Chapter 187: The Evernight First Class
Evernight Territory, Aviation Department Training Grounds.
One week was all it took for that pack of dragons, whose brains were usually filled only with gold coins and roasted meat, to memorize the Empire's flight route map by heart. Mostly because they had no choice. The first page of the training manual, personally compiled by Greed, was written in bold red ink:
Flying off-course once: One month's wages docked.
Causing passenger complaints: Two months' wages docked.
Getting lost and delaying a flight: Six months' wages docked, plus three days of public shame in the Central Plaza.
For the dragons, who had just tasted the joy of consumerism and spent every day lingering in The Succubus's Dream or luxury boutiques, these regulations were more devastating than their wives running off with the neighbor. And so, a new batch of Dragonkin pilots graduated.
At that moment, Kaito was sitting by the moat outside Evernight City. He had a line tied to the end of his fishing rod, but there was no hook, no bait—nothing. Kaito was simply enjoying the process. Greed stood behind him, cradling a file, reporting on work.
"My Lord, according to the final results of the Dragonkin training camp, all participating dragons have met the standard for duty."
"Starting tomorrow, 'Bone-Dragon Aviation' will be officially renamed 'Evernight Aviation,' and the giant dragons will fully replace the bone dragons in all transport operations. The relevant notices and publicity have been posted on bulletin boards throughout the Empire."
Greed extended the file as he spoke. Kaito didn't take it, his gaze still fixed on the river. "What about the bone dragons coming off duty? How are they being arranged?"
Greed answered immediately. "My Lord, the vast majority of the bone dragons have submitted applications, hoping to join the Seven Generals' armies and continue serving the Empire. However... about a hundred or so bone dragons... they don't want to leave the Aviation Department."
Kaito's soulfire flickered. "They don't want to leave?" That was curious.
Greed explained, "I personally went to inquire, and their answers were consistent. They said they enjoy their current work. They like carrying those noisy passengers, flying to every corner of the continent, and seeing different scenery. Most importantly, they love the words 'thank you' that the passengers say to them when they disembark."
Kaito tapped his kneecap with a bony finger. A group of undead creatures actually felt nostalgic because of a passenger's gratitude. What a strange turn of events.
"If they want to stay, let them stay. But we can't use the old pods anymore."
"The giant dragons' advantage is massive cargo capacity and speed; they are meant for efficient, civilian-style routes. So, these remaining bone dragons will take a different path."
Kaito transmitted an idea through the soul link directly into Greed's mind. It wasn't a blueprint, but a concept: a massive, independent cabin that wrapped around the bone dragon's entire chest and abdomen. Inside the cabin, it wouldn't be two rows of cold seats. Instead, it would have carpeting, sofas, a bar counter, and even an independent room to lie down and rest.
Greed received the concept, his eyes brightening instantly. "My Lord is brilliant! This is to provide exclusive, high-end service for the wealthy class!"
"Correct," Kaito affirmed. "Call it the 'Evernight First Class.' Set the ticket price at ten times that of a standard flight."
Greed's body trembled slightly with excitement; he bowed deeply. "As you command, my Lord! I will arrange for the best craftsmen in the Iron Fortress immediately!"
"Wait," Kaito called him back. "One more thing. What about the bone dragons that want to join the army?"
Greed stopped and turned around. "My Lord, the only Generals who have clearly requested to incorporate these bone dragons into their legions are General Pride and General Envy. However, General Pride is still hesitant; he believes the Punishment Legion's duty is maintaining order on the ground, and the addition of air units might disrupt his established deployment."
Kaito's soulfire flickered. Giving bone dragons to Pride's Punishment Legion? The Punishment Legion were heavy infantry; bone dragons were air units—the two didn't mesh. Giving them to Envy's 'Silent Extinction' Legion made perfect sense. The core of the Silent Extinction Legion was the 'Bone Withers,' those high-attack, low-defense archers. A pairing of archers and bone dragons would not only avoid conflict but maximize the Bone Withers' range advantage. Moreover, the Punishment Legion's daily tasks were already overwhelming—patrolling, suppressing riots, and moonlighting as city management and judges. The Silent Extinction Legion, by contrast, was much freer, usually just guarding the walls or being pulled into temporary work by Greed.
With the addition of the bone dragons, the aerial patrol duties for the entire Empire could be officially handed over to them.
"Assign them all to Envy," Kaito said calmly.
"As you command, my Lord." Greed bowed once more and walked off quickly; he had much to do.
Three days later, the Iron Fortress Central Plaza.
A massive display platform was erected. In the center, a perfectly proportioned bone dragon lay quietly. Its chest and abdomen were wrapped in a set of magnificent silver-white metal armor. Intricate blue magical patterns were etched onto the surface, shimmering with radiant light in the sunlight. A small hatch was open on the side of the armor; inside, one could vaguely see soft dark-red carpeting and comfortable-looking sofas.
The plaza was packed, surrounded completely by the crowd.
"What is that? Did they put armor on a bone dragon?"
"Looks so grand! More grand than a merchant's carriage!"
"What's inside that door? Can we go in and see?"
The crowd debated, pointing at the new invention on stage. Beside the platform, a vampire host in a tuxedo held a megaphone enchanted with Amplification, speaking loudly.
"Residents of the Empire! Gentlemen! Ladies! Today, we proudly present to you the newest service from Evernight Aviation—The Evernight First Class!"
"Compared to the standard flights handled by our giant dragons, First Class offers a more comfortable ride, more private space, and more thoughtful service!"
"Now, let us invite the first lucky passengers to personally demonstrate the interior of First Class!"
No sooner had he spoken than several merchants, dressed in finery that clearly marked them as wealthy, smoothed their collars amidst the envious gazes of the crowd. With heads held high, they walked onto the platform and squeezed through the small door.
A moment later, a series of exaggerated exclamations burst from the cabin.
"My Gods! This is too comfortable!"
"This sofa... is this beast-fur? It's softer than the bed at home!"
"There's even a liquor bar here! Look at these spirits! These are aged reserves brewed from elven fruit!"
"There's even... an independent rest room with a bed! I can sleep in the sky!"
The host waited for the exclamations to die down before speaking at the perfect moment.
"Residents, the ticket price for Evernight First Class is ten times that of a standard flight! But believe me, it is worth every penny!"
"Now, reservations for Evernight First Class are officially open! We only have 121 seats available for the first run—quantities are limited, first come, first served!"
The crowd was silent for a second. The next, it erupted.
"Give me one! To Freeport! I have to attend next week's Seven Seas Auction, I must sit in this!" A dwarf merchant with a beer belly brandished his money bag, screaming at the top of his lungs.
"I want to go to the Elf Forest! Quick! Book me one! I'm going to see my elven fiancée!" A young human noble pushed aside the people in front of him.
"What's ten times? Charter me the whole flight! It's my daughter's birthday next week, I want to throw her a party in the sky! Fly three laps around Iron Fortress!"
The skeletal staff in charge of registration were instantly swamped by the fanatical crowd, their pens nearly snapping in half.
Meanwhile, at the Silent Extinction Legion's base.
On a sprawling training ground that seemed to have no end, Envy stood on a high platform. Before him sat the dense Bone Dragon Legion. Two thousand of them. Every single one had steady, powerful soulfire—they were authentic Tier 5 undead combatants.
"From today on, you are the Silent Extinction Legion's new unit: The Calamity Knights." Envy's voice resonated through soulfire directly into the consciousness of every bone dragon. "Your mission is to coordinate with the Bone Withers and conduct devastating aerial strikes against the Empire's enemies. Simultaneously, you will be responsible for aerial patrols and vigilance across the Empire."
Behind him stood two thousand of the most elite Bone Withers, chosen from the ranks of the Silent Extinction Legion.
Envy issued the command: "Now, begin pairing. Knights, choose your mounts; mounts, choose your knights."
The Bone Withers stepped forward, walking toward the massive bone dragons. A tall, sturdy Bone Wither walked up to a particularly massive bone dragon. It extended a bony hand, placing it gently on the dragon's thick leg bone. The two sets of soulfire touched through the soul link.
The next second, the bone dragon let out a low roar and lowered its massive head. It nudged its nose against the Bone Wither's chest plate, signaling its acceptance of the knight. The Bone Wither vaulted up, landing steadily on the dragon's broad back.
One by one, the Calamity Knights completed their pairing. Envy watched this aerial legion, which had taken shape in such a short time, his soulfire flickering with satisfaction.
He raised a hand. "Now, all Calamity Knights—take flight!"
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you