Chapter 70

Chapter 5 is currently in the process of writing the beginning.

I plan to update in October.

---

In the airspace of the Republic of Alzelle, Angel and Livia were looking at the Sacred Tree from the deck of the Rikorn, the second ship of the Einhorn class.

"Though I had heard about it, it's much bigger in person. This is the Sacred Tree, huh?"

"I read about it in books, but I thought the illustrations were exaggerated. The real thing is even more impressive."

Each of them expressed their thoughts about the Sacred Tree.

The Rikorn, with its white hull, had a single horn on the bow, just like the Einhorn. Its shape was the same as the Einhorn, but in a different color.

Around them, airships produced by the same factory were lined up. They looked similar because they were built in the Baltfard family's factory.

Standing by their side was the head maid responsible for taking care of Angel and Livia. The black-haired woman with glasses cautioned Angel, who was leaning forward.

"Princess Angelica, that's not ladylike."

"Forgive me. I just got excited thinking about seeing Leon soon."

It had been a long time since they last saw Leon. Both Angel and Livia were looking forward to it.

Livie, holding her hair back from the wind, said, "We arrived earlier than expected. It's closer than I thought."

Angel corrected Livie's comment. "That's because we have airships that can travel at high speeds. Still, the Rikorn is impressive. The ride is smooth, and the living conditions on board are comfortable. It's not quite as good as the Partner, though."

Clare, who was rolling around beside them, objected to Angel's words.

"That's a bit harsh, isn't it?"

Clare floated up to their eye level.

"I aimed for miniaturization and high performance. I can match the Partner. Besides, as the second ship, the Rikorn has improved performance over the first one."

Angel apologized to Clare. "I understand, but don't get so close."

Livie, looking at the Rikorn's exterior, said, "It's the same model as Leon's Einhorn, right? It must be quite expensive."

Clare explained proudly, "It's a custom-made model. It's impossible to produce another one. Master wouldn't have made it if he hadn't ordered it. Well, this one was built using spare parts from the Einhorn that Leon and Luxion left behind without permission."

If Leon or Luxion heard about it, they would be angry, but Clare calculated that they would understand if she explained it was for Angel and Livie.

Clare turned her single eye upward. "Anyway, the Republic's airships are approaching. It's quite rude for them to come from above."

Angel looked up sharply. "An inspection by the Republic. I've heard they can be aggressive—"

The head maid asked Angel, "Should we protest?"

Angel nodded. "We have to consider our position as an envoy. We should lodge a strong protest. It would be good to contact Leon—"

Then, Livie noticed that the Republic's airships were changing their course. "Huh? They seem to be moving away."

"What?"

---

The Republic's airship—security forces were in chaos.

"Wh-What the hell! Why is that ship here!"

"Captain, calm down!"

The security captain, who was panicking on the bridge, had just realized that the airship they were about to inspect was the same model as the Einhorn.

The Einhorn—the worst airship that had wreaked havoc in the Republic. They hadn't heard that there was another one of the same model.

"It's just a similar shape! It's impossible for there to be multiple airships like that."

The captain was furious at his subordinate's words.

"If there's one, it's not strange for there to be a second! It just looks similar? There are so many similar airships around! They—could they have mass-produced it?"

The same model as the Einhorn, which had shattered the Republic's pride, and so many similar-looking airships. The captain felt like he was in a nightmare.

"Inspection canceled."

"Captain, the Kingdom will look down on us!"

"Then you do it! I absolutely refuse. Absolutely!"

This security captain had been at the port when the Einhorn sank one of their airships. No matter how much he resisted, it was useless. The Republic's pride as a sailor had been shattered by the Einhorn's overwhelming performance.

His subordinate, who had been on land at the time, didn't know the strength of the Einhorn. He might have heard about it, but he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.

Then, one of the subordinates, looking through binoculars at the Rikorn, shouted, "Captain! They're starting to form a formation!"

The captain turned pale and fainted, foaming at the mouth.

---

The representative leading the envoy was Leon's older brother, Nicks. More accurately, it was a group of Leon's acquaintances, and Nicks was just in charge of coordinating them.

In the bridge, Nicks was talking to the captain.

"Since we're entering the Republic, let's form a formation. It's good that we practiced during the journey."

The captain was smiling. "Thanks to the similar design, it's easy to match speeds. It's a good thing we built them in our factory, right? What was Leon thinking?"

"Leon—no, the Earl, is quite impressive."

Leon's reputation in his hometown was mixed—because until he left the floating island, he was just the third son of a baron, neither good nor bad. When people heard he had suddenly become an earl, they couldn't understand it. He had risen from baron to earl in almost a year.

Even those around him were scratching their heads.

"I wish he would be kinder to my stomach. Well, since we're an envoy, let's look our best. Form the formation."

The bridge issued hurried instructions. As the surrounding airships formed a formation around the Rikorn, the airships entering and leaving the port moved out of the way. Small airships flew in to guide the envoy to the port.

"Hey, they're more responsive than I heard."

Nicks said, and the captain agreed.

"I heard they would inspect us aggressively, but it seems to be just a rumor. The security airship that came from above must have made a mistake."

Nicks, who knew from Leon's letter that the Republic was unfriendly, shrugged.

"Leon said they were unfriendly, but he must have done something. I'll check when I see him."

"He's known for causing trouble. Is it okay? Will there be a war?"

Nicks replied to the worried captain.

"I don't think so, but you never know with him. I'll make sure to ask about that."

Nicks thought to himself.

(Poor me, being dragged around by my younger brother. I need to be more serious.)

His younger brother had advanced in rank and had two fiancées—anyone would be jealous, but Nicks didn't envy Leon.

Why?

(Might as well do some sightseeing since we're in a foreign country. I need to buy souvenirs for Dad, Mom, and Colin.)

—Because he was happy now.

In fact, Nicks was living a life that Leon might envy.

Sapling-chan (°∀°) "Listen! It's amazing. Big news! Actually—"

(○) ;y=ー(°д°)・∵. Turn "Huh?"

(○) "..."

(○) "You know too much."