Far above Blackwater's lower districts—
beyond the crowded markets, forge towers, and endless clouds of industrial smoke—
another section of the city stood in unnatural silence.
The western military docks.
Unlike the chaotic civilian platforms scattered throughout Blackwater, this district remained heavily regulated.
Guard towers lined the outer walls.
Mana barriers pulsed faintly across the airspace overhead.
Armed patrols moved constantly along elevated steel walkways suspended between massive docking structures.
And resting upon the largest aerial platform—
stood the ships of the Holy Empire.
Massive silver warships hovered silently above the docks like floating fortresses.
Their hulls gleamed beneath layers of engraved holy scripture and reinforced mana plating, while enormous cathedral-like towers rose from their upper decks.
Golden banners bearing the emblem of the Empire fluttered against Blackwater's smoke-filled winds.
Even surrounded by the filth and chaos of the city—
the imperial fleet looked painfully clean.
Disciplined.
Untouchable.
Rows of armored knights stood stationed across the platform below.
Silver-white armor.
Blessed weapons.
Holy crests glowing faintly across chestplates and gauntlets.
Every movement remained precise.
Controlled.
Unlike the rest of Blackwater—
nothing here felt lawless.
Which somehow made it far more dangerous.
A transport vessel slowly descended onto one of the docking rails nearby while several imperial officers observed from above.
One knight finally spoke.
"…Still no confirmation?"
The officer beside him shook his head.
"…Nothing yet."
His gaze remained fixed on the distant skies beyond Blackwater's outer barriers.
"There's still no news from the space port."
The knight's expression darkened slightly.
"And the Vice Commander?"
"He remains stationed there."
A brief pause followed.
"Personally."
Several nearby officers exchanged uneasy looks at that.
The knight slowly folded his arms behind his back.
"…For him to stay there this long…"
The officer nodded once.
"He believes the commander will arrive soon."
Far above the military docks, one of the enormous imperial warships shifted slightly in the air, holy formations glowing faintly beneath its hull.
The officer continued quietly.
"Multiple transport routes have already been delayed because of the lockdown."
"And yet," the knight muttered, "still nothing."
Neither of them noticed the distant silhouette of Blackwater's civilian districts far below.
Or the countless people moving through them.
Or the ruined ship that had arrived only hours earlier.
—
Meanwhile—
deep within Blackwater's lower districts—
the atmosphere couldn't have been more different.
Noise flooded around the group as they moved through the packed industrial streets.
Steam hissed overhead.
Music drifted faintly from distant taverns.
Arguments erupted openly between merchants before disappearing beneath the city's endless roar only seconds later.
Eventually—
the cultist slowed slightly.
"…Here."
The others looked up.
The building before them stood noticeably cleaner than everything surrounding it.
Dark polished wood reinforced with black steel frames.
Warm lantern light glowed softly through tinted windows while quiet instrumental music drifted from inside.
No shouting.
No visible drunken brawls.
Honestly, it looked suspiciously civilized for Blackwater.
Aldric stared at the entrance for a moment.
"…Damn."
A brief pause.
"This place already looks better than the entire street outside."
The cultist nodded once.
"It is expensive."
"That explains it."
As they approached the entrance—
the doors opened smoothly before anyone touched them.
A tall figure stepped forward.
Elegant.
Cleanly dressed.
Long silver hair tied neatly behind his back.
Pointed ears clearly visible beneath the lantern light.
An elf.
The cultist blinked once in visible surprise.
"…An elf?"
Aldric looked genuinely entertained now.
"Wow."
He tilted his bottle slightly while openly staring.
"That's surprising."
The elf remained perfectly composed.
Aldric continued casually.
"Didn't think elves willingly walked around dumps like this."
A brief pause.
"I thought your people only liked trees and refused to leave forests."
The elf smiled politely.
Completely professional.
Though something behind the smile looked faintly exhausted.
"Blackwater possesses many opportunities," he replied calmly.
"And coin spends the same everywhere."
Honestly fair.
The elf bowed slightly afterward.
"Welcome."
His sharp eyes briefly swept across the group.
Draven beneath the dark cloak.
Silent Nia.
The irritated-looking Aldric carrying both alcohol and a stolen sword.
The cultist quietly observing everything around her.
Not a single reaction crossed the elf's face.
Professional survival instincts were clearly well-developed here.
The cultist stepped forward first.
"We require a private room."
The elf nodded immediately.
"Of course."
No hesitation.
No questions.
Again—
very Blackwater behavior.
The elf stepped aside smoothly before gesturing inward.
"Please follow me."
Warm air greeted them the moment they entered.
The noise of the streets dulled behind the closing doors while soft lantern light reflected across polished floors and quiet dining tables scattered throughout the interior.
Compared to the outside world—
the place felt almost unreal.
Clean.
Controlled.
Peaceful.
Aldric slowly glanced around the restaurant.
"…Yeah."
A faint grin spread across his face.
"I like this already."
The elf guided them deeper into the establishment without pause.
Past quiet dining tables.
Past soft lantern light and polished blackwood walls.
Eventually—
he stopped before a private room near the rear section of the restaurant.
The sliding door opened smoothly.
Warm light spilled outward.
A clean interior.
A low table positioned at the center of the room.
Comfortable seating arranged neatly around it.
Soundproofing formations glowed faintly along the walls.
Honestly luxurious by Blackwater standards.
Aldric stepped inside first, slowly glancing around the room.
"…I'm impressed."
The elf bowed his head slightly.
"We are pleased to hear that."
Aldric smirked faintly.
"No, really."
He lazily turned toward the elf while resting the stolen sword against one shoulder.
"Not just the place."
A brief pause.
"The people too."
The elf's expression remained perfectly calm.
"…Hm?"
But before another word could be spoken—
Draven moved.
BOOM—
The floor cracked beneath him.
One instant he stood near the doorway.
The next—
he appeared midair directly beside the elf's head.
A kick was already descending fast enough to split steel.
The elf reacted instantly.
Far too instantly.
His body twisted sideways with unnatural smoothness as the kick passed mere inches from his face.
"…Hmm."
The elf's polite smile vanished completely.
"It seems you noticed from the beginning."
Draven twisted in midair immediately afterward.
His descending leg shifted direction violently—
CRASH—
The second strike slammed downward.
The elf dodged backward—
but Aldric was already there.
The stolen sword flashed through the air.
CLANG—
The first strike was blocked.
The second slash missed as the elf bent sideways at an unnatural angle.
The third—
SHHK—
Cut cleanly across the elf's torso.
At that exact moment—
Draven landed beside him, launching forward the instant his feet touched the ground.
One hand seized the elf by the head.
Dense crimson mana surged violently through his other arm.
Then—
THUK—
His hand pierced straight through the elf's skull.
Simultaneously—
Aldric's sword flashed once more.
Both arms tore free from the body completely.
Silence.
No blood emerged.