Chapter 20 Welcome To The Capital Of Calista

The first time I got on the old train that would take me and Father to Calista, the capital of the Kingdom of Andalus. It was quite a long journey, taking three days. I spent time on the train, passing through rice fields, settlements, and mountain slopes. What beautiful landscapes of Andalus, I have never explored in my life.

Remembering the lunch box Mother gave me, I opened it. Inside is a strawberry jam bun and two apples. I ate the jam bread, accompanied by a very beautiful view of the mountains. Spending days traveling on the train, one day at a time the old train that carried residents traveling outside the district stopped in every district. I haven't been to the other districts, the Kingdom of Andalus has three regions, the upper region, the middle region, and the underdeveloped region. Indeed, the territory of the Kingdom of Andalus is quite extensive, almost as large as Horaces.

This time the train stopped in the Willon Forest district, mid-range. After waiting for more than two hours, the train I was riding was quite old and a long journey required adequate maintenance. Several engines have been damaged and must be repaired, as well as the complaints of every train passenger.

"It has happened many times. This train is very old, it is the only mode of land transportation that can be used to travel long distances."

It's useless for passengers to complain, those in the kingdom will not necessarily listen to our complaints below. Father and I got off the train and took a walk around the Willon Forest district. I'm a little anxious because I have to leave the station. What if the train repair doesn't take long and we miss our train?

Father looks relaxed and not worried, it seems that the big man knows more than me, who is the first time traveling by rail transportation which is quite bad. Walk through the town in the Willon Forest district. The Willon Forest District looks different compared to Valley Hill, the buildings are different and are more dominated by individual settlements and buildings made of wood.

Nothing is different, they are the same as the residents of the Valley of the Hills, it's just that their speaking accents are very different. The Willon Forester spoke very quickly and had a slightly squeaky accent. They dress in the same style as us in the Valley of the Hills, only with a unique twist. The Willon Forest District is a district that produces quality wood. Their style of dress is the same and a unique touch is that the footwear they wear is not shoes, but footwear made of wood. Men and women wear sandals and shoes made of wood, with unique carvings.

Enter a tavern, Tavern Aoila. Saw Father heading towards the barman, talking to a bearded old man, not knowing what they were talking about. While I observed the whole shop, sitting at a table near the window, sipping warm ginger while enjoying the outside view. It started to rain, and people outside walked quickly.

But there is something that makes me weird and raises questions in my head. The five people were wearing armor and head coverings, the strangest thing was that the robes attached to their armor looked familiar to me. The crescent moon and painted leaves surround the crescent moon, the blue color symbol of the Kingdom of Horaces.

Why are there Mage Horace's soldiers in the Willon Forest district? Suspicious. Apart from that, looking at the people in the shop, they were whispering to each other and there was a look of anxiety on their faces.

Father approached me. "We're back at the station."

During the trip, through the rain that is not so heavy. "Father, why are there Mage Horace's soldiers in the Willon Forest district?"

"The peace agreement is unprofitable, many are victims of the dark ages. Horaces uses the opportunity of signing peace to ask Andalus for compensation. Horaces fell part of the Andalus district, three of which fell under Horace's control. Exchange. Horaces gave some of their treasure to Andalus."

I don't understand at all. The history books I have read, are all still stuck in my head. Horaces who first raised the flag of war, invaded Andalus directly. What would Horace want to make restitution for, in exchange?

I don't understand at all. But, my hatred for the people of Andalus who live with their wealth, amid the suffering of the people of Andalus. My hatred for them is still there. Father is going to Calista, that could be my chance to vent my anger at them and release all the anger stored in my head.

The view of the meadows, replaced by green hilly valleys doesn't make me feel better. It's those at the top that have taken away all my joy.

The Silva Noble Clan and the Crimson Noble Clan. They grudge Horaces for the death of their family during the war, they seem to forget or don't want to know. Many Andalus victims suffered the same fate, losing their property and family. However, those at the top thought too much of personal grudges.

I'm no longer a ten-year-old boy, when I cry, Father rubs my head. This time I avoided the big hand that wanted to land on my head and changed seats, facing right in front of his eyes. But I put on a cynical face.

***

The train stopped at the platform in a very majestic manner, in contrast to the train I was on. Arriving in the city of Calista, I was like a villager who had come to the big capital for the first time. A stark comparison to the shabby and neglected Valley of the Hill district station.

Their clothing style also looks strange. In my eyes, they are like walking clowns, their clothing style instead of being typical of fashion, instead look like clowns. They're like clowns. Maybe only me and Father look normal, compared to them.

Seeing their luxury, the citizens of Calista made me want to vomit before their eyes, showing how much I hated them.

"Father, exactly where are we going?" I asked, looking into my flat eyes.

"Soon you will know."

Father didn't give me a satisfactory answer, instead, it made me even more annoyed at the figure I had always been proud of and as a role model.

Walking on the edge of the sidewalk, the urban bustle of Calista is very lively. Vehicles were passing by, the vehicles they used were luxurious and beautiful, different from those in the Valley of the Hill. What a big difference I now feel. Large towering buildings, luxurious-looking residential houses, with large courtyards. Unlike my small house, which is forced to accommodate five people.

The people of Calista live in luxury, while the people of the Valley of the Hills have to work hard just to survive.

The streets here are getting wider. I followed in Father's footsteps to a palace that was so magnificent. In addition to being magnificent and large, the courtyard is very wide. The winged flag stretch adds such a strong impression.

The magnificent palace before me was the Royal Palace of Andalus.

Two soldiers of the Mage Andalus that I know very well with their golden yellow robes and winged crests attached to their armor. They don't let foreigners in. Not allowing Father to enter without a permit or necessity that requires him to enter the Andalus Palace.

"You are not allowed to enter without a permit." The two Mage soldiers crossed their spears, not allowing us to enter.

I thought and wondered, why do you want to go to the Palace of Andalus? So far I haven't found the answer.

"I have come here at the summons of Her Majesty Queen Catherine."

"We don't believe you, without any evidence." The attitude of the two Mage soldiers grew even more wary.

Father showed me a piece of paper emblazoned with the wing emblem, the official seal of the Kingdom of Andalus, and a blue plaque that I didn't recognize. The two Mage soldiers were surprised and without asking any more questions, they opened the gate, allowing us to enter the Andalus Palace.

One of the Mage's soldiers accompanied us into the palace, through a very large courtyard, with a fountain in the middle. Once again, I was amazed by the luxury inside the palace. How can those who live in Calista, live in the palace, they are happily in luxury. Look at the people of the Valley of the Hills. You have to work hard just to survive, only a small part of you get luxury, not commensurate with the luxury that the residents of Calista have.

In the main hall, there is a large painting of a beautiful woman emblazoned on the wall. I recognized her as the ruler of the Kingdom of Andalus, a queen who ruled over a large kingdom. The Mage Army opened a large door before my eyes, allowing us to enter an enormous room.

Main Throne Hall. The throne in front of me, a woman with a very beautiful appearance, even that woman's beauty looks like not a woman in general, the figure of a great goddess.

The figure of the woman was very beautiful wearing a purple dress, with white lace that coiled beautifully at the curve of her waist. The dress she was wearing defended, showing her long legs and the high heels she was wearing. The style of dress alone looks elegant and luxurious. Her long hair was loosely tied, leaving loose strands. What I'm sure of, the queen's hair is dyed purple to make it look attractive. A glittering gold crown atop her head, adding to the majesty of the woman and her green eyes…

I recognized those green eyes and the look in his eyes that looked familiar. Not, because the woman always appeared on the television screen, but something familiar in my dreams. The nightmare now, I've started not dreaming nightmares of a woman who wants to kill me with her sharp gaze.

Those sharp eyes that were shot at me, she was Queen Catherine.