Chapter 2:A Hero's First Doubts

Chapter 2: A Hero’s First Doubts

Kaito lay on the large, luxurious bed, staring at the intricate patterns on the ceiling of his new quarters in the royal castle.

The events of the past few hours still felt surreal.

One moment, he had been an ordinary high school student in Japan. The next, he had been summoned to another world, hailed as a hero, and tested in combat. His body now carried combat instincts he never had before, thanks to the mysterious System that had awakened inside him.

Yet, despite all the grandeur—the golden chandeliers, the velvet carpet, the personal servants assigned to him—he felt uneasy.

"I was summoned to fight in a war… but I don’t even know what I’m really fighting for."

Sitting up, he let out a deep sigh. He had too many questions—about this world, about the kingdom, and especially about the war itself.

But first, he needed to get some fresh air.

The Hero’s First Walk

Kaito stepped out of his chamber, walking through the long stone corridors of the royal palace. The architecture was breathtaking—tall arched windows, walls lined with ornate golden engravings, and portraits of past kings stretching back centuries.

He passed by armored knights who saluted him with respectful nods. Servants bowed as he walked past, murmuring, “May the Hero bless our kingdom.”

"Hero, hero, hero… they keep calling me that," he thought, feeling uneasy.

Did they see him as a person—or just a weapon?

Still, he brushed the thought aside. His curiosity burned. He wanted to see the city.

A City of Beauty… and Chains

By late afternoon, Kaito finally stepped out of the castle gates. The moment he set foot onto the royal capital’s main street, his breath hitched.

It was beautiful.

White stone buildings stretched toward the sky, their rooftops adorned with vibrant red tiles. The cobblestone roads gleamed under the setting sun. Merchants called out from bustling market stalls, selling exotic fruits, shimmering fabrics, and enchanted trinkets. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat skewers.

Children laughed, running through the streets. Performers played flutes, dancing as crowds cheered. The city felt alive, rich with culture and prosperity.

Kaito couldn’t help but smile.

"This place is amazing…"

But then—

His smile vanished.

At the edge of the market, he noticed something that made his stomach twist in disgust.

A group of people, chained together, were being marched through the streets like cattle. Their wrists and ankles were bound in thick iron shackles, their clothes tattered, their expressions empty and hopeless.

They weren’t human.

They had horns, tails, scales—some had small wings, others animal-like ears.

Demons.

Kaito’s hands clenched into fists.

"Slaves…?"

A merchant, grinning widely, stood near a wooden platform, where more chained demons were lined up. His voice rang through the air.

"Fresh stock from the southern front! Strong backs for labor! Obedient women for housework! Cheap prices today!"

The crowd murmured approvingly, some placing bids as if they were buying livestock.

Kaito felt nauseous.

He had seen slavery in history books and movies, but to witness it in person—to see actual people in chains, treated like animals—was something else entirely.

His chest tightened with anger. His first instinct was to intervene, to break their chains, to do something.

But he hesitated.

If he acted rashly, would it cause trouble? Would it jeopardize his standing in the kingdom? He still knew too little about this world.

Still, he couldn't ignore what he had just seen.

He turned on his heel, marching back toward the castle.

The Conversation with the King

The moment Kaito returned to the royal palace, he demanded an audience with the king.

It wasn’t long before he stood once again in the lavish throne room.

The king, still seated on his grand golden throne, raised an eyebrow at Kaito’s expression.

"You seem troubled, Hero. What weighs on your mind?"

Kaito took a deep breath.

"I visited the city today," he started, his voice steady. "It was beautiful, but…" He narrowed his eyes. "I saw slaves."

The king’s expression didn’t change.

"Ah, yes. The demon slaves. What of them?"

Kaito clenched his fists.

"It’s wrong," he said, his voice firm. "No one should be treated like that."

The king studied him for a moment before letting out a deep chuckle.

"You are kind-hearted, Hero," he said, his tone almost amused. "But you must understand—those creatures are not like us. They are demons. It is natural for them to serve humanity."

Kaito’s stomach churned at those words.

Natural?

"Are they not people?" he challenged, his voice sharp. "They have emotions. Families. The ones I saw today—many weren’t even warriors. Some were just children."

The king’s face darkened slightly, but his voice remained calm.

"They are monsters, Hero. Their kind has waged war against humanity for centuries. If we do not subjugate them, they will rise against us."

Kaito frowned deeply.

"That sounds exactly like the justification used in history for slavery back on Earth…"

But he knew arguing now wouldn’t change anything.

This world’s morals were different. To these people, demons were enemies, not equals.

Still, a seed of doubt had taken root in Kaito’s mind.

The kingdom had summoned him to fight for their cause. But was this cause truly just?

The more he learned, the more he wasn’t sure.

And deep inside, he felt it—the first crack in his loyalty.

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