The Systemic Lands (Dark Progressive LITRPG)

Amy

"Good morning mam," a soldier greeted me as I left the room, I was staying in. He gave me a head nod, and I wasn't sure what to do back. I still didn't really know what was going on. I had been transported somewhere, and my son was supposedly in charge.

"Um, hello, good morning. Where is breakfast?" I asked.

"Breakfast will be brought here," the soldier said.

"Where is Captain Mary, she promised to answer questions?" I demanded since I was feeling more like a prisoner and less like a guest.

"She will be up shortly. It is quite early in the morning. You are welcome to wait out here with me," the soldier kindly offered. I gave the man a questioning look. "You aren't allowed to leave these guest apartments. You can speak to the Captain or the Sargent about that. As for breakfast, everything is planned to a schedule at the moment. You are up quite early."

"Well why don't you tell me what is going on?" I asked and he looked nervous.

"Mam, I am just a soldier. You being here, is way above my paygrade. That is why it is better the captain answer your questions instead of me," he replied.

"Well, she isn't here, and you are. What is your name?" I demanded.

"My name is Abdul, mam," he replied.

"Amy. Now, Abdul. My son is supposedly important around here and there is some kind of Almighty System that brought me here. I am confused, can you explain things for me?" I asked and stared at him. He was incredibly nervous.

"Mam," he began to say but I cut him off.

"It is Amy, now what is going on?" I demanded. I wanted clear answers.

"Amy, mam, my orders are to make sure you are comfortable and remain in this apartment suite until my superiors come here," Abdul replied.

"Well, I am not comfortable. I am a prisoner," I pointed out. "It is a very nice prison, but I am still a prisoner."

"You are here for your safety. Right now, things are quite tense with both Supreme Governor Clarissa and Emperor Michael not in the city," he replied.

"Now we are getting somewhere. So, my son is this, Emperor? How did that happen?" I asked. Abdul looked like he wanted to run away. "Its okay, you won't get into trouble."

"Amy, mam, I appreciate that sentiment, but I would rather not say anything that would get me into trouble in any way," he replied.

"It will just be between us. Otherwise, I will make a fuss and try to leave to get answers," I countered. "Now can I get some more information about this Emperor, I am related to apparently?"

Abdul let out a defeated sigh. "Emperor Michael came to power around day 1,000. Currently it is day 5,251. This was before my time, but the general sentiment is that he crushed the tyrannical Dragon Empire and killed the Divine Empress in single combat. Once that occurred, the Empire of Purgatory officially came to be under the stewardship of Supreme Governor Clarissa and Emperor Michael until the present day," Abdul explained.

"Divine Empress? People are killing each other?" I asked in surprise. Was my child a murderer?

"Death is common. Justice is brutally swift. And the monsters outside the walls are uncaring. Right now things are a bit tense since several cities were lost due to some super monster that the Emperor had to go out and defeat." There was a lot to try and process.

"So, this place is a monarchy?" I asked trying to understand the government.

"Kind of. The emperor is at the top, but there are governors who manage the cities on his behalf. The Supreme Governor controls the federal government, the military, and the bureaucracy," Abdul explained.

"But wouldn't this Supreme Governor Clarissa be in charge then?" I asked, confused on why there was an Emperor.

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"Emperor Michael is the Emperor, because he is the strongest. Current rumors place him at combat level 8, which is insane. Even the furthest grinders are only touching combat level 4. It is his undisputed strength that holds everything togeather. Since if people make trouble, they are dead," Abdul explained.

"Just killed, no trial or anything?" I asked in surprise.

"Justice is brutally swift. Unless you have a high combat level and can pay a fine, you are executed. But none of the high up people make a fuss, since they know better."

"And the people that showed up with me to this place?" I asked.

"Are off killing the level 1 monsters as shock therapy to this place and to get some initial spending crystals."

"And this Almighty System?" I asked.

"It is in charge of this place. The God of this world. It manages the store, and is always watching," Abdul explained.

"Even now?" I asked while looking around.

"Yes. But you would have to ask a priest from the Power Church if you want to get more in depth on the Almighty System." Abdul explained. Just as I was about to ask another question the door opened. Captain Mary entered and looked at both of us.

Abdul saluted her. "Captain, our guest has just woken up and asked for breakfast." She gave him a look and then turned towards me.

"It will be here shortly. Did you have a comfortable rest Amy?" Captain Mary asked.

"Yes. But I was hoping to get some answers about what is going on here," I replied.

"Let's sit then," she gestured at a table off to one side with a couple of chairs. We sat down. "What can I answer for you?"

"I am related to Emperor Michael?" I asked directly.

"Based on the questions you answered, yes. Until he returns, there is no further confirmation tests that we have," the Captain said.

"And when will that be?" I asked.

"No idea. An emergency recall can be issued, but that is only for the most extreme of circumstances. Due to the ongoing threats, he is off grinding and should not be disturbed unless the Empire itself is about to collapse," Captain Mary replied.

"So I will just be waiting here? Why can't I go out? Am I a prisoner?" I asked. She let out a sigh.

"It isn't that simple. You are being kept here for safety. While it might be preferable to keep you ignorant, three people have already been killed due to your arrival." I blanched at that statement.

"Why? How?" I asked in shock.

"Two people thought to spread rumors, which would only increase the threat. The third attempted to smuggle a bomb into the Imperial Palace. The level of terrorism has skyrocketed recently. People are claiming to be unhappy after the latest disaster. It doesn't help that Supreme Governor Clarissa has left the city as well."

"Terrorists," I muttered softly.

"Yes. If you leave, there is a high chance you will be the target of a skill. Without stats you would be slaughtered. If that happens and you are Emperor Michael's mother, we would all be executed for failing to protect you," Captain Mary explained.

"He wouldn't do something like that," I countered right away.

"It has been over a decade since you last saw him. And this place is harsh. Without Emperor Michael's determination to defeat all threats, we would be enslaved under the Divine Empress or worse. I need your cooperation to keep you alive," Captain Mary said.

Captain Mary

I looked at the middle-aged woman in front of me. She didn't seem special and a bit naïve, but I couldn't allow her to stub a toe. While the risks were high, they weren't at nuclear level just yet.

"I will stay here," she said quietly, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"If you need anything, let us know. There aren't very many comforts, and you just got a restoration. So, we can get another one in a week or so. Beyond that, all we can do is wait," I replied.

"Wouldn't terrorists and bombs be enough to call Michael back?" she asked, and I winced at her not using his title.

"Emperor Michael will not be recalled unless it is an emergency of the highest order. This is the current directive issued in regards to communication with him. While your arrival comes close, his personal guard stationed here decided not to reach out. It is not just your safety but the safety of everyone else that depends on his strength," I explained.

"What is he doing exactly?" Amy asked.

"Grinding. Sorry, that is the common term for fighting monsters for points," I explained. I then continued to answer questions as breakfast was brought to the apartment suite by one of my soldiers. I had no idea what was going on with the city or the government exactly, but I knew I had to keep this woman safe.

It was clear she would be a massive weak spot in regards to Emperor Michael. Anyone wanting to hurt him, would go after her. She would be a magnet for all the crazies out there that just wanted to cause trouble. They couldn't hurt him, and Clarissa was way too protected.

While Michael's team might be targeted, they were strong enough to defend themselves. Amy here was a base level human with no special skills or abilities. She had no combat experience either. And who would be willing to risk the Emperor's mother to show her the ropes? Making things perfectly safe would defeat the purpose of fighting monsters and understanding the threat they posed.

The Emperor could easily toss her a billion points to get her stats, but that would just increase her durability. She wouldn't have the instincts needed to avoid being hit. I had brought this up to Sargent Paulski, but had been rejected. The Emperor's tax revenue could not be touched and her identity was still in limbo. Until Emperor Michael claimed this woman as a relative, there was nothing more that could be done.

If anyone was going to strike, now would be the time when things were chaotic. That was why I was willing to answer questions to put her at ease, so she didn't do something stupid like try and run off.