Eye-Deku laughed happily as the family finally reached the Capital. The train went into a giant complex, and Eye-Deku saw trains on raised tracks and platforms. There were even hot-air balloons—and not just the little ones we know, but ones with house-sized blocks underneath, like those airships from steampunk novels.

  Roscoe put Eye-Deku in his stroller as they moved out. Eye-Deku peeked over the edge to see everything. And, ho boy, was there a lot to see. The train station itself was like Grand Central Station… all brightness, gold, holographic displays with train times, a lot of people, etc.

  They stopped by a luggage area. Unlike the small town, which had primitive conveyer belts, there were servants. Eye-Deku saw in terror that many of them had metallic neckbands.

  Slaves.

  Eye-Deku put this in the super disgusting shit with the Dolls.

  He checked the genders. Most of these here were male. Maybe females were converted into Dolls, while males were turned into more traditional slaves?

  Roscoe and Art ignored these, going for the depot for their car. A slave was unloading the luggage from a chute, but Roscoe and Art simply grabbed theirs. The slave looked shocked. He said, “Um… I don’t mind getting those for you?”

  Odd, he was actually eager to help. Maybe indentured servant who needed work?

  Roscoe said, “We’re fine. We didn’t pack a lot.”

  Art nodded, and the family walked off. Eye-Deku looked curiously at his parents. Was this a silent protest against slaves? Or did they truly not trust anyone in the Capital to handle their luggage?

  The family went down to the main area. Ticket booths as far as the eye could see, and… a strange amount of warrior-looking people. But none in traditional knight gear, or the uniforms Eye-Deku had seen his parents wear.

  Eye-Deku said, “Gah?”

  Roscoe said, “Oh, those are Adventurers. There weren’t really any in the town we lived in, but they are actually very, very important to the Kingdom.”

  This society had Adventurers?!?

  So there were things like Dungeons?!?

  Eye-Deku suddenly said, “Oooooo!”

  One must have overheard, because they turned. They smiled. “Awwww, just moved to the big city?”

  Roscoe said, “For Eye-Deku here.”

  He chuckled and ruffled Eye-Deku’s hair. Eye-Deku giggled and clapped. The Adventurer giggled. “Adorable.”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  The Adventurer looked surprised. “You are Knights?”

  Roscoe said, “Very low level.”

  He didn’t hide the bitterness in his voice. Art continued, “We only moved here so we can enroll Eye-Deku in the Academy. Otherwise, we’d have stayed in our tiny town.”

  The Adventurer nodded, smiling softly. “I got it. My parents did the same for me.”

  Someone said, “Coswick! Come on, we need to go before the train leaves!”

  Coswick waved at them. “Good luck, guys. Oh, uh… I think Kelly is waiting for you outside.”

  Roscoe and Art both stiffened. Eye-Deku blinked at them. Then mentally kicked himself. He missed someone. Oh well, they could take a trip in the Liminal Library tonight.

  Roscoe and Art headed outside. Eye-Deku was shocked to see a clearly trans Knight standing there. The guy stood tall, wrapped in metallic armor. He had his arms crossed, but had a perfect poker face.

  The guy who could only be Kelly walked over. He said, “Roscoe and Arthur Ford. And their new little one.”

  Eye-Deku wanted to snap out at this guy. Eat him, even! But to keep appearances, he forced a baby-face smile and said, “Hi hi!”

  Then threw a sinner he had been delaying into Level Fun.

  Roscoe said, “Captain.”

  Kelly said, “Actually, I am the Commander now. Which is why I need to speak to you.”

  Dare accuse my parents of my actions, and you will go straight to Fun!

  Art said, “Congratulations on your promotion, Commander.”

  Kelly nodded. He said, “…a bunch of our high-level Knights have gone missing 3 days ago. Including the former Commander. As such, we need more Guards for high-level positions. You two are extremely qualified.”

  Wait… so Kelly is trying to hire them?

  Roscoe crossed his arms. “What’s the catch?”

  Art nodded. “Agreed. After all, we were Captains once. Second to the Commander himself. And then Blackstone happened. And how everyone reacted… and we were punished for reporting the truth.”

  Kelly winced. He said, “Things should not have been taken that far.”

  Roscoe said, “Which you only say when you need help.”

  Kelly sighed. “Roscoe, Art…”

  Art said, “Kelly. We all went to the Academy together. You may not have agreed, and we know you weren’t in a position to say anything. But we know you would have followed orders. We had to scrape ourselves a living again, and Roscoe nearly died multiple times because we couldn’t afford the healing treatments for his medical conditions.”

  And thus, all the captured Knights and Commander were sent to Level Fun.

  Actually, no, change of plans, they were going to YOU TOO.

  Art said, “For what fucking reason?”

  Kelly sighed. “Please… this was years ago. There’s nothing that can be done.”

  Roscoe said, “That’s a fucking lie and you know it.”

  Roscoe patted Eye-Deku’s head. “The Knights cannot be trusted. This is the only reason why we remain Knights. Eye-Deku is to get enrolled in the Academy… but trust me, he will know what kind of bullshit you people get up to.”

  Kelly bowed his head. “…the offer to return to your previous positions is always open, Fords. I pray I can make an organization you can feel proud of again. And as a friend… I pray you can forgive the Goddess.”

  Kelly turned and walked off. Roscoe and Art glared after him.

  Roscoe then sighed. “So… how long would it be before Kelly executed us?”

  Art said, “The second the Goddess’s pets heard we were back in power. He is a more willing slave than the actual slaves.”

  Art sighed. “Let’s go get settled at our new home.”

  Eye-Deku looked at a nearby statue. Supposedly of the Goddess, but it was the most “St Mary with wings” statue ever. Seriously, it was like someone did a copy-paste, and only the lightest of editing in Photoshop.

  But still.

  It didn’t stop the hate inside Eye-Deku’s gut.

  Apparently this Goddess allowed some bullshit.

  Sadly, as a god himself, he did have to ask… was it truly her, or her followers?

  He would figure out the answer.

  And the world’s fate would depend on it.