The meeting went on for about an hour. Lord Harry did as much as boast about his wealth and offering Artemis and the little girl positions to serve under him. His suggestions, however, were dissuaded by Kein who was anxious of offending Alice's guardian, thinking that the lord was too much of an idiot, he took over the discussion.
Kein opened up discussion concerning the metal demon and relayed them what they knew so far of their movements. In Kein's mind, these two were sent to help them win against the metal demons who have so far overwhelmed the Senadate Theocracy and have begun to threaten the borders of the Empire and the Republic.
"We also sent a small expeditionary force of 10,000 men to aid the Senadate Theocracy, none of them ever returned."
Artemis listened and took into account everything Kein was telling him. They only knew half of the movements of his armies and some of his intelligence reports were exaggerated.
"Some of my spies have reported that they are mustering an army at the Fortress City to our east and preparing to strike deep into the borders!" Kein began to sweat. He was nervous as much as he was anxious.
Artemis downplayed his intelligence in his mind. He and Caitlyn had no plans on invading Atira anytime soon or were they mustering an army at the Fortress City. The Fortress City was only being integrated into the Machine Empire and they must have mistaken the newly arrived worker bots for soldiers.
"And so, I implore you! Please send this young one to the Imperial Academy City!" Kein said.
Imperial Academy City? Artemis was delighted to hear that there was actually an entire academy dedicated for teaching and honing the magical skills and affinities of their students!
The Imperial Academy City was located in the very center of the Empire and it is one of the hugest and most important major cities not just the Empire but the whole continent of Fordalt . People in both race, peasants and nobles enter there to become strong and special themselves. This is the reason why 19% of the people on Fordalt are on A-grade because of how they train hard in the academy. The Imperial Academy City was on a massive floating island that has millions of levitation crystals, the same crystal that uses on Airships. The Imperial Academy City was first built 800 years ago after the Second Great War and during the Era of Rebuilding.
Artemis showed a smirk while Alice tilted her head to the right, visibly confused.
"I see, but we landed here. Where is this Imperial Academy City?" Artemis asked.
"Ah!" Kein showed a bright smile.
"It is no wonder you landed here, the gods must have used me as their guide for you!" Kein added.
"Yes" Artemis played along.
With a snap of his fingers, a map appeared from thin air and landed on his palms. He then laid down the map on the table and it expanded, occupying the entire surface and displayed a very detailed map of the continent.
Artemis saved the entire thing in his memory, this was a gold mine of information! He had to send it to Caitlyn as soon as possible to further their plans of world domination.
"As you can see, this is a map of Fordalt. On the center over here lies the borders that separate both of the Republic, the Theocracy, and the Empire. These three superpowers form the peacekeepers of the continent, their decisions are absolute and should be followed, though us small kingdoms display high-levels of autonomy and self-governance, these three superpowers are undoubtedly still our overlords and we are their puppets." Kein explained.
"I figured as much, when we came here we were attacked by a 'necromancer' or 'summoner' so she claimed to be." One added.
"A necromancer! they are the vile corrupted resurrectionists who made pacts with fallen gods and refuse to accept death. Evil their magic may be, they are still powerful foes that even I have trouble with. The most powerful among them is Galianna, but nobody knows if she's dead or not, nobody heard her ever since the first Great War. Rumours says it might be the summoning hero who killed her, but the Second Great War destroyed most of the history details, so nobody knows for sure. What has happened with this necromancer you speak of?" Kein asked.
"I killed her and her summons," Artemis answered.
Kein gasped in silence and swallowed. He then continued his explanation.
"In the very center of the Empire, there lies the Imperial Academy City. The Imperial Academy City is an educational venture supported by the three superpowers. It has many thousands of students, all of which are destined powerful mages. I myself came from this very academy but it has been decades since then. My skills as a mage were discovered, cultivated, honed and perfected by the great Demigods who run this academy. I have no doubts that the little girl that you bring possessed magical power that even surpasses that of a Sainthood Level Demigod, or better, an Apotheosis! And so, I implore you to take her there."
Artemis stared at the map for a moment and then stabbed his finger on a peculiar spot next to the location of the academy. It was a river that stretched from north to south of the western region and directly ran next to the academy.
"Ah, the Great Fordalt Stream. It is a massive river, the longest in the land. I was about to suggest you take a ship through here, though they are already obsolete. But, seeing that you are of divine nature, I am more than happy to pay for an entire fleet!"
At this moment, Lord Harry fainted.
"Eh, what happened to him?" Artemis asked.
"Please pay him no heed, though he is my Lord, his riches were only possible because I allowed him to do it. I know that you are very knowledgeable and have already discerned the true nature of this city." Kein lowered his head.
"I already know and I do not mind. As long as my young lady over here is not bothered. All I need from you is the location of that city, and no, we do not need your fleet. But I thank you for your offer." Artemis said.
"Oh! What humility, but I must insist!!"
"There is no need, Kein. Though we came to this city with other reasons, you have presented to us what is of greater importance and I thank you for your help and guidance. We have the capability to cross that stream, and we shall depart tomorrow by the sun's rise." Artemis said.
"Then, if that is what you wish. But since you will be staying here for the night, I insist that you stay in this castle. I guarantee our hospitality, the rooms, and your security." Kein said.
"Then, I accept your offer." Artemis agreed. He got more than what he bargained for. An entire floating city is an academy of magic was waiting for them and the Little Girl was his ticket in. He thought of all the knowledge he could learn! The opportunities, the number of exploits!
And so, Artemis began to make another grand scheme of his. But first, he needed to ensure that Alice was at the top of her condition, mentally, physically and magically. Reluctant he was at first, he was forced to contact Caitlyn later that night.
And thus, the meeting ended. Lord Harry was dragged out by Kein and the Queen's Guard escorted Artemis and Alice to their rooms. Kein had the maids from before preparing the room in which Artemis and Alice were supposed to stay. They managed to do so in just 30 minutes, completely refining the room from top to bottom. The floors sparkled, the expensive furniture shined. The bed was neat and the carpets were sublime.
While Alice's eyes glowed in awe and excitement, Artemis did not care of the luxurious setting they were given and instead, after the maids and the guards left, began to secure the room.
It was night. The city's inhabitants have all gone inside with patrols enforcing the curfew. The curfew was unheard of but was ordered by Kein to further up the level of security. Whilst Artemis placed hidden devices that would alert him of any incoming danger, Kein was having a meeting with his apprentice several floors above.
"Master, are you sure of this?"
"Of course I am, can't you see the divine aura around the girl? It is without a doubt that someone like him, who single-handedly defeated a Necromancer, is in fact the little girl's guardian."
"But, master! How can you be so sure?"
"My dear apprentice, it seems that you have forgotten. I know when someone is lying and if someone is telling the truth, our magic will reflect on our words even by the slightest hint and I can see that hint. The two of them are telling the truth, their magic is as pure as day. Now, I want you to ensure that nothing happens to them while they stay here for the night."
"Y-yes master"
Meanwhile, Artemis had just finished making his security system.
There were all kinds of devices laid about and strewn about over the walls, the doors, and the windows. There were sensors and the like. All the data was being transmitted in real-time directly inside Artemis' mind.
Alice had already made herself comfortable on the bed. She was tucked in under the thick blanket, she was already snoozing. Artemis walked up to her and sat beside the bed.
"Her hair has indeed turned a bit white, still pink as ever, her skin is fairer than before." Artemis then grabbed her hair with gentleness.
"Wait" He felt a weird surge of energy from her hair.
"Scan" He began to scan her.
[Properties
M1: Extremely High
End Scan]
"You are indeed a gifted one, don't worry little one, I will protect you, we will protect you. That is until you are of no use to me." Artemis smiled, his true intentions leaked. But a part of him wanted to believe that it was just a lie, maybe.
It was time for her to contact Caitlyn.
It seemed like his journey was going to take an unexpected turn.
...
...
...
...
...
"ARTEMIS!"
"Don't be loud, you're too obnoxious"
"I have be-"
"Let me cut to the chase."
"Uhm, okay"
"With my estimations, have you seized the port cities of the Theocracy?"
"We have taken control of most of the port cities, the army is moving swiftly around the mountains and whatever resistance they could muster has been crushed. It's only a matter of time before we reach the capital."
"Good, I am executing Order 55. This is a direct order from Artemis. All available Enginner Drones are to construct Project: Marauder, It should be 20,000 feet in length, 30 stories tall maximum. It should be a multi-purpose warship that can house aircraft and deploy them, it should bear the latest guns that can be equipped into it and should be able to house 50,000 of our soldiers"
"W-what! That is absurd! Why?"
"I will need a grand entrance, I will explain everything in detail. But first, RELAY MY MESSAGE ALREADY"
"Y-yes"
After half an hour of explanation, Artemis and Caitlyn ended their communication. Though it was unlikely that someone would be snooping on their communications, Artemis wanted to be sure.
And so, he then stood from the bed and walked to the middle of the massive room.
There, he waited.
He stood guard, he was distrustful of the people around them. Alice possessed far too much power to be left alone, someone was eventually going to hear about it and attempt to kidnap her for their own uses.
Artemis was right.
The motion sensors began to scream out in his head. Multiple entities were jumping over the roofs and scattering the streets, they were taking out the guards and the patrols silently under the cover of the night. They were not just some thugs, this was an organized and well-directed attack. The queen's guard was stationed at the door, and then the figures came.
Artemis watched as a battle unfolded beyond the confines of the room. Swords were swung and he could see the Queen's Guard holding their ground, but for how long? Then, magic was used. Artemis assumed that some dark elemental magic was thrown at the Queen's Guard.
The attack seemed to go awry as the alarm was finally sounded. But they were not backing down.
Then, the ceiling above them exploded and down with the rubble came one of the attackers. his physique was not a human.
It had white hair.
White mask.
Pale skin.
Dark eyes and blue irises.
And two large horns on his head.
His face was exposed for Artemis to see. Judging by his body and figure, he might be either in his 20s to 30s. He wore a dark trench coat and has a terrifying aura that sends fear among the people except for Artemis.
"I'm sorry, but you have to be annihilated," He said as he smiled under the mask.
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Hey guys, unfortunately, the adventure of Alice in a magic academy will be in the next volume of this story.
And I need help of making a second volume of this story after I finish writing this first volume.
In the second book will have two protagonists, you know who: Artemis and Alice.
But I need to finish this story first then create my own discord account then start to write the second volume but my editor will be leaving me after he finish editing the first volume so I have to hired a new editor.
I'll download and create my own discord later, if you love my book, go and join my discord unless I inform y'all that I have one now.