*Evan POV*

Trish sobbed quietly on the red-carpeted ground as I scratched my head, thinking about what to do next. I looked back towards the brat Queen for help but she was talking to the old people next to her.

“I guess he finally let go of his past.” The guard who had him apprehended walked up to me and started talking.

“I see…” I said before I paused, I didn’t know what to do in this awkward situation. The hall was a mess because of our fighting and my opponent was sobbing quietly on the ground. To add fuel to the fire, there were a bunch of guards stationed here as well, and while their faces were hidden behind their helmets, even I could tell that they didn’t know what to do.

“So…” I said as I thought hard about how to fix this weird atmosphere. “Can you tell me his story?” I looked over to the guard, and he nodded.

Nice!

“Commander Trish had a Bad past which everyone here knows about.” He paused for a moment as if thinking what his next lines would be. “From his childhood, he used to live a happy life with his family. They used to live on the outskirts, away from everything including the protection of the Kingdom, While it may seem stupid to do that, his father was an angler and had to live near an ocean, unfortunately, The kingdom’s jurisdiction didn’t lie anywhere near fish-infested water. Of course, This meant that security was a risk.”

Okay, I already don’t like where this is going.

“But thankfully his father had made a deal with some Demi-humans called Shark-kins. They usually live near or inside the oceans so it was his family’s only hope of protection. The Shark-kins would protect them, in return, his father would give some of his fishes to the shark kins.”

This isn’t gonna end like a certain shark movie I know of, is it?

The guard looked down as if trying to think about how he should break the bad news to me. “Everything was fine, but when Commander Trish was in his teens… The Shark-kins… They attacked his family.”

Oh no.

The guard continued, “It seems like his father had somehow fished up some gold treasure which the Shark-kins wanted. Trish's Mother and brother were also killed while Trish could hide away… After that, he trained himself up till here.”

My fingers curled into a fist in anger. I could not explain the feeling. My Pain-Immunity skill keeps all my negative emotions in check, yet, for some reason, I felt both pity and anger for Trish.

He saw his family get killed in front of him when he was a teenager… Fuck. Nobody should go through that.

I looked over to the fallen Trish and I could not help but mouth off the word ‘Sorry’.

Moments later, His cries stopped as he slowly wobbled back up. Blood was trickling down from his mouth and nose as his eyes were red with tears.

God dam it, I feel so bad now.

I sighed and discreetly took out a Health potion from my inventory and tried handing it to him.

“Take it, I don’t want to hear a no.” I stared at him as he looked at me completely beaten down.

He looked at me before looking at the health potion in my hand. He stared at it for a few seconds as if thinking whether I was trying to screw him over or accept the potion.

In the end, he shook his head and took the potion before meekly saying, “Thank… you.”

I nodded, “No problem.”

The whole hallway was quiet as he slowly drank the potion. Even the Queen was sitting quietly as both Lucy and Oswald were staring at me. When he finished drinking, he said nothing. I could see his health bar jump back up to around 50% and he stopped looking like he will die the next second.

“You said…” Trish tried saying something but his voice was trembling, it was clear that he was still broken, “You said… That your people would've wished that you lived on instead of taking revenge for everyone… Right?”

I nodded without hesitation, “That’s right.”

His whole body started trembling as he did his best to not break down. “My mother… My mother and my brother's last wish were for me to live on… I had forgotten about it and I can’t forgive myself for that.”

Ah shit, I don’t know how to handle these kinds of situations.

“Hey, it’s alright!” I gave him a thumbs up while trying to figure out what I should say, “Umm, Uhhh, Listen, We all have our share of problems, and nobody’s perfect, and umm…” I finally shook my head as I realized how dumb I sounded.

“Ugh hell, what am I even saying? Listen up, Trish!” His dead face lit up for a moment as he finally looked away from the ground and back towards me, “Shit happens, and we all make mistakes, but if you want to make up for yourself or your family, then own up to it. It’s not too late to do what must be done.”

I gave it to him straight, I’m not good at mincing my words, much less taking care of someone at his wit ends, but I’ll at least do what I’m good at.

He finally smiled a bit, I don’t know if it was from being defeated or feeling that there’s a chance to redeem himself, but he finally smiled. He wiped the tears away from his face and nodded. “Thanks… I guess I should leave now.” He then turned around and started limping his way towards the exit.

Huh?

“Wait what? Where are you going?”

He stopped and turned around before saying, “I lost our condition. So, I'm leaving now.”

Oh yea, I said something like that, Something along the lines of ‘If I win you stop working for the queen and go for retirement.’

I put one of my hands on my hip and started talking confidently. “Then, I’m changing our bet.” He looked at me confused but I continued, “Instead of doing what I said, take some holidays.”

He stared at me for a moment before looking at the queen up on her throne. “Your majesty?”

The ‘Queen’, if you can call her that, chuckled a bit before saying, “Take 3 days off I hope you're well when you return.”

Trish nodded and went outside. I stared at him as he slowly walked away, at the very least I hope he finds some peace of mind now.

I was still looking at Trish when the Old guy next to the queen started talking loudly. “To get even someone such as Trish to become friendly to the Demi-Humans is quite fascinating. Your Majesty, I request of you to please promote him as the Head of the Unify committee no matter the cost!”

I didn’t even give the Queen a chance to speak as I turned around and pointed at the old coot before loudly declaring, “Not so fast, you deflated whoopie cushion for a face!”

“Oh- Huh- W-What! How dare you!” The old guy started fumbling his words as his face slowly became red with rage. I looked around and everyone was shocked. Some, however, were trying their best not to laugh. Lucy included.

Oh no. I messed up. My bad habits kicked in when I needed to think carefully.

“Do you know who I am!” The old coot was practically screaming while I was thinking of a way out of this. Do I just dig myself deeper until they’re so angry that they don’t want me? No, It will just make living here a pain and I can’t have that, not until I find a way back home.

Now then… How do I get myself out of this?

The old coot was screaming as if he was a momma’s boy and I made a ‘yo mama' joke.

God damn it. I just wanted to get out of this world. How come I have a family now and am being tasked to unify the whole Flippen world. I ain’t doin that shit!

I looked at the queen and she was trying her damn best not to laugh, If there’s a way to safely leave this situation then I’m going to have to somehow convince the queen.

I took in a deep breath and ignored the angry ramblings of the old coot. “Your Majesty!” I screamed to get the old coot to shut up, which he did.

Okay, Evan. Think hard. How can you get out of this situation without also being branded an enemy… Hmm… As long as I can convince the queen that I’m of use while simultaneously making her believe I can’t do anything, I will be able to, at the very least, come back to this kingdom without the entire army after me.

I thought long and hard while all eyes were on me. I then sighed as I started talking, “You must forgive me your highness but I must reject your proposal for making me unify all the races.”

As I said that, All eyes went to the Queen for her answer.

She looked down as if she was defeated and sighed, “Is that so?… Can you at least tell me why?”

Cuz I don't wanna do it!

“Your Highness-!” The old coot screamed out, but the Queen pointed at him to stop speaking. He mumbled something in anger and looked away.

I scratched my head as I looked for excuses, “Umm, I have bigger issues to settle right now. My king is heavily injured, My kind who survived don't have a home and…”

I thought up more excuses but Lucy butted in, “And to teach me, right?”

I looked at the perpetrator who got me into all this mess. I did my absolute best not to make a despising face as I answered her, “Yea. That too.”

Oswald suddenly interrupted us, “Umm, I know this is a bad time, but can I become your student too?”

“Sure, whatever.” I had no energy to deal with these two since I was still angry at them but then again, It was also kind of my fault for forgetting them at the inn too.

Oswald screamed out “Yes!” as he started jumping and high-five’ing Lucy in excitement.

Okay, I’ve made my points so now as long as I can exit this room with no problems then I’ve won.

“Alright Your highness, As you can see, I’m busy with many things Much more important to me so I can’t help you,” I said my piece and turned around to face the doors that will get me out of here, I waved my hands and rushed towards the exit door. “Anyway, Toodles.”

The queen realized I was trying to run away, so she quickly screamed out, “Wait!”

Nope! Not happening! I have to get out of here before She permanently fixes me here by saying something like ‘I'll take care of all your problems so please help me.’ Or something. As long as I don't hear her say that, she can't stop me!

Lucy and Oswald also rushed to walk beside me but I didn’t mind them since I already promised to help them.

Before the Queen called the guards to stop me, I ran towards the door, opened it slightly so only one man can come in or out, and rushed out.

I thought that was a good move since it will slow down the guards somewhat, What I didn’t expect was to hit someone and knock them down, they made a cute “Ouch!” noise and that alone told me I hit a girl accidentally.

“Ah shit, Sorry about that!”

I didn't have time to look at who I bumped into since I saw the guards coming after me so I made a run for it. I heard the guards saying something along the lines of “Stop in the name of the Queen!” but I’m not British so it doesn’t affect me.

Lucy and Oswald were also running behind as we quickly navigated through the carpeted hallways.

Oswald suddenly screamed out “Why are we running!”

Because if we stayed in that room for even a moment more, then I would’ve lost the battle.

“That’s because this is your first lesson!” I decided that explaining would be a pain, so I lied instead.

I thought it was a good idea but Lucy suddenly became enthusiastic about it. “Shishou’s first lesson! I will learn it with full desire.”

Wait, no, that’s not how this was supposed to go. Meh, I’ll make the most of it in the end.

There was a cross-section at the end of the hallway, some guards started coming out of the right side so I pulled out my shotgun and aimed at them, They braced themselves with their shields but we three turned left and escaped them.

I have to make sure not to gain any more animosity from these guys, which is why I can't hurt them. It'll be a pain to stay here if they all treat me as an enemy.

“Alright my students! Here’s lesson number one! Sometimes it’s better to run away than to solve your problems!”

I made that up on the fly but those two replied enthusiastically and in unison, “Yes, we will learn your lesson by heart!”

I can already tell I’m not going to be a good teacher.

We kept running through these hallways but this place is a complete Maze. No matter where we run, we seem to have somehow come back to the same place where we started. That, and we were being chased by like 20 guards.

Okay, that’s it, I’m gonna do this like how a gamer does this.

“Alright, you two! Let me take a test on what you’ve learned! Meet me in the Adventurer's Guild tomorrow by escaping here!”

Ditching these two here won’t matter that much because it seems like they're already friends with the Queen, I, however, am not. Regardless, they both replied in unison. “Yes!”

I nodded and started looking for a window along the walls while we ran. I saw several of them before so there’s a chance I’ll see them again. And lo-and-behold, I saw them after running for another minute or two more.

A normal person would follow the day-old teaching of ‘Look before you leap.’ But I’m a gamer, and I’m going to perform, what we normally classify as, ‘A pro-gamer move.’

“Alright, I’ll see you two there,” I said as I didn’t wait for their response and quickly leaped through the glass window, the glass shattered as I finally looked down and noticed that I was way high than I expected. For reference’s sake, I jumped out of a 20-story tall building.

The Wind whistled past as I fell to my Doom, which is what would’ve happened if I didn’t have my trusty grappling hook. I turned around with my back against the upcoming ground and quickly grappled to the stony castle wall beside me. I cut my momentum off as I safely slammed myself to the wall. I slowly did this, letting go of the grappling hook, falling down a good bit, then grappling to the wall to rid my momentum and repeat until I reached the grassy ground.

Perfect landing, 10 out of 10

I seemed to be in a garden of some sort many colorful flowers and trees were growing here but it seemed like it was the castle’s property. I didn’t even look around that much when I suddenly heard, “There he is!” I looked towards who said that and several guards were running after me.

Oh shit, Gotta run! I know I wanted to be felt wanted by others but not like this!

I grappled to the nearest building as if I was spider-man and was launched towards where the hook caught the building. I was still inexperienced with the hook so I slammed my face into the stone-brick wall before I grappled the top of the building and started running.

The Guards probably won't let me outside the Kingdom right now, so my only option is to cross over 'em.

I grappled from building to building until the castle looked far away. I finally grappled to one of the building walls and stopped to look at the guards fumbling around.

Heh.

Hahaha.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!

AS LONG AS I HAVE THIS GRAPPLING HOOK, YOU NORMIES CAN’T FLIPPEN STOP ME! I’M FLIPPIN INVINCIBLE! AHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Okay, that's enough of being an evil villain for now. I need to meet Jackie again! Or was his name Jeff? I’ve already forgotten the Guide’s name.

Welp, Time to go!

*Luna POV*

We just went inside the Adventurer’s guild next door. Everyone was hungry, so we were going to go to the second floor for some food to eat before we did that, Lark came inside the guild and gave us some grave news.

“What do you mean he already left?!” I screamed at Lark who was explaining to me what happened.

I just got back from eating and catching up with everyone. How come Reid just left before I even came back here?! Didn't he collapse!? He made me extremely worried already! Leaving me all alone! Fighting off who knows what apocalyptic monsters he was talking about! And then just a collapsed Reid In front of my door!

How do you expect me to stay calm after all that!?

Lark shrugged his shoulders as he started talking, “Well, I’m just telling you what happened, his tenacity surprised even me.”

“Where did he go!?” I said impatiently. I can’t stay here I need to talk some sense into him before he just goes and gets himself killed!

“Don’t know,” Lark said with an indifferent face.

My anger peaked. I said nothing and conjured up a few Ice Spikes which floated above my head and pointed at Lark.

“WoahWoahWoah! Calm down!” Lark quickly raised his arms to surrender, “I don't know where he went! He said he would come back here by tomorrow.”

Ugh! I can’t take this anymore! He's obviously lying! Reid probably told him to shut up about his location! He would only do that so I can’t go to him and that means he's doing something extremely dangerous again! Damn It!

{Author's Note: Woah. Calm down, Lady.}

I was about to launch one of the Ice spikes to threaten him but u felt a hand on my shoulder. I angrily looked back to see my mom looking helpless. She was carrying dad on her shoulders and the sight of both of them like this stopped me and made me feel bad.

“Luna, don't Worry. He's probably doing it for the better of all of us.” My mom said helplessly.

“But-!” I wanted to scream out my frustrations, but she interrupted me.

“After waking up from a sleep as small as that and also considering the fact that he collapsed from exhaustion before, do you really think he would risk his life with his condition? He won’t, especially with all the new responsibilities he has to bear, so please calm down.”

I clenched my teeth in anger but she was right, Reid isn’t stupid to risk his life just we’ve made up and become one full family. I finally let go of my anger and made the ice spikes disappear. “…Fine,” I said feeling frustrated.

Still! What’s so important that he would ignore his health and dash out as soon as he can?!

Lark looked like he just figured out something and started talking excitedly, “Oh yea I just remembered something! I didn’t think it was important, but Lucy, our grand alchemist was happily talking about and also chasing him around. If Evan’s gone anywhere then it’s definitely with her!”

…

The ground at my feet started freezing up as I slowly lost control over my anger, The Ice spikes that disappeared, returned with even greater numbers, I looked at lark as if he was my mortal enemy for trying to hide this information.

He quickly raised his hands in submission before saying “WAITWAITWAIT! WHAT HAPPENED!? I SWEAR I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG!”

"What do you mean by happily chasing him around?" My words were void of any emotion yet my anger was at its peak.

The Great Young Alchemist? How come She knows Reid? Why is she Chasing Reid? Could it be… that their relationship is… more than friends?

Lark quickly defended himself, “I don't know about their relationship! I swear! If anything, Reid did not remember her at all! And the second he remembered her, he quickly run away! And he kept running away even after Lucy found him! I swear that’s all I know! Don’t kill me!”

My anger suddenly vanished as the cold atmosphere along with my conjured-up ice spikes disappeared. “Oh, why didn't you say that before.”

It’s fine if Reid isn’t chasing women right now. Yep. Even so, Lucy might be a problem.

I heard lark quietly say, “Women are really scary.” But I’ll ignore it for now.

“Umm, then what should we do now?” Mia said that, and I didn’t even notice her there, she was behind my mom and dad so I didn’t see her.

We four looked at each other, in case anyone had an idea but Lark raised his voice, “Um, we don’t have a problem with you all staying in this guild but I'm betting it’s not gonna help your King.” I looked at my injured dad and could not help but feel guilty for his injuries. He did that to save me, but it was my selfishness that landed him in that spot.

“Helputt.” My dad suddenly said.

Lark looked at him confused, “What?”

“I’m not a King anymore. Call me Helputt,” My mom looked sad when he said that.

Lark nodded, “Alright, Whatever you’re okay with.”

I looked back at lark, “So do you have any idea where Reid might be?”

Lark stood next to the wall as he started thinking hard. “Hmm, as far as I know, him, he could be anywhere. But, I think our queen was looking for him.”

Huh?

“Well, I don’t think it’s for anything bad, knowing our majesty, she probably needs his help or is looking for someone with skill. But as far as I know Evan, she would probably never be able to catch him. He’s too strong for our army, plus, he’s quite smart too, I bet he’s going to find some way and never get caught by her.”

“But…” my words trembled, but I did my best to calm myself down. “But… isn’t he exhausted right now?”

He looked at me and then put his hand on his chin as he thought hard. “Shit, he might’ve gotten captured then.”

“Captured!?” I yelped out in fear as I started worrying again. I looked at my mom for help. My mom and dad have good relations with several kingdoms, if there’s someone who can save Reid right now then it’s them.

She made a troubled face and shook her head. “I know that Daisy, Gabriel's Daughter, runs this section of the Human Kingdom. But I don't know why they would need Reid.”

We all had heavy faces except for lark who was picking his nose. “Eh, don't worry guys. If I know Evan then he can get himself out of any pickle. He destroyed a monster that can annihilate Kingdoms! Two actually, and also at the same time.”

Huh?

“I read the reports we received from the Elven Kingdom, and the reports were written personally by their Queen. Which is how I know that what he did was not only amazing but quite impossible for any of us to do. And he did that alone, So, have a little faith in him."

“BUT THAT’S ALL THE MORE REASONS TO-!” I wanted to lash out but someone interrupted me.

“Um, Luna.”

“WHAT!” I lashed out at the person who interrupted me until I realized it was Mia. She was shocked and scared by me and I immediately felt guilty. “Wait no… Sorry, I didn't mean to.”

She shook her head as she looked down, “It’s alright.”

Damn it. Now I’m hurting the ones close to me.

Mia continued, “It’s okay Luna. I think what Mr. Lark said now is true and we should trust in Evan.”

“But He could be in trouble right now! He won’t be able to defend himself!”

“Okay, that’s enough.” Lark interrupted us. “That's enough worrying for one day, little miss. Have a break, and trust that guy a little more. He can easily overthrow this entire Kingdom without even trying. I'm betting the Queen just wants to make him a "Friend" so he doesn't destroy this kingdom accidentally.”

I looked down at the ground as I finally gave up. “… you’re right. Reid wouldn’t do something stupid and he’s strong enough to handle himself.”

As we were talking about this, the outside was rowdy, with soldiers marching and some people screaming out “Don’t let him get away.” Those sounds made my heart tremble as I was afraid for Reid’s well-being. I looked around and it didn’t seem like I was alone Mom, Dad, and even Mia had a troubling expressions on their faces.

What kind of fool am I for lashing out like this when everyone’s scared.

“U-Um, I’ll check what’s happening outside.” I didn’t expect Mia to say that, but it seems like she’s also as scared as I am. Mia opened the door slightly and started peeking outside to see what the commotion was all about.

“Now then,” Lark clapped his hands as he started talking, “I’m betting you’re all starving, And an empty stomach can also mess with your emotions, eating a bit might make you all feel better, I’ll see if we got anything for you guys.” Lark waved his hands as he walked upstairs to the mess hall.

Hmm…

Maybe… Maybe I should really search for Reid at the castle. If I can sneak out from here, and even ask around, I will find some clues about his whereabout-

My dad suddenly interrupted my thoughts, “You're not allowed to go to the Castle young lady.”

“W-What!? I-I don’t know what y-you’re talking about?” I did my best to act natural but my words still fumbled up.

Dad groaned in pain but still spoke out, “Okay, then you’re not allowed to leave this building without my permission.”

Damn it! I was busted. I can’t hide anything in front of them.

I was thinking of a way to sneak out but the door abruptly opened up and two figures came inside. They were sweaty and out of breath, but they looked happy for some reason. One was a skinny tall guy wearing glasses, and the other was a girl half his size with wearing an oversized dark purple witch’s hat.

They were panting for air but still talked to each other. “We- we did it before tomorrow!” the tall skinny guy said as panted for air.

“Shishou will definitely be proud!” said the other kid who was in a similar condition of panting for air.

Shishou? Is that a name or a title?

Those two oddballs blocked the entrance as they both held on to their knees and tried to breathe normally. But at this exact time, The door slammed open once again but this time Mia came inside.

“Everyone!” She said restlessly, “You have to see this!”

My mom’s eyes narrowed as she quickly asked, “What happened?”

Mia didn’t try to explain but her next words made us all jump. “It’s Evan!” She said.

“Reid!” I screamed out in surprise as I Ran outside but the girl with the oversized hat said something that made me stop.

“huh? Shishou is outside?”

The hat girl and I both looked at each other for a brief moment

Is she Lucy? I have my Eyes on you But I better look at Reid first.

I hurried outside and everyone else came out too, including the hat girl and the glasses guy.

“Where’s Reid!” I asked Mia as calmly as I could.

“About that, Umm, look up there.” Mia pointed away and I saw him… flying?

“WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” I heard Reid screaming but it was almost as If he was having fun.

“It’s Shishou!” The hat girl and the glasses guy said in unison.

I have to watch out for these two.

Some of the knights passing by said to each other “Catch him before he escapes!”

Why are the Knights After Him?!

I stared at Reid as I clenched my hands tight with fear. Please don’t get hurt.

Moments later, we saw him go up and over the outer wall of this kingdom; the wall protecting us from the monsters outside.

After witnessing that, The glasses guy suddenly started talking to the hat girl, “Well, it’s pointless to worry about him and he did say he’ll meet us here tomorrow, so let’s go inside and wait?”

The hat girl nodded, “Yes. That seems like a good idea.”

They turned around and started walking inside, meanwhile, Mia heaved a sigh of relief, “Well, it looks like brother is completely fine, and might even be having fun doing all this. So we don’t have to worry about him, right sister?”

I nodded, Mia’s right. It seems like Reid’s not only fine but is also having fun… Made me worry over nothing. But there’s still one more thing to do.

“You two, stop,” I said with a commandeering voice that stopped both the oddballs.

They turned around to look at us, and I continued. “How did you two know about Ried?”