The man who jumped down from the Magic Locomotive was named Torres. He was the eldest son of Afalia's Father's second uncle, making him Afalia's cousin, two years his junior.
They were close in age and lived in villages near each other, so they had played together since childhood and were very close.
Lately, Afalia's Father had often talked about the relatives he wanted to live alongside again after returning to Bunta City. Torres was one of them.
Since Afalia's Father had spent the past few years in the Stantin Duchy, the two had rarely seen each other during that time.
Their last meeting had been during his annual trip back to Bunta City for the New Year.
Seeing Torres suddenly arrive here in a Magic Locomotive, Afalia's Father froze for a moment, then felt a jolt of alarm.
Had something happened back home, bringing Torres all the way here without warning?
Second Uncle had always been in poor health. Had something happened to him?
At that thought, Afalia's Father hurried over.
But as he drew closer, he saw no trace of grief on Torres's face. Instead, Torres was eagerly taking in his surroundings, exclaiming in wonder. Clearly, the unusual, tidy, beautiful surroundings on this fief had left him awestruck.
Puzzled, Afalia's Father scanned the people getting off the Medium Passenger Magic Locomotive behind Torres and spotted several familiar faces. They were all residents of Roverto Village, where Torres lived, and had played with Afalia's Father when they were children.
Their expressions were much the same as Torres's after they got off, full of wonder as they gazed around, utterly captivated.
Afalia's Father was thoroughly puzzled.
Why had all these people come here?
*Traveling here from Bunta City was much easier than before, but it still took most of a