The bell tolled throughout the city. Men, women and children all in unison made their way down the street. A cacophony of whispers slowly grew into a harrowing cry. They wanted to hear what the Baker had to say because they had fear.

  This world has no agency to lend to the weak, they listen to those in power for that very reason. Out of all resources, security was in the highest demand.

  This was the Baker’s power. People would outsource their safety to him. Even in this system of nobility, he would have never needed a title to rise to power.

  Arata stood there in the crowd, luckily Morgan was still nearby but Clemence was nowhere to be seen. Arata tries to shout yet his voice is rendered useless.

  Despite his shouts doing nothing, another man’s voice does, “Attention! Silence people, I have come to ease your worries.”

  The Baker begins his speech, “As of recent, hard times have come upon us. The encroaching demon threat grows ever closer. All of you may worry for the future, a future that you worry may never come for you and your sons.”

  “Alas, the demonic menaces encroach further on our town yet the king denies our role in driving them back. To hell with his demands. Does he live in your houses? Was the red moon looming over his night sky? NAY! That is why I say we fight back!”

  “The demons must be wiped out for good, I ask of any fighting man or working woman, all need to pitch in for the upcoming war effort. I declare war on those hellspawn, we shall drive them out of the forest alongside our elven brothers!”

  “We have no need for the orders of our king, for he will not fight for our future. Our future shall be forged with your help, when we will emerge victorious and pave a tomorrow in demon blood!”

  Murmurs begin to sound among the crowd at the declaration, yet eventually it coalesces in pure excitement. Hats fly up into the air, men shout and fists are raised. Yet the uproar goes silent again, the Baker has more to say.

  The Baker continues his speech, “We are not alone in this fight. For I would like to introduce… the brave who fended off the dreaded Beelzebub. A noble individual who descended from another world by god's hand to assist the earnest folk of our world!”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Hero? Another world, one who fought Beelzebub?! Are they talking about me, just who is it?! Arata looked up on stage, he was not the one who the Baker had referred to. The woman had long black hair, determination burned into her retinas, her hands with a strong grip and her body decked head to toe in a gilded piece of plate armor and chainmail.

  Selena stood out on the stage, holy sword raised into the air. She calls out, “God has not merely chosen me for this task, I shall be the guide to lead you all into the future you fight for! For Basin City!”

  Arata begins to shake, turning around, he could swear he saw rabbit ears popping out of the crowd. Meanwhile, the incessant chanting sounds akin to a drill boring its way into Arata’s skull. Selena?! She died- that looks too much like her… she may no longer have that cold look but-

  Arata had seen this person in another place, the mental ward; she reminded Arata of one of the Selena variants that had attacked him. The Ripping- did it pass through? No, that should be impossible?!

  Selena continued her speech, “Within the forest stands the Erkling, the Scourge of the Fae! Let us march with the baker to fell the elven menace, with my holy sword Curtana!” The woman, while very similar to Selena, spoke in mannerisms far out of character. No doubt Selena was courageous yet it was a silent courage which Arata was used to.

  The Psyche ward… modern technology- there were cameras which didn’t work and the glass? That was Selena’s dream- was she really from another world-

  Arata is interrupted by a loud shout, “I, the hero Celine, shall stand alongside you all! The days of the Mad King’s reign shall be numbered! In a month, we will march on the forest!” The hero finally sheathes her sword, stepping off of the stage to the applause of the crowd.

  That wasn’t Selena. Am I going crazy? Selena’s corpse disappeared and that woman popped up. Her eyes, her voice, her mannerisms… Celine’s a different person maybe? Arata spots Clemence, she’s standing off to the side of the garden, standing outside of the crowd, Arata begins shoving his way through the mob to reach her.

  “Clemence, haven’t you seen her face before-” Arata asks, pointing at the hero Celine, yet is quickly interrupted.

  Clemence lets out a deep breath, “I- I just don’t know either.”

  Arata stares up at Celine as the speech ends, crowds clear now that the announcement was made, only then does Morgan reach out to Arata’s shoulder. The knight turns Arata’s eyes towards theirs.

  “Arata- this news, we should get to training immediately. Our squad has a month to train. I’ll also have to properly introduce you to the other knights.” Morgan points out, taking Arata’s hand.