In Your Vulgar Paradise - Chapter 2
A flawless parting in the golden hair, accentuated by metal-framed glasses that added credibility to his demeanor. Both the collar of the shirt and the lapel of the suit were immaculate without a single wrinkle. The meticulously chosen pocket square by the exclusive tailor also served as a sophisticated touch to his attire.
What can be said about his appearance? With pale golden hair exuding the wealth of gold and a nobility of silver, face praised as an angel statue from the era of hyper-realism, the absorbing black eyes, seemed to captivate anyone who met his gaze.
It seemed almost unrecognizable that he was the man who defied the waves of desire, casually furrowing his brow with each strand of hair dampened on his forehead.
As Azniel discreetly observed her husband’s gentle appearance in the mirror, she gripped her dress.
His enchanting black eyes, ready to captivate anyone, rolled slightly to the side, finally capturing Azniel on the opposite side of the mirror. A brief ripple passed over the face that had been watching him from behind.
“Madam. Please take care of me later.”
“….Yes, of course.”
Because today is the last.
That single sentence lingered in Azniel’s mouth before crumbling away.
‘Think carefully about who can truly help the Baron. After this show, won’t it all come to an end?”
Her husband’s voice, coaxing her into an unknown plan, buzzed in her ears. In reality, it was just a light breeze that gently lifted Azniel’s hesitating shoulders, but…
“Is there any problem…?”
“Oh, no. I’m just nervous.”
Her complexion seemed to darken involuntarily. Azniel smiled at her husband, whose faint concern was visible only beyond his well-crafted expressionless demeanor.
“It seems that tension is not easy to get rid of.”
Klaus raised the corner of his mouth on the side where Azniel could see, forming a shallow dimple.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Ladies and gentlemen.”
In the lounge on the first floor of the opera house, the terrace overlooking the Kuren River revealed today’s protagonist.
Klaus Geshturn.
The Director of Antagon, a magic-engineering company. An emerging conglomerate leading the innovation of the current generation continent.
“Thank you for sparing your precious time for Antagon once again today.”
He felt particularly good today.
Every emblem of the kingdom and every authority figure looked at him, ready to be charmed by him alone.
“While I am always nervous when presenting new products to our distinguished guests… Today, I feel particularly tense.”
With the satisfaction of having finally developed what he had been working on so far, smoothly negotiating with the royal family, renting the Royal Opera House for the presentation, and the support of his wife adding to the triumphant feeling.
Everything was perfect.
“The new creation to be presented today… is something like the dream that young Klaus first envisioned more than a decade ago when he began researching magic stones for the first time. It is none other than…”
He took a step back, pointing beyond the terrace to the riverside.
“This.”
The moment all the eyes of the invited guests shifted in the direction his finger pointed, a loud sound resonated as Klaus threw up a signal, and the large white cloth covering the massive new product fell gracefully to the other side.
“It’s called an airship.”
“Airship,” as the guests echoed the unfamiliar foreign term, the airship slowly ascended into the sky, and their heads gradually tilted upward.
“Applying the principles of a hot air balloon, we used a magic-powered heat engine to heat the air inside the tank, allowing it to rise into the sky.”
While Klaus continued his explanation, staff members swiftly distributed pamphlets containing relevant information to the guests.
The airship made several round trips across both sides of the river, then descended along the river before rising again, demonstrating its free and fluid movement.
“After 792 test flights, we have concluded that it can accommodate a maximum of 40 passengers and operate for a maximum range of 110,000 kiltis. In other words…”
As Klaus trailed off, the fascinated gazes of the guests returned to him as he spoke.
“It means we can reach the western part of the continent beyond the Sea of Ruins.”
There was an audible intake of breath from various places.
The Sea of Ruins, the unexplored wasteland in the western part of the continent.
“Today, this airship will carry three pilots, four Antagon research members, and seven scholars to cross the Sea of Ruins.”
In front of the now-landed airship, the introduced individuals stood in a line. Faces familiar to everyone, including professors from the Royal University and senior researchers from Antagon. This flight was not just a showcase; it was proof that Antagon believed in its success without a doubt.
Yet, is this possible? Can humans spend dozens of days in the sky within a mass of metal? Can humans live off the land, defy God’s will?
Even though faith in the divine had faded due to Antagon’s magic, the reverence for God instilled since childhood was not easily erased. As the murmurs of doubt and questioning reached their peak,
“For the success of this endeavor, my wife… the Saint of Dara, Lady Azniel, will bestow her blessing upon this flight.”
As Klaus theatrically took a step back, the figure of Azniel appeared in the pathway leading to the airship.
“Ah, the last Saint.”
