Lurking in the Shadows

Our travel over the next few days was pretty laid back, not too many problems occured so it wasn't bad. I had to learn to lurk in the shadows as we passed through certain places though since it seems not everyone is huge on the slave part of things.

Would it be the same if it was an elf, a beastmen, or even some dwarf? Would people still look at it the same way then if they are against it?

Either way it wasn't the end of the world to hide in the shadows as we passed through since it helped me learn to be sneakier. In the future that could be quite a useful thing to know how to do.

"We should be getting closer if I remember it correctly, I apologize but it's been a long time since I've seen my uncle." Amelia says while looking around the path.

I had no choice but to trust her on the direction since she knows the way to her uncles and I don't. I've been on guard since we started traveling from the estate though.

I'm not really sure I know what to do if we are attacked since killing someone really did take a toll on me. Will it be something I'm capable of doing again when the time comes?

"Artemis. Artemis." Amelia calls out.

He shakes his head and turns his attention back towards her. "Yeah, what's up?" He questions with a bit of a confused look on his face.

"You had no choice but to kill that man. Some people are left with that kind of choice no matter what." Amelia assures with a bit of kindness in her voice.

That same kindness has yet to leave her voice since she made the pact with me, I can't help but question why it still sticks with her. After everything that happened.

I hope she'll always be kind.

"Thank you." Artemis says with an appreciative tone in his voice.

The two of them continue to travel for a few more days before finally reaching the outskirts of a town known as Eden. It was a fairly put together place, not many issues plagued the town and bandits didn't even bother people here.

Amelia's uncle wasn't that much further from here so it was only a matter of time before Artemis was free. At least that's what is supposed to happen.

I wish that I could genuinely enjoy some of the sights of these places but it's pretty much impossible. I've got to keep Amelia safe and most people have had wary eyes with us passing through.

This was probably the first place that was a bit harder to fly under the radar in since it was pretty populated. A lot of people were roaming around the streets and some even resembled Adventurers.

I just have a hard time believing that there isn't a single hero around or at least someone trying to be one.

"Eden is something my father talked about a lot since it was a beautiful town, but he never took me or my mom here. He stuck to the instructions of "God" as he put it." Amelia Speaks with a bit of disbelief in her voice.

I didn't think much about the gods or goddesses of this world since none of them appeared to be helping me out. Most of that slaughter wouldn't have happened if someone was watching over us.

But I do wonder if it's just one god, multiple, or how it works here. I'm sure I'll find out naturally over time without really trying.

It reminds me of the dream I had the other night though, what if that woman was some sort of goddess? No that couldn't be, right? Why would she randomly appear now after all those years.

"You're almost free, how do you feel Artemis?" Amelia asks, breaking the silence.

I was in my head with all those thoughts that I forgot she was talking for a minute there. "It's a feeling. That's the best I got for now." Artemis responds with a bit of uncertainty in his voice.

Personally I love the thought of freedom but I don't really know what I'll do with it yet since I've not thought about it much. All those years I was a slave for someone so it's a bit odd to think about.

Maybe it would be a good idea to investigate that group that attacked us with the reaper symbol on their armor. I'll have to get stronger to investigate it but it could be worth the time.

I feel like they are part of something bigger and that was just a step in the road.

"I appreciate you protecting me. I know it was part of the pact but I don't think you would've just left me to die." Amelia says with a small smile on her face.

I'm not heartless, I definitely would've helped her get out of there still but I don't know if I would've had the same motivation. The Pact kind of helped in more ways than one for certain things that day.

"I wouldn't have. My mom was a kind woman who raised me well, even if we were all slaves." Artemis responds with a bit of sadness in his voice.

The conversation had died down for a bit after that as they continued to travel for her uncles estate. Most of Amelia's family has nice homes due to the past wars that her family helped fight in.

For the most part they were kind people but they also had to enforce the slavery as it was part of the contract they signed to gain the land. The guards were assigned by the ones who made the contracts for each family.

The world was truly full of terrible people but it wasn't something that could be easily changed.

A bit past the town of Eden. (Outside the Estate of Amelia's Uncle.)

It wasn't as big as her family's previous estate but you could definitely tell that someone wealthy lived here. I can tell that it's going to be quite interesting to meet this uncle of hers.

Then again, she's supposed to be removing the pact from me here so I don't know if I'll have to talk much with him.