This story is part of the Wanderer series.
Floating high above the ground, Chiyoko watched as explosions lit up the sea through the billows of black smoke. One after the other, eruptions bloomed across the azure plain. Watching the rear of the invading army, she noticed some of the ships beginning to turn back.
“It’s over,” she said aloud.
Crossing her legs in the air, she lounged back, seemingly sitting on an invisible chair along with crossed arms on her chest. She raised one arm up to her face, resting her thumb on her chin and index on her cheek as she tilted her head to the side.
“So much for the Great Empire. Even their ancestors lasted longer than this.”
A reply echoed from deep within her. “The former Xin Empire was not known for its naval force either.”
“Even then, the Xin were meticulous with their approach, slowly cutting off Callistus from its colonies and allies,” Chiyoko pointed out. “The Kingdom was simply too hasty. They attacked straight away. No preceding aggressions, no feints. The Eastern City navy is at its strongest right now. The strongest navy on the Western Continent. And they just crashed head first into them.”
“Indeed, the Eastern City has a formidable navy.”
Chiyoko turned her attention to the other side of the ocean. Ships in the rear were also turning back, smoking as they retreated to the shoreline. “They put up a good fight, at least. I’ll give them that. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Eastern fleet this critically injured.”
As she spoke, one of the retreating ships began to capsize. Tiny dark flecks flung off the side of the ship, speckling the waters and trailing towards a nearby rowboat.
“But this is much more devastating for the Kingdom, as they also need their warships for the southern front.”
“Desperation caused by the stagnated front in the north.”
“Of course, they’re not going to breach through the mountains either. Not with a land army, which is all the Kingdom really has going for them. If maybe they focused all their efforts in the south, they could have smashed through and conquered the rich trading kingdoms down there.”
“I detect a sense of frustration and pity for the losing army.”
Chiyoko chuckled, dipping her head and closing her eyes. “Pity? No.”
An explosion pierced the air as a gunship erupted spectacularly beneath her, spitting out sparks from a chain of detonating gunpowder.
“They asked for this. What were they thinking, fighting a war against two fronts?”
As the ship crackled, Chiyoko turned her gaze beyond towards the sea.
“All I care about is the Imperial Library that the Kingdom inherited and still controls. If the northern front ever extends beyond the mountains towards the library, that may be my chance to preserve some of the important manuscripts it houses.”
Turning in the air, she rose back up to the flying castle above, levitating eerily above the sea without leaving a shadow. Only Chiyoko’s small figure felt the shade the castle casted.
“Well, then,” she huffed as she landed on one of the lower balconies. Immediately, she started walking towards the helix library. “Time to get to work. Yet another tragic tale in the story of the Great Empire’s tragic war.”