#1075 This is My Home  

Hermes continues speaking.

“Even those who seemed to have been summoned from other worlds at random did share such commonalities. Now, considering these circumstances, if we were to return them to their original world... how dost thou think they would react?”

“Would they exclaim, ‘Huzzah, we can return home!’?”

“Uncle Hades, thou shouldst be more considerate of human hearts.”

I have to admit, Hermes has a point...I agree with him deep down.

According to the gods, the people summoned to this world had weak ties to their original one.

They didn’t have any loved ones left behind or any pressing reasons to return home.

These folks came here and, after much trial and error, settled down and forged new bonds in this world.

...Just like me!!!

When I think about it, Hermes’ words really hit home in every way.

Truth be told, I had no family left, was slaving away at a soul-sucking company, and had neither dreams nor hopes back in my world.

Maybe that’s why I got caught up in this whole otherworld summoning thing.

In this world, I’ve been able to do everything freely, at my own pace. It’s been a blast and truly fulfilling.

The farm I’ve nurtured with my own hands.

Clothing, food, shelter... This place has become a perfect little colony where I can produce everything I need for life all on my own. It’s my life’s masterpiece.

Not to mention the companions who help me run this place.

My beloved wife, and my sons who are my very future.

This place is overflowing with people I hold dear.

Are you telling me to abandon the land where these people live and return to my old world now?!

Isn’t that just cruel?!

“Such is the Saint’s indignation. I believe many other summoned ones share the same sentiment,” Hermes adds.

Yes! Keep going!!!

“Gods... For the first time since coming to this world, I feel like I’ve truly found a fulfilling life.”

Turns out, I was the one saying more.

“In my previous world, I had no one to connect with and just drifted through each day. But coming here, I finally found meaning in my life. The whole otherworld summoning system might not have been right, but it’s also true that some of us were saved because of it.”

Like me.

I guess I managed to ride the system pretty well.

“I want to keep living here. I’m prepared to spend the rest of my life on this farm! Please, don’t take away my hope!!!”

“Ugh, umm...!”

Hades didn’t expect me to plead this much and was visibly flustered.

“Must thou treat me as a villain? I only thought to do what was best for the people...! I had completely forgotten that the Saint was also a visitor from another world...!”

Yes, I totally get it.

I don’t hold any grudge against Hades, but just in case...

“If I’m gone, you won’t be able to taste my cooking anymore.”

“Very well!! The plan to return them to their world is hereby canceled! Any complaints, ye knaves?!”

That was a quick turnaround.

I thought, after all, that threatening someone is faster than appealing to their emotions when trying to get them to decide.

“Sigh, ‘tis difficult to bless humans. Deeds done with good intent can become a great nuisance.”

“Uncle, pray refrain from toppling towers and confounding languages again,” Hermes says, trying to calm him down.

Meanwhily, Velesares has already faded into the background.

“However, the summoned ones art not only the Saint, art they? Is it not possible that some may wish to return? Should we not investigate this matter more thoroughly?”

But Hades isn’t ready to give up yet.

Well, I guess he’s just being cautious for the sake of the people.

In that case, since we have the chance, let’s ask another person who’s right here and fits the bill.

“...Momoko, Momoko.”

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“Do you want to go back to your original world?”

“Ehhh?”

When I asked, Momoko takes a moment to think...

“Not really feeling it. When I got summoned here, it was my exam year, and I was super stressed about the future. I was actually staying with my aunt, and she told me to start working after high school instead of going to college. I was under a ton of pressure to get into a national university or else they wouldn’t let me...”

Wait, Momoko was in such a tough spot?

“I even thought about chucking everything and just running away somewhere. So getting summoned here was perfect timing.”

Seems like those chosen to be summoned have weak ties to their original world.

That rule applies here too.

“Even if I could go back now, I’d probably be expelled from high school, couldn’t get into college, and with that, I wouldn’t land a decent job. Compared to that, here I can make a living, build up my career, and it’s way easier to live.”

What a practical answer.

Maybe she couldn’t stay the cute high school girl forever.

Not in this tough but adventure-filled fantasy world.

“That is the matter, Uncle. Regardless of the circumstances, those summoned to this world art seeking their own paths and living their lives. Is it not the sinful folly of the gods to disrupt such lives?”

“Fine, I understand! ‘Tis most vexing to be spoken to thus by the celestial gods!!!”

I can understand that feeling.

Even though he’s trying to clean up after the celestial gods, being lumped together with those jerks is pretty frustrating.

Especially right in front of the celestial gods themselves.

“Hmm... If that be the case, should we not devise some form of support services instead of returning them?”

“Uncle... pray consider. All summoned ones art granted skills without exception.”

A skill.

It’s a miraculous power given by the gods to mortals.

People summoned from another world get these special powers called skills, giving them abilities that surpass the natives.

That’s why they’re called heroes and get special treatment.

People born in this world don’t get skills from the gods.

Apparently, way back when, gods gave out power to mortals left and right, and it became a total mess.

So they decided that gods shouldn’t give power to mortals anymore.

Then some crafty god thought...

—“Well, if they’re not from this world, we can give them as much power as we want, right?”

Exploiting that loophole, the celestial gods started summoning people from other worlds like crazy.

That’s why every person summoned gets a skill without exception.

Not that I should be the one to say, being an exception.

“Those summoned from other worlds possess skills by default. That is a considerable advantage in this world. Common sense dictates that possessing a skill ensures one’s success.”

“Is that so... Hmmm...?”

“And thou art aware that among the gods’ agreements, there is one that says, ‘The gods shall not grant anything further,’ art thou not?”

People from another world can get by just fine with the skills they’ve been given.

Plus, the gods’ rules prohibit giving more blessings to those they’ve already blessed, so I guess they’ve helped enough.

“Ugh... Then, in earnest, we can do nothing more, nor is there need...!”

Hades murmurs sadly, but just knowing he cares is enough.

I’m happy he’s so considerate.

That’s what the underworld gods are all about.

Knowing how utterly trashy the celestial gods are, my standards for good gods have dropped a lot.

“If you’re that eager to help someone, I’ve got just the person.”

Just when things were settling down, someone had to stir the pot.

It was the hero, Momoko.

“There’s this guy who, like me, came from another world and has experience as a hero, but he’s in a massive pinch right now. He might actually want to go back to his original world.”

What?

The gods and I were caught off guard by her sudden revelation.

Who could she be talking about?

An otherworlder who’s in such deep trouble they’d want to return home?