Comprehensive Manga: Hope in Another World

When they first met, Shun didn't rush to do anything. Instead, he distanced himself and sat beside her, not forgetting to gently comfort her:

"Don't be nervous… I won't force anything to hurt you…"

With the experience of comforting Hestia, Shun quickly calmed down the nervous Haruhime, and the ambiguous atmosphere became warm and gentle.

"Haruhime, this is the first time we've met. How about you tell me your story?"

Haruhime agreed softly and slowly told her past.

"I'm originally from the Far East."

As if remembering the events in her hometown, she continued:

"It's an island nation surrounded by the sea. The four seasons are more distinct than Orario. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom in full bloom, in summer, cicadas chirp, in autumn, maple leaves turn red, and in winter, there is fog and white snow."

"My family is a noble family with a long history. I don't have a mother, and my father is a state official… When I was young, I was always taken care of by many maids."

She said that she only knew the big house where she lived, and nothing about the outside world. She learned etiquette and the behavior of a noble every day… Although her pampered life was somewhat lonely, she still had some friends and she lived well.

At this point, Haruhime's face suddenly turned sad.

"However, five years ago… When I was eleven, I was kicked out of the house."

"Why?"

"I fell asleep and ate the important items of sacrifice from the honored guests of my father."

According to Haruhime, when she was eleven years old, an official started visiting the mansion frequently.

Then one day, she fell asleep and ate the sacrifice brought by the guests staying at the mansion – an offering to Amaterasu who ruled the Far East.

"Did you really eat the sacrifice?"

"I don't have any memory, but when I woke up, my mouth was full of broken food… I must have been hungry, so I went to steal food every night!!"

Shun couldn't follow the situation, and after asking carefully, Haruhime covered her face with her hands, sobbing and crying.

Later, her father, who was an official and served Amaterasu, became angry and wanted to punish her severely – but the guest persuaded him. After that, her father no longer recognized Haruhime as his daughter, and she was taken back by the guest.

Haruhime said that she was kicked out of her house in the blink of an eye, and before she could react, the guest took her away.

There was no doubt that this was a plan that had been planned for a long time.

"What happened to you after that?"

"Wuwu,... I didn't know anything, so I could only let others take me away… However, on the way back, I was attacked by monsters…!"

"Then what?"

"When Master saw a group of monsters coming to kill him, he left Haruhime on the road and ran away. However, he was caught and eaten by the monsters. When I was about to be killed, luckily I was saved by a group of thieves, because Haruhime was still a virgin, so they sold me to Orario."

"I was bought by the Entertainment District in Orario."

Under the moonlight, Haruhime explained everything to Shun.

"After that, I lived in the Ishtar Familia..."

Talking about this, Haruhime's voice became quieter, her body trembled slightly, and tears slowly filled her eyes.

Uncontrollably, she couldn't help but whisper softly:

"How nice it would be if I could meet a woman elf who was a knight like that…"

"Is this the fairy tale in [The Legend of the Labyrinth] that you're talking about?"

Hearing the title of the book that Shun said, Haruhime looked at him in surprise.

"Yes, I really like [The Legend of the Labyrinth]… but the story about the exotic knight who seeks the Holy Grail and explores the labyrinth is also very impressive to me."

"Are you talking about [The Adventures of Galahad? The story about the journey to find the Holy Grail to heal a princess suffering from an incurable disease?"

"Then, you know the story, the story about the magician who goes to the labyrinth to help the princess who is sealed inside the magic lamp—"

"Eh… [Aladdin]?"

"Wow!"

Haruhime shouted excitedly for the first time.

Hearing Shun answer all the names of those heroic tales, her emerald green eyes sparkled. Seeing this scene, Shun was very happy. It was true that he had been supporting research every day for the past few days, and now he could see her reaction, and it was very valuable.

"Does Haruhime also like fairy tales…?" Shun said as if he was very surprised.

"I like them very much! Because when I lived in the mansion, I could only understand the outside world through books…!"

Having the same topic… It must be said that this was a somewhat childish interest, which seemed to make Haruhime very happy, and her fox ears immediately stood up.

Then, she couldn't stop talking once she started, and Shun also listened and echoed.

Initially, Shun thought he knew a lot of stories that weren't very popular, but he didn't expect that it was actually the same.

Maybe so far, no one has talked to her about these somewhat childish stories, or maybe it's because Haruhime is still too young and only a few people can talk about fairy tales or heroic tales like this.

"There's also a love song about the knight for the diva even though he knows his love won't work out. I also like it very much!"

"As for the story about Lancelot, I prefer the heroic action of the lance lance lance…"

"Does Takema-sama know the story of Snow White?"

"Uh, okay, I'm not very familiar with stories other than hero stories…"

Haruhime leaned in to ask Shun, which made Shun a little overwhelmed. Time was very short, so he could only glance at her briefly and repeat a few words.

Shun thought while sweating, Haruhime seems to have a much deeper knowledge of fairy tales.

The way she spoke unconsciously became increasingly affectionate, her fox tail waving back and forth.

"So, which story is Haruhime's favorite?"

"It's a little hard to determine first place, but… there's a story about a samurai who, even though he's still very young, still saves a girl who was attacked by a demon… This story, passed down from ancient times in the Far East, is still unforgettable for me.

It seems she likes hero-assistance stories… that is, stories about girls being saved by heroes.

Haruhime was once a wealthy woman who lived in a room. Maybe it makes sense that she likes stories like this.

Haruhime, who was telling fairy tales like irreplaceable treasures… finally closed her eyes.

"How nice it would be if the hero could hold my hand and take me to my dream world like the world in the book… That's what I used to think."

Her face showed a beautiful expression, but it was filled with illusion and despair.

In a few days, it will be the full moon night, and she will only be greeted by death.

After all, this is just a fantasy!

"Haruhime, are you expecting a hero?"

"Um!"

Under Haruhime's surprised gaze, Shun extended his hand to her.

"Then ask for my help. Let me save you."

Shun's words made the atmosphere in the room very quiet.

Haruhime stared at the young man in front of her with wide, disbelieving eyes. Until a few moments later, she couldn't help but ask as if in a dream:

"Takema-sama… C-can I ask?"

"Speak."

"It seems you understand me very well, and I think you really want to help me."

Haruhime looked at Shun and said timidly:

"But, I'm a prostitute who was sold to the Ishtar Familia. According to legend, people like me will only bring misfortune and disaster to heroes. Are you really willing to accept a defiled person like me?"

Since living in Orario, Haruhime's only spiritual comfort was reading books, especially stories about heroic legends like [The Legend of the Labyrinth].

Like all young girls who have just started to fall in love, she has dreamed many times that a young hero will descend from the sky, take her hand, and save her from this dirty and muddy abyss.

However, she knew very well that this was just a fantasy. Because she wasn't a noble princess in the story, she wasn't a saintess either, her identity was just a prostitute. She had fallen and was not qualified to be saved by a hero.

She couldn't imagine that one day she would be rescued from the Ishtar Familia in such a way.

Haruhume didn't know that every time she fainted from nervousness, Aisha Belka would come out and arrange for the other Amazoness sisters to take over.

Although Shun's words undoubtedly touched her heart now, Haruhime didn't dare to touch this hope because of her low self-esteem.

After saying those words, Haruhime didn't expect that the young man in front of her suddenly smiled. It seemed that there was some kind of brilliant beauty in his eyes, which made people unable to help but be fascinated by him.

"You yourself don't realize it? You're still a virgin."

Shun's words gave Haruhime hope.

"If you don't believe it, you can ask Aisha Belka who has been taking care of you. Of course, if you're willing, I can also help you test it yourself after the Ishtar Familia's business is finished."

In fact, Aisa Belka, the vice-chairman of the Ishtar Familia, had secretly been taking care of Haruhime for years.

Every time Haruhime fainted from nervousness, Aisha would come out and arrange for the other Amazon sisters to take over.

For Aisa, Haruhime was like a younger sister and daughter. In the original work, she even risked her life to destroy the Killing Stone for Haruhime, and as a result, suffered inhuman torture, and was almost tortured to death at the hands of Phyrine.

Listening to Shun's words, Haruhime's eyes gradually shone with hope, and when she heard the last sentence, her face showed a charming sense of shame.

She stretched out her hand tremblingly, first landing on Shun's palm, and then timidly pulled it back into the air.

It wasn't until a few seconds later that Haruhime dared to extend her small hand and place it on Shun's palm, her eyes becoming full of hope and determination:

"Takema-sama… please save me…" Haruhime asked with all her might.

"Sure!"

Shun said with a smile, reaching out and grabbing her hand, and gently lifting her.

"Just wait, Haruhime, you'll witness the newest hero tale of a hero saving a girl."

❀❀❀

The next day.

Orario today was like celebrating New Year's Day. Who knows how many adventurers gathered at the tavern to wait expectantly, holding snacks.

Various Familia members who should have been exploring the Dungeon were very quiet. There was no training or preparation of props. After a hurried breakfast, they all gathered in their own Familia halls as if waiting for something.

Loki Familia, Dian Cecht Familia, Takemikazuchi Familia… all the Familias, big or small, were all doing very similar actions.

And the reason was because…

The War Game had just begun!