The queen's cold voice echoed across the room as she spoke:
''Introduce yourselves, starting from my left.''
From the left, a blonde, pale man smiled arrogantly and stepped forward, with perfectly coiffed hair and his posture straight and proud.
''I am honored to be in the presence of your majesty!''
He spoke with an exaggerated flourish and a voice that, to Isaac, seemed loud and obnoxious.
''I am Vittorio Ricci, 18 years old, a sixth-year student from Belica's Magic Academy, and once again, I am honored to be here.''
Finishing his introduction with a dramatic bow, the man stepped back in line. Isaac fought to stifle his laugh, biting his lip to hopefully keep it from bursting out. Vittorio's arrogance and dramatic personality were something that he, even in his past life, had never seen. To him, the act was ripped straight out of a novel.
On the other hand, the other two looked on nervously, seemingly amazed at Vittorio's prideful yet humble introduction. Isaac was a peasant, so he didn't really care about introductions and first impressions, but nobles were really careful about how to behave, act and present themselves toward others.
The tall, burly man next to Vittorio stepped forward, and with a hand to his heart and a slight bow, he began his introduction.
''Greetings, your majesty, I am honored to be in your presence. I am Eduardo Garzia, I'm 19 years old and I'm a third-year student in Belica's Royal Academy For Warfare. As the academy's top student, I strive to serve this kingdom with my utmost.''
Eduardo's voice was deep and confident, with a hint of gravitas that conveyed and showed just how disciplined he was. His eyes were sharp and with a vigilant gaze. It was clear the man was competent and professional, with a touch of humility and respect for the queen.
''A-Ah, it-t-t's my turn...''
Next to Isaac, a petite girl with delicate features and long, flowing green hair, stepped forward hesitantly, her voice barely audible to those in the throne room. She clutched in her hands a wooden wand almost as tall as she was.
Isaac recognized the uniform she was wearing as the same as his sister's.
''I-I'm F-Fiorel--''
''Not showing any respect for the queen?''
The girl froze and jumped at Vittorio's voice. Her body shook and she mumbled and tripped over her words, not knowing what to do.
The queen's expression turned sour at the interruption, and she spoke in a stern voice:
''Vittorio, do not interrupt nor raise your voice again unless you are specifically asked to. Otherwise, I'll have you personally silenced.''
Vittorio's face went almost ghostly white, and he bowed his head in apology. Isaac's mouth turned to a grin.
The girl took a deep breath and continued her introduction:
''I-I'm Fiorella Vittali, 17 years old. a fifth-year student at Belica's Magic Academy. I'm h-honored to be in your presence, your majesty.''
Although she had finished her introduction, the girl was still trembling slightly, clearly nervous and intimidated by the queen's presence and glare.
The queen nodded, acknowledging her introduction, and Fiorella stepped back in line.
The queen's eyes fixed on Isaac. It was finally his turn, and the woman wished to know what type of man he was.
He stepped forward and bowed slightly toward the queen with his hands clasped behind his back.
''I'm Isaac Brenton, 18 years old, and I've been a foot soldier in the war for two years now. I don't have any kind of education or influential background. It is an honor to be here.''
Isaac spoke in a cold and stoic voice, and as soon as he finished he went back in line.
As Isaac finished his introduction, the room fell silent. The two men scoffed, making their disdain for him clear, while Fiorella looked at him with pity, imagining the horrors the man must've witnessed on the battlefield. The queen, however, was different. She clicked her tongue in annoyance.
She knew that despite his lack of education and influential background, he was no fool. In contrast, the other two men were obviously easily deceived narcissists who were always ready to lick her boots, and the girl seemed vulnerable enough. But Isaac was different. He had made it clear that he was not one to be underestimated simply by the way he handled himself.
''Very well, now that we've finished introductions, let's begin.''
The queen spoke, clasping her hands together in her lap.
''I've requested your presence for one simple reason: I have a mission I must request you four to fulfill.''
The reaction from the people in front of her was mixed. Whereas Vittorio and Eduardo seemed eager to fulfill their duty, Fiorella seemed to shake from fear. In contrast, Isaac remained calm and was simply annoyed at having to work as a knight again. And not just that, but under direct orders from the queen.
It seems his plans of retiring will have to wait.
''And you four are the only ones capable of completing this mission, being this country's most promising young men and women.''
The queen continued to speak, her eyes fixed on each of them. Isaac's brows creased at her words. Was she trying to get on their good side? He thought. After all, Isaac never believed himself to be anything but a measly foot-soldier, and being called a promising young man took him by surprise.
He also couldn't help but wonder. He believed his sister to be a genius, being able to cast a spell without any formal education, but just how skilled was this woman, Fiorella, and this man Vitorio, if they were apparently more skilled and powerful than his sister was?
''It is of utmost importance that this mission is fulfilled successfully. I will not lie, this is a rather dangerous task, however, I do not think any of you are thinking of refusing, am I right?''
Silence filled the room again. The first to speak up was Vittorio, who took a hand to his heart and bowed.
''Of course not, Your Majesty. I will gladly accept whatever task you may require me to fulfill.''
Eduardo followed suit, offering himself with full devotion.
''If you believe me to be worthy of completing this task, then I will gladly give my body and soul to be able to fulfill it, Your Majesty.''
Then, Fiorella, who expressed her devotion and willingness to do it as well.
''I-I will do it, gladly!''
All of them answered with devotion and excitement, except Isaac. His answer didn't come immediately, and he seemed to be in deep thought.
After a few seconds of silence, he raised his hand and spoke:
''Your Majesty, if I may ask,''
''If I complete this mission, will I be able to retire from my duties as a knight?''
The queen's expression hardened and her eyes narrowed. However, her expression soon softened and she forced a smile onto her face.
''If you manage to succeed, then I'll allow you to be honorably discharged,''
She answered with a measured and confident tone.
''I see, thank you, Your Majesty.''
Isaac bowed and thanked her. As long as he could finally retire, he was happy to fulfill whatever irrational task the woman had in mind.
The queen nodded and continued, leaning back on her seat to better observe the group.
''As you may or may not know, Erilis was sieged just a few weeks ago. This was a great achievement for us, and though the battle was hard fought, the knights who were participants in the battle came back proud of their victory.''
Her expression soon turned stern as she continued:
''However, we found something quite outrageous in the surrounding area, something that may threaten the security of the empire.''
''That is, an unregistered dungeon hiding deep in the surrounding forest of Erilis.''
Vittorio, Eduardo, and Fiorella all shared the same worried and scared look, knowing full well just how dangerous dungeons are.
''Of course, I understand your worry. Dungeons are treacherous, confusing, and dangerous places, with no discernible pattern between them. Even the most experienced of adventurers fall prey to them,''
Isaac's expression remained stoic. Not because of confidence, but because he didn't really understand how terrifying dungeons were. It's not like he didn't know of their existence, but because they were things he'd only read about or seen in games, and so they seemed very distant and still kind of fictitious to him.
Hearing the queen's words, he could sort of understand the why of the terror.
''Because of this, we needed strong and capable people to scout the insides of the dungeon, but nobody was willing to enter the place. All of them refused to do so, even the hero. We were desperate, we needed somebody to help us.''
Her voice grew just slightly louder, yet there was a clear passion behind them.
''---And that's where you come in. Because you four are our most promising citizens, our most talented, and we believe you apt to undertake this mission.''
The queen's words touched the hearts of Vittorio and Eduardo, and Fiorella felt a sense of pride and responsibility she had never felt before. Even Isaac felt proud to be put on such high standards by the queen.
And it was because of that, that he knew she was bullshitting. He concluded that the reason she contacted them and requested this of them was that they were young and manipulable, and to an extent, she was completely on the mark.
''Seeing as all of you are willing to take on this mission, we will provide you with the utmost to ensure your safety. Your mission is to only explore the insides of the dungeon and try to properly asses the rank, architectural features, and the type of monsters that roam inside.''
The queen finished speaking, and she raised her hand and snapped her fingers. From behind them, the sound of the large doors opening echoed.
They turned around and saw four servants wearing elegant suits entering the throne room.
''These servants will guide to you the armory room, where we hold our most precious and powerful items, you will need them for this mission.''
Isaac's eyes widened at her words, knowing where she was going with this, and he was about to question her when she said in a powerful and threatening voice:
''You will depart tomorrow as soon as the sun rises. Gather outside the castle's main gate, we will have a carriage waiting for you. Should you not be there for the moment of departure,''
''You will be punished.''
--Isaac instantly regretted every decision that led him to that place.