The airspace of the Republic of Alzer.
From the deck of the Einhorn-class second ship Ricorne, Angelica and Libya were watching the Sacred Tree.
“I’d heard rumors, but seeing it in person, it’s huge. So this is the Sacred Tree?”
“I read about it in a book, and thought the illustrations were exaggerated, but the real thing is even more amazing.”
Each of them voiced their thoughts on the Sacred Tree.
The white-hulled Ricorne, like the Einhorn, has a single horn at its bow.
Its shape is the same as the Einhorn’s, just a different color.
Around it are other airships built in the same factory.
Since they were constructed at the Bartfort family’s plant, they look similar.
Standing by the two girls is the head maid who looks after Angelica and Libya.
The black‑haired woman with glasses warns the leaning Angelica.
“Miss Angelica, that’s improper.”
“Forgive me. I just got so excited thinking I’d soon see Leon again.”
It’d been a while since they’d seen Leon.
Both Angelica and Libya were looking forward to it.
Libya, holding back her wind‑tossed hair, said,
“Wow, we arrived faster than I expected. It’s pretty close, huh?”
Angelica corrected Libya’s impression.
“We’ve gathered a fleet of fast airships, after all. And Ricorne’s impressive—little sway and the interior’s comfortable. It can’t quite beat the Palton, though.”
Claire, who had been rolling around nearby, objected to that.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
Claire floated up to eye level with the two.
“We aimed for miniaturization and high performance. It can hold its own against the Palton. Plus, being the second ship, its specs are even better than the lead ship’s.”
Angelica apologized to Claire.
“Got it, so don’t get so close.”
Libya, eyeing Ricorne’s exterior, added,
“Leon’s Einhorn and this are the same model, right? It must be pricey.”
Claire replied proudly.
“It’s a custom piece. Even if they asked for the same one, it’s impossible. Without the Master’s order, we couldn’t make it. Well, I just used the spare parts the eccentric one left behind to build this thing on my own.”
If Leon or Luxion heard, they'd be angry, but Claire counted on being able to get away with it if she said it was for Angelica and Libya’s sake.
Claire pointed straight up.
“More importantly, a Republic airship is approaching. Coming in from directly above is downright rude.”
Angelica stared upward with a sharp gaze.
“A Republic inspection, huh? I’ve heard their methods are pretty overbearing—”
The head maid asked Angelica,
“Will you protest?”
Angelica nodded.
“They’re a diplomatic delegation, after all. Let’s make a strong protest. I wish I could get in touch with Leon—”
Then Libya noticed the Republic airship changing its course.
“Huh? Looks like it’s pulling away.”
“—What?”
◇
The Republic’s airship—its guard squad was in chaos.
“W‑what the heck! Why is that ship even here?!”
“Captain, stay calm!”
The panicking captain of the guard squad, stationed on the bridge, realized the airship they were about to inspect was the same model as the Einhorn, and freaked out.
The Einhorn— the worst airship that rampaged across the Republic.
He’d never heard there was another ship of the same type.
“It’s just a coincidence! There’s no way we have that many ships like that.”
His subordinate’s words only made the captain angrier.
“If there’s one, there could easily be a second! You’re saying it just looks similar? There are several ships like that right beside us! Could they—did they mass‑produce it?”
The Einhorn‑type ship that had shattered the Republic’s pride, and now a whole fleet of look‑alikes.
The captain felt like he was stuck in a nightmare.
“—Inspection cancelled.”
“Captain, if we do that the Kingdom will walk all over us!”
“Then you do it! I’ll never agree—absolutely not!”
That guard captain had once had an Einhorn‑type ship sunk right in the harbor.
Resisting was pointless. Faced with that performance, his pride as a Republic sailor—and a lot else—had been crushed.
His subordinates were on land at the time, so they didn’t know the Einhorn’s strength.
They’d heard the story, but hadn’t seen it with their own eyes.
Then one of the subordinates, who’d been looking at Ricorne through binoculars, shouted,
“Captain! They’re forming a formation!”
The captain turned pale, started foaming at the mouth, and passed out.
◇
The representative leading the delegation was none other than Leon’s older brother, Nix.
More precisely, he was just the organizer for a group of Leon’s acquaintances.
He was merely playing the role of coordinator.
While talking with the ship’s captain on the bridge, Nix said—
“Since we’re entering Republic airspace, let’s line up. Good thing we got some training while moving.”
The captain smiled.
“Probably thanks to the similar design. It makes matching speed easy.”
“Is it because it was built in our factory? Did Leon have something else in mind?”
“Leon‑chan—no, the Earl—he’s actually pretty impressive.”
Locally, Leon’s reputation was a mixed bag—because until he left the floating island, he’d just been the third son of a baron, neither particularly good nor bad.
Even when he suddenly became an earl, the locals struggled to keep up.
He’d been promoted from baron to earl in less than a year.
People around him were still scratching their heads.
“Take care of my stomach pain, will you? Anyway, since we’re a delegation, let’s look sharp. Form up.”
The bridge buzzed with orders.
As the surrounding airships began forming a formation around Ricorne, the ships entering and leaving the port steered clear.
A small escort airship hurried in to guide the delegation toward the harbor.
“Whoa, the response is better than I heard,” Nix remarked, and the captain agreed.
“We were told they’d come down hard on us for an inspection, but looks like it was just a rumor. Even the guard’s airship that came straight down must’ve been a mishap.”
From a letter from Leon, Nix knew the Republic had a sour reputation, and he shrugged.
“Leon said they’re unpleasant, but maybe that’s just his bias. I’ll check it out when I meet them.”
“People say they’ve been rampaging—should we be worried? Could this turn into a war?”
The concerned captain asked, and Nix replied,
“I don’t think so, but you know how he is—let’s get the details.”
He thought to himself,
(Being the older brother who’s constantly dragged around by his little brother is pathetic. I need to step up.)
His younger brother had already climbed the ladder, with two fiancées—normally that’d make anyone jealous, but Nix didn’t see Leon as a rival.
Why?
(Better to enjoy the foreign trip while it lasts. I need to buy souvenirs for Dad, Mom, and even Colin.)
—Because right now, I’m happy.
In fact, it’s Nix who envies Leon’s lifestyle.