I, Hime, and Yuu-chan were still being held back by the Guildmaster so we couldn't return to our previous place of residence.
He kept insisting that we stay here just a little longer. He said there was something important he wanted to show us.
To be honest, the three of us wanted to go home as soon as possible; after the battle earlier, my body felt extremely exhausted.
I needed a long soak and to sleep early because I usually stayed up late.
I probably wouldn't have any energy left until I got enough rest.
Suddenly, a young man entered Van-san's room carrying a small bottle and a rolled-up piece of paper.
"The church has examined every part of the sample you provided, and the result is indeed just as you suspected," he said before leaving the room.
It seemed the sample Van-san had taken earlier had been given to the church to be examined and traced for its source.
Van-san then handed the small bottle to me, and I immediately looked at it closely.
The meat sample had black smoke swirling around it. Even though when we took it earlier, that smoke wasn't there yet.
"Van-san, what exactly is this?" I asked.
"That sample had a few drops of holy water poured on it, and if the sample emits thick black smoke like that, then it can be confirmed that it came from the Abyss forces," he answered.
"In simple terms, those monsters were sent by the higher-ups of the Abyss forces to attack Necvalion as the central hub of this continent," he continued.
Hearing that, Hime was immediately shocked and responded to Van-san's words.
"Wait a second! Their commanders have awakened again?" Hime asked, looking panicked.
"They still can't confirm that, but it's possible they will launch another attack after five years of remaining dormant on Virosia Island," Van-san replied.
For some reason, I felt like I was going to be burdened with work again.
I remembered when Hime told me about the history of the Abyss forces and Necvalion, who had been at war for thirty years.
And five years before today, they had taken over Virosia Island, located at the southernmost part of Velmoria.
"So, you want us to go to the church?" Hime asked.
Hah, the church? Why would we go there again? Is Hime feeling unwell and unable to think clearly?
"Oh, you understood quickly? Then go ahead. I'll hope you return with good news," Van-san said.
—
We all stood up from our seats and walked out of the Guildmaster's private room.
Before heading to the church, I asked Hime because I still couldn't understand the situation at hand.
"Hime, why do we have to go to the church? They were already confirmed to be from the Abyss forces, right?" I asked.
"Yukito-san, may I explain a little?" Hime asked.
I nodded, and Yuu-chan didn't scold us for not hurrying to the church. In fact, she also wanted to hear Hime's explanation.
"Of course, but won't we be late if we don't hurry?" I asked again.
"How about we walk and talk at the same time?" Hime suggested.
——
(Hime side)
Thirty years ago, Necvalion was still very peaceful and calm, with no enemies trying to attack or conquer the city.
However, that day arrived.
A massive army led by a very powerful demon came and destroyed the city gate.
The atmosphere instantly turned terrifying, people cried and ran for their lives.
Then, the story shifts to the main church in this city.
There, it was explained that there was a party consisting of three people, two mages and one swordsman.
They were already very famous because of their abilities and strength, the greatest of their era.
The Priest invited them to stand before the holy orb.
The holy orb was used to see the future, or events of the past.
The party immediately felt that if the Abyss forces were left alone, the entire world would fall into chaos.
Not only Velmoria, but they could potentially attack other continents to fully conquer everything.
And with a request from the priest to the god, the party was granted power greater than anything they had before.
Then the god gave them a mission: defeat all resistance from the Abyss forces across the world.
The party managed to complete that mission and returned to Necvalion. They only needed a few years to finish it.
Afterward, they went to Virosia Island, and five years ago, they suddenly disappeared, and the island was taken over by the Abyss.
The King of Necvalion, my biological father, honored the party as the hero party who brought peace to this world.
Because of that, for these past five years, the church had been waiting for another move from the Abyss, and today is that time.
——
(Yukito side)
"So that's why we have to go to the church? But that's just a coincidence, isn't it? Because the condition of that party is the same as our party right now," I said.
Besides, it was impossible for a party like ours to do what the hero party did.
Speaking of heroes, what about the hero who got summoned with me?
"Van-san said he felt it was just a coincidence, but his instincts tell him that we will be in the same situation as that party," Hime answered.
"Why us? What about the hero party that came with me back then?" I asked.
"Rumor says they're currently on another continent, which is why they didn't fight with us today," Hime replied.
Heh… I thought they would just sit around in the castle and enjoy the titles they were given.
Well, at least—even if it's still uncertain whether they brought peace or not—they're at least somewhat useful.
After the discovery of the bottled water, it means he's brought a small change to this world.
If he really knows the situation in Necvalion and wants to defeat the Abyss, I'd gladly team up with him.
—
We finally arrived at the Necvalion church, the central church among all the churches in Velmoria.
Its massive and grand building, with its very distinctive architecture, made this church respected by many.
Many high-ranking priests visited this place and prayed to the god.
Just a hunch, but… could the god they worship be that old man I met at the beginning?
It was possible, and I was quite convinced that the old man was worshipped by the people of this world.
We entered, and were already welcomed as "someone" appointed by the Guildmaster.
——
We were immediately greeted by the highest priest here, known as Charles-san.
He said he had once witnessed the granting of blessings to the hero party thirty years ago.
"As already mentioned, the three of you indeed resemble that party," he said.
Charles-san then guided us to where the holy orb was placed.
"You will look into it, and if you are chosen, you will feel your bodies become lighter," he said.
The three of us focused our gaze on the holy orb, and we immediately saw what had happened in the past and what would happen in the future.
This was exactly like what Hime explained earlier. My feelings, once again, became uneasy.