A day after Draven awoke—
the journey continued.
The holy vessels crossed the border of Eirundor and entered the airspace of the Kingdom of Heliospal.
Inside the leading vessel, an officer approached the captain.
"Captain."
The captain turned.
"We've officially entered the airspace of Heliospal."
The captain nodded.
"How far are we from Namaris?"
"Still some distance away, Captain."
The captain looked ahead.
"Then keep moving."
He pointed forward.
"Full speed ahead."
The officer saluted.
"Yes, Captain."
The vessel accelerated.
Their destination was Namaris.
A branch of the Holy Church was located there.
Across the continent of Mytherra, the Holy Empire held enormous influence.
Every kingdom under its influence had a Holy Temple dedicated to the Goddess of Light.
And now—
they were heading toward one of those temples.
The two vessels continued through the night sky.
---
Far below—
a road stretched through the darkness.
A vehicle moved along it, its headlights cutting through the night.
Inside—
Ryke sat behind the wheel.
He glanced ahead.
"We've come across several motor vehicles and drawn carriages."
He sighed.
"We should be getting close to a city."
Pythia sat beside him, with Nia seated next to her.
Pythia unfolded a map and studied it.
"Yeah."
She traced their route with her finger.
"If we've been following this road correctly..."
She looked ahead.
"We should be approaching the city of Morgul."
Ryke raised an eyebrow.
"Morgul?"
Pythia nodded.
"It's the last city before we enter the territory of Calamyr."
Ryke glanced at her.
"So..."
"Are we stopping there?"
"No."
Pythia didn't even look up from the map.
"We're going straight through."
Ryke sighed.
"Of course we are."
He leaned back slightly in his seat.
"And here I was thinking I might finally get a break and kick back in a nice hotel."
A voice suddenly came from behind them.
"You should stop thinking about useless things and keep driving."
Ryke glanced toward the back.
Aldric's voice continued.
"We haven't gotten nearly far enough."
"So just keep driving and shut your mouth."
Ryke frowned.
*You're really enjoying giving me orders, aren't you?*
Ryke sighed.
"I haven't eaten anything good in a while."
Aldric finally spoke again.
"Yeah."
"I could use a drink."
Ryke's eyes brightened.
"I could go for one too."
He looked toward Pythia.
"Hey, Pythia."
"Didn't we buy a lot of stuff back in Blackwater?"
Pythia slowly looked up from the map.
Ryke grinned.
"Bring out a few things."
Nia glanced between them.
Pythia sighed.
"Focus and keep driving..."
"We're not stopping until we reach Calamyr."
Ryke smiled.
"Who said anything about stopping?"
He kept his eyes on the road.
"We can eat while we drive."
Aldric suddenly spoke again.
"Yeah."
He paused.
"Now that I remember..."
"I also bought some stuff back then with the money I earned."
Pythia immediately looked toward him.
"Stole."
Aldric's expression darkened.
"Shut up."
He leaned forward slightly.
"And get cracking on those cards I gave you."
"I have plans for the coins inside."
Pythia blinked.
"Yeah..."
She paused.
"I'd forgotten about that."
Aldric nodded.
"Now you've remembered."
"So do it."
Pythia sighed and reached into her spatial ring.
She began pulling out various items one after another.
Aldric immediately leaned over, taking the things from her as she brought them out.
As he collected them, he glanced toward Ryke.
"And you."
Ryke looked at him.
"When do you plan on paying me?"
Aldric narrowed his eyes.
"I didn't spare your life for free, you know."
Ryke smiled nervously.
"I have something planned."
"That's actually why I was asking about the city."
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
Ryke continued.
"You remember the two vehicles inside the Demon King's spatial ring?"
"I could sell them and give you the money."
Pythia suddenly looked up.
"What do you mean, *the* vehicles?"
She frowned.
"They aren't only yours."
Ryke looked at her.
"Yeah, I know."
"One is for Kaelira, and the other is for me."
He shrugged.
"So I'll only be giving you my share."
Aldric nodded.
"Yeah."
"Make it quick."
He held out his hand.
"And give me that drink."
A bottle suddenly flew from Ryke toward Aldric.
Aldric caught it.
He looked at Ryke.
"What makes you think you can drink?"
"Just eat."
"That's more than enough."
His expression became slightly more serious.
"Or do you wish to crash the damn thing?"
"If that happens, then you die."
Ryke stared at him.
"...Noted."
He tore open the package of a pastry and took a bite.
Aldric snorted before returning to the back of the vehicle.
---
There—
Draven sat with his younger siblings, Lucifer and Elenya.
Vaelith was seated beside them on one side.
Lyriana sat on the other, with Kaelira sleeping beside her.
Aldric approached and looked toward Draven.
"Hey."
Draven glanced at him.
"It seems like my gold is with you."
Draven stared at him for a moment.
Then—
his mana moved.
He took the drink straight from Aldric's hand.
Aldric blinked.
"Damn."
"I didn't get that for you."
Draven caught the bottle easily.
He opened it and took a drink.
Lyriana reached over and took a few things from the supplies as well.
She began eating.
Vaelith did the same.
Aldric stared at her.
"You too?"
"I thought you never ate or did anything for yourself."
Vaelith calmly looked at him.
"I don't need it."
She paused.
"But I don't mind."
Aldric stared at the group.
"Yeah..."
He looked around.
"You all didn't say a damn thing."
He shook his head.
"But now I get it."
"Everybody wants a piece."
Ryke called from the front.
"I'm the one who brought it up, though."
Aldric slowly opened his drink.
He took a sip.
"Shut up."
Ryke's voice immediately went silent.
The vehicle continued down the dark road toward Calamyr.