Helgi and Yuri stood still, their eyes wide open while taking in the scene.

“This..what..just..what in the..”

Yuri was at a loss for words, unable to form a complete sentence.

“These crazy bastards..they formed their own perfect little habitat, and separated them into islands to keep them as genuine as possible without contaminating any area with another..”

Helgi mumbled under his breath while his eyes darted around every detail, trying to take as much as possible in.

“Indeed, Helgi you seem surprisingly well versed in this type of thing?” Hikaru sounded impressed.

“Yeah..being someone who has to be social, i benefit from learning as much as i can. But tell me, how did they accomplish this. This complete isolation and perfect distribution of geographical areas..such an unorthodox method..”

Looking at Hikaru, Helgi asked for an explanation.

“Yeah..I was as amazed as you when i first visited here. Solving the issue of limited landmass inside here, with this kind of method..floating islands. Is something no other place in this realm is capable of. The sheer amount of of mana required to keep the islands afloat, not mentioning the lights that serve as a replacement for the sun..the mana required would be astronomical.  Perhaps even on the level of a god..”

Hikaru explained with a slightly baffled expression. Despite him being here before, the sheer absurdity of the sight before him never failed to amaze him.

“That’s why Hikaru brought us here, right?”

Yuri turned around toward them.

“Indeed. It’s why i suspect they may be using some sort of godly relic. After the encounter with the godly relic in the Golden city, i realised what was truly possible through the use of a single relic. It made me rethink a lot of things, this city..or contained country. Being one of them.”

He looked off at the slowly moving pieces of land, floating above the infinite void beneath, easier than a gliding feather.

“Good job Hikaru, you’re starting to get into the right thinking patterns”

She patted him on the back, having to reach up slightly.

“You make me proud as your mentor into the arts of thievery and trickery!”

“Your compliment is appreciated Yuri, just..let’s try and not destroy this one”

“This one…?” Her head tilted slightly.

“This city.” Hikaru gave Yuri a serious stare.

Seeing this, Helgi copied his serious stare and looked at Yuri.

“Come onnn, it wasn’t my fault. We were both there together! I wasn’t even the one to make the final blow against that weird dragon that exploded.”

Protesting, Yuri shook her fist in defiance.

“Indeed..my hand was forced. By certain runes which had somehow found their way to my shoes.”

Hikaru raised an emotionless eyebrow at her.

“Well...I guess. But i really wanted that relic okay!”

Hikaru was slowly leading them down some stairs, going along the edge, beyond which was the deep bottomless pit.

“Yuri Yuri Yuri..” Helgi shook his head.

“You should just give up, It’s always you who attracts trouble”

“Me?? But that had nothing to do with me! That would have happened either way! aah I’m not going to argue with you two about this, you’ve already set your minds to be against me, traitors. I thought we were partners.”

Looking away, she began to pout slightly.

“Very well, let’s board our transport vehicle and be on our way?”

Hikaru had led them to a small port sticking out into the empty space, where a small airship was parked.

It was similar to the balloon ships Yuri first encountered, except these ones were obviously much more sophisticated. The boat part was made of extremely thin boards of wood, that despite being so thin, seemed to be sturdy enough that they could carry the many bags of goods inside it. It’s shape was completely different as well. It wasn’t the traditional shape of a boat that sailed through water, instead it had a distinct aerodynamic shape, it would likely glide through the air faster than any other air ship.

Even the balloon part was a significant upgrade from the traditional airships, it seemed to be made completely from feathers. Unlike the paper used in the traditional ones.

Beneath the balloon hanged a small ornate lamp, which provided the balloon with hot air to keep it afloat.

“Fancyyyy, this sure does feel like an isolated country. What a fancy ride”

Yuri whistled appreciatively.

“I see you like old Berndy, aye it’s a good ship alright, been around in my family for generations. My grandpappy had it and his grandpappy before him! It’s a true relic, yah won’t find any like her, design as old as this, but sturdy as hell i tell yah. It sure is a beaut.”

An old man appeared from behind them, approaching them with a short cane to steady himself on.

“Do you tell that to every visitor that comes by? That seemed very well rehearsed old man”

Helgi asked.

“Heavens no, son, i would only tell someone about old Berndy if i thought they could appreciate just how much of a relic of history it truly is. Each board can probably tell yah an adventure of a lifetime!”

The old man bragged about his ship with no hesitation.

“Woah Really? What kind of adventures? Anything involving thieves?”

A glitter shone in Yuri’s eyes.

“Well, missy, i can’t say if it was about thieves or no thieves..but there was this one time, when old Berndy had to survive a chase from some notorious air pirates, tryina rob us for our ship!! They probably knew the value of it and wanted it to themselves! But my old pappy, he was one hell of a pilot! He steered old Berndy under an island, low enough that you almost entered the black! The bastards tried to do the same! But their ship wasn’t as well built as our Berndy, it broke apart the moment they began descending!”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Woah that sounds cool, i’ve never been in an air chase before”

Yuri seemed impressed with the story.

“Really? last i remember, your ship was called Randig, and had a leather balloon and boards coloured with stripes. The colours of your house you called them i think? And that story sounds very familiar, i think you told it before, but i might be remembering wrong, since i think it was actually the guards that were to capture your ship, because your ship was considered a national treasure.”

Hikaru spoke up, giving the old man a polite smile.

“I..uh..”

The old man was at a loss for words.

“Damnit. You’ve been here before haven’t you! Young people having the cheek to lie and say they’re newcomers..”

He grumbled.

“You’re the last person who should be commenting on people's lies. Besides, we never stated that we were newcomers.”

The old man was instantly rebuted by Hikaru’s quick words.

“Fine. Fiiiine. Whatever, where do you need to go?”

Sighing, the old man went to prepare his airship for flying.

“Ehhhh that was all a lie?! But what about the bandits! and the cool air maneuvers!”

Yuri cried out.

“Oh please. This ship is a used piece of junk. I buy em for cheap and use em until they’re at the end of their life then sell em and buy another used one. Most this one can do is not suddenly drop outta the sky. And it only barely does that.”

The old man grumbled.

“Why did you lie about your ship…?”

Yuri tilted her head.

“Because he wanted to make us pay extra. He’s been doing it for years. Well probably. I remember his father running that same tale with different details, so i guess something does get inherited in the family after all”

Hikaru commented, making Yuri chuckle slightly.

“Hm..? Now you’re the one lyin sonny. My pappy died when i was ten. Thats long before any of you were even in yer mommas bellies”

“Hm? I suppose it has been a while since i last visited here. I remember your father being exactly like you. Except he was more pleasant, always bragging about that scar on his face. Saying it came from a monster living at the bottom of the pit.”

Hikaru looked up into nothing, trying to work his memory.

“You know about my pappys scar..?”

The old man slowly stopped what he was doing.

“Sure? After all, he did tell everyone about it. Something about..his used ship breaking down, making him sink near the bottom of the pit before finally managing to get his balloon working, right? I think everyone thought he was crazy, but he was still so cheerful and kept trying to convince people of the monster..what did he call it now again..”

Hikaru rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

“...The pit monster. That’s what he called it.”

Added the old man.

“That’s right, the pit monster. You know, despite what everyone thought, I’m fairly sure those scars were real, he didn’t seem to be lying, despite being so good at it. What happened to him anyway? Did he end up proving the monster was real..?”

Asked Hikaru with genuine curiosity.

“No..he died without anyone believin him. But i believe him. My pappy may be a liar, but ah knew he was tellin the truth. Actually..he did tell meh about some sonny boy..who also believed him. He said his record was only two..he hoped i’d manage to convince more people than him.So you were the second one, the sonny boy.”

He sounded amazed, looking over at Hikaru in wonder.

“How come you aint an old bastard like me?”

“Well..” Hikaru began.

“Ah never mind it sonny. All that matters is that you knew mah pappy, and that yah believed him!”

The old man prepared the ship and beckoned them on.

“So you two know each other huh, does that mean we get a friends and family discount?”

Yuri inquired while getting on the ship.

“Dis..count? I aint got no clue what yer sayin missy, i can count just fine”

The old man poked inside his ear to clear off some dust.

“No, i mean a cheaper price for the ride?”

She tried again.

“Sheepherd..? I don’t see a sheepherd anywhere?”

The old man looked around.

“Never mind..” She sighed.

“Do you have any recommendations for a good inn, mr..”

Helgi sat down inside the boat while asking.

“Inn..? well we dun get maneh vistors..so we aint got that many inns. I suppose you could try the main island. It’s where most everyone who’s worth anythin lives, and the name’s Ahab. Ahab junior. Ahab senior’s mah pappy”

The ship slowly set off from the cliff, floating through the air at a maddeningly slow speed.

“I do like a place with a lot of people..” Helgi said.

“Ayeh, figured you were one o’dem socially fancy types son, you sure got the hairstyle for it”

Ahab remarked about Helgi’s blonde hair tied into a ponytail.

“Nope, he hates people, except me of course! What is it you usually say..people are the easiest form of security to crack?”

Yuri spoke up before Helgi could say anything.

“That so..?”

Ahab nodded, paying more attention to keeping his ship from crashing into a passing small island.

“Yuri. Your old habit is acting up”

She received a flick to the forehead from Helgi.

“Ow. What habit!”

“Sigh..nothing. Blabbermouth.”

Helgi leaned back in the ship and looked at the forested floating islands passing by them.

Knowing this was going to be a long trip, Hikaru did the same.

“I’m not a blabbermouth. how rude. I’m a professional thief, i know how to keep my mouth shut. I won't talk to no one!”

Declaring that, She stood up, making the ship shake a little.

“Yuri, it’s will, not won’t. And..you just proved my point”

Helgi shook his head with a slight snicker.

“Ah. Wops.” Looking at Ahab, who seemed to not be listening to anything they were saying, made her relax again.

“Actually, Ahab?”

She addressed him.

“It’s Ahab junior, missy.”

Ahab responded to his name.

“What was the exact story about your father and that monster..?”

She asked curiously.

“My pappy? Well. Is just like yer friend said, he dropped too low in the black, ended up seein stuff he weren’t supposed to see, and almost lost his life for it”

“Did he say anything about seeing any treasure down there?”

She asked excitedly.

“Well..he said it was pretteh dark, and all he seen was dah monster...but..i think..he did say..there was somethin..glimmerin? Around and beneath the monster. Could be, it was guardin sumthin.”

Ahab answered her uncertainly.

“It must be treasure. Has to be.”

Her eyes glittered with small treasure chests.

“Guys. After we get the relic. Let’s get that treasure…!”

“Yuri are you certain?”

Hikaru asked.

“Of course i’m certain! What could be a better theft than stealing something guarded by a monster!”

She pumped her fists enthusiastically.

“Not that Yuri. Did you forget that every time we manage to get a relic, we are forced to flee the city, either due to being chased, or to it being destroyed..”

“Man Yuri is exactly the same here as back home..” Helgi smiled.

“Indeed…” Hikaru nodded with a tired smile.

“Oh come onnnn..it’s not that bad!”

She looked between both of them.

“....” Both of them just looked at her with tired eyes.

“I’m not that troublesome to you guys am i..”

Looking between both of their identical eyes, that were tired of her, made Yuri feel slightly guilty.

Hikaru sighed and pulled her down so she ended up between him and Helgi.

“You’re not. we just can’t keep up with your energy that’s all” Hikaru rubbed her head affectionately, making her smile slightly at him happily.

“Yeah, not all of us have had the opportunity to get our bodies made several years younger”

Helgi said with a chuckle.

“Huuuh? I can get that arranged for you, as long as you are willing to change genders as well!”

Yuri gave him a mischievous smile.

“Well that doesn’t sound so bad. I could probably work more efficiently by seducing men instead of women~ Besides, if i was a woman i would definitely steal Hikaru away from you~”

Helgi grinned.

“No! No sex change for you!”

Yuri held arms as an X in front of her.

“Hmm? Why? want to keep him all for yourself huh? What a bold statement”

Helgi laughed.

“W-what! What are you even saying!” She blushed. “I-i  mean of course! Since he’s my bodyguard, i have to keep him from being distracted..and i can’t him being distracted by another woman even if it's you..and and..”

“So you’re saying it’s okay if he’s distracted by you? wow~”

“W-wha, no, i didn’t i mean yes, i m-mean..awawa…”

Yuri felt her face letting off steam, while her eyes spun in random directions.

“Now, i think that’s enough teasing, poor Yuri looks like she might faint.” Hikaru put a hand on her head, which instantly calmed her down to a docile state.

“Besides, if you were a woman, i think you might first want to fix that flirty attitude of yours. men dislike impure women” He slowly rubbed Yuri’s head, while she unknowingly leaned into his hand.

“Owch, what a burn. What era are you even from, of course men like..oh wait. I guess asking that won’t work since this is another world..”

Helgi laughed slightly while leaning back in the ship ad observing Yuri’s unique reaction.

Hikaru continued to gently rub her head, while she slowly relaxed and allowed him to pat her like a docile puppy.

(I’ve never seen Yuri ever be this..content..?) Helgi thought to himself while observing Yuri’s happy expression. If she had a tail, he was sure it would have been wagging on the ground.