Inside a luxurious castle, people walked to and fro. Maids and butlers walked in a frenzy, cleaning and preparing the food.
The Royal Castle, the largest castle in Belica, sat on top of the highest point of the capital, overseeing the entire city.
Walking quietly through the halls, paying no attention to the servant's movements, was a completely average-looking man. His face didn't have any imperfections and his jet-black hair complimented his appearance quite nicely, but one would still be troubled at pointing out anything special about him.
Next to him was a beautiful elven woman. No, beautiful wouldn't do it justice. The woman was ethereal, as if she came from a higher realm of existence. Her white skin and short platinum hair made one think that maybe the woman was a doll of some sort, yet she moved and looked around, showing that she was, in fact, alive. She was slightly shorter than the man next to her, and her body looked thin under the robe and garments she was wearing, but as she walked she held her head high as if saying 'I dare you to underestimate me' to anybody that passes by.
But most remarkable about her were her long, pointy ears. The woman was an elf, a rare sight amongst human empires and kingdoms.
The odd pair walked leisurely through the castle halls. The two felt that maybe they were being fooled by some sort of illusory magic, as no matter how many times they turned or walked up the stairs, they ended up in a similar-looking large hall.
It took until their travel reached the 8 minutes mark, that they finally reached the empty grand hall that led to a pair of large wooden doors.
The man nodded at the elven woman and the two walked forward. Opening the large doors, the two entered the room.
Inside, there was a large hall. Covering the ground was a red carpet, it was made of the finest of materials, and there wasn't a single speck of dirt. Large marble pillars were erected next to the carpet as if guiding whoever entered through the halls.
At the end of the hall was a large, luxurious throne, where a beautiful dark-haired woman sat. Although her looks were nothing as extravagant as the elf, she was still extremely attractive. She was Melty de Belica, the queen.
Despite being in front of the queen, the two did not kneel. Neither of them showed signs of believing they were below her, and so they didn't kneel, not even under her threatening gaze.
''So you've come, hero, and it seems you have no manners, as always.''
Melty's words echoed in a threatening way. The man looked at the woman and smiled.
''I'd like it if you called me Lucas, if possible.''
''You'd rather me call you a fake name you made up yourself than by your title?''
''I'd prefer that, yes.''
There were a few seconds of silence before Melty sighed in reluctance. Her eyes instead turned toward the elven woman.
''And what about you? Do you think so little of me that you believe there's no need to even greet me properly?''
The elven woman looked at Melty for a second, before closing her eyes in thought.
''I didn't believe there was any need to kneel in front of somebody who used to be a friend, but I suppose that's just the type of person you are, Melty. Always wanting to feel superior to others, you even rebuilt the castle at the top of Belica just to look down on the citizens of your country.''
A deafening silence filled the room. Despite their never-changing expressions, it was obvious by the immense pressure that the pair weren't on particularly friendly terms.
''I see. So even you, Alice, believe I am nothing but a tyrant.''
''Any rational person would think so.''
Despite the nostalgic and saddening tone of Melty's words, she had her brows furrowed in a way that would make even the strongest shake in fear. It was obvious she was angry, but she didn't show it as she spoke:
''Well, no matter, I've requested your presence for another reason.''
The pair looked at Melty as she talked.
''In two weeks, we'll attack Erilis once again. This time, I can assure you two that it will become ours. And it's because of that, that I need you two to stay in the country during the remaining time until the first campaign advances.''
''However,''
The woman switched the position of her legs and spoke in a more tense tone.
''I believe that the two of you may not be... enough, to fulfill the mission.''
The two frowned at her words. Of course, they knew what their mission was: Explore the unregistered S-Ranked dungeon that hides deep in Erilis territory.
''And it's because of that, that I'll need you to contact 'Golden Faith'.''
The two tensed up at the mention of the name. Not because of fear, but rather, because of anger and the feeling that they were being played for idiots.
''I see. Melty, it seems you still think of us as your pawns. We have no need to contact those people, the two of us are good enough.''
Lucas raised his voice as he spoke, staring daggers at the sitting woman, who simply smirked at his words.
''Oh? But you do. 'Lucas', I believe you aren't so stupid to think you can enter and come out unscathed of an S-Ranked dungeon.''
Lucas gritted his teeth in anger. Because while he hated it, what Melty said was right. No matter how powerful he and Alice were, the two weren't nearly strong enough to enter an S-Ranked dungeon by themselves and come out in one piece.
Yet, he still refused to even consider contacting 'Golden Faith'.
'Golden Faith', despite its name, is not an individual, but a group of 4 S-Ranked adventurers. The strongest in Belica and some of the strongest in the continent. Despite their reputation as 'protectors' and being famous for having worked with the hero to take down the Goblin King, Lucas knew that they were nothing more than a bunch of criminals, at least in his eyes.
Both Alice and he hated the group because they saw up close the type of people they truly were.
''...Then, what if we refus---''
Less than a second. For less than a second, both he and Alice felt the pressure of a thousand eyes watching them. And they felt their pressure and bloodlust as if waiting for a chance to attack them.
A seed of anger planted itself in his heart, and for Alice, it was no different. She bit her lips in anger until blood seeped out. Of course, in an open space like this, they could fight and defeat them.
But that would also mean that they'd taint their own reputation, and that was something they couldn't afford.
'...We'll do it, but don't be surprised if only a few of them come back.''
''Do as you please, 'Lucas', but finish the job.''
The pair turned around and walked toward the exit.
''Will do.''
Without even glancing at the woman one last time, he shut the door loudly behind him.
He felt hopeless. Useless. Despite how strong he is, he couldn't bring himself to cut her down. Because he knew that, even if he did, he would only be dooming the empire even more.
''...Let's just go.''
---The pair walked through the large halls, with a feeling of defeat in their heart.
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''PFGH!''
A woman was sent flying backward.
The force of the punch made her body fly backward onto the ground. She felt the blood drip from her nose. If there was anything she was grateful for, was that it wasn't enough to break it.
She wiped the blood off her face and stood up again.
''...Is this necessary?''
The question came from a dark-haired man with bags under his eyes. The man had sharp and slightly downcast eyes, which gave the illusion that he was older than he truly was. He was around the same height as the woman, but his broad shoulders gave the illusion of him being just slightly bigger. The man was Isaac Brenton, who had just knocked Elisa to the ground.
''Of course, I need to get stronger!''
''Do you?''
He watched as the woman stumbled while standing. To him, her efforts were futile. Not because of a sense of superiority, but because she was already strong enough. Her only problem was her lack of experience, and she wasn't going to get any by fighting him every day since he had a pretty predictable set of movements, especially in hand-to-hand combat.
However, he obviously couldn't say that to her. Because he wasn't that bold, and he didn't think they were close enough to do that.
''...By the way, that old guy I always saw with you, where is he?''
''Mhm? Ah, Evans...''
He remembered the wrinkled face of the man and frowned.
''He's taking leave, and according to him, he's not gonna come back in a while. Something about his wife being sick, and the commander took pity on him so he let him go.''
''I see...''
For Isaac, the absence of Evans was both good and bad. On one hand, he was okay with the fact that the man wouldn't be here in a while, since they weren't that close and he'll be far from the battlefield. On the other hand, one of his few acquaintances here just left, which means he had even fewer people to talk to.
''I wish I could take leave too, but that means I won't get paid, which is something I can't afford.''
''Why?''
He turned to look at the woman, who tilted her head in confusion. Since she didn't know his circumstances, she was puzzled as to why he couldn't just take a small vacation.
''I have to pay for my sister's school and for my sibling's food.''
''I see, you're the oldest?'
''Nah, second oldest, but since the other guy ran off and my dad is working a low-end job, I'm the main breadwinner.''
Elisa nodded and stared at the man. Despite his monotone voice and lack of expressions, he had the eyes of somebody who longed for something. Not in the future, but something he used to have.
Although, she had no idea what it could be.
''...What school does your sister go to?''
''Belica's Magic Academy.''
''Wha-- You're kidding!''
Turning to look at the surprised Elisa, he raised his brows in confusion.
''My brother goes there too...''
''Huh, I see, crazy coincidence, ha ha ha....''
He smiled and laughed sarcastically, speaking in the same monotone voice as always. The woman's face turned red as she shouted:
''D-Don't make fun of me! I'll beat the shit out of you!''
''You sure say some pretty grim things, I feel like you're supposed to say something cuter like 'I-Idiot, i-it's not like that', you know.''
''Hah?!''
She frowned and looked enraged at his words.
''Yeah, sorry, I forgot you're a different character trope, I'll make sure to get it right next time.''
''I feel like you're making fun of me.''
He shrugged at her words, prompting her to jump forward and swing her fist at him.
''Woah! Surprise attack?''
''Shut up!''
---The two kept clashing against each other, unknowing of the grim future ahead.
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Inside Erilis's main town, a woman walked through its streets. She had long dark hair, with bangs that hung over her face just above her eyes. Despite that, it didn't seem like the hair bothered her or even blocked her view. She wore a heavy silver armor and had a longsword attached to her hip.
The woman was attractive, but nothing exactly remarkable, she was the type of woman you'd forget after glancing at her one time.
''---Miss Orion!''
A voice called from behind. She turned around and looked at the thin and sickly figure of a man in his 60's, who was running frantically toward her.
''Yes?''
The man stopped for a second and took a deep breath to calm himself down.
''That design you sent to the capital, it's finished... it's coming here tonight.''
''---! I see, thank you.''
She looked surprised for a second, before returning to her stoic expression. She turned to look at the streets of the town. People walked leisurely, knights and civilians alike. Even some children could be seen playing.
Despite the ire situation of the town, there were a lot of locals that didn't run away. They stayed behind to protect their home, even if they had to face Belica's desire for blood and destruction head-on.
And that was all thanks to her, who drove away Belica's army time and time again.
''Still, I didn't expect them to finish working so quickly. Come to think of it, are you an architect of some sort, Miss Orion?''
''No, why?''
''Well, to design something so magnificent, it's just...''
The woman looked at him for a second, before resuming her walk as she realized he didn't have anything to say anymore. The man followed right behind her.
''A magical cannon, that's what it is, right?''
Hearing his voice, she glanced at the scraggly old man who walked next to her and answered in a low voice.
''Yes. A large-scale weapon capable of mass destruction.''
Mixing her own knowledge and this world's logic, she managed to design a weapon capable of turning Belica's efforts futile. She spent countless sleepless nights making it, erasing, drawing, and writing, she did everything she could to explain the cannon's way of working as best as she could.
''To think a visitor from another world would come up with such a thing, truly terrifying, the knowledge of other worlds.''
---A woman from another world. Just like Belica, Sacrada had its very own hero, and it was this woman named Orion. Unlike Belica, however, her existence was never made public.
She was summoned into this world only a year ago, yet she had already formed a deep connection with it. Being only 18, she promised herself, and everyone around her, that she would protect Sacrada from Belica's barbaric army.
She would never let those animals into her country. No matter what.
''...When do you think they'll attack?''
She asked in a worried voice and furrowed her brows.
''Don't worry, Miss Orion. Despite their geographical advantage, they're pretty low on numbers. Leonard told you, didn't he? That those beasts up there have been doing nothing but fighting and eating?''
She took her hand to her chin. Certainly, Belica hasn't made a single move. The scout in her group, Leonard, has gone to search for anything suspicious in the camps Belica had set up on the mountains that surrounded them but found nothing.
''Well, we just need to set those cannons up in the clock towers. As long as we have that, there's no way we'll lose.''
She nodded at the man's words. Of course, there was no way they would lose. Not now.
Not against those beasts, who lust for nothing but blood.