The days flew by, and soon enough, July was upon them.
With only a few days remaining until the party Lezard had mentioned, Ren found himself aboard a magic ship for the first time since arriving in this world.
He sat alone in a cabin that rivaled a high-end inn in luxury, gazing out the window at the clouds drifting through the blue expanse.
So, this is how it ended up, he thought.
The circumstances that led him here weren't particularly complex.
Ren’s name hadn't appeared on the invitation. This was only natural; invitations for noble gatherings rarely listed the names of servants or attendants.
However, Ren had been conflicted. Knowing that discussions regarding his village might take place, he felt it wouldn't be right to simply remain in Clausel. Ultimately, he decided to accompany the family to the Imperial Capital even if he wouldn't be attending the party itself.
The memory of the Demon King Cult incident was still fresh. Even if only for the sake of acting as Licia’s guard, he likely would have reached this same conclusion eventually. Though he felt a slight aversion toward visiting the Imperial Capital or Erendil, there was no helping it now.
"We will be arriving in Erendil shortly."
A voice echoed out of nowhere.
When Ren looked toward the source, his eyes landed on a magnificent chandelier fixed to the ceiling. It was, in fact, a magic tool used to relay announcements.
I suppose it’s because this room is meant for nobility... it’s incredibly lavish.
While magic ship tickets were expensive, they weren't entirely out of reach for commoners. However, the ships offered various grades of accommodation. Ren had offered to pay his own way, but Lezard had insisted: "Let me cover it this time, given the circumstances."
Ren stepped out of the cabin that had been his home for nearly an entire day.
The hallway was so tranquil it was hard to believe they were soaring through the sky. It possessed a refined, comfortable atmosphere that didn't feel overly gaudy—much like the manor back in Clausel.
"Ren!"
Licia was waiting for him just ahead. She waved energetically as soon as she spotted him.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Thanks to you, yes. I fell asleep almost immediately after you left, Lady Licia."
"Hehe, long carriage rides really are exhausting, aren't they? ...Sigh. I wish Clausel could have a magic ship dock of its own someday."
She gave a wry smile, knowing full well how difficult that would be. A territory of Clausel’s size simply couldn't support the massive expense of a dock. Maintaining one was a financial nightmare. Thus, they had no choice but to use the docks in territories governed by other nobles.
"Shall we go? My father and Weiss are waiting."
The moment she spoke, the magic ship began its descent.
In less than twenty minutes, the ship’s massive hull touched down at the Erendil magic ship dock. Ren and Licia walked through the corridors to regroup with Lezard and Weiss.
As they neared the exit, Ren’s gaze was suddenly stolen by the view through a window.
...It really is Erendil.
In the center of a vast stone-paved plaza stood a colossal structure that resembled a white stone fortress or perhaps a great tower. Its many spires made for a breathtaking sight. The overall design was reminiscent of Gothic architecture, adorned with flowing water and lush greenery, making it truly magnificent.
Runway-like paths stretched out from the upper floors into the open air. Several other magic ships were moored in midair along these paths, spaced out at equal intervals.
From their current vantage point, they could see lines of ships stretching into the distance. Perhaps because of the elevation, the clouds felt much closer than usual.
It feels just like a fantasy novel.
The ships docked nearby were diverse in design. Some were sleek and bullet-shaped, others looked like giant hydroplanes, and some boasted massive hulls with layered wings like the fins of a fish.
"There you are."
Lezard’s voice reached Ren’s ears. He and Weiss were already waiting near the exit.
"I was going to ask for your thoughts on seeing Erendil for the first time... but I suppose the look on your face says enough."
"Yes... I’ll admit, I’m a bit overwhelmed."
"Glad to hear it. Now then, let’s head outside so you can be overwhelmed even further."
The group bypassed the crowd of disembarking passengers and took a path reserved for those in the high-grade cabins, leading them onto a gangway connected to the main building.
A cool breeze immediately brushed against their skin.
Ren leaned over the railing of the gangway, looking down at the ground far below. Numerous carriages were parked at the base of the structure, surrounded by rows of stalls. The area was a hive of activity, teeming with commoners, adventurers, and nobles alike.
Several train tracks extending from the base of the building caught his eye. Seeing a landscape he had once only known through lore with his own eyes brought a special kind of excitement.
"Listen, Ren. The building we’re heading into after leaving the ship is—"
"The Sky Garden, right?"
"—That’s no fun. You already knew."
Ren felt a twinge of guilt for interrupting Licia while she was trying to act as his guide. It wasn't that he was desperately trying to stay in her good graces, but...
"I only know the name. I don't actually know what kind of building it is."
He added that last bit, hoping she would continue her explanation. Licia looked slightly resigned, but a happy glint remained in her eyes as she turned back to him.
"The Sky Garden where we are now is one of Erendil’s greatest symbols."
According to Licia, the Sky Garden wasn't just a magic ship dock; it also served as a station for the magic train.
Taking the train from the Sky Garden would put them in the Imperial Capital in roughly an hour and a half. There was no station in the vicinity of the capital that could rival the scale of this place. Consequently, it was a vital commercial hub frequented by nobles and powerful merchants.
"Wow... that’s good to know."
Ren wasn't just being polite; he was genuinely impressed. Licia let out a satisfied giggle at his reaction.
"Hehe. Did you think it was a bit too grand for a simple Baron to manage?"
"N-no, I wouldn't say that..."
"I’m sorry, I didn't mean to be teasing. You’re clever, Ren, so I figured the thought might have crossed your mind."
To be honest, it had. It was only natural to assume a high-ranking noble would govern such a pivotal location. As Ren tried to come up with a diplomatic response, Lezard stepped in.
"The value of the Sky Garden began to decline around the time magic ship docks became common across the empire. While its importance as an aerial hub near the capital is undeniable, the difficulty of operating it is staggering. The responsibility is immense, yet the profit is slim. Not many nobles were eager to claim a land with such declining value."
"Even so, I thought it would still provide a great deal of prestige to a noble house."
"It does, as you say. However, even the Imperial Family and the capital’s high nobility had to be cautious about who they entrusted with it. Because the Sky Garden is used by nobles of every faction, it had to remain a neutral ground."
Given the operational difficulty and the severe consequences of failure, no noble in the capital had been willing to step forward.
"The income from the Sky Garden isn't as high as one might think. The annual maintenance costs are astronomical. Even with the tax revenue from Erendil, when you factor in the upkeep for the town itself, most profit-seeking nobles were more afraid of failure than they were drawn to the status."
"I see... so there isn't much actual benefit."
"Precisely. But someone had to be in charge. The previous lord had no heirs and retired, leaving the post vacant. That was about two years before you and Licia met."
A few nobles had tentatively raised their hands, but because the different factions were constantly sabotaging one another, no one could agree on a candidate. Eventually, a noble from the neutral faction suggested Lezard.
Lezard was competent for his rank, and because his daughter was a Saint, he was held in high regard by all sides. His appointment to Erendil was, in many ways, a compromise. Ren suspected that some probably hoped they could eventually lure the Clausel family into their own faction.
"And that is how I ended up in charge of Erendil."
"It... sounds like it was practically pushed onto you."
"Haha! Perhaps. But it was convenient for me. I’ve never had much ambition for expanding my political power, but having a neutral noble govern Erendil isn't a bad thing. I once hoped that I might be able to put even a small dent in the factional infighting."
Of course, things had since taken a turn Lezard hadn't anticipated. Viscount Given had targeted both the Clausel and Ashton families with his own dark ambitions.
"Young master, ever since the Head of the Family took over this land, the tax revenue has been steadily increasing," Weiss added.
"It’s only been a series of minor upticks. It’s only with the most recent figures that the progress has actually become visible," Lezard said, brushing off the praise.
Ren found Lezard’s humble competence incredibly impressive. Even if his noble rank was modest, his individual capability was undeniable. The day he was promoted to Viscount likely wasn't far off.
Before long, another sight caught Ren’s eye.
—Oh! It really is there!
Ren looked toward the center of Erendil and spotted the Great Clock Tower. Constructed from ivory bricks and supported by elegant pillars, the towering structure was a masterpiece of historical art.
The clock’s hands were pointing exactly to twelve. The sound of bells echoing through the air felt as mystical as a holy hymn.
"Ren? Why did you stop?"
"Sorry. I think I got lost in the view again."
"Hehe, oh Ren. We have to hurry, though. Sightseeing will have to wait for later."
Urged on by Licia, Ren hurried to catch up. As he did, he glanced toward the edge of the airborne path.
—So that’s there too.
He saw an object covered by a heavy cloth, shaped like a tent. The silhouette suggested a bullet-shaped magic ship. It was a mysterious vessel that had remained in that exact spot since the era of the Seven Heroes, never moving, unlike the other ships.
I wonder what that thing actually is.
He made a mental note to ask Lezard about it if he got the chance.
Feeling a strange sense of nostalgia for the interior of the Sky Garden, Ren followed the group to the ground floor station and boarded the magic train bound for the Imperial Capital.