Return to Avalon

Aleister was not the sort of person who liked to procrastinate. In that regard, she was far sharper than "Iver."

Once she had settled on her goal, she acted without hesitation, swift and decisive--

She flew straight back to Leipzig with Leviathan, transformed into Bayard's appearance, donned the black robes worn only by professors of the Spirit Tower, and boarded a ship.

Although she had brought a hideous, terrifying monster aboard, it did not seem strange for a necromancer to have a monster servant at her side.

Even facing a monster more terrifying than this would have been reasonable. The only problem was probably whether Avalon's customs officials would allow it into the country... But that had nothing to do with the captain anyway. So the captain cheerfully accepted the money and did not offer a single warning.

The journey from Asty to Avalon was only about half as long as the journey from the Theocracy to Asty. Leipzig also had a harbor with direct routes to Glass Island. If she paid extra to take one of the faster new alchemical steamships, the trip would take less than three hours--Aleister could reach Glass Island before nightfall.

These private fast ships were built by nobles who maintained alchemical workshops under their command. They were not only extremely fast, but also equipped with more advanced cannons. Normally, they could be used to transport travelers with urgent business at high prices, while also making back their costs by smuggling the supplies their owners needed.

During wartime, they could be converted into warships to transport private soldiers... or, if the situation turned unfavorable, allow their owners to flee overseas safely instead of being controlled or kidnapped aboard someone else's ship.

Of course, the First Class Cabin on this fast ship was nowhere near as