Kevin, lounging on the sofa, turned his stunning face slowly. He merely glanced at the door for a moment, sensing how many stood outside, then looked away with mild boredom.
"One Seventh Rank, one Third Rank, one Second Rank," he thought. "I don't know their purpose, but it's certainly nothing good." A trace of disdain lingered on his face. If they dared attack him, they'd truly be courting death.
"Oh? Guests this late?" Lorin's voice was calm, not a hint of panic. He rose slowly from the sofa, adjusted his clothes slightly, and walked toward the persistently knocking door.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
The door creaked open to reveal three lavishly dressed nobles. Seeing their hostile intent, Lorin's tone sharpened.
A corpulent man stepped forward, arrogance radiating from him. His expensive clothes strained at the seams. He didn't leer at Lorin; his greedy gaze locked onto Kevin instead. Kevin felt that nauseating stare, goosebumps rising all over, but he waited to see their game.
"Step aside," said a young, golden-haired noble—the clear leader—in a condescending tone. "I apologize for my companion's rudeness. The House of Austa merely wishes to invite that beautiful lady to our cabin for a chat."
"Oh," Lorin replied flatly. He was used to nobles lusting after beauty. Their polite words masked dangerous intentions. Refusal would bring trouble. But he'd brought Miss Kevin here; as a gentleman, he owed her safe passage. If it came to backgrounds... Lorin shook his head slightly. *Relying on that drunkard would waste all my efforts.* A self-deprecating smile crossed his handsome face. He unleashed his Seventh Rank aura, carefully containing its pressure to avoid disturbing others. He'd noticed their own Seventh Rank expert—a white-haired elder standing firm like a post, his strength no small matter. Lorin stepped forward without flinching. "Leave now. It's late. You don't want trouble, do you?"
The elder's fierce eyes snapped open, seemingly with the blond youth's permission. Lorin's reflection glinted in those murky eyes. Tension crackled between them. Their clashing Seventh Rank auras sent a shockwave through the Magic Airship, making it shudder violently. This roused the ship's captain.
"Hahaha," the elder boomed. "Our young master simply desires a pleasant chat with this lady tonight."
"Get lost," Lorin replied, his voice like ice from a millennium-old glacier. Their shamelessness deserved no courtesy.
"Sure~" Kevin's soft voice melted the tension. Under everyone's gaze, he rose slowly from the sofa. His silver hair shimmered brilliantly under the starlight, but a plan flickered in his stunning eyes. *Sharing this cabin is cramped. I'd planned to endure one night—we arrive tomorrow. These fools arrived perfectly. A little magic to toss them off the airship... they're practically asking for it.* He approached the door with light steps.
"Excellent, my lady. Come with me," the blond youth said, extending a hand respectfully despite his surprise. The goal mattered most.
"No." Lorin's tone was dead serious. He blocked Kevin's path. He didn't know why she agreed, but he couldn't let her go.
At that instant, the elder launched a magical sneak attack. A burn mark seared Lorin's arm, blood dripping from the wound. Silence fell; a full-blown fight seemed imminent. Kevin stood still, glancing sideways at Lorin clutching his injury. *Let them suffer first.*
"What are you doing?" A deep voice boomed down the empty corridor, leather shoes echoing on steel. Nikas Arndt, captain of the Magic Airship, appeared. One glance told him the situation. *The Austa brat again. If not for his father, Duke Austa, I'd have thrown him off long ago.* "Dueling is forbidden here! You treat imperial law as nothing!" His words cut the tension, halting Kevin's plan to intervene.
"I—" Nikas began, but a crushing magical pressure choked his throat. A familiar, solemn voice echoed in his mind. Surprise and fear flooded him. *Kevin Jaeger. The Empire Guardian. The empire's true ruler.*
"These three ignored imperial law," the voice commanded. "Punish them accordingly, or you're finished." Kevin applied pressure, wanting Nikas to handle this mess. No need to dirty his own hands. He hated trouble.
The blond youth, oblivious, saw Nikas's dark expression and mistook it for backup. He sneered at Lorin. "Think you're tough? Fighting skill means nothing! To get by, you need power and connections. Which family are you from? Oh—some backwater clan? I thought you were someone. Turns out you're just a... nobody."
No sooner had he spoken than Nikas slapped him. The youth spun 360 degrees in the air and crashed onto the steel floor, unconscious. Nikas swiftly taught the other two a lesson. He bundled the trio and threw them off the Magic Airship.
"Apologies for disturbing your rest," Nikas said warmly, a complete shift from his iron-blooded demeanor. He bowed respectfully, clearly fearing something, and closed the door gently.
???
Lorin stood frozen, bewildered. This wasn't what he'd expected. Had his identity been exposed?
