Two Years Passed

"Those bitches!"

It had been two years since I was summoned as the hero. 

The one cursing next to me was my partner, the phoenix bird. Over the two years he had grown from hand-sized to ridiculously huge.

He looks like a crow, but his feathers and fur are reddish-brown. His head feathers stick up like a mohawk. 

The only thing I could bring from Earth was the egg. Retail price, about 30 yen.

Maybe due to some influence when summoned, the phoenix hatched from that egg. 

He has magical power and can speak. When newly born, he even mistook himself for a human.

The egg should have been a chicken egg, yet he has no chicken-like traits. The mohawk made of head feathers may be the only vestige of that.

I named him after the phoenix. Apparently phoenix and fenikkusu mean the same thing, but I went with the easier to say phoenix.

The name Fushichou felt too long. For the same reason, I didn't use Houou either. 

By the way, after telling him the phoenix legend in his chick days, he now believes he'll become an immortal phoenix someday.

Poor bird. Do your best. 

"There, there, it's nothing new, right? I'm used to it by now."

What were we doing? Luggage duty for the esteemed hero party. For what happened in the two years, this is just a taste. 

After getting summoned as the hero, I tried to leave the castle due to my utter lack of heroic talent. 

But someone stopped me.

"Wait a moment!"

"Hm?"

It was the very person who evaluated me as mediocre—the princess, Melt.

"Um, I'll be setting off as the hero! Would you come with me?"

Why? And what's with this "I'll be setting off" business... Oh, I didn't meet expectations. Sorry 'bout that.

But with my abilities, I probably can't keep up. What is it? Love at first sight? If so, just say it clearly.

There was someone conceited. Yes, me.

"If you think I'd be useless, you're mistaken! Sir Engy's abilities are by no means low. You simply lack experience. With magic training together, you can become a first-rate sorcerer! I'm sure of it!"

"Is that so...? Well, yeah, you're right!"

There was someone easily strung along. Also me. 

"Though you lack outstanding power, I believe you can support me. Right, Father?"

"Y-yes! As her father, having a man of general-class potential by her side is reassuring!"

I'm sure I wasn't the only one thinking "then take a general with you," but say that and I get "it has to be you!" —Hey, hey, no choice then.

And so, swayed by her pace, I ended up joining the hero's journey. An unfamiliar world, I was anxious too.

It was good at first. As promised, Melt taught me magic and we defeated monsters together. She kindly helped me, bewildered in the new world.

We lovingly raised the phoenix hatched from the egg, sensing magical power or something.

But things changed when new companions joined, around the time I could use basic magic decently.

In addition to Melt's father Balm Kuchen's country, two other large countries formed an alliance to defeat the demon king, each choosing one hero. 

Apparently that had been the plan from the start.

Somehow, all those chosen were princesses. What's going on in this world's royalty?

In any case, two new comrades joined and the royal party was complete.

But when I psyched myself up saying "Alright, let's set off on a new adventure!", this is what I got:

"Hey, why do we have this weakling man with us?"

I knew that much myself. But I'll catch up someday.

At the time, I thought that while I couldn't match them, I could still contribute.

"Hmmm. Engy probably doesn't need to fight anymore." 

I doubted Melt's words. She was the one who asked me to come along. 

I thought she'd protect me. That we had some understanding after spending months together.

What followed was:

"Yeah. With us three heroes together, we can't lose! Engy can avoid getting hurt too, so that's good. Great!"

What the hell is that—

Haah, so I'm fired huh. 

Look on the bright side. I had no heroic power to begin with, and only came along because Melt invited me.

I learned the common sense and basic magic to live in this world. No point being dead weight, so this is how it should be.

"Thanks for everything. Let's go, Phoenix." 

For some reason, Melt looks confused. —As expected.

Just as I try to say my goodbyes and leave,

"Hmmm. On second thought, please come along after all. We're all girls, so we need someone to carry luggage, right? And act as a shield when needed, maybe."

"I refuse."

Why must I do that?

"Oh? You think you can refuse? Going against the hero's will means making the whole city our enemy. I'll take it to mean that. Understood?"

What's with this girl...

The one who suggested luggage duty had a different air about her. 

—This villain! Alright, bring it on. I'll take on the city or country anytime!

All talk in my imagination. Powerless as I was, I could say nothing. 

I looked at Melt one last time.

She said nothing.

...

And that's how it's been since. 

"Come on Engy, talk back a little."

"Huh~? No helping it. Talk back too much and I get blasted with magic again. Think of it like this. They're children. Just obediently follow orders, and that alone makes them happy. Look at it that way, and they seem cute, right?"

I'll have to do something soon. 

While I've gained decent strength, the heroes progress quickly, and enemies strengthen accordingly.

At this rate, I may really die a shield death.

"Well, leave that aside for now. The princesses have returned."

As I chat with Phoenix, the three girls come back from bathing.

"Were you properly watching, dog?"

"Engy is way better than a dog. It's fine." 

"Woof woof."

Let me introduce my twisted party, belatedly!

In order of speech: swordswoman Spitzy Monbrat. The culprit behind the current situation.

She gives off a gentle vibe, but is pitch-black inside with a nasty personality. She looks down on everyone. Tyrannical evil princess. 

Second, sorceress Melt Balm Kuchen. Does she have ill intent or not, is she even aware? I've lost trust in her. 

And now she treats me as baggage, like it's normal. Innocent harmful princess.

Last is sorceress Lettie Milkfeal, specialized in recovery magic. I'm not really sure about her.

Just reading her words, it may sound like she's ridiculing, but I dunno.

Well, she does order me around sometimes, but the most decent of the bunch. Mysterious taciturn princess.

On rethinking, there's no one I can talk to normally. I let out a sigh. 

"Eww, he seems happy being called a dog. Disgusting."

"Maybe I'll start calling him dog too."

"Woof woof." 

These bitches!