From Mimic to World's strongest daughter

Chapter 29

Y/n's POV

After saving the Haulia, Papa landed the ship before we talked with the members. Par, Lana, Nea, Mina, Yao, and Yor told us about how Cam, Shea's father, had gone to the Hoelscher Empire to fight to get some beastmen back after they were attacked. The party in front of us were headed there to find out what was going on in the Empire. Shea seemed worried about her father, but wouldn't admit it. Papa scolded Shea for hiding her true feelings before she admitted she was worried. Papa smiled before nodding and suggesting that we go to the empire. 

A few hours after traveling towards the Empire, we arrived and landed outside the Empire's capital, heading into it on foot. It was loud and smelled awful. There were young beastmen of various species in cages with people selling them. "Even after all the terrible things I heard about it. The Empire is somehow even worse in person." Shea complained.

"Well, it is a nation built my mercenaries." Tio commented. Papa stopped suddenly as I bumped into him before looking up at him. He was looking at the Colosseum, which was partially destroyed. "Looks like damage from the demon attack. Guess they got hit pretty hard," Papa said. As we were looking at the Colosseum, a young boy with what appeared to be dog ears was carrying some stone before tripping and falling. He looked weakly up as a man in armor walked over to him. The guard had a baton, which he was showing off by hitting the palm of his hand gently. He raised it before Kouki spoke up. "Hey! Stop it!" Kouki shouted. Papa flicked a rock at the man, hitting the baton from his hand. "You're welcome to faceplant into a steaming pile of trouble, but I don't want you dragging us into it along with you." Papa said. Kouki growled as he turned to face Papa. "How can you care so much about Shea but still ignore what those beastmen are going through?" Kouki asked.

"Stop asking stupid questions. Of course, Shea means more to me than other beastmen." Papa said. Shea gasped as she looked at Papa, her cheeks turning red. "Let's get to work gathering intel." Papa said. He turned and started walking away while I followed behind him. We started gathering intel on the Haulia tribe members who were taken. Papa and I were in a tavern taking out the strongest there to gather intel fast. As the sun was setting, Papa and I found Mama and the others before talking about what we found out. "Cam and his team went on a rampage. Guessing they wanted to be seen." I said.

"I agree. Everyone on the street had something to say about my tribe." Shea added.

"Story goes, they got arrested and hauled into the castle, but we need to know for sure. Yue and I will find out where they're detained." Papa said.

"Aww...." I complained.

"Just the two of you? Shouldn't we all go together? Is this some ploy for you two to sneak off and get intimate?" Shea asked. Kaori freaked out upon hearing what Shea had to say before asking if it was true. Everyone jumped to the same conclusion as I started laughing about how they were treating Papa and Mama. "What do you all think I am? We're in the middle of a rescue mission." Papa said. Mama tugged on his coat sleeve before asking where they were doing it. I was a little confused, but figured it was something to do with them training at night, or at least that's what I was told. "Alright, that's enough, you idiots. You're staying behind because we might have to do some torturing to get the info we want. There's no way you four can stomach that." Papa pointed out, looking at the four of his classmates.

"Does that mean I can come?" I asked.

"No, you need to stay and help keep everyone safe. We'll see everyone later." Papa said. Hours later they came back, and we headed to a little tavern to get some food. Mama was glowing like she always did after drinking Papa's blood. Everyone questioned whether or not they did their night training while alone. Papa explained the plan, which was Papa, Yue and Shea breaking into the place that Cam and the others were being held. "Hey, I was thinking." Kouki said.

"I know it's a bit late to ask, but it's the emperor holding Shea's tribe captive? Couldn't we just make a request to have them released? Lily's already in the castle with him, and I am the hero. Maybe we can talk to him." Kouki suggested.

"Cam and the others entered the empire illegally and killed a bunch of the soldiers here. There's no way a polite request is going to get them out." I explained.

"It could also put a damper on the princess' diplomatic work. Do you want to take that risk?" Papa asked.

"I'm not going to cause trouble for Lily," Kouki said. He was looking at the ground, clearly disappointed by the news. "Hey, Amanogawa. I need to ask you to do something for me." Papa said.

"Wait, you're asking me for help?" Kouki asked.

"Well, no. Forget what I said. It's too dangerous. I can't ask you to do it," Papa said, telling Kouki to forget about it.

"Hey no, don't do that. At least tell me what it is," Kouki said. Papa explained he needed Kouki to cause a commotion that would distract the guards. Kouki agreed as Papa thanked him while I giggled quietly to myself about how easy it was to trick Kouki. Papa made some masks, but they looked a little weird before he gave each of them a certain color. Shizuku complained about getting the pink mask and shouted about how Papa was doing this on purpose while Mama, Shea, Tio and I laughed behind him. Shizuku complained about how Kaori telling Papa about how she secretly liked cute things before everyone commented on things that she did. She tried to play it cool and called it an awful color before taking the helmet. Shea stood next to her before offering to let her touch her ears. That seemed to convince Shizuku to use the helmet.