Chapter 63 - Hell Hole

"How far are we from Gaster Kingdom? It has been almost 3 weeks since we left Lan Zhe."

Asked Eric.

"It shouldn't be too far away. We did pass Pameres Kingdom yesterday.

We have been spending most of the time traveling through the dense forest to avoid being seen.

Not everyone wouldn't report 10 foot Men and Women marching down a road.

We are lucky that we didn't run into any Source Bears.

Even i can't fight off a large beast like that."

Added Commander Alia in hopes to shut her King's Complains.

Eric is lucky that he doesn't need to hide his crown from the ill.u.s.tratios now.

The only people they can meet in this dense forest is either hunters or those in the hunt for good lumber.

"Exactly. We have been traveling through this dense forest. Without Horses. My feet are killing me."

Said Stefan in a bit of an irritated tone.

"Stop your complaining. I can't tell you apart from an ill.u.s.tratio.

Fall down and start crying while you're at it."

Added Mogranius in both aims to tease the two and to look tough in front of Commander Alia.

Mogranius was always in a l.u.s.t for knowledge.

And knowledge is to be found where typical humans can't reach. Which occasionally led to thick forests in ancient Ignite ruins.

So he is used to this kind of travel.

But he did discover many sorts of magical powers. The Fire Shield for example.

It was a spell that even Akareas didn't know about.

When the Continent faced an ice age, Snow Ignites made that specific ruin out of nothing.

And when the ice age came to an end, they settled for Colder Climates and made their way up to the mountains of Orientis Ignis and Meridionali Ignis even though survival on Occidentis Ignis was very possible.

They like what they like i suppose.

But whatever they were doing on that ruin before the first era was even recorded, they were way ahead of time when it came to Magical Powers. Mogranius was able to learn the spell from a simple parchment they left behind.

The rest were just books who were unreadable due to age

Now they are still ahead but due to the countless massacres, there are mostly Snow Ignites who Control Ice.

"Well can at least someone estimate how long it will take to reach. Or at least can we take a break?"

Yawned Stefan Dragging his feet under the moonlight."

"We are already way behind schedule. When I made my way to Gaster Kingdom for the first time, I was traveling on the Clear Lands.

I did not expect for the travel to take this long.

We passed the halfway mark 2 days ago though."

Said Commander Alia and added

"2 more hours of travel and we can rest for today."

…

As they finally woke up from the 12 hour a day travel that knocked them out once they opened their sleeping bags, they made their way again towards Gaster Kingdom.

It was rather hard to travel on foot.

They left their horses back at Lan Zhe. Because horses would be useless at a dense forest like this and there weren't enough for all of the 15 people.

Only Shire Horses can possibly carry a Calidum Lutum.

Commander Alia left one of the very capable Guards in charge. If an attack is in order, they can do well without Commander Alia.

The first defense of Guards are now fully armored. Even explosive bolts wouldn't pose a big threat.

And to raise the defenses, the entrance which connects Lan Zhe to the outside world is covered with thick volcanic rock of which the Lava Controllers provide, throughout most of the day.

They only open it in the morning and at night for the horses.

They even assign a Guard each day to protect them.

Woldemir is with the group right now but he made sure that the temporary Guard Commander is to make the rest of the Guards do exercises he assigned them too.

Since the 10 Guards who will aid in the battle of Gaster Kingdom appear to be battle ready, the exercises at Lan Zhe are lighter now. Only 8 hours a day.

"Alright let's get this over wit...aaaaaaaaaaaaa..."

Stefan tried to finish his sentence as he was woken up but fell down a hole not to far away from the camp.

"Did he fall down a hunter's trap?"

Asked Eric.

"No I don't think so, I can still hear him scream."

Told Woldemir.

Fire ignited from Eric's feet and he flew headfirst into the hole after Stefan.

Whatever made this hole, it is sure very deep in.

Eric is flying down at full speed but he doesn't seem to find an end or Stefan.

Luckily, the hole seems to be about 15 feet wide so a ragdolling man falling down it wouldn't break bones if he was to hit the edges of the hole.

"How did we not notice a damn 15 foot wide hole."

Asked Mogranius in confusion.

"Well maybe because all of you complained about being tired all the time. We are lucky that we didn't all fall down there at night."

Said Commander Alia in a bit of a complaining tone.

"Are you familiar with this hole Mogranius? Could it be a ruin?"

Asked Woldemir who seemed to be the only one not complaining or panicking.

"No not at all. I never even read about holes like this. It could 've just been a Drunk hunter digging holes."

"Wouldn't he just bury himself like that?"

Added Commander Alia.

"Well..i.."

Mogranius was interrupted by Eric who flew out of the cave with Stefan clinging on him.

"Well i be damned. There is a whole world down there. Maybe Ignites being connected with Demons isn't impossible after all."