Extra 13: Dekan Begins to Feel Something is Wrong

"Cornelia, Cornelia, will we pass through those holy sites?"

After a long, rambling explanation, Zestera finally shook Cornelia's forearm and asked a question.

Cornelia looked at Dekan with a silent, bitter smile.

She sensed that Dekan's feelings were also quite complicated at that moment.

It's not appropriate to answer Zestera on behalf of Dekan.

"... maybe, probably, perhaps."

Dekan spoke vaguely.

It would be fine if Zestera, that little brat, resisted his past deeds like Tata did.

He never expected that Zestera was a die-hard fan of the Pain Pope!

I've grown accustomed to a peaceful life.

In fact, Dekan also realized that some of the things he did back then now seem like a dark chapter in his history.

Just hearing Zestera muttering like that made Dekan's scalp tingle.

Zestera must never find out that she is Dekan!

Otherwise, she'll keep bothering us in this small town forever!

"You should focus on learning to control your Magic Power first. Once you've mastered it, we'll take you on a little tour of the Norton Kingdom, okay?"

Cornelia understood Dekan's thoughts, gently patted Zestera's head, and said...

"I want to go to the Royal Capital! Is that alright?"

Zestera's eyes seemed to sparkle.

"There's nothing fun in the Royal Capital. Almost all of Pope Pain's companions are no longer Royal Capital."

Dekan responded with apparent nonchalance.

Going to the Royal Capital, is no different from revealing one's identity.

He wouldn't let Zestera over!

"Then, Tristin City?"

Zestera.

She had heard that it was a magnificent magical city, with various festivals and events throughout the year.

There's even a chance to meet the legendary heavenly-voiced songstress!

"This city is actually quite ordinary; the Beautiful Soul Squad visited it very few times back then."

Upon hearing this, Dekan suddenly realized something.

Aside from my first trip to Tristin.

Every time he visited afterward, he was left with an extremely deep impression.

Upon reflection, the person who left him with the most beautiful memories in this magical city was still Evans.

"So, besides Kulan Territory, where else can we go for fun?"

Zestera's eyes were filled with confusion and disappointment.

Dekan thought for a moment, then said:

"The Hanover Territory, perhaps. That 'cunning merchant' from the legend might be hiding Hanover Territory."

I was also planning to visit Morion.

I heard that when Talomati traveled to the northern countries, he passed through the Hanover Territory.

Morion, as lord, and Alina, as countess, naturally received Talomati.

Talomati doesn't have many friends he's willing to open up to, but Alina is one of them.

She was an old friend of Ataliyah, the Bishop of Nightmare's previous incarnation and the Great Demon Atalia of Nightmare.

Of course, Dekan strongly suspected that Talomati had intentionally or unintentionally passed through Hanover Territory he was craving Alina's cooking.

Talomati kept in touch with Alina, sharing with Alina many culinary experiences from her travels.

This is supposedly a discussion between gourmets and chefs.

Dekan's reason for wanting to go to the Hanover Territory wasn't anything special; he simply wanted to inquire about Talomati's current situation.

However, inside the carriage...

Zestera immediately became excited when she heard Dekan speak in such a mythical tone.

"Really?!"

She grabbed Dekan's clothes and shook them incessantly, even jumping up and down excitedly.

Could we actually meet the characters from the story?

That cunning businessman Colluding Villains with the Painful Pope.

Perhaps it's hiding in that city, toying with its enemies with an ever-changing face!

Just thinking about going on an adventure made Zestera's heart pound.

So Dekan and Cornelia then took turns changing the subject.

This finally brought Zestera had been incredibly excited after starting to talk, to a halt.

Under the night sky, the station shines like a bright pearl, reflected in the twilight of the border city.

The towering clock tower appears exceptionally solemn, and the majestic architectural complex exudes an aura of history.

The exquisite carvings on the archway adorn the entrance to the train station, giving it an elegant and dignified appearance.

The rhythmic chimes echoed in the night sky on the gentle breeze, shrouding the main city of Kulan Territory in a veil of mystery.

Even at night, the square in front of the station is bustling with pedestrians, who move between the station and its surroundings, saying goodbye or reuniting with family and friends.

The moonlight at night spills onto the train tracks, giving these steel worlds a mysterious charm.

In the distance, a magical train slowly pulled into the station, its roaring whistle breaking the silence of the night.

The lights inside the carriage shone through the windows onto the moonlit platform, guiding the passengers waiting to board.

The train conductor blew his whistle, and passengers boarded the train one after another, beginning or ending their journey through the night.

The three people from the Vihart Kingdom traveled through Norton 'Royal Capital on the Magical Rail Train, and then took a newly constructed route built in the last two years that Kulan Territory.

Now, not only the Northern Nations, but also the Salon Empire, will gradually have easier transportation.

The magical railcar arrived at the station in Kulan Territory City as scheduled.

Soon.

As soon as Dekan and Cornelia was holding Zestera, stepped out of the station.

Then he saw several elegantly dressed servants standing in an inconspicuous spot by the roadside, and their gazes turned to him one after another.

It was as if they were waiting for him.

"Sir, the lord invites you to be his guest."

The elderly man dressed as the head butler stepped forward, bowed to Dekan, and then spoke.

"..."

Dekan paused for a moment, then nodded.

Given Croix's level of intelligence control over the Norton Kingdom, he would have known of his arrival even without prior notice.

Several servants then hurried over to greet Dekan and his companions.

Zestera looked up at the adults, a puzzled expression on her face.

Although she could not understand the language of the central kingdom.

But she could tell that the servants who were showing them goodwill were people of high status.

"The current lord of this territory is quite familiar with my wife and me, so when they heard we were coming, they naturally gave us a warm welcome."

Dekan looked down at Zestera and explained.

Even the stories Zestera, the country girl, heard were only hearsay from wandering minstrels.

The story's completeness and authenticity can only be described as 30% true and 70% false.

In the story, the names of most of the Painful Pope's companions are replaced by their professions.

Zestera, who had never studied geography or history, naturally had no idea that the count of this unfamiliar country was the "inquisitor" who colluded with the "Painful Pope" of years past.

"By the way, Croix very busy?"

Dekan asked the old butler.

Logically speaking, if Croix had known in advance that Dekan and Cornelia were coming, he would have come to pick them up in person.

"The Earl may be in some trouble."

The old butler coughed twice and said with some helplessness.

Dekan: "What's wrong?"

The old butler. "... You should know Miss Claire, the second daughter of the Marquis of Croix, Marquis Prin's childhood sweetheart, right?"

"... certainly."

Dekan's expression immediately turned serious as he nodded.

He sensed something was amiss.

Even Cornelia noticed the problem.