She's the Empress? How is this possible?

"I don't understand. I heard Normida Empire fell a over a thousand years ago. How does it exist even now?" (MC)

She didn't reply. I could see pain in her eyes, and I realised that I spoke something insensitive.

"I'm sorry if I caused you to remember something painful." (MC)

She wiped her tears and then smiled towards me.

"No, it's not your fault, Cristo-sama. The past is filled with sorrow, but it is something that I'm very proud of.

You're right, that the Empire ceased to exist over a thousand years ago. But, my husband the Emperor created this desert and saved a lot of us. It was his final wish, for me to carry on as the Empress. Even if the Empire doesn't exist anymore, I'm proud to be the Empress of Normida." (Anissa Normida)

She had the air of someone bearing an unbearable burden, but still smiling despite it.

"How did you know that I would appear here?" (MC)

"The fall of Normida was prophesied a few years before it happened. But, the prophesy also told that Normida will once again rise...

when the Hero comes." (Anissa Normida)

"But it's been a thousand years. How did you know I would be here today?" (MC)

"We didn't actually know, Cristo-sama.

Three days ago, a bright light from the sky fell in the desert and disappeared.

.

.

We waited for over a thousand years for you. Many of our people grew tired and left us behind. The population dwindled down to a twentieth of what we were before.

Though, everyone who abandoned us swore oaths that they wouldn't reveal our existence, we could see that they didn't have much hope staying with us.

And now, One thousand years after the exact date of Normida's destruction, the light of Hero Summoning shone in Normida.

.

.

You are the Hero that we didn't summon, but the Hero we need, Cristo-sama." (Anissa Normida)

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"But how am I supposed to save you?

I am a weakling. I don't have any strength to even properly defend myself. Besides all that, I'm a complete new comer to this world. How do you expect me to help you?" (MC)

"You're right. Right now you're a nobody. But we can't predict what someone in the Hero Class would become. Everyone of the summoned heroes have ended up, influencing this world.

Right now, you don't need to worry about any of that. You're new to this world and we need to get you more accustomed to this world." (Anissa Normida)

She climbed onto the Giant Lizard like creature and streched out her arm to me.

"Cristo-sama, will you come with me?"

She asked me.

It was all a bit too much for me. I realised that, for some reason they needed me to change their fates, but I would hate coming up short for their hopes.

She seemed to sense my hesitation, but didn't say anything at all.

.

.

.

.

"I can't promise you anything. Maybe, it might have been a huge waste for you by waiting for me to appear. I can only promise you that I'll try." (MC)

I grabbed her hand and climbed abroad with her. I never knew that, that was when I met my closest friend in this world.

___________________________________

We travelled on the Giant Lizard for about half a day before reaching our destination. I checked with Indy and found that, where we stopped was about 50kms north of where I originally landed.

Anissa's companions were all very respectful to me and treated me like divinity. Frankly, it was very annoying.

When we stopped, Anissa pointed straight forward and released a small ball of light

"[Light Seal Key]", her voice echoed.

The small ball of light shot forward and disappeared. Then the surroundings blurred and a huge Sand Stone cave appeared in front of us.

The cave entrance was huge and the cave looked quite deep. The lizard moved forward and stepped into the cave. The insides were quite dark. Anissa created a ball of light which floated before us.

"Is that a skill?" (MC), would be nice if it was. If I could learn it then it would be useful.

"When we hit the maximum level, we no longer need to learn skills below, S-class. Just imagining the effect is enough. Of course, MP will be spent on the skill, as usual. And you can only cast skills with your affinity.

.

I have light affinity. So I just imagined a ball of light, and it was created." (Anissa)

.

.

"I see" (MC).

"Forgive my rudeness, But what are Cristo-sama's affinities besides Light?"

.

.

"Actually I have no affinities." (MC)