Classmate wa Isekai de Yuusha ni Natta kedo, Ore dake Gendai Nihon ni Okizari ni Narimashita - Interlude 3

Interlude: Those Summoned to Another World (3)

"All personnel, assemble in the training grounds!"

It was early morning on what should have been a rest day.
Roused by their instructor knights, the students stumbled out in uniform, rubbing sleep from their eyes as they lined up in the courtyard.

The formation was brutally clear: top-performing students stood in the front, while those with poor grades or disciplinary marks were shoved to the back.

In truth, it was simpler than that—those favored by Amagi stood near him. Everyone else was disposable.

"...Hey, any idea why we’re all out here?"
"...No clue. Maybe someone broke curfew again?"

Their murmurs were cut short as a trumpet blared.
The ornate double doors to the VIP seating—doors that had remained shut since their arrival—groaned open with a deep, grinding scrape against stone.

"All personnel, salute His Majesty the King!"

The command hit like a thunderclap. Reflex overrode thought. The students snapped to attention in perfect unison—just as they’d been drilled on their first day, when failure meant punishment.

Only after obeying did the words register.

—The King was here?

A ripple of gasps and murmurs traveled down the ranks.

"Ah, yes, yes. At ease, everyone."

From the dark threshold stepped a portly old man, leaning heavily on an ivory cane. Beside him walked Priscilla, her knight’s cape trailing behind her.

This was Salus El Sentiel VIII—King of Sentiel, supreme commander of the last human kingdom, and ruler of what little remained of the world.

He seated himself on the grandest chair in the viewing gallery, then gestured calmly for Priscilla to speak.

"Brave heroes. You have endured long and arduous training. For that, you have my deepest gratitude."

She bowed formally, her eyes sweeping across the students.
They lingered—if only for a moment—on Amagi Seiya, standing tall and radiant at the front.

A subtle smile brushed her lips before her expression turned solemn once more.

"Between exterminating monsters in the labyrinth and holding your own against our knights in live combat, you have more than proven yourselves."

(...So it’s finally starting.)

Kayama Rin, halfway down the second row, smirked knowingly. She’d guessed it from the king’s presence—but hearing it confirmed still sent a chill down her spine.

"—As of today, your training is complete. You will now be deployed to the town of Torute, currently under siege by the Demon King’s army."

The world went silent.

Then—

Amagi Seiya drew his golden holy sword and raised it high toward the king.

"Understood, Your Majesty! The heroes shall march forth to save humanity!"

"OOOOHHHH—!!"

His followers—the elites who stood closest—roared in perfect unison.

Those relegated to the back rows, however, exchanged uneasy glances. Whispers bubbled up.

"...Wait, they knew ahead of time?"
"...No wonder they were grinning all week."
"...Shh! You want Amagi to hear you?"

On the platform above, King Salus VIII rose with Priscilla’s help. His eyes passed over the students with a gaze both weary and sharp.

Then he smiled.

It was not a kind smile.

"Once more, I entrust this task to you, O Hero."
"—Leave everything to me."

And with that, the king disappeared into the shadows behind the doors.

As murmurs of unease crept through the back rows, Amagi turned with a beaming grin.

"Well then, everyone—let’s move out."

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◇◇◇

"Urgh... blargh—!"

One student fell to his knees, heaving violently into the roadside brush. The stench of blood and rot was overwhelming.

They were close now—Torute lay just ahead. But this was no mere battlefield.

It was a nightmare.

Abandoned wagons, toppled in their panic, surrounded by the bloated corpses of families. A horse’s half-charred remains dangled grotesquely from the trees.
Fifty meters on, a man’s petrified corpse stood frozen mid-scream.
Another cluster of charred bodies loomed further ahead—reaching with claw-like fingers, as if they had burned alive while trying to escape.

"Wh-What the hell is this?!"
"I—I wanna go home...!"

The back ranks crumbled—some sobbing, others vomiting, all stricken with terror.

And at the front?
Amagi and his vanguard stood impassively, gazing upon the hellscape with clinical detachment.

"Looks like we’re late to the party."
"But if the fires are still going, the Demon King’s troops must still be inside."
"Perfect. Let’s catch them off guard and wipe them out."
"Agreed. We strike now, before they retreat."

Priscilla nodded approvingly as Amagi turned to address the full group.

His gaze landed on a boy near the middle—a skinny, trembling student trying to avoid eye contact.

"You. Step forward."
"...Huh? M-Me?"

The boy blinked, startled. A few heads turned. His mouth worked soundlessly.

"Yes, you. You have the [High-Speed Movement] skill, don’t you? I need you to run ahead and lure the demons out."

"B-But... alone? That’s... I mean—"
"—Oh? So you're saying I'm wrong?"

Amagi’s voice dipped—quiet, but sharp enough to cut bone.

The boy froze.

"N-No! I didn't mean that! I would never—!"
"Really? Because I distinctly remember hearing your voice this morning. Something about ‘the great Amagi’ being full of himself, wasn’t it?"

"T-That wasn’t me! I swear—!"

The boy collapsed to his knees, clutching Amagi’s boots in desperation.

"Please! I’d never insult you, Lord Amagi—!"

Amagi looked down at him with a cool, appraising stare.

"Hmm. Words are cheap. I want proof."
"P-Proof...?"
"Proof that you’re not scheming behind my back. Proof that you’re loyal to humanity’s cause. Otherwise, how can I trust you?"

The boy stared up at him, speechless.

Amagi smiled.
There was no warmth in it.

"It’s simple."

He raised his radiant sword and pointed it toward the flaming town.

"Do as I asked. Run ahead alone and lure them out. Do that, and I’ll believe you."

"...Ah... I see."

The boy's shoulders sagged.

There was no way out. No escape. Only one path forward.

"Understood."

And for the first time in a long while—Amagi smiled for real.

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Translation & Narrative Notes

1. "Favored vs. Disposable" System
The rank formation is a brilliant microcosm of Amagi’s social structure. The frontlines aren’t just skilled—they’re loyal. The back row exists to be punished.

2. The King’s Appearance
His “eerie” smile and formal detachment imply the summons serve a political purpose more than a moral one. There’s a larger game afoot.

3. Burnt Victims Reaching
That haunting detail—bodies frozen mid-reach—adds an unspoken horror to the Demon King’s attack. These weren’t just kills; they were executions.

4. "Run ahead and lure them"
This is the crux of the interlude: Amagi weaponizes fear and loyalty tests to publicly humiliate a classmate under the guise of strategy.

5. Amagi’s "Real" Smile
It comes not from camaraderie, but control. This final smile lands hard—it’s a monster’s satisfaction after pushing prey into submission.