Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 111 - 110 - Farmers

"Lind!  Look at these!"  A bright head of sapphire and gold reflected the noon day sun as the owner of said hair held up what appeared to be kittens.  Lind was about to object when he noticed a larger cat calmly following Annabelle.  Honestly, the level of cuteness this girl could pull off was beyond believable.

Where in the world did she just find kittens?!

"Sigh, they are adorable, but just what are we to do with them?"  Lind was smiling as a tiny black kitten meowed at him and playfully patted his fingers.  A white and black mixed kitten hopped from Annabelle and snagged his robes before climbing up to his face and rubbing his cheek.

Lind leaned down and after a little sniff from her, the momma cat hopped into his arms as well.  She purred happily so it told Lind she had been around humans enough to trust them.

"Was there a farm or any other village nearby?"  They were getting closer to Cimmeria according to the map Nadia gave him, but small villages would not be marked from his past experience.

"Um, there were square fields like you taught me not too far from the edge of the forest ahead."  Lind nodded and smiled.  It meant their journey was coming to an end.  It also meant they could finally get Annabelle some proper clothes.  His robes were too large for her and apparently itchy despite washing them extensively.

Lind also would not mind a real bed after camping out so much.  His body was more resilient than a mortal's, but it did not mean he did not enjoy the same comforts.  Also…his current sleeping arrangement was a little cramped!

True to his word, he let Annabelle sleep next to him but she had to keep the robes on.  She also had to refrain from snuggling so much!  It was adorable but he was not made of stone!

He had noted that as the weeks passed, she was maturing right in front of his eyes, but she still insisted on sleeping next to him.  Her cultivation had broken through to high 4th tier Soul Realm and he could only look on in envy as her cores smoothly tempered in lock step.

Lind had noticed one more thing as they broke through to the 4th tier.  Annabelle's cores were Heaven Realm.  That was quite impressive and explained her strength of illusion to a degree but he had tested her skills and found them far above any technique he could compare it to.

Lind had learned a great deal from Annabelle as well.  He had always known that manifested aether beasts and aether children were much more powerful than humans or beasts that broke through on their own.

He finally understood why.

There were no impurities at the start.  As they continued their journey, some would be picked up, but compared to naturally born beings, manifestation resulted in pristine bodies to start.  It was a small wonder that the salamander had been so powerful.

Annabelle's level of control was also beautiful to watch.  The flow of light and water was like the most fantastic light show to his Eyes.  Compared to his clumsy attempts, she was like a goddess of Qi manipulation.

There were, of course, problems.  Annabelle instinctively understood illusion techniques, but she could not explain what she did.  She could not also replicate the same level of power with other techniques like healing or barriers Lind had learned at the Frey Clan and Lotus Academy.

Still, she was an apt pupil and improving her repertoire slowly.  Lind was also working to understand her profound illusion technique as it far surpassed anything he had yet to encounter.

Carrying their new companions, Lind and Annabelle left the forest at last and bright sunlight reflected off wheat and other crops to his eyes.  From their position, they could make out people working the edges of the fields and fixing fences as well.

Lind also noted a few formations being inspected at the border of the fields.  The quality was at the Stone Tier, but quite effective from what Lind could see.  The formations acted as a sort of perception field.

Rather than try to repel or act against specific beasts, the people of this village had made it harder for the beasts to even find them.  It was also more subtle than direct means.  It would not be perfect, but nothing would be.

As they approached, more than a few small children began to run up to them smiling and laughing.  Lind felt a smile stretch involuntarily but then the momma cat meowed loudly and hopped down to rub her head against the kids.

"Lady Silvy is all right!"  The children were happily petting the momma cat as some noticed the kittens riding on his and Annabelle's shoulders or arms.  "She had the kittens!"  A little girl squealed as she tried to hop up and grab them.  Annabelle swiftly protected the kittens but Lind patted her head.

"It is all right, they are friends."  Lind carefully picked the 2 off of his shoulders and held them so the little kids could pet them.  He made sure the kittens felt safe but they quickly were pawing at the smaller hands and rubbing their cute heads against the children.

"Ah, so that is where she wandered off to."  A pleasantly plump woman with her hair tied back was smiling as she wiped her hands on a rag at her waist.  Her hands were callused but Lind saw pride in all her movements.  She was only in the Body Refining Realm 8th tier, but it was clear she was satisfied.

"We found them in the forest and brought them with us.  I see the mother is well loved."  Lind smiled as one of the kittens refused to leave Annabelle's shoulder.  She comforted it as it mewed to stay with her.  Lind could see the joy in her eyes but he knew they could not keep the kittens.

"Aye, she is one of quite a few we keep around the farms.  The formations do well for aether beasts, but regular mice and other annoyances still need plain old cats to help out."  Lind nodded as he had seen as much himself in other lands.  It was almost comforting that normalcy of Earth still existed in this cultivation world.

"You are heading for Cimmeria, I take it?"  Lind was surprised.  While it was the closest city, why did this woman assume he was heading there?  His confusion seemed to also confuse her.  "You have an aether child with you, I assumed you were guiding her to Cimmeria for the recruitment."

Lind shrugged and the woman scratched her head in embarrassment.

"What is this recruitment?"  After what he had seen at the Saint Kingdom, Lind was cautious but the next few words made him relax.

"It happens from time to time that Cimmeria needs the special skills of aether children.  They can do things most humans cannot replicate.  Since it was about that time, I figured that is where you're heading since that robe clearly does not fit her.  She must be newly manifested."  Lind relaxed as that actually made some sense.  He was floored by Annabelle's illusion ability and could see a myriad uses it could be put to.

"I am traveling with her and teaching her.  She had a scary start and I want to help her find her way.  Honestly, she refuses to leave me."  Lind smiled awkwardly as the woman poked him in the side smiling.  She clearly was a grandmother to some of these children.

"Well, I think I have an old dress or two that I am not using.  I can give those to her.  She will look so pretty in them."  Lind was floored and went to grab some Soul Stones but the woman waved him off.  He followed her sight and froze.

Annabelle was laughing and smiling as the little kids and kittens played with her.  It was such a heartwarming scene that it brought a happy tear to Lind's eyes.  He had been struggling with so much hardship and difficulty that he had almost forgotten the brighter side of life.

"It would be much appreciated, but at least let me give you some beast meat for all of them too."  They shook hands and Lind called over Annabelle.  The group made their way past the fields and found a small group of houses fortified by formations and some defensive walls.

Annabelle was the center of attention, kittens included, as Lind produced enough meat for a feast.  The farmers broke out some local brew that was pleasant to taste but a little strong.  Still, Lind had fun.  He refused to let Annabelle have a drop to which she pouted and caused many to laugh.

Dances were had through the night and Lind was drawn in as well.  Annabelle refused to let him dance with anyone else and quickly picked up on the moves she needed.  Her ability to learn always floored him but he was not complaining.  He felt lighter than he had in years.

"I wish life could always be like this."  Lind spoke the fervent wish in his heart but knew it was impossible.  He was finally able to sleep in a bed, but it was more of a cot.  Despite trying to argue, Annabelle climbed on top of him and had a grip like iron.  It was far too tight in space but Lind just sighed and let sleep claim him.

****

Mansions and castles floated far above towering pristine walls of dark stone.  Massive gates and small gates interspersed were lined up with wagons, caravans, and just people all trying to enter.  On one of the wide stone roads leading to a large gate on the western side, a lithe young man in dark gray robes and a girl in a bright white dress walked together.

The human male had dark hair but a bright smile as he spoke to the young girl next to him.  She was an aether child of blue and gold skin.  Her looks were stunning and her innocence was like a bonfire to weary travelers.

It had been almost a week since leaving the village but Cimmeria was finally in sight.  Lind had picked up a few things from Carla, the plump farmer in the village.  Annabelle had danced around in the dress she was given but Carla had adjusted it to fit her a little better as Annabelle was still swimming in the material.

It had been a bit distracting if Lind was honest, but he had smiled as she jumped around like a small child with the newly christened non-itchy clothes.

The kids had wanted them to stay but they had to get back to their chores while some helped 'Lady Silvy' take care of her kittens.  The kittens were mewing for Annabelle hard and Lind had to drag her away.  She knew they had to go but the cute kittens were powerful creatures with their cuteness turned up like that!

"Remember, you are my traveling companion, Annabelle.  We need to make sure to get your ID setup right away so no problems crop up."  It was something Lind had taken for granted.  He had a grade 3 badge and a few other things to identify himself, but Annabelle had nothing.

It was not a massive problem, but considering the unsavory characters that exist everywhere, he wanted to get her that kind of protection quickly.  The best he could think of was actually beckoning from behind the tall wall in front of them.

A pristine white tower with a golden emblem he missed after only 5 months away from it.  The branch of the Heavenly Maiden Sect was there.  He was still a guest elder, but he did not have the power to induct Annabelle into their order.  Still, he did not see any problem.

Lind actually worried if Shoti or Qing might be there.  After running into Mythra and Su at the Petra branch of the Sapphire Auction House, Lind was no longer sure how effective the decoys had been.

He sighed and grasped her hand in his.  They moved to join the line and see what Cimmeria would bring to their next step on the path of cultivation!