Chapter 277 – The Old Magician and the Airship

The matter regarding Beriondora would be discussed another day—with King Melvin also present, so the discussions at the royal castle were temporarily concluded for now.

Before the banquet, I wanted to visit the Moon Temple and make some preparations on our end as well.

“Can I take this off now?”

Tephra asked while pinching her hood. Since we were going out into the city, I had invited her along as she seemed bored.

“Hmm. Well, I think it should be fine?”

The city was currently bustling with soldiers moving about hurriedly. Even if remnants of the Crown Prince’s faction were hiding among them, they likely wouldn’t be foolish enough to target someone deliberately drawing attention.

“That’s good.”

When Tephra revealed her face, Old Sigmund and Valentina froze for a moment.

“The Spirit of Mt. Tephra, I see.”

“My grandson certainly has wide connections.”

Given this reaction, I couldn’t help but wonder how they would react after hearing about Claudia once we returned to Termwills.

Old Sigmund, having reached a spot where the courtyard was visible, turned his gaze toward the crashed airship.

“I’m somewhat interested in that. I shall inspect the interior of the ship before the banquet.”

“Is that so? Well, after visiting the Moon Temple, I’ll stop by the ship as well.”

“Indeed. Until later, then.”

“Take care, Theodore-kun.”

“Yes. Please remain somewhat vigilant yourselves. I’ll leave a Familiar for your personal security.”

“Thank you.”

Valentina smiled and nodded.

Leaving Caduceus there, we parted ways with Old Sigmund and Valentina for the time being, and we boarded a carriage heading toward the Moon Temple located in the city. Princess Stephania volunteered to guide us.

We hadn’t been able to do any sightseeing because Zadias was around. From Princess Stephania’s perspective, if she missed this chance, she might not know when she’d get another opportunity for free time.

Thus, both Princess Stephania and Tephra were in rather high spirits.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to leisurely see the city of Vinesdora like this.”

“I am also looking forward to the banquet.”

“Indeed.”

The two of them seemed to be hitting it off quite well.

“Sister, won’t today’s banquet be quite trying for you?”

Rosemary said.

Come to think of it, Zadias had been obstructing marriage proposals for Princess Stephania. Now that Zadias was gone, there would likely be many nobles seeking engagement with Princess Stephania…

“Ah, that should be fine. His Majesty Eberhart has kindly indicated that he isn’t hosting the soirée with that intention.”

“Hmm? While it involves you, Sister, perhaps he’s also being considerate of Theodore’s background as well?”

Rosemary seemed to be pondering while opening and closing her feathered fan.

“Is it related to the Sages’ Academy?”

Ashley inquired.

The Sages’ Academy seems to maintain a certain distance from royalty and nobility. It’s unclear how much information about Zadias will become public due to this incident, but the story of treating King Eberhart and the Academy elders will likely be shared… and if so, naturally, some people might try to get closer.

“That’s right. From King Eberhart’s perspective, he probably can’t explain the details. In that case, it makes sense to take measures to maintain distance from the start. I’m sure he doesn’t want the domestic nobility complicating the situation.”

Claudia closed her eyes and gave a wry smile before adding.

“However, while there might be some political intent, perhaps he also genuinely wants it to be a welcoming occasion? If the guest of honor becomes weary despite King Eberhart’s efforts to entertain, it would defeat the purpose.”

“The feudal lords will probably be somewhat dissatisfied, though.”

While we were having such conversations, we arrived at the Moon Temple. Inside the walls was a garden, with a stone-paved path leading to the temple.

The Moon Temple in Vinesdora was quite sizable, but not as peculiar a building as the one in Termwills. It could be described as a typical temple with rows of pillars.

“This will only take a moment.”

Claudia stepped onto the temple grounds after alighting from the carriage. A Magic Circle glowed at her feet, and from there, a band of light raced along the outer perimeter of the grounds. A band of light returned from the opposite direction and merged with the Magic Circle deployed at Claudia’s feet.

It seemed to be as quick as her words suggested. Perhaps having seen the light from within the grounds, a Shrine Maiden appeared with a puzzled expression, but Claudia, standing still, directed a gentle smile toward her. By that time, Claudia’s Technique was already complete.

The Shrine Maiden looked slightly bewildered but bowed to Claudia and returned inside.

Afterward, we toured the city of Vinesdora by carriage and then returned to the royal castle. In the courtyard, Old Sigmund still seemed to be examining the airship.

“Grandfather.”

“Oh. You’re back?”

When I peeked my face into the still-tilted airship, Old Sigmund and Valentina looked up.

“It seemed like you were investigating something. Is there anything I can assist with?”

“No, no. We were just observing Volheim’s handiwork, which was shaped based on the materials we left behind.”

“His Majesty seems to be considering whether the airship technology can be introduced to Verdgar.”

Ah. So he really does intend to bring airship technology to Verdgar. That’s why he was checking the interior to see if there were any parts corresponding to secret arts.

It seems the memory Seals and hiding materials in the Treasure Room weren’t fully prepared. Lower priority items were probably postponed. If Demons were to seize the airship… it wouldn’t be a desirable situation, but it’s probably because it’s unrelated to the Barrier.

But… Zadias had been boasting about the completion of the airship as his own achievement. In the end, it seems Volheim and the others merely inherited the research of the elders.

“Though it might be odd for me to say this since I broke it… can it be repaired?”

Grace asked, sounding somewhat apologetic.

“What’s this? So it was you, Lady Grace?”

Old Sigmund patted the completely immobilized upper body of the white Golem.

“I threw it from the audience chamber.”

“Another bold feat… The ship sank because one of its three heart components was shot through from the inside, disrupting the balance, I’d reckon. The ship tilted, the crew panicked and fled, resulting in a loss of maintenance and the crash. If a Golem gets thrown in, that’s likely to happen.”

He laughed cheerfully as he said this.

“So if we replace that heart component…?”

“Indeed. If we replace it and do some minor repairs to the exterior, I think we can get it moving. While I’d like to bring a completed product to Verdgar as a sample… well, we didn’t build this, so perhaps we shouldn’t worry too much about it.”

“I’ve checked it over generally… but it seems no techniques resembling secret arts are used in the ship.”

“That’s right. However, the problem lies here.”

He tapped what appeared to be a cannon firing mechanism with his Staff. Rows of crystal ball-like objects engraved with patterns were lined up. Touching these and sending Magical Power would probably activate them.

“I thought it was a Magic Tool that fires Magical Power projectiles.”

“Indeed. Your assessment is correct. As for its purpose… this seems more for Monsters on the ground or… otherwise, aimed at humans. Its shape isn’t very weapon-like, which is also not good. Until it becomes widely known, it could be used for Surprise Attacks.”

“Probably. Even with a Surprise Attack, this likely wouldn’t work on Demons.”

It seems the angle can be adjusted somewhat… but whether one could hit a Demon through this viewing port… well, I think it’s impossible.

“Therefore, even if we repair the airship, it would be better to remove this. I don’t think disseminating its manufacturing method would lead to good results.”

I share that opinion. For long-range attacks, loading existing equipment would suffice… and for anti-Demon Equipment, rather than thinking about defeating a Demon with it alone, it would be better to explore other methods.

For example—something that affects a wide area and is difficult to Dodge.

Effects like attenuating Miasma or disrupting control would be desirable. Ideally, Equipment that makes the enemy reluctant to actively target the airship. If we could establish a method like accompanying it with the Wyvern Corps, intimidating the Demons, and then defeating them in group combat… if such a form is established, the enemy would likely hesitate to attack recklessly.

“Zadias and Volheim seemed solely focused on controlling and utilizing Miasma, but if the research has progressed to some extent, we might be able to create Equipment for countering Demons from that. Though I think anything half-baked would be tough against High-ranking Demons.”

“Certainly. I suppose I must review the materials those fellows left behind…”

If we’re going to take this ship as a sample to Verdgar… for now, let’s use Wood Magic to patch the holes in the hull.