Chapter 79: Sabotage

Chapter 79: Sabotage

Cleru Neos

In stark contrast to typical airships, the Princess's Ark drifted through the stratosphere in silence, casting an air of quietude upon the night. Its presence seemed to still the surrounding atmosphere, allowing the soundless night to persist uninterrupted. The expansive sail, reminiscent of wings, fluttered gently on either side of the vessel, propelling it at a leisurely pace toward its destination—the Royal Palace.

The twin moons of the planet bestowed their ethereal luminescence upon the starless darkness above. The view was undeniably captivating, although the enjoyment was slightly marred by the persistent giggles emanating from Duchess Corasell's phone conversation.

"Did you know, Amphere?" Her voice echoed in a tone of excitement. "The bill has secured approval in the senate! Tomorrow morning marks the Royal Assent—the signing of the Dragonoid Rights Bill. Our efforts and sacrifices are bearing fruit at last! The dragonoids will attain complete freedom, and the specter of war will be forever quelled."

Amphere's voice remained inaudible on the other end of the line. Yet, curiously, his response seemed to hold little relevance to my thoughts. Still, there was a peculiar sense of contentment within me, knowing that dragonoids like Jasmine would finally taste the sweetness of liberation. As my dearest and unwavering best friend, her happiness became my own.

"The moon shines so brightly tonight, doesn't it?" A voice broke my reverie, pulling me back to the present. It was Seris, finding solace in the same pastime—gazing at the stars and inhaling the crisp night air. The stars may have remained concealed, but the moon's beauty shone with heightened brilliance. Beside her stood Jasmine, the two of them engrossed in conversation, their camaraderie evident even from a distance.

Now a Princess's Knight, I bear the sacred duty of safeguarding the princess. We remain inseparable, just as we had dreamt during our childhood days. My feelings for her stand unchanged; I am deeply in love with her.

As a noble of legitimate stature, holding the highest rank among the dragon knights, no obstacle shall hinder me from expressing this truth held within my heart. No objections shall arise. No force can sever our bond again.

My gaze met Jasmine's, and she responded with a nod, departing the scene with a knowing smile that seemed to whisper, "Best of luck!" She was privy to the depth of my affection for the princess, and her unwavering support played a pivotal role in propelling me toward this pinnacle. All that remains now is for me to confess my feelings.

"Seris!" My cheeks flushed a rosy hue, but my stance straightened as if I were a novice cadet. My sudden outburst left the princess visibly taken aback, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. Unbeknownst to her, my declaration hovered on the cusp of realization.

"I—"

Abruptly, the tranquility was shattered. The airship quaked violently, a jarring tremor that surged through its frame. A deafening explosion erupted from the captain's deck, followed by a cascade of destruction in the engine room. Billowing smoke and fierce flames consumed everything, rapidly devouring the canvas that sustained the airship's flight. The once-peaceful scene was transformed into one of chaos and calamity.

Pandemonium reigned as the sounds of chaos erupted from below decks. A cacophony of gunfire and screams reverberated through the air—an unmistakable indication that the ship's guards were entangled in a ferocious battle.

It was clear: the ship had been sabotaged.

A commanding shout cut through the turmoil as a man stormed onto the platform, rallying under the banner of "For Arcadia!" His rusty blade held aloft, he aimed to charge at me. Yet, against an ordinary dragonoid, his chances were grim at best. Swiftly, I jabbed straight into his face, leaving him momentarily dazed. A well-placed sweep of my foot shattered his balance, bringing his threat to an abrupt end.

The threat multiplied. One by one, they emerged—three, four, five, and eventually ten Arcadians, swords brandished with intent to kill. Drawing my scimitar, I secured the princess upon my back. The terrorists unleashed a war cry before surging forward in an attempt to overwhelm me.

I was well-equipped to handle such adversaries. While my concern initially rested on Duchess Corasell's safety, my worries proved unwarranted. The petite noblewoman exhibited surprising strength, her presence augmented by drones resembling golden fans that hovered around her, akin to Amphere's Dynamos. These fan blades, capable of slashing at the speed of sound, made quick work of the ineffectual foes.

The situation escalated as more and more Arcadian terrorists emerged onto the deck. Their orchestrated plan to seize the princess's airship was evident, as their numbers swelled to roughly fifty, casting an ominous shadow over the ship's surface.

The battle was abruptly halted by a violent explosion that rent apart the right portion of the airship. The ensuing inferno cast a blinding light against the backdrop of the cold, dark night. The ship's equilibrium was shattered, and it began a precarious descent, losing altitude rapidly. The unfortunate terrorists found themselves hurled through the air as the ship's balance faltered beneath them.

As the situation unraveled, the princess's grip slipped, her body careening towards the abyss below. Reacting with swiftness, I grabbed her hand in a vice-like grip. "Never let go!" My voice carried an urgency that matched the dire circumstances.

"Eva!" The duchess clutched her chest, her voice trembling. "Activating Vesryn Pulse!" In a dazzling display, a butterfly-like entity materialized around her, which promptly transformed into a resplendent magical girl. Bathed in golden light, the magical girl's form shifted and coalesced into that of a blue Fairy Dragon.

Duchess Corasell expertly leaped onto her transformed Fairy Dragon, securing her own safety. The idea was brilliant, prompting me to emulate her. Leveraging Vesryn Pulse's power, I called upon Jasmine to transform into the majestic Rainbow Dragon. With the princess nestled in my arms, I propelled myself through the chaos, ricocheting off debris until I reached Jasmine's dragon head.

From our aerial vantage point, we watched in grim silence as the once-mighty airship plummeted and ultimately crashed into a mountain. The resulting explosion echoed in the night, a poignant reminder of the lives that were irrevocably altered. Guilt gnawed at me for being unable to save anyone besides the princess. However, her safety remained paramount, especially given the precarious situation.

Survivors would not be sought out. The possibility of traitors among them, aligned with Dragunov's ideals, was too great. Suspicions were cast upon the crew, suggesting their involvement in sabotaging the princess's transport.

Guiding our dragons to hover amid the chaos, we aimed to locate a village or city where we could find shelter. Instead, we sought refuge in the concealment of a forest. Our map indicated that Goldcliffe City lay fifty kilometers distant, but its association with Arcadia rendered it an untenable destination—nest of the very enemies we sought to evade.

Seeking refuge within the eerie forest, the girls settled in to rest while I endeavored to establish a connection through the radio.

"This is Cleru Neos of the Princess's Guard," I spoke into the device, my tone unwavering. "We will transmit our coordinates. Requesting immediate backup transportation convoy for the princess. We require a minimum of four dragon knights and ten empire soldiers. Over."

"Copy that, Princess's Guard. Convoy en route. Estimated time of arrival: twenty minutes."

The response brought a measure of relief. Our immediate task was now to remain concealed until the empire's transport arrived. Returning to the girls, it was evident that they were grappling with the sudden upheaval. Surprisingly, Duchess Corasell appeared relatively composed amid the turmoil.

"Are those Arcadians attempting to abduct you once again?" The duchess's voice resonated with a blend of concern and suspicion as her arms folded across her chest.

"No," I replied, bowing my head slightly. "Nox already obtained what he sought from me in the past."

Curiosity and suspicion intermingled in Duchess Corasell's expression as her eyebrows furrowed. "And what might that be?"

I took a steadying breath, my gaze meeting hers with candor. "The moonstone on my forehead."

"The one activated by your Elform, correct?" The young duchess's tone had taken on an edge of severity. "What purpose does that moonstone serve for him? And why would the Arcadians strike again if they've already extracted the moonstone from you?"

Her relentless questioning was overwhelming, and I sensed that I couldn't provide satisfactory answers without revealing too much about my identity. Walking away from the persistently inquisitive girl seemed the most prudent course of action, although I knew that suspicion would continue to linger. Duchess Corasell's perceptiveness was undeniable.

A reprieve arrived in the form of the unexpectedly swift convoy. Comprising five helicopters, the convoy was manned by four fully-armored dragon knights, each riding atop an enigmatic breed of armor-plated dragons. The squad's captain approached, initiating a conversation.

"We utilized Portal Dragons to expedite our travel time, sir."

The princess exhaled a sigh of relief, her hands clapping together with an exuberant tone. "Thank goodness they're fast! We're safe now, right, Cleru?"

Her radiant smile held a warmth that spread through me. The princess's fear seemed to have dissipated, and I was relieved to see her at ease. "Absolutely," I affirmed, my voice unwavering. "I'll ensure your safety always."

Stepping towards the chopper's door, a sudden shiver raced down my spine as an unsettling realization dawned.

There, an elderly man stood—his white hair spiked and his beard pristine. Clad impeccably in a suit that bore a distinctly American flair, his genuine grin seemed to echo a familiarity that sent alarm bells ringing within me.

"Dragunov!"

Before I could react, a blunt force struck the back of my head, plunging me into darkness.