Chapter 13: Marius's and Ria's Choice, A Special Ground

The night had now fallen, and the wild couple had an early end to their previous antics. It seemed that they knew when not to go overboard, especially now that they were in a stranger's domain.

At this time, everyone was gathered together around a simple wooden table in the fields. The fresh night wind and brilliant plants shone in a myriad of colors filling this entire region with a mythical vibe. Even the sky had its peculiarities, as Marius saw not moons, but large glowing orbs that resembled planets.

Each of which was connected by some unusual line, as his eyes swept around, he noticed that a myriad of stars was between them, some having a dull light as others illuminated the sky in a vast array of colors.

"Ria, now that I'm looking at this place in its night scenery, I have to say it is quite a wonderful sight..." Marius said in a soft tone, trying not to wake the sleeping Little Rose that adorably laid down on Ria's lap, her tiny little nose having a bubble snot that expanded and contracted.

Grevlin was also tired after a long afternoon of playing; he currently had both arms in his arm binders as he rested his head on top of the table while sleeping.

Ria hearing her husband's words nodded and spoke with a smile, "Yes, I've heard that it's always been like this, especially in this region... though I'm still not certain as to where exactly in the Artimans domain we are currently residing."

Marius looked at her and spoke, "Oh, so you've never been to this sector of this world?"

Ria made a complex look and replied, "Yes... I've always been in the Hellshire..."

Marius blamed himself for asking such a stupid question; he sighed before he placed his palm above her head and played with her hair strands.

Ria felt happy at his touch; she leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes as if feeling contented. They quietly enjoyed a husband and wife moment, but what this couple didn't remember was that there was another guest around the table.

"Ahem!" The Mountain Ax Senior made a slight cough of discontent as if trying to let them remember that he was still seated here awaiting their decision.

Marius and Ria made an awkward look as they stared at each other before looking at the Mountain Ax Senior, speaking one after the other.

"I... do please excuse us, we had momentarily forgotten the topic at hand," Marius said with a slightly awkward laugh as he scratched the back of his head. His manner right now in no way similar to the hostile and cautious self shown earlier.

"Great Senior... please excuse our disrespect," Ria said with a slight bow, it seemed that having realized his strength, she had adopted the custom of greeting shown to experts in this world.

The Mountain Ax Senior was at first disgruntled, but he shook his head. His eyes had a faint look of remembrance, picturing a similar beauty like Ria. However, that look soon faded as he laughed it off as he spoke, "Hoho... it's fine, it's fine. Youth is meant to be hotblooded, who am I to pull such a couple from their bonding. You two are quite a match made in heaven... though, I have yet to figure if it's a curse of a blessing..."

When Marius and Ria, heard the first parts of his words, their faces showed happy looks, but as they listened to the latter parts, their eyes once more turned a bit solemn.

The Mountain Ax Senior sighed as he saw their expressions, he spoke again, "Worry not children, though it will be difficult to carve a life out in these lands. It's not impossible, but before I get to that, please tell me what you'll like to do? Will you be venturing to the Grand Alvaria Dynasty? Or, do you wish to travel to the remote spiritual lands of Ilianore?"

When Marius and Ria heard this, they looked at each other and nodded, having bonded since all afternoon, they had already spoken in detail about their current options.

From that discussion, Marius even learned a bit about the world, knowing full well that the Grand Alvaria Dynasty was the home ground for all Artimans. Illianore, on the other hand, was the domain of the mystical Spiritans.

Marius looked at the Mountain Ax Senior and spoke, "After thinking about it, we have decided to make a temporary stop here. My understanding of this world and its customs are not yet up to par, and most importantly, if we were to go out there right now; we would be no different from sheep to a pack of wolves. We want to take this chance to train ourselves to a survivable standard, at least..."

The Mountain Ax Senior chuckled as he heard the words 'survivable standard,' he looked at them and spoke, "Fine, you've both made a wise choice, as I've said before, you are free to use my study to learn what you wish, consider it as a mere act of goodwill on my part. When the time comes for you to leave, I will impart a few methods by which you can blend in with society. As for the duration of your stay, I suggest that it be no more than a single month, after all, the mountain life is no place for the growth of children..."

When Marius and Ria heard this, they nodded their heads showing looks of understanding as their eyes shifted onto the sleeping children.

"Great, I'll be calling it a night for..." The Mountain Ax Senior was about to say something as he got up from his seat and prepared to leave, but as if Ria only now recalled something, she looked at him and spoke, "Great Senior, might I ask you a question?"

Hearing her words, the Mountain Ax Senior turned around and glanced at her as he spoke, "Sure, go ahead."

Marius looked at Ria, wondering what she wanted to ask, but soon, she spoke with a somewhat confused look on her face, "Senior, I couldn't help but notice when you asked us of our choice, you mentioned if we wanted to travel to the Grand Alvaria Dynasty. I am a bit puzzled, isn't this mountain range within the lands of Alvaria?"

Marius hearing this had a surprised look in his eyes, he didn't even notice it himself, he pondered, 'Odd, wasn't this the domain of the Artimas, why did he speak as if we were somewhere else?'

The Mountain Ax Senior raised one of his eyebrows at this, but then he scratched the back of his head and laughed as he replied, "Hoho... oh how silly of me, I have yet to tell you both where we are. I had even forgotten that miss Ria here is from the Hellshire, what you know about the rest of the continent of Valoria should also be somewhat limited to a certain degree of experience."

As the Mountain Ax Senior spoke to here, both Ria and Marius calmly looked at him as they awaited his answer. Not long after, the Mountain Ax Senior smirked and walked away as his voice trailed through the wind, reaching their ears, "This mountain of mine is a bit different as it's disconnected from everywhere else, for now, let's just say that its a Special Ground."

Marius made a look of confusion, while Ria tilted her head slightly, she still didn't quite understand where this place was, but her eyes shone in a strange ray as she knew that there are quite a few Special Grounds in this world.

"It must be one of those Top-Grade Special Grounds that are written the ancient scriptures of the clan..." Ria muttered silently, as her purple eyes had a curious glint.

Marius no longer pondered this issue, he looked at his wife and spoke, "Ria, let's get these kids back upstairs, now that we've made up our mind, we have a long month ahead of us. From this point onward, we will both work hard to build our home in this world."

Ria roused from her thoughts, gave Marius a loving look as she kissed his cheek and spoke, "Right."

The two then carefully lifted the sleeping children, carrying both them and the tiger cubs towards the house as they called an end to their first day in the world of Valoria.