Heaven's eyes shone brightly upon witnessing the breathtaking view in front of her. She felt exhilirated.
Leo walked behind her and silently watched with a smile on his face.
Militia Empire, the largest continent and home to the exceptionally gifted people in the world. Its supreme power was widely known to everyone, but the source behind it was highly classified.
Many countries tried to unveil the mystery of its sovereignty but they all failed miserably. Perhaps it was due to its unrivaled military strength or the modern inventions or Aeon Academe's prestige, but no one confirmed nor deny anything.
"The People's Nation. A combination of old and new," she whispered softly. She read so many things about the 'New World' but seeing the real deal was absolutely bad ass.
Militia was also a country of wealth and prestige, hence, it was not suprising to see huge houses and tall skyscrapers. Some were made of glass while others were made of stone and modern materials.
The streets were so wide and full of different moving vehicles. She read in the books that they're called cars, trucks and buses. There's even a fast moving train.
"Oh my! Are those things called cable cars? Boy, oh boy, I read that they are made of glass and it could travel through a thin cable? Is that true?"
"Ah, there are so many airships drifting in the sky. They're so huge! Wait, why is Chephirah the only small one here?"
"Look, Leo, that tower is so tall, as if it's almost touching the cloud. Whoa, the clock and gears on top of it were gigantic."
Heaven kept on running around the ship's rail while excitedly enumerating all the things she could see.
"Wow, this place is so beautiful!" Heaven exhaled emotionally as she stared at the colossal golden gate on top of the mountain.
The gate was called Vita, the capital city of Militia and it served as the elevated 'port' of the airships.
"It seems that you love reading?" Leo asked softly.
"I don't have anything in the tower except my books." She whispered but Leo was still able to hear it clearly.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to remind you of such lonely memory."
Heaven shook her head softly. "No, it's not lonely. I... was never alone."
"But... according to our resources, you were abandoned in the Zion Tower at the Solstice Mountain for many years. When we came, the doors were even locked from the outside and we had to destroy it."
"I don't know. I just felt that..." she trailed off as she clutched her chest, "someone's always there for me, watching me from a distance, replenishing my picture books and helping me survive throughout those years of isolation."
Leo had so many questions that he would like to ask about her, but decided against it.
She slowly turned around and gently smiled at him. "Now, that's a secret between the two of us, okay?" She ended her stament by placing her index finger on her lips.
Leo smiled and nodded happily. He was glad to be trusted by a secret for the first time. He did not pry further and just decided to protect her secret with all his might.
As the airship finally landed to its docking station after a short while, Leo left some instruction to the ship's crew before walking out with her. Behind them were two brawny looking men and a strict looking lady.
"My, my, I seem to forget a lot of things recently." Leo and company stopped in a waiting shed, in front of them was the huge advertisement board of Aeon Academe.
He looked at her and started to introduce the other members of the group. Finally!
"Lady Fair, please meet Dr. Haruka Hideaki, one of the Academe's professors and researchers. And the two gentlemen behind her are responsible for our safety, though they refused to give their names."
"Welcome, Lady Fair! From here on is a safe zone. I will leave you to Leo as I have a business to attend. I'll see you around the academe." The Professor said casually and left.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest as she watched the professor walk away. "Lady Fair here, Lady Fair that. What's with you noble people?" she complained.
Leo answered, "It's the academe's rule. One must call the other a 'Sir' or a 'Lady' regardless of their status. If the person has a title, you must also use it to address him. In time, you'll get use to it."
"But I think calling someone by their first name is more... intimate?"
"I-impossible, Lady Fair," Leo blushed by her suggestion. "You should only do that to the one you love." He declared innocently and with so much conviction.
"Hmm? So callling someone by their first name and without any title is like a confession here." She stated the fact while holding her chin with her index finger and thumb. "I'll keep that in mind then. So... where to, Leo?
"H-huh?!" Leo was surprised then sighed helplessly. He facepalmed, "You are really impossible."
"What?" she asked innocently. "Did you forget? I have an excuse. I'm a foreigner so that rule does not apply to me. I want to call my friends by their names so that's simply it. Besides, I'm not the type to be bound by the rule."
"B-but--" Leo unable to finish his statement as she started to walk away.
"Geez, Lady Fair, please wait for me!" He shouted as he thought to himself, 'Friends? Does she think of me as her... friend?'
His eyes sparkled in anticipation as he chased after her.
"Although Militia used to be governed by the royal family, their power is now limited to ceremonial and representative functions. They are no longer involve in any formal political power. The country is now being run by the military forces," Leo started his unsolicited political advice as they walked towards their transport, unperturbed by the unsophisticated yawn from the lady. "The military here has a very complex political and government structure, but...." He smiled gently, but she could sense the glint of mystery behind it.
Heaven raised a brow in anticipation.
Leo leaned over and placed his fingers beside his lips, acting like a gossip monger. "According to my resources, the general is a loyal lackey of the royal family. He's the King's lover," he whispered.