Chapter 84: Surprise (2/2)

If he didn't recently acquire new followers from the Kabura campaign, he wasn't sure he would be able to maintain such velocity for a prolonged period of time.

After a dozen or so minutes of flying, Alex sensed that the air had a slight autumnal chill to it.

He also found himself at a higher altitude, and the terrain was much rougher and more uneven.

'A change in altitude and climate, that means Balkh is close.' Alex recalled the itinerary Nephis granted him.

He slowed down and paid more attention to the surroundings.

There was a forest that stretched out in all directions. The trees here were tall and dark, and vegetation was sustained by various mountain streams.

There wasn't any obvious sign of civilization.

However, Alex focused his eyesight to the far reaches of the horizon in all directions.

'Is that a road?' Alex slanted his eyes towards a particular clearing in the northwest.

Following that, he flew close by and discovered that it was indeed, a road, a marker of civilization nearby.

Logically, since Balkh was probably north of Kabura, he followed the northern path.

Afterward, he moved along this path until he found buildings and people moving around. Alex sneakily withdrew Incarnation, and inconspicuously walked around the village.

Of course, his skin color and features were different from most of the local population, and he stood out as a result.

Alex ultimately decided to play the 'lost merchant' card.

He stopped a passerby and purposely spoke in broken Farsi(1) ”Brother, I am lost in the wilderness and need to find back my way to Balkh, would you mind giving me the exact directions?”

The man frowned, though he nodded and replied, ”Take the third road by the west entrance to the village, and you will find yourself in Balkh.”

He inquired, ”However, are you sure you should be in Balkh with your appearance? The rebels will associate you with Princess Nephis?”

Alex waved and shamelessly replied, ”Oh, haven't you heard? Queen Nephis took back Kabura and will very soon take back Balkh with the divine guidance of the God of Humanity, Alex. By the time I reach the city, the rebels will probably all have been eliminated.”

”Lord, divine aid has finally reached us. I shall open my ears for more news. Thank you, Brother.”

Alex nodded, though he was giggling maniacally in his mind.

'I placed that advertisement so smoothly...I'm getting better at this!'

After that, Alex resumed his trip to Balkh.

Very soon, the cityscape was visible. Balkh was built upon a hill in a lush valley, and the architecture here incorporated many domes and colorful marble.

The city deserved a visit, but Alex wasn't here to sightsee.

He located the domed Imperial Palace in the center of the city and instantly bolted in its direction.

The palace was surrounded by an exotic garden, and a white path with clear rectangular fountains and well-trimmed grass led to the entrance of the structure.

There were many guards around, but Alex incapacitated all of them very easily and noted that they were also under the control of Aphrodite.

He was now, in front of the entrance gate, a white chiseled marble gate.

Just as he was about to fly and enter through one of the windows, the gates opened.

Alex's eyes widened when he saw the person who opened the door.

Black hair, brown eyes, and tan skin.

She was dressed in a black lacy robe and smiled when she looked at him.

'Crista....!?'

”I've been expecting you, Alex, come in~~” The voice was undoubtedly Crista's voice...