Favour For A Fool

My heart skipped a beat.

'*shhh!*' It was Michael.

I thought I would die.

He continued ' I thought something bad was going on...We can't do anything in a situation like this. We should fall back for now.'

I knew he was right but I guess I was wondering whether it was the right thing to just leave what's happening in front of you be.

I wasn't able to sleep that night. I made a decision overnight...I thought to make a run for it with the others. I also wanted to find out what those facilities were used for. Making my decision, I visited Michael. He seemed a bit surprised with my decision but decided to follow, we slowly informed and gathered the people who were still able to think correctly.

We informed Mr. Strong too but he just said 'I am sorry.' He kept repeating the same thing. We thought he was sorry for not keeping us safe.

We just informed him of our escape plan and left him alone. He didn't look like he was in a state to talk.

When the day of our escape finally arrived, We all gathered in the corner of our camps. By observing the guards, we were actually able to make a break for it, I was surprised. Then I turned back and said ' According to our plan, now I will bring the rest of us.' To which Michael replied 'Isn't it better to leave them be? But I know there's no helping you.' I smiled then returned to the camp.

The guards were already searching for us. I searched for Petra and the others but I wasn't able to find them.

I wondered if they were inside the sanitary tent. So I sneakily tried to sneak a peek in there through a hole.

All twenty-two of them were there. They were standing in a straight line. The noble was there too. He started injecting them with something. Soon, all twenty-two of them started acting violently and fell to the ground.

Then suddenly the noble exited the camp.

'*cheh!* another failure, but at least we were able to get valuable research data. Vacate the premises and inform the knights that demons are lurking in the slums.'

'Yes! sir.' Attendant of the noble replied.

'There is also a rat lurking around, not that he will be able to do anything. Let's go' The noble looked in my direction as he exited.

'...did he see me? But I made sure to hide my mana presence...That's not the point now, I should check on my friends.' I tried to run inside when suddenly a voice came from behind.

'STOP!'

I turned around to find Mr. Strong.

'I made sure you guys escape from here. But later saw some of you return. I managed to get them somewhere safe. You are the only one who's left. Escape now.' He was very serious.

'But'

'NO buts! They are not your friends anymore. They have become something like a demon.'

'A demon but that-' He stopped me mid-sentence again.

'They are nothing but demons. I know that noble. He's the new royal researcher. I...was once one of his subordinates. He has done this before. A lot of people have died because of the information I provided them. I couldn't keep with it when I saw five-year-olds dying in front of me. He was making demonic soldiers who would serve the Empire. He said all he did was for research and progress of the world. People of slums have difficult lives they are much sturdier than normal folk, they made the perfect test subject. And if they know magic, then it's cherry on top. Me teaching magic to make sure you guys can stand on your own two feet backfired. They told me they will take you guys by force and even kill everyone had I resisted. I don't have enough power to face those giant nobles, he even said there's a possibility you guys might survive. I was a fool, and I will be a fool.' He was on his knees as his eyes started becoming teary.

I was astounded by the amount of information that entered my brain. I just said ' Don't cry.'

Was that the best I could do?

'You're right. someone like me doesn't deserve to cry. You must escape right now. I'll be fine.

Remember to never trust the Empire.'

Mr. Strong rubbed his eyes.

'But what about Petra?'

'Do you know that life is a warzone? You must fight to survive. You are a soldier, so you must have some courage. Comrades die regularly on the battlefield. But they are not ever really dead, their will is passed on to their comrades. You shall carry Petra's will and live on to avenge her. You have a job to do which even your Mr. Strong couldn't. But you shouldn't falter. Life doesn't give second chances regularly. She took the shot for you, you've gotta carry her will, now run and don't look back, carry her will of making others around you happy. Remember that failure means death. I know it's a lot for a twelve-year-old. But you gotta do it. If it's you would be able to do it. That's what Petra would want anyway. You don't want her sacrifice to be wasted, do you?'

'I don't know anything...'

*ARRGGGHHH!*

Suddenly, a loud voice came from the tent.

'I guess the barrier fell. Run! fast.' He drew his sword.

I saw Petra and others turning into dark lumps of flesh, which had an extremely putrid smell. and was extremely unpleasant for the eye.

'r...u.....n..' Those were the last words I heard from Petra.

'You heard her. Let this old fool do one thing right in his life. I know I won't ever be able to do anything to fully atone for my sins. I know I don't deserve to ask for anything but will you do me a favour and escape? If you even have a shred of respect for this old fool which I don't think anyone would have. RUN!'

He started fighting them.

I started crying, clenched my hands turned around and ran, I ran faster than I ever had in my entire life. Perhaps I strengthened my legs with magic.

'Thank you for fulfilling my wish.' Those were the last words I heard from him I didn't look back but from his voice, it seemed like he smiled a bit.

Was I always an expert in running away?

I gave up too easily when that commander Gustaf surrounded us.

Did I forget all that?

Am I reminding myself to have courage...I don't want to bear this much burden.

...

["There is a secret basement in that small house over there. Even in our group, very few know of that place."]

Peter pointed towards a house.

["Robin?... Robin! Why are you dozing off?"]

["Huh, sorry I was just reminded of something unpleasant."]

Robin looked at the ground.

["These areas never change. In any case, let's head inside."]

They enter the small house.

["Nobody enters this house. Because they believe that it's haunted and also it's built far away from the river. So it doesn't make much sense to live in a secluded area."]

Robin said as he moved his finger in a pattern on a wall.

Suddenly a small part of the floor changed into stairs.

["High-tier illusion magic"]

Winter said.

["Nothing gets past your eyes. You're right it's something priestess taught us. Only Rachel, Peter, Michael and I know of this location. Let's proceed."]

Robin and other starts going down the stairs.

["light."]

Robin chants.

The room gets illuminated.

There was just a table and a letter resting on it in the entire room.

["Where'd all the records go and what's that letter!"]

Peter exclaimed.

["Let's read the letter!"]

Robin proceeds to open the letter.

Winter stops him.

["I should read it...there are traces of magic on that letter. There is a chance that something might happen."]

Robin nods.

Winter proceeds to read the letter aloud.

["If someone is reading this letter, then it must be you, Robin. Rachel can't escape because she is caught. I didn't expect but guess you were able to run away again. Maybe Peter sacrificed himself for you to escape. It doesn't matter. Since you were able to escape then you should know that I joined another group of rebels. It was all just to rescue the priestess. I dissolved the group, the rest of the people are not together anymore. If you wish to join us, then say my name to a beastfolk standing closest to the fountain near the town square. He will stand there for five minutes before dawn. You can only find him for three days after you read this letter.

Your sincerest Friend

Michael. "]

["Robin, don't worry about what he said! The thing is, he is alive and there are questions only he can answer, so let's visit him."]

Peter suddenly shouts.

["You...you're right...let's meet him first."]

Robin takes a deep breath.

["Finally a lead...let's go!"]

Winter snaps his finger.

["Teleport!"]

-----To be continued-----