The Manor Street is located to the north-northwest of the Imperial Capital, precisely hosting a district dense with manors. It is a town of faith, populated solely by the residences of monks.
With their solemn elegance, the manors are adorned not only in somber-hued fired bricks but also in materials such as marble, granite, and limestone. Their grandeur is undeniable but without any sense of oppression, rather they exude a quiet and tranquil atmosphere. Towering spires are absent, as are excessive gold embellishments or colossal statues; simplicity in design prevails. Yet this simplicity conveys a sense of purity and nobility, showcasing the remarkable skill of its architects.
Were it modern times, tourists holding smartphones would likely be busy taking photos in this sacred place.
The hour was already evening. Quietly lifting the hatch, she peeked out to a scene of Manor Street breathtakingly beautiful in its solemnity. The unique architectural beauty of the various manors did not overwhelm but rather instilled a tranquil solemnity that could not be ignored.
This was a place imbued by the will of the gods, a district embodying its essence in every aspect.
Unlike the bustling and progressive Magus District she was familiar with, the air here felt completely different—contrasting sharply between the realm of magic users and the priesthood.
“Finally, we’ve arrived,” she said, pulling herself up.
However, after using the “Purification” spell to dispel the sewer stench, the respite did not last.
“Hmm, this is a bit unexpected,” she muttered to herself.
The number of guards present in Manor Street was far beyond what she had anticipated. There were standard guards in their light armor, others casually equipped with swords in their guard attire, and even the notorious black-clad royal guards wandering about.
“Come on, this is too over-the-top,” she thought, acknowledging that logically, it made sense. Naturally, the old stomping grounds would be heavily secured, and it was absurd to think a naive young lady could evade pursuers for three days on her own. Clearly, some family connections were working in the background and thus warranted caution.
She began contemplating her next move, considering an escape into an alley—but found even the alley lined with guards. Pushing aside every small gap, their determination felt almost like bullying.
Scrambling around the walls in search of a gap in the encirclement, she contemplated the gravity of the situation.
“Because this is reality,” she muttered, reminding herself how the infiltration game of castles or magical palaces was far from the real world where being discovered was a high probability.
Exasperated with her own inability to adapt swiftly, she resolved to move forward despite the urge for escapism.
“Indeed, with this level of security…”
“Yes… The Temple of the God of Night Shadow is over there,” Lady Cecilia pointed.
In the direction Lady Cecilia indicated, stood the clock tower typical of manors, with a shadow perched on top. Silhouetted against the setting sun was a Winged Being—a species with magnificent wings extending from their back.
The Winged Beings are a peculiar race, neither fully human nor magical species, characterized by their great diversity. Some are entirely covered with feathers, whereas others expose parts of their face; some have beaks, others humanoid lips. This chaotic diversity in physical form is remarkable.
Additionally, similar to certain mythical beasts, Winged Beings possess a “physiological” ability to handle magic. Their wings generate anti-gravity and aerodynamic propulsion spells, allowing them to fly even within the limits of humanity’s biological structure.
Though lacking magic crystals in their bodies, the Winged Beings are sometimes regarded as outcasts among humans. Nevertheless, their presence in the Empire is unsurprising and perhaps dictated by destiny.
Despite their adaptability to human society, their physical resilience is compromised by the demands of flight. They thus specialize in aerial attacks from great heights rather than in direct combat, excelling in hit-and-run tactics.
Given this information, it was clear that the scout uniform indicated another royal ranger.
“Again with the elite huntsmen,” she sighed, acknowledging the daunting level of enemy they faced. Based on the silhouette of the wings, it was evident the Winged Being had raptor lineage and thus boasted one of the top-tier detection capabilities among humans.
“Why do I keep running into these top-level enemies?” she mused, questioning if her dice had been tampered with.
“Seeking help from friends appears to be difficult,” Cecilia noted astutely.
As if deliberately forming a perfect cooperative team, the situation posed immense challenges. Sneaking into the Night Shadow Temple and relying on anyone for assistance was improbable in such conditions.
“What shall we do? Blending with the crowd seems quite dangerous…”
“Indeed, it’s almost impossible. We are not built to disguise as burly sailors, and even if we were, hiring such water hands isn’t straightforward. Besides, we can’t afford a disguise.”
Understanding the logistics of a port city, disguising themselves as sailors seemed unrealistic. National projects wouldn’t risk employing arbitrary personnel in high-profile operations.
“How many personnel are dispatched from the Temple of the Night Shadow?”
That left one traditional method—sneaking aboard hidden among goods. Dispatching a number of priests necessarily meant significant baggage. Though a single monk might not need a palace’s worth of baggage, given the importance of their mission, a considerable number of items would be packed. With proper planning, she could hide among them.
“Right, I believe three. The Chief Archdeacon and two assistants from the Imperial Capital Temple are scheduled to come. Additionally, several attendant monks will accompany them.”
Three personnel sounded manageable, but accounting for the others likely meant the overall numbers would be substantial. If so, the skyship would be much larger than previously imagined. The fantasy-style flying galleons in her mind were likely more compact. Factoring in the accommodations for dignitaries, high-level mages, and priests, it was plausible that a grand ship with numerous rooms was required for the journey.
The vision in her mind began transforming from the quaint fantasy ships of yore to something potentially more industrial or even futuristic.
“By any chance, do you know where in the manor the travelers are preparing?”
After deliberating, Lady Cecilia uncertainly replied, “Probably.”
This task would require some delicate maneuvering. Fortunately, as night approached, the keen eyes of the Winged Being would start losing efficacy due to their poor night vision.
While waiting quietly for nightfall seemed logical, she couldn’t help noticing a peculiar spot in the northern sky. As she studied the movements of the Winged Beings, her attention caught on a distinct white stain against the crimson sky, gradually enlarging.
The small stain quickly transformed into an enormous silhouette, becoming visible to the naked eye, floating unnaturally high in the sky.
A colossal white ship emerged, sliding through the crimson horizon, its pure white armor reflecting a dazzling light as it soared through the air.
“Huge…” she involuntarily whispered, realizing everyone else, including herself, was likely reacting similarly. It seemed the entire capital city was gazing upwards.
The ship, shaped vaguely like a bamboo leaf, presented a slender and pointed form from the front, bulging at the rear to reduce air resistance and optimize flight. Its sleek, spear-like grace elegantly carved through the air, its large wings extending from both sides, revealing the complex array of magical spells that powered them.
“Just how big is that thing?” she thought, realizing the immense scale of the ship, possibly comparable to an entire district.
This ship was impressive in many ways but did not quite match the image she had in mind of the classical flying vessel from fantasy tales.
What she really wanted was that ideal of a fantasy flying ship. What she saw now was more reminiscent of something from science fiction, almost resembling an invading warship.
Not what she had in mind! Somebody should take responsibility for this!
As she stared, a realization dawned. Everyone’s attention was captivated by the ship in the sky. On the tower, the Winged Beings were similarly entranced, and the guards below were equally mesmerized.
It was clear that everyone was experiencing a similar level of shock. Despite the foreknowledge of a flying ship coming, imagining something on this scale was beyond normal human comprehension.
Could this be an opportune moment? With every guard’s attention skyward, a small bit of noise might easily go unnoticed.
She shook the stunned Lady Cecilia, attempting to bring her back to reality in order to seize this fleeting chance…
—
Over the past several months, amidst countless repetitions of the sentiment “how did it come to this?”, Baroness Agrippina du Stal successfully executed a poised smile with ease.
Her long silver hair carefully styled into a crown-like braid, adorned in a thin yet elegant red evening gown, she shimmered as an unparalleled blossom at the twilight terrace, captivating any young man who happened to glance her way. Despite her reclusive nature in the high society of the Empire, her charm—though deceptively toxic—drew admirers.
Agrippina detested high society, not out of incompetence in manners, social conduct, or reading the room but purely out of an intense boredom with the convoluted conversations and meaningless social events.
While adept in social protocols honed over a century living in the Seine Kingdom’s aristocratic circles, the triviality of the engagements now overwhelmed her spirit.
She endured, engaging in nauseating conversations and politely declining dance invitations while secretly unleashing internal tirades against the superficial world. She cursed the Martin Duke, who had eagerly pulled her into this event to make an appearance before the professorial assembly.
Initially, upon receiving a letter from his attendant and hearing “it’s already that time,” she had rejoiced, thinking the event was finally over. But the momentary relief gave way to a new surprise.
Before she knew it, she was impeccably dressed and dragged to this very place. To make matters worse, after promising her an interesting spectacle, the originator of her predicament vanished, citing an urgent matter. Had the Duke been present, the incessant trivialities might have been curbed by his aristocratic presence.
Agrippina yearned to weep. Why must she attend an acquaintance gathering under the “emperor’s attendance” in the North Grand Terrace, known colloquially as the “Star Carpet Court”?
She bore through the introduction of dull individuals, employing skills cultivated in her youth to nod appreciatively during meaningless discourse. A few hours of such gatherings seemed like an eternity.
Refusing to despair, she downed high-quality wines and engaged in vacuous social pleasantries. As the sky transitioned from a deep orange to an intense navy, whispers rippled through the crowd.
Drawn by the curiosity, Agrippina’s remarkable ability to perceive magic flared in anguish as her eyes registered an overwhelming cascade of magical spells emanating from a flying ship cutting through the twilight.
For an instant, the overload of intricate magical systems sent her nerves into overdrive.
“Ugh…”
The ship was an unparalleled marvel of magic and engineering. It was brimming with enchantments, its colossal frame suspended through interwoven spells of weightlessness and structural reinforcement, and powered by intricate formations of spells visible as glowing arrays of light.
The unprecedented display stunned the onlookers, some gawking with wide-open mouths, others spilling their drinks in surprise. There were even whispers of apocalypse among the guests.
The spectacle undoubtedly served a diplomatic purpose, its impact profound enough to potentially strain credulity back at their native lands.
“Wow… They’ve really pulled out all the stops,” Agrippina muttered, seizing a fizzy wine from a stunned waiter’s tray. As the ship’s lower hatch opened, releasing dragon-riders, she wondered how many more surprises it held.
Once composed, she recognized the sheer brilliance of the show. The dragons released smoke screens, performing acrobatic aerial displays, transforming the event into a dazzling spectacle.
Yet, considering how much fun the absent Duke must be anticipating, she couldn’t help wondering where the mastermind of this grand spectacle had disappeared to…
