Priad approached Yami who was sitting on one of the smaller crystals. It appears that the battle between Yami, Faith, and Shinaka was over long ago, with Yami emerging victorious. The defeated girls were unconscious with their bodies covered inside the crystals. Seeing Priad approaching her, Yami waved her hand at him with a friendly smile.
"Are you finished already, Priad?"
"Yes" He replied while looking at the other's unconscious body "Looks like you didn't break a sweat defeating them"
"Thank you" Yami then stands up, brushing the dust off her clothes "Your comrades outside this realm should have won their battles already"
"Then I hope you're prepared to reap what you sow" Priad took off his helmet and looked at her skeptically "You already know how far Akadia is going to go"
Without communicating with his men outside of the heart of the planet, he already knows the destruction and the devastation the Akadian reinforcements are wreaking there. After being reminded of the consequences, Yami paused for a moment, having a look of grieving for what she had brought upon her kind. However, her resolve was steadfast, despite this brief moment of weakness.
"Everything is for the sake of the goddess. Not just me, but everyone in the village has devoted our lives to this day" She said sternly.
Priad paused for a moment, before asking his next question "What is it you're after? Our favor. Power"
"Neither" Yami looks up at him with a serious expression "All we desire is to help you. Soon you will be on your way to fulfill her wish"
Priad was then reminded that Norion had not given him any conditions for saving his life. Could it be that her condition is this wish that he has to fulfill?
"...And before you ask. No, I don't know what her wish is. That is something that you must ask her yourself" Yami continued before Priad could even ask his question.
He sighs. Her response was surprising yet not unexpected. It seems that she wasn't lying about this.
"What about you and your people?"
"From my estimation, they will reward us for our services and will also make us part of their new government of this world"
She will also have a harder time being Lamria's new leader. Priad was reminded of how Akadia would conquer worlds. They would install governors and local military forces to suppress rebellions and dissatisfaction among the people. Sometimes employing the world's inhabitants as local police to help them in this matter, willingly or not. Knowing this, he then looks at Shinaka.
"So this is why she had to be spared"
Perhaps if Shinaka could be convinced to join them, Yami might be able to have a chance at winning over the Armenthian people to her side. Her reputation is the king's elite guards might boost their chances of that. She may not win over everybody, but even if it's a few dozen more, it's enough to help legitimize Yami's position.
Yami smiled at Priad, happy now that he understood some of Norion's requests "Priad, will you allow me to give you some words of advice?"
"Advice?" He raised his eyebrow.
"Our fates are already on course towards a certain end, but how we reach it will be up to us. Soon, you will have to make your own choices. Make sure you make one that you know you won't regret"
He paused for a moment, not giving her any replies. Then he put on his helmet again "I will keep that in mind. Let's get these two out of the crystal and let's get out of here"
She flicked her fingers, making the crystal that encased Faith and Shinaka to be shattered. After their bodies fell to the ground, Priad would carry Faith while Yami carried Shinaka. They then make their way back towards the others who have finished constructing their portal gate back to the realm outside. While carrying Faith, Priad would ponder about what Yami said.
"Make one that you won't regret huh" As he ponders that, he looks down at Faith. Once again reminded of his past with her and the difficulties of his position now that she hates him for killing her sister. However, those thoughts would have to wait for another time as he prepares himself for what's to come next after they step through that portal and return to the outside realm.
After stepping through the portal, Priad and the others would return from the heart of the planet, but they did not return to the forest where they originally came from. Instead, they came out in the middle of the capital city, in the garden of the central square. The place is clearly in ruins thanks to the bombings that took place before their arrival. There were also a lot of dead bodies around them, both soldiers and civilians alike.
Two troopers would then walk around the corner, immediately saluting after they saw Priad and the group. Priad noticed that these two troopers were not from his unit as their uniform had different markings compared to the blank dark armor that he and the others had been wearing.
"You must be the unit that disabled the barrier thing. Are you Trooper 117?"
Priad nodded "That's me"
"Lieutenant Harkins is waiting for you near the city's gate. She said she had something urgent to tell you"
"Very well. I'll also need to borrow some dropships as well for prisoner transfer"
"I'll hail them in for you sir"
"Thanks"
The group then proceeds to the city's gate where Lieutenant Harkins was waiting. Throughout the streets, even more carnage can be seen. Some buildings were outright destroyed and turned into rubble. The lack of technologies in this world can be seen clearly as even the city's wall couldn't withstand the bombs that the Akadian bombers were dropping.
Once they made it to the city's gate, Lieutenant Harkins and Priad exchanged salutes with one another. There were also temporary camps as well as dropships parked outside the gates.
"Trooper 117. You are here"
"Yes ma'am. You wish to speak with me?"
Harkins noticed that both Priad and Yami were carrying the unconscious Faith and Shinaka "Are these the prisoners you reported?"
"Yes. One is a fugitive, and the other is one of the lieutenants of the kingdom's elite guards"
"And the Armenthians behind you, are they your slaves?"
The warriors looked at each other, noticing the harsh label she had just given them. However, Priad then cleared up the misunderstanding "No, they're our allies. They helped us during our time here" Yami then steps forward as Priad introduces her to Harkins "This is Yami Tanaka, their leader"
The lieutenant eyed them, looking skeptical yet remaining vigilant. She then gave Yami a look "I assume you want to speak with our general for your reward"
Yami smiled "We only wish to help you and bring down the tyrannical king of Lamria. I will tell your general my request when I meet him"
"I will notify him of your arrival. For now, both of you are to board the dropship, as well as all the troopers of your unit, 117" Harkins turns to Priad "The general wishes to speak with you"
Priad was surprised by the sudden order, but decided to comply anyway "Understood ma'am. We'll be on our way"
Priad, Yami, and the troopers would board the dropships and begin flying up toward the main cruiser of the fleet. Faith and Shinaka would be flown up there as well, though on a separate dropship. As they flew up, Priad could see through the window of his dropship and looked at the ships hovering above the planet. He would find it strange why a fleet would only consist of three large cruisers rather than a fully composed fleet as the Akadian navy doctrine demands. However, he kept this to himself rather than asking questions.
They then landed inside the cruiser's hangar. Priad would part ways with Yami and the other troopers as he took an elevator and headed up towards the bridge alone. Faith and Shinaka are still unconscious, yet they are now restrained in straight jackets and are being carried by the troopers toward the holding cells.
Once Priad arrives at the bridge, he walks up to the general and salutes the old man.
"Sir, Trooper 117 reporting for duty"
The general saluted "General Neval Arundor. Well done for making it this far and leading your men, 117"
"Thank you, sir. I was merely doing my duty"
"And more. It seems you took prisoners and made allies of the native population. The standard protocol doesn't usually allow it. Do you know why?"
Priad paused for a moment, before replying "The entire galaxy is under the Norion faith, which has branded the empire and its subjects as heretics"
"Correct. They would die rather than breathing the same air with us" The general then steps uncomfortably closer, looking at Priad in the eyes through the visor of his helmet "I wonder. What did you do to convince them to side with you?"
Despite being nervous, he was able to remain calm in answering the old man "We were outnumbered, sir. I figured that instead of enslaving the populace, we would benefit by making allies out of them"
"That you do" The general finally steps away. Giving Priad some space, yet remaining suspicious of him "There's something else. His majesty wishes to speak with you, 117"
The news caught him off guard "The emperor?"
"Yes" The general gave one of the crews a look "Put him through"
The crew nodded, activating the hologram in the middle of the room. A small figure would appear as the hologram. A young man wearing a noble purple cape with a fancy eyepatch covering his left eye. Even his hologram self emits a sense of respect from everyone on board due to his significance.
"Prince Julius!?"
The entire crew as well as the general was shocked by Priad's sudden response, almost as if he had offended the man. The man however only laughs at the response.
"It seems you are dysfunctional, trooper. My father, Willhelm Kastaway has tragically passed away. I have ascended the throne and succeded him"
Priad immediately bowed apologetically "Yes, of course. Forgive me, Your Majesty. I mean no offense"
"I care not for your apology. I only wish to hear the results of your mission"
It was then that Priad was reminded of his mission. The very reason why he was there on the frigate, hunting down Mia. And the very person who gave this mission was the emperor and former prince who speaks with him now. Priad raised his head and began answering the man.
"We have killed the traitor, Mia Narukami. Despite our crashland towards Hakona, most of her research and technologies appear to be intact aboard her frigate"
"Very well. Though you are late in accomplishing this task, I commend you for your service to the empire, Trooper"
"Thank you..."
"...However" The emperor cuts him off "I hear you've been taking prisoners. Who are they?"
Priad was hoping he wouldn't ask the question. Though reluctant, he had to answer truthfully "One is an Armenthian lieutenant. An elite guard by the name of Shinaka Mori. The other is Mia Narukami's little sister. Her name is Faith Narukami"
Once again, the emperor laughs "So the traitor had a little sister. A pity that you killed her too quickly. I would have enjoyed her suffering as we use her little sister to torture her"
The revelation made Priad gulp as he wouldn't have expected the emperor to be this vengeful to Mia. Not to mention what he would do to Faith.
"Oh well, what's done is done. The little sister serves no purpose to me. Get rid of her"
Suddenly, Mia's voice would ring through his head. The word "Protect" would repeatedly be said to him, haunting him now. Thankfully he was wearing his helmet, so nobody in the room would see his expression.
The emperor then turned his gaze to the general "General Arundor, I'm afraid you will have to postpone your return to Grestancia"
The general raised his eyebrow "My lord?"
"Imperial intelligence reports that a Federation fleet is inbound on your location. But there is also a report that the Fallen Princess will be among them"
The news shook the entire room, making everyone except Priad fall silent. It seems that Priad had missed some things while hunting down Mia.
"The Fallen Princess...is it confirmed?" The general seems to be the most worried among everyone here.
"Yes. They will arrive in approximately 3 more days. I understand that you do not have sufficient force to take them on. Which is why I have dispatched reinforcements to your aid. Until then, defend Hakona"
The general straightened himself after the initial shock "As you command my liege"
The hologram disappeared, leaving the bridge still shaken with the news. Soon, they would return to their activities. The general immediately turns to Priad to give him his orders.
"The coming days will be hectic. For the moment, you will remain in charge of your unit"
"Yes sir"
"And summon Yami Tanaka to the bridge. That is all"
Priad salutes the general before leaving the bridge and returning to his men and Yami. As he made his way to them, he would ponder about what had happened back at the bridge. The mere mention of the Fallen Princess seems to have the entire crew spooked. He will have to look for information about her when he has the time, but first, there is something important that he must plan for. Saving Faith from her execution.
He had hoped that Faith would only be held prisoner here temporarily before she could be transported to a proper prison where she would be safe. The order to execute her, even more, that it came from the emperor himself, was not what he had expected. He will have to find a way to either make her escape believable or perhaps fake her death. Whatever the case, he'll have to make a plan fast.
After arriving at the guest room where Yami was sitting on one of the couches, waiting all by herself, Priad immediately tells her the general's summon.
"Yami. The general is calling for you. Looks like you'll have your bargain with him"
"As expected" She stands up and is about to leave the room, but then she stops next to him "You should know that your friend, 553, left the rest of your men and was heading somewhere all on his own"
"553. Where would he..." Priad gasped, changing his tone into a more worried sound "No, he can't be doing what I think he's doing"
"Go. I will find my way to the bridge"
He nodded, immediately running out of the room. As he passed through several troopers along the way, he didn't care if he made a scene. He knows where 553 is heading, the holding cells. He might try to execute Faith on his own. Again, he was reminded of a very crucial thing. 553's hatred towards him. Though he may not desire Priad's death, he will do something that wouldn't be in Priad's favor.
Once Priad arrived at the holding cells, he began looking around. The holding cells were almost like a mini prison, able to hold station-wide prisoners. Priad searched desperately for where they were holding Faith. After a few minutes of searching, he had found her. To his surprise, 553 was also there as well, standing in front of her cell, not wearing a helmet and holding his pistol.
"I was wondering when you'd show up" 553 turns his head menacingly "Priad"
Priad felt a chill running down his spine as he heard 553 mention him not by his number, but by his name. The two troopers stood apart from each other, feeling the tension of their current meeting.