The grand hall had become deadly quiet. So quiet, Gregory could hear his own heartbeat. He had bowed his head down and so couldn't see, but he felt Melty's threatening glare shoot daggers at him from the throne seat.
''Oh... from the king?''
Gregory nodded his head and kept his voice steady while talking.
''Yes, will her majesty allow me to read it?''
---Gregory talked like he was in a minefield. As far as he knew, the woman in front of him was a blood-lusted sociopath, who had no qualms about killing him should he disrespect her in any way, so he chose his words carefully.
''...Of course, read it. Loud and clear, if you may.''
Hearing the woman's words, Gregory stood up and opened the scroll. His voice didn't falter as he spoke.
''Melty de Belica, with all due respect, I believe you may have gone off the deep end. Although in the last meeting we had come to an agreement for you to withdraw your troops from Erilis, you decided to walk all over it and even sent reinforcements.''
''It appears you only understand through blood-shed and war, and so we'll speak the same language. We will not hold back anymore, we won't waste our resources trying to appease your erratic emotions and crazed actions.''
''Neither the common populace of the kingdom, nor the Saintess, nor I, the king, nor the Duke, Kevin Sacrada, will stand and watch idly as you destroy our country. We will not let you do as you please, and we'll make that clear on our next encounter... that's what the message says.''
Stealing a glance at the woman, Gregory saw no signs of reaction on her face. Her expression did not change a single bit, in fact, he could say that the woman even looked bored at his words.
''...Is that all?''
''...Yes.''
''...Haah, I guess the old man has gone senile, after all. Being cornered and sending a message like that, he just doesn't understand when to give up.''
She said in a mocking tone and sighed again. She looked up and saw the sweating man who was still waiting for her orders.
''Ah, you may go. Thank you for your services.''
''Thank you, your majesty.''
The man turned around and walked towards the large doors at the end. She glanced at the old man who was still standing there, unfazed by anything.
''Varas, accompany him to the exit.''
''Of course, your majesty.''
The woman watched as the figure of the butler, Varas, and Gregory walked away. Their figures disappeared behind the large doors. Seeing as they were nowhere to be seen, she stood up from the throne and walked towards one of the windows overseeing the city and caressed the glass.
''We will not stand idly, so he says. He even mentioned the Duke, I guess they really are desperate, haha...''
She laughed mockingly and caressed the window glass.
''And he acted exactly like I predicted. We won't be able to siege Erilis the way things are going, so an offensive battle from both sides is just perfect for me... Varas.''
''Yes, your majesty?''
Although he had just left with Gregory, he was now standing right behind her. She was always amused by his skills, which is why she gave him the honor of being her personal butler.
''Contact the general and tell him to prepare four thousand soldiers to send to Erilis in a few weeks, skill, age, or whatever doesn't matter. They tried to overwhelm us with cavalry before, so this time, we'll siege their territory on foot.''
''Of course, but it's possible he won't listen to me and may request an official document from you.''
''If that happens send him the head of his wife, see if he'll question my orders after that.''
''...Of course.''
Although she was sure the man would leave, he still felt the man's presence behind her. She turned around and stared at the man.
''What?''
''...Forgive my rudeness, your majesty, but is Erilis truly worth all of these sacrifices?''
She frowned at his words for a second, before a smile spread across her face. She leaned back on the wall and crossed her arms.
''Oh, I guess you still don't get it. But I have told you before, so tell me, Varas, why is it that I'm willing to sacrifice so many soldiers for such an... 'unimportant' territory?''
''... Because inside that territory, there's an unregistered S-Ranked dungeon..''
''Exactly.''
---A dungeon of the highest grade, of which there are only 7 in the world. Only certain people are allowed to enter, and even so, they must request permission from the king or queen who reigns over the territory that it's located in.
''An S-Ranked dungeon produces the highest quality of materials, and the monsters inside are of the highest grade, meaning their bodies make for a great source of income. Not only that, but as long as we do not kill the Dungeon Master, these materials and monsters will keep reappearing over and over again. It's like a cow we can infinitely milk for money!''
She had researched the territory of Erilis thoroughly after noticing the suspiciously large amounts of income and high-ranked adventurers traveling there. To know what exactly was going on, she sent the hero, Lucas Lundberg, to scout the land. He was the one that discovered an unregistered S-Ranked dungeon deep inside the forest, being one of the few who could feel the magic energy of dungeons.
Hidden from the world, she finally found her very own gold mine, just a few kilometers to the border.
''We are a powerful nation, but we lack something, and that is an S-Ranked dungeon. As long as we manage it well, we can become just as rich as Sacrada! No, even further, we'll become as rich and powerful as Omnia, the country where the previous hero was summoned!''
Her voice lowered in tone as she spoke her next words.
''...So Varas, do not question me further. I know what I'm doing, and I'm certain you're be able to see that as well.''
Varas's face didn't change. His expression was as calm as ever as if nothing disturbed him. Yet, deep inside his heart, he couldn't help but feel uneasy at the queen's words and actions.
''Of course, forgive me for that.''
''Sure, now do as you're told.''
The man bowed and left the grand hall, leaving the queen alone
''Doubting me, huh? I'll show you all, just why all of this sacrifice is necessary.''
She turned towards the windows and looked at the city.
''Disgusting pests, entering my city and sending my soldiers to die in an ambush. I was supposed to be the one to do that, not these religious shits!''
''I'll show you all, what happens when you mess with me.''
-------------------------------------
It's been a week since I arrived at the camp in Erilis.
From what I've learned so far, it seems I am surrounded by a bunch of idiots, as always.
Despite looking and acting like an intellectual, Chris was actually far more simplistic and brute than I thought. Besides reading books, it seems his other hobby was street-fighting. He was a member of a fighting club in the camp that the soldiers made to relieve some stress. Evans was also a member, which was unexpected, considering he looked like he was about to fall at any moment.
When I heard about it, everything made sense. All that brain damage made them idiots, how did I not notice before?
As for me, I have no interest in it. Hand-to-hand combat is my weakness. I've never been a good brawler. Even back when I was training I'd use chokeholds and the like to win fights.
''Thinking hard, I see.''
''It's been my hobby as of late.''
Turning to the side, I looked at the dark-haired man beside me. The man was Samuel, Chris's older brother. He was sleeping on the bunk bed when I arrived, but we've gotten closer over these last few days.
He looked very similar to his brother, albeit a lot taller than him. He was also quite thin and gave off a 'geeky' or 'bookworm' type of vibe, which made sense after talking to him.
''So, what were you thinking about?''
''Nothing much, just the stupidity of the average soldier. Whatever, let's focus on our duty.''
''Pretty ironic coming from you, just now you were on a completely different continent judging by your face! But whatever.''
We were on guard duty right now.
Since we had so much free time, Beltran signed us up for it and told us it'd be our task during the daytime. He also said something along the lines of perseverance and discipline but I stopped listening midway through.
I was more focused on the fact that I'd have to do extra work.
''...Say, Sam, how did you end up here?''
''Hm?''
''From what I've seen and heard, you're quite smart, aren't you? Compared to most of us you can read, do arithmetics, and constantly use big words that you have to dumb down to us.''
Samuel was surprisingly smart, so much that it confused me how he ended up here on the bogs with the rest of us uneducated peasants.
''You can do arithmetics too, though, can't you?''
''Yeah, but only the basic stuff.''
''That's enough to get a good job. Since you're a mercenary too I bet you'd get a good desk job at the guild or somethi--''
Seeing as Samuel was trying to derail the conversation, I shot a sharp glare at him, which made him tense up, before relaxing his shoulders and sighing.
''...Haah, I enlisted because I was worried about my brother..''
''Huh?''
''Yeah, I used to be a scholar and was about to graduate, but my brother decided to enlist. He was never as smart as me, but he was a lot stronger, so he thought that maybe his place was in the battlefield. I knew better and so I enlisted to make sure he doesn't get himself killed...''
Samuel explained in a tired voice, almost in disbelief. Listening, I understood him. If my brothers were old enough to enlist and did it, I'd follow right behind them to make sure they were safe.
''What about you?''
''Ah, me? My family's poor and I'm uneducated. I got drafted when I was old enough to join, they just sent me to the bogs with minimal training.''
''I see, that's unfortunate.''
We didn't say anything for a while. Since we've been standing here for a good few hours, we've pretty much run out of topics with that last one.
I looked up at the sky and saw the falling sun. We only had to stay for an hour more, until nightfall came and we would switch with the others.
''...Hey, Isaac..''
''Hm?''
''When do you think this whole thing will be over?''
What a heavy question. Do you not have a filter or something?
''I'm not sure, I guess until enough soldiers die so that the queen is forced to surrender, or until we somehow manage to win.,''
''I see, the first one has a very small chance of actually happening, though.''
I agreed with him. I doubt the queen would surrender even if we were overwhelmed by the enemy. From the situation here, it was obvious she didn't care how many soldiers died because of her orders.
''Well, we can only hope we'll either get killed or somehow manage to run them out of that place.''
''That's more realistic...''
A few moments of silence passed, and the only sound that could be heard was the chirping birds. I looked at the falling sun in the horizon, which dyed the sky a beautiful orange..
I wonder how my sister is doing, I haven't been able to send them any cards at all. And messengers only come here a few times a month since it's so dangerous.
''Hey, Isaac...''
Sam's shaky voice talked and I turned toward him with a frown.
''Yeah?''
''I really want to take a piss.''
...Seriously?
Looking at him with a bitter expression, I just sighed in reluctance. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, I guess.
''Sure, just take the spear with you. Scream if you see anybody.''
''Of course...''
He hurried away toward the forest until he was completely out of sight. What an odd dude.
Minutes passed and I saw no sight of him. Not even a single sound.
''...He's taking too long.''
Looking at the increasingly darkening forest, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. He's been gone for far too long just to take a piss.
It was still a few minutes before the other guys come, so I don't really have a choice but to go check myself.
I grabbed the halberd tightly and walked toward the forst, but before I went any further, I saw Samuel's panicking figure appear from the woods, his face dripping with sweat and his mouth wide open breathing heavily.
''W-What happened?''
''I... I-- Shit, I heard something and...''
Without being able to finish, he took a deep breath and supported himself on his legs.
''I thought I heard something so, I turned around and saw this... gigantic rat! I assure you, that animal was, ridiculously humongous.... so I climbed on top of a tree until it went away....''
''...''
I'm... not sure what to say to that. The situation was far too ridiculous for me to even begin to process it.
So this entire time, he was hiding from a rat? A soldier, who's been here for months and has gone through intense training... was hiding for half an hour from a rat...
Not even plural....
''...Pfff, hahahaha!''
''---! H-Hey!''
I bent down and held my stomach as I laughed.
Maybe it's because I haven't laughed in so long, but I just couldn't stop myself. The entire situation was hilarious, to think I was even worried in the first place...
I wiped away the tears from my eyes and shakily stood up.
''You're so fucking funny dude, holy shit...''
'H-Huh?! What part of that is funny?!''
''Everything? Hahaha!''
Samuel grabbed me by the collar and shook me. Looking at him I realized his face was as red as a tomato, which made me laugh even harder.
''Shut u--''
''Excuse me?''
''Ah!''
Scaring us both, somebody's voice interrupted us. Looking to the side, we saw a man and a woman both dressed in light armor. They looked like ordinary clothes at first, but one could see signs of strengthening magic applied to them.
'Adventurers...'
The woman who spoke to us was as tall as me. She had short orange hair with bangs that dangled just above her eyes. She had a shortsword tied to the right side of her hip.
The man to her right towered almost an entire head above her, although he was still shorter than Samuel. He had broad shoulders and dirty blonde hair tied into a ponytail, and he had a shortsword tied to the left side of his hip.
''Y-Yeah? What?''
I asked the woman, who looked at me confused.
''What...? We came to switch with you guys.''
''..Oh, right.''
Maybe it's because I was so amused by Samuel's odd antics, but I completely forgot about that.
''Right. Then, we'll leave you to it... pff, haha...''
Walking away from the pair, I couldn't help but laugh below my breath, which Sam heard and looked angry at.
''You're still laughing about that?''
''It's just way too funny...''
I had fun teasing him. He was so easily angered, it just seemed extremely comical to me.
''---What a pair of idiots."
The woman spoke in a low tone, but just loud enough for us to hear. We both stopped for a second but ultimately kept walking.
Although we did feel insulted whenever the adventurers treated us like shit and insulted us, there's not much we could do about it. Since they were technically still civilians, we'd be arrested if we even as much laid a hand on them outside of combat.
Well, there's nothing we can do about it, might as well not let it get to us...
-------------------------------------
H-How did it end up like this?
''Ladies and gentlemen, today is an extremely special day!''
A loud scream reverberated across the camp. It was the mercenaries, knights, and adventurers that formed a circle around us, who screamed so loud I bet even the people at Belica could hear us.
This is a really shitty situation, fuck!
The man in the middle, who seemed to be around forty and had a ridiculously large mohawk on his head, spoke with excitement.
''Because today, will be the very first duel between the adventurers, and the soldiers of Belica!''
Another loud scream that made my ears ring echoed.
Right now, I was going to fight in a 2v2 duel against the adventurers from yesterday. It seems I overestimated Samuel's capacity to remain calm, as he said we should not let them disrespect us like that, and told me he went and challenged them to a duel.
I refused at first and told him to find another guy, but he nagged me about how I was the most experienced here and how it was me who got disrespected, so to shut him up I came here.
But I really shouldn't have.
''On the side of the adventurers: Elisa Kortiz and Daniel Borgss, both A-Ranked adventurers and among the strongest swordsmen of the adventurers guild! A round of applause for the iconic pair!''
Amongst the loud cheering and applause, a few boos could be heard here and there.
''And on the side of the soldiers of Belica, Samuel Kirsten, a new recruit who's been deployed for almost a year now, and Isaac Brenton, a newly arrived knight!''
The loud cheers became even louder. Glad to see most of them are on our side, but it also means that if we lose we'll get a lot of shit.
The man with the mohawk clapped loudly and silenced the loud screams of the soldiers and adventurers.
''Remember folks, this is a friendly match. To ensure you won't get seriously injured you'll be using a wooden version of your preferred weapon. Don't attack vital points such as the throat.... but everything else is allowed! If you lose an eye, just tell the healers to reattach them!''
Looking to the side, I saw the healers with dark circles around their eyes, who sighed simultaneously. Their clothes were dirty and it was obvious they weren't in the best of states.
So sorry, dear healers.
I looked at my hand and carefully looked at the wooden halberd I was holding. It looked just like the one I used as a beginner for practice. The weight at the end was a bit heavier than I expected, but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Halberds are heavy weapons after all.
I got some weird looks when I asked for a halberd but I've gotten used to it. Most people in this world prefer a sword or a spear since they conduct magic easier. However, I can't use magic, so I have to rely on the destructive power of the halberd.
Sam on the other hand asked for a spear. It was hard to find a spear good for him since he's so tall, but they managed to find the perfect one.
''Now, are you ready?''
The man with the ridiculous mohawk asked the adventurers to which they nodded. They were both smiling smugly at us.
He asked us and we nodded too. Seriously, this whole thing is such a hassle, let's pray it ends quickly.
''Now, go!''
---It was less than a second. The sound of a shockwave echoed through the camp, and the man and woman in front of me disappeared from my sight. Out of pure instinct, I raised my halberd to block, just before I was flung back by an inhuman strength.
I looked up and saw the figure of the woman standing there, holding his sword in an offensive position.
Looking behind the woman, I saw Samuel's kneeling figure. He was bleeding from the side and was supporting his upper body with the spear. A green liquid fell from his mouth as he coughed violently.
He shakily tried to stand up, before a kick flew towards his face and socked him on the jaw. A 'clack' sound echoed, and he fell to the ground, unmoving.
''---Oh? Oh?! OHH?!!''
Loud cheers rang inside my skull. The mohawk man spoke with excitement and screamed obnoxiously.
''What's this?! Not even two seconds into the fight, and Samuel is already out of commission?!''
His words and voice were like a fork scratching a metal plate: Annoying. No, maybe I was just feeling annoyed in general. Was I annoyed at being put into this situation, or was I pissed off at the way Samuel was defeated?
Either way, I wasn't in the best of moods.
I tightly gripped the wooden handle and stood up straight.
Both of their eyes met mine as if they were beasts looking at prey.
''With his ally gone, it has turned into a 2v1! What a cowardly but smart strategy, aiming for the weakest one first!''
While I heard his words, I didn't pay any attention to them. So this is what an A-Ranked adventurer is like, I could barely even see them move. Was that magic or something else? There was no incantation, so it's much more likely that it was a kind of martial art.
Either way, this is very bad for me. The halberd is useless if they can move that fast, I only managed to block out of instinct, but I won't be able to keep them at bay with the halberd.
Which means...
''---What's this?! Is he crazy?! Isaac just...''
This is the only way for me to win. Even if it's just a small chance, it's way better than swinging that heavy thing around for nothing.
''Isaac has thrown his weapon to the ground, and decides to fight with his bare hands!''
---This is my worst matchup possible, but still, it's not impossible to win.
And it's because of that, that I'll my hardest until the end.