My summon to another world was even weirder than I expected

The doors to the throne room opened in unison, allowing the group to enter.

The interior was even more ostentatious than all the hallways they had passed through, which, had Zack not seen this place, he would have thought was impossible.

The room was enormous, with around thirty people standing along the sides, yet the space still felt strangely empty.

Wherever you looked, there were incredibly eye-catching decorations— the edges of the walls inlaid with gold, and all the occupants of the room dressed in extravagant clothes that seemed uncomfortable.

The occupants, presumably nobles of the kingdom that had summoned them, looked at the group coldly, attempting to analyze them completely. Some gazed with interest, others with mockery, and a few seemed indifferent. But if there was one thing they all had in common, it was something Zack recognized—that air of superiority surrounding them.

Thanks to the work and influence of his parents, Zack had met many important people in his life, which is why his parents had forced him to attend the prestigious institute where he had spent the last three years.

Influence, connections, power.

Most of the powerful people Zack had met always carried that same air of superiority that enveloped everyone in the room.

It’s hard to identify in adults, but it’s easier in young people.

If there’s one thing Zack had learned over time, from attending parties, social gatherings, and even just observing his classmates, it’s how to identify people.

What he was seeing now wasn’t good.

All the people in the room were watching them as though they were exotic animals.

The comparison couldn’t have been more accurate.

Normally, when you go to the zoo and see gorillas, you’re impressed by their strength and appearance, but what would happen if a gorilla threw a banana peel at you?

Obviously, you’d get angry.

After all, how dare a mere animal stain your clothes?

Even if you feel awe toward them, you’re still human, a superior species. And as a human, you feel superior to an animal that is at the mercy of others.

These were the looks they were getting from the so-called nobles of the kingdom— circus monkeys trained to entertain them and then be forgotten.

Zack could guess that their stay here wouldn’t be pleasant.

They were just tools to these people. What happens if a tool no longer serves its purpose?

As Zack started to hyperventilate, imagining his future, the elderly mage approached the throne, bowed, and said:

"Your Majesty, I present to you the heroes from another world who have volunteered to help us against the enemies of the world, the demons."

"They are the heroes?"

"They don’t look very strong."

"Look at their clothes, what curious outfits."

As soon as the Archmage finished speaking, the room erupted into whispers and murmurs among the nobles, who continued to observe them.

"Mmm, good job."

All the voices ceased when the king began to speak. Had the students been more observant, they might have seen fear on the faces of the younger members of the nobility. Only a few sharp observers noticed this—Zack included.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," said the Archmage, after which he walked to an empty corner of the room and fell silent.

Contrary to the image Zack and the others had of what the king would be like, his true appearance was quite shocking.

The king had long hair that reached his shoulders and penetrating eyes that allowed no disrespect. Despite sitting, it was evident that he had a strong and tall body, with large muscles visible beneath his clothing.

"Oh, heroes, I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you, and I beg for your help. Thousands of lives are lost every day. Please help us defeat the Demon Lord." Despite his emotional words, neither his tone nor his expression changed during his speech.

It was as if the lives for which he was asking help meant nothing to him.

Without giving his audience time to react, the king continued with his speech.

"Now we will begin the awakening ceremony—"

"Your Majesty, if you allow me, I will carry out the awakening ceremony. I am sure the gods would have wanted it this way."

The nobles in the room tensed upon seeing that someone had interrupted the king, but when they saw who it was, they relaxed.

The king stared intently at the person who had stepped forward.

The person in question was an elderly man in white and gold robes. In contrast to the colorful clothing of the others in the room, his attire seemed almost simple.

After a while, King Terence II said:

"Mmm, if that is what you wish, Pontiff."

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty," replied the Pontiff, bowing slightly, just as the elderly mage had done earlier.

One of the palace attendants approached the Pontiff and handed him a white sphere, then he looked at the heroes the way a grandfather might look at his grandchildren.

"Please, heroes, come forward so we can perform the ceremony."

None of them took a step forward.

Seeing this, the Pontiff didn’t seem angry. He stepped closer and said slowly:

"Don’t worry, nothing will happen. We just want to observe what your class is."@@novelbin@@

Zack and a few others became alarmed when they heard this.

(Classes? Like in the novels? But that’s impossible. Though what has happened to us is also impossible.)

While the students were reacting to the news, a figure slowly detached itself from the group.

"Excuse me, but before any ceremony, I would like to ask you some questions," said Professor Kaede in a tone neither humble nor arrogant, yet one could see she was nervous.

"Of course. It’s normal to be confused," replied the Pontiff, still smiling.

Seeing that the elderly man was willing to answer their questions, Miss Kaede seemed to calm down a bit.

"I’m afraid there’s been some misunderstanding," she said before continuing, "We heard we were summoned to fight an army, but none of us are fighters. None of my students know enough to face an armed opponent, let alone an army."

Upon hearing the teacher’s concerns, the Pontiff looked at them with a sympathetic expression and said:

"Don’t worry about that. There has been no mistake. The gods have chosen you for this quest because you are qualified. I understand you’re scared, and that’s understandable, but you must not fear because the God of Light has blessed you and will give you the strength to save us."

Upon hearing this, Zack’s face sank. Just hearing the words coming from the Pontiff’s mouth, he knew what kind of person he was—a religious fanatic.

Zack had dealt with this kind of person before.

On rare occasions, he had to accompany his parents to their office due to problematic clients whose cases took longer than expected because of the case's circumstances or the client themselves.

Once, his parents’ client was a religious fanatic accused of burning down a place of worship from another religion, causing fatalities.

The issue his parents had with this particular case was that the man wanted to declare what he had done as if he were going to be rewarded for it.

Zack spent nearly four hours watching his parents try to change his testimony while the idiot yelled at them, calling them enemies of God.

But the reason Zack remembered it so well was because of what happened next.

After hours of arguing, his parents decided to take a break. At that moment, that scumbag attacked his father from behind with a chair and tried to attack his mother.

Fortunately, the security at the law firm prevented anything worse from happening.

Basically, they could tie you up and torture you in a room with cameras while half the world watches, and somehow, it would still be your fault.

It’s pointless to argue with these kinds of people; their arguments are based on the "will of God." If you don’t do what they say, you’re disobeying God’s will, but if you do what "God" orders, you’ll be rewarded… in another life.

People like him will never listen to arguments that harm them. Even if you take the time to show them how impossible and irrational their intentions are, all you’ll do is be marked as a blasphemer.

They twist their action and make them righteous. No matter even if who their action go against. Even if another believer goes with their holy text and tells them that their actions were wrong, they would only tell you that they are special, the exception, they are right and you are wrong. No argument whatsoever. Everyone who does not share their views is against them.

This is what a fanatic is.

As for what happened to that individual, Zack’s parents did something he hadn’t expected.

They apologized and agreed to do what that fool wanted, allowing him to proclaim his actions during the trial.

He was sentenced to death.

The teacher tried to ask more questions but was interrupted by the Pontiff.

"Child. I understand you’re confused, but I assure you that you have nothing to fear. Please, let’s proceed with the awakening ceremony. I’m sure it will clear up your doubts."

Miss Kaede remained silent for a moment, then nodded her head.

The elderly man in white and gold robes smiled and said:

"Just place your hand on the sphere I’m holding."

Kaede did as instructed. The moment her hand touched the sphere, light began to gently emanate from it, gradually increasing in brightness. Once the sphere stopped glowing, the Pontiff said:

"Status."

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