In the morning we gathered in town lord's courtyard. Duke Frederick supported baron Milligan's journey and provided him with everything necessary for it.

  Simple cart covered with cloth was big enough for several people and supplies. It required two horses to pull it. For Trevor, Luara and me Frederick prepared riding horses. By now I was competent rider and even could use a bow, while sitting on a horse back.

  Nelly, Milligan and two of his attendants were meant to ride in cart. Coachmen was one of Milligan's new attendants. His name was Alfred and he was a youngest son from Frederick's relatives family. Second servant was his younger sister Alla. They were around eighteen and seventeen years old. It was not uncommon for younger sons and daughters of less important families to serve in kings court, and also to dukes and other powerful noble families. Duke Frederick probably wanted to use the opportunity and tighten the relationship with future hero. I did not mind, as long as they could take care of the kid.

  We received our advance payment from them and were ready to depart. Duke Frederick himself sent Milligan on his way and wished future Hero good luck in his journey.

  Our way went north of Grimsburg. I knew that there were several roads, leading from the town, but never thought about their destination until now.

  After ordering the map that described roads to our destination, I learned that north road led to kingdom of Rakshasar. Road led north and then turned north-west following the border of Ashgrin. According to my map, there will not be any other town on our way, not until we enter Rakshasar borders.

  As far as I knew, population of Rakshasar kingdom had only around a quarter humans in it. The largest population consisted of rakshasa, naga and djinns. Rakshasa called themselves descendents of the gods. They had feline heads and legs that bent backward, and human bodies. Some of them had four arms. They were skilled warriors, but not very powerful mages. Naga had female human appear torso on snake tales. Among them genies were most powerful mages. All djinn were born either with Air magic or Water magic skill and had high affinity for those magic schools. These three races were known allies of gremlins. Their king was one of the rakshasa, and was famous warrior and skilled magic user.

  They treated humans as equals and sometimes allied with human kingdoms to battle demonic armies of Lucifer. Their lands should be safe to travel for us, and I did not expected any problems there.

  We travelled a good distance during our first day and decided to make a camp near the small stream. We put up two tents, one for Nelly and Alla and second for Milligan and Alfred. Rest of us were supposed to takes turns guarding the camp and sleep in the cart, after our turn to guard was over.

  Alla and Luara were preparing the soup. My cooking skills were not that good. I learned how to prepare meat from hunted animals, but that was extent of my cooking skills. Until now I bought most of my food, which was ready to eat.

  I called Trevor aside and gave him Sword of heaven.

  - Try using this sword.

  Trevor was surprised, but took the sword and made a few practice swings.

  - How does it feel?

  - Heavier than my current sword. But it feels like my movements are a little faster when I use it.

  - They should. This sword is an artifact it increases users speed and strength.

  Trevor looked at the sword.

  - Such swords are rear and powerful artifacts. Where did you found it?

  - The new dungeon, which guild master Fiord conquered. I took a scouting job there when it first appeared. Keep the sword. Consider it a lone as long as we are party members.

  - Are you sure? This is one of the most powerful swords that I ever saw.

  - Yes. Think of it this way. The stronger my party members are the better. And do not forget, this sword is only on loan to you. So do not get any ideas about it. By the way what spells did you learn?

  - I learned Divine aura, Armor of light, Sun ray and Divine heal spells. Divine heal I learned shortly before our departure from capitol, and I am not very good with it yet.

  I nodded. Divine aura spell was similar to my Holy aura spell. Two of the spells I learned myself. That was not a big coincidence. At our level, choice of spells was limited, and spells that we chose were among of most useful in battle. In time Trevor will be able to learn high ranking Light magic spells, but without magic assistance skills, he will not be able to cast his spells on more than one person. But even without it, Light magic will greatly increase his fighting abilities. Especially if he will be using Sword of heaven. I did not told Trevor that sword will increase his abilities to use Light magic. Some things were better to figure out for himself.

  - You should keep practicing your spells in the evenings then. But do not use up all your mana. Do you know your limits?

  - Yes. Mages told me about that.

  - Good.

  We returned to campfire and took our plates.Milligan looked at the sword and spit out the soup. He coughed, and everyone looked at him surprised.

  - That sword. Where did you get it? - he asked looking at me and Trevor.

  - Found it in the dungeon, - I shrugged: - Most of artifacts that we adventurers use we usually get in dungeons. Did you not know that?

  - Which dungeon was it?

  - The one that was discovered in uninhabited lands. I completed dungeon scouting quest there. Guild master Fiord conquered it, not long before you're arrival.

  Milligan sighed: - If I would have known that this dungeon had such powerful artifacts in it, I would have gone there myself. I did hear that Grimsburg guild master personally conquered the dungeon. Where you not with him?

  - No. I am an archer. My skills are not very useful in dungeons. Besides, I am only level fifteen. Not strong enough to conquer dungeons.

  Rest of my friends looked at me surprised, but did not objected.

  - Are you not B rank adventurer? I thought that you evolved into high elf.

  - Nope. Born that way. Nelly among us has highest level. We helped her to increase her level, so she left us all behind.

  - I see. I knew that she has highest level, but thought that it was because you all evolved.

  - No. We are not that strong. Well except Nelly. She is archmage after all.

  Trevor wanted to say something, but Luara hit his leg. Milligan did not noticed that and continued talking.

  - But I thought that you were B rank adventurer? Then why is your level so low?

  - Guild increased my rank after quest completion not because my level. Most high ranking adventurers get their ranks that way, not by increasing their levels.

  - I see. By the way, you do not know that, but I have Appraisal skill. It is very rear and powerful skill that allows me to see other people levels. It also helps me when I am fighting monsters, that way I can found out how strong they are and even figure out there weaknesses.

  - I knew about that skill. There are many people who have it. But I thought that most of such people work as artifact and item appraisers.

  - That is one way to use Appraisal skill. But not the best way for its use. But my skill does not let me see your level. Do you have Concealment skill?

  - That is very impolite to look on other people skills. You should not do that. And I will not answer you. Adventurers skills and abilities helps us to survive, and we keep them secret for a reason. If some adventurer decides to kill because you used your skill on him, he will be partially right to do that.

  - I did not consider that, - Milligan felt quiet: - I am sorry. I should not have used my skill on you all, without permission.

  - You should not do that in the future. Besides, there might be some skills that allow other people to know, when you use yours. It is fine to use it on your enemies, but not on other people.

  - I will keep that in mind.

  I hoped that he will. Mostly for the sake of my party members.

  - I also wanted to ask you something. About your journey. Why do you wish to go to Northern gremlin kingdom?

  - Goddess who blessed me with Light magic, warned me that the war is coming. There will be others, just as powerful as me. The goblin warlord who attacked Grimsburg might had been one of these people. I need to get stronger to stop them. But I found out that breaking the level cups is quite difficult. And also my stats are impressive by comparison, but after reaching level ten their grows as you know is too slow. In order for me to become stronger I will need powerful artifacts. Gremlins are known creators of such artifacts. My plan is to order artifacts from them, so I could become stronger.

  - Why not buy artifacts in auctions?

  - I need more powerful artifacts. Such artifacts are rear in the auctions and too expensive. I am only a baron, and kings support is not sufficient. Artifacts that I can buy in gremlin kingdom are cheaper and just as powerful.

  - Why is that?

  - They are just as powerful when it comes to stat increase, but do not last as long as true artifacts. That is why they are so cheap, but that will be enough for me in the short time.

  - I see. Thank you for answering. But time is late. Eat your dinner and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day.

  I thought about Milligan's words. He probably got scared that other reincarnates will leave him behind, after goblin attack. So he decided to get bunch of powerful artifacts for his dungeon conquest. I heard about artifacts from Northern gremlin kingdom. Comparing them with dungeon artifacts was like comparing adamantium weapons with steel ones. The main difference was durability. But he was right in a short while it did not matter. That was good plan with high chances of success.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Next day we ate breakfast and continued our journey. I was watching for possible dangers, but Luara was the first one who noticed something.

  - Goblins, - she whispered to me: - Ahead of us. Probably a trap.

  I nodded and slowed down my horse.

  - Nelly prepare your Wind shield spell and use it on all humans.

  Nelly looked at me surprised, but nodded and started to concentrate. Wind shield spell created wind barrier around a person that was very effective protection from arrows.

  We continued our way pretending that we did not notice anything. Then two trees cracked and fell on the road. One behind us and another in front. Nelly casted her spell just in time, moments before arrows were shot on us. Luara jumped of her horse to avoid them. Other humans were protected by Wind shield. Two arrows were aimed at me. Noticing their trajectory I did not even tried to avoid them. They hit my chainmail and fell on earth. I felt them, but my defense stats were high enough for me to avoid any damage from the blow.

  Arrows were followed by a battle roar and more than a dozen goblins run out of the forest. I heard that some of the goblins stayed in Ashgrin borders and became bandits. Adventurers and soldiers hunted them down, but apparently some of them were still alive.

  I shot the closest goblin and unsheathed my sword. Goblin tried to stab me with a spear. I cached it with one hand and cut off his hand with my sword. I almost lost my balance and jumped of the horse. Fighting on a horse back was not one of my skills.

  Luara also engaged goblins and already killed two of them. She fought using her sword and dagger and moved around with dance like moves. Unlike us Trevor stayed on a horse. He used his original Sword of the undertaker and cut down goblins from his horse. Like a true knight he was able to fight both on the ground and on a horseback.

  I engaged two more goblins and easily killed them. Nelly used her staff to keep at a distance one of the attackers, while Alfred hid in the cart.

  Milligan crawled on coachman seat and extended his arm.

  - Sun ray! - he casted, and bright sun beam burned down one of the goblins. Other goblins roared in anger and concentrated on Milligan. I started to worry about his safety, but then a wave of black smoke came out of Nelly, and most of the goblins fell on earth. I saw that spell before. It was called Death wave. Spell that killed enemies, by depleting their life force.

  Three goblins survived. They turned around and started running away.

  - Luara kill the left one! - I ordered, taking out my throwing knives. I threw them and killed two goblins on the right side, which was closer to me. Luara followed the goblin and disappeared in the woods, but soon came back, cleaning her sword from goblins blood.

  - Is anyone wounded? - I asked looking around. Everyone confirmed that they were unarmed, and I told Nelly to cast View air spell, that could detect living creatures in the area. Once she confirmed that there are no more goblins nearby, I ordered Luara and Trevor to search our attackers.

  - What are you doing? - asked Milligan when we started to search their bodies.

  - Looking for anything valuable, - I answered looking threw goblin's wallet.

  - You are robbing them?

  - You do cut out monster magic stones in the dungeon. Why should it be any different?

  - But they are living creatures.

  I sighed.

  - Next time please stay in the cart. We are paid to keep you safe. Please do not risk your life unnecessary.

  - I am strong enough to protect myself from a few goblins. You saw my spell.

  - Can you protect yourself from an enchanted arrow that can get past your defense?

  - Well, no.

  - Then do not show off and risk your life. Think what would happen to you if one of the goblin archers would stay behind, waiting for a possible mage to reveal himself and use one such arrow.

  Milligan did not find what to answer. And went back inside the cart.

  - Good work Nelly, - I nodded to her.

  - Thank you, - she looked uncomfortable, but looked fine. This was not her first fight, and killing enemies did not bother her as much as it could.

  We gathered anything of value and continued with our journey. We needed almost a month to reach Rakshasar borders. We were attacked twice, by monsters who probably escaped from some dungeon. One was horned wolf and other horned bear. I killed them with my arrows, even before they could get close enough. Other than that our journey was peaceful. We crossed several villages, but I decided not to spend night in them. We could camp in the forest, and borderland villages could be troublesome, so I decided to avoid staying in them.

  On the two kingdoms border, we did not encountered any border guards. Just a large stone that notified travelers that they were leaving Ashgrin kingdom and entering Rakshasar borders. I also saw no need for border guards on the road. After all, anyone who wanted to avoid them could take short round trip through forest.

  We were traveling half a day through Rakshasar kingdom when we encountered border patrol. Twenty riders surrounded us, and their leader approached us. They all were rakshasa. All tall, around two meters high, they were sitting on their horses like experienced riders. I wondered if their legs, which were bent backwards like cat legs were hindrance or helpful while riding horses. Six of them were armed with bows, and all of them had large curved blades and small round shields. They also had leather armor, and their leader was the only one with steel helmet on his tiger like head.

  - Who are you and what are you doing here? - he asked us in a loud roaring voice.

  - My name is Avone. Me and my adventurer party are escorting young baron Milligan to Northern gremlin kingdom, from Ashgrin.

  I took my adventurer tag from under my short and placed it above my clothe, so rakshasa could see it. He looked at it and nodded.

  - I see. And what is this baron searching in gremlin kingdom?

  Baron Milligan showed himself and took out a parchment from his bag.

  - I have all necessary documents, that king of Ashgrin prepared for me, so I could enter your kingdom.

  Rakshasar approached him and took a look at his papers. Baron Milligan gave him the parchment himself.

  Rakshasar soldier looked through the papers and gave them back to Milligan.

  - You may continue. Safe journey baron Milligan.

  He gave a signal, and other soldiers moved allowing us passage. I waited till we were far enough and then called the kid.

  - Baron Milligan! - I waited till he showed his face from the cart and continued: - Please next time pass down your papers to Alfred or anyone else. So they could give them to soldiers.

  - But why?

  I sighed. Was he overconfident or stupid?

  - What if they would have been bandits, pretending to be soldiers. What if their leader would have used his sword to cut you down as soon as he got close to you.

  - But...

  - What you could defeat someone with warrior skills and higher level, and avoid such surprise attack?

  - Well.. No.

  - Then keep that in mind. You are a baron after all. Why would someone of your noble status give those papers personally, to some ordinary soldier?

  Alfred looked away, and Milligan also noticed it.

  - Yes. I am sorry. I will keep that it mind.

  - Good. Please remember that your safety is our highest priority.

  Geesh. That kid grew up as some sheltered noble, and probably only left his house or palace when he went dungeon hunting. His past memories were influencing his behavior, and he failed to act as a stuck up noble kid. Which was a small disadvantage right now. I sighed, nothing that I could do about that now.

  Two weeks later we saw our first Rakshasar town. It was small town called Corgiar. Surrounded by two meters high wall town looked to me similar to Grimsburg.

  Two naga guards at the gate looked through Milligan's papers. After looking threw papers, they did not collected from us entrance fee and allowed us passage. We entered town and for the first time I felt like being in a different world. We saw some humans, but most of inhabitants belonged to different races. Blue skinned djinn merchants offered us their goods. Naga crawled on the streets, and proud rakshasa looked at us from above.

  All naga that I saw were very beautiful, except for their snake tails. They had minimum clothe, and just like rakshasa and djinn preferred clothe made of silk. Comparing to them, humans looked poor and less noticeable.

  We found a tavern that was used by merchants. Unlike most taverns this one had huge stables, which we needed for our horses.

  Milligan rented two rooms. One for himself, Trevor and Alfred. And one for me, Luara and Alla.I was satisfied with that. Trevor had most experience guarding people and was strong enough to handle most of dangers that we could encounter.

  Baron Milligan paid for our rooms and lunch, and after settling in our rooms we met downstairs and occupied one of the tables. Taverns owner was rakshasa, but serving girls were human. Other inhabitants of Rakshasar may threat humans like equals, but it was their kingdom, and most of the humans worked for them.

  Dinner mostly consisted of meat. That did not surprise me. Several villages that we passed by, had only small crop fields. Most of the farming in Rakshasar was oriented on raising livestock.

  - I would like to stay some time in town and explore it, - said Milligan during our lunch.

  - No, - I objected: - You will stay in the tavern, and we will leave in the morning.

  - But why?

  - How many times do I need to remind you. We were hired to protect you and make sure you reach Northern gremlin kingdom and return. We did not travel to Rakshasar for sightseeing. Our job is to deliver you as safely and as fast as possible.

  - Fine, - Milligan sighed: - I will stay here.

  - Good.

  After lunch, I left Luara in charge, with orders not to let Milligan out of the tavern and took Nelly with me to visit the town. I asked one of servant girls the location of the blacksmith quarter and Mage guild location.

  When we went outside I put my hood on. I put my Armor slasher sword and my bow in my magic purse, but kept my main sword.

  First we visited blacksmith quarter. Most of blacksmiths there were rakshasa, but I also saw some dwarfs and humans. I found cheap looking weapon shop, run by human and we went inside.

  - Welcome to my shop, - human greeted us: - How can I help you?

  - We would like to sell some weapons.

  - I see. I do not mind taking them of your hands. What do you have for me?

  We took out our trophy goblin weapons and he examined them.

  - Cheap steel and weapons were poorly handled. I can offer you twelve silver coins for them.

  I could have bargained with him, but we mostly needed to get rid of the weapons, and I already knew that they were cheap. I agreed with price, and after he paid us, we went to Mage guild. Mage guild was surrounded by high fence and there was a human guard at the entrance. We demonstrated him our adventurer tags, and he opened the gates.

  - Go right ahead to the main building, and do not wonder off, - he warned us.

  Giant palace like building was surrounded by a huge garden. We saw several djinn mages in the garden, just walking in it or practicing water magic spells. Just like in Grimsburg and Asgrin capitol, Mage guild in Corgiar was decorated with gold and silver, and mages showed off their wealth and status in the town.We entered the Mage guild building and went inside large room covered with soft carpets. Receptionist or servant girl was human. She looked at our adventurer tags and smiled.

  - Welcome to Corgiar Mage guild. How may we help you?

  - We would like to register ourselves in your guild and get access to your guild magic circle, which is necessary when using Guild portal spell.

  - Have you mastered the spell already?

  - We have not. But we plan to learn the spell in the future.

  In order to learn the spell we needed to increase our Wisdom skill to master level, but we still could register in Mage guilds across the world, and use their spell circles to travel later.

  - I see. But are you sure about that. The registration will cost you two orichalcum coins. One for each of you.

  - Yes. We are sure, - I took out two orichalcum coins and demonstrated them to her.

  - I see. Please wait here. I will need guild master's permission first. And also your names and adventurer ranks, and your tags to verify them. Also your position in Mage guild, if you have one.

  - My name is Avone. B rank adventurer.

  - Nelly, C rank adventurer and apprentice mage in Grimsburg Mage guild branch.

  We gave her our adventurer tags, and after verifying our identities, she nodded.

  - Please wait her.

  We looked around the room, while she was gone. But unlike Ashgrin kingdom's Mage guilds that sold books, this room was empty, and only books very empty grimoires.

  Soon receptionist returned and nodded.

  - You can register and use our magic circle. It will be two orichalcum coins.

  After collecting the money she took us to the back yard. We used our blood on magic circle carved in stone floor, and in gloved.

  - Your registration was successful. Now you will be able to use our magic circle, once you learn Guild portal spell.

  - Thank you.

  She escorted us outside, and we returned to tavern. Time was approaching evening, and we gathered for dinner. Milligan was pouting, because he was forced to stay inside while we went to the town. I explained to him that we needed to sell goblin weapons, and he was satisfied with that explanation.

  For a moment I was surprised that he did not want to visit Mage guild and use their magic circle, but then remembered that he did not have Wisdom and earth Magic skills. Without them he probably could not learn the spell, and Mage guild travel magic would be useless to him. I wandered why did he not learned Wisdom skill, but maybe he chose to become powerful Light magic user and do not use Wisdom skill, which was necessary to learn high ranking elemental magic spells.

  After dinner we went to sleep, and left Corgiar town in the morning.