121 HARMLESS STRANGERS?

"You're awake all this time?" Erin peeked on the little bun above Zoe's back.

Zoe squatted so she could bring him down.

"Are you okay? Let me see your throat."

"Aaah!" The boy obliged immediately.

"Good boy!" Zoe patted his head. 

"It seems that the swelling is starting to disappear now. By the way, why are you in the forest? And where is your mother?"

The little boy didn't answer but just pointed his hand at the City.

He grabbed Zoe's hand and pulled her toward it.

"Your mother is in the City? You want me to come with you?"

Zoe interpreted the little boy's actions. 

The little boy nodded his head and grinned at her from ear to ear.

"Oh, how could I say no to such a charming boy like you?"

Zoe rumpled his hair and smiled back at him. 

She turned to Erin and shooed her away with a wave of her hand.

"You can go back now. I can handle this."

"What?! You're not going to leave me out of this."

Erin picked up her skirt and romped her way towards the city.

Gao Zemin had been good enough to give them Hanfu attires.

He also check on them every now and then, bringing what they need to survive since his place is just a few meters away from them.

"But it's dangerous, Erin!" 

Zoe ran after her with the kid tagging alongside her.

"All the more reason why I should come with you."

The little boy extended his arm and grasped on Erin's hand. 

Erin was surprised, but she smiled as she pressed his hand firmly.

"Don't try to sneak out again, young boy. Or we won't be around to save you anymore."

The little boy nodded and continued walking both of his hands held by the new strangers in Terra.

"Wow! Are you sure we came out alive at that terrorist attack? 'Cause I think I'm just in heaven now."

Erin couldn't help but blurt out as they climbed down the slopes and into the entrance of the city.

From where they are, they could see the magnificent structure of the Castle surrounded by aesthetically designed houses with pavements that seemed to be glittering with precious stones.

It is covered by impenetrable walls but wasn't as massive compared to the sky-high Castle itself.

It is so majestic, it appeared as if it is where the throne room of God is.

"I also think we did not. Maybe this little boy is our angel."

A deep appreciative remark escaped Zoe's lips.

The little boy giggled as the two ladies in his side couldn't close their mouths from being jaw-dropped at his beloved land.

It didn't take them long before they reached the entrance.

To their horror, royal guards were situated at the barricaded walls.

Erin's shoes screeched as she suddenly came to a halt.

"Just act cool, Erin. We will look more suspicious if we turn back now."

Zoe reprimanded Erin as she walked ahead with her chin up and shoulders back.

As they near the great walls, they could see that the royal guards were ridiculously checking on every person entering the gate.

They let some people enter without hesitation. And some, they search for their IDs.

"Zoe…..I think I need to pee now. As in right now."

Erin squealed in a whisper as they fell in line. 

"Don't call me Zoe. From now on my name is Asha."

She picked up the little boy again.

"And he's… what's your name again?"

"Tristan Liu."

"He's Tristan, my younger brother. And you are… Heidi, the maid."

Tristan laughed at Zoe's idea which made Erin transformed from a scaredy-cat to a lioness.

"I am not Heidi!" She growled.

"I am Selena. I always like Selena Lopez. And I'm going to be her in this land. And I'm not definitely the maid! I'm the... elder cousin. Yeah, that's the way to put it."

"Okay, Elder Selena." Tristan reacted, which made Erin's eyes bulged wide open.

Zoe chuckled at Tristan's response. She was still holding him in her arms.

"You're a quick learner, are you?"

"Yes, I am, Jiejie Asha." He beamed at her.

"Tags please." 

They were so engrossed with their banting that they didn't realize that they were the next in line.

Erin stared at Zoe with tears welling in her eyes.

She wanted to communicate the thought 'We thought of names but we didn't think about the TAGS!' 

But she knows she couldn't blurt it out loud as she tightened her lips.

Zoe's heart was banging against her chest too when all of a sudden Tristan began to cough.

"Ehe! Ehe! Ehe!"

"Oh Tristan! Are you okay? Can you just let us pass through, loyal and faithful defenders of our land? My little brother needs to be seen by the physician. If we can't bring him as soon as possible, he might actually die!"

Tristan coughed harder to prove the point.

The royal guards eyed Zoe and Tristan from head to foot. 

They didn't look different than them. In fact, they are wearing noble dresses and footwears.

Then they inspected Erin who immediately patted Tristan's back in a concerned face.

"Oh, cousin! My poor cousin!"

The royal guards took a glance at each other and nodded. 

"What harm can two ladies and a little boy possibly do?"

In a flash, they gave way so that they could enter in. 

As soon as they were out of the royal guard's area, Zoe and Tristan high-fived at each other.

"That was just an act?!" Erin uttered in disbelief.

"I've been a doctor for way too long. I know the difference now between a true and a fake one."

Zoe nonchalantly replied.

"Now little one, let's go search for your mother." 

Zoe said as she put Tristan on the ground. 

He grabbed her hand and led her into the inner districts of Terra.

"Wow, it's more amazing up close and personal." 

Erin's eyes glimmered as she saw the unique but beautifully designed cityscape.

"The structures are well maintained as if they were newly built. And the streets are so clean we can even sleep on it. And the people here even look like they don't age at all!"

Zoe's eyes followed Erin's description. And as she did so, her eyes caught on a colossal man with long hair kept up in a half updo. He was also strolling around in the Capital. 

"Raigon?!"