Chapter 662: Pick-Up

“We don’t have much time to enjoy this holiday of ours.”

Ezra spoke plainly, one more time, before returning his attention to the holographic image floating above his study table.

The interior design of the Phantom Rolls remained spread across the screen.

Several sections had been enlarged, displaying the arrangement of the seats, the control panel, and the materials intended for the vehicle’s interior.

Ezra resumed moving his fingers across the interface, shifting one part of the design to examine how it fitted with the rest.

Lucy stood behind him, watching for a moment before letting out a faint sigh.

“I know…”

She lowered her gaze, then looked at her Master again.

“I only felt you deserved a bit of rest.”

Her voice was soft.

She did not expect him to abandon his work just because she had suggested it, but she still wanted him to take a proper break.

The Combat Festival had kept him occupied for a long time.

And even after it ended, he had barely been able to settle down before preparing to travel from one region to another.

Lucy watched the holographic screen for another second.

Her Master appeared as focused as ever, moving between the vehicle’s design and the messages on his Zphone Tablet.

“I mean, you did fight in the Combat Festival for a long time, and now you’re moving from one region to another.”

She gave him a small smile.

“I just thought you could take it easy for a while.”

Ezra did not immediately respond.

His eyes remained on the screen as he adjusted the position of a section near the front of the vehicle.

Lucy understood why he could not afford to live a relaxed life.

There were still many things he needed to accomplish, and she knew better than to think that a few days of rest would make those responsibilities disappear.

Besides, she could not afford to be lazy either.

She had only recently become a Binder Alchemist.

And there was still plenty for her to learn, and the improvement she wanted would not come from sitting around and waiting for it.

Even so, she hoped her Master would not push himself too hard.

“I’ll go prepare a warm drink for you,”

Lucy said calmly.

“You can have it while you work. At least that way, you’ll have something to help you relax.”

Ezra gave a brief nod without taking his eyes off the holographic screen.

Lucy accepted that as his answer.

She turned towards the door, walked out of the suite, and closed it behind her.

The room became quiet again, save for the faint sounds of the airship’s machinery and the occasional movement of Ezra’s fingers across the interface.

He continued examining the Phantom Rolls design.

If The Eclipse was going to make the vehicle for him, he wanted the finished product to be worth the wait.

There was little point in receiving something that looked exactly like the Royal Phantom Rolls already being sold to other customers.

He had already spent time considering its interior, and he intended to make a few changes that would give his own vehicle a different appearance.

He shifted the holographic image again, studying the arrangement before moving to another section.

The work continued at a steady pace.

The journey through the air passed peacefully.

Ezra and Lucy had enough time to rest during the trip, and neither encountered any particular trouble that interrupted their travel.

Lucy made sure Ezra had his warm drink before returning to her own activities.

She also took time to rest, knowing that the journey would last for few days.

Ezra, on the other hand, continued reviewing the Phantom Rolls design whenever he was not resting.

He also kept up with the messages on his Zphone Tablet from the Eclipse’s administrator, about the Hotel he and Lucy will be staying in, and the places they would go for sightseeing.

The hours passed, and the Noble Steam Dirigible continued towards its destination.

Then, after the long journey, the captain’s voice came through the speakers.

“We have arrived at Solcrest Airport.”

The announcement echoed through the airship’s halls.

“Passengers should prepare themselves. We are proceeding with landing.”

Ezra and Lucy were already in the reception hall, waiting with their luggage ready.

Lucy held her own bag while keeping an eye on her Master’s belongings.

She checked that nothing had been left behind, then glanced towards the doors as the airship began its descent.

The movement was slight at first.

A faint vibration travelled through the floor, followed by the steady sound of the machinery adjusting for landing.

Lucy shifted her grip on the luggage.

“We’re finally here,”

She murmured excitedly.

Ezra stood beside her, his expression unchanged.

The Noble Steam Dirigible descended towards the airport, passing over the buildings and landing areas below.

Through the windows, Solcrest Airport came into view.

It was large and lively, with several airships arriving and departing while ground crews moved between the designated platforms.

The airport’s structures stretched across a broad area.

Steam drifted from the machinery near the landing platforms, and the sounds of engines mixed with the voices of workers directing passengers.

Once the Dirigible had settled into its assigned position, the doors opened.

A faint stream of white steam flowed out as the boarding ramp lowered towards the ground.

Lucy stepped out first, carrying her luggage along with her Master’s.

She moved carefully down the ramp, making sure the bags did not strike the edges.

Ezra followed behind her at an unhurried pace.

The captain and his crew, all servants of the Ashenlocke House, stood near the exit.

They lowered their heads as Ezra and Lucy approached.

“Thank you.”

Lucy replied politely.

Ezra gave them a brief nod as well.

After exchanging their farewells, the two continued towards the airport’s main building.

The entrance was busy…

Travelers moved in different directions, some accompanied by servants while others carried their own belongings.

Staff members directed people towards the appropriate passages, and the occasional announcement sounded from speakers mounted above the walkways.

Lucy looked around as they entered.

The building was larger than she had expected, and the number of people moving through it made the place feel even more crowded.

Her gaze travelled across the wide halls, the signs marking the different sections, and the long rows of people waiting to complete their checks.

There was a faint look of excitement on her face.

“I think Camford Airport is the best between Lumithar and Solcrest Airport,”

She said, taking in the surroundings.

She sounded genuinely impressed.

Ezra, meanwhile, was completing his security check.

The security personnel included the local guards and members of the Guards of Burn, who were responsible for maintaining order in the region.

One of the guards checking the passengers had already recognized Ezra, and his manner had become noticeably more careful once he confirmed the young noble’s identity.

Ezra answered the necessary questions and allowed the guard to complete the inspection.

He showed no sign of being bothered by the extra attention.

Unfortunately, the guard was not the only person who recognized him.

A young non-noble woman standing nearby had been talking with her father when she noticed Ezra.

Her eyes widened.

She turned quickly, tapping her father’s shoulder, then pointed towards the security checkpoint.

“Oh, my scholars!”

Her voice rose with excitement.

“Th-Th-That’s Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke!”

Her father followed the direction of her finger.

His expression changed as soon as he saw the young noble standing beyond the checkpoint.

“Wait. Ezra Ashenlocke is in Thornwick?”

The words caught the attention of a few people nearby.

“Ezra Ashenlocke? Here?”

“Oh, wow. This is crazy.”

“What is he doing in Thornwick of all places?”

“Maybe he’s here on holiday.”

“Of course. What else would it be?”

Another voice joined the conversation.

“Hmm, would the Ashenlockes allow him to go on vacation this quickly? Their Academy’s first-semester ending party only happened not long ago.”

The questions spread faster than anyone could have expected.

People who had been busy with their own affairs began turning towards the security checkpoint.

Some stopped in the middle of their conversations, while others leaned around the people in front of them to get a better look.

A few recognized Ezra immediately.

Others needed someone nearby to confirm his identity before they joined the growing crowd.

Within moments, more people were watching him.

The airport staff noticed the change in the flow of passengers.

The Guards of Burn also began moving into position, keeping an eye on the crowd as people gathered around the area.

They could not allow the growing number of onlookers to block the security checkpoint or interfere with other travelers.

Several staff members and guards therefore moved to clear a path from where Ezra stood with Lucy towards the airport’s exit.

Lucy looked around at the people gathering near them.

“Oh, my…”

She turned towards Ezra, unable to hide her amazement.

“This is incredible, Master.”

A laugh escaped her lightly.

“Haha… haha.”

She had expected people to recognize her Master.

After all, his name had become well known, and his participation in the Combat Festival had given people plenty to talk about.

Still, seeing so many people gather just to greet him was another matter.

Ezra, however, did not seem particularly concerned.

He turned towards the crowd and raised one hand in a casual wave.

Several people immediately called his name again.

“Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke!”

“Welcome to Thornwick!”

“Enjoy your stay!”

“There’s a place you should visit while you’re here!”

Some of them suggested places around Solcrest, while others called out recommendations for different parts of Thornwick.

A few even tried to tell him where he could find good food or interesting places to visit.

Ezra continued walking, acknowledging the greetings with occasional waves.

He did not stop to speak with every person who called out to him.

There were too many of them, and the path ahead was already being kept clear by the airport staff.

Lucy followed beside him, carrying the luggage while watching the crowd.

Then she noticed something else.

Among the people calling Ezra’s name were several business representatives.

They had apparently recognized an opportunity and were eager to make use of it before he left the airport.

“Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke, you should check out Scarletz!”

A woman shouted.

She wore a mainly white and scarlet suit, with the Scarletz logo printed on the chest.

She held up a business card in one hand, trying to make sure Ezra could see it over the people standing between them.

“It’s a fashion company! We’d like to have you visit us and discuss making you an ambassador for our fashion products!”

Her voice carried above the surrounding conversations.

Other businesspeople began calling out their own company names.

Some wanted Ezra to visit their establishments, while others hoped to establish a connection with him for future business.

They had come to Solcrest Airport for different reasons, but few of them were willing to ignore the chance to introduce themselves to someone as well-known as Ezra Ashenlocke.

Ezra glanced at Lucy.

He did not need to say anything.

Lucy understood what he wanted.

She adjusted her hold on the luggage, looked towards the crowd, and raised her voice.

“Please, if you want to leave your business cards for my Master, you can throw them now! Or just send a message to his Linsta account!”

Her tone remained calm despite the noise around her.

For a brief moment, several people seemed to hesitate.

Then the business cards started flying.

Some people tossed them into the air, while others stretched their arms out and threw their cards towards the open space ahead of Ezra.

A few hurriedly searched their pockets for cards they had not prepared in advance.

Even some young non-nobles who were not business representatives joined in.

They threw small pieces of paper containing their contact details, hoping to establish a connection with Ezra.

The scene quickly became chaotic.

Cards fluttered through the air, some spinning as they passed over the heads of the crowd.

Others fell short and landed on the floor before reaching their intended destination.

Lucy, however, was ready.

Her gaze moved quickly from one side to the other.

Whenever a card entered her reach, her hand shot out to catch it.

One card came towards her from the left.

She caught it between two fingers without breaking her stride.

Another spun down from above.

She raised her hand and secured it before it could strike the luggage.

Then came several more.

Lucy moved with quick, controlled motions, collecting the cards and keeping them together in one hand.

She did not need to chase the ones that fell beyond her reach.

There were already enough flying towards them, and she focused on catching those she could reach.

Before long, she had gathered a neat stack of business cards and contact papers.

Ezra continued towards the exit without changing his pace.

The airport staff kept the path open, preventing the crowd from pressing too close.

The Guards of Burn watched the onlookers while guiding other passengers around the gathering.

At last, Ezra and Lucy reached the exit.

Waiting outside was the Eclipse staff sent to welcome them.

A Royal Phantom Rolls stood nearby, its polished exterior catching the light as people moved around it.

The vehicle had been brought to pick them up, and the staff had already prepared for their arrival.

The lead staff member stepped forward as Ezra approached.

He opened the rear door and held it for him.

“Please enter, Sir Ezra Ashenlocke. And you too, Miss.”

His manner was polite and professional.

A few members of the crew moved towards Lucy to collect the luggage.

She handed the bags over, allowing them to carry everything to the vehicle’s boot.

Ezra entered first, followed by Lucy.

The seats were ready for them, and the interior provided a welcome break from the crowded airport.

Lucy settled into her seat, placing the stack of business cards carefully beside her before she placed them into her space bag.

Outside, the crew finished loading their luggage.

One of the staff members checked the boot before closing it, while another moved towards the front of the vehicle.

The lead staff member gave the driver a brief signal, then entered the Phantom Rolls.

Thud!

The doors closed, shutting out much of the noise from the airport.

The remaining members of The Eclipse’s staff stood beside the vehicle.

They lowered their heads in farewell before raising their hands to wave.

“Have a safe journey, Sir Ezra Ashenlocke!”

The driver settled into his seat, and the engine started.

A low mechanical sound came from the vehicle as it prepared to move.

The Royal Phantom Rolls then pulled away from the pick-up area and began driving towards the road beyond the airport.

The people who had followed Ezra all the way to the pick-up point continued waving.

Some called out their farewells, while others tried to catch one last glimpse of him through the windows.

Lucy watched them for a moment as the vehicle moved away.

Only after the crowd began to disappear behind them did she turn back towards the interior.

Inside the Phantom Rolls, the lead staff member faced Ezra and Lucy.

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Sir Ezra Ashenlocke.”

His apology was calm and respectful.

He seemed to be referring to the commotion that had surrounded Ezra at the airport, though he did not dwell on it.

He then reached for a bouquet of scarlet flowers and presented it to them.

“These are Hardy Red Roses.”

Lucy accepted the bouquet with both hands.

She looked down at the flowers, examining them briefly before settling them carefully on her lap.

The scarlet petals stood out against the arrangement, giving the bouquet a bright appearance.

“Thank you,” she said.

The staff member nodded before reaching for the next items.

He handed them two pamphlets, one for Ezra and one for Lucy.

Each contained brief information about Thornwick and its capital, Solcrest.

The pamphlets also introduced The Eclipse and listed the Count Houses and other high-status noble houses that held authority in the region, along with information about the Duke House of Burnwick.

Lucy took her copy and glanced at the cover.

The information would be useful during their stay, especially since she had never visited Thornwick before.

She could read through the pamphlet later and learn more about the region.

Ezra accepted his own copy without interrupting the staff member.

Next came a box of Solcrest’s most popular chocolate candy.

Lucy received it with a pleased expression.

She held the box carefully, making sure it did not press against the flowers.

Finally, the staff member brought out a small toy figure shaped like a Royal Phantom Rolls.

“This is a souvenir for you,”

He explained.

Lucy collected it along with the other gifts.

Her attention moved from the toy to the pamphlet and then to the bouquet.

She looked quite satisfied with the welcome they had received, and she carefully arranged the items so that nothing would be damaged during the drive.

Ezra, meanwhile, glanced at the pamphlet in his hand.

They had only just arrived in Thornwick, and there was already information for them to review. He could look through it later, once they had settled in.

For now, he let the staff member finish explaining the items they had received.

The lead staff member straightened in his seat and looked towards Ezra.

“Welcome to Thornwick, Sir Ezra Ashenlocke.”

The Royal Phantom Rolls continued along the road, carrying Ezra and Lucy away from Solcrest Airport and towards the city.