Unlike Earth, this world has demonkind and monsters.
I built it meaning to make it that kind of world, so they're here.
"After the dinosaurs, it's monsters. On account of the mana organelles, most creature lineages turn into monsters."
"I see."
"Your ordinary present-day fish aren't of that lineage, so they stay looking like normal fish—but the big ones, the so-called magic-fish, are another matter."
"Hmm."
The giant fish of antiquity, the ones that existed on Earth too, have survived here.
These are all evolved from species with magical organelles, so they can use magic.
Big and strong.
"On land, too, the plants and animals of the type we call monsters are flourishing."
"Plants as well?"
"Yeah—mandragora, alraune, man-eaters, treants, dryads..."
"Quite a lot of them, aren't there."
"Aren't there just."
There are others, of course.
"Strictly speaking they aren't plants, but there are tentacles and ropers and such too."
"Ahh, tentacles. Tentacles."
So then, the mammals keep evolving as well.
"I forgot to mention—dwarves are about due, too."
"Dwarves, eh."
"All they do is mine."
"Honestly."
Well, dwarves don't get much of a starring role, so let's leave them be.
"Cats and their relatives get born around here too."
"Oh, how cute."
"These fellows evolve into catkin, so we need them soon or we'll be in trouble."
"I see."
So then—as for humans?
"Monkeys. Monkeys, they are."
"Still monkeys for now."
"The elves are already around, aye."
"Right—which is why the elves think of humans, born later, as a lower species."
"So they do."
And so all sorts of species evolve.
The long age of monkeys finally comes to an end at last.
"Goblins first."
"Goblins come first?"
"Just feels right."
Goblins are born.
"And while we're at it, humans, beastkin, lizardmen and the rest evolve in parallel."
"Hmm. The process where separate species undergo similar evolution, aye."
"That's it."
And there we have it—humans and the other peoples, all assembled.
"There's a problem, though: humanity doesn't flourish right away."
"And what's that?"
"For one, the monsters are pretty strong."
"Aye."
"Unlike a world where the dinosaurs simply went extinct, combat power is high across the board."
"Mmf."
The two of us pull sour faces.
We'd like to do something before humanity goes extinct.
"But the biggest problem is this: demonkind and a Demon Lord are born."
"Ahh, right, right."
"With that, a Demon Lord's domain forms alongside humanity's lands, and fighting becomes a constant."
"How dreadful."
The lands where humans had settled far and wide gradually become the Demon Lord's domain.
The domain grows into a greater power than expected, and it threatens people's lives.
Then enemies march out from the domain and begin to clash with humanity.
"Right. Well, shall we sit back and watch a while."
"Aye."
So then—to slay the Demon Lord, humanity means to put forward some middle-aged fellow from the sticks as their Hero.
"Think an old geezer'll manage?"
"There seems to be a Saint too, though."
"Let's see how it goes before we decide."
"Aye."
The Hero and Saint and their party enter the Demon Lord's domain and fight on.
The heroes, battered and worn.
Their levels have risen, but the enemies are many even so.
And then, with the Demon Lord in sight, they fell—and, sad to say, never returned.
"See? Just as I said."
"No good, was it."
"Let's deliver an oracle—an oracle!"
"Don't say it like it's some kind of mutual fund."
"Hurry, hurry!"
The Oracle Button, a thousand gold! "Thank you as always for shopping our cash store," it says.
"Here—the Oracle Button."
"Right, let's do it. Leave it to me."
Ahem, ahem.
"People of humankind. I am your ever-so-adorable goddess, Aithel."
"Aaah, a goddess—!"
"That's right. I am cute."
"We are humbled!"
"Now then—it seems the Demon Lord subjugation, with the Hero you put forward, has ended in failure."
"We are most dreadfully sorry!"
"I have a proposal. We shall summon from the world of Earth an otaku Hero, an expert in this sort of game."
"You don't say—!"
"He is sure to be of aid to you all."
"I see. By all means."
"Then, when preparations are ready, pray to your god."
"We are most humbled!"
Oh—they've started building a temple.
The faith of the goddess Aithel spreads across the world.
"Goddess. Don't overdo it, now."
"I know that, Lord Lunga."
"Do you really."
"Hee hee."
It seems the preparations are all in order.
The priests are praying to their god with all their might.
The attacks of the Demon Lord and demonkind continue even now, and the realm is under threat.
"Lady Aithel. Lady Aithel. Summon the Hero, now, in this very hour!"
"Hello, hellooo. I hear you."
"Lady Aithel. We beg you, please, please grant us the Hero."
"Very well. Then I shall just pop over to Earth and drag one out."
"Huh—where is this?"
"Ohh, the Hero!" "The Hero!" "The Hero!"
An otaku lad from Japan, here he is.
He looks around to find a great throng of priests. And one king, besides.
"Ohh, Hero. Your name?"
"I'm Yubari. Takuya."
"Sir Takuya, then, do you call yourself."
"Yeah, that'll do."
"We beg you—save this kingdom, nay, this world."