Chapter 287 - You're his Mother?

In the next morning as the snow has lessened, flaking lightly here and there. A few of which could land on one's face after several meters walked across the ground, declared that it is a lot safer today to travel across these high cold mountains.

But although the weather is working to their advantage this day, tomorrow isn't certain and neither is an hour's time from now. Weather chan change for the worst and if it does, they had to be prepared for it.

Commander Alia oriented them about this preparation, being equipped for the worse neccesarily means that they will have to carry a weight on their back. Food for example, they only need to carry a little bit of it and be savvy with them. If they need more food they will have to hunt, that might prove slightly difficult up here but it isn't impossible.

As for warmth which up here is considered the most important case, they are currently wearing an extra layer of Ratbug leather clothing along with the fur clothing above. Furthermore, Mogranius is carrying a tent and sleeping bag while Eric is carrying extra clothing for both along with a sleeping bag.

Such careful space management required Commander Alia's magic touch, she likes organizing things while Mogranius although having years of experience in the forest, tends to just stuff everything down almost carelessly.

Travel time is the most nerve wrecking part about this journey. The Kingom of Maleemia is around 400 Kilometers far from the low grounds if one would take the safer road around, at the beginning Eric and Mogranius didn't take this road before and they don't intend to this time even though they have a better map now showing where it is.

That would just take too long. Instead they will be piercing through the roads by flying above them, well more like leap above them. Although summer is getting closer by the day in the low lands which of course slightly affects the temperature up here, the winds are still strong.

If they are not careful, they can be bashed against the rocks and face a horrible bone breaking death. So although leaping above the roads makes their travel distance half the times shorter (Nearly 200 Kilometers.), it will still take two weeks for them to reach the low lands, where they would need to travel for another week if they want to reach Crutal Kingdom.

So although in a rush, this journey will take 3 weeks. Taking another 3 weeks to return would feel more like a vacation if they survive this crazy situation. If Xakro ill.u.s.tratio at least can't pass down his powers, he will die in a matter of weeks due to age and wounds who get rougher by the passing years since some are linked to his throat and lungs.

As much as Eric and Mogranius are concerned, the entire ill.u.s.tratian Alliance will be weaker than it ever was if they loose their Grand King. All they will be able to rely upon, is their military forces who met a huge shortage over the past year.

Guard Commander or best known as Errand Runner Chan, might or might not arrive in Crutal Kingdom before the two heroes. I see how you find it illogical considering that they are at the opposite side of the Continent while Crutal Kingdom is literally at the other side but there is one thing working to his advantage, that he can use to cheat distance and it isn't Bear Claw.

See at the beginning, Chan was sent to handle this task round the Continent so he can Check on Pameres Kingdom. To see what Progress they have made there, thinking that the invasion was a success.

But hell no, that wasn't nearly the case. However, now they don't need to go around the Continent. It would take them about a week to escape Orientis Ignis. Afterwards they would follow the close by River which punctures Orientis Ignis as well, it is also the main place where Shire Horses stand because of the River.

However, that portion of the River wouldn't prove effective to them since there isn't a port or sh.i.p.s for that matter too, no one would come here since there isn't any business. Good news for them though, is that after travelling about 100 kilometers near the River, they will meet with a town full of Lumberjacks which held quite a big population before the military shortage and likely still has a reasonable population now.

There they will find a port, they can rent a boat there or boats... But it won't be cheap considering the travel distance of 1,000 Kilometers. The Boats wound need to travel with the main river as an aim, and take a sharp right where they would aim for Crutal Kingdom.

These Boats usually travel 50-100 Kilometers a day, so when they will arrive will solely depend on how fast their Boats can travel. What a Journey Chan might face, he expects to attain Freezing Powers yet there is so much power at the palm of his hand and he doesn't even know it.

To break down the silence as an aftermath of all that Argument, Bittore spoke as the rest were working except for Ada, Commander Alia and Osira. Stating, "I realise that a lot has been going on here, but we still have a lot more to do."

It became a bit odd, since there are only four people around the Camp Fire it felt like she quoted Commander Alia and Ada, it felt like she indirectly calling them lazy or dead weight. But thankfully she clarified her intend before anyone had the chance to speak.

"We still have a lot to explore in this place, it was a task Eric and Osira was assigned too." At this point, she wanted to point out that Eric spend a bit of time alone with her daughter. But at the process of explanation she indeed sounds very innocent, adding. "I can't let Osira explore alone, Ada can you please join her?"

At first her intend sounded pure, she wants this place more and more independent. And the reason she is assigning Ada with Osira is almost random, she doesn't want Osira to show this kid what's what.

In a joking matter, Bittore added. "Let us grown ladies catch up and see what Eric and Mogranius represent. They spoke about three or four domains under their control but they didn't really specify each one."

"I'm sure they had a reason too." Commander Alia added with a smile and tried to think this situation through. Eric likely just wanted to keep quiet, since it is his nature. But Mogranius? If he loves one thing more than sarcasm, is bragging. So she tried to figure out why he barely bragged.

"Well... rest assured that you can trust me." Bittore spoke as the two younger ladies walked out of the big room.

Bittore didn't need to remind Osira which room to explore next, she has had it as a responsibility and likely knows that she has to explore in an orderly matter. In a straight line before they explore the right wing of this second Section.

Showing a bit concern on her face since Commander Alia barely yet spoke, she added. "Okay I will be honest with you. I didn't want to talk about it in front of the kids, it would embarrass them both and cause a huge iceberg between them. I don't want kids to fight." Here at least, Bittore portrayed herself as a responsible woman.

But curious enough, barely knowing where this conversation is going and thinking she will talk about war. Commander Alia asked, "What do the four domains have to do with the kids?"

"It doesn't. I want to talk to you about Eric, I don't know if you are his mother but I think that you are the only person I can talk such a topic seriously with." Now at least she has shed more light to her intend and Commander Alia caught on here and there.

But of course, first she had to specify. "I'm not Eric's mother by blood, but I think I partially replaced that spot by now. I tried so hard." Looking at the burning Fire in front of her, it reminded her of the tragedy that linked to Eric's losing his mother. Or it at least is how Woldemir described it. "I hope you didn't open such a topic about Eric's mother, he is sensitive about it."

"Why sensitive?" Asked Bittore, assuming that Eric's mother just disappeared.

"She was burned alive in a house fire, caused by ill.u.s.tratios." Commander Alia spoke firmly, with little hesitation. If Eric was around she would never open such a topic so she can save his feelings, she has been careful with his feelings most of the time and it really describes the definition of motherhood.

"What!" Panicked Bittore, instantly imagining how hurt Osira would be if she had the same fate as Eric. Apparently Osira didn't manage to tell her about Eric's fate with his mother. "Poor child, yet he is so kind!"