Chapter 18 - 18: ‘I Still Have Very Long Way Ahead of Me…’

After gathering all his courage, Eirwen decided to maneuver his way to the woman, attacking them with a ballista armed with magic spears. He heaves a heavy sigh as he steels his determination to confront her.

Thankfully, he manages to approach the lady without alerting her. He fears she will aim at him while he is airborne, and he won't have any opportunity to escape. He will be skewered without a doubt.

"Greetings, Holy Guardian Lord White Tiger. The Holy Guardian Vermilion Bird sent us to find you. Please refrain from attacking us. We don't mean you any harm..." He was kneeling and bowing before her in his human form.

The beautiful lady in a white dress calmly looks at his direction and carefully observes him. She could sense that he wasn't lying as the ballista quickly vanishes.

She rolled her eyes as she snickers, "Why didn't you just say so? I could have killed you."

He genuinely wanted to retort, but he just heaved a sigh of relief instead. He is already thankful and relieved that he manages to survive. His lips, on the other hand, involuntarily twitched as he forced a smile.

They weren't even given an opportunity to say anything before she mercilessly attacked them. How did she expect them to inform her?

"We could have explained ourselves if you didn't just start raining arrows at us!" Haru refuted as he arrived. He threw a bunch of spears that nearly killed him as he continued, "As if those magical arrows weren't deadly enough. You decided to switch using these spears!"

He is obviously annoyed as he continues airing his grievances to her. How can he not complain after his near-death experience from her assault?

"Yes, yes… I know. My bad. Can you blame me? Those Shadows are hunting me down and being pathetically persistent." She sneers cooly.

The rain starts pouring as the sun sets down. The Holy Guardian Lord welcome them inside the cave, where she has taken refuge those passed few months.

The cave is comfortable and lit with warm flare gems. A bunch of native fruits is piled in a corner, while a makeshift bed on another. The Holy Guardian has apparently been staying there for a long time.

"I heard Holy Guardian Lord Black Turtle is in Themis and tried to save him." She began her story as she hands them a bowl of soup as she continued, "I barely made it out, I was injured and ran to these parts to recuperate. Unfortunately, those Shadows manage to follow me and been persistently trying to subdue me ever since. My wound is not healing, so I can only assume I was also poisoned..."

She told them everything she encountered and discovered so far. Indeed, Themis is undoubtedly one hell of a well-guarded place for a supposed to be, an abandoned city.

If they plan to save the Holy Guardian Black Turtle, they should take all precautionary measures.

"We should head back tomorrow and report to Lady Freya, Holy Guardian…" Eirwen said after hearing her story.

"How could you call Little Freya casually and address me so formally?" she asked curiously and in disbelief as she continued, "You can call me Lady Rean. I have not been in the position for two hundred years. It is only fair if you address me like that." she took out a new roll of bandages as she continued, "Rest up. We will depart this area first thing in the morning."

"Use this ointment on your wound, Lady Rean. It may help with your healing…" Haru handed over one of his precious ointments.

He always gets free valuable items from the ladies he meets during his conquests. That includes an assortment of high-grade medicines he barely even uses.

"Thank you, Haru. I apologize for my impulse behavior. You two sure are lucky. I did try my best after all…" she chuckled as she heads to her corner.

The two faces darkened as she says that. They are having mixed feelings towards her. She doesn't sound too sorry, or rather, she seemed more amused.

What do they expect? She is just her 'oh, all-mighty' self just like Lady Freya.

Should they get used to working with them? They can only inwardly sigh as they retire themselves.

Before the break of dawn, the group has already prepared to leave. Haru destroys pieces of evidence and any traces that they have settled in that cave. It is a precautionary measure, just in case the Shadows came to look for them.

Also, thanks to Haru's ointment, Lady Rean's injury started to heal. Their month-long mission has come to an end.

It was again a long trek back, but they were glad the journey went smoothly with no mishaps or attacks. They head back to their rendezvous point to meet their companions in Celesea and report everything they learned around the area.

Meanwhile, the Divine Lord Foeni is getting only dire reports regarding the situation. He wanted to travel back to the Inner Courts, but he is tied to duties.

Without the Holy Guardian's assistance, there simply too much to accomplish on his own. It's like he was intentionally being held to work and prevent him from doing something else.

Every day he ensures Little Eu's well being and check with Jairu. He stares at his dull pale blue dragon ring as he misses her terribly.

He can feel that there is something unusual, currently at work. Still, he tried his best to calm himself and dispel his suspicions.

"The Little Miss is doing fine, Divine Lord. You should stop being paranoid and concentrate more on your duties. You can always visit her when you have less work at hand…" Jairu lied again.

Jairu hasn't received any news from her, and he is worried himself. Still, he doesn't have to disclose that fact with the Divine Lord. He will surely be reprimanded from allowing her to go.

The first news given to him was regarding the information about the spies lurking in the mountain paths.

His men have appropriately subdued them. Unfortunately, they didn't manage to acquire any information, who they are working for, nor their intentions.

The following information he got was their arrival at the Mystic Spirit Border and their agreement with Holy Guardian Vermilion Bird.

At the moment, they failed to inform him of their movements, and its also making him anxious. Jairu's face involuntarily twitched as he regrets agreeing to her plans.

What if the Divine Lord decides to come back? He has tendencies of slipping out and doing things his way like that little girl.

Little Eu has given him a tremendous headache as he works as her accomplice and deceiving the Divine Lord. He just hopes he won't get caught or else...

Meanwhile, the Divine Lord cannot completely dispel his suspicions. Despite Jairu's reassurance, he knew that Little Eu is up to something. Still, he has no evidence to condemn and confront him.

Firstly, he needs to settle the issue regarding the Holy Guardians. Mystic Spirit Realm is a vast territory, and he needs those four guardians to lend him a hand.

Mystic Spirit is not short of problems while he settles on other matters. He can't possibly split himself to accomplish everything.

He is expected to take care of everyone's matter. He sometimes wonders why someone would like to be in his position? He can't even do anything without implicating everyone.

He then grabs his outer robes hanging on the black metal and beautiful coat rack. He prepares himself to visit the Mystic Spirit Bordertown and have his scheduled inspections. His four aides follow from behind as they left the premises.

Spies from other realms have been slipping in through their borders. He wanted to check the situation personally. How can they manage to slip through after so many fortifications? Who exactly is messing on his domain?

Meanwhile, Eu has left the Mystic Spirit Bordertown to search for the Lord Azures's cure. She is now in disguise as Young Master Euer. A persona is unintentionally created by Triteia.

"Triteia, who is that just now? Where is Sister Eu?" Lady Freya asked as she passed by to say her farewells to Little Eu.

"That is Little Eu… errrr~" Triteia almost forgot that Little Eu would be in disguise as a male and nobody should know about it. She stumbles on her explanation as she continues, "The Little miss just left... She is back to the Inner Courts to discuss matters with Captain Jairu. That is Little Master Euer. He'll be in charge while she is away, so he'll working with Di'Anon in search of the Holy Guardian's cure..."

Eu is using a stronger, foolproof camouflage spell. It can deceive High-level casters and Divines. She can barely recognize herself in the mirror as she is looking at her male version. It is different from her concealment spell, which pales so much in comparison.

She decided only Di'Anon and Triteia to know this fact since she is working closely with them. She has to conceal this truth and lie to everyone else.

Her Master advised her to take extra precautionary measures and hide her identity as she deals with things. After all, she is dealing with someone she shouldn't underestimate.

Even with her seven-layered elemental magic, it is just a fancy ancient spell wielded by a little girl. She might be able to intimidate others. Still, she is not capable enough to face powerful, scheming hostiles at her current state.

She looks out of the window and watches the vast meadows that come into view as she murmurs to herself, 'I still have a very long way ahead of me…'

They have been traveling for days, and she is always consumed with these kinds of thoughts. Her eyes look as if they were searching and demanding for answers beyond the vast, beautiful, peaceful scenery.

Di'Anon refrains from uttering anything as he watches over her. He can't deny he is sometimes surprised by this little girl's capabilities. There are instances she felt like a different person that he forgets she is just a child.

Di'Anon and Little Eu is riding a self-driving carriage headed to the Eastern parts of Mystic Spirit Realm called the Forbidden Mountains.

It is a territory and dwelling place of powerful Ancient Mystic and Majestic Spirits. They wanted to live in seclusion and away from everyone or everything else.

Little Eu is seeking a wise ancient who could help Lord Azure recuperate from his ailing body and severe injuries. She is truly determined to reunite the Holy Guardians back in power.