Chapter 79: To Bactria! (2/2)

'Why does the wreckage look so new? Is it related to the state of the city?' Alex wondered.

The city's inhabitants were also not very cooperative and seemed preoccupied.

One local man told them, ”The only thing we know is that misfortune and chaos have befallen our rulers, and rebels are destroying our land.”

Hermes told him, ”If I find that Alexander is related to this, I'll take him out of Elysium myself and directly escort him to Tartarus.”

Alex chuckled.

The two moved from the small city to the northeast, towards a larger city by the name of Kabura.

Alex recognized the city as the predecessor to the capital of modern Afganistan, Kabul.

The trip was mostly over a hot and searing desert though the latter part of it had a milder climate thanks to the increased rainfall and the numerous rivers.

The city had a traditional circular design, and it spread out around a large statue in the center.

Alex recognized the statue as one depicting Siddartha Gautama, who was more commonly known as Buddha.

Hermes informed him, ”That's the Buddha, he's probably the strongest individual in all of the eastern lands, but he doesn't interfere in any conflicts or wars.”

Alex pretended he didn't know who he was and thanked Hermes.

However, he wasn't that surprised that Buddha existed.

'I think that monk I met back in Olep was Buddhist...' Alex thought back to his earlier days in Olympus.

They could also see several temples from here.

Alex and Hermes landed on the outskirts of Kabura and sneakily entered the city.

Strangely, the people inside gave the two strange looks.

'Here too??? I thought this was supposed to be a Hellenic kingdom...' Alex wondered why they received attention even in this place.

Suddenly, an extremely large chariot navigated through the street they were in.

Behind the chariot, a line of armed guards followed its every step. The chariot itself had a roof and a woman stood over the roof.

Alex noticed that she had western features, though it seemed like the intense sunlight had darkened her skin.

”It looks like a bigshot is coming, Alexei-boy,” Hermes spoke and raised his eyebrows exactly once.

'With all of those guards, there's no doubt...' Alex nodded.

The woman held a wooden device similar to a megaphone, and it amplified her voice.

She was shouting out a speech to everyone in the streets.

”My people, we can vanquish the rebels if I get your help and support.!”

”My people, we can reclaim our rightful throne if you help out your queen!”

The people didn't have any reaction, and in fact, one man smirked and shouted, ”Queen, I mean, Princess Nephis, your throne is already lost. You can't even live in the Satrapal Palace anymore.”

When the man said that, the armed guards were about to charge at him but Nephis dissuaded them.

A heavy sigh was heard over her megaphone-like device, and she murmured in a tone that only deities like Alex and Hermes could hear.

”Perhaps it's time to give up.”

The chariot navigated through the streets, however, the woman called Nephis didn't speak anymore.

When the chariot passed next to them, the woman took a glance at them and stared for an unusually long time.

She was staring at Hermes and didn't avert her eyes even as the chariot turned around to the next street.

”Do you know her, Hermes?”

”Not really.”

Unexpectedly, a guard came running up to them.

He was catching his breath, and he looked at the two and said, ”Queen Nephis requests your presence at the residence.”

Alex was intrigued.

”Please follow me.”