The journey of the Princess of Stygia continues westward, and the daily routine is interrupted when a waashu attack on an airship is observed by the passengers one morning. They are content to simply watch and gawk for the most part, but Alptraum, against Nekara's advice, opts to do something about it, and flies out to rescue a falling Shiga. He then does battle with the waashu, succeeding in puncturing it and avoiding harm – while Nekara reluctantly comes to Alptraum's aid, using her prayers to inflict pain upon the creature in the hopes of distracting it.

Alptraum visits a spirit mage, Ariel Azale, to ask her about the talismans he brought from Sylvania. She examines one and asks to have it for a more detailed examination, as she is certain the talisman has something to do with necromancy. Alptraum is fine with this, as he thinks of it as a way to draw the exorcist's attention away from any spiritual oddities about himself.