Listening to Connie's tone of voice, Colin was a bit surprised.
'It seems it's not what I thought... she's not here to pick a fight.'
There was a pause, and then he instructed Renee, who was standing beside him:
"Renee, go open the door."
Anyway, the Magic Power of the Yili Kingdom was meager, and the progress of meditation was slow, making it practically useless; and practicing witchcraft wasn't convenient on the train either.
With nothing else to do, he might as well see what the Princess has come to see him for.
"Yes, Master."
Click.
Renee walked over to the door and turned the latch.
A young girl wearing a luxurious white gown with a small white lace hat appeared before them.
"Thank you." Connie smiled and softly thanked Renee, showing none of the rudeness she had displayed in the corridor earlier.
Her facial features were ordinary, but her skin was exceptionally fair and smooth.
Arrayed in her gorgeous petticoat, she exuded a noble air.
Having done this, she walked towards Colin.
"I apologize for the intrusion, I hope you'll forgive me," Connie said to Colin, offering a noble's courtesy.
"It's no problem," Colin replied, paused, and then asked, "What can I do for you?"
"Actually, there's nothing particular," Connie smiled, sitting down naturally opposite Colin, "I'm just traveling by train with nothing to do, and upon hearing about your presence, I thought I'd pay a visit."
After she finished speaking, she paused, her eyes filled with expectation as she asked:
"May I inquire whether you are from Miracle Country?"
Colin shook his head.
The so-called Miracle Country was actually what the outside world called the city cluster established by the Wizard Alliance on the Siya Continent.
But really, it was more like a loose alliance than a country, with no King; the rulers were leaders of the various Schools making up the Supreme Council.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Connie's face, but soon, she asked with curiosity:
"Then may I boldly ask where you are from?"
"I come from a distant island to the south," Colin replied briskly.
There was nothing in particular to hide.
"So, are you heading to Miracle Country?"
Colin smiled but didn't answer, instead he countered:
"Equivalent exchange, it is my turn to ask you a question now."
Connie was taken aback, and then a spark of excitement flashed across her face.
In the Royal Capital, those Wizards they revered would always be dismissive towards her.
Every time she sought to learn something about Wizards, she would come away disappointed...
Equivalent exchange, eh... Colin's words somehow made her feel inexplicably comfortable.
She cleared her throat cheerfully, saying:
"Please ask away, as long as I know the answer, I will tell you everything!"
Colin nodded, took out an ordinary map, pointed to the Holy Flame Kingdom's location, and asked Connie:
"Do you know about this country?"
"Is this... the Holy Flame Kingdom?" Connie looked at the map, frowning in inquiry.
"Yes."
"...I know a little, but not much," Connie replied, stroking the hair by her ear.
"It's okay, tell me what you do know."
Connie glanced at Colin, suppressing the curiosity in her heart that wanted to ask why Colin was inquiring about the Holy Flame Kingdom.
She looked up, pondered for a moment to organize her thoughts, and then began:
"The Holy Flame Kingdom is located north of the Yili Kingdom, with a territory roughly half the size of Yili... Their main resource is the Crystal Mine, but there isn't much of it. Overall, it's a poor small country."
"Anything else? What about its current situation?"
"There's more..." Connie furrowed her brows.
"As for the current situation... "
"It seems there haven't been any changes... Oh, I heard there's been some friction with the neighboring Qi'an Kingdom for some reason recently."
"Hmm," Colin nodded and then asked the most crucial question.
"Who is the current King of the Holy Flame Kingdom?"
"It's still King Fu'en," Connie replied confidently, "If I recall correctly, he has been in power for forty-five years."
"Hmm."
After listening, Colin couldn't help feeling pleased.
Ten years had passed, and the Holy Flame Kingdom still existed.
Erica's father, King Fu'en, was still there.
No news could be better than this!
'It seems that delivering Erica's letter might be simpler than I expected.'
In the time that followed, Connie chatted idly with him for a while, her speech brimming with politeness. After a while, as if noticing it was getting late and though she clearly seemed reluctant to leave, she politely excused herself.
Had he not heard it with his own ears before, he would have found it very difficult to associate the arrogant voice from the corridor outside with the polite Connie he had just talked to.
The next evening,
the train stopped at Chaniuca, the capital of Yili Kingdom.
Colin stepped out of the carriage with Renee.
On the other side, Connie exited the carriage with her maid and a few female knights as her guards.
Connie also resided in carriage number two, right next to him.
"Good evening, Mr. Colin," greeted Connie as she stepped toward him.
"Good evening," Colin replied.
Together, they walked toward the exit of the station.
That morning over casual conversation with Connie, he had asked her to help him find suitable transportation in the Royal Capital to take him to the Holy Flame Kingdom.
After all, Chaniuca was Connie's territory and it would save him a lot of time compared to searching from scratch himself.
Naturally, Connie agreed.
Furthermore, to his relief, Connie did not refuse the Magic Stone reward he offered but accepted it nonchalantly.
This improved his impression of Connie by few notches.
Exiting the train station, they were greeted by a white steam locomotive.
Like the train, it was much larger than the regular cars of the previous world.
At a quick glance, it looked like it could seat at least ten people… of course, he estimated that it wasn't designed with that many seats inside.
"Lady Colin, this steam locomotive, as well as the steam train we took before, were both purchased by the Yili Kingdom from Miracle Country," Connie said with a hint of pride.
Then she paused, sighing, "When I was young, I never would have thought that a vehicle could move on its own without being pulled by horses… The wisdom of the Wizards is truly admirable!"
Colin didn't say much, but simply echoed her sentiment with a smile.
Once they were seated, the steam locomotive slowly began to move.
Opening the hand-cranked car window, the cold evening wind of winter hit them in the face.
'The speed is probably around sixty or seventy yards... but with the snow on the streets, it's likely not the top speed. And the ride is a bit bumpy, not as comfortable as the cars from my last life.'
Seemingly sensing something, he cranked the window back up.
Connie's cheeks were slightly red beside him.
It wasn't embarrassment but the blushing caused by the cold wind just now.
Although he didn't feel much himself, judging by the snow piled on the outside, the temperature had to be below zero at least.
To say that the wind outside was cutting like a knife would not be an exaggeration.
"I apologize," he politely said to Connie.
"It's all right, Mr. Colin," Connie responded with some surprise, her eyes shimmering.
Although the Sacrificial Wizards of the Royal Capital didn't like to interact with her, due to her curiosity about Wizards, she usually enjoyed seeking out those suspected to be Wizards for conversation.
Some were real Wizards, some were fake, but regardless, none had Colin's unique manner.
Connie then added, after a brief pause,
"I just have delicate skin, but I'm a Great Knight as well, so my health is not poor."
"Understood," Colin nodded politely, closing off the topic.
Shortly after, they arrived at a gorgeous archway, flanked by tall white walls.
The steam locomotive slowly reduced its pace and then came to a stop.
Connie's personal maid stepped out of the car first, showing something to the Guards.
"Is this the Palace?" Colin asked in surprise.
"Yes, Mr. Colin," Connie said with a smile.
"There is a special place for guests inside the Palace, and as my guest, it wouldn't do to have you stay at some outside inn."
Before she finished speaking, the car door opened again.
The personal maid, with a somewhat unpleasant expression, leaned in and said,
"Princess Connie, it seems you might need to come with us. The guards are saying they need the King's permission to allow... to allow your Wizard friend into the Palace."
Connie's face grew increasingly troubled upon hearing this, but the next second, she calmed her emotions and turned to Colin with an apologetic smile,
"I'm sorry, Mr. Colin. Please wait a moment while I see what this is about."
"If it's too much trouble, I could stay in an outside inn... It's just for one night anyway."
"There's no need, Mr. Colin," Connie shook her head, firmly stating, "My name is Yili, this is Yili Palace, not somewhere else!"
Colin nodded in silence, knowing it wasn't his place to say more.
Connie got out of the vehicle and followed her maid towards the Guards.
"Master?" Renee quietly asked him.
"It's all right," Colin softly responded.
He did not have to wait long until Connie returned with a smile, saying,
"Mr. Colin, everything is settled now."
"Good," Colin smiled back, nodding in acknowledgment, not inquiring about the details.
Click—
The archway ahead was opened by the Guards.
The steam locomotive started up and slowly drove through.