About two months later.

The usual barkeep.

Elderia.

Devankul City.

"Another one-!? Ayo! Comin' right uppppp!!", "Yaaaa, not done yet-!?! Okay!!", "...We're out of grizzly boar meat for today-!?"

"Aah, lies! I can sense the meat's presence nearby!"

"Ayaaa... There's no point hiding it... Come on guys, bring in all of it!"

After a slight clank in the pile of dishes beside Vixella by the counter, Sally sighed loudly.

"O-Okay... That's enough, right..."

"Now I'll have some dessert."

"...!?"

Vixella clasped her hands and prayed happily.

"Thanks for the fooooood."

"You're welcome... For some reason, I think we're going to have a shortage of ingredients for a while..."

Vixella leaned back to ponder about something.

"Aah, too bad then."

Sally who was busy cleaning an empty ale mug raised an eyebrow.

"I got summoned to the palace a few days ago."

"Another assignment...?"

"Travel to Demo Sovereignty and help Algoria... Something like that..."

"Ayaa... Sounds troublesome! Wait, where's Algoria?"

"Across the sea?"

"Wait... You're leaving-!?"

"Yeah... Also, Xenthur told me that the Holy Sect of Licht started to rebuild an old abandoned cathedral somewhere..."

"Well... If it's a religion about people like you who save our asses at dire times then I wouldn't mind-"

Vixella slammed the table.

"You should mind...!"

"Ayaa-?! Why so aggressive-!?"

"I've encountered those guys in the past... They are... Persistent."

"I see... I'll keep that in mind... So, are you leaving soon?"

"I've already said goodbye to the others! You're the last one I came to since I'll be leaving tomorrow."

Sally looked away with a bitter smile.

"Aha... Of course, you'd say goodbye to me last..."

"Yup, since I'll be missing your grizzly boar meals the most."

"O-Oh..."

Taken by surprise, Sally quickly blinked away the tears filling her eyes.

Vixella then stood up from the stool to smile brightly at her.

"Don't worry! The last thing that I'll do before I die is to eat a grizzly boar meal cooked by you!"

"V-Vixella..."

"Mark my words Sally, I'll come back for you! Just you wait for me! My love!"

Kneeling in a comedic manner and pulling a rose out of nowhere, she once again proposed to Sally.

Sally let out a breath of relief as she finally brushed away all of the tears.

"Ayaya, how many times have I been proposed to already...?"

Vixella leaned over the counter with a sly face.

"Well, darling... I've lost count... But I'll marry your cooking skills... Any day..."

The two fell into slight laughter as they deviate off-topic to humor the conversation onward.

"Once I arrive there, I'll just probably find a job and settle down... Let's hope I don't get dragged into some stupid---"

"Ayaa! It's rare to see you get bothered like that!"

"Even I get furious when people scheme over my easy-going life plans."

"Ayo! I can relate with you there, sis!"

Sally followed through.

"To begin with... None of this would've happened if Xenthur didn't tell Elderia's King... I would've just led a peaceful life... Peace---"

Vixella started to mumble as she stared blankly at the countertop.

She then went on to mumble out the many rants and stories of everything and anything that had gone wrong in her life.

In return, Sally smiled back at her in pity as the blabbering minutes that became an ominous chant went on and on.

A CENTURY LATER

(Depressed Transition Music)

"Wait... I'm not taking the freight...? Strider...? But there won't even be enough magical power to fuel it-!?"

Vixella then began mimicking a dwarfish accent to reply to herself.

"Don't worry, yerr' uncle had made this thing able to float! N' charge yerr' magical battery yerself on the wae, yes ye will!"

"And what about food-!? What-!? Dried packaged meals-!? It better be grizzly boar flavor!"

She grimaced, seemingly grabbing the collar of somebody while strangling the air.

Floating in her Strider somewhere in the Great Sea, she glanced up at the cloudy evening sky.

"And here I am... In the middle of nowhere..."

Vixella yawned slightly and grasped onto the cable connecting to the engine compartments.

She was recharging the craft through the magical battery cable that hung out from a metal panel.

"Nearly got eaten by sea monsters? Fumbled in a storm for two nights? Dragged away by a whirlpool? Struck by lightning-"

The rumbling sky interrupted her sentence.

"Speak of the devil."

BUSHAA!! (Weeb thunder SFX)

The stormy night winds caused waves to rush by as Vixella's Strider was flushed about in the dark cold sea.

She who was grimacing and gripping tight onto the cable poured in even more magical power to speed up the recharging process.

Fortunately for her, the dwarves were kind enough to enclose the cockpit so she didn't drown in the waves.

"Just when will this thing be done recharging--- Wait, what... Is that a--- AAAH!! EMERGENCY TAKE-OFF!!"

Heaving heavily, Vixella woke up from her deep slumber and gasped for breath.

Crossing her arms, she felt her all over herself to check if she was a-okay.

Vixella then slapped herself to wake up before sliding down the reinforced windshield.

The salty breeze flushed into the cockpit as she slowly peeked a look outside.

It was still the usual 'Great Sea'.

The Vast Blue A.K.A. The Middle of Nowhere.

"It's funny how sea monsters aren't too aggressive at day time."

Vixella smiled bitterly, seeing leviathans play around like dolphins in the distance before sitting back down.

(Here, just a random reference from Subnautica... One of the many types of 'Sea Monster' in the 'Great Sea'.)

[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/362703793596399618/747893169999446166/Sea_Emperor_Concept_Hi_Res.webp]

She then reached under the cockpit's seat to pull out a package of dried powder meal.

Tearing the top open, she spewed in holy water that was conjured from the tip of her finger.

Flicking a thumb underneath, a small flame came forth to heat up the dried food package.

(Yep, it's MRE... Also, using Holy Water to cook- What is this luxury...!?)

Vixella grasped the top sides of the package and blew over it carefully to disperse the hot steam into the salty morning breeze.

"Damnit... Having to eat this disgusting instant porridge thing... Aah, at least it's grizzly boar flavor... Teheheh..."

She gave off a wicked smile before contently slurping up a mouthful from the package.

After she was done chomping away at the instant food, Vixella closed the cockpit hatch and took off from the sea level.

Her journey towards the uncharted land across the Great Sea went relatively smooth.

And by relatively smooth, one would mean nearly dying on many occasions.

The dangers of the great sea weren't something anyone should just take so lightly.

If there was anything worse than flying battleships, then it would be the 'Great Sea'.

Either way, the weeks passed by relatively quickly.

Already losing track of the time, Vixella ultimately became bored.

She was always trying to find something new and entertaining to do every time the craft was recharging on the water's surface.

Some nights when she got so bored, she would just leap into the dark blue to beat the shit out of a sea monster with her fists.

Otherwise, during the day, the craft would zoom through the air just a few dozen meters above the sea surface.

Having experienced many dangers, she was constantly in fear of being swallowed whole by giant sea creatures.

It wasn't fear for her own life... But rather the fear of losing the Strider, her only hope of survival in the Vast Blue.

Though if it came to it... She could probably beat a surface-type Sea Monster into submission and sleep on it.

Vixella paid close attention to the twirling indicator stabilizer thing mounted beside the joystick.

Keeping her altitude at a certain level above the sea level was now just another regular schedule to stick with.

The next day, Vixella who woke up early due to gut instinct tried to identify something shining beyond the morning fog.

"A Bulbdragon at sea level? Aah, wait... That's a lighthouse."

Demo Sovereignty.

Western Mechanical Port.

Vixella's strangely shaped craft docked onto one of the mechanical arms that extended out to latch onto it.

Above the metallic docks that were gleaming rested a few neutral district-watch corvettes on standby.

Guards were patrolling the vicinity as the sharply dressed crew resembling law-keeping officers walked upon the decks.

An officer clad in black clean uniform paced steadily towards the docking station.

He casually waved at the two guards who were standing on watch nearby.

"Good day to you, inspector!"

The two guards in return to his friendly gesture sternly saluted back.

The inspector then raised an eyebrow upon seeing the painting of the howling wolf on Vixella's craft.

"Wait... Did Sir Wolfe take-off without clearance again?"

Upon reaching the craft, he knocked on the windshield.

"Sir Wolfe, with all due respect, you need to inform us before flying into the restricted shore area."

The cockpit's windshield steadily slid down as Vixella peeked her head out to greet the officer.

"So this thing is called a Strider?"

"Isn't Sir Wolfe engaged...? Why is there a woman in one of his Striders...?"

"That dog family guy? He's engaged? Good for him."

The inspector ignored her and reached out a hand.

"That aside, ma'am... Please follow me to sort your papers."

She was utterly confused, taking his hand as she stepped out of the craft.

"Papers?"

"Looking from your attire... Is this your first time coming from one of the neighboring lands in the sea?"

"Yes...?"

"Well... Sir Wolfe is indeed popular... Does he visit you often...?"

"We've only met a few times."

He who couldn't see Vixella's face clearly under the cloak's hood didn't pay much attention to her.

After all, it was just another dim-lit and tiresome misty morning at the main docking stations.

Surely he had dealt with enough women in his life.

His left ring finger was also already occupied.

"Since this is your first time here, we shall register your identity... Please follow me."

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

The guards nearby soon became a bit uneasy upon seeing a cloaked figure follow behind the Inspector.

However, he quickly and firmly gestured to the guards nearby that everything was under control.

Later, in the nearby office guard post.

"Alright... Miss Vixella... Please sign here if you may..."

"Understood."

Vixella who was occupied with filling in the form glanced up for a little before continuing.

The inspector seemed to have some trouble sitting still.

It looked like was in some sort of hurry... Toilet?

Vixella just didn't understand.

Not any man can just keep his manhood calm in the presence of such innocent beauty.

After taking off the cloak's hood, every single detail of Vixella's face had already captivated his body and soul without remorse.

As usual, Vixella never took this into account.

She smiled wryly and finished the last details on the form.

The inspector was surely trying his best to hold it in.

"Aah, I don't mind if you if you have to go...?"

Vixella awkwardly gestured at the toilet door to the side.

"N-No! I mean... Uh... I SHALL FINISH AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!!!"

Upon slipping behind the door, he looked at her for the last time before closing it shut behind him.

"O-OH!! OH MY GOD!! YES!! AAHH! MMM!"

Vixella sighed out of relief upon hearing the inspector let out muffled moans of satisfaction.

"I suppose he did need to go to the toilet? Aah, I feel kind of bad for keeping him here for so long."

The inspector walked firmly back towards her as if he was a new man reborn, seemingly sparkling all over.

"My sincere gratitude for letting me relieve myself of that-"

"Aah... Don't mention it, please."

Vixella quickly stood up to softly push him back down to sit.

"Miss Vixella Langford, these are your identification papers. Do not lose them."

"I'll make sure to protect this!"

Vixella affirmed like a dedicated child that was given an extremely important task.

"Yes... So, no relatives or family members who live here?"

"Aah... I can't remember much about my family except the priestess... And what about you? Is your family still around?"

"Priestess...? Then you must be from an orphanage...? I'll write that down... As for myself, all I have left is a wife and two kids."

"Your wife..."

"Yes?"

"A good one, I presume?"

The inspector looked a bit unsteady.

"Yes, she's all I could wish for..."

"Aah? Then what's with that hesitation? You should stay loyal to her!"

"I think it's already too late for that... Men usually yearn for something they don't have..."

"I get you... But that's too bad then."

"That aside... Would you like a messenger bag to keep your belongings and papers in?"

The inspector reached under the desk before handing over a sturdy-looking messenger bag.

Vixella opened her eyes in surprise.

"You sure?" "Hontou ka?" ((WEEB MODE OOF EM UP))

"Yes, it is the finest quality... Weaved with magic-imbued leather."

"Isn't this... Expensive-!?"

"Don't worry! I was planning to give this to my wife so I'll go buy her a new one for her later..."

She firmly took the bag and swung it over herself before resting a small gemstone on the table.

"Here, as a token of gratitude..."

"Miss Langford... Are you sure you're not some sort of thief or smuggler...?"

The inspector smiled-

"Do I look like one...? Anyways, where do I go from here? Is there an information center?"

"Right, Miss Langford... Since you are new around here, would you like a local map?"

He passed over a neatly folded map.

Vixella nodded as she tucked it into the messenger bag.

"Thanks."

"If that is all, then I shall see you out of my office."

"Wait... What of my Strider?"

"We'll safely deliver it to Algoria District's Main Station within the day. Please enjoy the train ride in the meantime."

"Train? Aah, how convenient! Thank you!"

The inspector, upon seeing her genuine smile, fumbled slightly in his composure.

"Hahaha... I'm just doing my usual job routine but to think I'm getting paid this much..."

"Good for you?"

Vixella raised her eyebrows, not understanding what he was getting at.

"Before you leave... I have a word of advice... Please don't walk around in that cloak... People will become quite uneasy."

Vixella pulled up the hood before nodding a little in response.

"I'll quickly visit a tailor then... According to this map... Where is..."

"Oh? Then I would recommend this store that my wife usually visits, seeing how you don't seem to have a shortage of money."

The inspector stepped up as he marked a specific building on the local map with the quill in his hand.

"Aah, well... I doubt paying in gemstones is a good idea... Is there a reliable fence?"

Vixella asked casually and looked up at him.

"Miss Langford, you sure have a broad knowledge... Are you sure you want to know?"

The inspector, upon seeing that Vixella did not take her dim eyes off of him, marked a certain alleyway near the town square.

Algoria District had a different sense of 'bustling activities' than the cities of Afria.

Vixella gawked around as she followed the map while walking down the dim-lit road.

Common folk here compared to Afria were dressed much more sharply than usual.

The place was also seemingly much more modern and clean.

It was just like the 1920s she saw in those history books from in the former world.

That was one of the merits of not neglecting one's history homework.

Suits, Shirts, Blouses, Dresses, or Skirts?

You name it.

It was that kind of Industrial Victorian-Era Town.

Above the streets flew larger Striders back and forth.

Perhaps it was the taxi or delivery system?

There were also law-enforcing ones armed with smaller singular pellet-cannons.

They seemed quite downgraded compared to the military models.

Vixella, after pondering about and reaching a certain street, hid her presence and vanished into a misty alleyway.

Softly pushing open a rusty door, she stepped inside the dusty store and paced towards the boarded-up counter.

An old man with a spectacle stood behind the said boarded-up counter.

Glancing down slightly, Vixella saw the musket pistol by his holster in which he had always had his other hand on.

Her amber eyes that shone dimly in the dark store blinked once.

"You take gemstones?"

The old man behind the boarded-up counter seemed a bit surprised upon seeing her slide a few onto the counter.

He then began inspecting them carefully for a few long seconds each at a time before concluding with a nod.

Reaching underneath the counter, the old man then slid forth five thick bundles of card-like paper.

'DEMO' was inscribed on them.

She swiftly took the bundles and slid them deep into the sturdy messenger bag without hesitation.

Before the trip, Vixella had taken all the gemstones she could fit inside her pouch on the magical leather belt.

She went through all the trouble of sneaking into all of those treasuries and ruins unnoticed, after-all.

No one could've or would've suspected that it was her who was, in fact, the cunning thief.

Consequently, Vixella was now able to probably live a life of leisure in the continent of Demo for about a month.

Finally, it was time for her to get a job, settle down, and explore this brave new world!

Life in Vixella's book was meant to be enjoyed to the fullest.

Yeah! Laying around doing nothing all day was a big no-no!

A shady figure donning a silky-cloak strode quickly downtown.

Passersby folk began glaring as they chitchat in suspicion.

The Strider patrols above began to tail the said figure who disappeared into a tailor store.

The storefront's bell rang as every female in the store wearily glanced at the shadow looming the entrance.

Vixella quickly lowered her hood and walked deeper into the store as she pretended to look about.

Everyone in the store was soon taken by her captivating appearance that was suddenly revealed.

One of the saleswomen who worked at the place hurriedly came to Vixella's aid, mistaking her for some rich mistress.

After a while of trying on sets of clothing, Vixella inspected her final look at a tall standing mirror.

A pair of trousers were held up by the usual leather belt donning the holster for Ivan's heavily modified prototype-pistol.

Resting on her shoulders was a long-sleeved blouse that came with a fitting collar and shawl.

The chocolate necktie hung around underneath the said shawl.

Lastly, a fine hat rested on her head.

[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/404059426413084672/747909629530603558/unknown.png]

((Reference))

Vixella was now sure that she will be able to blend in with the population of Demo within no time.

This, after all, was just another step to settling down for a peaceful life across the Great Sea.

That outfit all finished off with the inspector's sturdy messenger bag that hung to her side... A perfect fit!

Well, she was grateful that the dress code around here didn't require women to wear encumbering dresses.

Completely ignoring the fact that a civil war was brewing, she paid for her new attire and carefreely walked out of the store.

Vixella was a bit confused as the Strider patrols floating above her dispersed upon seeing her exit with the cloak in hand.

Tucking the flexible spider-silk cloak inside the sturdy messenger bag, she walked down the street while following the map.

Having blent in with the middle-class population of the Demo continent, Vixella seemed extremely content as she walked on.

Owning a weapon to defend yourself was pretty common for the middle-class society around here in Demo.

Vixella, coming in with an unknown yet seemingly clean background, was approved by the inspector to own such a weapon.

Self-defense regulations aside, one was allowed to own a firearm if their economy and background were good enough.

The crowd eventually became tighter as she approached the bustling town square filled with varying people.

After a long while, Vixella had completely vanished into the flock of people who all had their own stories to tell.