At the culmination of their arduous 15-day journey, the group found themselves at the North border of The Flaming Dominion Empire. The looming presence of the Night Empire was just a stone's throw away, a testament to their perseverance and unwavering determination.
Stepping out of the carriage, Aldrich Ironfrost stood before the gathered travelers with a warm smile adorning his face. Gratitude filled his heart, knowing that their passage had been remarkably smooth, devoid of any encounters with bandits or formidable groups of monsters.
"Dear friends, this marks the end of our challenging 15-day odyssey," Aldrich began, his voice carrying a note of genuine appreciation. "First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to these valiant adventurers who selflessly safeguarded us throughout this perilous journey."
An applause erupted from the gathered crowd, hands clapping in unison as a tribute to the brave protectors who had ensured their safety. At the rear of the group, Aimee perched atop William's neck, her eyes gleaming with pride. Isabella stood beside William, her initial disdain for humans momentarily set aside as she too joined in the applause, recognizing the adventurers' invaluable contribution to their successful journey.
Aldrich, ever humble, responded to the applause with a gracious nod. "Your kind words are greatly appreciated, but truly, it was our duty to ensure your safety. We are grateful that all has transpired smoothly."
Drawing a breath, Aldrich continued his address, his voice infused with a sense of camaraderie and heartfelt sentiment. "As we bid farewell, let us remember that each of us embarked on this journey with distinct goals and destinations. In the vast expanse of this world, it is possible that our paths may never cross again. Yet, it is equally possible that fate may reunite us in the future."
His gaze swept across the group, his eyes filled with a genuine warmth and a touch of nostalgia. "Regardless of what lies ahead, know that you all carry my heartfelt well-wishes. May the Sun Goddess guide your footsteps, bringing you prosperity, lifelong happiness, and unyielding well-being."
The air seemed to hold a moment of reverential silence as Aldrich's words lingered, permeating the hearts of those gathered. The travelers exchanged glances, a shared recognition of the bonds forged during their arduous journey.
With a final bow, Aldrich bid them adieu, a farewell that carried within it the hope that their paths would one day intersect again. As the group dispersed, venturing forth on their individual quests, the echoes of Aldrich's words reverberated in their minds, a reminder of the enduring connections and friendships that had been forged amidst the trials and triumphs of their shared journey.
As William gracefully unloaded their luggage from the carriage, Isabella prepared to shoulder the burden of two heavy bags. However, her intentions were swiftly thwarted as William gently intervened, his voice laced with a touch of concern.
"Allow me, Isabella. You need only carry Aimee," he insisted, his words resonating with a subtle authority. Over the course of their journey, Isabella had come to realize that William possessed a hidden strength, far surpassing his unassuming appearance. It hadn't been immediately apparent, but as the days progressed, his true capabilities gradually revealed themselves. Day after day, William had effortlessly shouldered the weight of a backpack laden with provisions and emergency supplies, all while cradling Aimee in his arms without the slightest hint of fatigue.
Reluctantly acquiescing, Isabella nodded, acknowledging the wisdom of his words. "Very well, but at least let me carry your backpack," she countered, a glimmer of determination in her eyes.
In response, William nodded, a silent agreement passing between them. Handing over his backpack, he watched as Isabella shouldered the burden. However, as she straightened her posture, a sudden realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. The weight of the bag nearly sent her toppling to the ground, her widened eyes reflecting her astonishment.
"He has been carrying this heavy load while also cradling Aimee in his arms for the entire duration of our 15-day journey," Isabella marveled in awe. The sheer strength and endurance displayed by William left her awestruck, her respect and admiration for him soaring to new heights. In that moment, the depth of his maturity and understanding became abundantly clear, cementing her belief that he was a truly exceptional individual.
A newfound appreciation blossomed within Isabella's heart as she gingerly adjusted the weighty backpack on her shoulders. She marveled at the sacrifices William had made without complaint, the quiet strength he possessed that extended far beyond physical prowess. As they prepared to venture forth from their journey's end, a profound sense of gratitude welled within Isabella.
The empire of Flaming Dominion and the empire of Night, twin powerhouses of this mystic continent, found themselves divided by a valley that plunged more than 1000 meters into the earth. This valley, known as The Dragon's Descent, was a sheer gorge that carved a profound chasm into the border of the two empires. Stretching as far as the eye could see, it was a formidable and treacherous chasm that echoed the menace of its resident monsters.
The Dragon's Descent was not merely a physical divide but an emblem of danger and dread. It played host to an innumerable variety of monstrous creatures, each more potent and terrifying than the last. Even an Ascender, a being of significant power who had reached the hallowed level 3, would likely meet their untimely end within the depths of this gorge.
This treacherous expanse was therefore seen as a natural impediment to direct interaction between the Flaming Dominion Empire and the Night Empire. It wasn't a border crafted by human hands; it was a boundary imposed by the very fabric of the land, a forbidding deterrent that kept the two empires at bay.
Travel across The Dragon's Descent was a perilous venture. There were only a handful of known crossing points that could be deemed remotely safe, and circumventing the valley altogether required an arduous journey that could extend over one to two months on foot. Its daunting length was as much a challenge as the monstrous inhabitants dwelling within.
In a rare demonstration of cooperation, both empires had joined forces to construct a secure passage through this dangerous territory—a tunnel that offered travelers a safer route across the valley. Spanning a distance that could be covered in four hours by foot, this tunnel was heavily guarded by Ascenders of substantial power, entrusted to repel any monsters that dared to venture close.
Yet, safety came at a price. The tunnel's protection was not an act of charity but a lucrative business, jointly operated by the two empires. Every day, it catered to ten thousand travelers, each of whom had to pay for the privilege of a safer journey.
At the entrance to the tunnel, two guards stood in unwavering vigilance. A queue of over 500 hopeful travelers snaked back from the entrance, their eyes filled with a mix of impatience and anxiety. This bustling crowd brought opportunity, and savvy merchants were quick to take advantage. Surrounding the entrance was a small town of sorts, featuring inns, taverns, and public baths.
Since the day was still young, William didn't plan on staying in this small town. He planned to cross the border and then stay the night in the Night Empire. After joining the crowd in line, William silently waited while Isabella and Aimee played, giggled, and laughed. This attracted quite a bit of attention.
William assumed that he would need to stand in the lines for hours but within 30 minutes he stood in front of the gourds. Things worked very fast here. The guards did not take more than a few seconds. If there was anything suspicious with the traveler, then a guard would take the traveler away for further questioning or inspection.
"How many people, Sir?" Asked the guard politely. This surprised William. He thought the guards would be rude and would easily get irritated.
"Three." The guard noticed Aimee.
"For two adults, it will be 100 gold coins. And for a child, it will be only 10 gold coins, Sir." Knowing the amount he needed to pay, William gave the guard 110 gold coins.
"Let them enter." The other two guards moved away their spears and opened the entrance for William, Isabella, and Aimee. As they entered the tunnel, they immediately noticed that the tunnel was lit with white color stones. The glowing stones were placed along the walls with a 1-meter distance between them.
The shining stones were placed on both sides of the tunnel. As they walked in, at first, they noticed they were descending deeper. Little Aimee, being scared did not speak any word throughout the journey. She instead tightly hugged Isabella and closed her eyes.
Their walk was very slow. William estimated that this tunnel was built 500 or maybe, even more, deeper under the valley. The last hour of the journey was very difficult as they were climbing up more than 1500+ meters. Although there were stairs built for convenience, climbing these many stairs pushed their bodies to the upper limits.
Even William who had [S rank stats] found it difficult to climb the stairs while carrying heavy luggage. It wasn't just one or two baggage. He was carrying 3 pieces of heavy baggage. Meanwhile, Isabella was doing even worse than William. Her whole body was covered in sweat. Her breathing was ragged. She was slowing down. Even though William moved at a normal pace, she found it extremely difficult to keep up with him.
'Dammit, if only I hadn't lost all of my strength.' Isabella's soul was damaged. She would need to mediate to regain her strength. But she didn't find spare time to do that. On their journey, during day time, they were walking full day and at night time, they were she was busy cooking dinner and taking care of Aimee. In the end, she is too tired to meditate.
Isabella could start killing other monsters to gain experience points. This is another way to regain her strength but in her opinion, mediating was the safest and the most effective way. Although meditating took much longer to recover her strength than killing monsters and gaining experience points, in her current position, mediating was the best option. What if William becomes suspicious of her identity if a low slave starts going to the forest to kill monsters? And she can't leave Aimee behind as she is Aimee's nanny. Meaning, for now, mediating was the best option and the only option.
"Why has my body grown so weak?" Isabella's realization of her diminished physical abilities weighed heavily on her mind. The strain of their arduous climb only served to highlight the stark contrast between her current state and the strength she once possessed.
Observing Isabella's slowed pace, William recognized her fatigue and made the decision to pause their ascent. Setting the weighty bags aside, he settled himself on the stairs, beckoning for Isabella and Aimee to join him.
"Let us rest for a while," he suggested, a sense of relief washing over Isabella upon hearing his words. Eagerly, she lowered Aimee to the ground, her weary limbs grateful for the respite. With aching hands and shoulders, Isabella eased the burden of the backpack from her frame and gratefully sank onto the stairs beside William.
"We should nourish ourselves and replenish our strength," William proposed, their meal offering a brief respite from the arduous climb. As fellow travelers continued their ascent, their weary expressions mirrored Isabella's own weariness. It became evident that many found respite on the stairs, taking the opportunity to rest and gather their energy before pressing forward.
After approximately an hour of rest, the trio resolved to resume their upward journey. This time, however, William insisted on shouldering Isabella's burden, despite her initial objections.
"Allow me to carry this," he firmly asserted, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. Isabella, recognizing the sincerity and determination in his voice, relented.
"Very well," she acquiesced, lifting Aimee into her arms as William assumed the weight of the backpack.
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If you guys have enjoyed reading this chapter then leave your comment behind. Your power stones will be massively appreciated. My deepest apologies. I already had written these two chapters around 7 or 8 hours ago. But I forgot to upload them.