Klaus, Egor, Lilith and Pritik arrived at the portal without incident. This did not surprise the prince at all. He had felt that someone was following them the whole way and was sure that August had sent this retinue, despite his brother's refusal.
Egor did not speak to Klaus for almost two days, but only glared at him with a withering look. Lilith, on the contrary, was inspired by the new adventure, especially after her master showed the girl exactly where they were going.
Lilith was amazed by this ability of the prince. Just a few seconds and she learned absolutely incredible things and would soon be able to see everything for herself. The girl did not know that Klaus was not planning to go with them. The prince decided to keep this information until the very end in order to have a peaceful time on the road, so he was not particularly upset by Egor's silence. At least he did not blab anything to Lilith.
They found themselves at the portal around noon and decided that they needed to have a snack first, and at the same time explain to Lilith that this time she would have to unstick herself from her master and be with Egor.
"Listen," the prince turned to his friend, who was sitting darker than a cloud. "I understand that you do not want to talk to me now and all that, but do me one favor. Take care of Lilith and explain everything to her when you are already on the other side."
"Aaaah, I get it," Egor spoke in a venomous voice for the first time in several days. "Do you want to shove her into the portal without an explanation? What, is your conscience bothering you? Don't you know how to properly turn people down? You did it perfectly with me a few days ago!"
"Stop it! I explained it to you and I thought you understood everything. It's more difficult with Lilith. I just don't want to listen to her hysteria. Well, so? Will you explain everything to her later?"
"Do I have a choice, Your Majesty? How should I respond? I hear and I obey. Will it be done? You didn't teach me all these slavish habits!"
"Stop it! You're acting like a child!"
Klaus realized that it was useless to talk to his friend now. He knew that no matter how angry Egor was with him now, he would still fulfill his request. And what about Klaus himself? He decided that he would come for him and then settle everything. Now is not the time and place.
"Pritik, your turn. Open the portal."
'Yes, Your Majesty," the guy immediately jumped up.
"Is that how it should be done correctly?" Egor snorted, discontentedly saying to Klaus, and the prince rolled his eyes.
The portal opened. Klaus silently looked at the joyful Lilith and the dissatisfied Egor.
"What, you won't even hug me goodbye?" his friend turned to him.
Klaus smiled, considering this a good sign, and approached Egor.
"Lilith, you're the first," and the girl didn't need to be told twice.
Egor stood right at the portal with his arms outstretched, as if inviting Klaus into his arms, and the prince, without thinking, approached his friend. As soon as Klaus clasped his hands behind Egor's back, the fair-haired guy abruptly turned around together with the prince and pushed him in the chest with such force that Klaus took a step back, casting an uncomprehending glance at Egor and immediately understood everything.
Klaus stood on the familiar route, where Lilith was already looking around, and waited for Egor. As soon as the friend appeared, the portal closed.
"And how am I supposed to understand this? Now I'll have to use the unfinished portal and drag myself to the underground city alone! What is this? Revenge?"
"In this world, I am not your slave, so I do not have to report to you. You do not have to waste your half-portal. Grandma will help open this one. Or did you want to leave without even saying hello?"
Klaus was angry, but not as much as he would have liked. He had really become attached to the old woman, and to this world. Perhaps, if he did not have such a responsibility for his country and its people, he would prefer to stay here, in this quiet world, where he is a simple man without a past and with a future that he will choose for himself.
While they were walking along an empty highway, where cars occasionally drove by, Klaus decided to use the communication stone. As soon as the prince took it out of his pocket, it vibrated in his hand.
"What the fuck, Klaus!" August's angry voice rang out.
"Now I am in a world where I can not replenish my magic, so listen and do not interrupt. I will stay for a couple of days and return straight to the underground city."
As soon as Klaus said the last word, he immediately stopped the flow of magic into the device, which vibrated again. This stone absorbed a very small amount of energy, but the prince still felt slightly dizzy.
While Klaus calmly walked, ignoring the vibration in his pocket, August was furiously destroying his room.
"Obnoxious asshole! I knew he wouldn't just back down! How could he drag Klaus into the portal at such a time! Pritik," he turned to the guy who was pressed against the door. "Why didn't you stop him?"
"Sir, I wouldn't have had time, everything happened so quickly and unexpectedly. Even His Majesty didn't suspect anything..."
"Yes, because this idiot blindly trusts his blond friend and does not expect him to set him up! Okay, I understand that he was unexpectedly transported, but why linger there? What else will this little snake come up with? Let's go to the portal immediately! I'll drag my careless brother back myself!"
"August, calm down," Gorald's calm, low voice was heard.
"How can I calm down? Pritik! Did you hear me? We're getting ready immediately!"
"Yes, sir," the wind mage squeaked in fear.
"You're not going anywhere," Gorald stopped him. "Have you forgotten? We have a meeting with the border nobleman tomorrow. And have you also forgotten about the attack on our reconnaissance detachment? And yes, have you also forgotten about the unauthorized sortie of Tirith's detachment? If he is not stopped now, then all plans will go down the drain!"
"Why should I do this now?" August was indignant. He understood that everything Gorald said was important and he needed to get down to business, but childish jealousy clouded his brain. He wanted Klaus back, so that he would be near.
"Because he asked you to," Gorald answered calmly and August froze, tiredly sank into a chair and sighed heavily.
"Ha, brother, fine, have fun while I sort things out, but as soon as you return... Pritik, go and rest. Gorald, where is Tirith's squad now?"
***
They didn't have the money of this world with them, so they walked the entire way to Pouoka's house. Klaus was used to long walks, Egor had also increased his endurance significantly, but with Lilith things were much more difficult. When they approached the entrance, the girl could barely stand on her feet. She might have fallen much earlier if she hadn't been so excited looking at the wonders of this world.
Yes, the former slave knew the basics of this world, thanks to Klaus, but knowing theoretically and seeing everything with your own eyes are two different things.
"Egor? Klaus?" the old woman stared at the guests in surprise when they rang the doorbell of a familiar apartment. "What are you doing here?"
"Is this how you greet your grandchildren, old woman?" Klaus was indignant. "We spent several hours getting to your house, and you're not happy?"
"Ah, you are as polite as ever, Klaus Deffender. Come in. Oh, so you are not alone. Girl, come in, come in. You have gotten involved with two uncouth fools. Look what they have done to the poor thing! She can barely breathe!"
"Don't yell, we had no choice," Klaus spread his hands. "She will be fine."
"Of course, you didn't think to make a few rest stops!"
"I'm starving, better feed us, Pouoka Gradova, and then you can scold us!"
The old woman was still grumbling when she began to set the table. Egor hurried to help her, while the barely alive Lilith, almost lying on a chair, caught her breath, and Klaus impatiently tapped his fingers on the table.
The young men told her the reason for their arrival, or rather Klaus told her, while Egor cast dissatisfied glances at the prince.
"Will you call your Andryusha? Lilith needs documents."
"Your phone is in your room with Egor. Turn it on and call yourself," the old woman waved her hand and turned her attention to her grandson, who was telling her about his adventures.
Pouoka had never seen Egor so excited. Despite the dangers, the lack of the usual comfort and technology, her grandson was happier there than he had ever been here. She was once again convinced that she had made the right choice by sending him after Klaus.
When Egor moved on to the moment of their return, the sparkle in his eyes disappeared. He was clearly unhappy with Klaus's decision, but, as Pouoka understood, he had failed to convince the prince.
Leaving his companions in the care of Pouoka, Klaus entered the familiar room. Nothing had changed here, but it was clear that the old lady cleaned regularly.
He opened the drawer of the computer desk and took out his phone, turned it on and dialed Andrey's number.
"Hello," a female voice was heard in the receiver. "As I understand it, you have returned to the country?"
"I need another set of documents and as quickly as possible," ignoring the words of the secretary, Klaus got straight to the point.
"You know what needs to be done and the cost."
Only now did the prince remember about the money. He needed to think of something and quickly. Only one option came to mind. The mobile vibrated in his hand.
"At first I didn't believe it when I received a message from your number that the subscriber was back online. Tell me that I'm not hallucinating and that you're really back," Sasha's voice was heard in the receiver.
A smile involuntarily spread across Klaus's face.
"No, you're not hallucinating, but I haven't returned, I just dropped by temporarily."
"I see. Too bad. How long will you be staying in town?"
"A couple of days."
"Do you want to have some coffee?"
"I just wanted to talk to you. Are you free today?"
"I'm always free for you. I'll pick you up in, say, an hour."
"Agreed."
Klaus hung up, opened the closet where his things were still neatly folded, chose a suitable set, took a towel and went to the shower.
"I'll be gone for a few hours, I need to meet someone." The prince said, looking into the kitchen.
"Wait," Egor exclaimed in fear.
"I'm not going to leave. I promised to stay for a few days. I just need to sort out a few things, that's all."
Egor relaxed a little.
"Are you going to see Andryusha?" Pouoka asked.
"No, I want to meet an old friend. I need to sort out the issue of money for Lilith's new documents."
"I still have some left over from what you gave me. There will be enough."
"I left it with you. Plus, I brought Egor back and added a new mouth. I can't take that money."
"Who do you want to meet?" Egor asked.
"Sasha."
"Oh, I see," the guy answered in a colorless tone.
Pouoka noticed a sharp change in Egor, but she didn't dare ask the reason. They never talked about personal matters, and the woman thought that now was not the best time to start.