Two hours later.
A large silver bubble appeared before the train—the miniature world of our destination.
“Connect the silverlight rail,” Eldmed directed.
“Roger! Connecting railroad!” a student replied.
The silver rail extended straight forwards, touching the silverlight that spilled from the miniature world.
“Railroad connection complete!” said another.
“Sound the whistles. We’re entering the bubble,” I said.
The Demon King Express advanced along the railroad as though it was being lured in towards the light. Everything before us turned silver before we made it through to the Dark Firmament.
“Secure railroad,” I said.
“Roger. Railroad has been secured!”
The railroad we had traveled on was anchored in place.
“Derail from track.”
“Roger! Preparing to derail!”
The Demon King Express’s wheels detached from the rail, and the train descended through the black firmament. Before long, clouds could be seen through the window. We had arrived at the sky just below the Dark Firmament. The sun of this world had already set, and the moon was rising in its place. Just like in Militia’s world, it was night here.
“Large magic power detected from above,” Misha warned from the overseer room. She drew a magic circle. “Limnet.”
The magic crystal set up in every room of the train displayed an image. For a brief moment, I doubted my eyes. Through the sky, a huge castle was making its way towards us—one with a beautiful, awe-inspiring form that I was terribly familiar with.
Sasha tore her eyes away from the Limnet image to directly look outside the window.
“Isn’t that...Zeridheavens?” she muttered in shock.
The Sky Fortress Zeridheavens that once flew freely through the sky of destruction, the only vessel that could endure the direct rays of Sarjieldenav. It was a sight that had been long burned into Abernyu’s mind.
“There’s no way, right?” Sasha turned to me.
“The exterior is a little different,” I replied.
It was, however, nearly identical to Zeridheavens. But Zeridheavens had been lost from Dilhade with Farris Noin’s death. His reincarnation had yet to be identified too. Why was it here, flying in an outer world?
“To the owner of the Sky Fortress,” I said, sending a Leaks to the ship now flying alongside us. “I am Anos Voldigoad, the ruler equivalent of Militia’s world. I have two or three questions for you.”
There was no reply. Instead, the Sky Fortress just got closer.
“Collision incoming,” Misha said.
On Eldmed’s directions, the steam whistles blew.
“We are Kaltinas Ilbena, Immovable King and Ruler of the Silvercastle World Balandias,” a Leaks echoed in response as the Sky Fortress made contact with the Demon King Express.
“Kyaaah!”
“H-Hey!”
“You idiot! Watch where you’re going!”
The tremors shook the Demon King Express, making the students cry in protest.
“Dimwits of the nameless shallows, consider this a lesson in etiquette. Do not step ahead of those from the depths, much less ahead of the ship of their ruler.”
It was clearly an intentional collision. After giving the Demon King Express a light shove, the Sky Fortress immediately changed route and shot off at a fearsome speed. Its destination was the Silverwater Academy Pablohetra, floating in the sky some distance away. The Sky Fortress slowly descended towards the magic barrier.
“Is that the Pablohetra you mentioned, Anos?” Sasha asked. I had already explained everything that happened until now on our way here.
“That’s right.”
“Hmm. So those guys just now are also part of the academic alliance.”
She glared at the Sky Fortress heading for Pablohetra, clearly displeased with Kaltinas’s attitude.
“I’ve spotted Lay and Shin,” Misha’s voice said, reflecting the two of them on the Limnet crystal. They had noticed us and were flying over.
“Open the door to the passenger cabin,” Eldmed ordered.
Misa stuck her head out of the door and waved at them. “Father! Lay! Over here!”
They both boarded the Demon King Express.
“There was no movement from the assailants, my liege,” Shin said immediately.
“Good work. Get some rest for a while.”
“Understood.”
Now, to get this provisional enrollment underway.
“To the gatekeepers of Pablohetra,” I said to the floating island through Leaks. “I am Anos Voldigoad, resident of Militia’s world. The Demon King Academy requests to join the Pablohetra Academy Treaty.”
Far in the distance, the gatekeepers exchanged looks with each other.
“Demon King Academy? As in an academy ruled by a Demon King? Hey now...”
“Newcomers from the shallows, huh? They probably just don’t know yet. They’ll rename themselves soon enough.”
Did they think I couldn’t hear them? They chatted to themselves a bit more before responding.
“This is Pablohetra. We will not refuse like-minded comrades. Welcome, people of Militia. We will open the barrier for you, so please enter.”
“Got it.”
I looked over to see a section of the magic barrier covering Pablohetra had vanished.
That was easier than I thought. All I had done was express my intent to join them, and they had invited me in. I guess a single ship was no threat to them.
“Descend,” Eldmed ordered.
“Roger. Descending towards Pablohetra,” a student replied.
The Demon King Express slowly descended to the uncovered section of the island.
“The harbor is at the lake adjacent to the Pablohetra Palace at the center of the city. Land on the white magic circle you’ll find there.”
Eldmed directed the Demon King Express as the gatekeeper instructed. From our overhead view of the floating island, there was a large palace at the center with several cities spaced around it. At a glance, the area was roughly ten times the size of Midhaze.
“Landing now!”
There was a long white magic circle drawn on a large lake of clear water, matching the shape of the Demon King Express. The train slowly landed on the water with a splash. Bubbles rose from the white magic circle, wrapping around the body of the train.
Then, the Demon King Express began to sink. Once it reached the bottom of the lake, we could see several caves before us. The train entered one of the caves and moved forwards for a while before it began to rise again, breaking through the surface once more. The bubbles surrounding the train burst, as though having been dismissed upon completing their duty.
“Let’s get off. Open the doors,” I said.
All the doors of the Demon King Express opened. I rose from the throne and stepped outside. The others alighted after me.
From what I could see of our surroundings, we were in a large room made of stone. A hangar, perhaps.