Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Shoot Towards the Dawn (2)
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"Fuck."
Seven massive fireballs were hurtling toward the airship. The eerie sound of flames scorching the air echoed everywhere. Realizing they were screwed, Ronan shook Erzsebet's shoulder.
"Hey, wake up!"
"Ugh... what is it... urp."
Erzsebet, swaying with every shake, collapsed to the deck. She was awake but kept retching, unable to pull herself together. The griffons, excited by the sight of the fireballs, began thrashing about.
- Whiiieeeek!!
"It's okay. Calm down...!"
The riders in charge of controlling them tried to soothe the beasts, but it was no use. The airship started shaking violently, as if caught in a storm.
A few seconds later, a man who appeared to be the captain and several crew members burst onto the deck. Spotting the fireballs belatedly, screams erupted from their mouths.
"Gasp!"
"W-what the hell is that?!"
Judging by their reactions, this wasn't some prearranged event with the tower. The staggering captain rushed to the stern and rang the bell installed there. Dong-!Dong-! The loud metallic clang reverberated through the sky.
"Numbers 1, 5, and 7, brake! Everyone else, turn to port and descend!"
The captain shouted urgently. The riders did their best to follow orders. The airship somehow regained its balance and attempted evasive maneuvers, but the fireballs were faster than expected. Ronan gritted his teeth as he read their trajectories.
'Three of them will hit.'
Out of the seven fireballs, three were likely to strike directly. The one leading and aimed straight at the hull was unavoidable, no matter how you looked at it.
He had to stop them somehow. Scanning his surroundings, his eyes landed on the mooring rope. One end was securely fastened to the hull.
Ronan wrapped the rope tightly around his waist. Without hesitation, he leaped toward the fireball. Looking down at the empty space beneath his feet, curses spilled out naturally. The wind roared past his ears.
"Shit."
Lately, these kinds of things kept happening in the sky. The fireball was already right in front of him. The mass of flames, at least 3 meters in diameter, looked far more massive up close. Suuuuh... A strange breath escaped Ronan's lips.
'I can't just slice it halfway.'
He had to obliterate it completely, leaving no trace. Chopping it unevenly could make it even more dangerous, increasing the chance of getting hit.
Ronan drew his sword hilt. Dozens of slashes flew toward the fireball from all directions. The moment the fireball engulfed him, a sharp whoosh rang out. Pahang! The flames shattered into hundreds of fragments, exploding outward.
"Nice."
It was his first real combat result. Ronan stared at Lamancha in disbelief, even though he'd done it himself. The mana-infused blade glowed with a faint red light.
The scattered fire shards couldn't withstand the headwind and fizzled out. The rope connected to the hull fully extended.
Ronan's falling body jerked to a stop from the recoil. At the same time, the remaining fireballs grazed past him.
Now it was up to fate. A few seconds later, explosions boomed from behind.
- Kwaboom!Boom!!
'Damn it, did it hit?'
Ronan whipped his head around. Seeing the intact airship, his face lit up. A purple-tinged mana shield enveloped the hull and griffons. Smoke rose from spots where the fireballs had collided with the barrier.
"Well done, Erzsebet!"
"Agh... my head. What just happened...?"
Erzsebet leaned against the railing, complaining about her hangover. The fireballs had come out of nowhere, and though they'd blocked them, she had no idea what was going on.
- Squeeeak. Squeeeak.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, her eyes caught the taut, creaking rope. Following it downward, Erzsebet screamed. Far below, Ronan dangled upside down, tied like a fish on a line.
"R-Ronan? Why are you down there...?!"
"What do you think, huh?"
"I-I'm pulling you up right now!"
Erzsebet reached out toward Ronan. An invisible hand grabbed him. He shot up like a herring with a hook in its mouth and landed on the deck. Stumbling over, she covered her mouth and said,
"Sorry. Urp... I still can't control my strength well."
"Nah, you did great."
"W-what the hell happened... Truth is, I can't remember much since last night..."
"You'd want to jump off if you knew."
Ronan let out a hollow laugh. A faint drool stain still marked his shoulder. He'd planned to detail every embarrassing moment to teach her about shame, but since she'd snapped out of it, he'd let it slide. The captain and crew rushed over.
"A-are you alright?!"
"We saw you block the fireballs. Tying yourself to a rope and jumping... how did you even...!"
"Truly, thank you. We would've been done for without you two!"
They bowed repeatedly in gratitude. Erzsebet, hand over her mouth, bolted to the corner. The girl who lapped up praise like a dog must have one hell of a hangover.
'Anyway, all good.'
Ronan sighed in relief after looking around. No one seemed injured, griffons included. He turned to the captain and spoke.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. We were in contact with the tower right up to departure... I've piloted this ship for ten years, and this is a first."
"Damn it, no more coming?"
Ronan narrowed his eyes at the tower. Thankfully, no further signs of attack.
The captain and crew began debating next steps. They were leaning toward returning or making an emergency landing when suddenly, a man's voice echoed in Ronan's mind.
"Shit, you scared me."
Ronan's eyes widened at the sudden telepathy. The startled captain flinched. Everyone on deck reacted similarly, so it must be a mass transmission.
"What?"