Morning finally came, and the sky began to shift its colours. Gold and blue hues painted the heavens, while soft white clouds rolled lazily above, making the entire scene picturesque.
"Ha…" James breathed, his eyes following the gentle waves as they moved back and forth in a calming rhythm. The ocean felt endless, serene — like peace itself.
"It's different, isn't it?" Cedric said, stepping up beside him at the rails.
"It is," James replied. "Flying above the water… it all seemed so small. But gliding through it — it makes me appreciate it." Below, sea creatures leapt in and out of the glittering surface, trailing the ship like joyful guardians.
Cedric nodded slowly. "Makes you realise, truly, just how insignificant we are. We all have our worries. But they are nothing compared to the whole world."
James inhaled deeply. The salty air, the cool wind brushing across his face — this was freedom. Sailing across the water without a care in the world…
What more could anyone possibly ask for?
But for James, moments like this never lasted long.
Danger waited ahead — darker, sharper, and far less forgiving than anything he had faced before. If he failed to adapt, he would meet his end in Celestia…
No Man's Land.
"Captain, land ho! " a voice called out, shattering James's peaceful thoughts.
"Oh, you don't say? We're already here," Cedric muttered with a smirk. He reached for the hilt at his belt — a small, gleaming silver scope hung neatly beside it. He lifted the scope and peered forward, catching the first glimpse of a great island rising from the sea.
"Double time, lads! Make sure we have a smooth docking!" Cedric barked.
The crew erupted into movement — scattering like startled birds, each rushing to their stations. Barrels of rum rolled across the deck as sailors adjusted ropes and cranks. Beside the helm was a long iron lever, which Cedric seized and pulled in one swift motion.
The entire ship groaned.
Sails snapped and twisted.Wooden planks groaned and slid beneath James's feet.He stumbled, nearly flung overboard as the ship reshaped itself.
The sails shifted into a white and blue pattern.The black jolly roger curled into itself, reshaping into a raven perched before a mountain peak.Weapons and crates vanished beneath hidden panels — replaced by neatly stacked merchant crates and decorative goods.
Within seconds, the pirate vessel was gone.
In its place: a merchant ship.
"Cedric, what the hell is going on!?" James yelled, gripping the railing.
"Hahaha! Hold on to something, would ya?" Cedric called back, climbing the rigging with one hand, laughing like a madman.
Even the helm transformed — from a battle-scarred wheel into a polished merchant's control stand.
Cedric paused atop the ropes, staring at the distant shore with an expression James couldn't quite read. Old. Worn. A little afraid.
"Celestia… old friend," he murmured under his breath. "It's been far too long."
Cedric released the rope and dropped from high above, landing on the deck with a heavy thud.
"What did Ocean tell you?" he asked sharply as he approached. His carefree air was gone — replaced by something colder, more calculating. James had never seen him like this.
"I… I don't kn—" James began, instinctively trying to lie.But then Ocean's final words echoed in his mind:
"Trust Cedric."
"She said… You will show me the way," James admitted, keeping the rest hidden.
Cedric's eyes narrowed. "And how do you know her?"
"That's what I want to ask you," James countered, curiosity burning inside him.
Cedric turned away, removing his hat. "We have… a fleeting relationship," he said quietly.
James knew there was much more behind those words.Cedric's expression — sombre, guilty, pained — reminded him of his grandfather whenever the topic of James's father arose.
Clouds drifted overhead, and before long, noon sunlight washed the sea in icy brightness. The port came into view — towering walls of stone, and massive military vessels lined along the harbour, cannons locked onto their ship.
"Identify yourselves!" a booming voice demanded, amplified by some unseen force.
Cedric calmly reached into his coat and pulled out a sealed envelope. Holding it high, he announced:
"We are from the Eastluid Trading Company! Vincent La-Crow, arriving with goods — and carrying a recommendation from Lady Clare!"
He spoke confidently — but James noticed the slightest tremor in his hand.
"From the East, you say…"The amplified voice echoed again, suspicion curling beneath the words."…Proceed to Docking Station Twelve."
Their ship drifted forward, guided by the current and the crew's coordinated movements.
Thud.
The hull bumped the wooden platform with a controlled impact.
"Drop anchor! Raise the sails!" Cedric commanded.
The deck erupted into motion — sailors sprinting, ropes flying, boots pounding against wood. As they secured the vessel, two military ships flanked them on either side, cannons still locked and ready to fire.
Cedric exhaled through a clenched jaw."Come on—and keep your head low," he murmured.
James followed, heart pounding as they crossed the gangplank. Behind them came two sailors, each carrying two large crates and two sealed barrels — merchandise, or so Cedric called it.
They halted before Celestia's law enforcers—navy-blue uniforms crisp and immaculate, golden cords draped from shoulder to waist. White gloves. Sabres and pistols gleaming at their sides.
If a single wrong move was made, James knew they would all be shot sky high.
"My good sirs," Cedric began with exaggerated politeness, offering the sealed letter.
One guard lifted it toward the sunlight. The royal insignia shimmered, silver and red.
"It's legitimate," the guard confirmed, lowering it.
Cedric cleared his throat. "Ahem… Well, that is a relief. For your trouble, gentlemen…"
He gestured casually — and the sailors behind them cracked open the crates.
The crates were opened — spices, fine fabrics, silver and even gold gleaming under the sun.
James' eyes bulged at the wealth.
The barrels sealed beside them carried high-quality rum, their scent subtly filling the dock.
The guards' glum expressions melted into greedy smiles. Dead eyes suddenly gleamed with life.
"A cultured man indeed," one of them said, voice thick with satisfaction. "Welcome to Celestia, gentlemen — God's own land."
At his signal, lower-rank officers rushed forward, hauling the merchandise away like starving dogs.
Massive gates — forged from black iron and gilded at the edges — groaned as they opened. A gust of foreign air rushed out.
James stepped through.
He knew instantly this place was unlike anywhere he had been before.
A kingdom with two names:
On the outside:The Land of Milk and Honey — paradise blessed by the divine.
This was God's Land
But within?The truth rotted just beneath the gold.
Celestia was No Man's Land—And James was about to learn, firsthand,Why they call it that?