Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1086 - 1085 - Slipping Away

On the main road west were many wagons and groups traveling to their next destination. Among them was a simple covered wagon with normal horses pulling it. The wood was well worn and many patches on the cover spoke of how cheap it was.

The old man at the World Realm also confirmed it was not worth bothering so any devious groups let it pass by unremarked.

If they had been able to glimpse inside, however, they would have been shocked at how big it was!

Space had been inverted and a rather comfy home was fit inside the wagon!

There were at least a dozen rooms, kitchen, and production facilities to satisfy any Immortal!

Lind was regaling a baby demoness with stories about a swordsman named Solon who was always up to mischief when not fulfilling missions. The laughter as the tiny hands grasped at his face was so adorable that many would have their hearts melt to see it.

Ranger was smiling warmly as he was preparing his daughter's meal. Chu was jealous as she wanted her own child from him but Jur was sitting at his feet looking content as she slept.

Nana with Lan and Bori were studying jade slips as they tried to comprehend the lessons Lind had taught them.

Oz was driving the wagon but their small group was too conspicuous to simply use a gateway or even march out of the city. Duke Petryn had allowed him to leave easily but it would only buy some time.

Teegan was preparing to lay her egg but it was far from the time her child would be born. He had advised her to return to her city until the child was born and their wedding would be delayed as well.

It worked out since Petryn would not be free until at least next year. By then, their child would be born.

"You are a good father, Master." Ranger's words were like thunder. Chu smiled in a way predator's do to their prey. Nana fell over while the tiger brothers looked around like something dangerous was nearby.

"I was not so good at the start. I let a heart demon nearly consume me before." Lind dropped that bomb and it did its job. All were looking at him confused. He felt content for the first time in a long while and also that it was time.

[Oz, I will relay what I am saying here but do not react too much, all right?] The old man nodded and Lind relayed his true history to the people around him.

Chu started mumbling his name for some reason but the others were shocked to learn who and what he was. He also spoke about his suspicions on the source of the Corruption but he had no idea of the method more than anyone else.

"So we are going west to try to find this source? How far west is it?" Lan spoke up but Lind could only shrug.

"I have a good starting point but knowing the Fiends, they have hidden it well. Unlike what I faced in the 1st layer, secrecy was at the top of their list here even when it was unleashed. The bloodline array was the perfect distraction and weakening all at once in that sense." Grim looks passed over their faces.

The cooing of the baby brought them back and Ranger took her in his arms to feed her. The bottle was something none of them had ever seen before but Lind had made it easily. He was sure others existed or something similar but he just made all they would need.

As for the milk, that took some of his skill as an elixir master to make something safe for the baby that would also be nutritious. They simply did not have a wet nurse that was compatible.

Chu, theoretically, could be one but her power exceeded the baby by too much to be safe.

It was something he had never considered but a wet nurse for a mortal baby had to be a mortal or Body Refining Realm at most. Anything higher could actually harm a baby.

The smooth ride went on for days where Lind answered many questions. Ranger took Oz's place when the man had to sleep but the baby was well cared for by all. Chu, especially, took great care and told Jur about how she was that small when she was born.

Jur had blushed but the touching moment warmed Lind's heart.

It was only after they were weeks out from the city that they finally crossed the Fionan Empire's border. He looked back and tried to sense Delenn but she was far beyond his range it seemed.

He could only wish her well and focus on his task at hand. Given what Petryn told him, it was not impossible they would meet up in the future.

He found it unlikely the Fiends targeted her in particular but petty people would use what they were given to achieve even their selfish goals. If it ruined the Fiend's plans, there were always more fools to recruit later.

It was only a little down the road that he found something disappointing.

It was a crossroads but there was a dispute going on.

"Get your tents out of our camping spot! Everyone knows you can't hog the whole space!" A man with rough woolen clothes was shouting at a man in leather armor. Both were in the World Realm but Lind sensed Sky Realms made up their respective groups.

They were nothing to him but he did not want a hassle. The odd thing was the sun was still well in the sky. Why were they fighting over a camping spot so early in the day?

"They both must be heading to the north. The next rest spot is too far and there are some wee beasties ready to eat the foolish wandering at night." Oz read his mind it seemed but Lind could only sigh.

It meant they too should camp the night but the spot clear by the roads was taken up inordinately by several well patched tents spread far apart.

A wagon could easily pass between them! He estimated the 2 groups could easily share the space but neither seemed to want to bend.

"Any suggestions for not starting a fight?" Lind asked the old criminal but he laughed and shook his head.

"Not a chance. Look." He pointed to the westward road and saw more groups coming up with dark looks. Lind sighed and expanded his aura carefully. There was a rest spot in range on the westward road he wanted but he had to get by the groups coming at them.

For some reason, they were blocking the whole road!

"The spirits want you to be involved, it seems, Master!" Oz was far too amused by the turn of events but they pulled to the side before getting close. If they could simply pass by, even he knew it would be best.

As if the motion cursed them, the fighting groups looked at them for some reason!

"EH! Move on! We already claimed this spot!" The worn out man was shouting like he already won the space but the armored man looked like he was in complete agreement.

Lind was about to sigh when his eyes narrowed. The Sky Realms were moving in a strange way in both groups! They were moving towards the group coming down the western road!

"It's a trap." His words were quiet but Oz felt a headache as he grasped his forehead.

The argument was staged to buy time and discourage others from staying too long.

Lind just wanted to travel in peace until the next city but it seemed it was not to be.

"Whose side should we be on?" Oz's question was honest but Lind had no idea. It could not be bandits as their skills were too good. He saw them smoothly move in concert without any obvious contact. The set up was highly skilled and even the acting of the 2 men was above average.

Lind had no idea they were one group until he detected the movement of the Sky Realms.

He scanned the incoming group deeply but only noticed a carriage at the center being protected. There were at least 100 soldiers with it but he felt like their realms were weak.

"Chu, did Teegan mention anyone coming to see her or Petryn by road?" She spent far more time with Teegan than the rest of them so she might know but she shook her head.

"We mostly talked about you and your time in Kun City." He could believe that. She had practically grilled him about his wives after he revealed all his history.

Lind could not be sure but the rebuilt Crescent City was drawing more traffic. It was not impossible a neighboring power had sent someone of importance but lacked their own gateway to shorten the journey.

He tried to find an emblem but there was no time as shouts went up.

""Death to the royal family! Kill them all!""

The chorus was unleashed and the 2 men sighed before looking at their wagon with sadness.

"Nothing personal, but we can't have witnesses." That action decided things for Lind.

"Oz, I am going out. Just stay at the reins." The old man chuckled as he stroked his white beard.

"Try not to be too harsh on them. They are just playing the great game of politics it seems." Oz pulled out a pipe and lit it as he seemed to be about to enjoy a good show.

Lind rolled his eyes as he hopped out of the cart.

He would make this quick.