Are You Really Here? (Continued)

We're going to... Columbia.

"Columbia?"

Lamaline wasn't too familiar with the name, but felt like she'd heard it somewhere before. On the other hand, Aifanier, who had traveled all over Rhodes Island with her, had a subtle change in expression when she heard the name.

Columbia?

This distance from their current location... must be at least three-quarters of the way across Terra, right?

Maria had previously stated that, based on her estimated speed, they should arrive by tomorrow morning.

Just... half a day?

Crossing the entirety of Terra?!

Are you kidding me?!

Aifanier almost instinctively expressed disbelief.

But Maria offered no explanation.

That calm demeanor, which didn't seem like a joke at all, made Aifanier involuntarily reach up and rub his temples.

Maria doesn't seem like the type to joke around... at least not at the moment.

Therefore, what she said about crossing Terra in half a day could actually be true.

But...

Aifanier's expression was complex, but after a moment, he decided to temporarily abandon his original understanding of the Terra, turned his head, and continued to look at Maria.

"So... what are we going over there for?"

"To meet someone..."

"One person?"

Aifanier tilted his head.

At that moment, Maria silently turned her head to look.

"Go see..."

"Your sister..."

Maria spoke so calmly, as if she were simply asking what she wanted to eat.

But Aifanier to the side, was stunned.

He glanced at his mother instinctively, and only after seeing that she also widened her eyes slightly did he turn back to look at Maria.

"Ah?"

I have an older sister?

It was early morning, before the moonlight had faded and the sun had set.

Aifanier stood on the edge of Yharnam, looking at the still brightly lit city, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

He had never actually been to Columbia, but had only heard that it was a massive commercial world no less impressive than Moon Lungmen.

He had initially held onto the thought that Maria was joking, but after actually seeing this massive, densely populated city, he realized that Maria wasn't joking...

She kept her word, and they arrived in Columbia in less than half a day!

This is absolutely insane!

Aifanier almost began to question his own worldview... especially when he realized that Maria's mobile platform was moving at an unprecedented speed, while he and the others had not felt any movement on it at all, he deeply appreciated the bizarre and fantastical nature of this world.

He knew far less than he had imagined.

However, Maria didn't explain much. Doll simply had the Lamaline hide Yharnam in a certain place before leading Ramalyn into the large mobile platform.

But... her destination wasn't the bustling city center, but somewhere else...

A place where... the streets are getting less and less crowded...

Taking advantage of the lingering darkness, the group quickly arrived at a quiet park.

And here...

The scattered signs swayed slightly.

"Um?"

Maria and her group's arrival quickly attracted the attention of the security personnel at the entrance.

Logically speaking, such places should be guarded by local old men, maybe one or two in number.

However, the security personnel in the park at this time had a distinctly different feel from the Columbia style. Judging from their distinctive attire and demeanor, most of these people were Siracusa.

And...

Young and strong.

Aifanier frowned slightly, watching these people approach warily.

But after seeing that his father did nothing, he hesitated for a few moments before slowly lowering his hand.

"Stop!"

The security guard spoke in a warning tone, his slightly stiff voice filled with a sense of forcefulness; just by listening, one could tell that these people were not simple characters.

Maria did not make things difficult for these people and did indeed stop walking.

This honest behavior made the security personnel hesitate. After a moment, they slowly walked over, carrying Lantern.

The first thing that catches the eye is the distinctly Sarkaz- style Lamaline and Aifanier.

"Sarkaz?"

The two Siracusa were puzzled, wondering why they had suddenly seen these people here.

However, they didn't say much, and after coughing twice, they raised their hands.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, the park is closed to the public today. Please leave."

"Not open to the public?"

Maria blinked, as if she were somewhat curious.

"A cemetery... does it even have times like this?"

"There's always one reason or another, ma'am."

The Siracusa looked at Maria with a wary gaze.

For some reason, he always felt a strange sense of familiarity with Maria, but he couldn't quite put his finger on where that familiarity came from.

Of course, none of these were the reasons for his wariness. What truly made him wary was the blade at Maria's waist.

He also wanted to warn the other party to lay down their weapons and submit to inspection.

But a faint sense of unease in the air prevented him from saying those words.

He could only keep a distance from the people in front of him for the time being, so that he could feel more at ease.

But Maria didn't say much.

After thinking for a few moments, she slowly took out the necklace she had been carrying with her all this time.

"Um?"

The necklace was not some cheap knock-off, especially considering it was a design from nearly a century ago; its unique and antique style was extremely eye-catching.

The two Siracusa men on guard were initially suspicious and wary, wondering what Maria might be up to.

But their expressions changed drastically after they saw what Maria had taken out.

This is...

Madam Sicily's Token?!

However, as far as they knew, Madam Sicily had only given this token to a few people... It certainly wasn't the judge, nor did it seem to be from those two families, meaning...

The person in front of me is...

Upon realizing this, the two of them were instantly terrified, breaking out in a cold sweat. Their bodies trembled slightly involuntarily, and their pupils darted around with unease.

Almost immediately, the two took a few steps back and began to whisper among themselves.

Is it her?

"How am I supposed to answer that? I've never seen her before... Should we let her in?"

"This... isn't that inappropriate?"

The companion who had initially raised the question looked conflicted.

"These next few days are quite important; if we send the wrong person..."

"Then do you dare to say no to her?"

"I wouldn't dare."

"Then that settles it, doesn't it?"

"... In that case, go and talk to her."

"... I'm not going."

The two of them exchanged glances while talking.

Their words of mutual shirking of responsibility fully reveal the shadow that Maria had cast over Siracusa.

Even now, these people still feel uncomfortable whenever Maria's name is mentioned.

Maria didn't urge them, but waited a while until the other person stood up again before slowly speaking.

"Have you finished discussing it?"

"... Yes, ma'am."

Upon hearing Maria's question, the two guards took a deep breath and then continued to extend their hands.

"Please wait here a few moments while we go... to find someone."

After saying that, one of them immediately ran off, seemingly to call for backup.

The other person, who had just started, looked at his companion, who had agreed to retreat together, somewhat bewildered, his face instantly turning extremely awkward.

After a moment, he coughed softly, straightened his posture, and stood in front of the group.

His eyes darted around, deliberately avoiding looking at Maria.

Meanwhile, Lamaline walked over curiously.

"They seem to recognize you... What have you been doing here?"

"... I haven't done anything here."

Maria for a moment, then shook her head slightly.

She hasn't really done anything significant in Columbia City.

"You didn't do it? Then why are they looking at you like that? This person is almost terrified."

Lamaline slightly close to Maria's ear, and as her crimson lips moved, her voice swept through the air and reached Maria's ears directly.

Banshee's Secret Art is always full of such magical little abilities.

"Perhaps it's because of the owner of this necklace?"

After thinking for a moment, Maria shook her head slightly.

Lamaline was just teasing Maria.

She had known Maria for a long time, and it's no exaggeration to say that she wouldn't be too surprised by anything Maria did these days.

She has the ability!

The two didn't have to wait long. Soon, a tall, towering man led a group of people over.

These people were mostly strong and muscular. It wasn't very noticeable when there were only two of them, but as the number of people increased, everyone realized that they were all wearing extremely similar styles of clothing.

Moreover, these people are either Lupo or Vulpo.