-Paul, how did you know that this was the reason we were summoned?
Rina asked once they left the palace.
All the ladies, and even Paul, were more than happy to leave and never return, as that place made them all be on guard as if they were in constant danger.
-Truth be told, I had no clue, but after discussing this matter with my uncle, Lou Mo, and Luo Feng, we could only come up with a few possibilities, and this one was one of the most probable ones.
However, just to be safe, we prepared for every eventuality.
Paul admitted.
-Then what were the other possibilities?
Natalie asked.
-The other ranged from the emperor wanting me to heal someone, to demanding that I postpone our ascension, or wishing to bestow a marriage proposal to any of you.
The possibility of the Fei family demanding Rina Rin and Ran was also probable, and that's why I made sure to be prepared for it.
The man explained, happy that he had made preparations, as the situation could have turned ugly quickly, for he had no intention of leaving the three rabbit ladies, no matter what the emperor said.
-Alright, since we are done with the summons, let's get out of here before someone looks for Paul.
Elaina said as she remembered what he told her the last time they visited the capital, and she had no desire to prolong their stay in this realm.
They got a room in an inn to change into their battlegear, which didn't take long, before they went to the portal area.
The building was not exceptional in any way, except for having a large number of guards around it.
-How can I help you?
A woman at the entrance asked when they entered.
-We would like to go to the Beginning realm.
Paul said, politely.
The woman nodded and wrote down their names.
-Is this your first time going up?
She asked after that.
-Yes.
Paul confirmed.
-In that case, you won't be able to ascend as one group, since the limit for first-time ascendant groups is six people.
She explained.
-I was told that there is no limit on the size of a group.
Paul said, surprised at what he just heard.
-That's true only if you are ascending by other means, but if you are using the portals, then the group limit is six people for first ascension and up to a dozen if you came down from the upper realms and are going back.
The woman explained patiently.
This was not the first time she had to explain it, but it was not often that the people she explained it to were so calm and didn't start trouble.
-Will we all go to the same place in the second realm if we go as three groups?
Anna asked.
-This is usually the case, but sometimes there are exceptions, and someone is sent to a different portal within the same realm.
In such cases, the portal management on the other side will inform you where they were sent, so you will have little to no trouble in finding them.
-It's not like we have any other choice.
Paul sighed.
He hoped to travel with the ladies as one group, but since it was impossible, he divided the ladies into two groups of six, while he would go alone and enter the portal after them.
The woman at the front desk also informed them that they could exchange their money for the ones used in the beginning realm before they ascended.
The ratio was ten to one, meaning that they had to pay ten gold coins from the mortal realm for every one of the gold coins from the second realm, which was a set price that never changed, and trading the money back was also set at a ten-to-one ratio, so if they ever came back they could trade the money back without loosing anything.
The exchange clerk was shocked at the amount of money Paul and the ladies were exchanging, as this was not a small sum, and it took a while for him to count everything.
After that was done, their group went according to the directions the front desk woman had given them.
They were all tested to see if they were strong enough to ascend and had to pay a transport fee of a thousand gold coins per person before another clerk brought them to the basement of the building, where the portals were located.
-These portals lead to all the upper realms; the barriers will stop anyone who is not originally from the realm they want to go to, or if they are not strong enough to ascend.
The portals themselves were large arcs made of stone and emanated different kinds of energy.
They were also numbered according to the realm they led to.
-This is the gate to the beginning realm.
The man said as they approached the portal.
-To get through the barrier, you will need these tokens if you are not strong enough to pass through it yourselves and are accompanying someone else who can.
The clerk took out two sets of tokens and handed them over to the ladies.
As soon as they had their tokens tha ladies went through the barrier, one group at a time, before entering the portal.
Paul was surprised that there was no one looking for him as he left the capital and this realm, but he was also happy about it.
When the ladies went through, he was the only one left and went through the barrier without any difficulty.
Just as he was about to enter the transport gate, someone shouted at him to wait.
-Lord Marshal, please wait.
The five guards shouted, running past the surprised clerk, right before they bounced off the barrier and landed on the ground with a thud.
-Sorry, but I don't have the time or the patience to wait and see what someone wants from me.
Paul said to the guards, who were now getting up from the floor.
-Lord Marshal, the emperor wishes to see you, regarding the state of the imperial concubine Yuki's nephew.
The officer said, hoping that this would be enough to convince him to go back to the palace with them.
-I spoke to his majesty less than two hours ago, and he never mentioned anything about the Yuki clan.
Paul answered.
-Besides, my ladies are already on the other side, and I don't like the idea of making them wait for me.
He added.
-Then what are we supposed to tell his highness?
The officer asked, in despair, as it was evident that Paul would not go with them, and they could not even approach him right now.
-Tell his highness that when you arrived, I was already gone.
Paul said and entered the portal, leaving the stunned guards behind.
He was sure that the emperor would not be happy about it, but if this officer and the guards had any common sense, they would say that they were too late to save themselves from the emperor's wrath.
Finally, he didn't give a damn whether the emperor would be happy or not, as he didn't intend to go back to the mortal realm anytime soon, if ever at all.