Chapter 24: Sarien (Journey X)

We traveled for 1 week. Thanks to the Don, my equipment got a few upgrades. My provisional backpack was replaced by an high quality backpack, looking a little bit like those military ones from my old world. My cloak and it's hood were now black like the rest of my clothing, and my mask was now expensive looking. It was red with a few ornaments around it. Fenrir's saddlebags were also made out of good processed leather, the Don even gave me a blueprint for a smith, it was a body armor for my little puppy.

*But this will be expensive...*

My abilities had progressed as well, I was now able to keep my Shadowcloak for around 1 hour at a constant. This was only possible if I already had a sample shadow, I managed to create my own one, which was far more effective, but cost me to much Mana for now. The only new ability I learned in this time was one that I titled 'Shadowstep'. It made my body dissolve into a black mist, letting me cross a few meters really fast, but this cost me so much Mana, that the first time I used it, it left me unconscious.

*It is getting harder and harder to learn new techniques...but with my current Mana pool I can even summon 20 lances, or strike with the Shadowsword 10 times...*

"Fenrir look! There is the border!"

It was a huge stonewall, stretching across the whole plain, at the point of the crossing was a large gate and I was sure this wall could even stop a small army. This border was occupied by Sarien, Grimveils border wasn't walled like this, they only used a few soldiers and patrols. But around 1 year ago, they've started constructing their own wall, connecting it to Ulria. This project would take multiple years and was only done because of the alleged demon plague spreading through the realm, which was attributed to Sarien's policy of letting demons in as refugees. The priests said that exactly these then crossed the border and attacked Grimveil's citizen.

We drew closer to the gate, there weren't many people wanting to cross, so the line was rather short and it wouldn't take me long to get through.

"Next one!"

A guard beckoned me forward, getting support from 2 additional soldiers as soon as they saw Fenrir.

*Why is everyone scarred of my sweet puppy...wait has he grown?*

I hadn't really realized it, but in our three years of travel he had grown quite a bit. He was still as long as before with his 2 meters, but his height was now around 1.4 meters. He wasn't fat but his body had also grown in mass, most of it being muscles. This didn't take away from his agility and the muscles on his legs made him even faster than before. Adult wild wargen were a real problem and couldn't even be handled by normal soldiers anymore and Fenrir was even stronger than them, because he received strength from our bond.

*Awww he is still so cute!*

I stroked his fur while walking up to the guards. They eyed me suspiciously, which I couldn't blame them for. I was still covered but seeing as I had papers, they wouldn't be able to complain.

"Your papers!"

I took them out of Fenrir's saddlebag and gave them the papers.

"Here you have it."

As he looked over them another one asked:

"State your business here and what you did in the Empire."

"She is a citizen...so miss Sarah just say what you did in Grimveil..."

Sarah was the name my papers stated, seeing as I couldn't go with Lena anymore.

"I was in Grimveil to visit relatives and work there for a time."

"Good...take care young lady and please...don't let your warg create trouble..."

"You may pass!...next one!"

I walked through the gate and a huge stone fell from my chest.

*We've made it...I cant believe it*

A few meters away from the border, I threw myself onto Fenrir, cuddling with him and laughing.

*It can only get better from now on...*

It had been a long time since I was really happy and it felt good. Fenir licked me all over my face and we stayed like this for half an hour, before making our way up north again.

----Sophie POV----

"Please take care on your way Zeth..."

With this, my top agent left the garden.

In the past years I've managed to recruit quite a few people as spies and supporters for me. Mother didn't want to help me in regards of Kagei-Senpai, so I made as much contacts as I could, while still being trapped inside this palace. Information trickled slowly, but I managed to spread my network across the whole of Sarien.

Zeth was one of these agents, my mother trusted him so he worked as my personal guard for some years and I recruited him as the one who delivers all the messages to me.

*He is my right hand man...like my personal Watson...it is always so exciting being secretive hehe...*

As I was losing myself in my thoughts again, the image of Kagei-Senpai's face crossed my mind.

*Why is it so hard to find you?...*

----Lilith POV----

"Hatschu..."

*Am I getting sick?...hope not...*

We walked across the countryside, it was quite beautiful. Across the plains stretched multiple fields and farmsteads. The road split many times, but there always was a signpost leading me into the direction of Sarissa. After some time of walking I reached a small village were I payed someone to drive me to the capital by carriage. This cost me 20 silver, but it was worth it, seeing as it shortened my journey by 2 weeks.

*As soon as I reach Sarissa, I should talk to Tyler...then I will try to get connections that help me find out who attacked Suben...maybe I can even buy a house as a base, with enough money that is...ahhhh I don't know how the next few years will play out, I hate it, being uncertain of my future is really annoying and potentially dangerous...*

And so we traveled into our future, with the same goals as before, but, if luck would have it, finally a way to accomplish them.