Internal Combustion Locomotive

With that thought, Beatrice held her head high and stepped down from the airship.

The moment she disembarked, she saw the vast air harbor.

The ground of the air harbor was remarkably level, marked with numerous berths and studded with many enormous iron rings.

Several workers were threading thick mooring ropes through the rings, fastening the other ends to the airship. Once the ropes were tightened, the airship's docking was officially complete.

There was no one else around.

Normally, it would not have been like this. At the very least, all the Banshees knew that a Miss Fountain would be arriving. Given their nature, there should have been a massive crowd.

But considering Beatrice's condition was truly terrible, they had given up on watching her from up close. After all, if she saw so many Banshees at once, she might just faint on the spot...

Even Nini, who loved excitement more than anyone, was nowhere to be seen.

Still, not showing themselves did not mean they would not come.

At that moment, numerous figures were hidden in the shadows around the otherwise empty airship.

"You're sitting on my tail!"

"There's barely any room here, what can I do—"

"Then move!"

"Stop talking, Beatrice's coming out!"

"Oh, oh, oh, she really came out! Her Holiness the Pope, the Empress of the Empire, Castel's new fountain—the legendary being who can sustain three industrial districts all by herself!"

"Why does she look so ordinary? With such a tiny frame, can she really spray enough for three industrial districts?"

"Why isn't she spraying? Can't she put on a demonstration? Have Monica talk her into it!"

Beatrice set foot on Castel. Before she could even take in the feeling of returning to this island, a chill ran down her back.

"Huh? S-someone is watching me?