Chapter 6: The World of Valoria

Sometime later, Marius and his family had arrived at the oddly peaceful and scenic area within this strange mountain range, as both Ria and Little Rose weren't conscious, only Marius and his son Grevlin stared around with wonderment as they took in the sights.

"Father look! It's a small house!" Little Grevlin said as he pointed at the wooden house with logs, resting at the center of the verdant open field.

Marius took in the brilliant god rays that beamed through the cracks of a few trees, and even the colorful butterflies and birds that glided with the winds, the fresh air giving him an uplifting feeling, he felt as if this world was apart of him as if this was his authentic home.

When he heard his son's words, Marius smiled looking at this house as he spoke, "Yes, it is indeed a wonderful place my son, one day I'll make a place like this just for us."

Grevlin's eyes beamed as he heard this, he looked up at Marius and spoke with a bright smile, "Really? Hehe, then father, I can't wait!"

As he said this, the two adorable tiger cubs brought in his elbows looked around fearfully as they made 'yip-yip' noises.

Marius only now looked at what was in Grevlin's hand; he sighed as he thought to himself, 'So, he did bring them. Oh heck fine, I guess we can raise them, after all, I was the one who took their mother from them...'

Having thought this, Marius looked at saw that the Mountain Ax Senior had halted his steps, he then glanced at them and spoke with a smile, "Hoho... welcome everyone, I welcome you to my humble abode, do please feel free to make yourself at home here for the time being. Now come with me, let me find you a room for your wife and sleeping child..."

When the Mountain Ax Senior finished his words, he walked forward, passing a giant looking ax embedded within a thick stump.

Marius's eyes flickered as he saw how bright the light was gleaming from its edge; he even noticed a few unusual markings on its surface from some complex language.

'As expected, their language isn't going to be such a sim...' Marius was about to think something, but right then and there, his mind had a notification sound as a screen popped up in his eyes.

____

Ding!

[Host has encountered unknown language, Status is now in effect, commencing Language Comprehension!]

Ding!

[Congratulations, you've learned the ???? language!]

Ding!

[★???Star Mystic Earth Cleaver]

[Description: May its shine bring glory to the descendants of Artima, and its edge doom to all its adversaries!]

____

Marius was surprised as he saw this, he didn't think that it would still work as such even in another world. He smiled while contemplating, 'To think that it can even translate languages from another world, but then again it was always a strange thing, it's only natural that its oddities aren't confined to my limited imagination.'

Though Marius was in thought, he didn't halt his steps and promptly followed the Mountain Ax Senior into his abode. Once inside, he noticed that it had a simple but effective setup, a stove made of stone, a fireplace, furniture of wood with neatly carved engravings, and furs belonging to unknown creatures.

Though it wasn't substantial, it had enough space to at least accommodate five or six individuals, with three private rooms.

The Mountain Ax Senior carried Marius to the room upstairs, before he turned and looked at him and spoke, "Come see me downstairs once you've tucked them in, I'm sure you have questions that you'll like to have answered."

Marius stared at the old man before speaking, "Why are you even helping us?"

The Mountain Ax Senior soon took on a different look as his eyes grew a bit distant, he stared at a window nearby as if trying to find something that's now long since lost as he replied, "Let's just say, you and I share similar fates..."

After speaking his words, he didn't even wait to hear Marius's reply, slowly leaving the upper rooms as he headed down to the main floor.

Marius observed him not knowing what to say, but Grevlin, who stood by his side, looked up at him and spoke, "Father, are we putting mother and sister down to rest?"

Marius smiled as he replied, "Yes, but Grevlin, I want you to look after them for a little while, I'll need to have a grown-up talk with the Mountain Ax Senior."

When Grevlin heard this, he nodded and obediently replied, "Okay."

"Come now, let's set them down," Marius said, entering the simple-looking room, he first gently put down Ria, using one hand to fix her position correctly.

While doing this, he notices that her face was slightly pale, as if she was in a lot of pain, but was oddly still unconscious. He tried to touch her forehead, but at this, a strange scene occurred.

Blaze! A small clump of purple flames scorched his arm, turning it black before receding. Marius didn't show a change in expression; this wasn't the first time she had these kinds of flare-ups; she did so during her times of having fevers. What was strange was her falling unconscious and not waking up despite being in this state.

'I really hope its nothing serious...' Marius thought as he looked at her with a hint of worry on his face, but he didn't dare to do so for long, he didn't want Grevlin to see him like such.

He gently placed down little rose on a different bed, as it would be far too dangerous for her to rest beside Ria. After tucking the little angel in, he glanced at Grevlin and spoke, "I'm going now, take good care of them, and remember not to touch your mother, okay?"

"Yes, father," Grevlin replied with a look of understanding.

Marius rubbed his head before leaving the room and heading downstairs, once he arrived on the base floor, he saw that the Mountain Ax Senior was outside, sitting by the side of his ax.

When Marius left the house, the Mountain Ax Senior looked over towards him with a smile as he spoke, "Now then, young fellow, tell me which world do you hail from?"

Marius hearing this knew that his initial conjecture was right, the old man did seem to know of his secret. He calmed down and sat on the grass as he spoke, not denying it, "How do you know this?"

The Mountain Ax Senior smirked as he spoke, "Haha, answering a question with a question, you're not that nice of a person now are you? Tsk, okay young one, I can tell you, but you'll have to answer my question afterward, do we have an agreement?"

Marius thought before nodding and complying, "Fine."

The Mountain Ax Senior then proceeded to remove his shirt, once he did this, he pointed at a marking of a crest on his skin, one that seemed to have been burnt off.

Marius was a bit puzzled, but he said nothing and only observed in silence.

The Mountain Ax Senior then spoke, "Do you see this mark? It is known as the Crest of Artima, a mark embedded on the skin of some living beings born in the world of Valoria. Like me, each bearer of this crest can be considered a descendant of Artima, beings called Artimans. In this world, there are dozens of other races, divided from Common Race, Higher Race, to lastly, the Ultimate Race. Our Artimans Race is one of the three Ultimate Races, separate from the unique Spirians Race, and those belonging to the diabolical Hellians Race. Each race has their own defining features, and each of these traits is capable of being felt by those of another kind."

Marius felt that the old man's speech was a little long-winded, but he didn't say anything, he keenly listened and already had an idea about what he was implying.

The Mountain Ax Senior seeing Marius's look smirked and finished his statement, "As you should have already guessed, I was able to tell that you especially are not from this world because I do not sense the Crest of Artima on your body. The other thing is unlike the rest of your family, you do not bear the horns nor innate aura of the Hellians. "

When Marius heard this, he was shocked, but not by the way he could identify him as an - Other Worlder. Instead, his mind rang when he recalled the words - unlike the rest of your family.

'This... could it be that they are actually from a race in this world? Wait... he spoke about their horns, then would Ria have some relation to that strange race?' Marius thought as a strange look appeared in his eyes, he wanted to ponder some more, but the Mountain Ax Senior glanced at him and spoke.

"There you have it young one; now I believe it's your turn to answer my questions, do tell me, which world do you hail from?" The Mountain Ax Senior asked with curious eyes.

The scene now turned strange, as a cool wind blew across the fields, scattering petals from roses as they glided about the vicinity.