Character Introductions:
Tiselle: An Angel. Tia’s daughter. The eldest daughter. Aurora: An Angel. Tia’s daughter. The second daughter. Rosemaria: An Angel. Granmaria’s daughter. Laladel: An Angel. Kudel’s daughter. Tolmane: An Angel. Corone’s daughter.
The name for the airship was finally decided.
It was named the Trois Roses.
The Universal Ship was the one that chose it. Personally, I thought it was a fine name, but I did wonder why it had to be "Trois"—the number three. Then it hit me: the ship had three gas bags. That made sense.
As a bonus, the Universal Ship received a name of its own: the Ciel Terre. Tou had been the one to pick it. Apparently, the ship itself had specifically requested that he be the one to choose. They’d been bickering like an old married couple lately, but clearly, they didn't actually hate each other.
Besides, even if it was a unique vessel, shouting "Universal Ship, depart!" felt no different than saying "Cargo Ship, depart!" I really should have thought of a name for it sooner. I felt a bit guilty about that.
Oh? The ship said that while its formal name was Ciel Terre, it didn't mind if I kept calling it "the Universal Ship" like I always had. It said that name was also important to it.
I see. Thank you. I’ll take you up on that offer.
Early one morning, after completing our meticulous preparations, the airship and the Universal Ship—loaded with tools and lumber for the trial mining—set off for Howlin Village with our crew on board.
The Trois Roses took the lead, with the Ciel Terre following closely behind in formation.
We arrived at Howlin Village before noon. As agreed, we picked up ten skilled miners and set off once more toward our destination. The miners were certainly curious about the new airship, but...
They chose to ride on the Universal Ship instead.
They felt more at ease with the familiar vessel than with a strange new airship. Since we used the Universal Ship for trade with Howlin Village, the sense of security was on a different level for them.
The Universal Ship looked quite proud of itself, even as it made sure not to overshadow its "younger sister" airship. Tou, standing on its deck, nodded as if this outcome was only natural. Personally, I thought the airship’s living quarters were much nicer, but I decided to keep that to myself.
Speaking of the crew, Gatto had originally wanted to join the expedition, but he ended up declining because he needed to help Hiichiro with his jewelry production. The dragon family was watching Hiichiro’s progress quite closely, so I suspected Gatto had felt a bit of pressure—as if they were asking if he really intended to abandon the boy to go digging in a mountain.
I felt sorry for him. I’d have to reward him somehow when we got back.
As for Hiichiro, he had pestered me to bring back anything that looked like it could be used for his brooches. He was making do with what he had, but he wanted to try his hand at some rare materials if we found any. I promised to do my best for him.
My official position on the airship was Captain, but sitting in the command seat only made me get in the way. Instead, I spent most of my time in the Special Cabin.
Lu and Tia shared the suite with me. The Special Cabin was large enough to house eight people, but it also included two separate, private rooms. I wondered why that was necessary.
"Because some people—like servants or guards—can't sleep in the same room as their master," Tia explained.
I see.
I had intended to let the ten miners from Howlin Village use the two First-class Cabins on the same floor, but since they’d decamped to the Universal Ship, I offered the rooms to Reginleiv and the High Elves instead. A First-class Cabin was spacious enough to sleep six, so one would have sufficed, but I let them use both just to be comfortable.
I thought Galf and Daga could take the private rooms in the Special Cabin, but before I could even suggest it, they’d scurried off to the Second-class Cabins, claiming they felt more relaxed there. They really didn't need to be so formal.
The Mountain Elves operating the ship, the Angel escorts, and the High Ogre maids were all using the staff quarters. A Second-class Cabin was small, but it still felt roomier than a staff bunk. Still, they’d requested it, so that’s how it went.
As for the rest... Kuro’s children and Zabuton’s children were scattered all over the place.
Our leisurely journey through the clouds continued. It wasn't exactly boring, but it did lack excitement. I’d anticipated this during the test flights, so the High Elves had brought their instruments along to liven things up with music and song. If we ever used this as a proper passenger ship, a dedicated orchestra might be a good investment.
"Oh, wait, High Elves," I called out. "Please stop singing songs about 'falling' or 'dropping.' It’s making me imagine things I’d rather not."
I didn't need that kind of heart-pounding suspense. I asked them to stick to bright, cheerful tunes instead.
The High Ogre maids prepared black tea and snacks, allowing me to settle in and enjoy the passing sky in peace.
...
We were intercepted by flying magic beasts a few times, but the Universal Ship and the Angels drove them off without a hitch. There was no need to actually kill them, so no one pushed themselves, and we suffered no injuries.
However, there was a palpable sense of tension among the Angel escorts, mostly because Reginleiv was on board. She’d claimed she wouldn't interfere at this stage, but I suppose it was hard for them to relax while an elder of her stature was watching them.
Tia argued that the tension was a good thing for maintaining alertness, but I wondered if she felt the same way.
"Even if you ask me that... Lady Reginleiv is your guard, isn't she, Village Head?"
"That’s true."
"As your wife, I’m technically under her protection too. It would be more of a hassle if I let it bother me."
Was that how it worked?
"That’s how it works."
Reginleiv herself admitted she didn't have much to say to the younger generation.
"I find myself starting to nag. While it's a senior's lot to be a nuisance, I see no reason to go looking for trouble."
I see.
Apparently, she found it much easier to talk to Tiselle, Aurora, Rosemaria, Laladel, and Tolmane. I could understand the older girls, but Rosemaria and the others were only two or three years old. If she said the conversations were lively, though, I suppose they were. I didn't want to overthink it.
On another note, hadn't I heard that there was a barrier around the Forest of Death? Dos and Draim had mentioned it before. Yet the Universal Ship and the airship hadn't been hindered by it at all. I asked Lu why.
"Dragons come and go without worrying about the barrier, right?"
"True."
"It’s the same for the Universal Ship and the airship. They carry a dragon’s protection."
"Wait, they do?" I asked, surprised.
"You didn't know?"
I didn't recall hearing anything about it.
"I assumed you knew because you had Hakuren-san transport the airship for you."
So the airship got its protection then. As for the Universal Ship, Rusty had apparently given it her blessing before I’d even introduced it to Dos. I’d had no idea.
"Well, even if we call it a 'protection,' it’s basically just a pass for the barrier. It doesn't glow or do anything flashy."
I suppose so. I just wish someone had told me.
Wait, what about the other Angels and Harpies who visited normally? Or the Wyverns? Did they all have protection?
Tia stepped in to answer. "I can't speak for the Wyverns, but none of the Angels or Harpies have a dragon's blessing."
"Then how do they get through?"
"Regarding the Forest of Death's barrier, the sky is actually mostly exempt."
"Is that right?"
"It is. The purpose of the barrier is to keep the monsters and magic beasts living in the forest—like the Inferno Wolves, Grappler Bears, or Bloody Vipers—from escaping into the world."
"I see."
"Technically, it was meant to keep Zabuton-san and the Demon Spiders inside too, but they just fly out anyway..."
That was true. Some of Zabuton’s children were quite good at flying.
"Besides, even though we call it a barrier, most of them are specialized."
"Specialized?"
"They target specific species. Furthermore, they aren't physical walls; they’re mostly psychological."
I suppose it was like a feeling of dread that made you want to turn back.
"Exactly. If you know the barrier exists, you can simply endure it. I shouldn't say this in front of Draim-san and the others, but the barrier around the Forest of Death actually has quite a few holes."
I definitely couldn't say that in front of Draim.
"Of course, there’s no way the dragon race wouldn't notice, given how wise they are. It’s possible they leave the holes there on purpose."
Right. Let’s go with that.
Still... a barrier to keep Kuro and the others inside, huh?
I looked at the young Inferno Wolves relaxing nearby. I was taking them right out through the barrier. I hoped that was okay.
Well, no one had complained yet. And it was a bit late to turn back now.
Universal Ship: "Call me Ciel Terre... but everyone will probably forget, so 'Universal Ship' is fine." Tou: "Th-That’s not true!" Village Head: "You sure know a lot about barriers." Tia: "Since I moved to the village, I’ve had plenty of chances to talk with the dragons." Village Head: "...I talk with them a lot too, though."
Village Head: "Where are Galf and Daga sleeping? Is a room in the Special Cabin alright?" Galf: "Oh, no, please." Daga: "No, no, no, no, no." Galf: "I won't say who, but I felt this incredible pressure..." Daga: "Yeah. The only thing to do is run." Reginleiv: "Actually, I want to run away too..."