The sun sat like a golden coin in the sky, scattering its light across the shimmering landscape. Waves of heat rose from the ground, distorting the horizon into a mirage of dancing jewels. The train glided along its tracks, cutting through the summer air with a quiet hum, its windows reflecting the perfect azure of the sky and sea.
Maris leaned forward, her breath fogging the glass as she pressed her hands and face against the window. "Lucan-sama, the sea!" Her voice was full of wonder, each word bubbling up like a child discovering the world anew.
Lucan watched her from his seat, his gaze soft, his mouth curving into a small smile that he couldn't suppress. "Yes, the sea," he murmured, but his words were more for himself than for her. She was too entranced by the vast expanse of blue outside to notice his quiet response.
The magic-powered train coursed through the landscape, leaving behind the bustling city and weaving through hills that rolled toward the coastline. This train, so different from the mechanical marvels Lucan remembered from another life, moved with an almost ethereal grace.
The complexities of this world, where magic had replaced machinery in some places, always left him with a lingering sense of awe and confusion. But none of that mattered now. Not with Maris so close, her excitement lighting up the train car more than the sun itself.
"Lucan-sama, did you see? The mountains!" Maris gasped as the scenery shifted, her eyes darting from one view to the next with unbridled enthusiasm. The train's route offered glimpses of everything—mountains that loomed tall and proud, beaches that stretched out like golden ribbons, and the endless sea that sparkled like a field of diamonds.
Lucan nodded, following her gaze. "The mountains, the beach, and everything in between," he said, his tone patient and filled with a quiet amusement. For Lucan, it's also first time he was visiting the sea and viewing this scenery.
"And look, seagulls!" Maris pointed to the birds, their white wings cutting through the sky as they dipped and soared over the water. "And... are those whales?" Her eyes widened as she spotted the distant, graceful arcs of the creatures breaching the surface.
Lucan squinted, catching sight of the whales. "They are," he confirmed. The whales here were different than earth. The whales here were deep red, yellow, blue colour.
The train sped on, the rhythm of its wheels on the tracks a soothing backdrop to the unfolding scenery. But then Maris's voice dropped to a whisper, tinged with a mix of awe and disbelief. "Lucan-sama... a flying white whale."
His attention snapped to the window, and there it was—a white whale, its scales gleaming in the sunlight, its wings beating with a power that sent shivers down Lucan's spine. It soared alongside the train, keeping pace effortlessly, its eyes—a deep, molten gold—fixed on the passing carriages.
This... Yeah... I forgot.
Lucan forget that many people wants Maris dead, and this white whale must be send by someone.
This White Whale was SSS Rank Creature. Lucan was SS Rank, so the White Whale was stronger than him but Maris was Kingdom Class person. So everything is fine.
The white whale gaze locked with his. Those eyes held a depth, an ancient wisdom, and something more—a hint of sorrow, or perhaps fear. The white whale let out a sound, not quite a roar, more like a keening wail. Then, with a powerful beat of its wings, it veered away, disappearing into the clouds as swiftly as it had appeared.
The train continued on, the sky now empty save for the lingering echoes of the white whale's departure.
A child's voice broke the silence, his words carrying from the opposite aisle. "Mommy, I saw an evil devil!"
The boy's mother chuckled softly, "Evil devil? What does it look like?"
Lucan's ears pricked up, curiosity tugging at him. He glanced at Maris, who was now seated, her excitement momentarily subdued by the encounter with the white whale.
The boy spoke again, his tone filled with fear, "It was skinny doll like and creepy face... it's had terrifying eyes, momma... it was scary," The boy hide his face in his mother's chest.
The mother noticing her son was scared, become concerned, she rubbed her hand on his back, "There is nothing now... Look the sky is beautiful blue... No need to afaird."
The boy looked up and then out of windows, seeing clear sky, he seemed less scared.
Lucan looked at Maris.
Maris caught his eye, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Do you think he really saw it?" she asked, her voice low.
Lucan shrugged, the smile lingering. "In a world like this, who knows? Maybe we all see what we need to see."
He knew it's Maris's work but she seemed to want to hide it. So let's keep that way.
The train began to slow, the rhythm of the wheels easing as they approached their destination. The salty tang of the sea air grew stronger, mingling with the scent of summer, promising a day filled with sun, sand, and the kind of memories that would stay with them forever.
Maris reached for Lucan's hand, her excitement returning as the train finally came to a stop. "We're here! Come on, Lucan-sama, let's go!"
He let her pull him to his feet, as he stepped off the train, the warmth of Maris's hand in his grounded him in the present, in the here and now.
They had come for a vacation, although the main reason was event that going to happen, Lucan doesn't mind having fun here.
Lucan looked at Maris, wearing beautiful dress, with pink hair left on her shoulder in loose waves, she looked absolute beauty, and hat she wore with smiling face, Lucan found himself lost in her beauty for some moment.
He didn't came in sense until he heard Maris calling him out.
"Lucan-sama?"
"Oh yeah?" Lucan asked.
"What were you thinking?"
"Um... Nothing."