RE - Ascension

The entire southwestern coast of Eastern Profound Continent was known to local natives as Lampero Coast.

Lampero Coast was a medium-sized region, which also populated by dozen millions of people. However, the region's importance on the continent's stage was negligible at best.

The region was divided into three kingdoms: Martial Glory Kingdom, Kingdom of Genosia, and Eternal Fragrance Kingdom.

Martial Glory Kingdom situated in the northwestern section of the region. Its northern border was completely enclosed by one of the most dangerous areas in the eastern continent, the Forest of Evil, where many dangerous Demon Beasts reside.

The kingdom's western side directly touched the waters of the Ocean of Death. And because of the treacherous ocean, Martial Glory did not have a single port on their western coastline.

On the eastern side of the kingdom's territory lies a vast mountain range called the Aurga Mountains. The mountain range stretches from deep inside the Forest of Evil all the way to the northern border of the Kingdom of Genosia.

Aurga formed a formidable natural border that completely separated both Martial Glory and Eternal Fragrance Kingdom.

The sea located to the south of the continent was known as the Sea of Calm. Unlike the Ocean of Death, the Sea of Calm was famed for its safe waters and good environment.

Due to that reason, the Kingdom of Genosia, which controlled half of Lampero's southern coast, was able to gain many profits from the sea trade that happens frequently through this sea.

The Kingdom of Eternal Fragrance shared its southwestern border with the Genosia and its western border with the Martial Glory.

Similar to its neighbor in the west, Eternal Fragrance's northern border was also enclosed by the Forest of Evil.

Because of the kingdom's geographic location, its eastern border was the only entry point for the land route to Lampero region. As a result, every merchant and trade caravans from distance countries need to pass through Eternal Fragrance's eastern border, in order to enter the region.

This made Eternal Fragrance have absolute control over the region's main trade route. Resulting the kingdom becomes the wealthiest kingdom in the whole of Lampero.

In terms of size and national power, Martial Glory was the weakest of the three, while Eternal Fragrance was the most influential one.

However, Martial Glory has a strong and experienced armed force, which could even fight the other two kingdoms evenly at the same time.

The relationship between the three kingdoms was not really harmonious, especially between Martial Glory and Eternal Fragrance.

Both of the kingdoms did not share borders directly as they have the mighty Aurga Mountains lie between them. But the mountain possessed a passage that cut a path straight through it known as the Malfar Pass, which also happens to be the only passage in Aurga Mountains.

Malfar Pass was under controlled by Eternal Fragrance and has been turned into a formidable military fortress.

Eternal Fragrance always limiting the number of caravans and travelers that either entering or exiting their rival's territory via Malfar.

Martial Glory did not like this; the kingdom's economy was heavily depended on the pass, and the fortress' existences have blocked them from the rest of the continent.

That's why they have been trying to take over the pass for years. Unfortunately, Eternal Fragrance's army stationed within the pass had successfully defended it many times, and they're proven to be a tough opponent for Martial Glory's forces.

Meanwhile, Gareth and his people have already resumed their journey, and they're currently riding their horses on a dirt road towards the east direction.

Based on the map they have brought, they should be located within Martial Glory's territory, just a few kilometers from a town called Afrin.

"Diandra, tell me something about Afrin. What kind of town it is?" Gareth asked Diandra who rode her horse beside him.

"Well, it's merely a mediocre town, even though the town is one of the major settlements in Martial Glory. Its industry is small, and the population is only around 20,000 people at least... That's all, there's nothing else special about that place." Diandra replied unenthusiastically, it appears she has a low impression of Afrin.

A town with a population of merely 20,000 people was certainly a minor community, even for the eastern continent's standard. Its low population really shows that the town was unimportant.

"What about their military then? Are there also cultivator powers reside there?"

Diandra shook her head slightly, "No, the kingdom did not station any troops in the town. However, a cultivator powerhouse does exist there, a clan named Alkash clan."

Gareth nods before asking again, "Tell me about that clan... How much influence they have?"

"Alkash is essentially a local overlord. Although the town has a mayor who officially supervised it, Alkash clan is the one that actually governed it from the shadow. Their influence is the peak around the surrounding area. Their strength actually did not amount much, they only possessed few Martial Masters, while their strongest warrior is the clan's leader and he's a 5th-rank Martial Master." Diandra explained in detail.

"5th-rank Martial Master? The overlord of a local area only has that much of strength? Holy! They're so weak, I'm sure I can beat that guy on my own." Arda, who was listening to their conversation suddenly joined in.

5th-rank Martial Master did not amount to anything in the central continent. Cultivators of that realm can only take jobs as lowly servants, guards or even ragtag mercenaries.

Obviously, they weren't matched for Arda who already has the cultivation of 9th-rank Martial Master at his young age.

Diandra rolled her eyes in response to Arda's boasting, while Gareth smiling lightly.

"You can feel it right? Martial Essence's concentration in this continent is ridiculously low, it's really hard and difficult for local cultivators to have even a small breakthrough in their cultivation because of that. You can't compare this place to the central continent, and you certainly can't compare them to yourselves, who was born in the rich family..." Said Diandra.

The silver-haired boy stuck his tongue after he had heard that.

"Alright stop it..." Gareth ordered both of them to stop, while he patted Arda's head.

Next, he resumed talking, "That clan has a backer, right? There's no way for them to ruled a town that has an official supervising it with only a few Martial Masters unless they have someone supporting them..."

"Indeed, Young Master. They have a backer that came from the kingdom's capital. According to our information, that person is one of the six Martial Grandmasters that the kingdom has. The only daughter of Alkash's clan leader has become one of the concubines of that Grandmaster, thus the alliance." Diandra replied seriously.

"I see... I must admit, though, the intel we have is really detailed huh... Siri did an outstanding job if she has an information network that could even touch this faraway place."

"She is... Her chamber of commerce may not be the wealthiest, but it has the most extensive information networks. She's really amazing."

Both Gareth and Diandra praised someone named Siri.

Siri was one of the orphans Gareth had rescued in the past, and she has served him ever since. She has an incredible talent in managing a business, that's why she was tasked in running the operation of the chamber of commerce that Gareth had created a few years ago.

Under her management, the chamber now has become one of the largest chambers of commerce in the central continent. Possessing immense wealth and wide trade connections as well as huge information networks.

Because there was an urgent problem occurred in the chamber that required her attention, she cannot join Gareth on this journey. However, she still provided him a detailed intelligence regarding the Eastern Profound Continent.

"Hehe, sister Siri is really nice, unlike a certain auntie we have here..." Arda suddenly commented sarcastically.

Diandra glared at him, "Who did you call auntie, brat?!"

Arda ignored her as he happily whistled a melody.

Gareth sighed as he looked at Diandra and Arda. These two always bickering like that when they're together, Gareth suffers a headache every time it happens.

"That's enough! No more fighting, okay?" Said Gareth in a serious tone.

"Yes, Young Master."

"Got it, bro."

Both Diandra and Arda complied.

Arda was a mischievous kid that sometimes could be really rebellious, he also barely listen to his parents. But his attitude towards his older cousin was obedient. Most of the time, he would listen to whatever Gareth told him to do.

Though Gareth mostly advised him on the matter of cultivation, he did not carelessly order Arda to perform shady things.

"It should be fine for us as long we did not deliberately provoke any troubles. All of you must remember, I don't want any unnecessary disruption hampering our journey. We have to keep a low profile as our destination is still far from here. Do you guys understand?" Gareth warned his group again about their conduct.

"Understood, Young Master."

Just like his usual habit, he wants them to not attract any attention in this journey. Gareth likes to keep a low profile, performing activities under people's eyes was preferable for him.

He would go all out and "revealed himself" only if it was necessary for him to do so.

***

Several hours later, just as the sun was about to go down. Gareth and his companions already arrived near the town of Afrin.

Looking from a close distance, Afrin was wholly enclosed by 5 meters tall of wooden walls. Most of the buildings inside the town were made from woods with few stone buildings mixed in. Even their roads were still unpaved dirt roads that were littered with muds and puddles.

The town as a whole feels destitute, dirty and its atmosphere was rather unenergetic.

Gareth's group then went towards the town's gate.

The gate was guarded by several guards wearing worn-out looking leather armors and who carry out their job with lazy expressions.

Diandra conveyed some kind of signal to Heinz and Zeke, those two already changed back their appearances to the form of human twins.

After they saw Diandra's signal, both of them quickly positioned themselves at the front as the group approaching closer to the gate.

As the guards defending the gate saw a group of unknown people has approached them, they were all began to get wary.

Afrin was a rural town. It's exceptionally rare for travelers from outside visiting the town, thus it explained the guard's wariness.

Gareth's group stopped their horses just a few meters before the gate.

Heinz, Zeke and Diandra have leaked out a small amount of their power deliberately in accordance with Gareth's order so that they would not be underestimated by other people.

Gareth knew that sometimes showing your power would get things done more quickly and would also allow you to avoid troubles effortlessly.

Most of the guards here were ordinary mortals without having any shred of cultivations, so when Gareth's group has gotten closer to them, all of them became slightly suffocated and intimidated by the pressures emanating from the group.

"Go... Gods! Those people are masters!"

"Tea... Team... Leader, what do we do now? What do those people want?"

Few of the guards who were already shivering in fear asked their leader.

"It's okay... Let me talk to them. You guys stay here and don't do anything stupid..."

The leader of the guards, who fared slightly better in resisting the pressures because of his 5th-rank Elementary Warrior cultivation, step forward bravely towards that group of strangers.

"Greetings Sirs... Welcome to Afrin... May I know the reason why these honorable guests visiting our lowly town?" The guard leader greeted Gareth's people in a humble manner.

"We're here only to rest for the night and will immediately leave the next morning." Heinz replied haughtily.

Zeke then throws a gold coin to the leader and spoke, "Can you show us the nearest comfortable inn?"

This kind of speaking in haughty manners was actually customary for high-rank cultivators when they're talking to other cultivators with lesser cultivations.

Heinz and Zeke were Martial Saints; they were a pair of exalted individuals compared to the guard's leader. So, it's normal to demonstrate their superiority like that.

The leader was startled when he caught the gold coin. Although he has seen and touched gold coins many times before, those sums of money did not belong to him.

This was the first time he received a gold coin that was meant for himself.

As the leader of the guard, he could earn 5 silver coins per month. With that amount of salary, the guard's leader able to provide a comfortable life for his family. However, the recent few years have been really difficult for him.

Since Alkash clan has begun to reigned supreme over this town, his salary sometimes was only paid in half or the payment was delayed for several months. Other guards and local officials also suffered the same treatments. And what makes the matter worse, the mayor himself was unable to prevent this situation from happening.

Many people had grown suspicious that Alkash clan has actually embezzled Afrin's government budget for their own gain. Even some people already found many pieces of evidence concerning the clan's crimes.

But who would brave enough to complain or even report them?

The clan's strength was no joke, not to mention they still have a pillar. That pillar who supporting them from behind has even more terrible power and reputation.

Hence, no one in this town was brave enough.

"HEY! Are you deaf?! Can you f*cking show us a f*cking nearest and comfortable inn? Goddamned!" Heinz cursed in a loud tone, loud enough that he almost shouting.

The leader was surprised again this time. He realized he had been ignoring these honorable guests.

All the guards and some local townsfolk in the surrounding area grew even more afraid after Heinz becomes enraged. His power pressure was amplified due to his fury.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I'm sorry, I was a bit startled earlier." The guard's leader hurriedly apologized by bowing his head deeply.

Zeke shook his head as he saw the scene and thought, 'Heinz really couldn't hold his patience, even though Young Master had told him not to make a scene...'

Then, he spoke to the guard's leader, "It's fine, just take us to the inn, please. I'm sure that coin earlier is enough for your trouble right?"

"Yes... Yes... Sir." The leader bobbed his head as he replied.

A moment later, the guard's leader and several of his subordinates brought Gareth's group into the town.

Just like Gareth had seen from outside, Afrin's interior wasn't really different from what he had in mind. It was underdeveloped and poor, there were no other accurate words to describe it.

As Gareth and his group being guided towards the inn, many local townsfolk started to massing along the roadside to watch them pass as it was rare for the town to have visitors.

Gareth and Diandra concealed their faces with hoods which merely showing their eyes, they did that to prevent their high-profile appearances from being revealed. While Heinz, Zeke and Arda keep showing their appearances.

These five people really captured the townsfolk's attention, especially Diandra.

Even though Diandra was wearing a hood that hides her face, her womanly shaped armor and her body language still managed to reveal her gender. Those masses may not be able seeing her face, but they could discern that Diandra was a total beauty.

A beautiful female warrior was a rarity around this land, that's why she became almost everyone's focus.

Arda also shared some of the townsfolk's attention. His pristine silver hair and his good-looking face have attracted many gazes from local young girls. Looking at Arda right now, one could see his mouth was curved into a smirk.

Gareth, who rode his horse on the center of the formation, suddenly sensed several people with Martial Masters cultivations was trying to probe his group from a building not far from his location.

Cultivators could project their spiritual sense to probe other people's strengths or even to attack them. Not only that, but it could also be used as a sensory ability that able to sense almost every situation happens around the cultivator area. This spiritual sense was known as Martial Sense.

Gareth's other companions have detected those Martial Masters as well. Like Gareth, it was easy for them to quickly found those unknown Martial Masters' location by counter-probing.

Diandra shifted her sight towards Gareth, and he knew what she was implying with that gaze.

"Just simply scaring them is enough. There's no need to do things excessively..." Said Gareth leisurely.

Diandra nodded after she had heard that.

Then, she amplified the power within her Martial Sense for a little, and project it directly to those peeping Martial Masters.

A Saint spiritual attack was extremely powerful, especially to opponents with lesser cultivations.

The peeping Martial Masters, which consisted of four cultivators, was promptly hit by Diandra's spiritual attacks. They have been very leisure and did not know the targets of their probe have actually discovered them, thus all four of them were caught by surprise.

Diandra only used a minuscule amount of power in her spiritual attack earlier, the damages that were done to each of the peeping Martial Masters was not high.

Those four merely vomited blood from their mouth, and they quickly realized that they were being under attack. In no time, the four Martial Masters immediately left the building and retreated from the area.

Diandra simply gave a nod to Gareth, implying to him that the job was done.

And Gareth only nods back to her without speaking.

Subsequently, he and his group continue being guided towards the inn they would be staying at.