Chapter 296: An Emperor, an Enchanter, and a Family

Everyone who crowded below them appeared to be angry about being pushed together in one place. However, there were another large majority who looked more curious than anything. The emperor had never called such a meeting before, so his announcement had to be something important.

"There are people who live inside that thing already?"

"I was one of them. I lived there for hundreds of years."

The emperor remained silent before squeaking out a small response.

"Interesting."

Pelo raised his hand to address his people. Immediately, the murmurs of the crowd started to die out.

"Hey. Enki, was it? Do you trust me?"

Enki nodded his head.

"It’s not like I have a choice, do I?"

"Good."

The emperor cleared his throat.

"Attention citizens of Paria Kingdom!!"

Even though he was older, his voice still sounded firm and powerful like a general.

"I’m sure you have all seen the sky by now and I am also sure more of you have been wondering what it all means. Well, I brought you hear to inform you that this sky spells the end of the world as we know it. A calamity so great even demi-gods would quiver from its sight is on its way here."

Enki looked at Pelo in surprise.

’He’s telling them the truth?! A very bold move.’

Immediately, thousands of people started screaming and panicking. Others began to vomit from the anxiety that now filled their gut. Pelo waited for a small break in the chaos before continuing.

"However, I did not simply come here to tell you all that there is nothing we can do to stop this. I want to tell you there is hope that there is a chance we will all breathe another day, but this chance will not come without sacrifice. My friend here has told me of a place beyond the reach of Zalo’s influence. All of these brave enough to venture with us to this place are free to follow us outside these walls. If you choose to stay here, you will not be punished and you will have full freedom to anything your heart desires, including my palace."

Suddenly, everyone started talking to each other frantically, pondering their rulers offer to them all.

"I want to make it clear this offer extends to those of my military branch as well. I do not wish to hold you all back or force you to go somewhere you don’t want to go."

Pelo raised his hands.

"I’ve given my life to this empire, and now its fate rests in all your hands."

Someone from the crowd shot their hand up.

"How do we know you aren’t lying?! I bet that Monlo King has got you all scared so you’re booking it!"

Another brave soul’s voice roared from the crowd.

"Exactly! And look at that monster sitting next to him! This has to be a trick by the Monlo’s to get us out into the open!"

"Yeah! Go away you bastard! We’re never leaving this place!"

"Yeah! Go away!"

Suddenly, thousands of angry civilians were screaming at them to leave the kingdom thinking them as traitors.

"Paria forever!"

"We’ll stay here and fight till the very end if we have to, Monlo scum!"

"Yah! Your little dark trick in the sky is not scaring anyone anymore!"

Enki watched over the crowd expressionless. However, walking through the crowd with two small children in tow was none other than Lin. Her green hair was thin and messy, her clothes were dirty and she looked depressed as she walked through the crowd. First, she looked up at Pelo before looking back over the thousands of people around her. Then, she looked at her children.

"Even if it’s just a small chance... I still won’t risk it."

She began to climb the stairs towards Enki and Pelo. Loud boos escaped from the crowd as she climbed. People started throwing trash and food at her to dirty her looks even more. Mean names and words kids should not be hearing were thrown at her all while she kept her head down and kept climbing. Once she reached the top, she met Pelo’s eyes with a tearful glare. Pelo put a hand on her shoulder.

"I must warn you. Even the journey and our destination will not guarantee you or your children’s safety. Is this truly something you wish to do?"

Lin shook her head.

"N-No. But I just know I can’t stay here. That sky is not some trick and I know it. There’s this man I worked for. The way I saw him staring at the sky... it made me believe your words."

"You are a brave woman, and an even braver mother. This choice was not easy. We will protect you as best as we can. This is my friend, En-"

"My name is Enchanter. I’m the royal enchanter for the emperor."

Pelo looked at Enki confused but decided not to question his choice for keeping his name secret for now. However, he wouldn’t need to question it, because his identity was immediately found out anyway.

"Enki? Is that you?!"

Enki refused to meet her gaze.

"We should leave, Pelo. Time is of the essence."

Before leaving, Pelo called out one last time to his people.

"Anyone else?"

"Get out of here already! You’re a traitor to Paria!"

"Bring back the real emperor!"

"How dare you leave your own kingdom, poser!"

"Let’s boo him out of here too!"

Even Pelo’s own guard turned on him. One came up to them with a sharp halberd in both hands.

"You all need to leave. Gather your things and go!"

Without hesitation, Pelo nodded his head and led everyone back into his palace, disappearing behind his giant doors, silencing the screams of his kingdom."

"How far away is this place? Where are we going? Why do you look so different, boss?"

"You shouldn’t have come, Lin, but I’m glad you did. Who is left in charge of the restaurant?"

"Oh, I’m sure Charlie will figure it out somehow!"

Enki sighed.

"It was a good run."

Pelo waved his hand over to a small passageway after they all gather a small bag of belongings. Each of them carried their own supply, enough food and water to last them three days. They immediately popped out of a small hole in the side of the wall, landing on the grass beneath them. Lin was the last one out with her children still attached to her side. One of them kept tugging on Enki’s clothes.

"Hey, sir. You look funny. Why are you with our leader?"

Enki smiled down at the boy and patted his head.

"I can make you look like me if you would like."

Instead of responding, the boy shook his head before walking back to Lin slightly fearful.

"I am curious, Enki. What did happen to you? Was this something you were hiding using your powers?"

"Indeed. That reminds me."

Enki pushed out his hands and touched each person individually, whispering to himself softly. Pelo looked at himself.

"This should hide us from any powerful beasts trying to attack us. To be honest with you, I’m almost grateful more people didn’t come. The enchantment would not have been as powerful."

Pelo raised his eyebrow.

"What’s the drawback?"

"Cancer. But don’t worry, it’s not incurable cancer."

"Why the hell would you-?! You know what? Never mind."

"Bad word! He said a bad word, mama!"

"I know, but he is our leader. Only he gets to say that."

"That’s not really fair."

"Life isn’t fair sometimes, honey."

Pelo cleared his throat.

"Sorry. I will stop saying the bad words from now on."

"Good. My mom will kick your butt if you do it again!"

Pelo smiled lightly before turning to Enki.

"Please continue what you were saying before, about these injuries of yours."

"These injuries were something I received when trying to leave the place we are going to. We can enter easily, but leaving requires a special enchantment that only I was able to make. I also had help from someone who we trapped there. A tyrant queen of time named Queen Chronos."

"That’s kind of tacky for a name, don’t you think?"

"Trust me, everyone talks about her behind her back. Even her own jester probably laughs at it."

"She has a jester?"

"Indeed. That man is a monster among monsters. His powers are so beyond ridiculous that if he ever escaped that place, I almost worry more for Zalo than I would himself."

Pelo scoffed.

"You have to be overexaggerating them. No one can be that powerful and still be mortal."

"Are people who transcend time still considered normal people?"

Pelo rubbed his chin.

"I suppose not. However, you could have never trapped them there if they were that powerful. You must not be telling me something."

"Some things are better left unsaid. Besides, the only way either of you are going to survive is by befriending them, so please do me a favor when we get close."

Enki turned around, his expression grim and serious.

"Pretend like you hate me more than anything in your life. That is the only way they will spare you."