Tale of the White Empire

Number Fifteen.

When asked for her name, the girl responded simply with the number she was given.

She looked to be no more than ten years old. She wore no skirt, just a rough linen tunic that hung raggedly down to her shins, and her feet were wrapped in strips of cloth.

The wandering knight, having heard her answer, shifted his gaze from the girl and took in the scene within the chapel. Before the altar, where a statue of the Holy Angel Juno stood, orphans sat on long pews meant for worshippers, spinning thread, combing hemp, and weaving baskets. Their pale faces, threadbare clothing, and sluggish movements made it clear that the priest overseeing them was less than a kind soul.

Unlike the other children, the girl had been staring intently at the knight for some time. The April sunlight, filtering through sooty leaded glass, caught in her tangled black hair and ice-blue eyes, making them stand out sharply against the dimness of the chapel.

With a puzzled look in his deeply lined eyes, the knight stroked his short-trimmed white beard.

Am I that strange a sight?

The knight's appearance was far from noble. He wore a fraying woolen cap pulled low over his brow, his cotton tunic and travel-stained knapsack were thick with dust, and he had neither horse, plate armor, nor helmet. His cloak, stripped of any emblem, hung ragged and frayed at the edges. Only the large and small swords at his hip, his sharp gaze, and the dignity in his speech marked him as a knight.

The girl looked up at him, unflinching.

Mister, have we met before?

The wandering knight looked down at her in silence for a moment, as if turning something over in his mind. Then, he gestured for her to follow him outside. He sat down on the stone steps in front of the church and patted the spot beside him. The village square was nearly empty, the sunlight filtering through the trees casting dappled shadows over the chickens pecking at the grass.

I've just decided that I'll be staying in this village for a while. I've been wanting someone to talk to. Let's be friends. Would you like a biscuit?

The girl, without hesitation, sat down beside him and bit into the offered oatmeal biscuit. The anemones growing in clumps in the grass swayed red in the gentle breeze.

The knight asked about her past. She said she had been at the church for as long as she could remember, known only by the number she had been given. Come summer, a merchant acquaintance of the priest would arrive to take her on a "trip." When she had once asked the priest where they would be going, he had struck her with a switch, and her hands still bore the overlapping welts as proof.

I see.

The knight nodded thoughtfully, his mind piecing together the grim truth. The merchant was likely a slave trader from the Southern Continent. Orphanages run by the Sacred Juno Orthodox Church were known as prime sources for such traders, and countless children were sold each year without their knowledge, destined to cross the sea and become the playthings of southern nobles.

If she remains here until summer, this girl has no future.

Realizing this, the wandering knight chatted with the girl for a while longer before parting, then visited the village headman and arranged to stay in the village until summer, helping with manual labor.

During the day, he busied himself with felling trees, hauling timber, and crafting stakes to build a palisade around the village. His payment was two meals a day and a straw hut to sleep in. It was grueling work, but whenever he had a moment to spare, the knight would visit the chapel on the outskirts of the village to see the girl called Number Fifteen.

With each visit, the girl grew more attached to the knight, listening with attention to the tales he spun.

He spoke of heroes who had shaped the history of the Grape Sea from ancient times to the present.

He told of the tyrannical Demon King Lucifer, who emerged from the Demon King's Tower fifteen hundred years ago. Of the hero Yatsumata of the Great Tribe of the Eight who ended the Dark Ages that had lasted five hundred years. When Yatsumata fought to the death with Demon King Lucifer, his body transformed into the eight Sacred Orbs imbued with the characters for Benevolence, Justice, Reverence, Wisdom, Loyalty, Faith, Filial Piety, and Kinship. These orbs scattered across the world, granting those who found them—inheritors—powers that defied the very laws of nature.

Heroes fought against one another. The history of the Grape Sea is a history of warfare and intrigue among city-states. Armies numbering over a hundred thousand marched east and west, with grand battles unfolding on land, sea, and air, as heroes wagered their pride and honor. Bards sang of glorious victories and tragic defeats.

He spoke of the thousand-strong cavalry charges, their resplendent armor gleaming as they formed a single spear to pierce the enemy line. Inheritors wielding Sacred Orb powers, scattering entire armies single-handedly. Swarms of aerial troops with gliding wings launching from flying sailboats in the Floating Zone. Mechanical soldiers powered by miasma engines, capable of shattering castle gates and walls, sometimes matching even the might of Sacred Orb inheritors. The knight described each scene in vivid, meticulous detail, as if he had witnessed them himself, weaving a grand and heroic tapestry of war with his words.

The girl's heart swelled with excitement, her chest thrumming with the thrill of each new tale.

Every day, she eagerly awaited the knight's visits, dashing out of the chapel as soon as her afternoon chores were finished. When he appeared, she would throw up both hands and shout with unbridled joy.

About two weeks passed from their first meeting.

One day, as they sat together on the stone steps as usual, the girl nibbling on the black bread he had given her, she suddenly realized something that had been bothering her.

Hey. Aren't you going to tell me about the Savior?

At her question, the knight slowly turned to look at her.

I did. Early on in my stories.

Not the first Savior. The second one.

Ah . . .

He looked up at the sky as if he had just realized something.

In truth, he had been waiting all along for the girl to ask about that person.

Hmmm . . .

He exhaled a long breath.

There are two Saviors in the Grape Sea.

The first Savior, "Yatsumata," lived about one thousand years ago and defeated the "Demon King," who had ruled the world for more than five hundred years.

The second one, just about thirty years ago, defeated the Demon King, who had returned to this world.

The tale of the Second Savior would be quite lengthy to tell.

That's fine! I want to hear it!

The girl looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes.

A strong spring breeze swept through the grove, making the girl's black hair flutter as the leaves rustled loudly overhead.

The wandering knight stroked his white beard, reminiscing about days long past.

Days when souls blazed with fierce resolve, racing through a world both cruel and beautiful. Days filled with heartache, fierce battles, and fleeting moments of warmth.

Very well. But before I begin, tell me—what do you know about the Second Savior?

The girl's ice-blue eyes darted about as she searched her memory, recalling snippets she had heard during Mass.

Umm, it's the person who got all eight Sacred Orbs by themself!

That's right! The eight Sacred Orbs—Benevolence, Justice, Reverence, Wisdom, Loyalty, Faith, Filial Piety, and Kinship—each originally had a single inheritor. But when an inheritor dies, their orb leaves their body and seeks a new host. Since one person can harbor any number of orbs, a struggle to claim them naturally began. One by one, the inheritors fell, until eventually, all eight Sacred Orbs were held by just two people.

As he spoke, the scents and emotions of those days revived within him, and a sweet pain seemed to perfume the air.

To defeat the Demon King, a Savior who harbored all eight Sacred Orbs was needed. So the last two remaining Inheritors faced each other in a duel. One died, and the survivor inherited all the orbs, becoming the Savior.

Yeah, I know that! And then the Savior defeated the Demon King and was reborn as eight new Sacred Orbs, right?

The wandering knight reached out and gently ruffled the girl's hair, a faint smile on his lips.

My version of the story ends a little differently.

Huh? How?

That's when the Holy Angel Juno appears and passes judgment.

Huh? Juno? Juno really exists?!

Yes. She's a living deity.

The girl's eyes sparkled with wonder. To think that the Holy Angel Juno, whom she had only ever seen in religious paintings and wooden carvings, actually existed and could be met.

What is Juno like?!

She's quite the prankster. She gets terribly bored staying in the Angel Tower, so occasionally she descends to the city disguised as a citizen and plays pranks.

No way! Juno's a deity! She wouldn't do that!

Can't blame you for not believing it. Even as I tell you this, I can hardly believe it myself. Juno's pranks are enormous in scale and unfold slowly over time. I myself am trembling right now just thinking about it.

The wandering knight extended his right hand before the girl's eyes.

His fingertips were shaking, as if caught between reverence and fear.

I don't understand any of this!

The girl's ice-blue eyes sparkled as she eagerly questioned him with a bright smile.

The wandering knight cast her a gentle smile and stroked the girl's head once more with his trembling hand.

I will tell you the story to the end. When I finish, I'll give you a new name.

A name? Why?

Because it's better than being called Number Fifteen.

Another strong breeze blew through the grove, scattering flowers and bending the trees. The wind swept past them, lifting anemone petals into the bright blue sky—a warm, gentle wind, as if blessing the beginning of their story.

Mischievous Juno. Could you see this scene too, I wonder?

I apologize for doubting you. You truly did create a miracle . . .

The wandering knight whispered this silent apology to his old friend, wiped the corner of his eye with his finger, and began to tell the long, winding tale of the Second Savior.

How things had come to this made absolutely no sense.

Where was the world's strongest Gatland Aerial Fleet now—the one that had filled the skies above Gateaux Island just yesterday, departing amid confetti showering down on the people seeing them off from below?

Who was commanding this enemy fleet currently looming over Gateaux Island, raining down a relentless barrage of cannon fire and bombs, and how had they managed to get this close undetected?

Gaga Gatland, the First Prince of the Kingdom of Gatland, continued to mull over these questions as he ascended the stone steps of the Armory Tower with a deliberately measured stride.

The Gatland Royal Castle had been under bombardment from a mysterious aerial fleet for some time now. Reports indicated that the second tower and part of the northern wall had collapsed. Each time the cannons thundered, vibrations traveled through the floor, mortar crumbled from the stonework, and dust and small stones rained down on Gaga's head. If the attacks continued, not only this Armory Tower but the entire castle, walls and all, would be reduced to a heap of rubble.

Are we just letting this happen? What is Father doing?

Surely our fleet hasn't been defeated . . . ?

That couldn't be possible. This battle was supposed to be as one-sided as cutting small fish with a halberd. Gaga's father, King Dada, had mobilized an overwhelmingly superior force to crush the rebels, the Redcapes, as a brutal reminder to those who might defy the Kingdom of Gatland. Four Sacred Orb inheritors, five flying battleships, and a massive naval fleet of over thirty battleships were deployed against a local lord who commanded just one flying battleship and two medium-sized galleys. The idea that Dada's aerial fleet, painstakingly built over thirty years, could be defeated by such a paltry force was unthinkable—or at least, it should have been.

Yet, given the current state of things, the impossible had become reality.

Lost in thought, Gaga finished ascending the stone steps and emerged onto the rooftop of the Armory Tower.

Under the starry sky, the wide, rectangular rooftop, spacious enough to serve as a training ground, was bustling with activity. By the flickering light of a few standing lamps, a girl and boy were busy inspecting the propeller biplane Falco.

The girl, who was wearing a flight cap over her black hair, noticed Gaga.

You're late, Prince! Hurry up!

With the cat ears on his head fluttering in the night breeze, Gaga brushed the dust from his silk collared jacket with one hand and moved his long legs, which were wrapped in white tights, leisurely toward Falco as he spoke.

Don't rush me, foolish woman. Royalty must remain composed, especially in times of crisis.

The building's about to collapse! Stop walking and run!

The black-haired girl, Noa LiNoa, cut him off mid-sentence, pushing her flight goggles up to her forehead. She fixed her clear blue eyes on Gaga, and her amber corset, white shoulder wrap, and riding skirt rustled in the wind as she urged him to hurry.

As the castle continued to shake under the relentless bombardment, Gaga came to a stop directly in front of her, his expression stern and unyielding.

Don't give orders to a prince!

Whatever, just get in already!

It's please get in, you stupid woman! Learn to speak properly for once!

As they exchanged these futile words, the miasma engine mounted at the rear of Falco's fuselage roared to life with a deep, mechanical rumble.

. . .

The mechanic Leonardo, who had been inspecting the aircraft, peeked his face out from beneath the fuselage. A taciturn boy with white hair and black eyes, dressed in thick linen work clothes and an apron, he gestured for the two to board.

Aye aye, we're going! Hurry up and get in!

As she urged Gaga along, Noa climbed into the pilot's seat and began checking the instruments. Prince Gaga took his place in the co-pilot's seat beside her, letting out a single, irritated snort as he fastened his seatbelt. The cockpit was extremely cramped, with the miasma engine right behind them and the tail propeller close enough to touch if they leaned out and stretched their arms. This biplane was also a two-seater, leaving no room for Leonardo.

. . .

With practiced movements, Leonardo put on a flight cap and goggles, tied the fastener beside the cockpit and his waist belt together with bowstring, and sat at the base of the lower wing on Noa's left side, gripping the strut connecting the upper and lower wings with his left hand.

. . .

With an expressionless face that seemed to say this is sufficient, he waited for Noa to connect the engine shaft.

Connected!

Noa’s energetic shout rang out as she connected the engine shaft directly to the rear propeller. It began to spin, and the biplane slowly rolled forward. Gaga glanced up at the night sky, which was tinged with the colors of distant flames.

Gain altitude beyond the Floating Zone. Get close to the enemy fleet and identify them.

Huh? What’s that about? Weren’t we just trying to escape?

We boarded to assess the situation from the air! Once we take off, approach the enemy ships without hesitation, you foolish woman!

What? Two Benigold coins.

Gaga was astonished at Noa's demand.

You dare to ask for money at a time like this?!

Of course I am. I'm a mercenary. If you can't pay, then get off.

Sky pirates are truly the worst! I was mistaken to keep someone like you in my employ.

So what'll it be?

This is an emergency. I have no choice. I'll pay you, so fly!

Much obliged. Alright, let’s go, Falco!

Noa adjusted her flight goggles and threw open the throttle. Her beloved Falco roared with the deep, throaty rumble of its miasma engine, rattling slightly as it sped across the stone rooftop.

For just such an emergency, the parapet on the north side of the Armory Tower had been removed, allowing Falco to build up speed and launch directly into the open air.

Hnnngh—

With a burst of determination, Noa pulled hard on the control stick with both hands.

The rear propeller’s roar climbed to a higher pitch as the aircraft, after dipping momentarily, tilted its nose upward and shot into the night sky.

—ngh!

Gaga glared out the side of the cockpit, watching the rapidly shrinking view of Gatland Royal Castle, farmlands glowing faintly in the starlight, the harbor, and the dark ocean beyond.

Below them, the burning ground stretched as far as the eye could see.

And above, three ominous ship silhouettes carved through the starry sky.

Gaga pointed at the silhouettes.

Toward Antares!

Noa turned her head, eyes narrowing as she found the constellation Antares, then confirmed the three silhouettes, their hulls shimmering with the seven colors of the Wogstock Effect as they soared through the night. She pushed the control stick to the side, tilting Falco’s nose into a sharp banking turn.

A series of flashes came from the ship silhouettes flying above the northern part of Gateaux Island. Burning cannonballs tore through the night sky like crimson claws, toward their destination: the Gatland Royal Castle. Not just cannon fire—jars and barrels with fuses attached were being dropped from the underbellies of the ships toward shipyards and warehouse clusters. Upon impact, the incendiaries ignited, setting the buildings ablaze.

Gaga could tell from the color of the flames.

They're using Apollo's Fire, those villains . . . !

The containers were packed with a deadly mixture of resin, turpentine oil, saltpeter, and distilled asphalt residue—a blend that, once ignited, could not be extinguished until it had burned out completely, even if doused with water. Wooden sailboats, of course, but even stone warehouse complexes would catch fire as their beams, joists, and stored cargo erupted in flames. Dropping Apollo's Fire from flying sailboats for indiscriminate bombing was one of the deadliest methods of attack.

The enemy aerial fleet, arranged in a vertical line of three vessels, was taking a spiral course centered on the Royal Castle, firing its cannons while gradually approaching the center of the vortex.

The crest flag hoisted on the forward diagonal mast of each ship was still hidden in the darkness, too far to make out. Which fleet could it be? Madoria? Ionia? Or perhaps . . . the Black Rose Knights?

Get closer until we can see their crest!

Shut up! It's dangerous to get too close!

The Falco's wings were merely fabric stretched over wooden joists, making them vulnerable to iron shrapnel shells. Noa increased altitude while turning the aircraft, maneuvering around toward the bow of the enemy flying sailboat, then approaching from above the front where the enemy's firepower was least effective.

Gaga leaned out from his seat, staring intently at the approaching silhouette of the ship.

It was a medium-sized flying sailboat, over thirty meters in length and about seven meters in width. A massive blue cocoon-shaped upper structure called a Floating Body suspended the lower hull, which specialized in bombardment capacity and cargo space.

The Floating Zone—also called the Sky Ocean—was a special atmospheric layer about twenty meters thick, completely encircling the planet at an altitude of five hundred meters. It provided buoyancy to the floating hull, whose Flying Stone structure reacted with the Wogstock Particles in this layer, creating a rainbow wake like a ship’s bow wave. The main sail rising from the top of the Floating Body caught the wind, allowing the enemy ship to glide through the air with a ghostly elegance. Reflecting the flames below on its underbelly and trailing prismatic splashes as it sailed through the starry sky, the sight was breathtakingly fantastical—but what it scattered was death and destruction. If this aerial fleet was left unchecked, Gateaux Island would be reduced to a smoldering wasteland.

Falco passed just thirty meters above the enemy flying sailboat.

The sails billowing from the six masts protruding from the Floating Body bore the crest of a black rose and sword. Upon recognizing it, Gaga bit his lip with a grimace.

The Black Rose Knights!

Six months ago, the Warriors of Juno had supposedly put their long-standing grudges to rest and reopened trade.

These knights of justice directly under the Sacred Juno Orthodox Church were now plainly betraying Gatland right before Gaga's eyes, indiscriminately slaughtering the kingdom's citizens!

This is beyond despicable, you villains!

Having flown past above the three ships, Gaga looked back and shouted his curse.

As if in response to his voice, more cannon fire thundered, and scorching cannonballs carved crimson claw marks across the night sky, landing one after another on the Royal Castle atop the hill.

Prince, the sea!

Noa suddenly cried out, and Gaga turned his gaze back to the front.

On the silver-dappled expanse of ocean illuminated by moonlight, a cluster of lights could be seen.

Squinting his eyes, he could make out a considerable number of large vessels in formation, sailing toward Gateaux Island.

He hadn't heard anything about a scheduled fleet docking tonight. If that was the case, this fleet could only be . . .

I need to confirm. Lower the altitude!

Noa pushed the control stick diagonally. The tip of the right wing pointed toward the sea, and the aircraft descended rapidly. Beyond the windshield, the enemy silhouettes grew larger and larger. This was clearly not a trading fleet but rather an invasion force, with battleships positioned at the front and sides. There were fast, maneuverable small galleys, galleasses with cannon rows arranged like porcupine quills all over their hulls, and large galley sailboats with long oars extending from both sides. The crest flag fluttering on the diagonal mast showed a black rose and sword.

They're planning to land?!

Behind the battleships followed a transport fleet centered around large merchant vessels. Their holds were undoubtedly packed not with trade goods but with fully armed soldiers and war horses. A naval fleet of over thirty vessels of various sizes was now advancing toward the Kingdom of Gatland!

So the Redcape rebellion was just bait to lure us away! The Black Rose Knights had this as their objective from the beginning!

The rebellion, led by Duke Callistratus, was likely orchestrated by Ilias, the leader of the Black Rose Knights. Under the pretext of suppressing the rebellion, they had gathered troops and assembled a fleet, but their true target had always been the Kingdom of Gatland.

If King Dada's aerial fleet didn't return now, soldiers armed with swords and armor would land, and the Gatland Royal Castle would be occupied. The soldiers and servants remaining at the castle, as well as the island's inhabitants—they would all fall victim!

Damn it, we have to stop them. I can't face my subjects if we just let this happen!

What? No way we can stop them. Falco doesn't have any weapons.

Grrrr . . .

Gaga growled while glaring at the enemy fleet. The Sacred Relic Falco was a marvel of flight, but it was unarmed—no cannons, no guns.

While they remained powerless to act, the three enemy airships had already begun bombing the urban districts of Gateaux Island.

From Falco, flying at an altitude of six hundred meters, they could see the burning Gateaux Island scorching the hem of the night sky and glowing red against the dark ocean. It felt as if the screams of panicking citizens and the frantic tolling of bells might reach them at any moment.

Gaga let out a low, animalistic growl.

I must stop this! What kind of first prince am I if I can't save my subjects?

But I have no means to stop them . . .

Just then, Leonardo, who was kneeling at the base of the left wing, poked Noa with his fingertip and silently pointed, not toward the naval fleet, but to the northeast.

Noa followed his gesture with her eyes.

Huh?

She tilted her head and looked in the direction he was pointing, then clapped her hands as an idea struck her.

That's it! Let's go to Redcape. Maybe the king hasn't even realized his own home is being bombed.

Redcape? Even if we go now, we won't have enough time . . . no, wait, but with Falco!

Gaga swallowed the reflexive objection rising in his throat and began to think.

Even with favorable winds, a sailing ship would take over three hours to reach Redcape, but Falco could make the trip in less than ten minutes—the time it takes to flip an hourglass twice. If they could reach the Gatland Aerial Fleet stationed at Redcape and alert them to the Black Rose Knights' betrayal, they could return together and destroy both the three airships and the naval fleet.

We must take advantage of Falco's speed now.

Falco can deliver urgent news far more quickly and reliably than any Gazelle messenger bird!

Not a bad plan.

For an idiot, that's an excellent idea! I'll adopt your plan, silly woman!

How about complimenting me properly for once?

Shut up and fly to Redcape!

As they bickered, Falco banked around, leaving the besieged Kingdom of Gatland behind as it raced toward their allied fleet, twenty kilometers away.

Forgive me. I'll return soon, please hold on, my subjects . . .

Gaga glanced back over his shoulder, his eyes fixed on the distant silhouette of Gateaux Island, now cloaked in orange flames. Shadows of enemy vessels, their hulls illuminated by the raging infernos below, traced rainbow-colored wakes as they closed in on the airspace directly above the royal castle.

Looking closer, he could see over a hundred aerial troops with gliding wings taking off from the airships. Their eerie, moth-like silhouettes were aimed directly at the main keep of the Gatland Royal Castle. Gliding down from an altitude of five hundred meters, these aerial troops could bypass the castle's outer walls and attack the inner keep without warning.

I'll be back soon—please escape for now!

All he could do was send silent prayers to the soldiers and servants still inside the castle, knowing he would never reach them. His only option now was to alert the allied fleet at Redcape as quickly as possible, then rush back to fight.

After watching the Kingdom of Gatland being swallowed by the darkness of night, Gaga turned his gaze forward. Ahead lay only the pitch-black starry sky and the dark sea, faintly reflecting the starlight. Staring at this scene, which seemed to foreshadow his own uncertain future, Gaga sank back into silent contemplation.

How did it come to this?

Since their victory over the Grape Sea Union in the Trident Strait Battle ten years ago, the Kingdom of Gatland had been the master of the Grape Sea, dominating both sky and sea with their powerful fleet. The Black Rose Knights, on the other hand, had been steadily declining in the decade since their defeat. Just six months ago, they had complied with Gatland's Chancellor Yoshiharu Nanahara's demands and sent Ilias's beloved daughter Artemisia as a Royal Ward—essentially a hostage—which had finally enabled them to resume trade with the Kingdom of Gatland.

Yet the Black Rose Knights, who were supposed to have mended their relationship with Gatland, had reversed course after just half a year and launched this large-scale invasion. Even if they managed to occupy Gateaux Island temporarily, they must have known it would be recaptured once the Gatland Fleet returned from Redcape.

Do they truly not care what happens to their hostage . . . ?

Once Gateaux Island was retaken by the Kingdom of Gatland, Artemisia would almost certainly be executed. The thought of her fate—a girl so delicate and beautiful that she had earned the title Jewel of the Grape Sea—made Gaga's chest tighten.

Despite being a hostage, Artemisia had become like family to them. Gaga had even given her private tours of the city. Unlike Noa, she spoke with refined language and had a modest, reserved personality, with an occasional smile that was truly enchanting. Gaga couldn't comprehend the obsession that drove Ilias, the leader of the Black Rose Knights, to sacrifice such a beautiful daughter in his quest to overthrow the Kingdom of Gatland.

To sacrifice an innocent daughter as a pawn for his own ambitions.

Have you lost your mind, Ilias? May you regret your foolishness in hell!

With seething rage reflected in his eyes, Gaga flew straight toward Redcape.

Through the starry sky ahead, he could almost see the sad smile Artemisia had shown when they first met six months ago.

Without realizing it, Gaga's thoughts had drifted back to when he first met her.

Yes, that's right. He had met Artemisia when she was sent to them, together with the Second Prince Toto and the Second Princess Lulu on the pier at Gatland Airport.

Thinking back, perhaps Ilias, the Knight Commander of the Black Rose Knights, had already set his schemes in motion at that very moment . . .

Now then, let's all practice our smiles together! First impressions are important, you know. Are you ready? One, two . . . smile!

At the command of Lulu Gatland, the Second Princess of the Kingdom of Gatland, the Second Prince Toto Gatland responded with the biggest smile he could muster.

Okay! Toto, you're adorable! One hundred and twenty points!

Lulu beamed with a radiant smile, her cat ears twitching playfully as she embraced her cute brother, rubbing her cheek against his. With her silk petticoat and lace-trimmed skirt, a bodice that accentuated her ample chest adorned with floral decorations, and gold ornaments on her hair clips, shoes, and gloves, Lulu appeared more mature than her eighteen years.

Stop that. I'm not a child anymore.

Even as his sister nuzzled him, Toto managed a playful protest, smiling despite himself. He wore a red outer coat with a white cat emblem embroidered on the back, a white silk shirt underneath, velvet trousers, and a leather sword belt holding a slender rapier. Though sixteen, his smile still retained a hint of childlike innocence.

And Gaga, you get zero points.

Suddenly composing her expression, Lulu coldly rebuked the first prince, Gaga Gatland.

Dressed in the same ceremonial attire as Toto, with a sword belt carrying an oversized double-edged blade that nearly dragged on the ground, Gaga stood with his arms folded, staring straight ahead at the airspace before them. With his stern expression, he didn't even glance at his sister and brother, his cat ears pointing straight up toward the sky.

Ridiculous. Why should we fawn over the daughter of the Black Rose?

Nobody said anything about fawning. I'm saying we should welcome her as a new family member.

Artemisia is His Majesty's Royal Ward—a hostage, in other words. There's no reason for royalty to pander to a hostage.

Lulu responded to Gaga's resolute statement with a deep sigh. This particular brother, about to turn twenty, only cared about his own thoughts and refused to accept others' opinions.

The three royals—Gaga, Lulu, and Toto—stood together on the pier of Gatland Airport, built on a mountainside at an altitude of five hundred meters, looking out at the distant blue sky as the wind blew around them.

The approaching flying sailboat with its black sails had been visible for some time now. Unlike waterborne vessels, which first reveal their masts before the hull gradually emerges, flying sailboats first appear as mere dots in the blue haze, slowly growing in size until their silhouettes become clear.

Lulu's face showed obvious disgust as she spoke.

Why do you always have to say such mean things? Geez! Toto, at least you should be nice to Artemisia, okay? It would be embarrassing for our entire species if she thought all Mienians were as stubborn as Gaga. Mienians are supposed to be energetic, friendly, and playful in the sunshine together! Right, Totooooo?

In response to Lulu, who was deliberately asking loudly enough for First Prince Gaga to hear, Toto perked up the cat ears protruding from his golden curls, lit up sparkling stars in his crimson eyes, and returned a genuine smile.

I'm happy to have a new sister. Our parents might be enemies, but I believe we can become friends. If humans and Mienians are to live together in harmony, it starts with us becoming friends with Artemisia.

With a soft whimper, Lulu took Toto's head in both hands and squeezed it tightly against her chest.

Such a good boy! So adorable!

. . . Mmmph! Mmmmph!

Gaga, minus thirty points! Toto, one hundred and eighty points for you! Oh my goodness, how can there be such a huge difference in cuteness between brothers?!

Toto barely managed to pry his sister's arms away, gasping for air. Lulu's affection could sometimes be overwhelming.

Gaga glared at Lulu with one eye, displeased.

You've read too many fairy tales. There's no way humans and Mienians can live happily together. Artemisia's arrival here is likely a trap set by Ilias. Be on your guard at all times.

Lulu's expression grew even more disgusted, and she addressed Toto in a coaxing, cat-like voice, seemingly just to spite Gaga.

Ugh, seriously, what era are you living in? It's that kind of old-fashioned thinking that keeps these pointless conflicts going on forever. Let's be friends with Artemisia, okay, Toto? If we royals don't set an example by becoming friends with humans first, the citizens won't be able to get along with them either, right?

Hearing this, Toto returned a smile.

I agree. Let's prove that humans and Mienians can become friends, starting with us.

Gaga coldly observed their exchange and gave a single derisive snort.

We're already close enough to see each other. Stop fooling around or they'll look down on us.

A gust of wind rushed up the mountainside, passing through the gaps between the fifteen retainers standing behind them. The banners atop their spears fluttered, making the white cats emblazoned on them seem to leap in unison. Gaga, Lulu, and Toto ceased their playfulness, straightened their postures, and gazed at the approaching medium-sized flying galley of the Black Rose Knights, now close enough that the figurehead of Saint Juno could be clearly seen.

The emblem flag on the forward mast displayed a black rose and sword at the center of a black background with gold thread trim.

By estimation, it was thirty meters long and seven meters wide. From the shape of the main sail on the upper part of the floating body, it was recognizable as the Demistri, flagship of the Black Rose Aerial Fleet.

It's an impressive ship. The Floating Body is large too.

In response to Toto's words, Gaga snorted.

It doesn't even compare to our flying battleship Vera Clara. The number of cannons, the size and sturdiness of the hull, the ornamentation of the decks—we surpass them in every way.

Gaga clearly couldn't resist comparing the might of the Kingdom of Gatland to that of the Black Rose Knights. Despite the fact that today marked the start of a new chapter—one where their long-standing rivalry would give way to an alliance through Artemisia's presence—he remained tense and competitive. Toto, sensing the futility of this attitude, merely nodded along while his eyes roamed over the elaborate carvings adorning the approaching flying sailboat's lower deck, stern, and bow. The vessel, decorated with intricate patterns of roses, vines, and ancient deities, featured a spindle-shaped hull split into three layers. Even from this distance, Toto counted at least twenty closed gun ports along the port side. In battle, those ports would likely open to reveal the dark, gleaming barrels of fifteen-centimeter cannons.

The sailors at the airport had already begun preparations for docking.

The ship slowed its approach as the dock workers secured multiple grappling hooks to its hull. Unlike waterborne vessels that could simply drop anchor, flying sailboats required wool-stuffed fenders to be wedged between the pier and the hull to prevent damage upon contact. Ropes were then used to secure and stabilize the ship.

Experienced sailors from both the ship and the airport worked with practiced efficiency. Soon, a wooden gangway connected the pier to the vessel, and orchestra members lined up along the dock began to play. As if choreographed to the elegant melody, an extraordinarily large knight lumbered into view from the flying sailboat's upper deck and began to descend the gangway.

Toto worried the gangway might collapse under the weight. The knight's body was that massive.

The knight stood nearly two-and-a-half meters tall, and even from a distance, it was clear this was no human.

. . . ?!

The retainers murmured in astonishment. Likewise, Gaga, Lulu, and Toto showed slight surprise on their faces as they gazed at the otherworldly knight who had just stepped onto the pier.

A jet-black mantle trimmed with gold thread covered his entire body. On his back was the emblem of a black rose and sword. In one hand, he gripped a halberd whose blade—consisting of a spear as tall as a child and an axe head as large as a person's head—was sheathed in leather. The oversized blade was long enough to cut down two or three people at once in the chaos of battle.

Despite his broad shoulders, his body, visible through gaps in the cloak, seemed slender for his height. His limbs were unnaturally long, and his slight forward-leaning gait only added to his unsettling presence. And he wore no armor—striped jet-black fur covered his entire body, with a long, bushy tail protruding from a slit in his mantle.

Most strange was his face, covered in pitch-black fur. While Toto and other Mienians differed from humans only by the cat ears on their heads, this creature shared only two traits with humans: grasping things with his arms and walking on two legs. In all other ways, he was practically a wolf. His snout was elongated, with long fangs protruding from his poorly aligned upper and lower jaws. His pointed beast ears stood erect from his tangled brown hair, and through gaps in his hanging locks gleamed fierce, golden eyes.

A werewolf . . .

Toto whispered. He had heard rumors of half-human, half-beast races inhabiting the vast wastelands governed by the Jamkaja tribe to the east of the Grape Sea, but this was his first time seeing one.

Without him realizing it, Toto's hair stood on end.

Despite being a skilled swordsman, regarded as the fifth-ranked blade in the Kingdom of Gatland by his own instructor, Toto couldn't envision how to face this werewolf. To defeat it with his rapier, he would need to close in and target its legs, but approaching would likely invite attacks from fangs and claws. Judging by the beast-like structure of its legs, it would likely be as swift as it was powerful, despite its towering frame.

S-Scary . . . Is that thing going to live with Artemisia too?

Fear tinged Lulu's words. No one could blame her—there was something profoundly unsettling about the raw, murderous intent radiating from the creature.

Artemisia isn't permitted to bring possessions, clothing, or ladies-in-waiting into the kingdom. King Dada only authorized one Dedicated Knight to accompany her. And that monster is what they chose.

Beyond Gaga's cold voice, the werewolf planted the butt of its halberd on the ground and stood at attention beside the pier.

The air grew heavy, a palpable wave of aggression rolling over the assembled reception party, momentarily rooting them in place.

Then, a sudden, almost ethereal shift washed over the pier. A girl appeared on the upper deck, stepping lightly onto the gangway. Her very presence seemed to dispel the oppressive aura.

. . .

Once again, gasps rose from among the retainers, and the three royals—Gaga, Toto, and Lulu—likewise felt the shift in atmosphere on their skin.

Artemisia, the eldest daughter of Black Rose Knights' leader Ilias, descended gracefully.

Her waist-length silver hair shimmered in the light. Purple-black eyes beneath long eyelashes, carrying a hint of melancholy. A silver bodice, silver skirt, and slender legs extending from a silver hoop skirt reinforced with whalebone, ending in silver ankle boots. Only the rose at her collar, her hair ornament, and the embroidery at her hem were black—the rest was a pristine, unblemished silver.

Upon reaching the pier, Artemisia turned to face Gaga, Lulu, and Toto, lifting the hem of her skirt with both hands and drawing her left foot back in a flawless, courtly curtsy. Gaga and Toto returned the gesture, placing their right hands across their chests and bowing their heads, while Lulu responded with a matching curtsy, her expression caught between awe and curiosity.

For a brief, heart-stopping moment, Artemisia's violet eyes met Toto's.

In that instant, the air around him felt charged, his pulse quickening as if an electric current had surged through his body.

His dazed thoughts whispered that her title, Jewel of the Grape Sea, felt somehow inadequate—perhaps Jewel of the Northern Continent or Jewel of the World seemed more fitting.

Artemisia lowered her gaze slightly, her tense expression softening as she looked away.

Toto could feel his own heart pulsing.

This girl is going to be my sister from today on . . .

Just thinking about it made his chest flutter, his heart racing of its own accord.

Following behind Artemisia, a nobleman and two retainers who had accompanied her as representatives of Knight Commander Ilias stepped onto the pier. They bent their knees in a formal, silent greeting to Gaga and the others before offering words of introduction. One of the retainers held up the same portrait of Artemisia that had been sent to the Kingdom of Gatland in advance, while the nobleman formally declared that this was indeed Artemisia herself, delivering a lengthy speech extolling her noble lineage. But none of this registered in Toto's ears—his thoughts were still captivated by the image of Artemisia's violet eyes.

The representative of the Gatland King, who had been waiting there since earlier, stepped forward to introduce the First Prince Gaga, the Second Prince Toto, and the Second Princess Lulu to Artemisia, then apologizing that First Princess Shusu could not be present today due to an illness.

With the formalities complete, Artemisia boarded the waiting carriage. The Black Rose Knights' nobleman, his two retainers, and the towering werewolf knight formed a protective escort around the vehicle. Second Princess Lulu, her face bright with a wide, welcoming smile, climbed into the same carriage as Artemisia, eager to serve as her traveling companion.

Gaga and Toto mounted their horses and moved to the front of the carriage to serve as guides.

Toto rode alongside Gaga and glanced back at the two-horse carriage following behind them. Though he couldn't see inside, he was certain Lulu was talking to Artemisia in her usual bright manner. He could tell from Lulu's radiantly sparkling smile that she had taken an immediate liking to Artemisia.

Toto's heart had been pounding non-stop since Artemisia had appeared.

What is this feeling? I'm so excited . . .

From now on, every day is going to be fun.

Without realizing it, Toto found himself thinking such things. At the upcoming banquet, he would have a chance to talk with Artemisia. He wondered what kind of voice his unexpected new sister would have, what she would talk about, and what would she look like when she smiled.

Inside the carriage, Lulu sat across from Artemisia, smiling cheerfully as she spoke to her.

She praised Artemisia's appearance, the rose embroidery adorning her skirt hem, her refined fashionable bodice, and her splendid figure, then asked a question.

Hey, can I call you Misha?

Hearing this, Artemisia looked slightly puzzled.

Misha . . . Is that a nickname for me?

Oh, is it not okay after all? I was just wondering what I should call you . . .

In response to Lulu's somewhat flustered explanation, Artemisia awkwardly smiled with just her lips.

Misha . . . It has a lovely sound. It resembles Mienian.

Oh, you approve? Yay! It's easy to say too, right, Misha?

As Lulu rejoiced innocently, Artemisia posed a question of her own.

Um . . . how should I address you, Your Highness?

You don't need any of that Your Highness stuff! Just Lulu is fine. Or better yet, big sister!

At those words, Artemisia was momentarily speechless.

That would be . . . far too disrespectful.

Huh? Why? We're family, aren't we?

As Lulu asked with genuine confusion, Artemisia uncomfortably averted her gaze.

Um . . . I am His Majesty King Dada's Royal Ward . . . I was sent here to be executed if ever the Black Rose Knights defied the Kingdom of Gatland. I am effectively a hostage. Someone like me could never presume to call Your Highness big sister . . .

Ah . . .

Lulu let out a sad sigh, crossed her arms in thought, then lifted her face with a serious expression.

None of us siblings think of you that way at all.

. . .

I'm truly happy to have a new sister. Shushu, our eldest sister, isn't here today, but she's really excited too. There might be all sorts of adult complications, but I think we can get along regardless of all that. So I want you to stop thinking of yourself as a hostage and stand proud as a royal of the Kingdom of Gatland.

Lulu's words were sincere.

Artemisia's deep violet eyes flickered uncertainly as she listened.

Um . . . I've never dared to entertain such presumptuous thoughts . . .

As Artemisia lowered her gaze and barely managed to string those words together, Lulu hurriedly put on a smile.

Oh, I'm sorry. Maybe I'm rushing things a bit. It must be confusing to suddenly hear something like this, since we've been enemies for so long. But it's true that's how we siblings feel. I'd be happy if you could get comfortable with us at your own pace.

Ah, no, um . . . I don't have any siblings and have never played with children my own age. I may not respond appropriately in many situations, but I'll do my best to avoid any disrespect . . .

Lulu responded to Artemisia's awkward manner with a troubled smile and tried to steer the conversation toward more casual topics.

The carriage descended a winding mountain path enclosed by a canopy of trees, until eventually the mountain valley opened up. Lulu turned around and pointed outside the window toward the peak of the mountain they had just come down from.

Look, Misha. That's the Demon King's Tower.

Artemisia raised her violet eyes in the direction Lulu pointed at.

A U-shaped, pitch-black tower jutted out from the green mountain ridge, its dark form sharply contrasting against the lush surroundings. A flock of birds took flight from the sea of trees, circling the tower once before vanishing into the blue sky beyond.

. . .

Artemisia held her breath as she gazed at the distant tower. It was the remnant of a nightmare known to every living being in this world.

Fifteen hundred years ago, Demon King Lucifer descended upon that tower.

Monsters born from Lucifer spilled out into the world, causing civilizations worldwide to vanish. The Great Tribe of the Eight, who originally inhabited Gateaux Island, were also destroyed by Lucifer, and the cat-eared tribe, who had been Lucifer's followers, became the new rulers of the island. Even after Demon King Lucifer was defeated by the hero Yatsumata, the Mienians escaped persecution and survived, and now under King Dada's reign, they flourish as the dominant power in the Grape Sea.

You probably know this, but we cat-eared folk were originally monsters that came from that tower. That's why some people call Mienians demon folk, but only a tiny fraction of Mienians still worship Lucifer these days. We're not enemies with the Great Tribe of the Eight anymore either, and the Chancellor of Gatland is from the Great Tribe of the Eight. We want to live together with humans.

Lulu said this while glancing sideways at Artemisia, as if gauging her reaction.

Artemisia gazed at the ominous tower in the distance, her expression becoming serious.

Any human who still believes Mienians are demon folk must be severely lacking in intelligence and education. History proves that Mienians have never favored conflict and have always resolved problems through negotiation. Even the current prosperity of the Kingdom of Gatland comes from trade, not war. Mienians have demonstrated through their actions that national prosperity is possible without resorting to violence.

Receiving these words delivered in one breath, Lulu thought she must have practiced them. She had probably been taught how to speak before her departure to avoid unnecessary conflict. Artemisia knew the right words to survive among Mienians.

Lulu smiled warmly.

Thank you. I know many humans dislike us, but I also know there are plenty of good humans too. You're a very good person, Misha.

After expressing her thanks, she playfully wiggled her cat ears from side to side. Human prejudice against Mienians ran deep, and it was said that some members of the Great Tribe of the Eight still harbored resentment from being driven from their homeland fifteen hundred years ago, making the extinction of Mienians their lifelong mission.

Let's visit the Demon King's Tower sometime. There are Miasma Ore veins underground, and sometimes Sacred Relics are found there—Engine Relics, Mechanical Soldiers, and the like . . . Oh, look, an airplane!

Lulu pointed to the northern sky.

Following her gaze, Artemisia saw a winged craft soaring through the blue sky, trailing a white line as it flew.

The engine sound was audible even inside the carriage.

Artemisia had also heard rumors about the airplane possessed by the Kingdom of Gatland. Supposedly, First Prince Gaga had paid high salaries to employ pilots and mechanics with specialized skills. It was said that the aircraft could fly well above the Floating Zone, travel much faster than high-speed galley ships, ascend and descend freely, and land anywhere with flat ground.

Is that an airplane? It can fly so high.

Its name is Falco. Among Sacred Relics, Engine Relics are especially valuable, and the one installed in Falco is said to be exceptional. Only Noa and Leonardo, who are flying it right now, know how to maintain it.

The biplane began a slow, sweeping turn, its silhouette slipping behind the mountains as its engine sound echoed faintly across the valley. Lulu and Artemisia returned their attention to the road ahead. On either side, thatched-roof cottages began to appear, and Mienians wearing hats with ear holes trudged along, carrying bundles of brush and straw twice their height on their backs.

Oh, the royal castle is coming into view.

In the direction Lulu pointed, beyond the gently undulating green plains, massive walls were built on terraced land. A magnificent main keep towered at the highest point of the terrace, and from there, towers, churches, enclosure walls, and clusters of red-roofed residences densely packed together stretched down to the base of the terrace, meeting the extensive outer walls.

The buildings, uniformly white with red roofs, made the entire fortress look like a white canvas overlaid with horizontal red stripes and scattered red polka dots. Though it appeared peaceful at first glance, a closer look revealed rows of artillery strategically positioned along the terraces, while massive gate towers and bastions stood at the corners of the outer walls. An assault on this stronghold would likely be met with a devastating barrage of cannon fire, the sky filling with blazing projectiles, the air thick with the roar of guns. Truly, the Gatland Royal Castle was a fortress city built to be impregnable.

What an impressive town. The walls are so high and expansive.

Thanks to Dr. Wogstock, castle walls have become meaningless. But our aerial fleet has become our new wall, protecting this island.

Eighty years ago, Dr. Iguis Wogstock discovered the mysterious Wogstock Particles, ushering in the age of flying sailboats. The rise of these airborne vessels had rendered traditional castle walls largely obsolete. Now, the Great Powers of the Grape Sea clashed over airspace rich in Flying Stones and forests filled with ancient trees—resources critical for building more flying ships.

The Gatland Aerial Fleet is the strongest in the world. Only fools who don't know their place would dare lay hands on this island.

Lulu received Artemisia's smoothly delivered praise with a smile. She knew it was flattery and understood that the city-states of the Grape Sea, beginning with the Black Rose Knights, could potentially form an alliance to challenge the Gatland Aerial Fleet at the first sign of weakness.

You must be frightened inside, Misha, being forced to join the demon folk.

But I want you to understand. The Mienians aren't dangerous.

Lulu harbored a quiet hope that by living among the Mienians on this island, Artemisia might someday become a bridge between humans and Mienians. It might be a naive dream, but Lulu believed that ending the centuries-old conflicts in the Grape Sea required someone who could influence both sides. As a current member of the Gatland royal family, Artemisia could become that bridge for peaceful coexistence.

The Gatland Royal Castle, with its white, red, and indigo walls, drew closer. Townspeople and farmers who noticed Artemisia approached, removing their hats and wiggling their protruding cat ears in a gesture of welcome. Lulu did the same, smiling and wiggling her cat ears in response, while Artemisia, lacking cat ears of her own, waved back from the carriage window.

At the edge of Artemisia's vision, the Falco biplane appeared again. It had been circling the island, likely patrolling for suspicious airships in Gatland's airspace. Being so small and fast, it was perfect for reconnaissance missions. As long as that plane existed, the area within thirty kilometers of the Kingdom of Gatland remained under constant surveillance, making surprise attacks by the Great Powers of the Grape Sea nearly impossible.

The Falco spread its wings leisurely and descended toward the mountaintop, near the Demon King's Tower.

. . .

Artemisia captured the silhouette of the Falco in her purple-black eyes, then silently turned her gaze forward again.

The carriage was about to pass through the first gate tower leading to the Royal Keep.