After a long discussion and hurried preparation in the morning, the sun hung above the land. Its cast a warmth golden light over the line-up the knights, their silvery armor gleaming as they stood in formation, waiting for further instruction.
Ryan and Marina, who wore their adventure outfit and thick brown coats, which collected dust in their storage, fluttered by the passing cold breeze.
"Ryan and Marina".
Both turned to the source and found Duke Sullivan, his face darkened with slumped shoulders.
Beside him, a beautiful woman with mature and elegant air stood poised, looking at them. She had silvery hair that cascaded down her back and was wearing a simple white outfit for an outing, with her face hardened and shrank pupils.
"Sir and Lady Midnight, please save our daughter, I beg of you".
The woman bowed her head, her frame trembling in anxiety, after knowing her daughter was stranded in the faraway land without proper preparation.
"We will Lady Celia".
Ryan replied as he stepped forward, his gaze firm with a deep nod and looked toward Duke Sullivan with a frown.
"Thank you, thank you". Celia straightened her posture, but her feet turned soft as she swayed.
Duke Sullivan acts quickly by catching the woman in his hands, leaning her weary body close to his chest as she stifles a sob.
After finding out the news of the disappearance of her daughter, Celia hurriedly ditched all of her appointments and schedule for the day and rode a carriage toward the castle.
Initially, the Duke had no plan to reveal it, but if the matter was kept hidden and worse things happened, he couldn't imagine what would happen to his wife's well-being. Not only did the woman have a weak constitution, but she also had a fragile heart, mirroring that of her daughter.
"Everyone seemed present".
A dignified voice broke the tension in the place. The King walked unwavered under the gaze of others. With a swept motion from his sharpened gaze, he turned to Ryan.
"Ryan Midnight and Marina Midnight led the expedition and came back safely with your son and Silvia".
"Very well".
"Understood, Your Majesty".
Marina, whose expression hardened for being unable to rest her mind, curtly replied toward the King, while Ryan reached out his chest and bowed his head slightly.
Ryan shifted his position sideways and saw the King walk past him with brows knitted in a frown.
"Alright, all of you listen!". The King's thunderous roar shook the place.
The knight's face stiffened hearing the oppressive sound of the King that carried within bitter anger and weight that chained them down.
"Make sure you listen to these two who have experience facing the unknown. I implore you to give the best support you can and search for the missing person you have been told about. You understand."
Instead of a reply, a loud bang reverberated across the place from the knight who pounced their own armour's chest.
"Good. Be sure to come back safely, and I will give you a reward".
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Another loud bang from steel clashing and a spirited reply raised the morale in the area.
"Father".
A clear bell-like voice rang out from behind Ryan, coming from Princess Lucya, who arrived with an older woman wearing a robe, but her posture was straight. She seemed an unfathomable elder for how deep and mysterious her appearance was.
"Lucya and I assume you are the person who always lends my daughter a grimoire".
"Oh, Don't mind it, My King. Seeing a youngster visiting these old bones gave me relief. Pardon me for my speech."
"Don't mind it, I do not mind at all. Truly, thank you for everything".
The older woman raised her rough, wrinkled hand. She stepped forward and looked sideways, not seeing the transportation.
"Where is the airship?".
"Oh, Granny, the truth is…".
Lucya hopped to Granny's side, and at the same time, huge shadows loomed above them. It darkened the place as huge machinery floated above.
"It came".
Lucya lifted her gaze and witnessed the Leviathan hovering above. Its massive body was shaped like an enormous elongated balloon painted in white and gold, shimmering under the sunlight.
Beneath the colossal balloon, a wooden structure built like the body of a boat, its black windows glittering under the dim shadows.
Four propulsion fins made from reinforced mithril extended on each corner of the airship, spinning furiously as the things descended.
A gust of violent wind howled around the castle's back area, but the people present stood still, their eyes fixed firmly on the mission they had been tasked with.
"How about it, Granny? Think you can do it?".
Lucya's carefree voice broke the silence that hung in the place as she turned to the Granny.
"Huff, I already promised so". The woman exhaled, and with a flick of her hand, a long staff emerged from the empty air.
She grasped it tight, and the grey magic circle spread like wildfire beneath their feet.
"Lucya, here".
Lucya flinched, seeing Granny throw a fist-sized mana stone at her. She jolted in reflexes and caught it in her hands.
"What is this?". The girl tilted her head and shifted her attention toward the woman.
"Your way home".
When those words escaped the Granny, everyone else gasped at how generous the woman had been in her help throughout this disastrous event. The King's face hardened, carving this goodwill deep in his heart, and he swore to repay it later.
Ryan and Marina, too, gaze at the mana stone and toward the older woman, bowing their heads in gratitude.
Lucya tightly gripped the grey stone in hand and walked toward her father, facing him head-on.
Both parties probe each other's eyes, seeking an ultimate explanation for this abrupt idea of following the steps in search.
However, unintentionally, the King exhaled sharply and grasped his daughter's shoulders tight. He knew deeply at this time how stubborn his daughter could be if she had already decided something.
"Make sure you follow the adult instructions".
"Very well, father".
They close the distance in light hugs before detaching herself and following Ryan's step, and the other riding the airship.
Lucya gulped her saliva. She lifted her gaze and saw the two legendary adventurers, who had slain a dragon with only their parties.
Her heart pounded loudly inside her chest, and blood rushed to her brain, intoxicating her with excitement about exploring the foreign land and enjoying the thrill of the unknown.
As a princess, this thought was unmistakably frowned upon by many, especially among her peers, who viewed her as a kind and graceful lady of a nation.
However, as her elder brother claimed the succession of the throne, her elder sister, who held massive power in the political structure, willingly forsake her freedom for the country's sake, so there is nothing that can chain Lucya more than that.
After receiving her talent, she gained recognition as a genius through her effort and growth by reading many tales of adventurous books.
Lucya yearns for freedom more than anything.
They ascended the stairs from the airship. Once they boarded, the interior looked simple, with a vast space and several crews working to move the ship under the command of the King.
Lucya stepped back from the group and faced one of the windows, showing the image of her composed father. His fists clenched tight, making her loosened her lips and muttered, "Don't worry, father. I'm going to be okay".
On the other hand, seeing them board the airship, the stair lifted up as it closed the opening that acted as a door, and a roaring engine spun the propeller, creating a vortex that blew away the environment.
'Is it time? ' As the airship gained altitude, the magic circle beneath began to glow silvery white, and the Granny muttered under her breath, 'Hermes, you better not mess with me.'
The woman struck the staff tips and let the circle shine. It shot a beam toward the airship before swallowing it whole and disappearing from everyone else's sight.
Left behind by the lingering reality that stuck like a leech gnawing at their minds, the King, Duke and his wife closed their eyes in deep prayer, wishing that the expedition would succeed.
***
In one of the bustling places in town, the laughter of people and the scent of alcohol mingled in the room, even though it was midday, becoming an everyday occurrence.
Men with flushed cheeks and his buddies exchange silly jokes, and others eat slowly and savour their lunch.
Hidden in the corner, a single person draped in black robes was sitting casually while looking outside the window, not touching the food served on the round table.
'That magic!?'. Her thin brows arched up as her moist lips curled in smiles, 'So, they managed to send a reinforcement at least'.
A faint reflection from the glass revealed a woman's face smirking in amused behaviour, thinking just how thrilled she was to see the Duke wallowing in despair, seeing his deceased daughter frozen like a statue.
Her delicate hand touched the wooden cup and brought the ale to moisten her dried throat. Her brows knitted in a deep frown. 'Ugh, disgusting!'
She slammed the cup and let out a sultry exhale that roused the attention of men near her.
As she rested her cheek on her hand, two bulky men wearing adventurous outfits, their faces flushed pink and reeking of alcohol, approached.
"Hey, woman, do you mind?".
"Are you alone?".
From their nasty grin and brains rotten by the lust, both leaned forward, trying to peek through the woman's appearance.
'Huff, might as well have some fun with them'. She shifted her gaze toward the men, prompting them to jolt with widened eyes, seeing her sculpture's beautiful face.
Her black eyes swirled eerily locked onto the men, and she traced her delicate finger across her lower lips with a sexy moan.
"...Shall we change places?".