Chapter 181: Exchange Terms (1)

After two days of riding the motorcycle and staying at a motel that John Dae had recommended, we finally arrived at the Kingdom of Tarmine.

Seiya’s motorcycle slowly advanced through the city of Tarmine. Cars were passing by, creating a modern atmosphere. There were trees planted along the side of the paved road, and it seemed like they cared about the landscape. I saw a family walking through the park.

「It’s quite different from Galvano. 」

Celseus muttered while riding in the sidecar.

「You were awake. 」

Celseus basically slept in the sidecar all this time. He was fast asleep even during the checkpoint at the border, and his presence was invisible. When he found out about the trouble we got with the checkpoint later, he said nonchalantly, “Wow, so that’s what happened, huh.” What was wrong with this god…?

「Park your car and motorcycle here. 」

John Dae approached me on his motorcycle and instructed to stop. Seiya parked his motorcycle, and Colt parked his car next to him.

In front of me was a castle gate, and beyond it stood a magnificent castle. The castle had a medieval appearance, and it seemed out of balance with the modern city. Colt seemed to think the same, as he muttered to himself.

「How nostalgic. I guess Royal Families prefer to live in old-fashioned castles. 」

In simple terms, it was like an antique hobby. Even in times of advanced civilization, there were still nobles who valued old customs. However, according to Colt, Duke Leon, who ruled the Principality of Galvano, lived in a mansion with modern facilities. It was different for each person and country.

John Dae seemed to have heard our conversation and cleared his throat.

「Tarmine’s magical technology is much more advanced than Galvano’s, you know. 」

John Dae explained as if to tell me not to get the wrong idea. Certainly, Tarmine’s magical technology seemed to have reached a considerable level, as seen in the drone technology that Galvano lacked.

As we talked, we passed through the castle gate. The guards saluted when they saw John Dae and made way for us.

I felt a sense of nostalgia as I walked through the gardens leading to the castle. It had been a long time since I had seen such a medieval-like worldview, and the atmosphere was similar to that of original Tarmine, where I had stayed when we saved Exfolia.

John Dae, who was walking in front of me, turned to look back at Seiya and me.

「First, you will be given an audience with Queen Carmilla in the Queen’s Chamber. Princess Tiana will also be there. 」

…My mother and me from my past life! I was meeting them already!?

I had been feeling relaxed, but I suddenly started to get nervous.

—

The Queen’s Chamber on the first floor was a large hall covered in red carpet.

At the end of the carpet, John Dae kneeled before an old woman wearing a dress and exuding absolute elegance.

「I present you the hero and the goddess who have appeared in Exfolia along with their companions. 」

Queen Carmilla turned her gaze to Seiya and me, who were standing behind John Dae, and then looked at Celseus, who was complaining, “I’m a god too…”, and then at Colt and Eich, and smiled gently.

「Welcome. 」

…Mom…!

She had a stern face at first glance, but her voice was gentle. Her expression and voice were the same as the Queen Carmilla I knew. However, I got speechless after gazing at her body.

Queen Carmilla’s left arm was a mechanical prosthetic. Similarly, her left leg, peeking out from under her dress, was also mechanical. The Queen laughed after noticing my gaze.

「Are you surprised? The left half of my body became mechanical because of the recent great war with Galvano. 」

I looked away, unable to look her in the eye. Queen Carmilla continued laughing as if nothing had happened.

「Well, I’m great compared to him. He died in the war. 」

With her gesture, I turned my gaze to the portrait on the wall. It was a painting of a king in military uniform.

My father…or rather Princess Tiana’s father…was not there in the original Exfolia as well.

…Father…was he killed by the Grand Leon?

If he died in the battle with Galvano, he might had been killed by the Grand Leon of this twisted world as well.

Suddenly, Seiya whispered to me.

「Lista, you’re not mentally shaken, are you? 」

「Ah…well. It’s sad that my father is dead, but I don’t remember him anyways. I’ll try not to think about it too much. 」

「Okay then. 」

For a moment, I thought he was thinking about me…but knowing Seiya, he was probably worried that if I got sentimental, unexpected trouble would occur, just like it happened last time in Exfolia.

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