On the other side, after delivering the long-range airship carrying Anna and the Pure-blood Elf to a safe boundary, Rein rode Blood Feather midway, heading towards the nearby Valziger Ruins.
Since he had already accomplished his set goalâensuring Annaâs safetyâRein moderately relaxed the concealment of his presence and rode Blood Feather swiftly through the sky.
He planned to descend for a walk as he approached his destination.
Speed varies greatly between high-speed flight in the air and traversing through dense forests.
After about half an hour, Rein began to slow Blood Feather down, comparing it against the map imprinted in his mind, and started descending slowly.
"This should be around here, perhaps three kilometers further northwest." Rein surveyed the surroundings from mid-air and thought.
Geographically speaking, this location had technically exited Ferdinand Forest; Rein had spotted a destroyed elf outpost several kilometers away while in mid-air.
Of course, the geographical environment does not change drastically due to human-made boundaries.
This area remains a dense forest region with undulating hills, abundant shrubs, and dense vegetation; the only difference is that it falls within the Empireâs territory.
Minutes later, as Rein gazed at the dense forest within his sight, he remarked in his heart:
"Wide and flat, with no traces of any artificial remnants, itâs impossible to tell itâs a ruins site."
"If not for Mogaro mentorâs information, it would be hard to believe that beneath this site was once a large ancient Wizard Schoolâs old grounds."
Suddenly, the thin piece in Reinâs pocket vibrated.
"This is Rein." Rein took out the piece and said.
"Lord Rein, we have received Miss Anna, her clansmen, and Lord Lambert; they are all settled now." Olenaâs voice came through from the piece.
Meanwhile, Rein faintly heard the familiar clear voices of a few women whispering in the background.
"Lord Rein, Iâll let Miss Anna speak with you."
"Alright."
Soon, Annaâs soft, slightly shy voice echoed from the opposite side of the piece:
"Rein, weâve arrived at the seventh outpost; Olena has been very considerate, having arranged rooms, food, and medication for everyone in advance, itâs thoroughly thoughtful."
"Mm... and Miss Beyoncé and Miss Claire are both well." Anna added.
Hearing Annaâs familiar voice made Reinâs heart soften.
Evidently, the whispering voice earlier had been Anna and Claire talking.
"Then rest well, and if thereâs anything with the clansmen, seek Olenaâs help. Iâll be entering the ruins later, where the signal might not be great."
"Contact me once I emerge." Rein thought it over and said.
"Mm, Rein... please be careful."
"I will, rest assured."
...
Inside the seventh outpost.
Once Anna ended her call with Rein, Claire and BeyoncĂ© exchanged glances, then kindly held Annaâs fair hand and said:
"Hehe, Miss Anna, itâs our first time hearing Captain speak so gently; it seems Captain really adores you."
"Besides, a beauty like you deserves Captainâs adoration."
Claire spoke while examining Anna, who had long returned to her true appearance.
She couldnât help but marvel at the Creatorâs favor for Anna.
As a Half-Elf, Anna doesnât possess the typical elf beautyâs tall, aloof demeanor, but rather blends human girlsâ cuteness and charm with the Elf clanâs beauty and noble aura almost perfectly.
Therefore, upon hearing Olena mention Captain Reinâs girlfriend was coming to the seventh outpost, both she and BeyoncĂ© were shocked and intrigued.
"Donât... donât say that; Miss Claire, youâre beautiful too." Anna blushed, lowering her head slightly, seemingly embarrassed.
"Besides, Miss Beyoncé and Lady Olena are also very beautiful." Seeming to think it unfair to praise one alone, Anna immediately added.
"Hehehe~"
"Haha!"
Instantly, all three laughed.
"Miss Anna, youâre too cute. I plan to hold you and sleep together tonight; I also want to enjoy Captainâs treatment." Claireâs eyes gleamed as she teasingly smiled.
"Alright, Claire, let Miss Anna rest well first, and later during dinner, we can let Miss Anna tell us how she got together with Captain, hehe."
The curvaceous Beyoncé also teased at this moment.
Their playful banter made Anna flush red in embarrassment, losing her composure...
But she sensed no malice from the two, merely teasing.
....
Meanwhile, Rein had used the token from Mogaro, a Bixiu Mechanization Schoolâs rhomboid crystal, arriving at the subterranean cavern entrance beneath a hillside slope partially concealed by shrubs.
Judging by the entranceâs diameter, the initial gaze might lead many to believe this was merely a bearâs den.
Upon parting the shrubs, guided by the crystalâs coordinates, and traversing several forks and narrow tunnels, after about half an hour of walking, Rein approached the meeting point Mogaro had mentioned.
From afar, Rein saw at the tunnelâs end a spacious underground hall emitting a faint green glow.