After politely declining an intriguing invitation to search for flying ships on some rooftop, I returned to the workshop, only to find a young lady of the Vampire Species in a state of obvious distress.
She had apparently been entertaining herself by solving intermediate-level Go stones tactical puzzles, which I had brought along to pass the time. However, the moment she saw me, her eyes widened and she inadvertently dropped one of the pieces.
Hmm? Did I somehow end up looking unsightly?
Considering I was about to meet with someone of noble standing, I had wiped away any sweat and used the “<Purge>” magic to clean my clothes, so there shouldn’t be any unpleasant odors. But perhaps… should I consider adding something like a pleasant scent to the “<Purge>” spell?
“Uh… is something the matter?”
“Ah, n-no! It’s nothing in particular! Welcome back!!”
I had intended to ask her to point out if there was anything wrong with my appearance that I should correct, but she had already thrust the tactical puzzle book in front of her face, almost faster than the eye could see.
Yeah, that’s probably for the best. It can be hard to point out someone’s flaws, after all.
“By the way, I found some excellent apples and bought a few. Would you like one? Also, I’ve stocked up on tea, so if you’d like, I’ll prepare a cup for you.”
As I began unpacking my purchases to distract from the awkwardness, I felt a notably intense gaze fixed on the back of my head and shoulders. Curious, I lightly touched the spot with an “<Invisible Hand>” spell, but it didn’t seem like anything was stuck to me… good, it doesn’t appear to be one of those classic pranks with papers attached.
So what exactly has caught her attention then? As I tilted my head in thought, I detected a presence behind me. Someone was trying to hide silently, but they were far too amateurish. Do they have any idea how many back attacks I’ve evaded from Margit over the years?
“Big Brother, you’re back!”
That said, I have no objection to catching an adorable younger sister. Unlike Margit, I won’t dodge her unfairly.
I deliberately overlooked Eliza as she slipped through the storage door and flew into my arms. Her weightless body was warmly embraced, as I wrapped an arm around her neck and leaned my chin on her shoulder. To betray the expectations of a sister who clings to me like this would be an unforgivable act for a big brother.
“Ho, you startled me. That’s not good, Eliza. What if you fall?”
“It’s fine; Big Brother will definitely catch me.”
Margit once explained that jumping into someone’s arms requires quite a bit of courage. There’s the possibility the other person might retaliate, or that they could be unsteady and cause both parties to topple over. She had said that clinging with your neck, resting your head on their back or chest, is something one wouldn’t do without trusting the other.
In other words, she implicitly trusts in me to catch her perfectly every time, to be the reliable and reassuring presence she can count on.
Talk about finding one’s purpose as a brother! Truly, my younger sister is like an angel. I must beware, lest some deity carry her off as a bride.
“Hey, Big Brother, you’re sweaty.”
“The outdoors was a bit warm. Would you like an apple, Eliza?”
“Of course! Can you peel it for me, Big Brother?”
Certainly, anything I can do for you. Rabbits, flowers, leaves – if you wish, even swans.
Besides, it’s nearing the third day, and I must hear what she has to say. So having some tea and snacks to loosen the tongue would be ideal.
As the young noblewoman who had been observing Eliza with a rather disheartened expression faded from my mind, I picked up the kn*fe and approached the apple…
[Note] Regarding the culture of scent in the Threefold Empire: As a multi-species nation, scent plays an important factor within the Threefold Empire. Specifically, in front of species with heightened sensitivity to smells, both strong body odors and overpowering perfumes are considered disruptive. The issue of scent is quite intricate since there is no absolute solution; context and appropriateness are everything.
What is often preferred are scents that mask sweat, such as the aroma of soap or flowers, as well as the fragrance of burning incense, which tends to be well-received by most. Scents of citrus are more complicated since they can be stimulating to subhuman races with canine or feline characteristics or to magical species.
The gods of the Threefold Empire do not enforce a life of extreme asceticism or celibacy. Yet Cecilia, a follower of the God of Night Shadow who values chastity, was accustomed to practicing self-restraint.
Despite this, she finds herself in a bit of a quandary, not because she’s lamenting the beautiful curves and lustrous white skin of Eliza hiding beneath the embrace. The lines of sweat on her skin, her radiant whiteness that doesn’t dim no matter how much she’s exposed to sunlight, and the subtle allure of her collarbone were not at all the cause for her unease.
Upon tracing her own gaze, Cecilia could not grasp the true intention behind Eliza’s shielding actions.
Despite her best intentions over the past three days to bond with Eliza, Cecilia’s efforts have proven fruitless. Her attempts at conversation are met with indifference, her invitations to play tactical games with dismissive refusals about not knowing the rules, and any attempt to delve deeper into her activities met with responses deflecting them to her mentor’s assignments.
Cecilia simply couldn’t understand Eliza.
She wasn’t bad with kids, in fact, quite the opposite—she genuinely liked them. The Manor of the God of Night Shadow regularly welcomed lost children, and it was common for her to visit the manorial or urban orphanages as part of her service activities. Her kindness and active nature often endeared her to children, resulting in numerous instances where they would cling to her.
Eliza, however, was different. Occasionally, she would observe Cecilia with a gaze that felt alien and far too mature for someone still in her single digits. It was difficult to put into words, but the expression reminded Cecilia of something far more “adult” than what should be possible for a child.
Though Cecilia spent much of her life at the Manor, her interactions with those “adult” gazes were infrequent, preventing her from fully interpreting the emotions behind them. Still, she remembered similar moments when older figures—like “Father’s friends” or “Noble Ladies”—would peer at her with similar expressions during visits to the estate.
Regardless, Cecilia could sense an extraordinary amount of emotion lurking in Eliza’s amber eyes, which, depending on the lighting, appeared brown, golden, or somewhere in between.
Even now, while seated at the table and preparing for the discussion, the eerie sensation lingered amidst the comforting aroma of black tea.
With a subtle cough, she steered the conversation toward the matter at hand, her one trump card amidst the vast and fraught path awaiting them.
“Ah… Today, an airship is arriving at the Imperial Capital.”
The brother and sister tilted their heads at the unfamiliar word. As the young man deduced the origins of the term, his pale face lit up, and he eagerly pounded his hand.
“Flying ships! Ah, so it really is coming today!”
Through the enthusiasm of the youth explaining, Cecilia learned that the airship’s arrival was generating significant buzz in the city, if not on a grand scale.
This could pose a problem. Increased visibility and attention could limit maneuverability. After all, her entire plan largely depended on the correct arrival of this airship.
“So… Are we going to infiltrate… that airship!?”
The idea of utilizing the airship to reach Ripz drew a complex expression from the boy, blending excitement and bewilderment as he stood upright. Meanwhile, the younger sister, who had been sipping tea while clutching onto her brother’s neck, hastily released the cup as a small stain of the aromatic liquid spread across the tablecloth.
This was an entertaining response, one she had displayed herself countless times when her curiosity was piqued, leaving Cecilia with a tingling sensation of satisfaction.
“Yes, of course, we won’t barge in like common pirates. We have connections,” explained the priestess, still adjusting to the unusual excitement.
“In fact, the assembly of monks also played a part in developing this airship.”
Thus far, all aspects of airship construction and technology were dominated by the Magic Academy. Similarly, despite the planning and development remaining firmly under the Academy’s lead, this time the monastery had managed to secure a minor role in the process.
This was due to a drawn-out debate among the gods — an extended and at times heated discourse regarding which deity should oversee the concept and execution of airships.
The gods were initially fascinated by the concept. The God of Winds took a seat at the table, declaring “They fly, so it must naturally be my realm,” only to be contested by the Goddess of Water Routes stating, “If it’s called a ship, surely it’s in my hands.” The God of Artisanship then interjected, “If it’s about craftsmanship, it’s obviously my responsibility.”
As this debate went on for decades—physical altercations included—eventually all gods related to relevant domains threw their hats in the ring.
This was not a trivial issue for the gods, who derive their power from faith. Remember how the God of Fertility became one of the most highly regarded gods? The gods were keenly aware of the importance of being associated with such a pivotal technology for the empire, knowing it would bring them an influx of followers.
In simpler terms, with more followers tied to a particular god, the divine power increases exponentially.
The gods were watching closely. The technology had the potential to shape the future of the empire, and whichever deity was recognized as its overseer would benefit from an immense influx of followers. Unlike gods whose existence is tied intrinsically to life itself, these gods’ followers fluctuate with the times, and the gods were fighting fiercely for their survival.
After decades—often involving literal punches thrown—it was decided that no one deity would dominate.
During construction, the God of Artisanship would bestow his blessing; during the launch phase, prayers from the Goddess of Water Routes would be invoked, and once airborne, the God of Winds would oversee the journey—a system which, while functional, was far from ideal.
Namely, the responsibility was unclear.
As any great physicist would stress, simplicity is key.
With both the perverted scholars at the Academy and the radical monks arguing over every detail, the airship became a mishmash of compromises, embodying both the best and worst of the Threefold Empire, a chaotic stew of contradictions.
“And, as night flights are also anticipated…”
“The God of Night Shadow naturally became involved too.”
“Yes… Although…”
Cecilia concluded her explanation, revealing a trust-worthy friend among the monks who would help them infiltrate the airship after docking. She had confidence in this associate, a fellow disciple, knowing her request would not be dismissed lightly. They would certainly cooperate once fully informed of the situation.
“Perhaps they might agree to take our place. Night Shadow’s involvement hasn’t been extensive, so there are few monks involved. Once we’re on board, inspections should be less stringent,” Cecilia added.
“Understood. If you can guide us to the monastery…”
“Yes, then we simply sneak aboard and disembark at one of the airship’s stops, Ripz, where we’ll seek refuge with the aunt.”
The grand plan was straightforward, though riddled with potential hazards—a somewhat risky stowaway scheme. However, compared to trekking 140 km on treacherous terrain, the risks involved in sneaking onto an airship seemed relatively benign.
In fact, compared to an ill-thought-out scheme of attempting the world’s first aircraft hijacking, this strategy was far more practical.
“Understood. Let’s head to the Monastery Quarter… However, we have a pressing matter.”
One key issue in this list of concerns stands out. The capital is currently teeming with those who chase Cecilia—a relentless number of trackers.
Though no official portraits have been circulated, this might ironically have been for the better.
Not only are there newly recruited city guards, but also seasoned scouts forming a formidable huntress force, making their game of “fox and goose” anything but easy to navigate…
[Note] The Imperial Scout Huntsmen: A reconnaissance unit composed solely of elite scouts and veteran hunters, instrumental in pivotal battles and operations. They define critical battle zones, uncover enemy sizes, and neutralize reconnaissance teams sent by adversaries, securing victories in countless empire-defining wars. Yet, their quiet heroics often go uncelebrated by minstrels or painted portraits, a source of pride for their unassuming service.
Who could cure the ailment of writers cramming their thoughts into overly dense narratives, reaching the dreaded five thousand-word mark and losing the flow?
