Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1090 - 1089 - Unable to Pass By

As their wagon passed farther west, they finally learned why the road was so deserted.

A count of the Kingdom of Rubyfire was found to be plotting rebellion. It had been a border territory directly on their road west. The Kingdom was only barely a higher power, even Lind knew of it from his learning sessions with Delenn and later the Golden Vermillion Inn.

It had once been a better place but like no doubt many powers, the bloodline array had hidden how gutted they were becoming. During his time in the war towers, Lind had become apprised of how appalling many places were.

Supreme powers fared better but only due to the large foundations they possessed. They still suffered as entire generations were lost in meaningless battles.

The sect wars had also apparently spread for other reasons as well, not just the Divine Ruin he encountered. He had no idea how horrific the loss of life was but the post cleanup was likely to take centuries if not millenia.

The road transitioned from packed dirt lined by forests to farmlands and a kind of sand stone. A guard tower with fairly young looking men and women was going over any arrivals.

There were no departures but it was not solely due to the King's forces swooping in. It seemed the former count had treated his subjects like tools. Cattle got better food than the people!

The fields were not in great shape and he noticed both Lan and Bori were looking forlornly as they saw the broken people.

"Oz, see if we can set up a camp. I need to change my appearance." The old man looked irritated but did not argue. He saw hints of disapproval on Chu and Nana'a faces as well but Jur, Lan, and Bori all looked at him warmly.

Ranger made no comment but Katerina cooed suddenly and made everyone wonder if she understood what he was doing!

The soldiers had no problem with them finding a place to camp as it was near the end of the day but they seemed irritated that they asked to set up a stall.

"Are you trying to scam the people?" The very young man in front of them could not even grow a beard but seemed to be trying to impress Oz with his authority.

"My master is a father and his weakness for suffering children is long known to me. He will do nothing to harm the people, I promise you that!" Oz showed his frustration at the start but then glanced at a little boy in rags barely moving against the stone wall. He pointed but the guards ignored his gesture.

"I will need all goods inspected for a month before they can be sold!" The young man's blue eyes blazed with petty power as he sneered at Oz.

"I have no desire to sell anything, junior. Or are you going to tell me you know more about elixirs than I do?" A man with dirty blonde hair, dark green eyes and cream colored skin suddenly poked his head out of the covered wagon. His aura as an Immortal flared as he placed his Law Grade badge down on the remaining space of the seat.

The guard went pale as the others flinched.

"S–s–senior! We meant no disrespect but the people here suffered under the traitorous count! We cannot let them come to harm again!" Lind's eyes narrowed before he vanished from sight.

The guards jumped and then realized he was picking a little boy none had noticed.

"You are doing a fantastic job preventing that!" His harsh words were followed by a pale gold vial appearing in his hands and carefully dribbled into the child's mouth. A beat passed before color returned and his dark eyes blinked open vibrantly.

He then screamed in terror but Lind made shushing sounds as he calmed him down.

"It is all right. You were feeling both hungry and a twist in your stomach, right? Is that twist gone?" The boy froze before slowly nodding and Lind smiled warmly down at him. A clay container appeared with steam coming out of it.

The guards saw it was soup but they did not recognize the ingredients.

"This is a broth. Drink it slowly, like water. Cool it with your breath." The boy was set down and looked terrified but slowly did as he was told.

At first he winced due to the heat but then began to ravenously try to down the whole thing until Lind stopped him.

"Slowly. You will throw it up again if you go too fast." The boy slowed and tears began to flow down his face. Even the guards felt moved but Lind looked grim as he looked around him.

"As my retainer said, I am a father and while I am not a saint, I cannot pass by this or I will never be able to look in my childrens' eyes again." His dark green eyes made them all blink but then the lead guard nodded slowly.

They were given a pass and moved down the road with the little boy happily sitting next to Oz. The old man said not a word as his clothes and beard were tugged on. His eyes were not glistening and he would deny it if anyone asked!

"Husband, your appearance?" None had felt him use an Art yet his human form had shifted as if it was easy. Did he possess such an innate skill?

"Ah, this is what I used to look like. I can still use it but it takes concentration. No one has seen me like this since I broke through the World Realm entirely." It was one thing to hear about a dragon soul but to see the proof of it made it come home to them all.

Lind was still taller than he used to be but there was only so much compression he could do!

The wagon set itself up outside of the main city. The constricted streets would cause too many issues so Lind set up a rather large pavilion and a sign. It had both words and pictures for those that could not read.

The little boy practically sprinted home with a smile and came back with his weary parents carrying a little girl that was no better than skin and bones.

The instant Chu and Nana saw the other child, any regrets at stopping vanished. They hid their bestial natures with cloaks while Jur stayed with Ranger and Katerina in the wagon. They were also preparing things for Lind as he would have to concoct elixirs and broth on a large scale.

The night became bright with torches as the field hands limped back from their work to find the stall with children playing at such a late time!

Once they heard what was happening, some were suspicious but not a single payment had been asked for nor any exchange. It was mostly grade 1 to 3 elixirs so for an Immortal, it would be nothing.

Lind was infusing essences together for another batch of Recovery Elixirs when his eyes narrowed.

"Do not attack the person coming to see us. They are not to be trifled with." Chu and Nana both looked up in curiosity as they guarded the playing children. They had to work off the excess Qi in their bodies or they would never sleep anyway so Lind had built the play area after explaining that to their parents.

Many had already been carried off by grateful couples or mothers but some had just been healed by him. He glanced up the road as the city gate remained open.

A man with deep wrinkles was walking towards them from the dark but his body was built like an unbreakable wall. His movements were smooth and full of power. Chu's claws almost extended but then she became confused.

The man was only a Star Tier. Why was Lind so cautious?

The flicker of condensation drew some eyes but it had become commonplace at the stall so few watched as Lind filled up 6 vials. The deep crimson color was wonderful to look at but he quickly passed them to some adults waiting for them.

It was only then that he bowed low to the approaching man.

"I thank you for indulging my selfishness." Chu and Nana froze but Oz bowed as well. That spoke volumes to both women.

"Oh ho? You have sharp senses, senior. I am just curious if you are not coming inside the walls for a particular reason. The man had his gray hair tied back with a leather clasp but his robes were very fine. The jewel in flames spoke of him being an official since it was so large on his chest.

"The people were very descriptive of their savior and spoke highly of you Lord Gilgamesh." Chu did not recognize it but Oz spat out his drink as a coughing fit took him. The reaction was not missed but the man did not comment on it.

"Word reached me of a strange Immortal who demanded to aid the children at no charge. You can understand I am concerned but your respect heartens me." Lind bowed once more and summoned a more fashionable chair and placed it next to him.

The 2 men sat as Nana brought tea over. They watched as the pair seemed to talk about nothing but Chu felt like it was a battle. They were feeling each other out but why were they told to not attack such a weak man?

"If I may say, traveling with demons and beasts is an odd choice in these days. Not many mixed forces remain so happy together." Chu nearly leapt across the space but Lind's aura restrained her.

"Forgive my wife. She is overprotective." A look of surprise crossed the eyes the amethyst eyes for the first time. The man stood up and bowed low to her.

"I meant no disrespect. It was merely an observation." He was so earnest that all the tension drained from the pavilion as Lind began to giggle.

"How do you know about us?" It was not Gilgamesh that answered her but Lind. He pointed at the robes the man was wearing.

"A grade 7 artifact is just within his ability to use. It has several interesting effects. I find it fascinating but will not ask too much about it. I felt its aura wash over us earlier." Chu had not felt a thing!

"If I may, I have a few more patients to tend to and we can have a long chat. I find the road has been tiring and then my selfish impulse has put me to work as well." The man bowed and Lind returned to the line of people that were nervously waiting.

Chu noted Gilgamesh was carefully looking over Lind as he worked. She suddenly realized the danger of the man in front of her. If he had a grade 7 robe, what else might he have at grade 7?!

Lind's instincts had saved them all but she had no idea why he was so relaxed. Just what did he know that she had missed in the same time?!