Shangri La Pt. 1

86: Mission Accomplished?

( Note: There is no need for me to drag out everything that happens to each character for 2 to 5 days, especially when nothing really happens when they are just traveling. So, now we're finally gonna get to my favorite part of this entire story here and now! Of course we will get back to Shoto and my characters and all that explaining eventually, just not now as I think this part is the most important! Enjoy!

After traveling for 3 days straight, the wagon came to a complete stop, causing the greenette to wake up from her uncomfortable slumber. 

'Hm? Ah– Am I finally here?' she thought as she could only rub her eyes after such a long travel as her entire body was tired. 

Sleeping in a wagon never really is supposed to be comfortable–especially when riding it for 3 days straight without any breaks. Having to eat the not so great food that was already on the wagon, having to use a bucket to go to the bathroom–which was indeed embarrassing–and sleeping on a bumpy ride to the point that every single joint in her body felt stiff.

The second she could finally feel herself awake, Izumi turned her head to see that off in the distance and past the end of the forest, there stood a temple that appeared to have lanterns lit and horses corralling not too far from the building. 

'Ah– is that–' 

"Ma'am, you said to take you to the temple where the Scholars are to meet, yes?" the man responsible for driving the wagon questioned. 

"Oh, yes, yes I did. Thank you so much. I– I'm sorry I've had to use your wagon as a small place for me to live in for these past few days. I wish to make it up to you." 

"There's no need to do that, ma'am." 

"Eh? B-But I couldn't possibly ignore everything you've done for me and just–" 

"Didn't you say that you needed to speak to the Scholars urgently?" the man interrupted. 

"Ah– Y-Yes, t-thank you, and excuse me!" she stuttered as she managed to take a quick bow to the man before running off and towards the temple.

Just as she approached the doors leading to the inside of the temple, Izumi stopped herself one last time to look at herself and make sure she looked presentable and clearly not looking like she rode on the back of a wagon for 3 days. She dusted off her robes and used her fingers to brush through her hair and then took in a deep breath as she rummaged through the sleeve of her robe to find the scroll that she was supposed to deliver to the Scholars. 

'Okay, I have everything I need, and all I need to do is enter this temple, introduce that I am a servant from the East–and someone that the Empress specifically wanted to have this done–and then give them this scroll, and then I'll be on my way back home! Everything will be just fine!' she thought as she took one last deep breath in before knocking–quiet loudly–onto the large pair of wooden doors.

After the knock on said doors, it was clear that the people inside had heard her, as it went silent inside the temple. 

"Who goes there?" 

"Ah– Ahem– I am a servant from the East and was requested to deliver a message to the Scholars! The message is from Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress!" Izumi managed to answer without stuttering a single word. And without even a minute of waiting, the pair of doors opened for a soldier to appear before her and make direct eye contact with her. 

"Ah–" 

"We need identification that you are who you say you are before I allow you to enter." the soldier commanded.