Chapter 02

Moving

Air travel is not good. Expensive. The hangar ports in the Kingdom of Thrall are located far off with each other. So that leaves me…

While having these thoughts in his head, Siva was looking at the poster of the East Dominion’s, Heroe’s, harbor area in Aarun’s Hangar Port Office. It’s like an air port, but since all flying ships in Terroa are more like a spaceship than just planes, the Hangar Port name was adopted.

East Dominion, Heroe, is a good seventeen days ride with a caravan through the established, moderately safe, routes. It’d be jus a few hours if he’d travel through air ways but just like what he’s been saying, it was too expensive.

Even though there’s always the choice of buying a Mechanical Wing Set, what’s stopping Siva from doing so is the number of slots it would eat on his inventory, the Windstone Pebbles that costs Z100k per piece, and its actual usage that’s literally just a display of unnecessary aerial movements. In his opinion, even if one is to say that Sky Wyverns rarely land on the ground, and is a real treat for materials once hunted, the cost and sustenance of such equipment is just an added trouble. Not to mention if one is not used on using them in an actual monster hunt.

There’re approximately two in-game months until his deadline with Augustus and so having this said, he had planned his way to the Eastern Continent of Espada to be worth the time and effort, making him land on his conclusion to use it to also have an adventure and to get used to the functions of his new weapon gear.

That’s because not only he’d gain resources, he’d also get to practice his new fighting style.

He then turned around from the counter. But when he did, he saw a very annoyingly familiar face with a lot of angry people behind. Those people were all glaring at him while the owner of the familiar face had a smile as tempting as a slice of Red Ribbon Double Chocolate Roll.

Of all places… Siva frowned under the mask.

“Fate really brings us together, isn‘t it?” With her teasing smile and beautiful, tempting gestures, Siva had an impression that another troublesome situation was about to occur.

“If bad luck is fate, then I had the worst of them right here and now.” He replied nonchalantly narrow eyed.

“Oh don’t say that.” Rafaela stepped up and clung on his right arm like a leech on a naked Siva —who tried to push her away with his hand. But instead of succeeding, Rafaela moved with such timing that the hand slipped through her skin and groped something soft and squishy. That made Rafaela moan loudly. “Oh you silly boy. You could’ve just asked me to pleasure you.” And she drew a gentle line on Siva’s cheek.

Meanwhile, Siva panicked and immediately drew his hand, though too late now that everyone in the office, including her fans, watched how the state of affairs had developed.

Again, Siva tried to run but this time, the fans had blocked his way. And also, Rafaela were successful on neutralizing his strength using an unknown technique and grabbed him by the collar and hugged him.

“Let go! Gwah…”

“I heard you asking schedules and fairs to go to the East Continent.” She said playfully. “It just so happens that I am also on my way there. Well, want me to lend you a ride, along with a massage, for a free and pleasurable price.” And she winked.

The fans went wild, some even went close to bubbling their mouths as the wink had grazed by their vision’s direction.

“No.” Replied a struggling Siva. “And please let go of me now! I’ve got a place to go! I’ll be late!”

“Oh don’t be too hard on me.” And came one of the beautiful alluring winks paired with a playfully placed adorable smile. “Though I’d like that hard part on a different time and place than here…”

Rafaela suddenly drew closer.

She pulled Siva by the arm with amazing strength. Siva desperately tried to pull off but he miserably failed the attempt. In turn, Rafaela had the chance to whisper those hair raising sweet things to him.

Facing this attractive situation, paired with the very enticing affection from a very aggressively attractive woman, no man, even in his mightiest will, would not flush nervously.

Siva was no exception. However...

‘Urgh look at him taking pleasure on Rafaela.’

‘Yeah, he’s so yucky acting like a tsundere with all her dirty talks’

‘Men. They’re all the same!’

‘He’s even more disgusting than those honest fans.’

The whispers and murmurs came right to his ears as if it was intended to be heard. They were all the women inside the office talking about him in a cruel and hard way. He was judged according to misunderstandings that sprouted from the plain act of making contact with the powerful Rafaela and her weaponry of charms.

Siva had no choice but be heart broken as the image he had so desperately worked and fought hard to build began to be tainted with malice.

With all his will against the verdict of those around him, to be freed from this curse of misunderstandings, he was left with no choice but to give in on Rafaela’s bursts —even though it felt wrong, against his morals, and most especially, even it may seem an act of abusing her…initiatives…he had to endure.

And so he spoke with much conviction.

“Ehem. Please stop with the actions that incites all the misunderstanding. Alright, I give. I do need a ride. I will go with you if you can give me one. But only if it’s free that I will let you…er…ma…massa…anyways, that’s that.” Siva knew that there was something wrong with what he said.

The effects of that something wrong was visible on the faces of the people around the two. But as usual and to his gladness, Rafaela seemed to not care.

“Of course it’s free, The only price is staying with me in one room.” She said that in a proud manner. And again the whispers around them came to his ears in a seemingly intended tone. “But where are you going?”

“Kingdom of Thrall.” He said sternly. “City of Loire, in the Eastern Territory.”

Rafaela somehow moved her face a few inches back from his as she studied the man’s face hidden behind the mask. She narrowed her eyes for a short while and put on a firm expression.

Then she drew her lips closer to his face and spoke in a challenging tone.

“Your purpose?”

“A personal visit.” Siva held his stiff expression.

A wind of silence blew for a moment and when she had recovered, Rafaela anchored back to Siva’s arm.

“Alright. It‘s settled.” Then she turned to the head of her fans group and spoke temptingly. “Akron, will you please tell the Miranda I’m coming? Oh and please tell them to prepare for immediate departure.”

Akron, an Elf (a slang for Mage + Archer play style, without the pointed ears) from the Caucasian looking Atlas Race, turned vigorously to face the rest of the fans men.

“You heard the princess! Move it! Move it!”

Their group ran outside and their expressions were divided from annoyed and happy. Some murmured and some were happily smiling while Siva and Rafaela, closely tied, or more like, one was the paper and the other was a glue, followed the fans group as if walking in the park.

“Please let go.” Siva’s unrelenting request.

“Don‘t wanna.” She pouted. “Lovers don’t request for the other to get away. Don’t you know that?”

Rafaela dismissed Siva's retort and put her cheek on his shoulder. Her left breast touching his arm, Rafaela leaned her body closer to his and began to whisper words that can make any man melt in sweetness.

Siva desperately tried to wheel back and retreat with all his might.

“We-We’re not lovers, alright? So please stop now!”

But instead of listening, Rafaela only smiled like a cat to his master. Bossy, mysteriously stronger than him by a lot of points, incredibly charming, seductive, very stubborn…what else?

Siva could only look up to the blue sky as he let out a sigh. If this was a premonition of a trouble coming his way, then whatever’s coming, he might already be prepared for it. What could be worse? The title that he so eagerly awaited is now becoming a far fetched dream as his clean image began to be tainted.

***

As the sight of a 80m long floating ship entered Siva’s vision, the hangar port began to be alive with the fans’ noisy movements.

Giving orders here and there, the ship that floated a few meters high inside the hangar was then connected to a jet bridge. Rafaela, still clinging on Siva’s arm took a synchronized step with him and boarded the ship.

At one glance, the Miranda may look like a cross between a yacht and Star Craft’s Battlecruiser.

Its bilge was a bit flat, fitted with heavy-duty firing weapons, Blastoise, just like the main deck. It had wings that was folded upward that can span around 200m in length and actually gave the impression that it can travel fast since at the aft were ten thruster engines.

When Siva finally made it to the port side entrance, he had glanced over the general structure of the ship.

His only impression was “Wow” that made Rafaela beside him chuckle. “It’s an Omni-amphibious design.” She told Siva, “My own concept. You like it?”

“It‘s grand.” Siva murmured as he entered the red carpeted interior floor. “But what’s up with a Blastoise below? Is this a warship?”

“No.” The voice who answered his inquiry sounded as if someone from India. He was a man in black with white strikes Navy Captain uniform. “The Miranda is an Exploration Vessel. You can say that it’s a smaller and weaker version of the Archangel used during the War of the Braves.”

Siva could only nod as he was not familiar with the reference. At that, Rafaela took the liberty, though her way of speaking sounded she doesn‘t care.

“Ehem. Let me introduce to you the ship’s captain, Captain Willard Newgate. Formerly a Knight of the Red Dragon Flag of Tiara but now my loyal boy toy.”

As Siva heard the explanation, Captain Newgate bowed while Rafaela proceeded to the recreational area.

But in his mind, he was pondering on the reference of Rafaela’s introduction. A former Knight of the Empire of Tiara, meaning, the Miranda’s captain is an NPC. It’s easy to tell because there is no Knight class or character profession in Terroa.

…or…she could only be lying.

The door behind them closed with a hiss of airlock, surprising Siva, and the ship’s captain then put a finger on his earpiece with a slightly protruding part for the mike. He began to give out commands as he ignored him standing there and Siva took his time studying the strong dark red interior of the Miranda.

“I wouldn‘t mind you being in my ship, mister.” The captain spoke and stroked his beard that grew like a full forest of curly brown hairs. “But I will certainly kick you out if I ever see you cowering like a weakling when in times of need.”

“What do you mean?” Siva asked in honest curiosity.

“We are going to the Continent of Espada, meaning, we‘ll be seeing much of the Pacific Ocean all day and night for the next few days.”

“Wait, shouldn‘t it be faster if we travel by air?”

“That’s suicide.” Newgate’s firm reply. “There are a lot of floating islands on the Pacific Ocean. And most of those islands are uninhabited by people but nested by Lapis. I wouldn‘t doubt you’re familiar with the Lapis.”

Siva nodded and gulped at the same time.

“I am. Don‘t worry.” He said, remembering the big, green, and savage flying S-ranked beast in the internet.

“Good.” The captain bowed. “Now if you‘ll excuse me, I have a ship to navigate.”

The Captain left and Siva went to where Rafaela had gone to. The recreational area’s door opened with the same smooth hissing sound and she saw the blue theme room shone with the rolling party ball in the ceiling. He immediately felt like stepping back going out of the room but the door suddenly closed on his face.

“Why the hurry? It’s a long travel.” Teased the now dressed in a formal blue attire, with bulging cleavage, Rafaela. “Or do you not see me sexy with this outfit?”

Siva gulped and averted his eyes. “No comment.”

Then a chair materialized behind him that made him lose his balance and fall there with a thud. The chair floated towards Rafaela who held two wine glasses with red liquids as the chair stopped directly in front of her.

“Let‘s drink. It’s to cancel the stress of taking off.”

Siva had no choice but to take the drink, trying his hardest not to glance at her cleavage. When he finally got a sip of the wine, he stared outside as he felt a slight jolt that came from the floor.

“Y-You always do this? Drinking before traveling?”

“No.” Rafaela made a meaningful smile. She leaned forward and sat on Siva’s lap, teasing him, with all her seductive qualities. “It’s a special occasion and yes, it’s actually my first time. And it’s also my first time bringing a man into my private quarters.”

As soon as he heard it, Siva felt the chill run from his legs to his nape, through his spine. He knew that he had just put himself into another unavoidable situation.

This is the price of a free ride.

He thought regretfully.

As their eyes met, Rafaela drew her free hand to the tip of his nose. Then, she lifted the red mask’s end and the quantum magnetic pads lost its grip on his skull as she took it. She gently put the mask on the table while not a second removing her gazes on his eyes.

“Now I finally saw your face.”

Rafaela’s smile had a meaningful feel as she used her sweet voice to murmur on his ear.

Siva’s eyes were drawn to the only window on the room and saw that the 3 o’clock sun shone bright orange on the city’s horizon. The tall buildings started to vanish to the right as the ship began to turn. From the orange colored forests and plains that moved towards their left, Siva’s whole body trembled as he heard the next sweet words she said.

“Remove your clothes, my short term slave, so I can savor the first moments of this warm voyage…”

GULP. “P-Please be gentle.” Siva could only follow her as he repeatedly said in his mind that all of this is part of his expensive fare.

“Rawr.”