CHAPTER 99 – NOCTURNIA

GAEUN MEDIZIN

Unlike our journey to Onishira, our trip to Nocturnia was smooth sailing, accompanied by a bounty of delicious foods. Our newest member, Mariko, proved to be an expert cook, with skills on par with Hiraya's. Since she could also prepare meat dishes, she was unanimously voted as the chef whenever we were aboard the Windwalker.

Surprisingly, we arrived ahead of schedule, reaching our destination after only three days of flying above the clouds. As Nocturnia came into view, it appeared as a somber and foreboding island. Dark clouds perpetually shrouded the skies, casting a gloomy atmosphere over the landscape. The soil was dark and ominous, contrasting sharply with the crimson trees of Onishira. Nocturnia resembled an imposing fortress castle, with medieval walls encircling the entire island.

"This island looks kind of... disgusting and scary," Charlotte remarked, visibly unsettled by the sight.

Kate gazed up at the darkened skies, pondering aloud, "So that's why vampires are able to live here. Sunlight fails to reach this place."

"All units, prepare for docking," Captain Hiraya commanded. "And oh, Gaeun, you can now disable the Jammer Shield."

"O-Okay," I acknowledged, nodding before waving my magical wand. In an instant, all stealth and jamming spells were lifted, rendering us visible to the world once more.

As the Windwalker peacefully docked at the port, Captain Hiraya issued another command to us.

"Okay, Daybreaker Squad. Gaeun, Charlotte, Kate, and Mariko, investigate the island. You're free to go as you please, just ensure you return by nightfall—I mean, at six o'clock, since it's clearly all night here," Hiraya instructed. "Dismissed."

"Um, what about you, Cap?" I asked, feeling concerned for her well-being.

Hiraya smiled reassuringly. "I'll need to report to our handler, and probably face a lecture from either Madam Corasell or Eva for being invisible for three days. But don't worry about me, I'll come up with some excuse—maybe I'll blame it on a storm interfering with our communications or something."

"Man, you're so smart, Cap!" Kate saluted proudly. "I'm sure you can handle them. Anyway, thanks for giving me the freedom to have a wonderful date with my Mariko."

"Are you really going on a date in this gloomy place?" Charlotte whined.

"Sure, Kate. Just don't forget to investigate and share what you learn about the place. And oh, you all know the description of the Fifth Dragon Lord, correct?" Hiraya inquired.

"Y-Yeah," I confirmed, exchanging nods with Mariko, Kate, and Charlotte.

I glanced at the piece of paper where Lysander had written the description. The Fifth Dragon Lord was named Earvin Lancaster, described as a handsome vampire with a slightly shaved mustache and beard, crimson eyes like us dragonoids, and a pale white face.

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"Good luck, and good hunting!" Hiraya waved goodbye as we made our way to the exit of the Windwalker airship.

Exiting onto the port, we immediately noticed the dry air characteristic of the vampire island. Charlotte, sensing the unfamiliar atmosphere, promptly donned a face mask.

"God, you're so delicate, Charlotte," Kate teased.

"Don't compare me to a peasant like you, Kate," Charlotte retorted with sass. "The dry air might scratch the surface of my nostrils, and that might make me have a nosebleed."

"What a delicate princess," Kate sighed, earning a chuckle from Mariko in the background.

As we walked through the port, we encountered vampires dressed in ragged clothing. It was the first time I had seen vampires in such a state—malnourished to the point of barely being able to move. I even witnessed one vampire munching on a decaying rat.

"Yuck! Ew!" Charlotte shrieked, turning away from the sight and gagging.

"That's kind of exotic and extreme," Kate cringed at the vampire indulging in the decaying rodent.

Meanwhile, I observed the other vampires in the vicinity, noting their ragged attire and pallid skin, resembling that of anemic individuals. Their swollen crimson eyes spoke volumes about their malnutrition.

"Let's get out of here," Mariko said, leading us towards the inner walls.

We soon found ourselves in the town square of Nocturnia, where malnourished vampires struggled to eke out a living. Some were selling decayed snakes, rotten deer meat, and even rats. I noticed that live sewer rats fetched a price five times higher than their decayed counterparts.

Despite the darkness of the square, the night lamps illuminated most of the surroundings, casting a faint brightness over the area. Other vampires roamed about, paying little attention to anything but themselves.

"Let's split up," Kate suggested. "Just like in Onishira, we'll cover more ground by pairing up and exploring separately. Mariko and I will check out the outskirts of town. Gaeun, you'll stick with Charlotte and try to find something in here."

"O-Okay," I agreed, though part of me suspected Kate's true motive was to show Mariko a place far nicer than this dismal one filled with malnourished vampires.

As Kate and Mariko departed, I turned to Charlotte, who was tightly gripping my wrist.

"Let's just find the Dragon Lord and be done with it," Charlotte said, clearly disgusted with the surroundings.

"Um, let's ask around," I suggested to Charlotte.

Approaching a nearby food stall, if you could call it that- given the decaying meat on display, I mustered my courage and addressed the old lady vampire behind the counter. "Um, do you know a person named Earvin Lancaster?"

"Are you talking about Prince Earvin?" the old lady vampire replied, her crimson eyes devoid of life. "He is holed up in his castle," she continued, gesturing towards the largest castle in the far western part of Nocturnia. "Just follow the road to the west, and you will eventually reach it."

"T-Thank you," I murmured, bowing politely. Charlotte and I then set off along the road to the west.

As we walked, the sight remained grim no matter where we turned, though the road leading to the castle was certainly cleaner than the town square. Malnourished vampires clad in rags roamed the streets, a common sight throughout Nocturnia.

As we approached the castle gates, we were met with a portrait of their ruler: Queen Lancaster. The painting looked ancient, likely hundreds of years old, depicting an old vampire woman with gray hair, crimson eyes, and pale white skin, baring her fangs with a smile.

"Um, hello? Anybody here?" I called out, but there were no guards present at the castle gate. We cautiously entered. "Excuse us, then."

Finally reaching the entrance of the castle, we encountered a massive, worn-out wooden door barely clinging to its hinges. With some effort, Charlotte and I managed to push open the door, revealing the interior of the castle.