Approximately three hours had passed since our departure from the village of Yao, and we continued making our way through the dense, overgrown forest. A bright blue sky stretched over our heads as the radiant sun shone brightly in the eastern sky.
"Oh! Haruto, look, it's the kingdom of Albanian."
Alya beamed as she pointed straight ahead of us. Roughly twenty kilometres ahead was a beautifully structured city with big three-story buildings. A large building stood tall, towering over all the other buildings. It was easy to guess it was most likely the royal palace.
"Hmm.... honestly, it felt like our journey here lasted far longer than I originally thought."
I muttered tiredly. Though it wasn't that long ago when we started our journey here. Nikita looked at the kingdom of Albanian curiously. Ah, come to think of it, this should be the first time she had seen a human nation if I'm not wrong. She had spent a large majority of her time living in the forest.
"So how is it?"
I asked while standing beside her. Hearing my question, she sighed before opening her mouth.
"It's beautiful. It's different from the structure of my own town."
Nikita answered. We were currently standing on a large hill, so from our elevated position we could see some of the city perfectly. We stayed silent for a while, while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
"Mm, I think we should go; the line at the entrance gate is getting big, don't you think?"
Alya said somewhat hesitantly. It seems she wanted to be considerate since we were enjoying the scene, noticing the entrance at the gate was getting a bit crowded, she decided to speak up. Noticing that, I smiled wryly.
"You're right, we really should get going."
I said before moving forward. Alya and Nikita also followed along. However, as though noticing something, I came to an abrupt stop.
"Nn... is something wrong, Haruto?"
Alya asked, tilting her head.
"Well, how should I say this... It's about Nikita."
"Mm, Me?"
Nikita cocked her head in confusion. I scratched the back of my head, unsure how to bring up the topic.
"Well... It's because Nikita is a demi-human. You do know about the relationship between the humans and demi-humans of this world, right?"
"Oh, I see... so that's what you're worried about. Well, you're right, the relations between our respective races aren't that good; in fact, it's the worst. But I personally don't care about it, so don't worry."
She stated calmly.
"Hmm, you don't care about it, isn't that a bit too apathetic?"
I asked somewhat incredulously. My eyes widened in surprise. Alya was also looking at Nikita as though she had heard something strange. Normally, it's natural to feel hate towards the race that had bad blood towards your own kind. Not to mention the humans would also enslave the demi-humans.
"It's like I said, I don't care about things like that. After all, the demi-humans also did terrible things towards humans, didn't they? It might be wrong to say I don't feel any hatred or disgust towards humans, but. This conflict had happened three hundred years ago in an era I wasn't born in; I'm not going to waste my time over a conflict I don't fully understand."
She explained simply. Her words were so lackadaisical that I couldn't help but stare blankly at her. On the contrary, Alya was going "Fufufu," from where she stood.
"This girl is interesting; her in differentness might seem heartless on the surface, but having that kind of mindset really is wonderful."
Alya said as she gazed at Nikita with newfound respect. Nikita's brow twitched from the pressure of Alya's gaze.
"I understand, well then, if you don't mind, then shall we get going, then?"
I asked as I smiled at the two.
"Yes."
They both answered brightly. We then made our way towards the long horizontal line at the gate entrance. People from all over the world had travelled far and wide to get here, while the Albanian Kingdom wasn't a major nation, it was a famous one.
I was eager to see what it's like on the inside. The only information I have is what I read in books and information I received from either Princess Scarlett or Princess Hinata back in the Watanabe Kingdom.
Time passed slowly as the large crowd of people made their way through the gate entrance. On either side were guards doing various check-ups to make sure no suspicious people entered the Kingdom. The checkups changed depending on the Kingdoms, or so I heard. While I was waiting in line, two elderly men standing in line started a conversation that immediately got my interest.
"Have you heard? They say the kingdom of Alberta formally declared war against the Zestril Kingdom."
A handsome man with short blond hair standing at the front said. A middle-aged man with slightly long brown hair standing at the back nodded his head strongly as he replied.
"Yes, it's going to be hectic, it seems."
The brown-haired man responded while sighing.
(Hmmm.... so, they declared war, huh? I knew things were bad regarding the assassination attempt on the king, but I never imagined it would escalate into a full-on war)
My face grimaced from the thought. It seemed it was a good thing I decided not to go to that kingdom; I really don't want to get dragged into something so troublesome.
"Do you think the kingdom of Zestril has a chance of winning?"
The blond-haired youth asked somewhat uneasily. However, towards such a question, the middle-aged brown-haired man laughed heartily.
"No way, take it from me, kid, there's no way the kingdom of Alberta would ever lose."
He said confidentially.
"Hm, that's some confidence. Do you think that country is really as strong as he says?"
Nikita, who had been silently listening to their exchange, suddenly asked.
"Hard to say I don't know anything about the internal strength of the major kingdom, but, considering how confident he sounds, I think there is some truth to it."
I answered somewhat dubiously. To be honest, I have zero interest in the internal affairs of these kingdoms. I'm not going to go poking my nose into their business.
"For now, let's focus on our trip."
I said, turning my gaze ahead. The two men standing ahead of us checked in and entered through the gate.
"Hold it! What is your business here?"
A guard dressed in blue asked, observing us from top to bottom. I cleared my throat with a light cough before answering him.
"I'm Haruto Sato, a traveller. I'm here with my two friends here on sightseeing."
I said while gesturing towards Alya and Nikita, who were standing behind me. The guards looked at both Alya and Nikita curiously. However, when their eyes landed on Nikita's fox ears and tails, a look of disgust appeared on their face.
(It seems the discrimination of demi-humans seems to be serious here, too, huh)
"You're friends with a demi-human? As a fellow human, do you have no shame?"
The guard said, narrowing his eyes at me in disgust.
"Hmm... whatever do you mean?"
I inquired while feigning ignorance. Seeing that it looks like I hit a nerve, as he gritted his teeth in displeasure.
"Is there a problem in having a demi-human as a friend?"
Alya inquired with a sweet smile. Nikita kept her silence even though she was receiving their repugnance; she simply shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm sure this checkup is to make sure no one brings anything illegal inside the kingdom, right? I never heard of a rule that states that you're not allowed to bring your friend inside."
I said calmly. The two guards went "Kuh," as they stared at me reproachfully. I showed them our belongings before we went through the entrance gate. The beautiful landscape of the city became visible. The city was bustling noisily as we made our way through the crowded street.
"It was amazing on the outside; seeing it on the inside made it even more remarkable."
Nikita said, looking around in excitement. Alya was the same, as she was curious about the Albanian kingdom.
"The first thing we're going to do is find a good inn, since we're going to be staying here for a while."
I explained without facing them.
"I see."
"Got it."
They both answered respectfully. Then suddenly I felt the soft sensation of a small, delicate hand holding mine. I turned to my right and saw Alya, who was grinning happily.
"Is there a reason why we have to hold hands?"
I asked somewhat nervously.
"Fufu... do I need a reason to hold your hand?"
Alya asked while casually tilting her head. Seeing that I turned my head straight ahead, unable to come up with an answer. Seeing that Alya strengthened her hold, a beautiful smile formed on her peach-coloured lips.
"Sigh, can the two of you stop casually acting like a couple while ignoring my presence?"
Nikita, who was walking on my left, said in a displeased tone.
"Oh, if you want, you can act like a couple with Haruto too, you know."
Alya said while glancing at Nikita's side profile. Hearing Alya's words, Nikita's white cheeks were dyed crimson as her fox ears twitched softly.
"Wh-what are you saying so suddenly?"
Nikita exclaimed.
"I don't get why you're overreacting so much. Holding hands while acting like a couple isn't that strange, you know?"
Alya said bluntly.
"Kuh!"
Nikita's face cringed in embarrassment.
Suddenly, I felt Nikitas's hand holding my left hand. The sudden action surprised me as I reflectively looked at her. However, she moved her face away, refusing to make eye contact, and my lips turned upwards into a faint smile.
We continued making our way through the lively streets in search of an inn. After 2 hours of walking, we finally arrived at a building that had a sign that stated "Inn." We quietly went inside.