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Part 4

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“Popo…” Mimi was still crying. We could even hear the sound of battles that came from upstairs. Every time the metal clanged or the wall shook, Mimi’s face was shrouded in fear and despair.

“Mimi...” I looked at her and patted her ears. “Come, let us go.” She shook her head. “Mimi, we do not have much time.”

The sound of the wall breaking on the ground floor was earth rending. The guards outside were relentlessly trying to break into the mansion. If it was not because of Rose’s vines that acted as a barricade, we would have yet another problem on our hands.

“Rose, carry Mimi with you.” By the look of things, this Bunnian too was out of commission. Seeing her husband unleashing that weird skill had suddenly sapped her out of her will and whatever strength she had.

“Papa… what will you do? The guards will break into the house soon.”

Looking at the three of the girls, I just heaved a big sigh. “Rose, can you carry these two girls?” Rose nodded. “I can try, but I won’t be at full speed, Papa.”

“It’s alright, young lady. I’ll buy you all the time you will need to run away.”

“W-What…??” I silenced Rose straight away. It was part of my initial plan. I never think that I would have exited the place safely after we rescued Elly anyway.

“Leave now.” However, Rose was unmoved. She still looked at me with a slight tear in her eyes.

“I said, LEAVE NOW!!”

I pushed Rose away and prepared myself for the incoming enemies. “Papa…” She whimpered but I waved her away. Reluctantly, she then carried Elly by extending her vines, making into a makeshift plant-like cocoon stretcher while pulling the lifeless Mimi’s hand.

“Papa…”

“Leave or else all of us shall die today.” Rose head tilted down as she left me alone. But not before I gave a pat on her head.

“Good job, girl. Now, go.”

As she finally left the place, the wall of the mansion finally crumbled. I had prepared myself for this moment. And in came the guards led by the same muzzy ‘tache who I’d the pleasure to pummel earlier before we entered this place. But this time, he was no longer looking down on me. He was casting his skills and bellowed his anger at me.

“I shall have your head, stranger!!”

I snickered at him. “Come, arsehole. What are you waiting for?” I lighted a flame and as I threw it towards the pile of the mixture that I laid previously, this was it; a suicide mission. Listening to the sound of the battle upstairs, I too had my hands filled now. But if one of us needed to die today, that person would be…

Me.

*****

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Part 5

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The next day.

A certain news travelled fast like wildfire throughout the whole Kingdom of Asgardia – a terrorist attack with a very sick and evil aim; to destroy the Kingdom from within by killing its very own ruler, the Great King Aldemar Thoran. Disguising itself as its citizen, the hated and God-forsaken enemies successfully penetrated its rank by earning and gaining the trust of its people. But it did not take long for the evil to bear its fangs. Betraying whatever trust they had gained, they unscrupulously launched the attack towards the sacred Royal Palace of the Royal City of Aessirun, the symbol of peace and harmony of its people.

Fortunately, the Kingdom through the sacrifice of its honoured warriors and defenders withstood the act of the regicide. The King himself paid honours to his finest people and condemned the attack. And thus, a bounty was put throughout the whole land. Dead or alive, the enemies must now be hunted at all cost.

The main culprit and the mastermind of the attack have been finally identified. It was the Player Character called Ghost. As the witnesses lived to tell of his evil deeds, there was one word that went through all their lips - ‘demon’. With evil flames and destructions accompanying his every step, he and his demonic imps laid claims to countless innocent lives who died valiantly to protect their King and its people.

As his name and face plastered throughout whatever free space of the wall and flyers distributed amongst PCs and NPCs alike, it gathered news like no others. It became the talk of the town. Debated, discussed and then rightly or wrongly, condemned by each and every one who heard the news.

“T-T-This…”

The hand that received the flyers trembled. As he looked at the two girls beside him, both of them too shared similar expression. Especially the youngest looking one. The other girl tried to console her but it was a little too late as she cried uncontrollably. The passersby did not pay them any attention. They had their own thoughts to entertain.

What happened the previous night while all of them were logged off was beyond any sane player could ever do. Ghost was once of their party member. Though differing in opinions, no doubt that each one of them respected and regarded him highly. Especially since the last and only quest they had together back in the mines. And for what he did to one of their party members, he now had their admiration and thanks.

“W-We… we have to tell Guild Master Ed about this…”