The Night Where Cicadas Are Not Sounding Their Wings

I was uneasy because of the sound of my heart racing and sweat flowing down my face. My gaze couldn't leave the demon standing before me. I can feel my legs starting to shake bizzarely. This is the first time I've seen one of them. He really doesn't look like us humans. His naked body was covered in thick black scales, and he had two black horns on his head that curved upwards.

His eyes were menacing and filled with terror. No one in the room said anything; instead, everyone gazed at him motionless. His hands had sharp claws that could be used as weapons. I was wary of his hands, and every now and then I caught a glimpse of those long nails, wondering whether they had harmed me.

"Tell me why you've come here." That's what I said. I shattered the stillness with my words, drawing everyone's attention to me.

He didn't budge for a few moments.

He then lifted his right hand and showed the back of it. On the back of his hand, a magical array emerged. A golden glow emanated from the circular line on the back of his hand, which included a symbol in the middle. The sign is shaped like the roman numeral 'IV.' We're all aware of the symbol's meaning. But we still can't believe what we're seeing.

My hands seemed to go limp, and I barely realised it, but the sword I was holding had already fallen on the red carpet.

According to the Roman number sign on his palm, he is the fourth hero to be summoned to this realm. The heroes who were summoned to this planet were always identified by a mark.

The mother walked past me and stood still right in front of the demon.

"Take a vow..." When Mother spoke to the demon, the eyes of the people there were full of questions that only Mother knew the answers to.

"For the sake of the great mother's grace, I shalt lift the chalice." He answered.

"I swear before the Mother of creation, I will bear the burden of sword and shield for humanity." He talked in a voice that might break the heart. It sounded awful, terrifying, and intimidating.

The mother remained silent for a time before turning around and saying something with a smile on her face that I had never seen before.

"The hero has been presented before us by the Goddess Lucia." People must have been taken aback by his unexpected smile. This is the first time we've ever seen Mother grin so brightly. Because the light from outside pouring in through the stained glass's slits indicates that the weather has cleared, her lips seem even more attractive when she smiles with pink lipstick that is somewhat glossy. Tears welled up in her eyes. She could be genuinely happy.

Our emotions, on the other hand, are very different. We might as well rejoice in our mother's happiness. However, what we were confronted with was a demon.

I'm perplexed as to how I should react to what Mother said. I don't want to argue and upset her, but even if that demon bears the crest of a hero, I can't just believe it, neither of us want to believe it.

What if he proves to be a liar?

What if Mother's choice today placed everyone in this room in jeopardy?

The demon observed everyone in this room one by one.

I understand if you're either frightened or uncertain about me. I have, however, sworn to serve your goddess. " The demon's scales slowly disintegrated into black smoke, which evaporated and finally vanished. We began to notice skin and body parts that resembled our own.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Valis Neuroman. As you know, I am the fourth hero summoned to this planet. In my previous world, I was a human like all of you. We could see his human form as he spoke. The voice that had been so frightening had changed into one that was heavy and cold but no longer sounded as intimidating as before.

"Of course I have my own story. However, I was still a hero in my previous world." He peered at us with eyes the colour of blood in his human-like shape. He was enticing enough, so enticing that the idea that he was once a human who had transformed into a demon was terrifying.

"That's right, what the hero said was the truth. He had sworn an oath that only the Goddess Lucia and her proxies knew. Everyone in this room must apologise to the hero right away for your conduct and biases." She talked in a tone that sounded like a mother disciplining her children.

Right, maybe he has his own story. He had also proved that it was Goddess Lucia who sent him here. Perhaps, we can put a faith in this devil, no, The Hero Valis.

We all immediately knelt down and lowered our heads.

"Hero-sama, Please forgive us all for our impudence." That's what we all said at the very same moment, and it's what we should have said to avoid being disciplined.

"It's fine; I understand what it's like to be in your shoes." He replied in a tone that was still cold but we could also feel the sincerity when he said that.

After leaving the prayer room Mother immediately ordered us to prepare a banquet immediately. The people of Westbarrow Village would certainly attend this open-air banquet. I help set the table and lift heavy items as needed. The sisters and Viles are cooking for the feast. And the others, there are those who go to the village to inform the villagers or help set the table with me.

So soon did the day turn to night. That night, a night when only cicadas should have been heard, was filled with the sounds of people and musical instruments.

People celebrate the hero's arrival by drinking alcohol, feasting, dancing, some talk to each other and some approach the hero to interact with him. Maybe being a hero is a really great thing. They were praised by many and laughed with them. They are honoured and revered as if they were nobleman.

Yeah, I could never be a hero even if I wanted to...
Someone like me, it's impossible to become one. 

As I was lost in thought, the creaking sound of the door opening startled me. I turned away from the window I had just used to observe the people at the banquet.

"So, here you are hiding Mr. Peanut," A soft yet haughty voice caught my ear.

The girl went straight into my room which was lit only by the dim crescent moonlight. Then she sat on the bed with pale white sheets while carrying a bad air describing her mood. She frowned, neither of us speaking for the next few seconds.

"If I go there, I'll only make things more complicated." I knew what the girl wanted to say, I immediately answered her without long-winded waiting for her question.

Yeah, they still see me as not one of them. Wherever I go, I always get unfavourable treatment from the people of this Continent. That's why me and the heroes are completely different.

"I know. But that isn't why I came here in the first place, hmph." While glancing aside, the girl replied. The Girls who are now shorter than me might seem really pretty at times.

"So what do you want from me?"

"There's... nothing...."
"I'm just making sure you don't get lonely and die because of it."

I was a little taken aback by her words. And I didn't reply anything. She immediately stood up and literally turned her back on me. I could see her ears were a little red.

"So... Since I've confirmed it, I'll be going back downstairs. Come downstairs if you want, you don't always have to listen to what they have to say, you know. " She uttered it in an anxious manner, with uneven breathing.
"So... catch you later..." She walked away from my room and closed the door she had opened.

That night, I spent the time of the banquet in my room observing everyone and musing about many things.

****

I'm still awake, the digital clock above the drawer next to my bed shows 23:33. The churchyard appeared to be lifeless, as everyone had gone to their homes. I decided to go downstairs, maybe they needed my help to clean up.

 Sisters and others may have been sleeping in their rooms or some of them are busy cleaning up dishes. As a result, I expected the church's main hall to be empty.

When I wanted to call out to her, I restrained myself because  she wrapped one of the hero's arms across her shoulders, it seemed like she was carrying a drunken hero.

I kept watching them. At first I didn't see anything strange about it.
However, the men's room was in the right wing of the church on the second floor. Then why did she take him up to go to the left wing of the church? 

I followed them from behind. I moved so slowly that there was no sound of my footsteps. I saw Sister Nemela keep walking with him.

I heard the sound of the door opening and then a moment later the sound of the door closing came after and echoed along the corridor of the left wing of the church.

I was speechless, my head filled with confusion and my eyes opened wide at what was going on. No, I can't think that way. I'll wait a while, she'll be out of there for sure.

However, it had been almost a quarter of an hour and she wasn't out of there.

My heart was beating fast as I walked closer to Sister Nemela's bedroom door. I also don't know why I'm sweating too.

Yohan would be heartbroken if he learned about this.
If the other Sisters or someone else discover out, awful things will happen to Sister Nemela.

When I arrived in front of her bedroom door, I put my ear to the wooden door and eavesdropped.

...

...

...

I heard a voices filled with moans of ecstasy. I was even more bewildered when I realised there were other female voices in the room. I'm sure that one of those seductive moans belonged to Sister Nemela. But the others...

It was mother's moan...