Chapter 55 – The Naga Pirate

The sea is calm when we approach Sea Serpent territory.

Too calm.

Their ships don’t circle aggressively.

They don’t fire warning shots.

They don’t scream threats.

They… organize.

Dockworkers move in synchronized lines. Cargo is logged. Crates are sealed with wax stamps.

“These are pirates?” I mutter. “Or a maritime corporation?”

Our ship docks smoothly.

The moment our boots touch their pier—

“Welcome!!”

A Sea Serpent pirate greets us with a polite bow.

A bow.

Eira bursts out laughing.

“Arr… still the refined type, aren’t ya? Bit o’ polish on yer spyglass, clean shirt for the capstan… no harm in that, matey!”

The Sea Serpent pirate smiles calmly.

“Professionalism ensures profit.”

“…Yeah,” I whisper. “Definitely corporate piracy.”

Luna elbows me.

“Focus.”

We’re escorted through their territory.

Mermaids glide through canals built into the stone docks.

Mermen oversee cargo manifests.

Kobolds haul sealed treasure chests.

Beastmen guard the corridors with spears that gleam like ceremonial pieces.

No humans.

Not one.

The deeper we walk—

The more regal it becomes.

Marble pillars.

Gold-lined railings.

Treasure displayed not as chaos—

But curated.

Like a museum of conquest.

“This isn’t a pirate base,” I whisper.

“It’s a kingdom.”

The Confrontation

The doors open.

And Seraphina moves first.

“You!!”

Her voice cracks through the chamber.

At the far end—

Reclining lazily upon an elevated platform—

A Naga woman exhales a thin stream of smoke from a slender pipe.

Elegant.

Poised.

Her emerald scales shimmer under lantern light.

Her attire is refined—silk, jewels, delicate chains.

Revealing.

Very revealing.

Too revealing.

“Randy.”

Luna’s voice is low.

Dangerously low.

“…I’m looking respectfully.”

“You stopped blinking.”

“I’m observing culture.”

She steps on my foot.

Hard.

The Naga woman smiles faintly.

“Ah… one of my clan,” she says smoothly. “Aren’t you familiar to see…”

Seraphina’s eyes burn.

“How?”

The Naga tilts her head slightly.

“Aren’t you one of the Vipernox of Sundara nation? Interesting.”

The room grows tense.

Seraphina steps forward.

“How did you survive?”

The Naga chuckles softly.

“Survive? I escaped.”

She takes another drag from her pipe.

“A merchant mind never lets herself go to battle to the death.”

Her golden eyes narrow slightly.

“That is the Vipernox way.”

Seraphina clenches her fists.

“You abandoned them.”

“No,” the Naga corrects calmly. “I preserved myself.”

The tension spikes.

Mana subtly gathers around Seraphina’s fingertips.

Elowen quickly steps in.

“Seraphina, let’s stop here. I’m Elowen, and this is—”

“Nu Wa the Pirate King,” the Naga interrupts gracefully.

Her gaze shifts smoothly across the room.

“How acquainted.”

She gestures lightly with her pipe.

“Even Tikka of the Vorpal Beards.”

“And now Lockbolt of the Sea Wolves.”

Her eyes sharpen.

“But what about Garnet of the Drowned Mermaids?”

Silence.

Nu Wa steps forward calmly, coat fluttering slightly in the sea breeze drifting through the open hall.

“Arr, she said it herself, she did,” he says evenly. “Said we’ll be seein’ her again once we convene the Brethren Court.”

His hand rests casually on the hilt of his blade.

Not threatening.

But not relaxed either.

“Best keep a weather eye open, matey. That’s a meetin’ I wouldn’t want to miss.”

Salacia Azure exhales a thin ribbon of smoke.

It coils upward like a serpent before dissolving.

“I see…”

Her golden eyes narrow ever so slightly.

Not surprised.

Expecting it.

“Very well. Remember the last meeting as usual…” she says softly. “We wanted business. An accord.”

The word accord lingers in the air like a blade between ribs.

“Got it,” she finishes.

Nu Wa gives a slight nod.

“Aye… nothing but pirate business, it seems.”

For a moment, the tension relaxes.

For a moment.

Then—

Salacia begins to slither forward.

Her tail glides across marble with a smooth hiss.

Every movement elegant.

Controlled.

Predatory.

She stops directly in front of Seraphina.

“You have your mother’s look,” Salacia says gently.

Her gaze sharpens.

“Which is terrifying.”

Seraphina’s breath catches.

“Is that so…?” she mutters, looking down. “But… I’m not Mother.”

There’s uncertainty there.

Doubt.

Salacia leans closer.

“Looks can be inherited,” she murmurs. “But what about the heart?”

She lifts one elegant hand and lightly taps her own chest.

Right between—

Okay.

That is very—

She literally presses her own chest as if examining it like a professional physician.

“—the core,” she finishes calmly.

My brain: malfunctioning.

What the hell am I looking at—

“Randy.”

Luna is smiling.

Oh no.

Before I can even blink—

STOMP.

Light speed.

Invisible to everyone else.

But my soul feels it.

I jump.

Straight up.

“GYAH—?!”

Everyone looks at me.

“I— I stepped on… marble! Slippery marble! Very dangerous architecture!”

Salacia’s eyes flick toward me briefly.

Amused.

Luna steps forward smoothly, completely composed.

As if she didn’t just nearly shatter my foot bones.

“May I ask something, Lady Salacia?”

Her tone is polite.

Too polite.

Salacia’s gaze shifts.

“Oh?”

Luna’s eyes sharpen.

“Why did the Demon Lords not attack you?”

The hall goes silent.

Completely silent.

Even the sound of waves outside seems to fade.

Seraphina stiffens.

Elowen’s expression tightens.

Nu Wa’s fingers subtly press harder against her blade.

That was not a small question.

That was a dagger wrapped in silk.

Salacia does not answer immediately.

She inhales slowly from her pipe.

Smoke fills her lungs.

Then she exhales.

“Straightforward,” she says calmly.

Her eyes meet Luna’s.

“You are not afraid of answers, are you?”

“I prefer clarity,” Luna replies.

Their gazes lock.

Sharp.

Intelligent.

Two strategists measuring each other.

Salacia’s smile curves slightly.

“The Demon Lords do not attack what benefits them.”

The room tenses.

“Trade routes,” she continues. “Resources. Information.”

Her golden eyes gleam.

“I offer value.”

“So you made a deal?” Seraphina snaps.

Salacia turns her head slightly.

“A merchant never calls it a deal.”

She pauses.

“We call it leverage.”

A subtle ripple of dark mana flickers along her tail.

Not aggressive.

But very real.

“The world is shifting,” Salacia continues. “The Luminarians purge. Xorvath observes. Demon Lords expand. Pirates gather.”

Her eyes sweep across us.

“And you.”

Her gaze lingers on me.

Longer this time.

“There are anomalies walking these seas.”

My stomach tightens.

Does she know?

Luna subtly moves half a step closer to me.

Protective.

Salacia smiles faintly.

“Do not misunderstand,” she says. “I survive because I understand tides.”

Her eyes return to Luna.

“And tides always change.”

The tension stretches thin—

Like a string about to snap.

Then—

Nu Wa laughs loudly.

“Arr! Enough politics for one dockside greeting!”

The tension cracks.

Barely.

“But mark me words,” she continues more quietly, “if the Brethren Court gathers… no one sails neutral.”

Salacia nods slowly.

“I never intended to.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Deliberate.

The air feels different now.

This is no longer a polite welcome.

This is positioning.

The Sea Serpent Clan.

The Pirate King.

The Brethren Court.

The Demon Lords.

And somewhere beneath it all—

Something bigger is moving.

And somehow—

They’re all looking at us like we’re part of it.

I swallow.

Luna whispers in my mind—

“Randy… this meeting will not end peacefully.”

“…Yeah,” I think back.

“And I have a bad feeling Salacia already knows why.”

The sea outside crashes against the stone docks.

Louder than before.

The sea crashes harder against the docks.

As if something beneath the water has begun to stir.

The torches flicker.

The atmosphere tightens.

“Very well…” Luna says calmly, stepping forward. “Then there is something I need to learn from Lady Salacia.”

Her voice is smooth.

Controlled.

Salacia’s golden eyes gleam.

“How very refined,” she murmurs. “I never saw you as a warrior but…”

In one fluid motion—

She lifts her hand and gently grips Luna’s chin.

The entire hall freezes.

“…You carry the scent of royalty,” Salacia whispers.

Her face inches closer.

“Not perfume.”

“Authority.”

Luna doesn’t flinch.

“Is that a compliment?”

Salacia smiles.

“The serious look of a leader.”

Her fingers slowly release Luna’s chin.

“But…”

Her gaze shifts.

And lands—

On me.

Why me.

Why always me.

She glides closer.

Closer.

Too close.

“You,” she says softly.

Her eyes narrow slightly.

“Are the most interesting one here.”

My brain short-circuits.

She leans in slightly—

Her presence overwhelming.

Mature.

Elegant.

Dangerous.

Why do mature women always have this terrifying aura—

What the hell am I thinking?!

“Is that so…”

Luna’s voice cuts through my thoughts like an execution blade.

“You like older women?”

My blood runs cold.

Ah.

I forgot.

Telepathy.

“You know I can hear you clearly,” Luna says sweetly.

Her smile does not match her eyes.

“Even without you saying it.”

She is smiling.

She is definitely angry.

Salacia chuckles softly.

“Oh my,” she says lazily. “Possessive too?”

Then she leans slightly closer to me.

“There is something about you that interests me deeply,” she whispers.

Her voice drops.

“You know that Nagas can endure twenty-four hours without rest…”

My brain immediately slams the emergency shut-down button.

Nope.

Nope.

Not imagining that.

Where is Kline when I need him.

Where is literally anyone.

Elowen is watching me with that smirk.

That “this is entertaining” smirk.

Traitor.

Seraphina suddenly blurts out—

“Hey! I almost had him if not because of LUNA—!”

“WHAT?!” I choke.

Why would you bring that up here?!

Luna’s hair begins to rise slightly.

Mana crackles faintly around her.

The temperature drops.

“Oh?” Salacia hums.

“This is getting interesting.”

Luna steps forward.

Slowly.

Her aura sharp.

“You seem to forget your place.”

Her voice is calm.

Too calm.

The marble beneath her feet cracks lightly.

Everyone in the hall feels it.

Not explosive.

Not reckless.

Controlled power.

Salacia’s eyes sharpen in response.

A ripple of serpentine mana coils around her tail.

Elegant.

Predatory.

The air between them becomes charged.

Two queens testing territory.

Nu Wa suddenly clears his throat loudly.

“Arr! If we start tearin’ up the Sea Serpent’s floors, I’ll be sendin’ the repair bill to someone!”

Eira laughs nervously.

“Yes please, save the flirting duel for after the apocalypse.”

I step between them instinctively.

“Okay! Everyone! Let’s calm down before we accidentally start Pirate War: Episode One!”

Luna glances at me.

Still annoyed.

But her mana settles slightly.

Salacia studies the exchange carefully.

Very carefully.

Then—

She smiles.

Amused.

“Interesting indeed,” she murmurs.

Her gaze lingers on Luna.

“Strength.”

Then on me.

“Instability.”

Her eyes narrow slightly.

“And potential.”

The words land heavier than they should.

Salacia slowly turns away.

“For now, we are allies in discussion,” she says calmly. “But the tides will change.”

Her tail coils as she returns to her elevated seat.

“And when they do…”

Her golden eyes gleam in the lantern light.

“I wonder which of you will remain standing.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Political.

Dangerous.

Luna moves closer to me again.

Without looking at me, she speaks softly in my mind.

“Do not let her provoke you.”

“…I wasn’t—”

“You were.”

“…Okay maybe a little.”

She squeezes my hand briefly.

A silent warning.

A silent claim.

Across the chamber—

Salacia watches that gesture.

And smiles knowingly.

The sea roars outside.

And somewhere beneath the waves—

Something ancient shifts.

The Brethren Court has not even begun.

And already—

Territories are being marked.

Yeah in a terrifying way…

Yeah.

In a terrifying way.

Salacia’s voice.

That calm, mature, “I know exactly what I’m doing” tone.

It makes me remember that hot spring incident at Elowen’s house.

Steam.

Slipping.

Eye contact.

Almost dying.

I shiver.

Why is my life like this.

“…Focus,” I mutter to myself.

The sea outside roars again.

And suddenly—

My mind shifts.

Not to politics.

Not to flirting death matches.

To war.

If something beneath the water is stirring…

Then the next battle won’t be conventional.

And that’s when it hits me.

Mobility.

We need mobility.

My fingers twitch.

In my mind—

I see it.

A small jet fighter.

Compact.

Fast.

Single pilot.

Air superiority in tight spaces.

Then—

A bike.

But not just a bike.

A transforming one.

Armor integration.

Modular frame.

Adaptive plating.

Deployable thrusters.

“…Oh.”

My eyes widen.

Like that old anime Uncle used to watch.

What was it?

Robotech?

Mospeada?

Yeah.

That transforming bike armor thing.

If I can miniaturize the power core—

Reinforce the joint locks—

Integrate partial exo-frame sync—

“I can totally pull that off.”

While Luna and the others are still word-dueling with Salacia and Nu Wa—

I quietly take out my notebook.

Flip.

Flip.

Flip.

And start drawing.

Fast.

Blueprint lines forming.

Wing placement.

Thruster angles.

Armor deployment sequence.

If Kline and Elysia have this—

We control ground and air.

If I have it—

Worst case scenario, I survive.

Simple.

Logical.

Necessary.

Across the chamber—

Luna glances sideways.

She notices immediately.

She always does.

Her instincts sharpen.

She walks over slowly.

“What are you doing?”

Her tone is suspicious.

I don’t look up.

“Nothing.”

Her eyes narrow.

“Not your crazy ideas again…”

“Nope,” I reply proudly. “This time it’s a transport platform. High mobility. Defensive conversion capability. Emergency battlefield adaptability.”

She freezes.

“…What.”

I look up, smiling.

“A bike that transforms into armor like mine.”

Silence.

Pure silence.

Luna slowly turns her head.

And then—

“ELOWEN!!!!”

Oh no.

That tone.

That is not discussion tone.

That is emergency council tone.

Elowen’s head snaps toward us.

“That kind of shouting— RANDY!!!”

“What?!” I shout defensively.

Elowen marches over.

I try to subtly close my notebook.

Too late.

She snatches it.

Her eye twitches.

“…First,” she says slowly.

“First you build a submarine that could single-handedly destroy an army.”

“It was efficient!”

“And now what!?”

I grin nervously.

“A bike that could also become an armor like I have…”

There is a pause.

A very dangerous pause.

Elowen calmly reaches behind her back.

Pulls out a small engineering hammer.

And—

BONK.

Direct hit to my head.

“OW—!”

“DON’T YOU MODIFY MY BIKE BECAUSE OF IT!!!!!” she roars.

“I wasn’t going to—!”

“YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT IT!”

“…Maybe slightly—”

BONK.

Second hit.

Luna crosses her arms.

“You see why I worry?”

Eira bursts out laughing.

Nu Wa shakes his head slowly.

“Arr… lad’s either a genius or the sea’s greatest future problem.”

Salacia watches quietly from her platform.

Amused.

Interested.

Her golden eyes linger on my sketches.

“Transforming weapon platforms…” she murmurs softly.

“How… innovative.”

I rub my head.

“It’s called preparation.”

“It’s called escalation,” Luna corrects.

“Same thing.”

“No.”

Elowen kneels down to my eye level.

Very serious.

“If you bring another battlefield-altering device into this world without warning…”

She leans closer.

“I will personally sink it.”

“…Noted.”

But I can’t stop thinking.

The sea.

The stirring beneath it.

The Brethren Court.

The Demon Lords.

If something massive emerges—

We cannot fight it conventionally.

And deep down—

I know this.

This isn’t paranoia.

It’s instinct.

I slowly reopen my notebook.

“…I’m finishing this design.”

Elowen raises her hammer again.

I quickly add—

“WITH YOUR PERMISSION.”

Elowen narrows her eyes at me.

“…We’ll discuss it.”

That’s engineer language for maybe.

I’ll take it.

Outside—

The ocean growls low.

And I intend to be ready.

Salacia exhales a thin ribbon of smoke.

“Well,” she says smoothly, “that is the last of the formalities… or so to say.”

Riven steps forward first.

Ravenna beside him.

The twins bow slightly.

“Riven Silverfang.”

“Ravenna Silverfang.”

Salacia’s golden eyes gleam.

“Ah… the twins. So there is still honor left within the Silverfang.”

Riven scoffs.

“Arr… those wretches of old men never listened to us younglings.”

Ravenna’s expression hardens.

“We almost got killed by their greed.”

Salacia tilts her head.

“And what is the difference this time?”

Ravenna glances toward us.

Toward Luna.

Toward me.

“…It’s them. Ever since we joined them… victory feels different.”

“Sweet,” Riven adds quietly.

Salacia studies us carefully.

“…Is that so.”

Nu Wa steps forward, coat swaying.

“We are going to convene the Brethren Court soon. Be as it may… we’ll need a place where none may disturb us.”

My stomach tightens.

Don’t tell me Conrad predicted this too…

Eira scratches her chin.

“Arr… the hidden city of Marinus. It be the only way to convene the Brethren Court.”

Even Salacia’s eyes shift slightly.

Tikka speaks calmly.

“Indeed… I have to agree.”

Salacia looks at her.

“Vorpal Beard agreeing with Sea Serpents… how curious.”

Luna glances at Tikka.

“Are you holding a grudge against Lady Garnet?”

Tikka giggles softly.

“Ugh… more like annoyance. She will definitely try to share everything with me again… all those gossips.”

Even I shiver.

Political gossip is more dangerous than cannon fire.

“I see…” Luna replies.

Elowen folds her arms.

“Well then… if this is the last matter. What about the Silverfang?”

Nu Wa nods toward the twins.

“Arr, since Riven and Ravenna be here, might as well let ’em speak for the Brethren Court.”

The twins exchange a glance.

Then nod.

Decision made.

The tide has shifted.

Nu Wa raises his voice.

“Arr, so we’ll convene in Marinus. Leaders and their trusted few only.”

Then his gaze shifts to me.

“Randy… we might be needin’ that submarine of yours again.”

I nod.

Fast action.

No delay.

Because something is moving beneath the sea.

And I don’t like it.

I tap my chin.

“…Actually.”

Everyone looks at me.

“I’ll use the Skybreaker.”

Silence.

Luna’s eyes sharpen.

“Hey. Since we’re starting this quickly… I’ll pick up Elder Black Wolf first. Anyone else need extraction?”

“Randy…” Luna says slowly.

“What are you thinking right now?”

“Speed. Efficiency. No wasted time.”

Elowen rubs her temple.

“I don’t think they’d agree with dry feet off the sea like that… ain’t that right, Eira?”

Eira squints.

“Arr… I’m not sure… but I can lend a hand…”

“I will follow Randy,” Luna declares.

“To make sure he’s not doing anything stupid.”

“Meeeee too!” Harmonia jumps up. “To make sure Luna’s not making any moves!”

Seraphina slithers forward.

“And I have to make sure those two are not making moves on my Randy! I need my Randy essence!”

“WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!” I shout.

This spirals instantly.

Elowen raises her hand.

“I’ll pass. Good luck… Randy.”

Why does she look tired.

“…Fine.”

I raise my hand.

“Golem 2. Land here.”

A mechanical voice responds instantly.

“Confirmed.”

The sky above trembles.

Wind pressure explodes downward.

BOOOOOOM—

A massive vortex of air blasts across the docks.

Pirates stumble.

Crates tumble.

Salacia’s hair whips wildly.

“What is the meaning of this sudden blast of wind?!” she hisses.

Nu Wa looks up.

“…Is this…?”

Eira grins.

“Arr, Grandma… this be the ship they travel in. An airship, to say the least.”

Clouds split.

And the Skybreaker descends like a god.

Steel hull gleaming.

Runes glowing faintly.

Engine cores humming with contained fury.

Tikka gasps.

“…Amazing…”

The hatch opens.

Steam hisses outward.

The golem stands at the entrance.

“Welcome back, sir.”

Salacia’s eyes narrow.

“…You travel by sky.”

“Get the ship ready,” I say calmly.

Luna steps aboard first.

Still watching me.

Harmonia follows.

Seraphina glares at both of them while boarding.

Eira suddenly crosses her arms.

“Ugh… changed me mind. The honor be yers.”

Before she can escape—

Seraphina and Harmonia grab her.

“BOARDING TIME!”

“Oi—!”

They drag her in.

Nu Wa shouts upward.

“Pick up Arin and Korvus!”

Tikka calls out.

“Wise Lady Mowa and Wise Man Imu as well!”

“Got it,” I reply.

The engines roar.

The Skybreaker lifts from the sea.

Water spirals beneath us.

Pirates stare in awe.

Then—

BOOOOOOOOM—

A sonic boom detonates across the sky.

The air fractures.

Clouds split apart.

We pierce through them in supersonic ascent.

Nu Wa grips the railing.

“Arr… what an amazin’ ship… to fly at the speed o’ sound…”

Salacia watches from below.

Eyes calculating.

Interested.

Concerned.

The age of pirates has changed.

Meanwhile—

Elowen turns to the others.

“I’ll steer the submarine. Everyone into the Nautilus. We meet at Marinus.”

She glances up at the fading streak in the sky.

“…And Randy will drop them to us.”

The pirate fleet begins moving.

The sea churns.

Preparation mode activated.

Inside Skybreaker.

We bank sharply.

Heading toward Isla Del Mansa.

Eira cracks her knuckles.

“I’ll handle the pick-up.”

We descend low.

Hovering above the coast.

Before I can say “gently”—

Eira launches out of the hatch like a cannonball.

“WAIT—”

Too late.

Ten seconds later—

She reappears mid-air.

Carrying Arin under one arm.

Korvus under the other.

Both struggling violently.

“Put me down—!”

“This is kidnapping!”

“Quick extraction!” Eira shouts proudly.

She tosses them gently into the cargo bay.

I stare.

“…Jeez.”

“That is brutal,” I mutter.

“She carried the two like it was nothing…”

Harmonia whistles.

“Talk about a quick getaway…”

Korvus lies flat on the floor.

“…We are never traveling by sea again, are we?”

“Nope,” I reply cheerfully.

Luna crosses her arms.

“…This is escalating too quickly.”

She looks at me.

Softly.

“…Randy.”

“I know.”

The clouds ahead darken slightly.

Far off—

A strange distortion ripples across the horizon.

Marinus awaits.

The Brethren Court gathers.

And beneath the ocean—

Something massive shifts.

The wind changes direction.

And for the first time—

Even I feel it.

This isn’t just politics anymore.

It’s war preparation.

And we are moving faster than the storm itself.

The Skybreaker cuts through the sky like a silver spear.

Clouds tear apart behind us.

Below—

The final encampment of the Vorpal Beard waits on a rugged stone plateau rising from the sea. Weathered ships docked along jagged cliffs. Veterans. Elders. Survivors of countless wars.

I bring the Skybreaker down hard.

Too hard.

BOOOOOOM—

A vortex of wind slams into the docks.

Beards whip sideways.

Hats go flying.

Someone’s dentures almost follow.

The hatch opens with a hiss.

Wise Lady Mowa stands unmoved.

Wise Man Imu adjusts his robe calmly.

“…Flying,” Imu says dryly.

“At our age,” Mowa adds, “we expected a boat.”

“I don’t have time to waste!” I shout from inside. “Boarding now!”

Luna shoots me a look.

A very sharp one.

She gently supports Lady Mowa.

“Please mind your step.”

Harmonia helps Imu with exaggerated seriousness.

Seraphina pretends to help but mostly monitors Luna.

The moment they’re inside—

I don’t hesitate.

“Launching.”

The Skybreaker blasts upward.

“HEY!!!!!” Luna shouts.

“There are OLD PEOPLE here!!!”

“Tell them to buckle up!!”

Even the elders blink.

Inside, everyone stumbles as acceleration hits.

Imu grabs a railing without looking concerned.

“…Reckless youth.”

“Efficient youth,” I correct.

The sea shrinks beneath us.

Time is short.

The ocean is uneasy.

“Golem. Cloaking device activate.”

A deep mechanical resonance hums through the hull.

“Confirmed. Activating cloaking.”

Runes ignite along the Skybreaker’s surface.

Light bends.

Air warps.

The hull shimmers—

And vanishes.

From the outside—

Nothing.

Only faint distortion in the sky.

We are gone.

High above the upper cloud layer—

A colossal shadow glides silently.

Silver scales shimmer like polished steel.

Massive wings stretch across the heavens.

Himmel.

The Sky Dragon.

Leader of the neutral skies.

His golden eyes narrow slightly.

On a smaller ridge of his back stands Klaus, cloaked and composed.

Himmel exhales slowly.

“So… that is the vessel.”

His voice rolls like distant thunder.

“It flies faster than my own wings.”

There is no anger in his tone.

Only curiosity.

Klaus bows his head slightly.

“It is unlike any ship recorded.”

Himmel watches the distortion where the Skybreaker disappeared.

“It vanished.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Himmel’s eyes gleam faintly.

“Interesting.”

Klaus studies the horizon.

“They move with urgency.”

“The sea stirs,” Himmel replies.

His wings beat once.

The clouds below ripple outward in concentric rings.

“Do you sense hostility, my lord?” Klaus asks.

Himmel closes his eyes briefly.

The wind flows around him.

“No.”

He opens them again.

“Only preparation.”

Klaus nods.

“Then we observe.”

“Yes.”

Himmel tilts his head slightly.

“They may mistake us for Valkor if we approach too closely.”

Klaus’ eyes sharpen.

“That would create unnecessary tension.”

“We remain neutral,” Himmel states calmly.

“But informed.”

With one powerful flap—

BOOOOOOM—

He ascends higher into the stratosphere.

Not chasing.

Not threatening.

Watching.

The leader of the skies has taken interest.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Inside the Skybreaker.

The cloaking stabilizes.

Luna exhales softly.

“…Randy.”

“Yes?”

“Next time. Warning.”

“…Noted.”

Wise Lady Mowa looks at the walls, sensing the magic flow.

“You hide from the sky.”

“Yes.”

Wise Man Imu closes his eyes.

“There is something vast above us.”

I pause.

“…You felt it?”

“Yes.”

Luna’s expression tightens.

“Are we being followed?”

“Observed,” Imu corrects.

“Not hunted.”

That’s somehow worse.

I glance at the radar.

Nothing.

Completely clear.

Still—

My instincts itch.

Far above—

Beyond sight—

Himmel glides silently across the heavens.

Not an enemy.

Not an ally.

A witness.

The Skybreaker continues forward, invisible.

Ahead—

Marinus awaits.

Below—

The sea shifts in uneasy patterns.

And somewhere between sky and ocean—

Neutral forces begin to take notice.

The Brethren Court will not gather quietly.

Because even when no one intends war—

Power itself attracts attention.

And right now—

We are radiating it.

To Be Continued…