Survival to Godhood 97 Branded a Traitor

"Welcome back, Dark Knight," said a troop of sailors saluting Paulus as he got out of the airship followed by a few sailors that returned with him.

Climbing out of the ship with some gear, Aarav asked, "Am I not a knight also?"

The troop straightened up and saluted Aarav too. "Our apologies Sir. Welcome back, Aqua Knight."

Aarav smiled at the welcoming party. Paulus just looked back and chuckled. Then a woman came over and hugged Paulus.

"Welcome back, brother."

"Nice to see you too, sister," replied Paulus.

Seeing the two knights hug one of the sailors whispered. "The Sun Knight is so beautiful." The sailor next to him agreed and nodded.

"Paulus, we found an ancient site that might give us some artifacts and new cultivation techniques," Martta said while smiling.

"We can talk about this later. We need to report to the fleet admiral first." When Paulus finished talking, he waved Aarav to follow him to the bridge.

Walking into the bridge, Paulus saw an old man with blonde hair and a grey beard. His wrinkles were showing his age and wisdom. This man was the fleet admiral.

"Welcome back Dark Knight and Aqua Knight," said the old man sitting down.

Standing next to him was one no one would not know. It was Reiner the Blood Knight. The aura around Reiner told Paulus that he broke through another level again.

"We apologize for not reporting in sooner, Sir," Paulus replied as he saluted with his arm across his chest.

"Relax, Paulus. Please brief me on everything and start from when you left." Nightingale said with a hint of worry. He apparently wanted to know where Lucy was, but he needed the full story.

Paulus paused for a second and then started from the beginning.

"We left for the neutral city, Lankani City, to find Panthera Knight's whereabouts. As soon as we got there, we ran into some beastmen who were associated with Leo."

When they heard beastmen, everyone made faces. Most people on the ship detested other races and disliked that Lankani City allowed all the races to mingle.

"One of them explained how Leo went to old North America to assist in this beastmen civil war. In the end, Leo was wounded. We traveled with a beastman companion to retrieve him."

"You traveled with a beastman?" Reiner asked.

"We can ask questions once he is done," Nightingale said as he motioned Reiner to calm down. "Please continue."

"Once we got to the battlefield, we found traces of Leo. The beastman and Lucy followed this trail as me, and Aqua Knight responded to Thunder Knight's distress call."

Hearing about Hiro's distress call and the vessel, Nightingale and Reiner perked up.

"When we arrived, things got out of control, and the winged humans saved us. They brought us to their country in the north to an earthling outpost they're protecting. There they are training us humans in cultivation techniques they have. Thunder Knight and few sailors stayed there to train."

The fleet admiral sat there trying to digest all this new information. "Alright, you two can retire for now and rest."

Paulus and Aarav nodded and agreed. The exited the bridge to return to their quarters.

Nightingale looked over to his brother and asked, "What do you think of all of this?"

Reiner paused to look down and responded, "I think we should send a rescue team for Lucy, a reconnaissance team for Hiro, and I think we should banish Panthera Knight."

The fleet admiral took Reiner suggestion very seriously. Lucy had been gone too long to look for this boy. Now she was lost somewhere with a beastman. Hiro lost the new battleship and decided not to return. Panthera Knight, Leonardo, chose to go AWOL, absent without leave. He even assisted in another race's war. Because of him, the Renegades wasted time and resources.

"Yes, Panthera Knight is no longer welcomed here. Put out the order, all personnel will treat Leonardo as a traitor and will be detained on sight."

"Yes, Misha. I will relay the order."

As Reiner walked out, Nightingale asked himself if he was doing the right thing. He knew he couldn't be soft and just because his daughter had a crush on him, he couldn't let him do his own thing.

The next morning all the knights not on mission arrived in the training room for a briefing.

Of course, Aarav, Paulus, and Martta were there. The other members of the Zodiac Team were also here. Dragon Knight, Rat Knight, Ox Knight, and Rooster Knight. These four were all Chinese warriors who joined the Renegades together.

Dragon Knight, also known as Tai Sun, the fire cultivator who survived in a bandit brigade until he ran into the other three. He is average build with short black hair.

Ox Knight is the large built Chinese man with brown hair. He cultivates in earth mana and focuses on hand to hand combat. His name is Du Yi.

Rooster Knight is a warrior that focuses on soul attack. A traveling monk raised this bald Chinese man until he lost the monk in a raid. The orphan Du Yi saved him. His name is Zi Xin.

The last one is a woman who Zi Xin and Du Yi saved. She goes by the name Rat Knight for her movement technique. She utilizes wind and metal techniques. Her name is Ka Ling.

Reiner spoke up first. "I gathered everyone here to give Team Blood and Team Zodiac their next mission."

Silence swept over the crowd. All of them looked serious.

"Team Blood, we will retrieve Hiro and our missing sailors. Any that stay behind will be treated as traitors."

"Yes, Sir." All three members responded.

Reiner took a breath and then said, "Team Zodiac, you will find Lucy. Also, if you find any beastman or Panthera Knight, you will detain or eliminate them."

"What? Isn't Leo one of us?" Aarav questioned.

"Captain, why?" Paulus asked.

"Don't question my orders!" Reiner barked.

"Sir, we accept our mission." Dragon Knight responded.

Paulus and Aarav were upset, but neither one spoke out anymore. Team Zodiac left leaving only Team Blood in the room.

"I don't like this one bit." Aarav stomped out of the room.

"Paulus, why are defending this guy? We barely worked with him." Martta wondered.

"Through the people that surround him, I respect Panthera Knight."

Reiner didn't want to hear any more of this and left the brother and sister alone. Walking into the hallways, he saw Aarav headed in the opposite direction of the cabin.

Walking into the brig, Aarav waved the guards away. Aarav stood in front of a tired and exhausted draconian. "I need to have a word with you, Itmon."

Chapter end