~Joshua~
Again that ripple blasted through the sky creating a loud aftershock. We had chosen to dive into the dungeon straight away and we were making great progress with few injuries until we reached the boss room. We were battered losing some of the guards that had travelled with us. We had just left the dungeon when the ripple happened. A small squadron of guards had rushed towards us as we left bleeding from non-fatal but tiring injuries and bruises some of us were more injured than others.
"His majesty requires your presence in the barons estate"
"Please lead us" Speaking for the group I felt a rush of euphoria spread over me.
As we ran to our destination as fast as the injured could handle we made it to the mansion. Crowds of common folk and adventurers were gathered around a certain spot where maids were cleaning a red substance off the floor. That's blood My thoughts darkened after being called by the king and then a large pool of blood could only mean something terrible happened.
Running up the stairs our group was ready for battle but when we reached the top the king and Barron were sitting drinking tea. The king looked directly at us with a dire look.
"Young heroes we are celebrating you clearing the dungeon."
"But we didn't clear it!" Kate Shouted in protest.
But we need to keep up your appearances as Heroes so we will celebrate at the palace in the capital. We will have... guests as well as the normal nobility at the gala so please do be on your best behaviour.
Someone that even the king respects... or fears. This could be troublesome for us. It may be the person who cleared the dungeon and that means that their group must be massive and extremely
powerful.
Yes sir we will be on our best behaviour.
We must make haste we will use the court Mage's teleportation magic to return to the capital.
Using the teleportation spell landed us in the main hall of the palace where the throne was. The court magician Galdious had passed out from low mana.
"Please excuse me heroes I must prepare for the gala and send the invitations out . I will send for you tomorrow with suitable attire being delivered to your rooms."
Slowly we dispersed from the Throne room as the king sat down with a heavy huff and Visibly fatigued. Turning towards the cliff I headed to my room to clean myself and get some decent rest. After all who knew what would be happening tomorrow.
~Vasilias Agidyne~
How had it come to this! Those impudent anomalies, those irregulars ignored my command to work under me as if I was a commoner and not the king, killed my people and left like they were hot shit. The heroes are practically worthless. The only good thing is that their title is stopping other continents from going to war with us! At most if my children marry those heroes they can strengthen our lingering bloodline.
Ordering a few servants to write some invitations and prepare the ball room built into the cliff side. Releasing a heavy sigh I couldn't help but want them under my thumb. To have them support the heroes and fight in the oncoming war would be perfect. If I enslave them I can give them to my children too as a pet.
Closing my eyes I rested myself for the day ahead.
~Joshua~
Opening my eyes I could only sigh after a sleepless night. Dread wouldn't leave my mind after the look on the kings face. What could make him so fearful and angry.
Before I could finish my thoughts I heard a knock at the door.
"Dear hero it is time for breakfast with your companions."
"Coming!"
It had been 9 months since we arrived in this world. We had lost a few of our classmates and some refused to leave for dungeon excursions or training. The king has housed our classmates for as long as we fight in the war for him.
Putting on some simple but comfortable clothes I made my way down to the banquet hall where my classmates were gathered eating on a long table.
Kate was the first to notice me giving a slight wave with a drained look. It seems that I wasn't the only one that had trouble with sleep. Sitting down a maid placed a plate with a royal cuisine fit for the royalty of this palace.
Soon another person entered the banquet hall. Suddenly we all quietened down as the figure slinked down onto a seat a neat distance away from us. The first person to talk was Alice who was Kate's childhood friend and best friend since she was little.
"Hello princess how are you doing?"
In a low mutter she got a two letter response
"I'm fine"
"Why don't you sit next to us? We would love your company."
With a slight blush she rejected the offer and soon finished eating the light meal. She politely excused herself to prepare for the Gala.
Our group was relatively quiet afterwards as all we could do was wait for the night to arrive. Apparently all of the high nobles would be there to celebrate 'our' Victory. It just felt like a big defeat, a joke that was being played on all of us for trying to survive and thrive.
Turning towards the group I voiced the concern that we all had on our minds.
Who reached the bottom of the dungeon? And why did the king need to lie about our victory in the dungeon instead of what we achieved?
Looking back on the old dungeon we had made significant progress in our teamwork and strength. It hadn't been long since we delved into the dungeon but we could reach the boss room at the bottom and it had shown we had grown in said strength in our stats.
~Joshua Graham~
Hp 100/100
Sp 65/65
S: C
M: B
A: C
E: C
I: D
~END~
Our stats had ranked up at least once and I had a rank up in every stat category. We had achieved becoming some of the strongest people in the continent in under a year l. But that also meant that the war was coming close to happening. I could only pray that the class would make it out alive.
Returning to my room I could only wait for my outfit to arrive and for the gala to begin.