up until they were done. What's more, he looked almost ready to pass out at times. As for me, I found myself entranced by their exchanges. My role as the strategist in Blazing Blason, a game involving a similar setting, tower defense and army management –or rather group management– meant that I was in my element.
That being said, without the knowledge of the climate on-site, the layout of the land or an estimate of the army's strength, I refrained myself from interfering in their discussion too much.

It would be one thing if it was about a game, but in real life there were more parameters to take into account, and the soldiers being variables in themselves, meant that is was difficult to offer anything relevant that would involve them with the information I had in hands, or the lack thereof I should say.

Once the meeting was over, and as I was about to leave with a spring in my step, the king held a hand and retracted his fingers a couple times to indicate he had something to tell me in private  before I left.

"Hyouma-sama." He called, calmly.

At his urging I sat back down and waited a few seconds for everyone to step out of the room before he spoke again.

"I must apologize for something."

"What is it your Highness ?"

"I informed you of Prakia's hospitalization at the beginning of this meeting, correct ?"

"Yes."

"Well, maybe you realized by then. What it meant for you I mean, but I must make it clear regardless. That man is the only mage able to prepare a ritual of the scale needed for a summoning." He started. "In fact he was actually the one who uncovered and activated the magic circle that permitted your summoning in the first place. But with him being out of comission for who knows how long, I fear there is no telling when he will be able to continue working on the spell to return you to your world." He finally conceeded.

Ah so that's what it was. I thought with mixed feelings. Well there is nothing he can do about that, really. I appreciate his honesty but unless magic is strong enough to be able to heal more than medicine would, it will obviously take some time. And with their predicament being as concerning as it seems, I won't just be heartless and selfish and tell them to find a way to have Mr Prakia back on his feet earlier, just for him to work for my sake. Especially when he is needed on the frontlines.

Feeling like there was nothing I could do about it for now, I figured it was the time for me to make a concession of my own. If only to thank them for their hospitality. 
Maybe if I can make them understand that I can help, strategically speaking, in spite of being able to go to the front, I could help them while not risking my life in the process?

"I see, that is indeed unfortunate." I started.

"Yes, very much so. I am ashamed to have promised you what I did, only to have to retract my statement a mere month later, Hyouma-sama." The king sounded apologetic but kept a straight face, as expected of a ruler.

"There is not a lot that you can do about that, Your Majesty. I am aware of it." I made a show of acceptation despite my inability to truly grasp their situation, and continued. "Now considering that it means you will have to keep on sheltering me until Mr Prakia is back on his feet, I have a suggestion to make in order to meet you halfway." I suggested.

"Oh, and what is it ?" The king answered, with both doubt and anticipation transparent in his tone.

"I actually have experience in leading people in battle scenarios you see." I prefaced. "However, practially speaking it was only a group of five. That being said I have studied war strategies and I am confident in my capacity to provide a solid input in the plan your esteemed son and his chaperon have come up with." I assured. Trying to convince myself as much as I was trying to pêrsuade him. "I may have not spoken up earlier during their discussion since I judged that I lacked some key information to bounce off of, but I believe that provided with the intel I would need, I could be of use to them and to your kingdom as a result." I concluded.

At my words, the king stared mouth slightly agape for a moment before composing himself.
"This is obviously a fantastic prospect from our point of view, Hyouma-sama, but are you certain that you wish to go so far to lend us a hand ?"

"Yes I am." I said with as much assurance as I could muster. "I still don't know about becoming a Hero, but as long as it remains within the realm of my knowledge and what little expertise I could provide, then my desire to help is genuine. To be honest, I was actually dying to find a way to repay the kindness and respect I have been shown during the past month, so this is a great opportunity."
I assured him.

After thanking me a couple times, Faluxis immediately called his son and Vradio back and asked for their opinion. 
With an easygoing smile and a strong grip, Tokesa shook my hand and voiced his approval. Vradio only said that he did not mind and bowed once more to me. That settles it, I thought innocently before excusing myself and returning to my room.

The next day I would have a new set of clothes delivered and my first war council as a provisional strategist for Ispron's royal army. It was finally starting to get exciting.