Chapter 48: Growing threat
When Leo saw everyone kneeling in front of him, his brow started twitching. Even Luna, was bending her front legs to match how everyone else looked at that moment. When Natalie and Jack did so as well, he started to get a little mad. At this moment, the only ones not kneeling were him, Iris and elder grandma. He shot a glare at her and said,
"What. The. Hell. Is. Happening?" Elder grandma didn't even react to Leo's words. It appeared that she expected him to not take this well.
"We, are doing what we can do for our potential future. I planned to do things differently, but time is apparently against us. In summary, this is the best way for us to help you in your upcoming battles. With your pack ability, the best way to become powerful is to have a lot of followers, or to rule a nation. Before you start getting mad though, you should listen to what Thomas has to say."
Leo froze at her words. He had considered how to make use of his ability, but being a ruler wasn't something he thought of. He turned to Thomas expecting an answer. Thomas had left for a nearby town weeks ago, and was due back before the wedding. Something delayed him however and he apparently returned while he and Iris were "enjoying" each other's company. He raised his head, and started talking.
"While I was in town, I heard some news that might threaten all of us. The human kingdoms are going to start a purge. All non humans, all mutants, will either be enslaved, or killed. I don't know what triggered them to start it now, but I heard the possibility that Arthur started it. Then I heard the most terrifying bit, the neighboring kingdom is going to send people to investigate the rumors about a mutant village in the mountains. They're coming for us."
When Leo heard the news from Thomas, he felt as if a weight had dropped into his stomach. Iris paled when she heard about it as well. Leo was trying to figure out what they needed to do, when he recalled the previous discussion as well. How did him being some kind of King relate to the future purge? As if reading his mind, elder grandma started to explain.
"This news is indeed disturbing, and it couldn't come at a worse time to boot. According to Thomas, it's not expected that they'll start moving right away, a few years at least, a decade at most. But as a small village, chances are they'll come for us first to get us out of the way. They need a leader now more than ever. I doubt I'll be around that long to be of any use." Leo was thinking after hearing her words, but the last part caught his attention, as with the rest of the village and Iris.
"What do you mean you won't be around that long? Aren't you immortal?" Leo asked her. According to what she told them, Venus cursed her to not be able to die as punishment for losing her husband.
"That's not what I said, my life was merely extended, not eternal. As long as I live, Venus won't be able to take another champion. After a thousand years, I finally started to feel my powers start to weaken a couple years ago, I doubt I'll last another decade. Before I longed for this, but now I worry about the future of those here. If I leave, then I'll need someone who can keep them safe, and Leo you proved that I can trust you with that." Leo was even more confused, what did he do to deserve this trust she placed in him. Before he could voice his confusion however, Natalie spoke up.
"Leo, you may not realize it, but you definitely have the qualities to rule. What we would struggle to do, you do with ease. When we were in trouble you protected us. Time and time again you have rendered us in awe of your capabilities. I for one, don't doubt that you can step up the plate to be a ruler."
Leo tried to come up with excuses as for why he wasn't a good choice, but for every excuse he had, they had an argument to counter it. They went back and forth for a while, before he eventually told them that he had to think on it. No one blamed him of course though, it wasn't everyday you get asked to start a new kingdom.
***
Artemis stood watching the events through Leo's eyes, and started to get interested. A war between the different races, and her champion throwing himself right into the middle of all of it. He certainly was keeping her entertained. She was concerned about one thing though, can he kill a human? She wanted him to recruit people due to the blessings he gave him, but she also knew that he would have to kill as well. Looking through his memories, she didn't see a person who could kill, but he had also changed ever since coming to this world as well.
Artemis decided on a final exam so to say for her champion. She moved her observation from Leo, to one of the nearby towns and looked for a certain person. After a while she found the local captain of the guard of that kingdoms general northern area. She sent out as much power as she could, and whispered to the man,
"Go north, and find the mutants." The man twitched and looked around thinking he was hearing things. He then turned his attention to the rumors going around town recently about a hidden mutant settlement. The news of the future purge had swept through the entire kingdom, and captain Marshal wanted to make some achievements for himself. He thought that if he led an expedition to the north, and rooted out these mutants in hiding, he might get to advance in rank. He quickly sent out the order to gather two hundred men, and prepare for an expedition into the north within the month.
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