Church bells tolled in solemn rhythm, echoing against the high stone walls of the cathedral. The air smelled faintly of flowers and candle wax—a perfect blend of celebration and sanctity. Colored light spilled from the stained-glass windows, painting the white aisle in hues of crimson and gold.
I stood at the altar, my hands trembling as they held hers. She was radiant—her gown flowing like water, her eyes shimmering with the warmth that first drew me to her.
The priest raised his hand.
"Do you take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow?"
I smiled, my chest swelling with certainty.
"I do."
The priest turned to her.
"Do you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband, to stand by him faithfully through all of life's trials?"
Her lips curved into the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.
"I do."
The words rang clear—full of promise, full of future.
And then, tragedy struck.
A thunderous roar split the heavens. The cathedral walls trembled, dust raining from the ceiling. Guests screamed, chaos shattering the silence of our vows.
A blinding light seared my vision as the roof above us tore apart. Through the gaping wound in the sky, something massive descended—a meteor, wrapped in fire and shadow.
I barely had time to move. Instinctively, I pulled her close, shielding her with my arms.
The world was swallowed in white.
*If this is the end… then at least I held her last.*
---
Cool wind brushed my face. The scent of moss and damp earth filled my lungs. Slowly, I opened my eyes.
No cathedral. No flames. No screaming guests.
Only towering trees stretching into a sky too blue, too vivid to belong to our world. Birds sang strange melodies. Glowing insects drifted lazily in the air.
Beside me, she stirred. Her wedding dress was torn but strangely clean, faintly glowing with a soft, ethereal light.
"W–where are we?" she whispered.
"I… I don't know," I admitted, pushing myself up. My hand brushed against something warm—an intricate glowing pattern etched into the ground beneath us. Its faint light pulsed once… then faded.
"You came…"
The voice was raspy, weak. We turned to see an old man in a tattered robe, leaning heavily on a crooked staff. Relief glimmered in his weary eyes.
"At last… the summoning has succeeded. Heroes from another world—you have answered the call."
My throat tightened. Summoning? Heroes? Another world? Wasn't this exactly how those isekai stories began?
The old man staggered closer, his voice trembling.
"The seven nations… they bleed each other dry in endless war. And when their swords dull, when their shields shatter… the Demon Lord shall descend. That… must not be allowed."
My wife and I exchanged glances. Just hours ago, we were at the altar. Now—this?
"I… I am too weak," the old man rasped. "My magic spent. My body failing. All I could do was call for you. Please… protect this world. Save mankind…"
His staff clattered to the ground as his knees buckled. He fell, not with the suddenness of battle, but with the quiet inevitability of age. A faint smile touched his lips as his final breath escaped him.
And just like that, he was gone.
---
Silence. Only the rustle of leaves filled the air.
I clenched my fists, my chest burning with a strange mix of fear and determination. This was insane—but maybe it was also fate.
"I'll do it," I said firmly, turning to her. "I'll be the knight—the one who fights on the frontlines. You can be the support, the healer. Like in games: knight and priest. Sword and prayer."
Her eyes wavered, uncertain. But after a moment, she nodded.
"O-okay… If that's how it should be."
A flicker of pride swelled in me. This was it. My chance to finally be the knight, the protagonist of this story.
We didn't have long to dwell. Beyond the trees, half-hidden in shadow, stood a crooked hut of rotting wood.
"Maybe he lived there," she whispered.
Inside, the air was stale but strangely homely. Shelves of herbs and yellowed books lined the walls. On the table lay a letter, sealed with wax.
I unfolded it carefully.
> To the summoned savior,
> If you are reading this, then I have already passed from this world.
> In the chest by the wall are my remaining belongings. They are yours now—use them for the salvation of mankind.
> This hut may serve as your shelter until you find your place in this world.
> I entrust the future to you.
I swallowed hard.
The chest was easy to find—an old wooden box with rusted hinges. Inside was a modest collection:
* A pair of worn boots and gloves
* A set of plain traveling clothes
* A sturdy sword and shield, dulled by age
* A polished wand, faintly glowing
* A pouch of copper and silver coins
* And at the bottom, a folded map
I opened the map—and froze. The writing was nothing like our language, and yet somehow I could read every word.
"The seven nations," I murmured. "And we're… here. The smallest one."
She peered over my shoulder, eyes widening. "How are we even understanding this?"
"Summoning spell, maybe."
---
The hut creaked softly around us, the silence heavy with destiny.
I tightened my grip on the sword, testing its weight. It was heavier than I imagined, but it felt right in my hand.
"This is it," I said, meeting her gaze with determination. "We'll start here. Build our strength. When the nations fall to war, when the Demon Lord rises—we'll be ready."
She forced a smile, though her hands lingered on the sword instead of the wand. The faint glow reflected in her eyes, as if it were calling to her.
I didn't notice.
All I saw was the path ahead—my path as a knight, guiding my wife through this new world.