It took a day and a half of uninterrupted travel before Blanc, his family, the Metamorphs, and the soldiers of Blood Certa reached the next Domain.
The road was mostly pleasing when it came to the weather and the terrain, making short work of the great distance they had to cross.
Sticking to the main roads through the Domain and not needing to hide helped to also shorten their time traveling even further.
A great thing in Blanc's head, as they had many more places they had to pass before reaching the Domain of Blood Maroux.
Luckily for him, they won't linger in the other Domains for as long as they did here; there were no Silver Gardens in there after all. Just good old nothingness.
They will also be able to pass through cities, as they please, not having to hide anymore.
When Lune and Kael learned of that fact, they were beyond overjoyed to learn they would be able to sleep in inns and have a proper toilet again, and not have to do their business beside the elements of nature.
Before parting ways, the three groups agreed to rest and share one final conversation.
As Blanc and his family made their way to the front of the line, toward the bridge crossing the Namel River, the second largest in the Empire and the chosen meeting place, they also had to pass by the remaining ranks of Metamorphs.
Many could not help but stare, look the other way around, or spit on the ground as Blood Denegis walked by.
"That Forest Mother is not here," Blanc muttered as he stared back at the Metamorphs.
"Don't worry, my love," Celine replied in a whisper, "I know where she is."
"Where?" Blanc wondered.
To which Celine only pointed towards the sky as a reply.
It confused Blanc as he looked upwards, only seeing clouds painting the sky.
He wanted to ask what she meant, but then a poorly built carriage stood between the lines of Metamorphs, and inside stood Heru, looking towards the sky as he sat lying down in between hay.
Blanc stopped, looking at the man with a faint sign of pity on his face, before deciding to approach the carriage and the Metamorphs protecting it nearby.
"Don't you dare take another step," Leilani hissed from behind the line as she jumped into the air, hitting the ground and blocking the path between Blanc and Heru, who, by now, noticed Blanc approaching.
"Heru's mother," Blanc nodded calmly, "I was not approaching with the intent to harm your son."
"There is no harm you could do now, you already did your worst," Leilani muttered, shaping her hands and making them look like talons.
"I could've killed him, yet, once more, I chose to spare his life," Blanc sighed, "Now, I only wish to properly talk with him for a minute or two, nothing less, I swear to the Vita."
"You could swear on the lives of your entire bloodline, and I will still not give a fuck," Leilani clenched her jaw, "Leave."
"But I-"
"Leave," she repeated, interrupting him.
"My love," Celine said, hoping to defuse the situation, "We are expected."
"So be it," Blanc said, staring into Leilani's eyes before turning back, but not before making eye contact with Heru, who did something Blanc would not in a millennium expect to see Heru doing.
He nodded lightly.
Blanc's eyes widened in surprise, but he made sure to nod back before rejoining his family and walking towards the meeting place.
"His Lordship, Blanc of Noble Blood Denegis, has arrived," a soldier of Blood Certa announced as Blanc entered the tent alone.
Inside was a four-way table with three of the chairs already occupied.
One was occupied by Georn, the only Elder of the Metamorphs present.
Another was occupied by an older-looking soldier of Blood Certa, the one who had also brought the Daughter inside the Gardens a few days ago.
And the last one was occupied by a woman soldier, wearing the sigil of the Domain they will be crossing shortly into.
The Domain of Blood Aron, wearing as its sigil the True Vita named Gryphon.
"Your Lordship," the woman bowed lightly, "An honor to meet you, though I wish the circumstances were more favorable."
"I assume all of us feel this way, madame," Blanc nodded, "What is your name?"
"I am the third daughter of Blood Aron, Faye Aron," the woman replied, offering her hand forward.
"By the Vita, I apologise, my Lady, I wasn't aware," Blanc bowed lightly, before taking her hand into his own.
"Do not fret, I have been made aware of the situation inside Blood Certa's Domain, and I was summoned to make sure that all goes well without bloodshed," Faye explained.
"That is also what my lord wishes for," the older soldier added, "But the marauders are not to be trusted. Who knows what poor innocents they will pillage if let out of control, otherwise."
"Careful, human, before I take your head as a souvenir," Georn replied coldly.
"Calm down, both of you, this fight is over," Blanc sighed, "You buried your dead, now bury this hatred as well before any of you make more enemies for yourselves."
"Well said, my Lord," Faye nodded, before turning towards Georn, "Your people will be escorted through our Domain to ensure that no harm comes to our people or yours, although I heard in the past a large stampede of beasts passed through our Domain at great speed from the northwest. Is it safe to assume that-"
"Yes, it was us," Georn nodded, "We passed without harming a single fly, as our target was another."
"Beasts," the old soldier spat.
Georn stared at him, but remained silent in order to respect Blanc's words.
"Then, as gratitude, we will make sure that no fly will harm your own," Faye said to Georn, "Do you wish to leave the Domain through the same northwest passing you crossed?"
"That is so," Georn nodded.
"And you, my lord?" Faye turned towards Blanc, "Will you not join our Blood for dinner to discuss recent events and the future?"
Blanc paused in thought, more for show than to consider her invitation.
He had known such an invitation would come sooner or later, once they made themselves known in the Domain of Blood Aron, and Celine had told him to accept it without hesitation.
"It will be a pleasure for me and my present Blood to join your own for a meal," Blanc bowed lightly, "My Lady."