The Chained Watcher

Suspicions

Meanwhile, inside the heroes' rooms.

"So, that was sus."

All the summoned highschoolers had gathered together in one larger room after claiming they wanted to be around people they knew. In a foreign world with no way to contact home, the familiarity of classmates was a comforting feeling.

"The guy sounded like he was really put in a tight spot by the war, what do you mean?"

Lowering his voice to a whisper, the isekai reader leaned in. "I've read plenty of those hero summoning tropes, and this is falling very close to a common subversion of it. Standard hero summoning, 'Oh hero! Please save us from the evil demons!' and all, but that's not the full story. The enemy forces could be counter-invading, or maybe the human side killed an important demon's child without provocation. Plus, did you hear that priest guy's stutter when I asked about how to get home? He definitely just made that up on the spot."

The others are stunned. "You're saying there's no way home? And you think the human side is in the wrong here? How can you be sure?"

He leaned back. "Well, I can't be sure until our story plays out, that's the problem. I'm just saying, don't blindly trust everything these people say. Talk to the common people, go out and explore the entirety of the city, not just what they want you to see."

Looking out their room's window, he noted the moon's position in the sky. "It's getting pretty late, and they're probably going to work us to the bone tomorrow. We should get some sleep." 

They all laid down on the mounds of blankets and pillows appropriated from their respective rooms, taking comfort in the presence of others in the same situation as them.

~~~

Several weeks pass.

Current Hero Party: (M)Paladin tank, (F)Cleric healer, (F)Assassin rogue, (M)Elemental magician, (M)Ranger archer, and (F)Magic Swordsman DPS.

Over the past few weeks, their powers had grown greatly, and their physiques were over twice that of normal humans. The heroes had finally been released from their incessant training to go explore the city, while being recommended to stay out of the poor districts. Naturally, after losing their tails, that was the first place they went. 

The lively bustle of the city faded the further they got from the prosperous areas, and homeless people could be found in the alleys. Speaking of alleys, was there anything but those over here? At this rate, they wouldn't be able to find their way back to the temple.

A whispering sound could be heard from a nearby house, so they slowed down to go check it out. Inside there was an old man in a hooded cloak telling stories to a small gaggle of children, waving his hands dramatically to enhance the tales. Coming to the end of his current one, he spots the curious eyes of his 'hidden' audience.

"Hmm... What do you kids think I should tell next? Great adventures, secret treasures, fantastical beasts..."

"Mister Gramps, can you tell us about the fae?"

"Oh? Again? But didn't I tell that story just last week? Do you really want to hear about it again?"

"Well, you always make it sound so cool! The priests all either say the fae didn't exist or that they're evil, not like how you tell it." The child speaking stood up and walked over to the door. They opened it and dragged the awkward heroes in. "Besides, we've heard it, but I don't think they have! Everybody needs to hear Gramps' story about the fae at least once."

The heroes shuffle in and sit in the corner, looking around at the kids bouncing in place while waiting for the old man's story. He chuckles. "Well, I suppose once more wouldn't hurt. Before I start, you six. How much has the church fed you about the fae and their home?"