Chapter 7 Through the Fortress Gates

Large gates opened as Abby and Rachel entered the fortress, and the moment they stepped inside the commotion began.

"It’s the hero! Another hero is here—everyone, go get the elder!"

Rachel asked with narrowed eyes, "What’s going on? Why are all these people waiting for us?" She shifted her stance, scanning the restless crowd.

Abby replied with a proud lift of her chin, "We got word from our god that a new hero would arrive in our region. Some of us volunteered and spread out to find your arrival location. I was just the lucky one to find you."

ZeroOne then spoke to Rachel, its voice echoing in her helmet, "This place looks battered. It must suffer from many attacks—the machines must be relentless."

Rachel answered, her tone low and grim, "They were strong. That metal goblin was far stronger than I expected. I guess I can’t use my world’s monsters as a basis for them over here."

Then an elder approached, leaning on his staff as he walked. "Hero, we welcome you. Come, take a rest and let’s speak."

Rachel nodded, "Alright, lead the way."

Abby turned to Rachel and said with a warm grin, "This is goodbye for now. I have other things to do, but I’ll see you later." She gave Rachel a big smile, her shoulders bouncing with energy.

Rachel smiled back and raised a hand in farewell. "Thanks for guiding me here. You did good, kid—I mean, Abby." She gave Abby a wave.

Abby then turned and started to run, vanishing into the crowd.

Rachel then spoke to ZeroOne, brushing her helmet with her fingertips. "I’m removing my helmet. Can you still talk to me without it?"

ZeroOne replied in a calm tone, "Not right now. If we get a few more assimilations for your armor, then maybe in the future. As it is, your armor hasn’t changed enough yet.

But that’s fine—go ahead and remove me. I’m going to scan the town and everything I can, and start building up my database."

"Alright then, go do whatever that is," Rachel said. She removed the cursed helmet and attached it to the chain hanging on the side of her waist cloth.

As she did this, the elder spoke again, his voice patient, "Are you coming, hero?"

Rachel realized she had been ignoring him. She straightened her posture. "Yeah, I’m coming."

As they walked, the elder said, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "For a new hero, you speak English pretty well. Where did you learn it?"

Rachel answered with steady calm, "My father was a human from Earth. He taught my mother, who loved to read and learn new things. When I was growing up, she taught me as well, just in case my dad ever came back."

The elder looked surprised, his brows arching high. "A half‑human, and your dad is from Earth? What was his name?"

Rachel responded, her voice soft but certain, "His name is Logan."

The elder replied with a slow shake of his head, "Never heard of him. Hopefully he is still alive so you can reunite with him."

Rachel said, clenching her fists,"From what God told me, he was taken as a test subject by the demon lord, who wants to uncover the secrets behind his hero ability. So he’s alive for now. That means I need to kill the demon lord and save him. You could say I’m highly motivated to see this through to the end."

"Good, good," the elder said as they arrived at his house. He opened the door with care. "Come in, come in, and take a rest. By the way, my name is Eldon, and I don’t think you like being called hero. What shall I call you?"

She looked at him and replied firmly, "Call me Rachel."

The elder smiled, his eyes softening. "Rachel—that’s a good name."

They entered the house, and Eldon guided her toward the living room.

"Go ahead and make yourself comfortable. I’ll bring some drinks and food—you must be famished from your trip."

Eldon then disappeared into the kitchen as Rachel looked around, unfamiliar with the things she saw: a brick fireplace with numerous pictures, a red‑white‑and‑blue flag on the wall, a shelf full of books, and a box with a flat screen.

She took a seat on the couch, which sank straight to the ground under the pressure of her armor.

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, starting to nod off, but her eyes snapped open when Eldon shook her, speaking in a worried tone.

"Rachel! Rachel, are you all right?"

She looked at him and said quickly, brushing her hair back, "I’m fine. Did something happen?"

He let out a sigh of relief, rubbing his forehead before speaking, "I thought you had died—there is blood seeping out of your ears, eyes, and nose."

Rachel waved a hand dismissively and said, "Don’t mind that. It’s one of the curses that afflict me, so don’t worry. This happens all the time—it’s not life‑threatening."

Eldon, relieved, said as he set down a tray, "Alright, well here is some juice and a sandwich. Eat up and enjoy your meal while I speak."

Rachel, without delay, dug into her food and drink, tasting food from another world for the first time while Eldon spoke as she listened.

"It will take quite a while to reach the demon lord, and there are numerous dangerous mecha‑monsters all around the world. You must have seen the mecha goblins on your way here."

Rachel swallowed the bite she was chewing and said, tapping her fingers against the plate, "So they’re called mecha goblins.

So what are they? They are not like the goblins from my world—they are way stronger. We have nothing like these mecha versions in my world."

Eldon thought of an easy way for her to understand and replied, gesturing with his hands, "Well, they are not really alive. They are mechanical monsters created with advanced AI installed in them that allows them to function on orders from the demon king—kind of like puppets."

Rachel thought for a second and replied, resting her chin on her hand, "Ahh, so they’re like dwarven‑built golems, only far more advanced in every way."

Eldon took a sip of his drink then replied, setting the cup down firmly, "Well, I wouldn’t know about dwarves, but yes, they are very advanced.

But let’s not get off track. From here, you must head towards Yggdrasil. As long as you walk in the direction of the tree, you cannot get lost. There will be many settlements and cities along the way where you can stop to gather supplies.

We will also provide you with a guide to help you on your journey—someone knowledgeable who can guide you safely."

Then, in the background, an alarm sounded and noise rose outside as the echo of gunfire rolled through the city.

A soldier burst into Eldon’s house, shouting with panic in his eyes,

"Elder! An army of mecha goblins and mecha kobolds are at our gates. Some have breached the city and are inside the fortress, causing havoc and trying to open the gate. Our men are holding them off for now!"

Eldon spoke with concern, his voice grim, "This is not good. If kobolds are among them, that means a goblin queen and king have been built. We must defend the city—clear out the goblins and kobolds, and find and kill the goblin king and queen, or their armies will continue to attack relentlessly."

Rachel stood up and placed her helmet back on with determination.

"ZeroOne, did you hear all of that?"

ZeroOne acknowledged her, voice firm. "Yes. Shall we clear out the goblins and kobolds?"

Rachel glanced at Eldon, her eyes steady, "I’m going to clear the city. Keep yourself safe, Eldon. I’ll be back."

She darted out of the house, following the screams that rang through the streets.