"You don't have any Affinity?" (Anissa)

"Yeah" (MC)

She looked stunned. Even her companions were were having a dumbfounded look on their faces.

"That's impossible. Everyone has at least one Affinity." (Anissa)

"Well I don't. I know, even I was surprised. But, it is how it is." (MC)

Silence reigned for a few moments. The only sounds were the footsteps of the Lizard echoing across the cave. I might've seemed like the most useless Hero to exist.

What kind of cheat existence can't perform magic, right? I revealed this on purpose, to find their real intentions. After all, I just met them, and I can't tell their real personalities in this short time.

My thoughts were interrupted by, Anissa.

"It doesn't matter if Cristo-sama doesn't have any Affinities. All heroes are special. We can never say for sure, about how powerful they'll grow to be." (Anissa)

I had to say that I was impressed. She has the burden of all the hopes of her people, and was just given a big setback, as her only hope for the future just declared that he was almost useless. Yet, she was calm and recovered from it quite quickly.

I can't actually put my emotions at the moment, down properly.

Imagine a really smoking hot woman. She would look like the girl of your wet dreams standing before you, ready to name you the king of the world. One look from her and your heart would stop. That was Anissa.

But, what I felt was vastly different. She was an existence who commanded respect. Her responsibilities were heavy, but she still bore them with pride. Even if it hurt her, she still stood tall and faced them head on. I could see the weariness in her face, but in her eyes I saw determination.

I felt a huge amount of respect for her character. It reminded me of one of the people from my old world, i knew.

"You know, it would be natural for you to get angry or discard me or take out your anger on me, you know?" I spoke softly to her.

"Yes. Normally, that is what I would do. But, I refuse to believe that my husbands sacrifice was all in vain.

And, I refuse to believe that the Hero we waited for is useless. We don't know everything.

What Cristo-sama can do, only time will tell.

Besides-" (Anissa)

I turned to look at her. She had a light smile on her face.

"- nobody who can defeat a Sand Wyrm while at level 1, and walk away with no injuries is useless." (Anissa)

I smiled and she winked back at me.

Soon we reached the end of the cave. Anissa stepped out of the Lizard and walked forward. After about ten steps, she knelt down and her palm touched the ground. A light began to shine from the ground in a circular pattern with many symbols. It looked like a magic formation to me. Then Indy confirmed it to me. Soon it expanded, and covered the ground beneath even the Lizard's feet.

Anissa's voice echoed through the cave,

"Cristo-sama, we're going to teleport. You may feel dizzy, but please brace yourself now."

Then my vision blurred and then I felt dizzy, but it passed in a moment. And the sight I saw next was quite surprising.

_______________________________________

Before me lay a huge underground city. It was lit up by lanterns. The buildings looked like they were built just yesterday. Their style appeared old, but they all looked fresh. The streets were filled with people.

I could see dwarves, elves, Beastmen, and humans all walking in the streets. The city limits were surrounded by a huge dome. That dome appeared to be made of sand. The roof of the dome was as high as the clouds. At that apex above the city, hung a huge golden ball radiating light and heat across the city.

In the centre of the city stood a tower from which a thin ray of light shot directly up towards the dome.

Dunno, if you guys have seen it, but this city reminded me of Erebor from the Hobbit.

Anissa's voice woke me up from my thoughts.

"Cristo-sama, welcome to the city of Normida."

______________________________________

"It's beautiful!" I spoke the honest truth in my mind.

"Thank You, Cristo-sama!" Anissa replied with pride and glee.

"How deep underground are we?" (MC)

"We are almost 7 kilometers directly beneath the desert. That dome you see is what keeps us safe from collapse." (Anissa)

That dome must be powered by some strong magic.

"We should go into the city, Cristo-sama." (Anissa)

She led the way and I followed her. One of the members of her group, went ahead of us to make arrangements. There was about a kilometer walk till the city.

"So, can you tell me more about the city?" I asked her as we walked.

She looked a little winded from doing the Teleportation, but she still smiled and answered me.

"Me and my husband, founded this city 1200 years ago-" (Anissa)

"You founded?!" (MC)

"Yes" she chuckled and replied. "My husband, me and a few of our friends founded this city together. Back then, we just wanted to build a city like one our old friends wished.

A city which thrives on development and innovation. A city where all races will be treated equally.

In fact, we succeeded. We began to develop faster than the surrounding nations. We dominated all trade. Our power rose so fast that, we were called an Empire even though we only were a city.

We became the first city where any races were welcome. Soon, the name of Normida resounded across the world."

Her voice was filled with pride and her eyes shone like stars. She looked so young at that moment that, you wouldn't believe, she was there when the city was founded.

"That must've been some friend you had?" (MC)

"Yes, he was one of our closest friends. The Summoned Hero from that generation, David-san."