The regional city of Tellurus is, in a sense, a gateway to the royal city of Esaias.
Why is Esaias located so close to the border?
Originally, the Kingdom of Cerroa was a very small country. After the Dinaric War, when the Kingdom of Dinar was divided into a small group of countries, the Kingdom of Cerroa was founded on the site of the capital of the Dinaric Kingdom, and led by the 8th king, Laurent I, it challenged the neighboring countries to war.
Over the course of ten years of warfare, the Kingdom of Celuloa swallowed up the surrounding countries and increased its territory. This aggression was repeated for generations.
The countries it swallowed were in the north, east, west, and southwest. This is why the location of the capitals are unevenly distributed.
If the Kingdom of Egelea was also swallowed up, its location would not be so strange.
The southern kingdom of Egelea resisted stubbornly until the end of the war, and Roland I made peace with Egelea to avoid the decline of national power due to the prolonged war.
Since then, although there have been some skirmishes, diplomatic relations have generally continued in an outward appearance. Yes, until 18 years ago when Elsa's father was active.
"Reinhardt said the current king seems a bit belligerent. ......"
Jin muttered to himself as he walked through the streets of Tellurus.
Only two days to go before he could board the ferry. Reinhardt says he will visit his acquaintances and is separated from Jin.
Jin is just wandering around the city to distract himself from the frustration of not finding Erza. The spring sun is warm and just right for a walk.
A little tired after wandering around for more than an hour, Jin sat down on a bench in the plaza facing the main street.
"Fuu."
There were many people coming and going, and the place was lively. Parents and children, families, lovers. Merchants, aristocrats, old people, children. People from all walks of life were coming and going.
"Hey, it's your brother.
"Yes?"
I heard a familiar voice. I turned my head and saw a blue-eyed girl with silky blonde hair hanging down softly.
And you are...
I'm Siede, brother.
The girl I met in the mining village of Yada. She is the daughter of the Viscount Sekat.
"Oh, yes, yes, it's you, Shide. What happened to you today?"
Jin remembered her and spoke to her smiling.
"Yes, I've been sightseeing in this town since the day before yesterday. Today we took a cruise on the Torres River.
"Oh, a cruise boat. Did you have a good time?
"Yes, I did. The river is very wide and blue, and the fish were jumping around.
She explained to Jin with a smile and hand gestures. Her gestures are smiling, and Jin enjoys listening to them.
"So, why are you here? Are you alone?"
Sheide looks a little puzzled.
"Oh, well, I lost my ...... mother and the others."
"What?"
In short, he was lost. Jin rushed to his feet and looked around. But there was no one in sight.
"I'm sure your mother and the others are looking for you, too. "Well, do you know the hotel where you are staying?
"Yes, sir. <
"The Shade of Green Tree Hotel... ......... I've seen it somewhere..."
The name sounded familiar. As Jin was thinking about it, he heard a voice in his ear.
(Father, the hotel is located two streets east of this street.)
Reiko, who had remained out of sight, overheard him.
"Um, I think that hotel is over there."
Jin thanked Reiko and started walking away, taking Siede by the hand.
"Thank you, brother. Aren't you going to be with her today?"
By "that sister" I assume he meant Elsa. Jin remembered that she had healed Shede's injuries after he had fallen down with a healing spell.
"Yes, we are separated now.
"Is that so? I want to see you again."
He seemed to have missed Erza since she had healed his injuries.
"Well, that may be difficult."
"After all, your sister is an aristocrat too, so she can't go out very often, can she?"
Jin said to her in a deceptive manner as he was not going to tell her the truth, and Siede said with a serious face.
I am lonely. Then you can stop being a nobleman.
His words gave Jin something to think about,
"No, little Sheide. Your mother will be sad."
He told her to be careful. Sheide nodded her head in agreement.
"Yes, I understand. I don't want to make my mother sad.
"Yes, Sheide is a good girl."
Jin stroked her head as she walked next to him.
"Hehehe, it feels good."
Siede was very happy to have his head patted.
In the meantime, we arrive in front of the hotel.
"Siede!"
a woman's voice sounded panicked. It was Sheide's mother, Marilia, Viscountess Sekat.
"Mother!"
Marilia rushed to him and took him in her arms.
Where have you been? Edem and Hauro are looking for you right now!
Jin wondered idly as he watched the father and son face to face.
"I'm sorry. I was watching a funny show on the main street and my mother and the others disappeared, so my brother brought me here.
Then Marilia let go of Siede in her arms and looked at Jin.
"Thank you very much for bringing Sheede to me," she said. ...... Oh, are you sure?"
She seemed to remember Jin's face.
Yes, my name is Jin Nido, I was with you when you visited the tunnels in Yada village.
"Oh, my God, it's you. Are you alone today?
Yes, Reinhardt is visiting a friend.
"I see. I'd like to thank you for your hospitality, but I'm traveling and don't have much at hand. ......"
Jin was rather embarrassed,
No, I didn't do anything special. I'll leave you to it.
With that, Jin bowed his head and walked quickly away from the place with a voice that was still holding him back.
"Oyako, huh? I like that kind of thing."
With this thought in the corner of his mind, Jin walked at a moderate pace and came to the edge of the river.
Along the Torres River, there was an embankment about 5 meters high, which could be climbed. Jin, who was a little sweaty from the walk, climbed up on the bank to enjoy the river breeze.
"Hmm? What's that noise?"
He climbed up on the bank and saw the riverbank, where people were gathering.
"Father, it looks like a drowned body or something."
Reiko said, hiding her face. Reiko's eyesight is sharper than a hawk's. She was seeing in infrared when she disappeared, and it was difficult to distinguish details in the distance, so she went close to the body in a moment and came back.
"What? Meine, who was supposed to be running away with Erza, came up as a drowned body!
Jin had a bad premonition and ran down the embankment. He almost slipped a few times, but Reiko supported him each time and kept him from falling.
He landed on the riverbank and rushed to the river.
Seeing him through the crowd of onlookers, Jin grunted and said, "I knew it!
"I knew it was ...... Meene.
There was no doubt that it was Meene. The difference was that she was not drowned. She was still breathing.
"Get out of the way! I know her!"
Jin went to Meine's side and said,
"Ugh! ......"
He frowned at the devastation.
His right hand seemed to be broken and bent in a strange direction, his head was swollen reddish-black as if he had been beaten, and a knife was sticking out of his abdomen.