Chapter 657: Admiring.

After a few days since the discovery of the Order of Silence, Rasmus finally arrived at the base of the Immortal Mountain. He couldn’t help but awe at the magnificence of the mountain. It was taller and wider than Mount Everest on Earth, but what made him awe was the fact the mountain itself had four different seasons based on the altitude. He could see the forest at the base of the mountain, and as he looked a bit higher, the leaves turned redder as if it was the autumn season. The more he looked higher, the color of the leaves changed from red to pink as if it was the spring season, and he could see the massive waterfalls even from the base of the mountain. Finally, when he looked higher, it was covered in snow and dark clouds that hid the peak.

"If Aris saw this, she would appreciate the view," Rasmus muttered as he saw the immense amount of Mana, more dense than the Mana that made Gratlan island float above Central Neva.

Anastasha had been quiet since they had arrived, and she looked tense on her shoulders. Rasmus glanced at her and didn’t say a single word. He recalled that she was anxious back then in the inn, and whatever that made her anxious, he chose not to know back then.

"You can go ahead, I want to walk from here," Rasmus said as he looked around where hundreds of carriages were waiting in line before they could go further into the mountain area.

Anastasha nodded and she slowly walked back into the carriage where Nie, Aris and Rullein’s clones were. Rasmus glanced at Ruen, and he telepathically spoke to her.

"(Can you keep an eye on Anastasha)" Rasmus asked Ruen.

"(Don’t worry)" Ruen answered as she rode her horse. "(What do you want me to do with my clones?)" She asked.

"(Your clones...)" Rasmus glanced at Rullein and Aris in the carriage. "(Can you hold a conversation while at the same time playing your role as Ruen?)" He asked.

"(I can separate my consciousness into three, but it will be difficult)" Ruen answered as she observed the people that were waiting in line, noticing everyone was strong and possessed a lot of Mana. "(It’s difficult because once I split my consciousness, I won’t be able to control them. They will do what they want to do just like always do, but at the same time they’re not me anymore)" she explained.

Rasmus looked at Anastasha and Nie in the carriage, thinking if the mischievous side of Rullein entered Rullein’s and Aris’ clones, it would cause problems. He knew that the only one who could keep them still was no other than himself.

"(Then I’ll ask you to do that if I found it necessary)" Rasmus said.

"(Okay, just tell me when and I’ll do that)" Ruen responded.

With that, Rasmus decided to walk away from the carriage and walk toward the heavily guarded gate into Immortal Mountain. He kept his stride slow and relaxed because it had been a while since he could walk on his own while admiring nature. Those people that were waiting in line couldn’t help but stare at him because of his unusual appearance. His silver hair, his tall figure, and his attire that didn’t belong to East Neva attracted everyone’s attention.

"Is that him?" An old man asked as he glanced out the window of his carriage.

"White hair, tall, handsome, and has a presence of someone who is wise. I believe it’s him, the Dignified Gentleman that Patriarch Gang mentioned in the letter," the young man beside the old man nodded. "If he’s here, that means Princess Anastasha of the Asghar family is also here, but I don’t see her anywhere," he pointed out.

"Dignified Gentleman..." the old man repeated. "Someone like him isn’t meant to be bound by anyone. It looks like wants to enter the mountain on his own... by walking," he observed the way Rasmus walked and kept his head held high and focused on what was in front of him.

"Walking all the way up the mountain? That will take days," the man responded with his brows furrowed.

"There are times when people want to be lost in thoughts. The Immortal Mountain is a perfect place for that," the old man answered, and suddenly a smile appeared on his face. "If I could have my youth back, I would do the same," he pointed out.

Rasmus was recognized by most of the patriarchs that came to watch the tournament because of the words that Patriarch Gang had spread about him. Patriarch Gang was one of the big righteous clans, and his words weighed as heavy as his reputation as a righteous person.

The guards that were checking the carriage, they saw Rasmus walking toward them and they immediately stopped them from going further.

"Please wait in line, Sir," the guard spoke as he observed Rasmus’ appearance and attire. "Everyone is waiting in line, so please go back to your line," he requested.

"I’m not going to cut the line," Rasmus shook his head. "I only want to look at the view of the mountain from here. I have no desire to cut the line, so please continue your duty," he said as he lowered his head slightly and continued to admire the mountain.

The guard looked at the other guards, and they signaled him to leave Rasmus be because he looked harmless and didn’t look suspicious by the look of his attire and the way he carried himself.

"Well then, we will let you in once it’s your turn, Sir," the guard said and walked back to check the other carriage, but he gave a final glance at Rasmus and saw the distance gaze and deep in thought expression all over Rasmus’ face.

After an hour of checking the carriages, the guards couldn’t help but stare at Rasmus because he hadn’t moved a muscle. They heard from the visitors from each carriage that they had checked and finally found out Rasmus was the Dignified Gentleman. However, that was when someone from the mountain went down and walked toward the gate and spoke with the guards. The guards were shocked when a direct order from no other than the Master Strategist of the Immortal Mountain, Ogun.

The guards slowly walked toward Rasmus and they gave him the martial arts salutation to him.

"You may enter the mountain, Count Rasmus Blackheart," the guards spoke and opened a path for him.

Rasmus had been staring at the mountain when suddenly his gaze moved and fixated on the man that had just come down from the mountain. He then looked at the guards and lowered his head before he walked through the gate. However, when he began to admire the scenery, the man followed him from behind.

"I will be by your side, Count Rasmus Blackheart. My name is Han, and you can summon me if you need anything," the man said before he disappeared and removed his presence.

Rasmus glanced over his shoulder and the man had truly disappeared, but then he glanced to his left and stared right into Han’s eyes that were hidden in the forest. At the same time, Han felt a chill down his spine when Rasmus easily spotted him. He felt cold on his toes and fingertips, like a prey that had been spotted by a predator.

Han lowered his head at Rasmus from the forest, and then he saw Rasmus respond similarly. He then looked over his shoulder, seeing his unit keeping an eye on him to make sure of his safety. It was Ogun who warned them that they shouldn’t cause discomfort to Rasmus because Ogun knew how dangerous and powerful Rasmus was from the information he had gathered about his deeds in other continents.

Rasmus had been walking for hours aimlessly and avoided the main road because he wanted to explore the mountain in his own way. When he was about to walk further, Han suddenly appeared in front of him and blocked Rasmus’ path as he lowered his head.

"My apologies, Count. The area behind me is forbidden," Han said. "It’s not that we restrict your desire to explore the mountain, but there’s an important guests that are currently staying there," he added.

"I understand," Rasmus nodded and decided to turn away.

Han exhaled quietly when Rasmus agreed to his request. He looked over his shoulder and wondered what would happen if Rasmus saw the guests.

At the same time, near them, a golden carriage with the banner of the Khan Empire banner was parked near a manor. A woman was enjoying her tea when a bodyguard approached her and knelt in front of her, wearing golden armor with a dragon crest on his cape.

"Imperial Princess, the man is here," the man said as he lowered his head.

"Finally, that means she’s here as well," Neesa smirked.