Chasing After Immortality

Although I couldn't really give Shou the answer he wanted, he understood what we wanted to do, what we wanted to fight for. He seemed to have no choice but to trust us now. So he slowly turned his head back to me, and said,

"The person I want to kill..... Killed my master, and left me doomed to this metal armor I have. After that, I have sworn that because of what he did, because he tarnished our honor and killed a person dear to me, I would find him and take his life. Regardless of whatever happened."

He seemed emotionally lost, frustrated, and very sad while saying this. It was as if he was remembering something.

But just then, Hiroshi fixed his hat and said while sighing,

"One more case of revenge, huh?"

I looked at Shou and said,

"I see. We'll help you with that. But right now, our priority must be to save Princess Mila and end the reign of the second epic. If we don't do this right now, we may not even get out of this kingdom, and it would mean nothing."

Babu turned his head to me and said,

"Did they capture Mila?"

"Unfortunately, Yes. They were quite crowded, and even worse, we don't know where they took her."

Suddenly, a familiar sound rose from outside,

"I know where they took her."

The voice was quite familiar. It sounded exactly like the voice of the king. And then the door opened slowly, and the one who came was, as I guessed, was the king of the sea people. He walked in slowly, having trouble because of the wounds in his body.

"I know where the Epic is."

Of course, he was injured, but it wasn't his injuries that everyone was focusing on. The things he had done to protect his daughter before had obviously made Babu angry. The anger was appearing in his face and he was clenching his fist. He was looking at the king with anger.

He said to the King loudly,

"It was your decisions that have already caused most of this...."

I signaled Babu to stop,

"Babu, don't."

"I calmed down, so it's your turn Panda. Don't do anything stupid." said Hiroshi.

But he didn't listen, he even started shouting,

"Look at the state of our friend because of you! None of this would have happened if you'd listened to us! It was because of you that Mila was kidnapped, that our friend was in this situation, that we are now in danger! Now how are you going to turn this situation the right way around, huh!"

"I did this because I was trying to protect her!"

As just as Babu was angry, the King didn't hold himself back. His sadness took over him,

"I'm not just sitting here doing nothing and waiting. Every day, minute by minute, I fought for the sake of my daughter and I continue to fight. Maybe you won't forgive me for what I've done, but if I can't find the strength to fight for her, I will lose her forever."

The king bowed his head, with a fragile tone of voice, he added,

"So just, for this day, for this moment... Help me. Please. She's everything to me, and if I lose her too, I'll have nothing left."

The king was in a rather sad, regretful state. He was distraught, desperate. He was maybe somebody who did something wrong, but in such a situation, after everything we've said to Shou and everything we've done, it would be ignorance to act on our own. We had to help him.

"Sooner or later people can make mistakes in life. That's why it's our duty to ignore them and move forward."

"You..." King looked at me with teary eyes.

I then said,

"But still I will need some help from you."

"I understand. Tell me, boy, what do you need?"

"You will help us find our route and the location of the second Epic. The exact location of both of them."

"Anything I can do to get my little girl back, is no problem for me. I will help in return for you all helping me."

"Ryuu, are you sure about this?" Babu asked nervously.

"We don't know where to go. Besides, princess Mila needs our help. We can't just waste time arguing."

They didn't say anything because everyone else was aware of this situation. They agreed with me and knew what we had to do.

Hiroshi lit his Cigar one last time and asked,

"Well, as it is. Your Majesty, tell us, where is this Epic?"

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(At That Time, On An Island In The North Of The Kingdom)

Captain Barlog's voice reverberated through the air, seething with an intense anger that sent shivers down the spines of his soldiers. His piercing gaze bore into each man, instilling fear with its intensity.

"Why were half of our soldiers absent from the battlefield, sergeant?" his voice thundered, filled with a mix of frustration and disappointment.

The soldier, visibly shaken and disturbed by the captain's wrath, managed to stammer a reply, his voice betraying his fear, "Sir, there was an unexpected intrusion in the woods! Our forces were attacked by three unknown assailants!"

"They were defeated by a mere trio? With our vast numbers? Explain this to me!" Captain Barlog demanded, his fury unabated.

Before the sergeant could formulate an answer, a voice emerged from the shadows behind the captain. Its source concealed in the darkness, the voice grew steadily closer, casting an eerie sense of anticipation. Although only the silhouette of a figure could be discerned, the imminent presence was palpable.

"Barlog, calm yourself. Our objective has been achieved," the voice revealed, emanating an air of calculated satisfaction.

"I was just receiving the report we needed, my lady. It appears that there are newcomers in the kingdom—more accurately, a horde of fugitives," the captain responded, acknowledging the speaker.

"I am well aware of that. Furthermore, we shall encounter them sooner than anticipated," the enigmatic figure replied, her tone dripping with a potent blend of knowledge and intrigue.

"And what are your orders, my lady?" Captain Barlog inquired, eager to please.

The enigma fell silent, approaching Mila, who was currently bound to the wall by chains. As she drew nearer, the dim light unveiled glimpses of her ethereal form. With gentle precision, she lifted Mila's head, cradling it delicately with the tip of her fingers, before uttering her next words.

"Prepare the ships. Soon, the gift of immortality shall be mine," she declared, her voice laced with a mix of ominous anticipation and determined ambition.

She turned her gaze upon Mila, her eyes ablaze with an insatiable thirst for blood, and in a chilling tone, she added, "Isn't that right, Princess?"