Chapter 223: Journey to Northwick
Ping!
A notification sounded from Ezra’s Starlix.
The sound came from the middle pocket of his white cardigan while he was already walking back toward the mansion alongside Lucy.
The morning sun shone over the courtyard, casting long shadows across the stone pathway that led toward the front entrance.
Ezra stopped mid-step.
He slipped his hand into his pocket and took out the Starlix 11.
His eyes moved across the message.
"Lucy."
He called her name while reading.
"Yes, Master?"
Lucy had already reached the mansion door and was about to enter when she stopped and turned around.
Her hands were folded neatly in front of her.
"We’re traveling on the fourth day."
Ezra’s gaze remained on the screen.
His voice was as calm and flat as usual.
"That’s Thursday."
Lucy immediately nodded.
The information was already being sorted inside her head.
Travel preparations.
Luggage.
Necessary supplies.
Clothing.
A proper schedule.
All of it.
"We still need to buy clothes for the event."
Ezra placed the Starlix back into his pocket.
"Yes."
Lucy’s expression immediately became serious.
The maid-in-training crossed her arms and entered deep thought.
Then...
"And this time, you are getting a custom-tailored suit."
Her eyes narrowed.
The determination on her face appeared almost excessive.
"And you are also getting a haircut, Master."
She pointed directly at him.
Ezra slowly turned his head.
"A haircut?"
He looked at the reflection in one of the mansion windows.
His hair had already grown noticeably longer.
Several loose strands rested against his shoulders.
Although he maintained it properly and kept it clean, it had definitely become longer.
"Even though you take good care of your hair..."
Lucy clenched her fist dramatically.
"I want your handsome features to show more."
Her tone sounded unusually passionate.
As if she were preparing for battle.
Ezra stared at her silently.
A few seconds passed.
"Custom-tailored clothing is fine."
He finally replied.
"We still have enough money for that."
Then he paused.
"But the haircut..."
His gaze shifted back to his reflection.
A small frown appeared.
Not because he particularly loved his hair, but because cutting it felt troublesome.
"I don’t feel like cutting it twice."
He looked back at Lucy expressionlessly.
"I’ll have to cut it again before entering the Royal Academy anyway."
The logic seemed reasonable.
At least to him.
Unfortunately...
Lucy wasn’t convinced.
Not even slightly.
The young maid narrowed her eyes.
The look alone made it clear she wasn’t planning on losing this argument.
Ezra looked at her blankly for a second, then turned.
"I don’t like cutting my hair."
He spoke honestly.
Then continued walking into the mansion.
Lucy followed after him.
Clearly planning her next attack.
"You’ll also need tailored clothing."
Ezra continued while heading toward the staircase.
"So, let’s go shopping today."
"Yes, Master."
Lucy bowed obediently.
Then turned toward her own room.
She needed time to prepare as well.
Like that...
The two immediately began preparing for both the trip and the Auction event.
Meanwhile...
The BNC Broadcasting Group had already started their publicity campaign.
Across Britannia, advertisements began appearing one after another.
BNC reposted Ezra’s Phantom Rolls presentation across their official Linsta account.
The results were explosive.
The numbers climbed almost immediately.
Six million views became seven.
Seven became eight.
Then ten.
Then eleven million.
And the growth still hadn’t stopped.
The Phantom Rolls had officially broken a Linsta record.
It became the fastest invention presentation in Britannian history to surpass ten million views in less than a week.
The discussions exploded.
People argued.
Debated.
Praised.
Questioned.
But nobody ignored it.
Even BNC began printing large posters and newspaper articles.
At the center of every advertisement was a familiar name.
Ezra Ashenlocke.
The main theme of the upcoming auction was displayed beneath it.
Exterior Innovation for Steam Carriages.
The news spread throughout Britannia.
Noble houses discussed it during breakfast.
Industrial companies discussed it during meetings.
Inventors discussed it inside workshops.
Even the powerful Duke Families began paying attention.
Some members of the Royal Family had reportedly shown interest as well.
The anticipation continued building.
Just like that...
Time moved forward.
As it always did.
Eventually, the day of departure arrived.
Early in the morning, a special Noble-Class Steam Carriage belonging to the BNC Broadcasting Group arrived at Ezra’s mansion.
The vehicle itself looked expensive.
The body was polished to perfection.
Its metal framework reflected sunlight brilliantly.
The BNC crest was engraved prominently along its doors.
Another massive Steam Truck accompanied it.
The truck was specifically prepared for transporting the Phantom Rolls.
While the invention would travel separately through sea transport, Ezra and Lucy would travel directly to Northwick.
The journey itself was long.
First, they traveled by train to Lumithar.
Then they would board a Noble-Class private Dirigible from Lumithar Airport.
From there, the airship would carry them all the way to Camford, the capital city of Northwick.
Meanwhile, the Phantom Rolls would be transported to Lumithar Bay.
Then loaded onto a cargo vessel.
The invention’s journey would take over a week.
Longer than theirs.
By the time Ezra and Lucy arrived at Lumithar Airport, another BNC Steam Carriage had already been arranged to receive them.
The moment Lucy stepped out...
Her eyes widened.
The sight before her almost stole her breath.
Dirigibles.
Dozens of them.
Some small,
Some enormous.
Some designed for passengers.
Others were clearly designed for cargo transportation.
Massive floating vessels rested throughout the airport.
Their giant gas envelopes cast shadows across the ground.
Steam drifted from docking towers.
Workers moved around carrying luggage.
Passengers walked through the terminals.
The entire place buzzed with activity.
Lucy couldn’t stop staring.
The young maid slowly turned her head left and right.
Her eyes seemed unable to settle on a single airship.
All her life, she had only seen Dirigibles from the ground.
Tiny shapes floating across distant skies.
Untouchable.
Unreachable.
Yet now...
She stood among them.
Close enough to touch.
Close enough to board.
Close enough to travel inside one.
The feeling almost seemed unreal.
She sat beside Ezra near the waiting area.
Yet her gaze never left the airport.
Nobles and high-class citizens continuously passed through security checkpoints.
Workers pushed carts loaded with luggage.
Announcements echoed periodically through the terminal.
Members of the Guards of Ash patrolled alongside State Guards.
Both forces maintained order throughout the crowded airport.
The atmosphere felt busy.
Yet organized.
"Master..."
Lucy finally spoke.
The excitement in her voice was impossible to hide.
"This is really amazing."
Ezra glanced up from his Starlix.
He had been checking the tracking updates for the Phantom Rolls which was still on the road to Lumithar seaport.
The invention was still on schedule.
"Yes." He replied. "It’s amazing."
His answer was completely flat.
Lucy immediately pouted.
"You keep saying it’s amazing."
She folded her arms.
"But you don’t look amazed at all."
Ezra remained looking at the screen of the Starlix, then he looked around.
Truthfully...
He was impressed.
This was also his first time seeing a Dirigible up close.
But unlike Lucy, he wasn’t the type to show excitement openly.
Especially after everything he had experienced.
Still...
His eyes lingered on one of the larger Noble-Class airships.
The engineering fascinated him.
The structure.
The power systems.
The design.
Everything about it.
"It has always been my dream to travel by air, and one day, I want my own Dirigible."
Ezra turned toward her.
His blank eyes met her shining ones.
"Oh really?"
Lucy nodded repeatedly.
"Then I’ll need an airship pilot license too."
She raised both hands dramatically.
"I’ll drive you around the world, Master."
Her hands moved as if steering an invisible control wheel.
Ezra watched her for several seconds.
Then...
"You really are excited."
His voice remained flat.
Lucy immediately nodded.
"Of course, I am." Her smile widened. "For a girl like me..."
She looked out the massive airport windows again.
"An experience like this is a dream come true."
Lucy couldn’t stop smiling.
Even after several hours of waiting, the excitement inside her refused to die down.
Her eyes kept wandering toward the massive airships parked beyond the airport windows.
Every time a new Dirigible landed or took off, she would immediately turn her head to watch it.
The sight simply never became boring.
Then...
"Good morning, Mr. Ezra and his attendant."
A gentle voice sounded from nearby.
Ezra and Lucy looked up simultaneously.
Standing before them was a woman dressed in an elegant wine-colored office suit.
The BNC Broadcasting Group crest was embroidered neatly on the right side of her chest.
Her appearance was professional.
Her smile was warm.
She carried herself with the confidence expected of someone representing one of the most influential organizations in Britannia.
"Good morning, ma’am."
Ezra and Lucy greeted her politely and bowed.
The woman returned the gesture with a smile.
"I’m from the BNC Broadcasting Group."
She introduced herself.
"I’ll be responsible for escorting both of you to the Noble-Class Private Dirigible that will be carrying us to Camford, the capital city of Northwick."
Her voice was smooth and practiced.
Clearly, she was used to handling important guests.
"Our journey will take four days."
She extended an arm toward the boarding section.
"But I can assure you that you’ll enjoy every moment of the trip."
The smile on her face widened slightly.
"Let’s go."
Ezra glanced toward Lucy.
The maid was already standing.
The excitement in her eyes had returned instantly.
The two picked up their luggage and followed behind the BNC representative.
As they walked through the airport terminal, nobles and wealthy merchants occasionally glanced toward Ezra.
Some recognized him.
Others recognized the BNC escort.
Whispers followed them from several directions.
The Phantom Rolls had become far more famous than Ezra initially expected.
"Mr. Ezra."
The lady spoke while they headed toward the ticket inspection area.
"I’m actually a proud viewer of your Phantom Rolls presentation."
She looked at him with obvious admiration.
"I’m truly grateful someone created something so beautiful."
Her tone carried genuine excitement.
Unlike the exaggerated praise nobles often gave.
This sounded sincere.
Well... she wasn’t a noble, but a high-class citizen.
"And now that I’m seeing you up close..."
She laughed softly.
"You’re blessed with more than just intelligence and creativity."
Her eyes briefly examined his appearance.
"You also have a face that could make quite a few women’s hearts race."
The smile she gave him became softer.
Ezra simply stared at her.
His expression didn’t change.
His hair had already been tied neatly behind his head before the trip.
Without the longer strands covering parts of his face, his features were now a bit more visible.
The result was exactly what Lucy had been trying to achieve.
"Thank you."
His reply was simple.
The woman blinked, then laughed.
Lucy secretly smiled to herself.
Master really doesn’t change even when his getting compliments.
Soon, they arrived at the security checkpoint.
After speaking with the staff and showing their identification cards, Ezra and Lucy were allowed through without difficulty.
Beyond the checkpoint was a private lounge reserved for high-ranking passengers.
The atmosphere immediately changed.
The noise of the airport faded.
The furniture became more luxurious.
Soft music played in the background.
The scent of expensive tea drifted through the air.
Several nobles sat quietly reading newspapers while waiting for their flights.
Others discussed business matters in low voices.
The entire place radiated wealth.
After resting for a while...
The boarding call finally arrived.
The guide returned.
Then led them toward their Dirigible.
As soon as Lucy stepped through the entrance...
She covered her mouth.
Her eyes widened.
For several seconds she forgot how to speak.
The level of luxury before her exceeded everything she had imagined.
Even Ezra couldn’t stop himself from looking around carefully.
This wasn’t merely his first time entering a Dirigible.
This was his first time entering one of the most luxurious transportation systems in Britannia.
The Noble-Class Private Dirigible of BNC was enormous.
From the outside, it already resembled a floating palace.
Its massive silver envelope stretched across the sky like a mechanical whale.
Golden reinforcement lines ran along its body.
Several giant steam-propellers rotated slowly on both sides.
Large crystal lamps decorated the exterior frame.
Even the boarding bridge looked more expensive than some people’s homes.
Yet...
The interior was even more shocking.
The reception hall alone was larger than the entire first floor of Ezra’s mansion.
The floor beneath them was covered in polished white tiles veined with silver.
The material reflected the crystal lights hanging above.
Massive chandeliers extended across the ceiling.
The largest one hung directly in the center of the hall.
Hundreds of crystal pieces sparkled beneath the lights.
The entire hall glowed warmly.
Elegant staircases curved upward toward the upper decks.
It felt less like entering a vehicle.
And more like entering a luxury hotel built inside a flying palace.
Lucy stood frozen.
Her eyes moved from one side of the hall to the other.
She genuinely didn’t know where to look first.
"This..."
She whispered.
Her voice barely came out.
"This is incredible."
The receptionist welcomed them professionally before assigning their rooms.
Afterward, another attendant guided them deeper into the Dirigible.
As Ezra walked through the illuminated corridors, he noticed the incredible craftsmanship of the vessel.
The reception hall was illuminated by massive chandeliers.
Further inside, elegant crystal wall lamps provided light.
The corridors themselves were covered with soft carpets.
Paintings decorated the walls.
Several displayed famous historical events.
Others showed landscapes from different regions of Britannia.
Every detail seemed carefully chosen.
Every decoration served a purpose.
The wealth invested into this single airship was astonishing.
Eventually they reached their rooms.
Lucy immediately gasped again.
The rooms were larger than expected.
Far larger.
Back at Ezra’s mansion, their bedrooms were already considered luxurious.
Yet compared to these rooms...
They felt smaller.
The Noble-Class cabins contained king-sized beds covered with fine sheets.
Personal study desks.
Private bathrooms.
Mini libraries.
Observation windows.
Tea sets crafted from expensive porcelain.
Even the furniture itself looked handcrafted.
The walls were decorated with elegant woodwork and silver trimming.
Everything radiated luxury.
After placing down their luggage, the attendants continued the tour.
The Dining Salon came next.
A small orchestra played elegant music from a raised platform.
Violins.
Cellos.
Pianos.
The melody drifted through the room smoothly.
The scent of food filled the air.
Rows of exquisite meals were displayed beautifully.
Professional chefs performed while cooking.
Their movements resembled artists more than cooks.
Afterward, they visited the Grand Lounge.
Then the Smoking Room.
Then the Tea Parlor.
The Tea Parlor also contained another small orchestra.
Comfortable sofas surrounded low tables.
The atmosphere there was refined.
Then came the Observation Chamber.
Lucy’s eyes nearly shone.
The chamber occupied a large section near the front of the Dirigible.
Massive panoramic windows stretched from floor to ceiling.
The entire airport could be seen from inside.
Comfortable sofas were arranged around elegant tea tables.
Several viewing telescopes stood nearby.
Passengers could use them to observe the lands below once the flight began.
Lucy immediately rushed toward the glass.
The city looked tiny from this height.
The feeling made her heart race.
After that, they were escorted to the Control Room.
The crew greeted them respectfully.
The captain himself introduced the major staff members.
Steam gauges.
Pressure indicators.
Navigation charts.
Communication devices.
The entire room looked like the heart of a giant machine.
Ezra quietly observed everything.
At the same time...
His senses spread outward.
Binder Rank.
Several.
Meister Rank.
Quite a few.
Then...
Three individuals.
Three people whose ranks he couldn’t sense at all.
The discovery immediately caught his attention.
His eyes lingered on them briefly.
Strong.
Very strong.
They were clearly assigned as protection for the vessel.
A Noble-Class Private Dirigible carrying important passengers naturally wouldn’t lack security.
They really are treating us well.
The thought passed through Ezra’s mind.
Just then...
The captain stepped forward.
His voice echoed throughout the control room.
"Commencing lift-off."
Crew members immediately moved.
Levers shifted.
Steam pressure began rising.
The entire airship hummed softly.
Far below...
Massive engines awakened.
The Noble-Class Dirigible slowly began its journey toward Northwick.
