Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1094 - 1093 - Countess

Lind was helping load some feed for the beasts when his eyes narrowed. He wiped the dirt and hay from his hands as he dusted off his gray robes.

"I have an unexpected appointment. Don't be too unruly for the farmers." He was only surrounded by horses who all bowed at his words. They had been a bit rambunctious lately. He patted some of them on his way out of the wagons and fields.

He saw a carriage with the symbol of a red jewel in flames on the side. The black stained wood made it stand out but so did the beasts pulling it.

They had a single horn on their heads while being covered in scales. He saw them look at him in fear but he smiled warmly at them.

[You have nothing to fear from me little ones.] One was a deep azure but sparked with lighting while the other was a gorgeous mix of tan shades. Earth and lightning just as Gilgamesh said.

He let them sniff at his hands as he reassured them in their minds.

"For a rogue, you are quite capable. They never warm up to strangers like that." A man in armor was standing to the side of the carriage but he had only walked up as Lind was entertaining the 2 qilin.

"I have always liked animals and even the beasts I had to hunt have my respect. I was not always so strong and underestimating even a rabbit can get you killed." The man nodded at his words but Lind could tell he looked down on him.

A bit arrogant for a Sky Realm.

"I have heard there is a noble Immortal nearby. His pavilion was empty, do you know where he is?" Lind had to suppress a laugh as it was clear the man had no idea he had found his Immortal.

Chu and the others did not suppress their aura but he did out of habit. It was overbearing to most and he found no need to flaunt it unless needed. Gilgamesh only noticed randomly one day.

"He wanders a bit but generally meets with Lord Gilgamesh for tea or dinner I hear." It was total truth. He enjoyed talking to the man. He genuinely cared for the people and extolled his king along the same vein.

"Hilbert, stop being rude. We will need to form good relations with the people here." A woman's voice came from the carriage that surprised him. Not for being a woman but that she was not lying at all!

He saw irritation flare in the dark brown eyes of the man but he suppressed it as he smoothed out his black robes.

"Forgive my rudeness, wanderer. Thank you for the information." Lind bowed and backed off as he hopped back onto the carriage and a coachman took over to drive it into the city.

An inspection perhaps? He watched it go as he checked and confirmed there were 7 more pairs of qilin arriving soon. It seemed the new noble had arrived but it was a Countess, not a Count.

Had something been miscommunicated? Gilgamesh seemed very certain on the gender before when they talked, so why the sudden change?

He shrugged it off and went back to checking the fields. He had cleaned up the rotten fences and bad planting from before but growth took time even in the 2nd layer.

The sun had nearly set when Ranger showed up with an odd look in his bright yellow eyes.

"Master, the new Countess wishes to meet you and asks if you could find a rogue cultivator with dirty blonde hair and dark green eyes to bring as well." Lind laughed then as it highly amused him.

"I may have suppressed my aura a lot recently but can you tell what I am right now?" Ranger focused and his lavender face showed his shock.

"How can you do that?!" Lind shrugged and went to clean himself up. He wouldn't go that far for a misunderstanding!

He swapped to dark gray robes and made sure all the hay was removed from his hair. It had been quite enjoyable to see his old face and looks. He missed them.

Chu was adamant on his natural state when they were alone but Jur seemed to enjoy knowing his previous features.

He walked up the well paved streets to the central district. Sheref County was not a large place but the city held over 30 thousand people easily alone. Many guards and hawkers bowed as he passed but he simply waved until he saw a few confused people mixed in

They had to be the newcomers!

They looked young but a few grizzled veterans were with them. He finally arrived at the citadel at the heart of the city.

It had the 2 guards he knew well who opened the gate with respect. He saw the various carriages were already being loaded with materials and luggage. Gilgamesh would be departing tomorrow but no doubt things would not be so smooth for the new Countess after that.

The plush carpets and subdued decorations were his idea as the gaudy monstrosities were a waste of resources. A few heirlooms were kept or anything dangerous but the vast majority had been the old count bragging to any visitors about his wealth and power.

He heard the sounds of a party and saw Nana waiting outside the main hall for him. She looked as confused as Ranger had.

"Expecting someone else?" His amusement was clear but she shrugged and led him inside. There were several familiar faces of the merchants and guilds present but he saw the same man from before glance at his arrivals and frowned.

Gilgamesh was talking to a lithe woman that was wearing a battle dress of all things to a gathering! It was dark gray and had the burning jewel in crimson on her back for all to see. Was that the new Countess?

"Wanderer, I am glad you are here at my lady's request but where is the Emerald Immortal?" The man intercepted them and Nana went from confused to hiding her face. Oz was off in a corner and winked at him as if he already knew the situation!

"Everyone is here that needs to be." His vague answer seemed to irritate the man once more but Lind moved on as Nana led him to the pair speaking at the heart of the party.

"Ah, Emerald Immortal! How are the fields?" Lind saw the woman pale as she took him in. Her eyes were 2 colors. One was nearly cobalt while the other was jade green. A demon awakening?

"The horses had a bit of care needed but it was easily handled. I also confirmed they are calmer afterward. The field hands were busy completing the fence formation at last so the weaker beasts will stay away from the fields." He did not address the mistake and Gilgamesh merely blinked at the reaction of his new companion.

"I see. Well, may I present Countess Zel. She is actually related to his Majesty. She is a cousin to the royal family and the 2nd daughter of a marquis." Lind grasped why she took the job. She had no chance to inherit and likely a lot of pests bothering her given her fine looks.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Countess Zel. I am the Emerald Immortal." The man was right behind him and lost all blood to his face. The Countess was not far behind him. "I have no need for politics. I came on my own whim and will travel to the capital with Lord Gilgamesh. There is no need to discuss random encounters."

He gave them a lifeline they took happily. Gilgamesh was confused but did not pry.

"It is good to meet you, senior. I am Countess Zel Fyre." He noted the name and bowed back to her. Food was abundant and the night was pleasant.

Chu joined him later as she had been with the baby and Jur. Both were now asleep as Nana headed off to the wagon. Oz also left but Lind narrowed his eyes at the old man. He was smiling in a way that worried him!

"Commander Gilgamesh informs me you have things to tell me before you leave." The Countess suddenly appeared as he finished a dance with Chu. He saw his wife glare but bopped her nose to calm her.

"I do indeed." His senses had caught snippets of the whole feast and some were fine while the rest was problematic.

Chu went to Gilgamesh while distracting the man from before. The pair then went to the offices nearby to have a private talk.

It was not much more than a functionary's room with a desk and some papers but it was equipped with wards. She activated them before bowing low.

"I humbly–" Lind stopped her quickly.

"I was not testing you. Even if I was, you passed. Your right hand man is an issue but you seem aware of it so I will say nothing else. Here." He gave her his reports and she examined them.

She quickly shot up in shock to look at him. He nodded that all of it was true.

"Gilgamesh thought it wiser to wait for the new lord to decide what to do." Her hands were shaking as she swept her silver hair behind her ears. Her movements were so precise that he knew she had battled most of her life.

"This–this will make me a marquise in my own lifetime." She seemed a little lost but he talked with her about what was feasible. He told her he was willing to leave behind the basics of elixirs but a teacher would be needed.

She happily listened and put forth her own ideas. The kingdom had a contract with the local Alchemy and Formation guilds but at her level they would not care too much.

Their meeting was productive and swift.

"You have saved our kingdom! We desperately need this!" He grasped things were more dire than he was told. Lind bowed and they left the room to find a fuming man waiting.

"My Lady, you should not be alone with a man in a room like that!' Enlightenment filled Lind's mind at that moment. The soldier in front of him had feelings for the Countess!

"My good man, I have not tired of living. Chu, we are ready to retire." She appeared like a shadow and the fierce glare at him seemed to calm the man immensely. Lind chuckled and bowed out of the rest of the night.

He hoped things would go well but he would know as tomorrow they would head for the capital.