Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 37: The Three-Year Gap
A few days after hearing that Admos had acquired a new summoner, Ivern returned with more information.
“It seems there are two summoners this time.”
“Two?”
What does that mean?
I was summoned alone, and according to records, previous summoners were summoned alone too.
Could it be…
“A ‘dragged along’ scenario? Like, the one caught up in it turns out to be the strongest?”
“…Is that how it works?”
“Beats me.”
“You…”
When Ivern picked up on my casual remark and asked for clarification, I gave him my honest opinion, leaving him slumping in disappointment.
“In the stories from my world, there’s often this setup. The protagonist, unlucky enough to get caught up in a summoning, is dismissed as useless, but through effort, they overcome adversity and become the strongest.”
“Huh. A comeback story, huh? Sounds exciting.”
“Yeah, but summoning in this world doesn’t work that way. There aren’t any stats or anything.”
“Stats?”
Ivern tilted his head in confusion.
“It’s like… numbers showing your strength or magic power. Convenient stuff.”
“That does sound handy.”
“If only it existed.”
Of course, that’s just a reference to games.
In reality, physical strength and magic power can’t be quantified.
“In this world, summoning greatly enhances both physical ability and magic power—whether because of the magic circle or the act of crossing worlds. A summoner ends up several times stronger than a human and a demon put together. That’s why we’re so formidable here.”
“Two of them, though… That’s gonna be tough, right?”
Ivern expressed concern, but I wasn’t particularly worried.
“…Hmm. Well, if it happens, it happens.”
“Hey, that’s all you’re gonna say?”
“It’s fine. I still don’t think I’ll lose.”
When I said that, Ivern let out a small sigh.
“They’re summoners, just like you. Isn’t that confidence crossing into arrogance?”
Overconfidence? What’s he talking about?
“It’s just a fact. Like I told Meyleen, the time we’ve spent in this world is different. I’ve been here for three years already.”
“Yeah, but there are two of them. That simply doubles their fighting strength.”
Ah, I see where Ivern’s misconception lies.
“It’s not about numbers. Listen. Everyone summoned in the past hundred-odd years—including me—came from the same world. If these two came from there too, they should have no experience with real combat… with killing.”
“Oh, I get it now.”
Looks like he finally understood.
“I was thrown into a war against the Demon Kingdom with a clear enemy. They dangled a false promise in front of me—defeat the Demon King, and I’d be sent back to my world.”
“No matter how many times I hear it, that’s just messed up.”
“Yeah. Because of that, I had no choice but to fight. I still remember the first time I killed a demon.”
Back then, I was still a pure-hearted kid who had never even been in a fight.
The first time I fought a demon and was on the verge of being killed, I was so terrified that I wet myself.
When I somehow managed to finish it off and claim victory, I was overwhelmed with guilt for taking a life and vomited everywhere.
I wanted to avoid fighting for a while, but Lindor and the others wouldn’t allow it.
Not through force, though—more like they manipulated me using that lie.
“You must defeat the demons to return to your world,” they’d say.
The naïve me believed them and kept killing demons.
At first, I felt intense guilt for taking lives, but it lessened with each battle. Eventually, I became desensitized to killing.
And now I was supposed to lose to a couple of people who had only just been summoned?
“I’ll say it plainly. Even if they came here right now, it wouldn’t even be a proper fight.”
When I said that, Ivern finally seemed convinced.
Even so, he asked another question.
“And if they do invade?”
“With the way this world’s rulers think, I suppose it’s possible…”
“Well, we’re dealing with people who think they’re the strongest and smartest around.”
If those two summoners were stronger than everyone around them, the rulers might very well make that decision.
In that case…
“If it comes to that…”
I looked at Ivern with a sly grin.
“How about recruiting them as allies?”
When I said that, Ivern’s face twisted in disbelief.
“You… People are seriously going to think you’re aiming for world domination.”
“Wouldn’t that also work as a deterrent?”
Maybe because I didn’t deny his words, Ivern put a hand on his face and looked up at the sky in exasperation.
“Isn’t it a good idea?”