The airship sailed steadily through the afternoon sky.
White clouds drifted lazily beneath its hull.
The enchanted engines emitted a constant, soothing hum.
Near the rear of the deck—
the cultist carefully rotated another section of the strange artifact.
Click.
Click.
Click.
A thin strand of mana flowed through the intricate mechanism.
Several runes shimmered briefly before fading once more.
Lyriana watched in silence.
Her eyes followed every tiny adjustment with unwavering focus.
After several moments—
she finally spoke.
"So... now we understand how it works."
Her gaze lingered on the artifact.
"All that's left..."
"...is meeting up with His Highness and Aldric."
The cultist nodded without looking up.
"Yeah."
Another piece clicked into place.
"This thing is far more interesting than I expected."
She gently tapped one of the rotating rings.
"It can open portals."
"But..."
Her fingers paused.
"...that's only one of its functions."
Lyriana tilted her head.
"What do you mean?"
A faint smile touched the cultist's lips.
"The portal function is only the most obvious one."
She pointed toward the innermost ring.
"These runic pathways don't simply transport mana."
"They reshape it."
"They synchronize it."
"And..."
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"...they resonate with space itself."
Click.
Another ring rotated.
"If I'm right..."
"...this artifact wasn't originally created for transportation."
Lyriana frowned.
"Then what was it made for?"
The cultist remained silent for several seconds.
"...I don't know."
She leaned back slightly.
"But whoever forged this..."
"...understood spatial laws far beyond anything I've ever studied."
A faint smile crossed her lips.
"I'd very much like to meet them."
The artifact continued spinning quietly in her hands.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Neither woman noticed—
high above them—
the clouds briefly distorted.
Only for an instant.
Then the sky returned to normal.
---
Inside the airship—
far from the sounds of Kaelira and Ryke's endless argument—
a quiet room rested near the center of the vessel.
Soft afternoon light filtered through the enchanted window.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
On the bed—
Nia lay asleep.
One arm rested protectively around the two infants beside her.
Lucifer slept quietly.
One tiny hand curled around the edge of the blanket.
Beside him—
Elenya breathed softly.
Occasionally shifting in her sleep before settling down once more.
Neither child stirred.
The exhausting events of the previous days had finally caught up with them.
Nearby—
Vaelith sat calmly in a wooden chair.
Her crimson eyes remained fixed on the sleeping trio.
She hadn't moved for quite some time.
The room remained silent.
Only the gentle hum of the ship's engines filled the air.
After several moments—
Lucifer yawned quietly in his sleep.
His tiny fingers stretched.
Then instinctively reached toward Nia.
Finding the fabric of her sleeve.
Only after grasping it—
did he relax once more.
Vaelith watched the small gesture.
The corners of her lips softened ever so slightly.
Outside—
the airship continued its steady journey toward Eirundor.
Unaware that, far behind them—
the entire continent had already begun moving in response to the battle at Blackwater.
---
The forest blurred into streaks of green.
A lone figure shot between the towering trees.
Branches bent—
yet barely even trembled.
Leaves stirred only slightly in his wake.
Draven never slowed.
His body flowed from trunk to trunk with frightening precision.
One step.
Another.
Then another.
Every landing lasted less than a heartbeat before he vanished once again.
His cloak fluttered behind him.
The black cat remained comfortably nestled inside his hood, perched upon his shoulder, completely unbothered by the incredible speed.
The blue slime clung to the top of his head beneath the hood, wobbling gently with every movement.
High above the canopy—
Aldric flew lazily alongside him.
Crimson mana wrapped around his body as he sliced effortlessly through the air.
Compared to Draven's relentless movements—
he looked almost relaxed.
Then—
his eyes shifted downward.
"...Again?"
BOOOOM!!
The forest floor erupted.
A massive flaming bear burst from between the trees.
Its fur burned like molten charcoal.
Heat distorted the surrounding air.
The creature roared.
A B-Rank magical beast.
It never had the chance to roar a second time.
Draven was already there.
SHIIING!!
His black blade carved cleanly across one of its forelegs.
The bear retaliated instantly.
A paw the size of a wagon slammed downward.
BOOOOM!!
The ground collapsed beneath the impact.
Draven twisted beneath the strike.
His fist crashed into the beast's jaw.
CRACK!!
Bone shattered.
The flaming bear staggered.
Its exposed chest opened for the briefest instant.
That was enough.
SHHK!!
The black blade pierced straight through its heart.
The beast stiffened.
Its flames flickered.
Then—
its enormous body collapsed with a thunderous crash.
THUD!!
Without wasting a second—
Draven thrust his hand into the beast's chest.
Blood coated his arm.
Moments later—
he withdrew a crimson-orange magic crystal.
Still warm.
Still pulsing with mana.
The slime immediately flowed down from beneath his hood.
Stretching across his arm like liquid silk.
Every trace of blood disappeared within seconds.
Draven opened his mouth.
Then casually tossed the crystal inside.
CRUNCH.
The crystal shattered between his teeth.
Raw mana erupted violently.
His veins bulged.
Blood seeped from the corner of his lips.
The uncontrolled energy rampaged through his body—
tearing flesh—
splitting muscles—
burning his organs.
Draven's expression never changed.
Inside him—
the folding mass spun.
Faster.
Faster.
The violent mana was seized.
Compressed.
Folded.
Layer upon layer.
The resistance gradually faded.
The crystal's power disappeared into the endless spiral.
Draven wiped the thin streak of blood from his mouth.
Then—
without sparing the corpse another glance—
he vanished.
FWOOOSH!!
Above—
Aldric let out a sigh.
"If you keep stopping every few minutes..."
"...we're never going to get there."
He folded his arms while accelerating to keep pace.
"How many times do I have to tell you?"
Draven never looked up.
"I told you."
"You don't have to slow down."
"I'll catch up."
Aldric barked out a laugh.
"Like hell you will."
He pointed accusingly toward the endless forest ahead.
"You're the one who actually knows where we're going."
"If I leave you behind, I'll end up getting lost."
Draven's reply came without the slightest emotion.
"I already told you."
Aldric rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah."
He waved dismissively.
"'Go east.'"
"I'm not stupid."
There was a brief silence.
Then Draven answered.
"...It doesn't seem to be the case."
Aldric nearly choked.
"...Bastard."
Draven said nothing.
He simply accelerated once again without a sound.
Aldric clicked his tongue before following after him.
"Just keep up!"