A huge crowd had already gathered there, leaving him puzzled. Weren't we going to the Imperial Capital? Why had we stopped in our own backyard?
Eros voiced his confusion, but Duke Renka's answer did nothing to clear it up. Instead, it only made him more curious.
Duke Renka said only, "Wait a little longer. It'll be here soon."
Sure enough, Eros's question was answered before long.
A low whistle sounded from the sky, and a black speck slowly appeared at the edge of the clouds. It drew steadily closer to the duke's backyard, until Eros finally saw what it was.
An airship?
Duke Renka patted Eros on the shoulder and chuckled.
"Surprised, aren't you? I was stunned the first time I saw it, too. Without using any alchemy, human craftsmanship alone can send such an enormous steel creation soaring through the heavens. It's truly hard to imagine."
Eros fell silent. What should I do? Should I play along and look a little incredulous?
But isn't this just an airship? This thing! Sure, I never saw one in person in my previous life, but couldn't I find piles of pictures with a quick search online?
Still, to humor his father's boasting, he put on just the right amount of surprise.
"This is truly incredible!"
Beside him, Wendy's little mouth had already fallen open into an O.
Eros couldn't resist reaching over and nudging her chin up to close her mouth.
Wendy reacted swiftly, immediately swatting his hand away and glaring at him.
Eros chuckled.
On the other side, Estelle watched her two little "rascals" helplessly, then gave a couple of light coughs.
"Stop fooling around!"
Only then did the two compose themselves and continue watching the airship-a massive steel creation by this world's standards-slowly descend.
With a dull thud, the airship finally settled firmly on the ground. The butler immediately directed the servants to carry the prepared luggage aboard.
Duke Renka was also telling the two children what they needed to keep in mind after arriving in the Imperial Capital.
"Once you reach the Imperial Capital, go see your eldest brother and fourth sister first. The two of them handle all the family's affairs there now. If you need any help in the future, just go straight to them."
"I sent word through Shadow Crow a few days ago that you would be heading to the Imperial Capital. The ducal residence there should already have been cleaned by now."
"You can move straight in when you arrive, though if you want to stay with your mother's family for a while, that's perfectly fine too."
Eros listened attentively to his father's lengthy reminders, then nodded. "I'll remember."
Duke Renka had little reason to worry about this son, who had been bright and sensible since childhood.
But when he looked at his daughter beside him, who was staring excitedly at the airship and clearly hadn't heard a word he said, Duke Renka felt rather helpless.
"Take good care of your older sister!"
Wendy immediately bristled at that and answered before Eros could. "I'll take good care of my little brother, Father. Please don't worry."
"Hahaha, of course I believe Wendy will take good care of Eros." Duke Renka smiled approvingly, lying without so much as a change in expression.
Eros wasn't about to undermine his sister now, either. Looking at the smug Wendy, he inwardly curled his lip.
Tch, you bratty little sister.
As the last piece of luggage was carried aboard the airship, Duke Renka knew that the young eagles had finally reached the time to leave the nest and take to the skies on their own.
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