Summoned to Another World

Huh—

I found myself standing in a place that didn't belong. This place should have been my kitchen. 

Looking around the room, I was first struck by its sheer size. The ceiling seemed high too.

And despite the spaciousness, I could see everything was kept tidy and clean.

"Welcome, visitor from another world..."

Furthermore, this unreasonably large space was lavish in every way. 

A bright red carpet spread under my feet, extending to the open doors behind me. Beyond the doors, the hallway was lined with fancy looking vases and armors.

"Ahem. Welcome, visitor from another world..." 

Why am I in a place like this? I should still be in the kitchen. Could this be a dream? 

It feels too vivid to be a normal dream. I've never had such clear thoughts in a dream before.

"Hmm, hmmm! Oh, please settle down everyone. It's just my throat acting up. Hmm! Welcome, visitor from another world..."

I was trying to ignore it, but it was getting hard not to notice. He's clearly addressing me.—Another world?

"Are you referring to me?"

"Indeed."

There was a pompous looking old man. He must be the lord of this palace. Though it's more a castle than a palace.

An old man with a pretentious beard, sitting smugly on the highest seat. 

He looks cheerful, but the people surrounding him seem a little angry. Probably because I was ignoring them.

"Out of the blue, but you have been summoned as the hero to save the people of this country, no, this world."

That really is out of the blue. You say "welcome" but I didn't ask for this.

This is just a dream, right? 

In reality, I'm an engineer who fights daily technology battles. I can't believe such a ridiculous situation.

It feels vivid for a dream, but if so, I'll play along and be the hero. 

"Me, a hero?"

"Indeed."

"And you are?"

"I too am a hero. The name's Sugar Baumkuchen. We will journey together to defeat the demon lord. Well met!"

What, this old man is my companion? He looks like a king though. Is that okay?

Anyway, I'll wake up eventually. I'll go along with anything but...wait, did he say Baumkuchen?

"Lies."

You're lying to me?

Don't spout nonsense lies to someone you just met in a confusing situation. 

"I am the king of this country, Sugar Baumkuchen. And this is my daughter Melt who will join us." 

"Baumkuchen!?"

"Hm? What is it? Did I say something odd?"

A pastry? Sugar and baumkuchen... Ah, it all connects.

With hints like these, anyone would realize. I look around for something suitable. There it is.

Slowly, I licked the nearby black chair.

"Wha-! What are you doing!?"

I heard the old man's flustered cry. The people around him also stirred in confusion.—I see, just as I thought.

"It's how we greet each other in my country. Showing affection, you see."

No way this is the Pastry Country.

I probably look composed on the outside, but that's not true at all. 

Acting weirdly in a dream. My sides and butt were drenched in cold sweat.

"I-I see... Is that so? Well, no matter. If you'll journey as the hero, I've nothing more to say. But before explaining further, one more thing I want to ask."

"What is it?"

"What are you holding in your hand there? An egg?"

That's right, I had an egg. Bought at the supermarket on my way home from work. 

Riding my bike on the rough road, I found it cracked when I got home.

Shouldn't have taken that shortcut.

"Yes, just a regular egg for eating."

The sole surviving egg. My other hand was completely soiled with the yellow of the cracked eggs.

Well, what could I do? Getting summoned so suddenly and all.

I wiped the dirty hand on a nearby black chair, coincidentally.

"For eating? A-anyway! Let me explain the state of this world."

I just nod without a word. The old man continues.

"Currently, this world faces a crisis." 

"I see." 

I insert some vague agreement. The old man goes on.

"That covers the situation we humans face."

"Makes sense."

I pretend to understand. Still he rambles on.

"So in summary, I must apologize for involving you in our circumstances, but we summoned you out of necessity."

"Yes, I understand."

Smoothly brushing it off.

I couldn't focus well, still embarrassed about the chair incident.

Well, I've played some games, so I can imagine the gist of what he's saying.

"Were you listening?"

"Of course!" 

"I feel you were spacing out."

"What are you saying, Your Majesty! Your beard looks as smug as ever today!"

In my panic, I spewed more nonsense.

Whatever. As someone summoned from another world, most faux pas should be forgiven.

"We're meeting for the first time today but...very well. Will you do it?"

"Yes, I understand the circumstances."

Some world that isn't Earth. I got summoned by mysterious powers to save this country as the hero. Something like that, right?

To save a country. Whether I can do it or not, such a second life sounds good.

I'm a little annoyed they summoned me without asking, but I've no attachments back there.

Besides...I've already closed that chapter of my life.

This was the beginning of two nightmarish years.