Welcome to the official chapter 3! I've seen the comments about what I asked last chapter, and don't worry! I'm not planning on making it a fast track romance. Nima still hates Sinbad's guts and is impartial to everyone else. But I wanted to take your thoughts into consideration as I write these incoming chapters. Hopefully, it'll be a slow burn. But I also don't want this just to be a retelling of Sinbad no Bouken with just Nima added in. I may add 'fillers' i.e. new arcs such as a trip to Kou. How does that sound? Any more suggestions for this story is welcomed!

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Back in the castle of Balbadd, the staff was busy with their tasks for the king has returned from his trading in Reim. Safi was at her station in the kitchens helping prepare a welcoming meal for the king and his soldiers. Nima's absence was noticeable as many chefs had to search for ingredients needed instead of it being found and handed to them. As the head chef stepped out of the kitchen for a quick break, she stared at the ceiling, wondering how her ward was feeling and missing her warm smiles and eagerness in the kitchen. But she knew that Nima could have only improved as a person if she left the grips of the palace and Balbadd behind. Bowing down, she greeted him, welcoming him back from his trip.

"Nima wanted me to give this to you." Safi looked surprised. The king himself delivered the letter to her, an ordinary cook? The handwriting was definitely hers, even though Safi couldn't read its contents, she knew that this was Nima's. But there was a major problem. She couldn't read. Embarrassed, the woman looked to the king, pleading with her eyes so she didn't have to say it out loud. Thankfully, the ruler of Balbadd caught on to her dilemma. The king cleared his throat and began to read the letter's contents.

Dear Safi,

I hope you're getting this letter on time! By the time you're reading this, I'll hopefully be seeing new sights. I feel comfortable here. You need to come visit Reim. It is a bustling place full of travelers. As of the time I'm writing this, I'm officially a representative for Balbadd for the Sindria Company! And speaking of the company, the Sindria Company is full of weird characters. There are scarred men, small children, and even a giant couple! And don't get me started on Sinbad. Sinbad, the owner, is a terrible, perverted boy. The women here just throw themselves on him, and he just basks in the attention. Can you believe that? Are all men - or should I say boys - in foreign countries like this? Because at least all the men in the castle had the decency to flirt in guise of conversation. He blatantly flirts to get in their skirts! There are so many things that I want to write more about this place, but I don't know if it'll fit on one piece of parchment!

With tons of love that I cannot begin to list in just one letter,

Nima

Safi listened intently as he spoke, taking in all of the information. It seemed like the mixed girl was enjoying herself. To think that Nima wouldn't have if been that happy if Safi didn't tell her to leave Balbadd... 'She deserves it after all she went through here…' "I sure hope that she's okay out there…"

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"I can see it now. The next country." Hinahoho stated looking at the landscape in the distance. After a year of being apart of the Sindria Company, Nima had gotten used to the antics of her fellow Sindria members. The only girl in the group smiled at the rocky terrain before her.

At the age of 14, Nima matured a bit, thanks to Rurumu's influence. Her brunette hair was now twisted in dreadlocks, but the length of her dreads grew so the tips reached the top of her shoulders. Her green eyes twinkled with excitement and her dark cocoa skin shined in the sunlight as she glanced at the new location. For once, she was happy that she didn't need any glasses like in her previous life.

"We're here! The so called land of purity… the Kingdom of Sasan!" Sinbad beamed at the sight. The reason the group traveled to this location was to negotiate trade with the mysterious kingdom. If it worked with Imuchakk, then it would work with Sasan as well. After docking their boat, the group of four had to travel on foot to the kingdom. The walk was tiring and difficult since they had to go through the mountains on foot.

"Well, Sasan is a mining city situated between the mountains." Ja'far informed the group. 'At least listening to him will pass the time.' Nima thought, putting her attention to the white-haired boy instead of her aching feet.

"The metals produced in Sasan are known for being the purest and of the highest quality. Recently, it's also gained notice for doing trade with Reim. The fledgling Sindria Company is signing a trade agreement with Sasan, so we've anticipated more need than before."

The giant looked concerned. "Yeah, but… Can we really trust the company to Vittel and Mahad while we're gone?" Nima couldn't help but agree with him. After she was introduced to the group, she discovered Vittel and Mahad's background. It wasn't that they were previously assassins, it was that she didn't know if they had the experience to the company in their stead. "Rurumu is there too, but she's busy with the baby so she can't work." Sinbad looked back and responded.

"They'll be alright." He reassured. "Vittel is really giving his all as an accountant; and while Mahad is a quiet guy, he's very good at observing people, so he's great for watching over the hired hands. So… don't worry about those two. This is the first country I'm visiting as the head of a company. Right?" Sinbad's smile made the rest of the group smile with him.

"You say that, but your real motive just to go on an adventure, isn't it?" The giant teased the leader of the company who didn't deny the man's statement.

"Seriously… you two are such kids." Ja'far huffed and shook his head. Nima giggled into her hand. After a while of walking the rocky trail, the group, stopped and stared in shock. The the middle of the multiple mountains, Sasan stood out in all of its glory. Sasan was built on a the side of a mountain with a multitude of stairs spread all over the kingdom for easy accessibilities. There were towers that stuck out of the kingdom. A castle could be seen at the top of the mountain. Looks of relief were apparent on the group's faces as they raced to the entrance.

As they entered the kingdom, the sight of gold and silver caught everyone's attention. Nima's eyes widened as she saw the minerals around her being used in everyday life. 'If only we had those in Balbadd,' She wondered. 'then the servants wouldn't have to work anymore for life!' She didn't notice the stares of the citizens until she heard their whispers. Those dreaded whispers.

"...?! People from the outside? Heathens… from the unclean world… We mustn't get involved with them…" The citizens fled back into the safety of their own homes, leaving the group alone in the street.

Ja'far sighed again before explaining. "Please do take care not to do anything too conspicuous. Except for a select few, the people in this country have had absolutely no contact with the outside world."

"Thanks so much for explaining this earlier, Ja'far." Nima sarcastically said, crossing her arms together as they walked to the Foreign Affairs Tower.

"You guys trading with Sasan? Not possible!" The portly advisor nonchalantly said not stopping with his writing. ...What? Was Sasan's isolation that bad?

"Sasan does not do business with the outside world. We cannot do business with your firm."

"Wait just a minute!" Ja'far stood up straight as he questioned the man. "Excuse me, but metals and minerals from Sasan are circulating in Reim. What exactly is the reason you can't trade with us like you do in Reim?" Without missing a beat, the portly man answered the freckled boy's question.

"That only serves as proof of the friendship between Sasan and the Reim Empire. Sasan's resources are all the blessings of the gods, the Emperor of Reim shares our faith, so he is our comrade, so to speak. The man's face grew dark as he continued to speak. "Companies run by heathens may not have our goods to sell. Sasan accepts only those with righteous hearts."

"That's-" Ja'far began to argue before Sinbad outstretched his hand, stopping any further confrontation.

"I want you to tell me something. What if I, not as a trader, but as a private person, wanted to build a friendship with Sasan?" He began. "I can do all sorts of things for your country. I'm even prepared to follow your culture and religion. That is how strongly I feel about wanting to share with you." He showed a small smirk. "I can do so much for this country's future." The response Sinbad wanted was positive and willing.

...But the response from the advisor was confused. He did instruct the group to ask the Knightly Order, who were the knights in charge of Sasan with the Knight-King being Darius Leoxses. If the group wanted to build relations with Sasan, then they would need to go by him.

Sinbad, being the reckless idiot he was, immediately rushed out of the tower and ran towards the knights, activating his weapon. The rest of the group attempted to catch up with him, with Ja'far being the fastest and Nima herself being the slowest. 'I really need to work on my stamina when we go back to Reim…' The girl finally approached the giant and the former assassin as they watched their leader try to get the knight's attention. She slapped her face into her palm as he happily asked to join the Order of Knights. And as she expected, the group of knights closed the door on the group's faces. Two guard knights stood guard in front of the gate, blocking their way in.

Sinbad attempted to distract the guards (his attempt was so bad that Nima sighed, feeling bad that the guards had to deal with Sinbad's antics). After his attempts ended with failure, the group retreated to a tavern, where they began to discuss their plan while eating. Hinahoho and Ja'far sat on one side of the table while Nima and Sinbad sat on the other. Hinahoho was obviously drunk, teasing Sinbad for his failed plan.

"I would tell you that your plan is stupid, but I'm sure that you already know." Nima drank her water with vigor, thankful that she could hydrate herself. She practically ignored both the conversation and the food in front of her in order to finish her drink. But Sinbad's stupid leering face caught her attention.

"...Sasan's women are full of modest beauty." Nima sighed, supporting her head in her palm. In the corner of her eyes, she noticed some red hair peeking from some barrels. The red hair and the teen it was attached to snaked his way to their table and tapped his finger on the table, catching the other's attention.

"May I share this table with you?" The redhead teen wore Sasan garb, but it was more regal than the ordinary citizens. Sinbad gave him a confused face.

"There are plenty of open seats." He pointed to the table across from them. Nima had to agree with Sinbad. The redhead could have literally sat anywhere else. "You don't have to sit with us…"

"No, that's not it. I just really wanna talk with you guys! I can't ask anyone but travelers from outside. The people of Sasan are forbidden to visit the outside world by doctrine." 'So that's why you don't see anyone from Sasan away from here…' Nima realized, starting at the red head. "Travelers! Would you please a knight like me about the outside world?!" He was a knight? It made sense. His clothes were similar to the Order of Knights. But what surprised her was that Ja'far and Hinahoho didn't notice. The trio immediately began to pamper the knight, trying to appease him. However the woman that served them before noticed the appearance of their new 'buddy'.

"Hey!" She angrily shouted at the redhead, pulling him up by his head wraps. "This facility is for foreigners. Normal citizens, especially knights, aren't allowed here!" She was relentless, now shaking him by his clothes. "Please think of your position! You're not just a knight… you're the son of the Knight King, right?!"

"Son of the Knight King?" The group echoed in shock. Nima was dumbstruck. Was the prince really this… whiny? The owner of the establishment sighed and placed her hand on the redhead's shoulder after she finished her torment.

"This is Mystras."

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And the resident redhead Mystras appears! See you next chapter! Please leave comments!