Chapter 403: Aquamia (1/2)

As Arthur stared at the princess's lonesome back, the image overlapped with Emma's figure in his memory. Yet, somehow, it felt wrong to feel this way, and Arthur had to shake his head.

”What name do you want me to call you?”

”Ma'am sounds good,” she said thoughtfully, and Arthur nodded before he paused, staring at her weirdly. ”I'm joking!”

”I believe you, ma'am,” Arthur said with sarcasm, and the princess seemed to regret making that joke.

As their chatter carried them through the hours, a rider from ahead shouted to alert the others of their arrival. Arthur and Dia peeked out of the window and looked at Aquamia, which had an array of ships lined up beside it.

The Lo and Ho Rivers ran close to the city, surrounding it. The wide rivers led to the great oceans that linked the different parts of the continent, making them of vital importance to the livelihood of Freda's citizens.

Countless ships rode the river to the city of Aquamia, making the city the focal point of maritime trade. The city itself was mostly made of wood and bridges the linked the harbor, the dock, and the city.

Countless seagulls flew above the city, and it seems that the trade also brought diversity, as the wooden houses were built in different styles and decorations. As they inched closed to the city, Arthur could feel the cold breeze of the water.

”We have reached Aquamia,” Big Bear rode beside them. ”To make sure that we are received properly, we'll send an envoy ahead.”

”How about you let us walk around the city a bit?” Arthur suggested, and the vice-captain seemed apprehensive. He looked at Arthur, then at Dia, seeming to hold back his words.

”I'm sorry, Seika, but the Knight of Courage warned me about leaving you alone. The last time they did in the city of contracts, you kidnapped a dwarf and fought against Captain Francis,” Big Bear seemed to be in awe rather than in fear.

”Well, that's how I got Manager Gruen. Wouldn't it be beneficial if I grabbed another one?” Arthur said jokingly, but Big Bear agreed after a while, revealing his bandit-like mindset.

”If that's the case, then I can't possibly hold you back,” Big Bear said before riding off. ”We'll send you ahead to enjoy the city, and I'll tell the marchioness that you have a business to attend to,” the man said before pulling the reigns, but Arthur hurried to remind him.

”Keep it a secret from Manager Ma!” Arthur leaned back with a weak smile, and he could feel Dia's shocked gaze at him.

”Your followers are... unique?”

”You don't have to sugarcoat it,” he laughed. ”I know I'm leading a bunch of weirdos; the only problem is that I like it,” a smile couldn't help but appear on his lips.

”I told you. You are fit to rule,” she said with a victorious expression, and Arthur didn't know how she managed to understand that from his words.

”I never wanted to rule. But, I was forced to it,” Arthur leaned on the window. ”It was the only way to convince Solomon that I was worthy of being his advisor.”

”And then what?”

”Then...” Arthur paused as he couldn't say that he wanted to know how Solomon got to the trial a hundred years from now. ”Then, I will build a better kingdom before I leave.”

The mention of him leaving seemed to dampen the mood, and Diana went silent. She didn't question why he wanted a better kingdom, as if they both knew that was a lie. Arthur never had such aspirations because he was simply unrelated to the matter.

As he listened to her quiet breathing, he wondered how it would all end. This chapter of his life was a long but momentary one, and this was by no means his real life. He was not the Seika, he was Arthur Silvera, and his life was back on earth.

As they got close, the two wore cloaks to hide before Arthur teleported them into the city. The fishy smell of the market struck them the moment they appeared beside each other in the alley.

”Is this what you wanted?” Diana laughed before pulling him into the crowd. ”I heard that this city is known for its colorful pearls, and I want to see them for myself.”

”For a necklace?”

”Just because I'm a girl?” the princess laughed. ”I want the dwarf to make me a sword, and a few pearls from the sea might work to enhance my powers.”