White Castle.
Standing in the garden, Russell White gazed at the blooming roses. They were pure white, dusted with a fine layer of snow—flowers that bloomed only within the walls of White Castle.
“We have interrogated every member of the Legion of Freedom held in the dungeons. However, none of them will speak.”
Behind Russell White stood the Watchers, clad in flawless, pure white armor. They were faithful blades, bound by a noble duty.
“When asked why Hugo Rhapsody appeared in the Iron Kingdom, no one answered. When asked where he might have gone, no one answered. When asked what happened there… no one answered.”
“Is that so?”
“What are your orders? Do you wish for us to extract the truth by any means necessary? If you desire it, we shall do so.”
Russell White shook his head.
“Do not do that. Let them keep their honor.”
“But…”
“Only then can our own honor remain untarnished.”
Russell White stroked a white rose.
“The truth will be revealed in time. The Watchers need only remain in their places, keeping their truthful eyes fixed upon it. We do not judge or uncover; we merely hold the truth within our sight.”
“Understood.”
At Russell White’s word, the Watchers withdrew. Once they vanished, Russell was left alone once more in the beautiful rose garden. Looking out over the vast, snow-white expanse of the Winter Fortress, he muttered in a cold voice.
“Hugo.”
Russell White looked toward the Winter Fortress.
“The whole world talks about you. They say chaos has arrived because you abandoned your duty, and they wail that peace has been shattered by your foolishness. I cannot say I don’t understand their screams. Just as you did, didn’t we also have our days of insignificance? We, too, had days of wailing and times of screaming.”
To be precise, he was looking at the sky far beyond the Winter Fortress.
“But, you see… it’s not that I can’t understand you. Even if the whole world condemns you, I cannot. The Masters living on this land—myself included—cannot. No, we simply cannot.”
The sky stretched out in a brilliant, piercing blue.
In that endless expanse, only the shining sun and hazy, drifting clouds were visible. But in Russell White’s eyes, a world beyond the sky was revealed—another world that only those who had achieved Transcendence could perceive.
“Who in this world could have been as devoted as you? No matter who had been placed in your position, they would have acted just as you did. All who reach Transcendence are destined to break. But even so, the trials that befell you were far too cruel. Anyone would have ended up like you; perhaps I would have done the same in that situation.”
Russell White looked at the eyes above the clouds.
Nine eyes, seven eyes.
The omnipotent beings looking down upon the world.
“I cannot forgive you for taking the lives of the Watchers. But your life is more tragic than the sins you committed. So much so that rather than feeling anger at your crimes, I feel only pity for your life.”
Russell White plucked a white rose.
“You deserved to be rewarded. Everyone thought so. But the Great Ones did not agree. For they loved only the Sword of the sky.”
Sigh. Russell White let out a long, heavy breath.
“Yes, if it were you, you would have no choice but to draw your sword even if a finger were pointed at your own flesh and blood. Your blood would have no choice but to boil. Even the absolute senses of a Swordmaster could not have suppressed a father’s rage. For your son—not anyone else’s, but your son—to be judged by the gods is unthinkable. After how much you devoted yourself to them.”
Russell White stood with his hands behind his back and laughed hollowly.
“The living beings of the continent only see the result. In their eyes, you are an unworthy sword who abandoned duty and committed a foolish act out of twisted paternal love. They do not care to know why you acted that way, or through what process a man—who may be lazy but is never foolish—reached such a conclusion. No one is curious about such things. O most tragic and lonely sword, why did the gods not reward you?”
The Winter Fortress glittered as it reflected the sunlight.
White, so very white.
“To you… who had to kill your own parents, your wife, and even your son and daughter who had yet to take their first steps… all with your own hands, for the sake of the gods.”
*
Cloud Garden was a peculiar city.
It was located on the trade route leading to the Sky Empire. As a midpoint for merchant caravans and countless travelers, its entertainment and lodging industries were highly developed. Even in broad daylight, solicitors lined the streets, and the shouts of drunkards echoed under the bright sky. It was a stark contrast to the rigid, heavy atmosphere of Cherni, which had been gripped by the tension of war.
When I asked if the aftermath of the chaos hadn’t reached this place, Tom answered in my stead.
“It is because of its proximity to the Sky Empire. Although Cloud Garden lies outside the Sky Empire’s territory, it is practically a vassal city.”
“Is that so?”
“And they say all cities belonging to the Sky Empire are like this. Even when other nations are at war.”
“How can that be?”
“Because it is the Sky Empire,” Tom said flatly. “The nation that has enjoyed the longest peace and the most powerful Great Empire on the continent. The residents of the Sky Empire firmly believe their country will prosper forever. They live thinking that no matter what happens, the Sky Empire will never be invaded, and they will never experience war until the end of their lives.”
It was an arrogant thought.
But no one could blame them.
For that was the prestige of the Sky Empire, the Great Empire of Velma.
「Sky… yes, that name suits the empire best.」
“…”
「And because of that, it is also a country with far too many morons.」
While Liam muttered, the party followed Audrey’s guidance and soon reached our destination. At the highest point of Cloud Garden stood a structure named “Cloud Tower.”
“You can use the Cloud Bridge here.”
“Is there anything we need to prepare? A fee we must pay?”
“No. In the first place, the Cloud Bridge doesn’t belong to Cloud Garden. Though it doesn’t belong to humans, either.”
Audrey walked toward the entrance of Cloud Tower.
The manager of Cloud Tower greeted us warmly. One thing I noticed since arriving here was that the residents of Cloud Garden all had smiles blooming on their faces. It was like a paradise—a place where everyone lived in perpetual happiness. It was so different from the Iron Kingdom, where glaring and shouting if shoulders bumped was the standard greeting, that it felt almost awkward.
And then.
“You’re going up the Cloud Bridge?” the manager asked after hearing our purpose. “Did you all perhaps have a drink in the middle of the day?”
*
Cloud Tower was a type of observatory.
It was a tourist destination where one could take in the scenery of the Sky Mountain Range and the Great Forest from a safe vantage point. It was said that on clear days, one could even see the cities of the Sky Empire, making it a truly magnificent sight.
“Cloud Tower is one of the mysteries of the continent. It has been over a thousand years since this observatory was built, and scholars still disagree on how such a structure was created with the technology of that time. Well, it is a construction of the dragons, so that is only natural.”
“A construction of the dragons?”
“Yes. It was built back when this entire area was the territory of the dragons. Everyone is amazed when they see Cloud Tower. And they wonder: why does a great race that possessed such technology a thousand years ago now stay holed up at the summit of the Sky Mountain Range? Well, who could possibly understand the will of the great dragons?”
The manager guided us to the top floor of Cloud Tower. Unlike the neatly maintained lower floors, the top floor showed clear signs of age.
“Cloud Garden maintains this abandoned structure, but we do not own it. Therefore, we have no right to stop those who wish to use the Cloud Bridge. Nor do we have the right to collect a toll.”
“…”
“Of course, even so, no one tries to use the Cloud Bridge. Very occasionally, eccentric explorers, wizards wandering in search of truth, or young scholars driven mad by academic passion try to pass through.”
“Did they all successfully cross?”
“No.” The manager shook his head. “They all went missing. Without a trace.”
“…”
“The cause has still not been revealed. So, personally, I would like to stop you. But I have no right to do so. For everyone living under the sky has the right to freely do as they wish.”
The manager smiled.
“I wish you a safe journey.”
With those final words, the manager headed back down the stairs. A chilly silence hung over the top floor where only our party remained. In the silence, Audrey gestured with her chin.
“Lead the way.”
“Me?”
“Then should a wizard stand at the very front? In a place where you don’t know what might happen, the wizard is supposed to be at the very back. If you don’t like it, why don’t you pray to the gods and become a priest?”
“…”
I didn’t like Audrey’s attitude.
But her words weren’t wrong.
Wizards, along with priests, were considered the most vital assets. It was always the swordsmen who stepped forward first when entering the unknown. And here? There were three swordsmen. While I hesitated, Sherizik stepped forward.
“I will go. I was supposed to take the role of guide when I joined this group anyway.”
She was an all-rounder who was good at everything.
And she had the courage to step forward first when things were dangerous.
Sherizik was the best companion…
“As expected of an orc.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Even when Audrey clapped and tried to be annoying, it didn’t work on Sherizik. She walked boldly onto the Cloud Bridge. Everyone followed behind her.
“Oh.”
The passage was located at the very top of Cloud Tower.
The Cloud Bridge was a peculiar place. Despite the name, it was a circular passage made of glass. I had wondered if the name was metaphorical, but once I stepped inside and started walking, I understood.
“It feels like walking on top of the sky.”
Because it was glass on all sides, it felt as if I were flying high above the world. It felt like becoming a bird passing over the clouds. Listening to Seol-yoon’s words, I looked around and felt a strange sense of ecstasy. Despite the chilling warning that everyone who entered had gone missing, the tension faded, and my heart began to throb instead.
And then.
…Why won’t this throbbing stop?
The heartbeat, which I thought was pounding due to the novelty of the place, continued to echo without stopping. It was reacting to something.
“Wait…”
At the same time.
“Get down!” Audrey shouted, her voice urgent.
But it was too late. Beyond the glass passage, beyond the transparent barrier, the silhouette of something massive appeared. Something was flying between the clouds. It was gradually getting closer, and as the distance closed, ‘its’ size grew uncontrollably large.
“Ah.”
Everyone knew what it was without being told.
A dragon.
“Our luck is absolutely abysmal!”
Along with the massive silhouette casting a shadow over us, the sound of my heart grew even louder. A moment later, all sound stopped. Even my heartbeat could no longer be heard, and a high-pitched ring echoed in my ears. Next, a cold, dry, withered voice resonated in my head.
『Do you know the genius who became a taxidermied masterpiece?』
The voice of the Sword.
The voice of 「Soaring」.
Abysmal luck? Hardly.
I accepted the memories flowing into me.
And forced a smile.
This is a stroke of luck.
Now then.
Let’s exchange greetings.
You winged lizard.
