While the three chatted idly in the early morning, the members of the expedition gradually gathered.

Dekan was surprised to find that the teacher leading the team was none other than the familiar Professor Mergutt, responsible for broadcasting and business cooperation at the College of Alchemy. It seemed that there was some significant business to discuss during their visit to the Tristin Magic Academy.

In addition, the tier 7 knight in charge of protecting the princess was already waiting at the campus gate.

Therefore, Dekan, Mielle, and Alice, along with the rest of the team, arrived at the magical airship transport center located on the outskirts of the capital.

A magnificent magical ship floated above the spacious and spectacular ground. The bridge connected the platform and the cabin. After storing his bag in the luggage compartment, Dekan and others came to the first-class cabin.

For their trip, they would be taking a Wind Magic Airship to Tristin City. It only took three hours to reach Tristin City by airship. Although the airship's speed was not exceptionally fast, the distance between the capital and Tristin City was relatively short.

In the Norton Kingdom, there were only a few airship routes between major cities and the capital. Remote areas like the border couldn't be reached by airship at all.

"Since Alice is traveling, why not charter a ship?" Dekan thought and asked.

He had already dropped the formality when talking to Alice.

"Reservations for tickets were sold several months ago and the school only booked a fixed number of tickets in advance. At that time, the school didn't even know if Alice would go," Mielle explained.

Even though Alice could have chartered a ship with her royal status, many merchants and travelers had already booked tickets early. Forcing others to cancel reservations would be too overbearing. Besides, without knowing if there would be an attack, there was no need to go to such lengths.

...

An hour had unknowingly passed since they boarded the airship.

The flying speed of the Wind Magic Airship was not as fast as airplanes in Dekans past life. It maintained a relatively low altitude of a few hundred meters, preventing discomfort to the eardrums.

The sky was as bright as silk as the airship sailed through the sea of clouds. Dekan looked out the window, and the blue horizon lightened his mood. He had almost forgotten about the Resurgence Church and chose to enjoy the pleasant journey.

They were now far from the capital and approaching the adjacent province. In two more hours, they would reach the magical city of Tristin.

Dekan sat in the cabin, leisurely flipping through a book. Since Dekan's ticket was added by the Card Makers Association at the last minute, his seat was different from the others from the Hevenlit Academy. Even if there were no familiar faces around, he wouldn't feel bored.

If he was truly lonely, there was an old bat that he could chat with in his heart at any given time.

Hmm, looks like shes asleep.

Safe.

A few minutes later.

The originally calm and peaceful journey was suddenly shattered by a scream.

It seemed to come from the direction of the cockpit.

Following that was a violent shaking; the entire cabin became turbulent before gradually stabilizing.

The sound of a struggle emanated again from the cockpit, and the ship guards rushed towards the front of the ship.

The tier 7 knight stood by Alice, ready to protect her at any moment.

"What's going on?"

"Is someone attacking the cockpit?"

An uneasy feeling enveloped all the passengers.

Even if one guessed, it was easy to anticipate that something unpleasant was about to happen.

Dekan raised an eyebrow.

As expected, trouble had come.

If the Resurgence Church wanted to cause trouble, the first crucial point was the magical airship from the capital to Tristin City.

This was an excellent opportunity for hijacking.

Now was the perfect time to strike and kidnap either Dekan or Alice.

If Dekan were to plan a hijacking, he would do it now.

Although Alice was unaware that the Resurgence Church was plotting in the background, the tier 7 knight accompanying her would ensure her safety.

So, Dekan didn't have to worry about her.

And so, the chaos continued for a while.

The ship guards rushing towards the cockpit seemed like small stones falling into an abyss, with no echoes.

When the panic and unrest reached their peak among the passengers

"Oh dear, good morning, ladies and gentlemen."

A clear voice resonated in the cabin.

A man in a suit emerged from the cockpit, dragging the body of a ship guard with him.

The ship guard collapsed on the floor, his fate uncertain, possibly already a lifeless body.

The man's white suit had stains of gruesome red, even his neck smeared with unknown blood.

He walked calmly, a gentleman's smile on his face, but his eyes held no trace of amusement.

He surveyed the passengers in the cabin.

The cold gaze in his eyes was akin to a butcher looking at his pig.

"No, no!"

"I don't want to die!"

The faces of the passengers in the cabin turned pale from fear.

They began to panic and whisper.

Even though the man in the suit hadn't stated his purpose, everyone knew that the ship had plunged into a tremendous crisis.

And the lives of the passengers were likely in the hands of this man.

The tier 7 knight responsible for protection instantly drew his weapon.

However, the man in the suit remained calm, just revealing a card.

[Spark of Annihilation]

[Type: Spell Card]

[Rarity: Purple Rare]

[Tier: 5]

[Passive Effect: If the card carrier is killed, it will trigger a powerful fire attribute explosion.]

[Note: Early masterpiece of Minos from the Resurgence Church.]

"Despicable!"

The knight commander's pupils contracted sharply. He gripped his sword tightly but couldn't make a move.

"If you don't want all these passengers to die miserably, please calm down, Mr. Knight Commander."

The man in the suit smiled and said to the knight commander.

"Also, if you dare to come any closer, my companion in the cockpit will make this ship plummet straight down."

At the same time, the man in the suit revealed another card, displaying it for everyone to see.

However, he was waving the card around slowly in a wide range, as if it wasn't just meant for the knight commander to see clearly.

Especially when he turned the card towards Dekan, a mysterious smile curved his lips.

[Sentinel Vigilance]

[Type: Spell Card]

[Rarity: Blue Uncommon]

[Tier: 3]

[Passive Effect: When the card carrier is attacked, subjected to abnormal conditions, controlled, or rendered unconscious, other teammates carrying this card within range will receive a warning signal.]

[Note: Fireproof, theft-proof, and assault-proof.]

This card was meant to warn Dekan.

Don't attempt curses, poison, or mental control.

Evidently, the man in the suit had other accomplices and had taken control of the cockpit.