As Eris opened her eyes, a sense of soreness pervaded all of her being. She trembled as she tried to stand, but almost fell from doing such a simple action.
The only reason she did not fall to the ground is because the reason for the soreness in the first place caught her, stopping her fall.
Ryker smiled at her as he nuzzled her neck, making her moan as her marked neck tickled by him.
Without a word, Ryker carried her to the bathroom, where she was put inside the tub, Ryker already filling it with hot water.
The feeling of soreness began to disappear as the hot water helped her body relieve the soreness. Soon, Ryker entered the bathroom, this time, Myna in his arms, the woman still sleeping.
Ryker washed her face, making the brown-haired beauty wake up and look blearily at him. As Myna began to regain some form of consciousness, Rykee put her inside the tub gently, the brunette moaned as the water touched her sensitive body.
Ryker soon entered the tub as well, taking a seat between the two women. His arms soon snake around their waist as Ryker pulls them close.
The two rest their heads on Ryker's chest, taking the chance to relax with him. Ryker stroked their head and patted it, making the two let their guard down as they almost fell asleep once again.
-x-
The three people walked downstairs, where the others greeted them, the trio being the last one to enter the dining room.
As they began to have their breakfast, Ezekiel asked, "Big brother, where are we going after this?"
Ryker put his hand underneath his chin as she thought of their next course of action. While he could circle the core of the Birak Kingdom, he sees no reason to do that.
After all, there are very few treasures that could help him improve greatly and the cultivation zone of the Duchy will only be as good as the one at the Kilrun Duchy at best.
If he wanted to raise his cultivation fast, he needed more opportunities as well as a better cultivation place. He soon came to a conclusion.
"We are going to the Core Region of Birak Kingdom," Ryker told them. The reaction was not surprising, the women voiced their worries before telling him that they would agree to his decision.
The children seemed eager, especially Ilina. Then again, in just a few more weeks, she would begin her journey in cultivation.
With no opposition, the only thing he needs to do is make some preparations and gain more intel before starting their journey.
-x-
Of course, the primary source of information stemmed from the Adventure Guild. His strength in the 7th major realm of the Genesis Grand realm makes him a high-rank Genesis Realm expert.
This allows him to get more confidential information that weaker adventurers could not even dream of obtaining.
Ryker was able to gain it easily, showing how strength is necessary in an interrealm organization like the Adventure Guild.
"Here is the information you requested sir," the receptionist said to him, dropping several pieces of paper onto the table.
Ryker gave the woman an approving nod before he turned his attention to the paper, all detailing the core of the Birak Kingdom.
"The core of the Birak Kingdom are massive realm ruled directly by the royalty of the Birak Kingdom instead of their vassal. While the territories of the vassal nation are considered a part of the Birak Kingdom, it cannot be compared to the core region in terms of importance.
It is because the resources as well as the energy in the core region far surpassed what the territory of the vassal nations had.
However, the size of the core region is large and some form of management needs to be done to make sure the area is ruled properly.
To do this, the Birak Kingdom separated the core region into 8 territories, each ruled by a Governor. The Governor of each territory are often nobles with the rank of Duke. However, they far surpassed the Duke of the vassal nations.
The nobles of the core region as called Inner Noble, while the ones in the central territories are referred to as Core Noble.
Even the Inner Baron possessed strength equal to the Outer Count, their cultivation realm at the Genesis Lake. But the means they had were often greater than what an Outer Count had.
If an Outer Count enters a fight with the Inner Baron, it will result in the Inner Baron winning, as they have access to more powerful techniques as well as cultivation art.
As for Core Baron, their strength would be the same as Outer Duke, being at the Genesis Sea realm. This shows the sheer difference in might between the three separate areas.
As for the Governor, while the area they ruled is outside of the central territory, they are considered to be a Core Duke, due to their strength.
A Governor is at the Spirit Grand realm, being an expert at the late-stage Noble Realm. Someone who could destroy the Kilrun Duke easily with a single slap.
After all, the differences in even a single minor realm at the Noble realm are too vast. The Governor ruled their territories, which often had multiple noble families, unlike the vassal nations which often only had one noble family in each nation.
The nearest way to go to the Elkom Territory, which is the nearest territory, is through a forest path. However, it was a path very few traveled through except for the strong.
It is because of the presence of powerful, Tier 9 Genesis Beast spotted roaming the area. So, very few experts will take the path. However, the other paths forced us to traverse a longer path, as one needs to go through several vassal nations before reaching the safer path.
After all, the core region of Birak Kingdom is separated from its western vassal nation by the Agarsi Forest. The forests were inhabited by powerful existence, with low-tier Spirit Beasts living in the area.
And the only way to travel the Agarsi Forest is by the path created by one of the kings of the Birak Kingdom. He left his imprint on the path, making it so any Beasts did not dare to come close.
However, Genesis Beast could traverse the path now, as the intent left by the king had dissipated over time. The only reason why the Spirit Beast did not claim the place is because there are better places in the Agarsi Forest.
So, it seems we have to take the dangerous path then unless we want to make the travel through more nations. What will the ladies pick? I will ask them later on their opinions,"