Eren was shocked at how quickly they passed the borders. They didn't even need documents. All the wall guards did was salute the general and open the gates with no questions asked.
The journey was mostly on the road as the grouchy soldier complained about the poor service of the hotels in other divisions, how stinky and polluted the air was — he literally complained about everything. They only took a break at the Volvox division where the general stopped to buy a few things and sightsee the trade grounds which was famous to all the Eastern kingdom.
The soldier's name was Phillip and Eren came to find out that the general's name was Zord, but Phillip called him 'general' most of the time and 'General Zord' occasionally.
The general looked kind but with a strict hidden side and Phillip addressed the general with much respect and everywhere they passed, soldiers saluted.
The Volvox division was truly a sight to see. Eren had a few silver Darius coins in his bag so he followed the general shopping.
Things were surprisingly cheaper here than in the Maverick market back in the Pandoria division. Eren bought flowers and a letter writing book - to write to his mum and a few calligraphy pens.
"Can you read?" The general asked Eren seeing that he bought a book. Most people in the Pandoria division were illiterate as they have no proper schools and very few had money to pay for tutoring.
"Yes sir." Eren answered.
"Well, that's good. I expect nothing less from a son of Alex." The general said proudly.
"You know my dad?" Eren asked confused.
"Yes, your dad was a fine soldier" General Zord replied and went on with his shopping not giving Eren room to react to what he said.
For a man, general Zord was quite lavish in buying stuff, female stuff to be precise. Things like flowers, jade tea cups, necklaces and other things ladies would like. Eren didn't bother asking who all that was for. He didn't know how to continue the conversation, so he just kept quiet and continued shopping.
"I hope you will grow to be as refined and decorated as he was." General Zord looked at Eren then patted his shoulder.
As they approached the fourth wall leading to the Oalia division, it was already as if Eren was entering another world. All the houses were mansions, and the shops on the other hand were malls and decorated soldiers stood at specific posts.
Eren couldn't help but think how fooled the king must be. The kingdom literally trampled on the weak and they deceived the king by making it look like every one was living well.
Eren could see the castle top of the palace and the war-bell tower of the kingdom from afar. Eren was marveled at the scene.
They drove further into the division and finally came to stop in front of a huge gate.
All Eren could see as they drove through was a huge grass land. Finally, after driving for a few minutes, they came to a huge mansion.
The mansion was simply glorious. There were fountains up front with flower gardens decorating the land scape. The building was painted in white paint but with some unattended flower vines growing up the edges of the building. It looked like something out of a Disney movie.
The jeep parked and a dozen staff rushed over — Six males and six females on two rows. They wore white and black uniforms.They took the luggage and went into the building.
"This way, sir." The butler held the door open for general Zord and led them to the entrance of the mansion.
From the top of the stairs that led into the mansion, came a woman. She looked the same age as Eren's mother but also younger at the same time. She wore a long flowery cotton dress with detached sleeves. Her long thick black hair was curled behind her back and her jewelry sparkled like real diamonds in the afternoon sun. Her shoes were made of glass and it made an accurate beat at regular intervals as she gloriously descended the stairs.
As she came closer, Eren saw that she had light brown skin and brown eyes as well. She smiled beautifully, exposing her perfect white teeth.
She finally stopped at the foot of the stairs, right in front of them.
"Welcome. I had to come welcome you myself, Eren." The lady said, totally ignoring Phillip and Zeneral Zord's presence.
Eren hesitated, but soon realized that she was referring to him, as she was looking straight at him.
"Me??" He asked dumbfounded.
"Yes, you. Didn't I get your name right?..." She mumbled the last part of the sentence to herself, "...Eren it is, isn't it?" She continued.
"Yes, it is." He answered.
"Welcome to Oalia. I hope these men didn't give you a hard time." She gracefully said.
"No... Not at all..." Eren said trying to keep the conversation short, seeing the totally ignored General Zord from the corner of his eye.
"You must be tired from your journey, I won't keep you here much longer." She suddenly turned to Phillip and the General.
Phillip was now insignificant in the scene.
"Zord, I am most grateful for your help." She said.
*Cough*
Eren choked on his saliva.
' She called him just Zord!' Eren thought.
The lady rushed over to Eren and lowered her head, "Are you hurt?! Did you get a cold?" She asked looking extremely concerned.
"No, no, no, I'm okay. I'm fine." Eren said. He felt guilty for taking her attention away from General Zord again.
He felt a chill down his spine and froze. He turned slowly to meet a death stare from General Zord.
"Have you eaten?" She asked again, still making a fuss.
"Yes, yes, yes, I'm fine. Everything is fine ma'am." Eren tried to assure her.
"No, no, you don't have to call ma'am. From now on, call me Aunty Eva." She said with a huge smile.
*Cough*
It was General Zord's turn to cough.
"Sir, are you okay?" Phillip asked General Zord as Lady Eva continued chiding Eren.
"Aunty Eva. I never want to hear madam or miss or ma'am from you." She said.
"Oh look! General! Are you okay?" Eren said and ran over to the general to drag her attention to him.
"He's fine. Zord is a tough man, so call me Aunty, okay?" Lady Eva said.
"Okay." Eren gave up.
"Let me hear you say it. A-u-n-t-y..."
"Aunty." Eren said.
"That's better." She turned to the men with a completely different vibe. "Gentlemen, I would like to thank you once again, but a mere thank you won't cut it would it? So, name what it is that you want."
"Um..." Phillip was cut short by the death stare he got from General Zord.
"Dinner would be nice." General Zord said and smiled softly.
She paused for a moment. "I'll think about it." Then she turned and went back up the stairs.
"I'll pick you up!" General Zord shouted after her with a happy expression, almost like a child. He turned and walked away, with Phillip following closely behind.
"Good bye sir!" Eren said after General Zord but was completely ignored.
As Eren tried to wrap his head around this weird situation, he was interrupted by a lady wearing a maid attire. She looked to be in her late 30's and she smiled warmly at Eren.
"My lord, I'm your personal maid. Allow me to show you to your room."
Eren turned quickly to check if there was someone behind him.
"Me?"
"Yes my lord."
"My name is Eren. Don't call me that."
"Yes my lord Eren."
"Seriously?"
Eren decided to ignore her.