I emerged from a similar tree hole on the other side. I flashed past the guards and a quick look around confirmed that I was now in the jungle realm.
The imperial camp around the portal was bustling with activity but the vigilance near the portal seemed lax. They must not have been worried about someone sneaking through from the other side.
Just a simple illusion spell made me look like one of the imperial soldiers and allowed me to walk around near the portal. If I entered the busier parts of the camp, I would be discovered but I had no intentions to do so.
I spread my awareness over the camp and the surrounding trees in search of any structon. I instantly got a hit on a nearby tree. A small robot spider was perched on a low branch scanning the camp. I teleported next to it and entered its field of vision.
The spider reacted by dropping down from the tree, running in a circle a few times, and then heading off in a set direction. I made my way through the jungle while following the mechanical spider. My presence was carefully withdrawn so I would go unnoticed as I traveled. Now was not the time to get into a fight with a beast.
Following the mechanical spider, I quickly advanced through the jungle until I reached a clearing. Based on the tents and sparsely clad warrior ladies around here, I'd say that I had arrived at my first destination.
I kept following the mechanical spider toward the edge of camp where I found Reina and Irene waiting for me. They must have been sent to escort me considering the whole males have no authority attitude around here.
"Lord Abel, It is truly you! I had my suspicions when her Majesty said that we should welcome an important guest that we were already acquainted with but to think that it really is you."
Reina seemed overly excited to meet me again. She was jumping around like a child that had just been given candy. Irene just sighed and began to drag Reina back into the camp.
"Please follow us. We will lead you to her Majesty."
I followed the duo and we proceeded through camp smoothly. There were some stares but no one came to bother me. Eventually, we arrived before a tent unlike the others that could be seen around here.
The tent was made of plastic and must have been brought from the surface world. It was one of those family outdoor deluxe tents from rich people advertisements. Inside, her Majesty was lying in a camping chair holding a purple console.
She was so engrossed in her game that she didn't react as we entered. Irene looked troubled since she had been sent to welcome me and now she didn't know what to do. I assured her that she had done her job well and could return to her duties. She looked happy and quickly dragged Reina off with her.
Knowing that her Majesty would presumably be busy for a while, I headed further into the tent where Yellow was pouring over her computer while simultaneously building a new robot.
"You came."
"I had to come check up on you eventually. I also have a small surprise for you. After you updated me on how things went on your side that is."
"Show the goods first."
I pulled out the mind-holding golem and immediately stashed it away again. Like I had predicted, Yellow's hand moved towards the golem at unreal speed but grabbed nothing but air.
"It should be a form of mind-holding golem that was developed by a civilization that focused on the mind. When I met it, there was still a mind within but I had to defeat it in order to pass the test. The mind asked to be destroyed so there was no use trying to establish a connection."
"You always happen to come across all the good stuff. Why can't I ever find that?"
"Maybe my luck is better than yours. So, what happened so far?"
"We went to the coordinates you gave us and met with the tribe's guardian beast. After that, we were invited to the meeting between tribes and her Majesty challenged the chieftain of the strongest tribe to a duel. After she beat Irma, all chieftains swore allegiance to her."
"So her Majesty is doing her usual. Thanks for filling me in, here's your golem."
I handed over the mind-holding golem and left Yellow to her devices. As soon as she had gotten her hands on the golem, Yellow entered her own world and began to analyze it in every possible way. She was very interested in anything concerning the transition between mind and body.
I returned to the tent's entrance area, where her Majesty was still energetic indulging into her purple console.
"Playing too many games is bad for your eyesight, you know. You should really take a break every now and then."
"Shut it. I'm just finishing off the final boss, after that I will be done for today."
Not even five minutes later a victory fanfare was played from the console and her Majesty set the device down.
"Is that your new toy?"
"This is a violet box. The newest mobile gaming console that is currently on the market. All the games look so lifelike with the 3D and nano pixel enhancements."
"And how's conquering going."
"Yellow should have filled you in on all important things by now. Did she leave something out?"
"I'm not sure but I feel a powerful presence whenever I'm in this particular realm. Any idea what that's about?"
"I have some leads but I can't be sure yet. Too many things are happening right now and I fear that our time has just gotten shorter."
"I don't like the sound of that."
"Someone breached my barrier and entered the surface world."
"Is the invasion beginning?"
"No, only one individual entered and the barrier stands strong now. However, that individual being up there worries me and the fact that he managed to get past my barrier implies a few other things too."