We continue our journey to the North. Next stop, the Kingdom of Atlas, the sole Kingdom in the continent of Solitas throughout the recorded history of Remnant. Although it changes name from Mantel to Atlas. It was never overthrown nor separated. They were governed by the same group of people.
As our ship entering Atlas territory, our travel speed became extremely slow due to their shipping laws. So, after a few hours of passing through multiple checkpoints, we finally reached the harbor, the harbor in another city. The Kingdom of Atlas is a landlocked kingdom with a river not deep nor wide enough for Cargo ships. Instead, they used trains to transport passengers and cargo.
After docking the ship, we went to a train owned by my father's business partner. Dad gave us 3 layers of thick clothing. Making it harder to move. I first thought it's excessive, but when walk out of the ship. I felt like the cold pass through my clothes. I looked at Neo, who seems to not feel the cold. I decided to endure it. I realized the more I moved, the less I feel the cold. I moved my limbs drastically but was unnoticeable on the outside due to my thick clothing. Somebody is waiting for us in front of the first train carriage door, then hug dad and greet each other. I could feel the heat emitting from inside, but it barely reduces the freezing temperature. Stunned as I enter the train, the weak heat instantly dissipates the cold. The adults noticed my surprise but did not explain everything. They just smiled mysteriously.
"Are these your children?" Not waiting for my father's reply, "have a wonderful day to you, children," the stoic-looking guy with a monotone voice greeted us.
I introduce and return his greeting while excusing Neo's incapability to speak. He doesn't mind it and praises me for being a good brother, still in a monotone voice.
"Do you want to tour our train, Ara?" I chuckled.
"I know you are from Anima, BUT! This name represents our victory! The third fastest train in Remnant!" Still in stoic face and voice, but his eyes are shining like stars in the night.
"You could only claim victory if you are first, right?" I retorted.
He kneeled and shook his head. "Son, you are still too young, but you are right. We might not be the fastest train in Remnant, but we are the #1 railroad for transportation and accommodation services, all over Solitas and Northern Anima!" His eyes shine bright.
Before I could retort, He cut me and stated in his robotic voice.
"That's number one! Everybody knows nothing can't go higher than that right?" He stares at me.
Either due to my pride or confusion, I nodded.
He encourages us to tour the train. To lets us experience what #1 services mean as they will have a private conversation. With anticipation, Neo and I explore the train. As we walk away, I heard.
"That stoic boasting of yours truly never changes," dad said.
"At least I boast about our achievements, unlike others," he said in contempt.
"Are you sure—" dad cut him before he could finish.
"Yes," dad pulled him to his room. Then the door closes.
There are 15 carriages in total, including the locomotive where the owner's room is located. At the second carriage, we entered. Have a narrow hallway with two adults who would barely pass each other by tilting their bodies. There are windows on each wall. One has the view outside, which is a white blur. While the other, you can see the kitchen. People, moving incoordination, or at least that's how I see it. How can I say? I compare it with dad's crew in the kitchen.
The next carriage is for dining with four tables with four chairs each. It looks simple, elegant but not extravagant. The design is inspired by fine dining, found on Solitas, or at least that's what the guide told us.
The following two carriages are for accommodation, with three rooms per carriage. The first 2 rooms are where we are staying. Both have a twin xl trundle bed, a desk, minifridge, hologram projector, and fully-fledged bathroom. Even if the bed was fully extended. An adult could still walk at the side without hitting the desk. The desk has a mirror that could be folded and turn the desk into a table for two. Finally, the bathroom, while the bathroom at home or at the ship is spacious. It is smaller than the one at Juan's house. According to him is what a bathroom should look like. It has a Toile Tank Sink and a Bathtub with a shower.
The guide explains what inspired the room and where and what the materials are with some fun facts. Neo, still clutching my hand, sticking to me like glue. Honestly, I have a strong desire to lie down, but I saw Neo intently listening to the guide who's too enthusiastic about introducing anything about the train. So I resist the urge to lay on the bed. I stare at the fleeting bed until the door separates us entirely. I'll be back, I thought to myself. In a few minutes, I'm also entranced by our guide's flood-like side stories.
The next carriage is for the staff's accommodation and locker. Even if there are rooms for staff per carriage. It only contains two pairs for quick response, per pair, has one for customer service and for security. They are on rotation so that the services are available 24/7. There is sixty staff on the train. Which is a moderate size for staff members on a 15 carriage train. All staff members can fight but only not all will fight unless in dire straits.
The next one is a lounge carriage. It is based on Anima architecture. The usage of diverse shades of wood and wood carvings. The carriage contains couches, some small tables, and a fish foot spa.
The next few carriages we visited are for casual customers. We toured it in order, dining that can accommodate 30 customers, 20 capsule beds, another 20 capsule beds, 20 shower stations, another staff accommodation, and the last three that we did not go to are for cargo compartments.
I'm surprised that the carriages for casual customers are fully booked due to us not encountering people in the VIP areas. After the tour, we went back to our room and rest. It will take 1 week before we enter the City of Mantle.
One day, a group of Grimm blocked the railroad. They are dispatched quickly by the train's automated torrent. On the same day, dad enters our room to check us out... Again.
"How are you?" He asked.
"I'm ok, dad," I replied as I continue to read mango on my scroll.
He nodded, then looks at the gaps in the slightly open door behind me.
"Don't worry, I put the bathtub on child mode," I said without looking. Dad walks out of the room. It feels like she's not staring at me that much anymore. There's still an itchy feeling in my heart, so I took a quick peek at the gap.
A condensed air hit my head. I looked over and saw Dad, with one eyebrow up. I told myself, it's not like that, but he probably won't listen. So I continue reading and ignore the itch.
A week after, since we board the train. We are now in Mantle City. We walked out with only one additional layer. It's not freezing outside, but it's still cold. A car is waiting for us outside.
"Let's see if we can meet your grand uncle Nick. First, let's meet another close friend of ours, Pietro," dad said.
As we ride closer to the center of Mantle, I noticed that more greenery was covered by snow, and the architecture became smaller but compensate with a broader area owned. My first impression of Mantle city is like a forest of concrete skyscrapers. With different shapes and sizes and a myriad of holographic projectors, turning the supposed to be monotone city into a variety of colors. Vale is similar to Mantle, but Mantle's buildings are higher unless you compare the infrastructures at the center of Mantle.
Mantle, the previous capital city of the most advanced kingdom in Remnant. Don't shy from its reputation. All land vehicles are self-driven vehicles. Drones are patrolling the street, and we have yet to encounter any traffic. People stare at their scroll but never bump into each other. I felt tired starring outside, maybe due to the colorful lights.
After a few minutes, we stopped in front of a park. We walk through the park. Neo moved to my right, she notices children playing with a patrol drone, so Neo distance herself while sticking close to me. Neo kept staring at the children until we can't see them no longer. We enter a cute 3 story building. It's cute because the neighbor buildings are at least 20 stories high.
"Prof, what a good hiding spot you found. Did Senior Lilith invites you with her new research?" Dad asked.
"Nothing like that, but I'm currently doing personal research of some sort. As for why I moved here... It's lively here." He stares at the window. Looking at the children at the park.
"Having children is not... Easy, but it's fun. Why don't you ask senior? It seems like she still has a thing with you. You have already been—" the man raised her hand.
"I already told you I can't," he replied. He leans sidewards and notices us.
"Oh, hello there, children! I'm Pietro Polendina. You can call Uncle Pietro," said a man in his late 30's with dark skin and balding white hair. He wears a green cap with oval-shaped glasses. He wears a red vest over a cream shirt with a pink bowtie. His dark mustard pants, leather boots, and red-brown belt matched his cap. He sat on a mechanical chair with four legs that move him and elevate him. It's white and green, with yellow accents.
I lead Neo in greeting by bowing 45° "I'm Sora Yikihara, nice to meet you," as Neo imitates the same gesture. I introduce her, "her name is Neopolitan Yukihira, my little sister. She can't speak, for now, please, forgive her rudeness," Neo hid behind me after the greeting.
"No worries, children, your sister is quite fond of you, child." Uncle Pietro looks at dad, "I didn't know you have a daughter Joichiro, since when?" Pietro asked.
"I... I don't know either. I just gained one on this business trip," dad answers absent-mindedly.
"Do Yuna knows about this?" Uncle Pietro asked, looking...sad. No, not Sad, but troubled is the word, I guess?
"Nope, not yet, at least. I still don't know how to bring her up to Yuna. I can't just say, 'Hey hon, we have a daughter now, she's not my illegitimate child, and we're not blood-related in any way. So I most definitely did not cheat on you or something.' She won't buy any of that right?" Dad asked, then came closer to uncle Pietro.
"RIGHT!?" With the same face, uncle Pietro had when he asked dad a while ago.
"I think that's the best way to do it, and you didn't do anything bad. You just adopted a daughter. It's like normal in some eastern customs right?" Pietro tries to palliate dad.
"Well, I guess that's the best choice of action I have," dad sighs then calms down.
Dad and uncle Pietro look at me... no, not directly at me, more like behind me. I felt a tug on my cloth, a bit of trembling, and a slightly moist feeling on my back. I heard a restrained sob behind me. I looked behind me and noticed Neo keeping her head down with tears rolling down her face.
"What's wrong, Neo?" I asked, concerned. She continues sobbing.
I heard hurried footsteps, then dad kneeled, touches Neo's head.
"What's wrong, sweetheart? why are you crying?" Dad asked in a hushed voice. Neo didn't reply, then dad asked me, "Did she just cry right now?"
"I didn't know why I didn't even notice when she started crying," I answered in a slightly panicked manner.
"Sigh, I guess you understand what we're talking about a while ago," dad stated.
Neo nodded, "you think that you're just causing trouble for us? Is that why you're crying?" Neo nodded again. That surprised me a bit because that thought did not cross my mind at all. But now that I think about it, it somehow...made sense?
"You truly are causing trouble for us," dad said. Neo's cry intensified as she grasps for air. It became even more depressing as she tugs on my clothes tighter that it also tightens my chest, making it a bit harder to breathe.
"DAD!?" I yelled.
"Joichiro!?" Pietro's eyes widen
Uncle Pietro and I shouted and puzzled with dad, but I'm also a bit irritated.
"BUT!, that doesn't mean I'm not willing to face that problem for you because we love you, and I accept you as my daughter. Why else did you think I let you come with us on this business trip of ours. You think that kiddo wanting you to be his little sister is the only thing that makes you a part of this family?" Neo's sobbing became lighter, and not tugging my clothes like hanging for her only chance of having a life anymore.
"You are now known as Neopolitan Yukihira because I, Joichiro Yukihira, Head of the Yukihira family, accept you as his child and daughter," dad said dramatically. Dad then held her in his arms tightly. She's still crying, but now she has a blooming smile on her face. I smiled as I held her hand that she used to tug on my clothes.
"Such a heartwarming scene. I wonder when can my child ever see the light?" I heard uncle Pietro said in a subtle voice.
TO BE CONTINUED.