Due to hasten departure. They will tomorrow while Falecia leaving today.

"Noel, i wish for you to be safe." Falecia said in front of her carriage and facing Noel.

"Yes, i wish for your safety too and do not worry. I have Evan with me." Noel said and holds Falecia's hand.

"Until our next meeting, take care."

"You too."

Even though it was ordinary farewell. Somehow both of them getting in the mood and holding hands bit longer than to be expected.

"Youngsters." The count said while yawning, the only who heard him was Evan whose laughed.

Falecia's carriage left afterwards and Noel with Evan is together in the library.

"How long it will take to the Rashburg Academy?" Evan asked.

"Around two weeks, we're going with balloonship. Rashburg Academy located in Voru city which is in neutral zone." Noel said.

Evan searching through the books and found about neutral zone. Neutral zone was created 800 years ago by Union because the worst war state at that time. Neutral zone received many supports by kingdoms which aren't at war and raised an army to stop the war at all cost. Neutral zone is made like a giant and wide fortress. Seven Giant and thick walls made to protect the zone from any harm. It said that neutral zone is the safest place. Those walls intentionally were built as last hope and protector of Azure crystal; the Union is responsible for all of this and if they outlaw their own laws. The other kingdoms have rights to stop the Union.

While the Union itself consisted by people who aware of the history and they are called the land's guardian. Their purpose is to stop the same tragedy of nightmare winter or possible outbreak in this land.

"balloon ship.... where do we get one?" Evan asked.

"Capital of course. It will take a week or so to arrive at the capital. Then we need to wait the balloon ship at most maybe two days? Going to the neutral zone will need two or three days. By horse, it will take near a month or so."

Evan slowly nodded. balloon ship, he never heard that before and that's mean the technology is advanced.

The next day. It finally the departure day. Evan and Noel entering the carriage and the count waving his hand on their departure. The carriage is moving rather fast; they intend to week more earlier so that they get a quick chance to get on the balloon ship.

When at night, the carriage stopped on side road or at a town or village they passed by. Resting for all night and leaving in early morning. Even though their journey is quite uncomfortable, Evan and Noel able to bear with it and eventually they arrived at the capital two days earlier than expected.

"Welcome to the capital, Orsga." Noel said. Orsga, the capital of Noguard, surrounded by red thick tall wall. The gate of the capital is big that it needs to be moved by magic. Evan didn't get amazed somehow. He already saw grander capital than this in the past. Of course, that capital is no longer exist and that's because of him.

"balloon ship." Evan said when he looking at the gigantic object flying on the sky.

"Yeah, that's the balloon ship. Each kingdom only has three balloon ships and that's the rule." Noel explained.

"Why only three?" Evan tilted his head.

"The Union is the one who made the balloon ship. The maintenance also by them and only piloted by them too. They have distrust towards the kingdoms." Noel said with normal expression as he picked his luggage.

Evan nodded and picked his luggage then both of them walks together to balloon ship station.

"We're going to check the available balloon ship first." Noel said.

Arriving at the balloon station. They entering a building where people waiting to get the ticked to enter the balloon ship.

"Just wait here." Noel said and leave his luggage with Evan. He went to the line and waiting.

Evan looking at building, it's quite clean and decorated really well. The building also in good condition and comfortable to see. The people in the building are almost wearing expensive clothes. They must be nobles or rich people and Evan thinking that balloon ship only ride able by the nobles but that isn't the case, the commoners also lining up and he thinks the second possibility. The ticket for balloon ship is expensive and noble able to pay them easily while commoner have a hard time to do so.

Not long after that, Noel returns with two tickets on his hand, he looks happy.

"We're lucky." He grinned.

"We can leave tomorrow before noon."

"That's great. Is the ticket expensive?" Evan asked.

"Yeah, 3 golds for one person."

Evan nodded, that's certainly amount of commoner couldn't afford. They better spend 3 golds for their daily rather than riding a balloon ship unless they have something to do or maybe their wish to ride one exceed their needs.

Evan and Noel went to an inn and rent two rooms for one night only. The inn has two floors; the first floor is a tavern while the second is the rooms for rent. Both Evan and Noel have dinner in the tavern.

"Did you hear? The situation is getting worst between Alainstein and Noguard."

"I heard they are pushing our army? Where did they get that huge numbers all of sudden?"

"The third princess, who was her name? Qisha Virz Alainstein? She is maybe the first queen that rose in throne very quickly and seize opportunity."

The people were gossiping. Evan glanced at Noel who made worry expression. He certainly knows what Noel worried about, it is his father who staying at his territory.

"Aside that thing. I feel our night is getting more unsettling. The rumor about the undead king, it is real isn't?"

"Probably? Never met one but the undead sight around and some people who got attacked by them are wide spreading."

"So, will there be another nightmare winter?"

"Pfft. Old people are exaggerated, there is no way someone able to make a winter all across the land!"

"Hey, Undead king isn't someone anymore."

The more time passed, the more story of nightmare winter is just a myth or legend. People wouldn't put much faith until they see something real. But in reality, you have to believe what you can't see and what you can see. Because you are limited. Old tales not just tales only, if not, why would people told about it? At least if isn't real, people able to get the meaning behind the story.

After dinner, they went to sleep early and woke up in early morning. Evan and Noel went to exercise. They didn't have much time for exercise on their journey back then. But now they have time to have exercise. Afterwards, they have breakfast and resting for a while before going to the station.

The balloon ship is ready. Evan was astonished. He is interested how this balloon ship can fly, he knows that there is an air inside the balloon but what makes the balloon ship move and rotate? Is it magic or mechanism?

"Oh, so you still alive. N-O-E-L." A mocking tone sounded once they aboard the ship. Noel frowned and looking to his right. A man at same age as him with prideful attitude and a face which is on same par with Noel. He has blonde hair combed to the left side which covered his ear and his eyes are red, he is wearing an expensive red outfit.

"Glein." Noel said in suppressed tone. He is glaring at Glein with dissatisfaction.

"Oh? Such a gaze. Know your place. You don't even can stand against me?" Glein said in mocking tone. He then shifted his eyes to Evan.

"Who is that? Your dog?" He laughed.

"He is my friend! My bodyguard." Noel said it with angry tone but that didn't affect Glein at all. Yet, he is becoming more evilly happy.

"Ah friend? Bodyguard? Such a low taste huh. Even Noel needs someone to protect him, right? Protected by mere commoner, hahahaha!" Glein laughed really hard and became everyone’s attention. Noel couldn't take it anymore and he suddenly took out his sword and aim it towards Glein. Yet, Glein smile wickedly.

"Pointing your sword to me? Do you wish to lose your position? Do you dare against me? Glein Erdest?" He said mockingly.

"I don't care who you are, but do not bad mouth my friend!"

"Tsk, so small minded one. I wonder how did you became a noble. Getting angry just by this, i wonder what will happen when you grow up?"

Evan doesn't know why these two are really hostile to each other. Noel easily lose his temper when meet Glein while Glein himself rather calm and happily mocking Noel. Both of them have gap in emotion control.

"Beside...." Glein said while pushing away Noel's sword. "I'm far stronger than you." He smiled.

"Anyway, enough of this. See you later." Glein turned his body and walks away.

Noel exhaled and then inhale. He put his sword back and turned towards Evan.

"Sorry Evan. To think we would meet Glein. Well, i rather expect this but not this soon." Noel said in apologetic face and tone.

"Doesn't matter, but who he is?"

"Glein Erdest, son of Duke Erdest. He is an arrogant noble and he isn't just word, his skill truly amazing than me. Somehow he likes to mock me and shunned me when he able to." Noel said in irritated tone.

"Clearly, he is more superior than you." Evan said.

"You think so too? He able to control his emotion really well and use people around him. He didn't care about commoner and he is someone that able to trample people he wants. But thanks to Falecia, he is unable to lay his hand on me." Noel laughed.

"I felt ashamed to be protected by a girl." He continued.

Evan tapped his back and says.

"What can be done? Both of you have different statuses and only people with same status could challenge each other. So why don't you just work hard and then marry Falecia."

"You're more mature than usual? Anyway, i can't just rely on Falecia, i need to make my stand too. Let's go."

They went to their own rooms and put they’re belonging inside. The balloon ship could take 300 people and this balloon ship has around 240 people.

Evan looking around the ship, he can't just stay still. He was fascinated by the technology. Evan scanned every part of the balloon ship and confirmed it.

Not long after that, the balloon ship departed. Evan quickly went to side and looking down to the capital from above.

"This is much comfortable than riding a dragon." He muttered.

The balloon ship flying quite high but the land still visible and it moving quite fast but neutral zone still far away. Just hope the weather isn't going to be bad or monsters attacking on the air.

When it's breakfast, lunch or dinner time, the attendants will serve the foods and the passenger will come to the dining hall.

"Quite good isn't?" Noel said after chewing his food.

"By good, is it the food or something else?"

"All of it!"

"Then it's good." Evan smiled. He enjoying the feeling on the air and the food is delicious too. Evan looking at the window, it's night and the sky is full of stars. The uneasiness inside him erased just by looking at it.

After dinner, Evan and Noel quickly went to bed and woke up early.

Looking at below scenery. Right now, they are already left Noguard's territory and entering Tamas kingdom. One more kingdom to pass and they will arrive at neutral zone.

Day went to dark once again. Evan and Noel looking at the scenery. There is nothing to be seen since it's dark but they got nothing to do.

Evan glanced at Noel who had sad face.

"Worry about your father?" Evan asked and Noel slowly nodded.

"I don't know his news right now. I hope he is fine but...you know, i don't want to lose him. He is the only one i got as a family." He said with bitter smile.

"Yes, i hope your father is fine."

Evan wished for it. If Noel suffered the same thing like him which is losing his parents, he doesn’t know if Noel can hold on. Human heart is weak and strongly driven by emotions. He doesn’t know if Noel will get depressed or hatred.

"Hm? What is that?" Someone said it.

Evan looking to in front of the ship. The balloon ship turning on the light which is powered by magic and another ship can be seen.

"It's coming at us! Why it didn't steer away?"