"So, where are we going?" Esme inquired as she descended the stairs with a large bag, carrying some of her items.
"We are heading towards the center of Titanora, the capital city of the Central Kingdom," Ryuk informed her as he approached and used the system's inventory to store all the luggage.
"Big bro, but isn't that quite a distance?" Mae asked, peeking at the young man's fingers, searching for a dimensional ring or some artifact that could make the luggage disappear.
Of course, she wasn't planning to steal and sell anything for money.
"A ship will come to pick us up," Ryuk explained, sensing the presence of one of the battleships returning to retrieve him, likely due to the System's yesterday deeds.
It was evident that if someone was returning to pick him up before the eight-month period had elapsed, it was likely related to interference from the demon continent.
He had also received news about Maria becoming one of the new representatives of Goddess Fela's faction within the Sanctum.
After Belial revealed this information, Ryuk sensed several Legendary Rankers heading their way, added with the presence of Grimoire on them, he understood that they were part of Regina's battalion.
"A ship," Sam looked suspiciously at the young man who had suddenly appeared one day and become part of their lives.
He didn't hate him, especially since he had saved his sister, but there was an issue...
That young man was the Flagbearer.
It was clear that following him could be dangerous, but Mae was determined to join him, believing in Esme.
Esme had saved them three years ago amidst the aftermath of a battle caused by a Devereaux, which resulted in the deaths of their parents, leaving only Esme to support them. Now she was leaving them alone, so they felt compelled to follow her.
"Hey, I don't trust you," Sam said, looking blankly at the masked man standing at a distance, with his eyes meeting man's amber ones.
"...The feeling is mutual," Ryuk replied with a small smile, understanding that taking things slowly was the best approach.
He was like that boy, unknowingly becoming deeply entangled with Esme and forming a strong bond.
Making him suspicious of everything.
Everything seemed so out of place, creating the perfect backdrop for him to fall for Esme.
So, All he could do was give it time and avoid getting into unwanted situations.
'.....' Sam kept staring into those amber eyes, neither of them blinking once.
BAM!
"Ouch!" Sam winced in pain after getting hit on the head by a strong fist.
"Shit, where were you looking? He's our money—I mean Big bro," Mae corrected herself while punching her brother, trying to make it clear to her not-so-smart brother, who didn't value money.
The huge glass allowed both of them to see through it, observing the reactions of those people who held grudges a moment ago but now looked bewildered, eyes roaming as if they couldn't see the humongous metallic structure flying in the sky.
Ryuk understood that it was Esme's doing, but questions remained: how much longer could she manage it, and how did she even manage on such a huge ship?
Of course, he was aware of the information she gave him regarding her own mana acting as a guide, but guiding so much mana around the ship would put more pressure on her.
"...Because of you" Esme glanced at the masked man, unknown to her, confusing her from the beginning due to the attraction she felt towards him.
But even after all that, she had fallen for him, and yet there were many things she wanted to tell him about her family and life, but there was still time.
'what she mean by that?', Ryuk glanced at her before turning his attention towards the three figures kneeling, inquiring, "What is the issue?"
"Liege, Malevolia has declared a full-scale war against Titanora, and according to the zonal treaty, Ardoros will support Titanora against the Demons," the cloaked figure informed, eyes fixed downward, referring to the treaty signed among all continents regarding zone division and its specific rules.
Among these rules, the Human Zone could engage in internal conflicts, but if an outside race's zone is attacked, Ardoros will provide assistance.
"...So, are we leaving this place?" Ryuk inquired, glancing at both twins standing behind Esme, slightly surprised by their different reactions.
Sam appeared guarded against all the Devereaux members with their intense presence, while Mae's eyes wandered around the ship's interior, taking in the onyx-black exterior and the numerous Ether circuits filling the control room.
'Navigator: 2000 gold coins, Converters: 30000 gold coins, those Savants: each 9000 gold coins,' Mae thought to herself, feeling like she was in heaven surrounded by expensive items and even Savant races, which were highly valued due to their demand in battleship construction across continents.
"Hey, did you feel something ominous just now?" One of the Savants asked, his fingers flying across the keyboard while his comrade worked on adjusting the navigation direction.
"Yes, it must be that demon," the other replied, returning focus to his work.
Unaware that the ominous feeling was not from a demon but from a Dariant girl plotting to kidnap and sell them on the black market in small cages at a hefty price.
"Liege, it was an order from Lady Drishti; we seek your confirmation or final decision," the man emphasized, prioritizing the individual he served, even after witnessing the devastation that once befell the capital city of the Central Kingdom in Titanora, now reduced to rubble.
"Fine, we will comply with her orders. Prepare to move the ship; we are leaving, but keep the speed slow," Ryuk ordered, turning his attention to the Savants. They promptly followed his instructions, turning the ship towards the direction of the capital city before setting off.
...
"You both can rest in here," Ryuk left both twins inside the rooms situated within the battleship and even suggested the same to the young woman beside him. "Esme, you could rest with them too."
"No, I'm fine. I will accompany you," Esme shook her head, controlling her emotions from surfacing outward. Her face remained blank since they arrived onboard.
"Huban, why are they following a weakling like you?" Belial glanced at the masked young man, feeling confused as to why he was referred to as Liege by those individuals holding Legendary Rank strength.
'....' Ryuk's gaze turned blank as he looked down at the demon, finding it slightly hard to understand the logic behind it referring to someone who had just subdued it as weak.
[Host, a sharp gaze is fixed on you.]
'...Where is it from?' Ryuk inquired, understanding the importance of the matter due to the system warning him about it.
[The gaze is directed from Malevolia.]