Flying ships that traverse the skies are a common element in mythological tales and fantasy novels, resonating deeply with human instinct for their sheer romanticism, which is precisely why they have garnered immense popularity.
For those of us in the modern world, flying is commonplace, yet it remains a managed experience. We don’t feel the wind on our faces, nor do we soar so close to the magnificent expanse of the sky. The reality inside a pressurized airplane cabin yields little more than the occasional turbulence-induced shake and the discomfort of ear pressure changes.
However, the flying ships from some unknown fantasy tale are an entirely different matter. Stepping onto the deck would mean feeling the wind rush past, and from the railings, one could revel endlessly in the sight of endless seas of clouds.
If this concept doesn’t make your heart leap with excitement, then you’re no longer a boy at heart!
“By the way, I overheard something in class—it seems a ship that flies is set to arrive today.”
“Hmm, tell me more.”
“Well, I only caught bits and pieces, so I’m not entirely knowledgeable on the subject, but…”
The friend relaying this tantalizing information was brimming with enthusiasm, clearly thrilled by the romance of the flying ship. As I was equally captivated by the potential wonder of aerial travel, my companion, who had transitioned genders, still maintained the excitement of a young boy. Sharing in the dream and expanding our imaginations together was a blessing of camaraderie.
“Apparently, it’s a new technology spearheaded by the Emperor himself, an initiative that foretells the future infrastructure of the Threefold Empire, and it seems to have been developed with great ambition. For the sake of national pride, it’s making its debut in the Imperial Capital.”
“Ho ho! But it’s odd it hasn’t been advertised.”
“Of course, announcing something with a sudden, massive reveal makes a greater impact, doesn’t it? If we knew it was coming, the surprise would be diminished.”
Indeed, unveiling groundbreaking technology without prior warning has a more profound effect on the audience. If such a vessel were to suddenly appear in the skies above the Imperial Capital, it would leave an indelible mark on every citizen.
“Moreover, today my master has been invited to an exclusive gathering at the fortress. It’s said to be a standing reception on a grand terrace. Despite the springtime, I hear the nights in the Imperial Capital are still quite cold.”
“Overcoming the cold for an outdoor standing feast… which naturally means…”
“Ah, yes, surely it will include envoys from various foreign lands.”
The capital houses embassies from various allied nations—a system developed to facilitate efficient diplomatic procedures after countless wars. Though it might now appear as a convenient system for smooth relations, it was originally crafted to “conclude wars peacefully” as nations wearied of perpetual conflicts.
In an age without telephones or even Morse code, initiating or concluding war was a cumbersome process. Moreover, with no nation holding enough power to swiftly conquer and assimilate others, small conflicts and the exchange of territories became the norm. Wars often dragged on for years, with both sides vying for advantageous settlements before the other collapsed.
Even in defense or offense, wars are exhausting endeavors. Though one must strike while there’s a chance, overreaching could lead to a nation’s downfall due to depleted manpower and resources. The intricacies of waging war are indeed complex.
Through trial and error, the practice of stationing ambassadors in foreign courts became the norm.
Being shown a flying ship at such a gathering would certainly leave an unforgettable impression. The amount of drinks that will be spilled at the sight would be amusing to witness. The diplomats will undoubtedly rush off with excuses to report this marvel to their home countries. Pity the messengers who will have to gallop through the night.
“Though the concept of a flying ship has been rumored for decades, it seems this is its first public showing. The evening banquet to come will be a thrilling event indeed.”
“I must look skyward as I walk henceforth.”
Having been immersed in fantasy for over a decade, it still fills my heart with joy. Like witnessing true magic for the first time. The allure of space is undeniable. As a child, I imagined standing on the deck of a flying ship, letting the wind tousle my hair, or envisioned soaring freely on the back of a dragon, marveling at its independence. Even modern airplanes, with their compact engines, bring a thrilling excitement.
The sky truly is a wondrous thing. Even now, I’d love to experience it. When will this innovation reach the general populace? Revolutionary technology typically isn’t mass-produced easily.
“But I must admit, I envy those who get to ride them. If only I could too.”
“I yearn to as well. Airborne travel requires intricate magical formations, which aren’t suited to me, so I’d abandoned hope. But with the chance to soar above the skies, life feels brighter again.”
Walking side by side with my friend, whose theatrical flair now felt natural, we exchanged our thoughts about the sky. The allure is such that one might even be tempted to join the imperial army for the chance to fly, though this might complicate things.
Reflecting on this moment, perhaps my head was too clouded with excitement.
Considering the fact that today marks the third day of her escape and the promise of swift travel to distant Ripzich—combined with an easy assumption of airborne velocity—I merely spoke of admiration for flying, without piecing these clues together.
Cecilia was undoubtedly a sheltered daughter, spending most of her life within the confines of a manor. Her life of praying to the God of Night Shadows, offering services to the people, and emulating the maternal aspects of the deity was peaceful but not filled with surprises.
Repeating countless prayers and studying maxims, the life of serving believers, bestowing charity, and distributing alms was predictable and monotonous.
It wasn’t that she disliked her life at the manor—it was a quiet existence she embraced living far from the capital or provincial towns, nestled in the Moon Gazing Hill where the main shrine of the Night Shadow God sat at an elevation of 2400 meters.
Her life of prayer and devotion brought her a serene sense of fulfillment, an unspoken joy that touched her soul.
But since being summoned from the monastery to the Imperial Capital by her father, her life has been brimming with fresh surprises—each day bringing unexpected and dizzying experiences.
Not to say one experience is better than another, but the astonishment and excitement she experienced in those short three days since fleeing her home, surpasses all the time she spent praying as a nun in the quiet manor.
The rooftops where she sprinted to evade pursuers, the sewers she hid within during her escape, the disguised infiltration into the magical zone, and the famed Magic Academy—everything was novel and awakened her buried curiosity with a flood of new information.
Even now confined in this small, garden-like room, given a book of knightly tales by a half-weeping youth who insisted, “Please, please stay put,” all she wished, if possible, was to explore every corner.
Ah, yes, that youth. Had it not been for him, she would have been returned to her house long ago. That evening when she tumbled into the alley, she could easily have splattered like an overripe fig.
While the destruction of her body wouldn’t mean the end for someone of vampire heritage, the time was not optimal for regeneration, and she would have undoubtedly been carried back and subdued.
It was her first time in unfamiliar territory, her first time shedding blood, and her first time dying—all leading to what could have been her end.
But it wasn’t.
When she least expected, gentle hands caught her. It was him—the young chess seller with whom she often sparred on the chessboard. With his golden hair and kitten-like eyes, he possessed a ruthless and unsentimental chess strategy that had often left her in awe and determination to best him.
He was incredibly kind. His courtly manners and unexpected protectiveness toward an unconnected person took her aback. He condemned the impending marriage that she saw as unjust and disregarded the politics of high society and the consequences of meddling, extending help without hesitation.
He even risked hiding her in his master’s workshop, despite the dangers.
Without the armor or horse of a traditional knight, he was a true embodiment of one—a hero who would abandon everything to aid someone in need or protect an oppressed woman. His selflessness, love for others, and willingness to serve were truly admirable.
As a vampire, Cecilia was a descendant of those who tricked the Sun God into handing over immortality. Cursed to burn under the sun, which served as both divine punishment and a statement from the Night Shadow God, she benefited from the weaker curse during times of moonlight, restoring her immortality only in the absence of sunlight.
Another crucial curse involved the Sun God’s creations, the ‘warm-blooded beings.’ Vampires required their blood to quench an intrinsic thirst forevermore.
While one might think the opposite curse ought to have been applied, the Sun God, though passionate, was not foolish. Knowing that satisfying this thirst would breed conflict while restraining vampire predation, he crafted the curse with purpose.
Constrained by the need for human prosperity, vampires as rulers aim to maintain a stable society. The thirst, entangled with instinct, distorts racial traits and cravings.
The thirst itself is terrifying; the inability to die amplifies the despair. Despite the Sun God’s refusal to strip them of their immortality, this prolonged suffering was intended as punishment.
The intervals between the thirsts vary, but Cecilia’s night worship provided long resistance. She could last six months without drinking blood and endure for years, preserving sanity if necessary.
Regrettably, timing was poor. Since she had intended to quench her thirst at her father’s banquet, fleeing left her without recourse.
This hunger was excruciating. While human hunger is painful, a vampire’s is far worse. Even scenarios involving the consumption of one’s own child fade in comparison.
It’s this insatiable thirst that classifies vampires as magical species, their madness a result of unrelenting hunger.
Her attempts to endure weren’t lost on the astute youth who, familiar with inter-species traits from his exposure at the Magic Academy, immediately discerned the signs of her struggle.
When she woke again, a goblet of fresh blood was placed by her bedside. Absurd questions like “who prepared it?” were quickly dismissed. Only two people in the room bled, and the boy who adored his sister would never allow her to bleed for such a purpose.
His quiet kindness and understanding spoke volumes. Vampires in the Threefold Empire often feel shame and secrecy surrounding blood consumption. Only during intimate meals, discreetly sipping blood from goblets, does the act remain private.
Though vampires can enjoy regular food and drink, only blood from the goblet fulfills their primal needs.
The blood was rich and delicious, reflecting the person’s character. Tastes of what they ate, drank, and the air they breathed all melded within. The magic circulating in the blood told a story far more vivid than the records in the church archives.
It was intoxicatingly delectable. The healthiness, youthfulness, and magic-rich blood of the boy brought a first-time shock for Cecilia. A gentle yet potent flavor, invigorating with a lingering freshness, was a revelation.
Within moments, she drained the goblet, forgetting her decorum as a nun and aristocrat and exposing her fangs to lick every last trace from the cup.
A grave moment of embarrassment, losing oneself to hunger and discarding etiquette. This was far from acceptable conduct for a vampire, let alone a nun or noble.
Was she no better than the “vampires” of other lands, who were despised for their ravenous tendencies?
Tackling this complex chess problem, she composed herself. Pushing away the fully dried goblet with reluctance, she must now properly greet her host as a nun.
He would soon return from his errand, at which point she must explain her escape plans with clarity and dignity.
“It’s getting a bit warmer, isn’t it?”
The piece she was holding—the Queen—slipped from her hand, scattering other pieces. The powerful Queen piece perfectly symbolized her surprise.
As the first days of summer approached, the exposed neck of the boy who had unbuttoned his collar gleamed dazzlingly… so much so that she was dazzled.
—
[Tips]: In the Threefold Empire, vampires do not traditionally drink directly from the neck but prefer drinking from a goblet to ease fears.
Though direct biting is acceptable only in intimate relationships.
“It’s getting better, right?” Nope, that was a lie.
Sorry, but some unforeseen complications have arisen, shifting all issues directly to my desk. Not sure how it came to this.
Recently, I celebrated another birthday as well as reaching 15,000 bookmarks, which felt like the best birthday gift.
During the holiday, I hope to increase my pace a bit and get more done.
