The Woman known as the keeper has admitted defeat, something I didn't expect someone to do. especially not a follower like herself, but at least she's willing to help with giving me information.
I need to do this quick so I can get the princess back to the kingdom. Shimada is already worried enough the way it is.
"I'm all ears. Speak whenever." Artemis speaks while crossing his arms.
The keeper sits up a bit before she starts to speak herself. "Just like armies have ranks, so do we. Above me lies a general you could say, he was last in some town known as Bristiel." She says with a calmness in her voice now.
At least she's not being difficult about this whole thing, makes it a lot easier for me to get what I need. "I didn't expect you to give up anything since you have quite the goals to accomplish." Artemis replies.
"You beat me and you didn't even kill me, you could've. I'm grateful to be alive, so I'd rather repay the favor now." She says with a genuine tone in her voice.
Everything I saw before this said that they were mostly savages so this is definitely a change from what I've seen. Maybe the higher ranking followers are different about how they handle situations.
I don't know how this general will handle everything or what to expect with them— Most of these followers have been in moderately big groups.
I'm learning more and more about them each time.
"What will you do now?" Artemis asks.
Surely they won't be too happy if she returns empty handed— Considering the status of a princess, this is a pretty big deal for her to lose her like this. I'm not sure they'll just let something like that go so easily.
"I'll head back to Avania temporarily until I figure out a plan. Good luck." She says before quickly disappearing from the room.
It's probably better off that way anyway, I'd rather not get involved anymore than I need to with them. Ayako is the main focus for me here after what I've learned.
Original Shimada promised me some information for getting her back safely as well so I should be learning quite a bit from everything.
"Ayako it's safe to come out now." Artemis says with a reassuring tone.
She comes out from her hiding spot after looking around a few times, realizing that everything was over after all. "I can finally go back home..." Ayako speaks softly with a bit of relief in her voice.
Artemis remains on guard as they travel back through the corridor that they came from, you never know with these followers. Most of the way back was rather peaceful, except a few comments about why the princess was here with some stranger.
Artemis's appearance was still quite a sight for most people since the chains around him still signifies that he's a slave of some sort. Avania is heavily against slavery in it's entirety so most people are wondering who would be brave enough to bring him.
Back within the confines of Avania.
It was good to finally be back here after all the fighting I just went through but I'm still wondering if every fight will end in bloodshed. Is it really what I want? To end every single battle like that?
The keeper was the first one I didn't kill out of the couple of people that I fought so far. She had information that I could use which is why she didn't have to die, but would that be possible for others?
Something in me tells me no, especially with the pain and suffering that they are inflicting onto others.
I do feel good knowing that I brought the princess back safely after everything that happened. Making it in time to her location was something I didn't anticipate to begin with.
But beating the Keeper there proved to be the main cause of her survival, other than killing those men who were waiting there. These shadows really are something else, something powerful that I didn't expect to be able to use.
Shimada comes running towards the two of them before quickly hugging his sister. "I'm so happy you're okay!" Shimada shouts with relief in his voice.
Tears stream down both of their faces as they enjoy the happy reunion, something that not a lot of royalty gets lately. Death plaguing the lands more and more each day as they continue to pursue the enemy.
"I hate to interrupt the reunion but can we talk quick Shimada?" Artemis asks while keeping his distance.
Shimada gives a nod and let's go of his sister, not long after a few guards come running over to see that the princess is really there. "Take her back to the castle. Double down on security from now on." Shimada instructs with a more serious and demanding tone.
I'm glad she'll get the proper protection this time around since she's a princess— That's something that a princess should've had to begin with.
But that's not my concern anymore, it was time to get what I was promised from Shimada. I'm sure I'll have to explain to Amelia and Cynthia after I'm done here.
He said he'd keep them busy until I got back but Amelia isn't going to just ignore the fact that I was missing. It's not like her to do that.
"We'll talk back in my room at the inn." Shimada says while leading the way.
It wasn't a far walk to the inn at least so that was a positive to this whole thing. I was honestly exhausted after all the traveling back and forth.
Except I have something I need now so this will be the last thing I do before getting some rest again.
They made it back to the room without any issues and closed the door behind themselves. "A deal is a deal after all. I'll still be traveling with you all but it's time I share some vital information." Shimada speaks with a serious expression on his face.
His usual comedic demeanor was gone, this was something more serious.