Chapter Two: A Kindred Soul on the Journey but Kindness None

North-Gate City, located at the northern gate of the kingdom of Ogdenn.

As another terminus of the Kingdom’s Trail, it bordered a neighboring nation. While the city’s streets were normally marked by the sight of merchants busily trading, Queen Anna Ogdenn and her party now stood there.

“Howd... Er, ahem! I bid you welcome, Your Majesty! All of us at Socom Co. have been eagerly awaiting your arrival!”

After showing up shortly before Anna and the group, Meddié now stood present to greet the queen. While she’d indeed amended her manner of speaking, the way she happily swung her hand back and forth through the air in greeting undermined all of her efforts. Watt gave a sigh in place of Otto, who’d been unable to join them.

“C’mon, we just got here, and you’re already at it?” Watt asked. “Otto mighta had to stay behind to run Anna’s faction, but don’t you think it woulda been better to hold down the fort with him?”

“Hey now!” Meddié objected. “Look, it’ll be fine, promise! I finally get to go on a trip with Anna—telling me to stay home’s just cruel!”

“Do you know what we’re doing in North-Gate City?” Watt asked back. “We’re here for a meeting, okay? Not just to have fun and sightsee, got it?”

“Of... Of course. I-I know that...”

“Hey, look me in the eyes and say that.”

“Hee hee, I’m sure she will be just fine,” Anna said. “You were saying there was something you wanted to see, Meddié What was it?”

“That’s right!” Meddié replied. “How kind of you to ask! C’mon, right over here! Follow me!”

As if to squeeze her way out of an uncomfortable position, Meddié took Anna’s hand before setting off in a half run. Meddié acted like they were both just students on a field trip, but did she actually remember it was Her Majesty the queen she was with? Growing more and more worried by the minute, Watt and Carome followed the two from behind.

“Ta-da! Feast your eyes on this! With this, even the longest journey’s