The journey to the East had started. Fein's group passed many countries along the way and even stopped in some of them to spend the night. With Aoi's maximum speed, the speed of their far surpassed that of the flying carriage they rode last time to the Secret Realm.
During their travel, the people looked at Fein's group with curiosity. The majority of them were mesmerized by the appearance of the two, along with Voli and Aoi which exudes majestic and noble aura.
No bandit or criminal dared to trouble Fein because the criminal from the low ranks and higher ranks had already listed as someone not to offend after the big announcement happened. Fein was now well known due to his dazzling achievements.
As an S-rank degu user, Fein became easily recognizable for the degu user of the degu community crossed the South and almost all people who recognized him either bowed at him or called him Lord Fein.
After two months passed, Fein and his group finally reached the border of the South. The dividing line between their region to the East! To go to the East, they had to make a stop at a kingdom located at the border as it was the gateway to entering the South.
...
In the sky, Fein looked below and saw a magnificent place bustling with people. All building was made of stone.
"So this is the Kingdom of Earkshire?" Fein muttered.
The Kingdom of Earkshire is known as the final stop of mercenaries, travelers, merchants, and degu users if they want to go to the East. The Hosu Great Country assigned the kingdom to maintain order and uphold security. Of course, they are the ones who regulated the entry and exit of the people.
The Xeno Great Alliance doesn't want criminals coming and going to the South, and this is also to prevent suspicious persons from entering the region.
There is a hundred-meter wall erected that divided the East and the Southern border. Guards with the strength of C to A rank were stationed to go monitor and prevent troubles. These guards are the elites sent by the Xeno Great Alliance and each of them came from the Four Great Counties, the cream of the crop.
The Kingdom of Earkshire was protected by three walls and it was arranged like a sphere. First, the outer wall. The outer wall is where the commoners live. Then there was the inner wall where the middle classes and business families lives. This means that the market was located on the inner wall. Then there was the last wall. The center of the kingdom of Earkshire where the castle was also located. Around the castle, there are luxury houses where the noble and the most ancient families reside... As for the castle, it was the home of the royal family and the king.
"Yes, there's a lot of people, right?" Sofia smiled. "Since this is the final stop or gateway to the East, all types of people gathered here and business-minded people took this opportunity. So, the Kingdom of Earkshire's economy was almost close to that of the Great Countries."
"Well, I don't really care about that. We are just here to pass anyway. But I have to say that it is really lively here, not one bit inferior to the market of the San Luebisto Kingdom." Fein chuckled.
Just like that, Aoi slowly descended with Feim's instruction. As they got closer and closer, Fein saw bodyguards neatly lined up waiting for them.
'Wait... Are they waiting for us? Did Lucius tell them that we will pass here or what?'
Just when they reached the ground, the degu user stood straight one after another and raised their right hand towards their neck in a saluting manner.
"Welcome Lord Fein!"
Their shouts reverberated throughout the area, which caught the attention of the people around who were busy doing their business.
"Who's that? Lord Fein? Is it a new aristocrat?"
A big-bellied bald man shrugged. "Lord Fein? Dunno, no clue."
"Well, look. They might be referring to the two people on top of a purple bird! Wow, such a beautiful bird. This is the first time I saw a bird like this."
"Yeah, and the man beside the girl might be the Lord Fein they were talking about."
"Wow, such a cute bear!"
Fein's lineup caused a commotion among the kingdom's people.
Fein teleported in front of the guards. "Ummm... Did Lucius tell you that I will pass here?"
Suddenly, a black-haired man with long wild hair, a red samurai suit and a weapon that look like a giant fan stepped forward.
Fein could feel the savage aura on the man and the strong fighting intent. Yet the man was only an A-rank degu user.
The long-haired man bowed slightly and then spoke. "Yes, sir. Lucius had informed the king about your arrival. The king ordered us to assist you to our fullest ability. So please, just say it and we'll try to accomplish it as long as it's within our capabilities."
"No need to be so troublesome. We're just here to enter the gateway. How much do we need to pay?" Fein said.
"Normally, you would have to pay twenty-nine gold coins. But if it was you, then you don't need to pay." The long-haired man said.
"Really?" Sofia on the sideline asked.
"Of course." The man answered without a second thought.
"If that's the case, we won't be polite. Thank you." Fein smiled, then motioned to his friends to follow. "Let's go guys."
Just like that, the guards pulled the lever at the entrance of the gate. Then the long-haired man leads Fein and his group toward the gate of the wall on the border. As Fein and Voli left, the commotion they caused gradually subsided.
With that, Fein appeared in front of a massive gate with circular green gems etched on it. It had the crest of the Kingdom of Earkshire written above it. The gate was so big that Fein had to raise his head just to see its entirety.