The following morning arrived, another day to be on foot towards their destination.
'' So what did the two of you talk about last night? ''
Seiya was busy training last night but this didn't stop him from peeking a glance every now and then at the two. They were clearly talking to one another about something but he was not close enough to figure out what it was that they were talking about.
The silence that followed after his question gave him the answer that perhaps he should hold off from prying.
'' Fine fine, I'll let you guys keep your secrets. ''
Seiya stretched his arms as they continued down the road through the various open fields.
Seiya immediately forgotten about asking the two about their conversation as his mind was taken over by the landscape.
It was peaceful, it was beautiful and most of all it had given him an understanding of the lands that his sister protected.
He felt a bit selfish thinking about all the times he's caused a mess in the royal palace while his Sister was busy doing work associated with keeping the realm safe. This land, he knew he had to protect it for her.
'' Are you okay Seiya? You look like you are in a bit of a daze. ''
Sakura asked Seiya, gently tapping his back out of curiosity. Hakai had not spoken but he did look at Seiya since he was wondering what he was thinking about.
'' I'm okay, I was just thinking about the eastern territory. There's no way my Sister didn't have some semblance of back up in case she disappeared or something...right? I mean, there has to be some other governing entity like a substitute to help things along if something happened to her. ''
Seiya spoke in a way that tried to hopefully dig out any memories from within his own brain whether or not there were people to hopefully take over while the Tenkyoku Empire was busy or gone. His brain ultimately failed him but he knew this was due to his negligence in following the lectures given to him daily.
He hoped that the ''back-up'' entity wasn't him because that was too much responsibility in this circumstance and while he'd ideally try, realistically he knew he was not ready to take up the mantle in its entirety.
This was why he wanted to save his Sister as soon as possible. He was still too young, still too inexperienced and he needed more time to develop.
That faction that threatened the village sometime ago still weighed on his mind, Friegen was just a single person and surely there were others.
Seiya knew that his victory was not against someone considered a leader by any means.
Friegen was clearly a follower of a larger entity so there naturally had to be people higher on the ladder. This stands to reason that they were stronger and had much more influence than Friegen did.
These thoughts once more had Seiya walking without paying attention to his surroundings and it made Hakai grab Seiya by his collar. By the time Seiya realized what was going on, he had almost fell into the rice fields on the left side of the road.
'' Sorry about that. ''
Seiya apologized to Hakai who only nodded in response. Seiya knew they were still not there yet and they needed some semblance of a conversation to keep them from being dreadfully bored so Seiya asked about the dark magatama earrings they received from Friegen's corpse.
'' Why don't we go hunting after the other Dark Hand outposts since we were able to find the one near the village? ''
Seiya had looked at Hakai, hoping that he'd give him an explanation why they didn't keep going after the other outposts since the one time.
'' I was able to locate it using the earrings since it was nearby and Friegen's body had a dark miasma that trailed towards the outpost. The earrings resonated with the miasma that helped us find it and we were lucky that it was primarily filled with mere foot soldiers and new recruits. If it was anyone higher on the food chain then we wouldn't have been so lucky.''
Hakai told Seiya what he needed to hear and as much as Seiya would've liked to continue going after the other outposts, Hakai's words were the reality check that needed to be given.
They needed more time and much more experience if they were to go after his Sister and while he wished Hakai had known where, there was no way he'd know at least that was Seiya's assumption.
'' Hey, Hakai there is something on my mind and I don't think I'll be able to stop thinking about it unless I do ask. Would any outposts be large enough to house an entire empire? ''
Seiya asked not long after, hoping for a satisfactory answer and soon enough Hakai had given his reply.
'' If its moved from one place to another then I believe it shouldn't be too far away from where it occurred. I don't have anymore information other than that but I'm certain it won't be long before we find out information regarding it. I hope we'll find out soon and I hope we'll be strong enough to do something about it once we find out where the location is. ''
The black haired male spoke with as much comforting words he could and Seiya's heart did feel slightly lifted as he tried to think optimistically about it.
He had faith that new opportunities to grow, people that were willing to help just as Hieki did would give them the chances to ideally do something about their circumstance.
'' I don't think I've said it before but thank you guys for sticking with me so far. ''
Seiya's words were for the two of them and he knew they didn't have to come with him this far but here they were.
'' Don't flatter yourself too much Seiya, I'm still curious where my family went but its a good thing I like traveling with you! ''
Sakura spoke in a teasing manner and despite what she had just said, she did indeed chose to come along because she wanted to also help keep him safe as she knew he was the prince. If she had the chance to protect someone, she would take it.
Hakai naturally had come along due to Hieki but seeing Seiya fight the Dark Hand Soldier Friegen and win despite the odds was inspiring. He hoped that he'd also become stronger when the time had come for him to face what he had done in the past.
After several more hours they had arrived at a certain mountain that sat alone at the end of the trail where it had split into two.
The sun had begun to set and there they'd see the mountain's features change, revealing an exotic mountain with colors and hues that seemed outlandish.
'' This has to be the place. It's time we climb. ''
Hakai's words were certainty that they've found the mountain they were looking for and that their ascent would take some time but for now they should take a quick 30 minute rest before beginning their climb.