As the noble heroes strode into the imposing throne room, their eyes beheld the surprising sight of Lily, regally perched upon the seat of power. It was evident that she had shamelessly seized the opportunity to cement her status as acting queen, and in doing so had ruthlessly eliminated any obstacles impeding her ascent to complete dominion.
Lily had always seemed like a timid princess who mostly kept to herself but judging by how quickly the nobles were on her side. It had further cemented the idea that she was gathering power behind her father's back and was planning something like this for a while.
"It's always the quiet ones," Alen said under his breath as he was escorted in along with the other heroes, inside the room were Jack, Chris, and Lamis in full gear.
"The agreement you made with my father is null and void, I know he promised you a good life even if you didn't participate in the war. But under my authority, your value to this world is sorely dependent upon what you can offer. Should you refuse to participate in the vanquishing of the demonic threat looming over our world, you are then free to leave this kingdom as we won't be providing you with anything."
Lily had talked without interruption; this was mostly because the majority of the remaining heroes were too shocked to speak. All they could think of was how Jack had returned wounded and now the princess was practically forcing them to do the same.
"I order you to leave immediately increase your levels and join the other heroes in the battle against the demons, although they have been silent the attack on Jack's team meant they were just working in the shadows. we need to be prepared, our resources are focused on only the war and nothing else."
"For your first assignment, you will go to the nearby forest and increase the level of your skills as much as possible, fear not as I will send 25 royal knights with you and the three great heroes."
"Who the hell do you think you are!!" One of the heroes said standing shakily, clearly the news had shocked him greatly, and he was not thinking straight. "Your father was the previous king you have no authority to question his authority." The boy asked.
"I'm the queen!" Lily shot back. "Are you challenging my authority?"
As this question left Lily's mouth every royal knight in the room had drawn their weapons and was now pointing them towards the group of heroes. Lily had gotten what she wanted and now she didn't care about maintaining a gentle and timid personality, as long as she played her cards well people would think she was a just and good leader and that's exactly what was going through the guards' heads right now.
The remaining heroes were forced out of the throne room and were told to equip themselves before departure, it seemed the princess didn't want them to attend the ascending ceremony.
In the armory Alen looked around for equipment that would suit his fighting style, he had his black armor but that was back in his room, the guards weren't letting anyone of them out of their site. In the end, Alen equipped some light-yellow armor that covered his legs to the knees and some gauntlets that extended to his elbows.
The doors to the armory opened and some maids walked in caring bags of packed equipment and some provisions for the journey, as Alen looked around, he could see Lucy. the two made eye contact before Lucy made a small nod to him, seeing this it had put a smile on Alen's face as he knew he would have allies even after he was dead.
With the preparations fully sorted, Lamis stepped forward with her staff in hand. She pounded it against the ground, sending a violent tremble throughout the room. The heroes struggled to keep their footing while the other two heroes Jack and Chris seemed to be used to it. Energy surged and pulsed from Lamis like a raging volcano. Fierce incantations pierced the air as Lamis cast her spell.
Before anyone could react, a portal materialized in front of them, beckoning the heroes forward on their journey. The group emerged from the other side in a flash finding themselves deep in a forest far from the safety of the castle's walls, this was the first time Alen had left the kingdom. Amazed he looked around at the thick forest surrounding him.
He would be happy if he didn't know that this was an execution dressed up nicely as an adventure. Suddenly, the sound of beasts filled the air, and the group braced themselves for whatever lay ahead. They had been teleported from the armory into the heart of danger.
"AAAAAH!" Screams erupted from the majority in the group, this was their first-time seeing monsters after all and these looked like they were on the hunt for their next meal. Alen spotted Lamis chuckling a bit as if she had done this on purpose. Jack and Chris seemed to be smiling as well.
The knights had assumed defensive formations as they split up into different units creating an enclosed space around the group. Some of the summoned had accepted their fate and prepared for battle while others seemed too scared to even move going as far as to fall to their knees.
Alice had been training Alen on the basics of close combat and that is why he had chosen his current equipment. The creatures were still lurking in the shadows, movement could be heard along with snarls and growls. These alone were enough to instill fear in the ones that refused to accept that this was their life now, that even if they were to cry, rage, or scream at the top of their lungs none of this would change.
They needed to adapt to the rules of this world, or the world would devour them. "Stop your whining and get up!" Alen shouted in a loud voice.
"Whether you like it or not this is the hand you've been given, whether you scream or cry no one cares enough about you than themselves. So, stop your crying and get up, fight for your survival, fight for the hope that one day we will go back to our world."
"Fight for the people we left back in our world, our mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, friends and loved ones. DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP ON THEM!!"
Alen's words seemed to have jolted some of the heroes awake, as they stood up still legs shaking but with a determined look in their eyes. They followed Alen's lead as they divided themselves into groups, the tankers would act as bait for the monsters while attackers dealt damage, most of the girls were mages so they were kept at the very center of the group.
So now the monsters had the great heroes to deal with then a circle of knights after that the heroes and finally the mages. Everyone had a task to focus on, and before he knew it Alen had become a leader as the rest looked up to him for orders. Although his words had touched the hearts of the other heroes and given purpose, they had also managed to create enemies as Jack's enraged eyes gazed upon him taking the lead so easily.
Alen's fears were confirmed as the monsters emerged from the shadow bearing their razor-sharp teeth and claws, the dog-like creature had two heads and walked upright on its hind legs. what's worse they were surrounded by them, roughly they numbered 25.
"MAGIC BEAST?!" Lamis said as she and the other two heroes had a sharper look on their faces. Magic beasts had some intelligence, they were beasts that possessed a magical core that allowed the beast to use various skills, and the more powerful the core the stronger the beast.
The beast ranged from basic, intermediate, advanced, and lastly super tier. The super tier is the highest level recorded on a beast. "What tier are they?" Chris asked Lamis.
Her eyes glowed a bit before she spoke again. "The majority seem to be basic tiers but that one over there is a level higher than the rest."
"If that's the case, he dies first," Jack said as the runes on his great sword lit up before he took a fighting stance. Energy could be felt gathering at the tip of his blade, he pulled back his hand and then swung it with all his might.
A sharp wind blade erupted from his sword, and although the attack was made of wind it was physically seen traveling at a great speed. before the two-headed dog could react, it had been cut in half and the two halves of its lifeless body fell to the ground.
The monsters were taken aback by the sudden death of their leader, but instead of retreating the beast unleashed laughs that sent chills down everyone's spine. Their teeth Glew larger and so did their claws, now the group had to fight a bunch of crazed beasts each fighting to be the next leader of the pack.