"Mr. Azik!"
Angel greeted him with pleasant surprise.
The bronze-skinned middle-aged gentleman nodded lightly and extended a hand to Angel like a true gentleman. Once she took it, he pulled her along, swiftly traveling through the Spirit World.
The clouds and blue sky around them were richly colored as they rapidly receded. Midway Island vanished in an instant, replaced by an endless expanse of sea. Ships with raised sails or billowing smoke occasionally flashed past before disappearing beyond the horizon.
This Spirit World Shuttle was completely different from what Angel had imagined. She had expected rapid flight to whip up furious winds, like rushing through the high sky. Instead, it was as picturesque as a poem. They were not even simply flying in one direction, but constantly changing direction and altitude, as though walking through an invisible maze.
"In about an hour, we should reach Bayam."
Mr. Azik spoke as though talking to himself, yet also as if explaining it to Angel.
"So Klein asked you for help?"
"Yes. He blew the copper whistle and summoned my messenger to ask for my assistance. He said you might be in danger." Azik winked, then his expression turned serious as he looked ahead. "Be careful. It might get a little bumpy."
Following his gaze, Angel saw a visible whirlwind spiraling toward them. It swiftly crossed the indiscernible distance within the Spirit World and swept past her side. Her dress flapped violently, and her face twitched involuntarily. She could only clutch Azik tightly to keep from being blown away.
As she narrowed her eyes against the oncoming wind, she was astonished to discover that the one stirring up this gale was a familiar figure.
It was the thumb-sized Spirit World bird she had encountered two weeks ago when she had tried to summon