In a certain observatory in Japan, a shooting star observed did something rather peculiar.
One evening, at dusk.
A single shooting star was observed and tracked.
The object, which was expected to crash directly onto the ground due to its trajectory, triggered an emergency alert.
According to observations, it seemed to have crashed in the Hakone area of Kanagawa Prefecture, near Mt. Kintoki. However, the reports from the firefighters, police, astronomers, and mineralogists who went to investigate were strange.
There was no surrounding damage.
There was no crater, nor any substance resembling a fallen meteorite, and none could be found.
Even those who received the reports from the members present at the scene looked at each other in confusion, considering the peculiar outcome.
From the observatory’s observation, given the light trail and angle, it was strange that there was no damage or that something had not appeared from it.
Despite this, not a single fragment or trace could be found.
Therefore, the government temporarily sealed off the area, restricted access to Mt. Kintoki, and although radiation was determined to be absent after investigation, suspicion of an unknown virus led to the reorganization of the investigation team and a new investigation.
However, the result was “No anomalies.”
This result itself could be considered abnormal.
Eventually, the observatory’s observation team suggested that it might have been a misidentification, and a gossip magazine, having overheard this result from somewhere, ran a headline: “Aliens Visit Japan!?”
For a time, the news was covered on national television, causing a stir at home, but eventually, the news was overshadowed by reports of a celebrity’s affair.
As people stopped searching for the truth behind that troublesome meteor…
“So this is the country called Nihon.”
A little before that, while the meteor was being observed, crashed, and the Japanese government was forming an investigation team.
The individuals who were the true identity of the meteor were staying at a certain Japanese inn in Hakone.
“You’ve seen enough on the way here, haven’t you? The iron boxes running on the ground, the lights illuminating this dark sky, and a world without magic. It’s certainly another world. Why be surprised by such a thing now?”
Four men and women in a Japanese-style room, about ten tatami mats in size.
If an ordinary person saw it, they would think it was a photoshoot for a modeling agency.
The clothing itself would not be out of place in Japan, but their standards of beauty were too high.
At first glance, the room looked like a waiting room for models who came for a photo shoot with a natural landscape in the background.
“…”
Saintess Eshlee, gazing out the window, spoke with a sense of deep emotion. Court Mage Majes, who caught her words with keen hearing, directed words toward Eshlee in a voice that seemed to click her tongue in annoyance.
And Knight Commander Alben, leaning against a pillar with his back, remained silent, indifferent to their exchange.
The atmosphere in the room was bad.
The pride of the two individuals outweighed their sense of camaraderie or being colleagues working on the same job.
Eshlee, feeling anxious about whether they could manage in this situation, glanced at the face of the leader of this group.
“…”
Seraph Nisia, sitting quietly in seiza with her eyes closed, surrendered herself to the gently drifting “magic substance.”
Yes, magic substance.
A substance that should not exist on Earth.
It filled not only this room but the entire inn.
Seraph Nisia has been given an organ by God in her heart that generates magic substance.
Through this organ, which could be called an ability, she can generate an inexhausthaustible supply of magic substance and influence her surroundings.
This is why Eshlee, Alben, and Majes could act normally, and why the two quarreling individuals could be in the same room.
The further away one is from her, the thinner the magic substance becomes, and obstacles would delay its transmission.
To maintain optimal conditions, one would need to consider the concentration of magic substance in each space if there were obstacles, or act within fifty meters in an open space, otherwise, these three would soon fall into physical discomfort.
This was proven by the two who, upon arriving in this land, tried to act on their own.
The two, eager to show the results to Seraph, tried to act independently and moved in opposite directions, quickly falling into a state of magic substance deficiency and ending up on their knees.
This land is hell.
Eshlee vividly remembers the looks of disbelief, as if they were monsters, that the two cast at the local inhabitants who moved around casually in such an environment.
“…Eshlee.”
“Y-Yes! What is it?”
Because she was lost in thought, Eshlee reacted a little late to Seraph Nisia’s voice.
Realizing she was in trouble, she straightened herself and sat in seiza to match Nisia.
“I have finished checking the surrounding safety. I have also placed a barrier here. You will not feel anything unusual from the surroundings. From now on, we will use this place as our base and begin our operations tomorrow.”
Without showing any sign of noticing her movements, Nisia stated what she had been doing.
What Nisia had been doing was a search magic performed with the inn they were currently using as the center.
It is a type of magic that detects the magic substance waves emitted by the opponent, like a passive sonar, to locate enemies.
In a world without magic substance, this might seem like a futile action, but there is information that there are beings in this world who serve the Demon Lord.
In terms of military strength, they are at a considerable disadvantage, and Nisia’s actions are not unsatisfactory for Eshlee and the others, who are required to act cautiously.
However.
“Lady Nisia, I have one question. Please grant me permission to speak.”
Alben separated himself from the pillar, straightened his posture, knelt, bowed his head, and requested permission to speak to Nisia.
“…Granted. Speak.”
After a glance, Nisia granted permission.
“Thank you. And I apologize for the presumption, but I believe all three of us here share the same question, so I will ask.”
After thanking her, Alben raised his head and, with a serious gaze, looked into Nisia’s eyes and posed his question in a low voice that suited his honest features.
“Is that person, who called themselves an ally, truly trustworthy?”
Alben and the others were transported to another world and were guided to this inn as if following a predetermined schedule.
The preparations for this were not done by these four.
Rather, it would be impossible for these four, who had never been to this land before, to do such a thing.
They did not occupy this inn like home invaders.
They are staying here in an extremely peaceful manner.
This was made possible by a third party who is not present at this moment.
Originally, this inn was run by an elderly couple, but the husband passed away about five years ago, and the inn was closed at that time.
After that, the wife lived alone and managed the inn, but the wife also passed away two years later.
Although they have a son and daughter-in-law, they live far away and could not manage the inn, so it was put up for sale a year ago.
And the person who purchased the property was the ally who guided them here.
It has been well-maintained and is ready to reopen for business.
However, how could this ally foresee the arrival of these four, appear near Mt. Kintoki, and bring them here?
What’s more, why would they cooperate?
A being whose methods and reasons are opaque.
Since Nisia did not express doubt, they followed their guidance while maintaining a sense of caution.
“I also have doubts about whether we can use this thing called a ‘smartphone’.”
At the inn, not only were essential food supplies prepared, but also clothes for men and women, and smartphones as a means of communication.
Also, a map and a manual detailing transportation methods.
Complete backup for four individuals whose understanding of the world’s common sense is mismatched.
In other words, it means that they understand that these four people completely lack Japanese common sense.
While one could say it’s going above and beyond, upon calm reflection, this is an unknown world for them.
The very means of crossing worlds is itself strange.
Despite this, as soon as they crossed worlds, they are met by an ally, their basic needs are guaranteed, and their actions are perfectly prepared.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you please tell us the identity of that person?”
It would be strange to be happy that the work on-site has been reduced and made easier.
Without prior information, they had no choice but to suspect something.
“…”
“…”
Majes, who would normally be the first to deny it, reluctantly agrees with this doubt.
He watches them silently, saying nothing.
Eshlee also looks at the two of them similarly.
“I don’t know.”
“???”
And Nisia’s answer was not “Yes” or “No,” but “I don’t know.”
This answer contained an element that made the ally even more suspicious.
“Don’t misunderstand. I merely don’t know their name.”
Surprised by her reply and about to judge that the situation was dangerous, Nisia stopped the three from moving.
“You merely don’t know their name? What do you mean?”
“It means exactly what it says. It is natural not to know things that are unnecessary to know. Only those to whom my father gave divine revelations know anything about that person. That person is an ally of the one who received the divine revelation.”
Alben, unable to grasp the meaning of her words, asked again. Without changing his expression, Nisia answered his question.
And the three, unaware that their Overgod’s influence extended to another world, nodded in understanding.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes! I apologize for the trouble.”
“If you understand, then it is fine. This is enemy territory, and you will likely encounter many unfamiliar things. Refrain from reckless actions and dedicate yourselves to your mission.”
“Yes!”
This exchange would have been fitting in a palace or temple, but here, in an inn, it is rather anticlimactic for a knight to kneel before an angel in a tatami room, yet the individuals involved are seriously engaged in the conversation.
There is no one to interrupt the atmosphere, and the silent two have nothing to say.
However, a problem arises here.
“Now, Eshlee.”
“Yes! What is it?”
Alben’s concern about their immediate actions had somewhat eased the atmosphere in the room.
Just as Eshlee, feeling the air turning for the better, thought they might manage, Nisia casually turned her gaze to Eshlee and spoke.
This time, Eshlee replied without delay, asking what she needed.
“When will dinner and bathing be ready?”
“Huh?”
“…”
To her surprise, Nisia was asking about dinner and a bath.
Thinking about it, the men also started to ponder.
And then, Eshlee suddenly realized it when she calmly recalled.
Seraph Nisia, Knight Commander Alben, and Court Mage Majes.
These three, regardless of their combat power, might all have zero practical life skills.
Seraph Nisia is a highest-ranking angel living in heaven.
Knight Commander Alben is from a Marquis family.
Court Mage Majes is from a Count family.
Until they were transported to this world, they had been sincerely welcomed by the church, so they were able to get by without problems in that regard.
Thanks to that, Eshlee was able to engage in and learn countermeasures after arriving in the other world.
Alben and Majes would have been in the same situation, but Eshlee never expected that common sense regarding daily life would become a barrier, a blind spot.
If it were camping, they might have managed somehow, but they have established a base, however rudimentary.
And if there is a base, it is clear that they must live there.
There are only these four people in this building.
There are no maids, butlers, or cooks to serve them, nor is there any way to arrange for them.
If the ally had prepared them, it would be different, but even the ally could not arrange for that.
In that case, someone has to do it here.
And the one who would do it is…
“…Please give me some time! Please wait until then!”
Although she is a Saintess, Eshlee is of commoner origin.
However, she never thought her background would be useful.
And she wished that the day it became useful would not come. With the manual written in Isal’s words, prepared by their ally, Eshlee headed towards the bathhouse and kitchen.
Although her mission in the other world started with good fortune, it immediately became ominous.
A word for today:
The difference in local knowledge can be significant as the environment changes.
Thank you for your continued feedback and for pointing out any typos.
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*The first volume of the book is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
The second volume was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and expanded from the original serialization on Shousetsuka ni Narou, with the addition of unpublished interlude chapters.
Please do consider purchasing the new releases!
A comic adaptation is being serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
We hope you will enjoy that as well.
We ask for your continued support as we move forward with this work.
