Chapter 181 – Long Time, Many Changes, and Mixed Feelings

“Sigh…” Eva let out an audible sigh as she closed her eyes as the carriage moved towards the side entrance of the city.

Lavender asked, "Everything good?”

“Yes,” Syrus replied, “Just probably could catch up on some more sleep.”

Maca added. “Sleep is important for a growing body.”

“You hear that, Ethan, Max? Important life lessons.” Syrus smirked as the two boys looked a little confused but nodded nonetheless.

Max thought that if Maca said it, it must be true, while the statement confused Ethan. Everything was basically the same as usual.

[Feeling nervous, Lilly?] Luna asked, concerned about how Eva would be processing everything. They could feel each other’s emotions, and they had discussed this already, but she still felt the need to ask.

[I’m fine… It just feels like it has been a long time… Honestly, this short stroll towards the city walls has felt as if it has taken weeks off my life.] (Eva)

[Ain’t that truth.] (Syrus)

[Feel the nerves as well?] (Luna)

[Nope.] (Syrus)

[I should have expected as much.] (Luna)

The process of getting into the city was smooth. They approached the side entrance and supplied the paperwork to the guard stationed there. The guard was a little surprised to see the age of the document, but it contained information that permitted the group entry. The city itself, in its normal state, didn’t have huge restrictions on who could come and go. There were exceptions, as Luna knew very well; getting permission for large church groups to enter had basically been impossible.

Mary was wearing a cloak that limited the view of her face. Not wanting to accidentally reveal her identity in the city. Once they were in, they noticed that black hair certainly wasn’t a common colour. So if anyone did see her and her horns, even if they were cut, that could raise a lot of suspicions for the older folks.

Mary announced to the group. “Okay, everyone, follow me. We have a destination we need to reach. So Maca, Max. Please stay in the carriage.”

Anlesa stayed on the front, driving the cart, with Mary behind her, directing. Ethan, along with Max, was peeking under the corners of the carriage's curtains to watch the city move by. Both boys were in awe, as neither had seen a place as large as this.

Eletscoep was, similar to Arisea Station, technically a country with one city. Though comparing the two was also quite hard for other reasons, while both could be considered city-states. The size difference was massive. Arisea Station could be considered a large town by some people, even if that was doing it a bit of a disservice. Though if a person who said that came from Eletscoep, then it would be a bit more justified.

Even compared to the capitals of the Nevald Kingdom and Cancole, it stood in a league of its own. That was just counting the size of the city, not even what lay within. The buildings were tall; two-storey buildings were the norm and not a one-street exception.

[...hmm….] Syrus was quite shocked looking at the city. Despite going around a few different countries in her past life, she hadn’t seen a city quite like this. [There is a level of consistent quality which is impressive.]

[That’s an interesting compliment…] Luna had to pause at the strangeness of Syrus’s words but had to agree she was right.

Syrus definitely had seen better buildings. Larger, more extravagantly designed, etc., better buildings. However, the consistency for such a large city left her genuinely amazed. It required a large, almost selfless effort.

[I’ve seen places do a lot worse.] Syrus kept her reply simple, but she wasn’t even exclusively referring to slums or slum-like places as what Luna had actually assumed she was speaking about. Plenty of cities she had stayed in hated slums and made sure that no places fell into such disarray, but people in charge liked placing budgets in bigger projects.

As they travelled through the city, it was hard not to notice how busy everything seemed to be, with people moving about, selling clothes, moving goods, and just chatting merrily in the streets. This impacted Eva the most. This was supposed to be an ordinary sight, but everything felt different from what her memories presented.

…The atmosphere itself had changed.

Luna and Syrus could feel Eva’s mixed emotions, but neither understood the problem. They both assumed it was an extension of everything else Eva was going through, and while she was certainly experiencing a lot of emotions by simply arriving in the city, this was different. Somehow, fundamentally, the city had changed from how she remembered it.

[I’m guessing no royal palace either.] (Syrus)

Luna replied, [Correct, there isn’t, but why do you say?] She knew the answer from the books about the city she had read, but even they didn’t exactly state why there was no palace. It was strange for her, coming from a kingdom that had its own royalty, and even the church’s main buildings were leagues above everything around it. Those kinds of buildings were almost a staple showcase of power, but there wasn’t exactly a perfect comparison here.

There was a large open area in the centre of the city with a large tower with a clock face on every side that had a large open platform where announcements could be made, and there were a few mansions but no palace. Luna was kind of curious where Mary lived before being forced to escape.

[Such a large building would be hard not to question its purpose.] (Syrus)

[True…] (Luna)

A little depressing reason, but it was correct.

Eventually, they reached a building that was near the opposite edge of the city. It was a large manor with a spot for them to park their horse and carriage.

“It hasn’t changed…” Mary recognised the place, and there was a hesitation in her steps as she moved towards the door.

A butler came out first to greet them. He looked old himself, and his face melted into shock and tears as he saw Mary. The hood wasn’t keeping anything hidden from the man who knew what they were looking for.

He escorted the group inside, not minding the roughed-up nature of the party.

Slowly walking down the stairs before stopping. This new elderly man, who had to be at least in his sixties, had his eyes flooded with tears as he finished climbing down.

The elderly gentleman wobbled forward. “My ancestors… it is really you…”

The message that someone had used his recommendation to enter the centre reached him before the group’s arrival. At first, he couldn’t believe it had been used, but he absolutely needed to verify, even if it was possibly a trap.

“Maryelle…”

“..I go by Mary now…” Mary smiled and walked forward to give the man a hug. Her arms tightened around him as she had to check that this wasn’t all a dream.

[...] (Syrus)

[How nice…] (Eva)

After a long hug, which was followed by Mary slowly walking Max to the elderly gentleman, Lord Hall, who created more tears for his introduction.