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Chapter 8: ESCAPE FROM APOLLONIA

Legions.

They were considered the strongest army by those who already met them in battle. Neither the elite , the strongest infantry of the Hellenic League, nor the monsters used by the Demon King, would be able to stop the Legions of the Imperium if they ever declared total war.

The legions were divided into thirteen, and each of them were assigned to a certain place around the empire, enforcing its rules and defending it in case of any invasions. There were currently four legions surrounding the Mare Nostrum, while seven were inland. The remaining two were stationed on the Mare Nostrum itself, occupying Islands and turning it to bases for sea patrol.

A Legionnaire is equipped depending on the task they perform. Some were equipped with heavy armor and shields capable of blocking magic. Some have light equipment suitable for scouting and espionage. Those that were assigned to the Mare Nostrum even wore stainless armor that was resistant to corrosion.

The 7th Legion in particular, was assigned to keep the public peace of the empire.They wore medium armor and tower shields. Their signature magic is Identification magic. And they were so efficient that criminals would fear their lives if the 7th Legion were on their tail.

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Headquarters, 7th Legion.

The head of the military police of the Imperium was currently Antiochus Venecelli. Promoted to General at the age of 33, he won numerous battles against the North, commanding the 3rd Legion before transferring to the 7th for a change of pace.

And his competency did not fail the Imperium. In his 35 years of service to the military, he made the security of the empire strong, decreasing the crime rate by a large margin. He was also a good natured man, and was just to his subordinates.

Scanning some documents on his desk, three knocks came, signalling the arrival of a VIP. Gently putting down the papers to his desk, Antiochus called for the visitor.

"Come in."

'It is I, General."

What entered the room was a beautiful woman in red cloak that covered her entire body. She had dazzling red hair and vermillion colored pupils. And she had enough authority to make the general of a famed Legion rise from his seat.

"Princess... Good Evening. What a surprise."

"Good evening too, General Antiochus. Sorry for my sudden appearance."

'We were never informed of your visit here in Apollonia."

"I did not intend to."

The princess was not one bit interested in formalities, but being a princess of the Imperium, proper decorum must be followed.

"I am here to report. I found the traitor, former princess Tishia."

"....Go on."

"She was currently here inside Apollonia, but under disguise."

"Really? But to slip through our nets..... Is she alone?"

"I think she has companions. The only one I identified for now was a small child with bright blonde hair."

"I see. We shall prepare for a subjugation tomorrow. Her companions would be also arrested."

"Don't let her get away this time. She might be trying to escape If she gets wind of you."

"Of course, by the pride of the 7th Legion."

The general saluted the princess, who returned it.

"I wonder, Princess Lilliana, why you hate her so much?"

"..... I won't forgive those who sold the Imperium for their own means."

"What a gallant thought indeed."

The general admired the red haired princess, who only desired for the continuity of the empires peace. She was one of those with a pure desire for the continued peace and prosperity of the empire. That's why the shock from the report of her cousin's betrayal left her a deep hatred for the former Princess.

"I'll be leaving. I am fatigued."

"Of course. Gaurds, escort her to the gates."

"No need, General."

And she left the headquarters.

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The docks that day were busier than normal. The three gods were currently chatting as they walk towards the ship they were going to board, the 'Python'.

"Hey, Alter."

"Mmm?"

"Did you really live through the Dark Ages?"

"Yup. Probably....."

"And you defeated this Typhon, right?"

"Well, not actually defeated. We only managed to seal the creature to the deepest part of the underworld. It was an eternal prison of time."

"Wow.... that sounded so much like a myth to me"

"I don't want to hear that from a goddess."

The two of them laughed for a bit. Then Tishia asked a serious question.

"Why did you think, that you were branded as a criminal by the world?"

"I don't really know."

"When I judged you before, the scales of justice just stayed still."

"Yeah. But we'll probably figure that out the reason once we get to the Oracle at Delphi."

"I hope so."

"Why'd you ask?"

"Its just that your troubles are similar to mine."

"Really? Come to think of it, you haven't told us about yourself."

"Well, I-"

"Were Here."

Gold interrupted the two's chat pointing out to a ship they called a trireme. A figurehead of a python adorned it, while its sails were similar to that of a serpent skin, being green in color. It was indeedf worthy to be called 'Python'.

The captain of the ship was reading through a parchment that indicated the goods they were carrying.

"Excuse me."

Alter interrupted the busy captain, and he stopped reading to look at the young boy.

"What'd you want kid?"

"Were here to board the Python going for the Hellenic League."

"Sorry kiddo, but I'm not accepting any more passengers."

"We have a recommendation letter from the harbor master."

".......show it."

After reading through the letter given by Alter, the captain reluctantly agreed.

"I got a debt from the harbor master, this would be my payment, huh? We'll leave for tonight as the sun sets."

"Thanks!"

Securing their trip to the Hellenic League, the three went to the Flea Market to browse some goods.

"There were some that looked unique but....."

"Tishia, could you sense anything important from these?"

"Umm..... Nothi-... wait."

She pointed out from a store manned by an old lady. Her features were different from the rest of the populace, and in Alter's point of view, she was an asian.

"A Far-Easterner. How rare."

Tishia said in wonder. She had never felt the aura of an far-easterner, and the hospitable yet sharp aura from the old lady was a new experiece.

"Far-Easterner?"

It was Alter's first time to hear such term.

"They were the inhabitants of the Far-East Empire, which some pointed out as the Empire where the sun rises. Its an empire east of the Middle Kingdom."

"Hello, young ones. How may this old lady help you?"

The old lady gave a warm smile. She was wearing an outfit similar to what Alter in his world would call a Kimono. Tishia pointed out the object of interest from the old lady's rows of item.

"That one."

It was a weird looking stone, curved and shaped like a coma.

"You wanted this? This is a ."

"Magatama, master what's that?"

"Its some stone that holds power for good luck, I think."

"Houu..."

Alter ogled the stone, having a hunch that it would help him in the far future. The old lady saw that he was interested.

"I'll give it for only twenty Sests, young one."

"I'll buy it, old lady."

After the transaction, they looked at the rare Far-Eastern accessories, before thanking the old lady and left.

"I'll buy some ice cream, Master. I'll meet you later. Tishia, don't take advantage while I'm gone."

"I won't!!!"

"Again?"

Alter wondered if there were any drugs mixed in the ice cream she was eating, but it was just only his imagination.

Gold left, skipping while holding her black hat on her tiny head. After a few minutes, as they walk to the tavern, Tishia felt something was wrong. There were no more people arount them.

"Alter.... we're being followed by the 7th Legion."

"....yeah"

A few guards had them surrounded. Noticing too late, they have no other ways of escape.

"Halt! Don't move!!"

One of the guards warned the two not to make a move, but the gods held the handles of Tyrfing and Claiomh Solais. If needed they would make their way out with brute strength.

"Tishia. Were in a pinch."

"Sorry, Alter.... This is all my fault."

"Don't say that. Is it you they want?"

"....Yes."

"Guess we're busted huh? I'll make a diversion. Go run and fetch Gold for me. We still have an hour to wait before the 'Python' departs, We should split for a bit, but we must return together to the ship. Got it."

Alter gave orders like it was normal. He already had a contingency plan if this kind of event ever happened. Something you would expect from the leader of the players.

As Tishia used the sword of light to make a way against the guards and dashed away, Alter taunted them to keep their aggression at him.

"Don't let the girl get away!!!"

The guards tried to pursue, but Alter's quick movements blocked and prevented them from advancing. But the numerous guards can't be stopped if he continued to hold back, so he invoked the chant he needed.

"I am Chaos"

As the particles of light gathered around him, he imagined a golden aura. A power that controlled time. A power that ruled over the heavens.

"God Mode"

The guards were briefly blinded by the light emitting from the criminal, but they immediately recovered and thrust their spears at the boy's position, but they only pierced through thin air. Something white began slashing them one by one, its movement unable to be followed by their eyes. They could only thrust randomly, and when they thought they could hit it, it would on vanish and reappear at their backs, striking them with ease, its blade passing through their armor like butter.

"Ha!"

In Alter's point of view, the guard's movements were in very slow motion. Using time magic, his form which was a human with tattered white royal clothing, a sickle in one hand and Tyrfing at the other. His head was adorned with a small black crown that was cracked.

This form was not yet complete, he thought, as though his connection with Gold was very high, her powers did not recover too much. But he's convinced that this was more than enough.

"(Deposed King Form)"

Unlike the mashed up form that he assumed during the dungeon which used volatile auras from the gravely injured Tishia and the sleeping Gold, this form was more stable. In fact, this was the form he first used when he recieved his divine powers, and his only companion at that time was Gold.

"Wh-where is he?!"

"He keeps disappearing!!"

"Ugaaaaah!"

The guards can't keep up with Alter, thinking that he was moving in god-speed. The truth is that they, who were affected by time magic, were the one who were moving in slow motion that even a normal citizen could fight them off barehandedly.

Alter incapacitated the guards, but more were coming, so he retreated some distance. Using time magic was taxing to the body and he could feel the stress accumulating.

As he retreated, a javelin whirred through the air, and almost hit his ankle, if it werent for the bloodlust he detected that the javelin carried. Far off, near the incapacitated guards, a human cloaked in red was advancing.

'Whoa, is this going to be a boss battle?!"

Alter could feel the pressure emminating from the red-cloaked human. He again avoided the second javelin that came like a beam of light. The red cloak was thrown to the air, but a figure came upon him with lightning speed.

Kling!!!!

Sounds of metal clashing upon metal resounded on the air as two swords collided. In the split second of the impact, Alter saw the opponent, a young girl at her teens, with short red hair, and her irises that were locked to his was like the color of burning blood. She pushed back Alter who was in god mode.

"You're strong, but..."

As the girl said that, she did not gave Alter any time to breath or reply, as her sword, which was lined with crimson at the center, slashed again at unbelievable speed.

She's a warrior, the real deal, Alter could only surmise.

Without pausing, her sword strikes had no superfluous movement, striking accurately against Alter, It was only to time magic that he could even the odds.

"This is a rare moment, for someone to hold of my attacks, I admire you."

"Well, what an honor..."

"........ but sorry, If you're allied with the traitor, It cant be helped."

"Traitor?"

But the girl did not respond through words, but through a sword slash. Using Tyrfing, Alter used all his streng to parry and push back the girl a few distance from him, and sent her crashing against some crates of cabbages. He used this oppurtunity to get away, thinking that he had already bought enough time.

"Master!!!"

Gold met him at the entrance of the harbor. There were a few guards that were striked down by the loli goddess, but her face was worried as she saw the small wounds of her master. As they ran, Gold questioned him.

"Who did that to you?!"

"I believe she a god, and one that's adept in battle, no less."

"I'll kill her if you wish."

"No, and we don't have time for that!! Where is Tishia?"

"She's there at the ship, guarding against any enemy that may slip through."

"Is it about to leave?"

"Yes. let's go, master!!"

The duo continued running for the ship, which already removed its anchorage and is now ready to depart.

The girl that Alter fought entered the docks, but the ship was already meters away from the port, and gaining speed.

It was then that she saw a woman in white clothes, facing her from the aft of the ship. Blind, white eyes and fiery red eyes exchanged stares.

".............Lilliana?"

"Tishia......"

Two princesses of the Imperium. A reunion with bad blood.

As the rest of the 7th Legion came up, Princess Lilliana instructed them.

"By the authority of , I order the 7th Legion to give chase. Contact the 11th Legion in the Mare Nostrum, and set up a blockade."

Her orders were immediately followed by the Legionnaires. She, who was chosen to be a god of war, held some authority to the Legions of the Imperium.

"I will not let you escape, Tishia."

She declared, her pupils red like dancing flames.

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It was a a few minutes since the 'Python' set out to sea.

The captain of the ship was enraged at the spectacle that happened just a while ago.

"WHAT'S HAPPENING? WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE AND WHY ARE YOU PURSUED BY THE LEGION????!!!!!"

He was fearing for his life. If the Legion gave pursuit, his entire ship would be roast.

"Hey, calm down"

"HOW CAN I CALM DOWN!!!!!!"

"......Should I make him calm down, master?"

"No, thank you."

"Gold, Alter, if what my instincts tell me are correct, we must prepare for a sea battle."

"They could pursue this ship?"

"I saw one of the goddesses of the Imperium before we left.... she's.... got a grudge on me."

"....... that's troublesome indeed. Gold!!"

"....Yes, master...."

"Use your time magic and concentrate accelerating the ship"

"......Okay....."

"Hey, are you not feeling well??"

"Oh my, her face is green."

They have forgotten that Gold wasn't good at sea travel.

"Tishia, we'll defend the ship. They'll be targeting our port and starboard, so we'll position ourselves there."

"Got it. But this is a trireme. They have at least a hexareme, so this will be more troublesome than you think, Alter. We at least need a ranged weapon, and no one here is an adept at ranged magic."

"Don't worry. I got that covered."

Alter smiled nonchalantly as if their predicament was just a game.

"Compared to leading against a huge invulnerable dragon, this is just gonna be a breeze."

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-Chapter End-