( Yuuki's POV )
When I appeared in front of Chrodechild, there were several emotions on her face, surprise, relief, and a little anger that I was turning against Magedome for her, but for me that barely registered as an inconvenience.
Yuuki: I've come to escort you out of the palace, after you.
Chrodechild: ...You know you're becoming an enemy of the Magedome, right?
Yuuki: Not that I care.
Chrodechild: Why did you come for me?
Yuuki: Meruvis entrusted me with your care; I don't slack off on my responsibilities.
Chrodechild: *sigh* I suppose your mind is already made up, mine too I suppose; how did you get into the palace by the way.
Yuuki: you will see.
Chrodechild finally accepted my help, and as she took a few steps forward, I opened a dark portal beneath her, and when Chrodechild plunged into the shadows, I saw in her an expression of absolute surprise that she had never worn before.
I too plunged into the shadows and I saw Chrodechild spinning in the midst of infinite darkness trying to find solid ground, but in this place that I called the realm of shadows there was no solid ground, no gravity, no up or down, It was like being in space except that just by imagining that a floor existed you could stand up straight.
I grabbed Chrodechild's hand and she fell standing on the same platform that I imagined was beneath me.
Yuuki: You'll be fine, just imagine a floor beneath you and follow me.
I let go of Chrodechild's hand and she was able to stand; after a few seconds of hesitation, she successfully took a step forward, I started walking out of the palace and Chrodechild followed behind me.
We were walking in silence, but Chrodechild couldn't contain his curiosity about the realm of Shadows, above our heads was the constant reflection of the real world, so it was understandable that she was curious.
Chrodechild: What is this place?
Yuuki: I'm not entirely sure; what I know are assumptions based on Grimm's memoirs.
Chrodechild: Who is Grimm?
When she asked about Grimm, the shadowy hound leaped out of me and appeared beside Chrodechild, she was surprised at first, but she quickly realized that he wasn't going to hurt her.
As we made our way out of the city, I explained what I understood about this place.
This place I used to move around was like a tunnel of darkness, an underground space that mirrored the real world; I called it the level-zero darkness corridor, creatures like Grimm, who could enter the realm of shadows, could create these corridors just for themselves or those they allowed to enter.
There are other deep levels where creatures like Grimm are born and exist, Grimm was born in the second level of the realm of Shadows, but there were deeper levels with more dangerous creatures.
I was interested in exploring those deeper levels, and as I knew Grimm was one of the most powerful creatures of the second level, I reckon I should be safe a couple of levels down, but at the same time I'm very busy and there hasn't been a real need to do any more research.
When I finished that explanation we arrived at the outskirts of the city and there were Seig, the blades and the little princess Manaril being carried by Sif in her adult form.
Chrodechild: How do we get out of here?
Yuuki: Imagine you're swimming upwards or reach out your hands towards the reflection of the real world.
I began to ascend out of the realm of shadows and Chrodechild stretched her hand upwards as I instructed, I emerged from the shadows as if I had used an elevator, while Chrodechild put a hand out of the shadows and she propelled herself upwards as if she were emerging from a swimming pool.
Chrodechild's soldiers went to help her, and I approached Sif. I took a snack from my storage (a huge piece of cooked monster meat) and I threw that to Sif, she caught the food in mid-air.
Yuuki: Hey, you did a good job, good girl.
Seig: I should have known this wolf was related to you.
I was stroking Sif's head and the princess who was on top of her stared at me with wide eyes, maybe she was remembering the day I left Sif with her.
Yuuki: It seems both rescue missions went well; everyone's ready to leave.
Seig: Yes, we were waiting for you.
We officially left the city, but I couldn't shake the thought that things went too well.
???: I'm afraid I can't let you go any further than this.
When we entered the Mislato River area, I understood where that feeling came from; the forces of the Magedome were in front of us, leading them were Lady Shaira and a man in a white robe with gold decorations.
Although this was our first meeting, I knew he was the mage lord because he immediately began to speak as if he were the most intelligent person among us.
Mage lord: I am disappointed, very disappointed, Chrodechild. After all I did for you and your people, you repay me with continuous defeats and rebellion; and Stella Company, you showed so much promise and potential, it's not too late, you know. If you stop this reckless action, things will return to how they were before.
Yuuki: You can keep your pity to yourself, honestly, coming from someone with so many defeats under their belt, that means nothing to me; Hello there, friend, it's not a pleasure to finally meet you.
Chrodechild: Yuuki!!
I walked forward and spoke directly to the mage lord. Everyone was a little surprised by the zero respect I was projecting; after all, this guy was still an emperor.
The mage lord looked at me with a frown; the only thing he knew about me was what he had heard from the first empress, but now that we were face to face, he noticed that I wasn't a normal person, and he seemed to be choosing his words carefully.
Mage lord: Yuuki, I've heard amazing things about you, it's a shame we're meeting under these circumstances.
Yuuki: Truly, none of this should have happened.
Mage lord: That's right, the enemy is the order, and to confront the might of the order you need us.
Yuuki: I think you have the wrong idea about who needs whom, let's not waste time here, you're right about something, the order is the enemy and we will continue fighting against them, but we will not be pawns for you to play with, we'll split here, don't even think about pointing your weapons at us and everything will be fine.
Mage lord: ...And if I refuse.
I said what I had to say, so now I resorted to action. I used my second Ki Burst, and without wasting any time, I used three more Ki Bursts, a small crater was created beneath my feet, and as the Ki currents circulated around me, I could easily hear them cutting through the air.
I gathered my power around my arm and threw a fist to my side, which launched a wave of energy that permanently altered the terrain of the Mislato River, those who were on the side of the Mage Lord were speechless at how easily I accomplished that feat.
Yuuki: Then next time I'll aim at your palace, at you personally. I don't want it to come to that, so don't force my hand.