Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: The Golem's Core and the Dream of a Flying Ship
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Durel and Shimo also offered to chip in by pulling out their entire savings, but the two of them together couldn't scrape together more than three gold. In the end, Olbern covered the shortfall, allowing them to wrap up the deal successfully. In exchange for five hundred gold, what they received was a product guarantee certificate from the Black Feather Hawk.
"Thanks for the good deal. That's the Black Feather Hawk's product guarantee certificate. If you run into any dwarf craftsmen working in shipbuilding, you can show them that and ask for free repairs from the Black Feather Hawk. Though they might turn you down depending on the extent of the damage."
The quality guarantee certificate wasn't made from ordinary paper. It was etched with faint traces of mana residue and sharp runes. The moment he laid eyes on it, his insight finished scanning it.
'They've hidden specific characters in it... Probably something that only appears when you channel mana through a set structure?'
It seemed like a technique to distinguish genuine articles from fakes. He nodded and tucked the certificate away into his pocket.
"I have a small favor to ask. Would you mind?"
"What is it?"
"Over there... I'd like you to cut into the rear of the ship and make a small space."
"The rear of the ship...?"
Drevik looked puzzled by the request. Together, they slowly walked toward the back of the ship. The smoothly finished stern gleamed black. The stylish engravings along its flat lines were works of art in themselves.
Drevik wore a reluctant expression, clearly unenthused.
"Well, I suppose I can manage that much... But what's it for?"
"I want to mount a propulsion engine for acceleration."
"A propulsion engine...? Could you give me a rough idea of the size and how it works?"
"It won't be too big. About ten centimeters in spherical form, and it'll shoot out powerful shockwaves in a straight line, using the recoil to push the ship forward."
"Hmm... It needs to be fully enclosed from the outside, with a straight path for the shockwaves to fire... Better to widen the opening as much as possible so it doesn't hit anything. We'll need internal reinforcements to withstand the impacts too... No need for any separate connections? Like something to supply it with power..."
"That'll be fine."
"Hmm... Hmm... Hmm..."
The reluctant look vanished in an instant, replaced by a subtle smile. He seemed to have taken a huge interest in the propulsion engine he'd described. After pondering for a moment, Drevik nodded and replied.
"No problem. It won't take long. But we'll need internal reinforcements for shock absorption. That'll cost a bit extra."
"We can skip that part."
Internal reinforcements for shock absorption weren't necessary. He could substitute them by engraving runes. Besides, with most of their money already spent, they couldn't afford any extras.
"Alright then, we'll get started right away. Should take about two hours, so head into that building over there and rest up."
With that, Drevik hurried off. As he walked, he gave instructions to the accompanying dwarves, probably calling in extra hands, tools, and materials for the job. He let out a small sigh and turned around.
His three disciples, who had been waiting for the conversation to end, naturally closed the distance. While Durel and Shimo glanced around cautiously, Olbern stood tall with a faint smile, chest puffed out proudly.
"Thanks, Olbern. We couldn't have gotten the ship without you."
"Hee hee! It was nothing. The knowledge Master has shared is worth far more than any amount of money. How could I not repay that kindness? Just tell me if there's anything you need!"
Olbern beamed happily at his thanks, looking utterly reliable as she insisted he ask for anything. But accepting financial help from his disciple ended today.
'Time to start making some money...'
Until now, even though opportunities to earn money had arisen, he hadn't pursued extra income because of the physical weight of coin. They were travelers on long journeys. He couldn't recklessly add to their load.
He could have transported it on the golem, but he had to shut it down every time they entered a city, so that wasn't feasible.
But things were different now. They had a means of transport and a place to live: the Black Feather Hawk. It was a small caravel, but it still had considerable cargo capacity.
'Like getting a mobile warehouse in game terms.'
"Shall we rest until the work's done? Oh, how about checking out the underground market upstairs?"
Olbern's suggestion piqued Shimo and Durel's interest too. But they hesitated to voice their eagerness, stealing glances around. They must have felt bad for not contributing to the ship purchase.
"You three go ahead. Pick up some tasty snacks too."
Was it because Olbern had joined and sparked some rivalry? They kept trying to prove their worth. No need to try so hard.
As he spoke with a small sigh, Durel and Shimo bolted off ahead. Olbern watched them for a moment before trotting after.
"We'll be back!"
"Me too...! Hey! Wait up!"
With his disciples gone too, he started toward the Black Feather Hawk. Drevik had told him to rest, but he had no intention of doing so right away.
He'd been planning things out since first thinking of a flying ship. Though scaled down from his original idea due to various constraints, there was still plenty to tweak.
'Wind from the front during flight can be handled by expanding the Gentle Wind field. No need to touch the sails. Shock absorption for the propulsion core can wait until the dwarves finish, then engrave runes... But I'll need magic for steering.'
With his mind made up, he approached the ship more closely. Outside the harbor, stepping into the waterway. A natural breeze swept gently over his body.
He leaned into the wind. As he lifted his foot with that sensation, his body floated up over the water. The Black Feather Hawk was a ship meant to fly through the skies. Even up there, he couldn't rely on a rudder, so he'd need separate controls.
'Wind.'
In his inner world, amid the infinite expanse of the endless library, a book floated over and opened. Recorded within was Engraving Magic. The moment it activated, intense mana gathered at his right fingertip.
He unleashed the mystery called magic. His finger moved deftly, etching runes into the underside of the Black Feather Hawk. Runes for steering. Four on each side should do.
As he flew over the water continuing the work, a bit of commotion arose nearby. A group of dwarves slowly approached.
"Huh?"
"Engraving runes while flying over water...? Is that even possible?"
"Hey, we didn't hear anything about calling in an engraving mage... Can we start our work?"
"Hey, mage! Where'd you come from?"
A quick glance back revealed dwarves laden with tools in both hands. No sign of Drevik. He'd probably sent the workers ahead while handling other business.
He unfolded the guarantee certificate from his pocket and said,
"I'm the one who bought the Black Feather Hawk. Are you the craftsmen Drevik sent?"
"Ah...! Yes. Drevik told us to modify the Black Feather Hawk. Sorry to interrupt your engraving, but can we go ahead with our work?"
What was there to say no to? He nodded.
"Go right ahead."
With his permission, the dwarves sprang into action with military precision. Short legs thudding as some climbed aboard, others heading aft to pry off chunks of black iron.
-There! Bend that!
-Hold on! Not done yet!
-Catch!
Clang! Clang!
Rough metallic clangs mixed with shouts. He frowned, pausing his rune work. The ship vibrated faintly with each hammer strike. Now he understood why the dwarf craftsmen had asked permission.
Engraving runes wasn't easy like this.
'Still, not impossible.'
He just needed to be extra careful.
The disciples returned about thirty minutes later, and his rune engraving finished roughly an hour after that. The dwarves' work wrapped up around the same time.
"All done... We'll be off then."
"Thanks for the hard work. Can we set off right away?"
"Hmm... If you're leaving, yeah. Just follow the waterway and you'll hit the sea."
He nodded at the dwarf craftsman's words. Indeed, the only way out with this ship was the waterway leading into the massive cave.
Once the dwarves left, he began the finishing touches. He installed the core he'd been carrying into the modified rear section and placed the buoyancy magic-infused core in the largest room of the steering cabin. He hadn't forgotten the shock-absorption runes either, so preparations were mostly complete.
"Setting off right now?"
Durel's question. Leaning against the deck railing, he nodded.
"Everyone got everything?"
"Yes."
"All good!"
Then it was time to go. None of them knew navigation. But it didn't matter. The Black Feather Hawk wasn't meant to sail the usual way.
His mana circle spun fiercely, mana flowing out through his feet. The moment it enveloped the entire hull, the runes and golem core inscribed on the ship came under his control.
The path was straight ahead. No obstacles in the way. Arms crossed, he said to Shimo,
"Shimo, unfurl the sails."
"Raise the anchor too?"
"No need for that..."
No sooner had he spoken than Shimo moved. Red crystals coating his arms, he lashed the anchor chain hard, snapping it clean.
Kclang-!
Having completed his second mana circle, Shimo was incomparably stronger. Once it stabilized, he'd be able to learn other spells too.
As the Black Feather Hawk's sails unfurled, Gentle Wind's breeze pushed against the anchor. Soon, the sleek hull accelerated, gliding slowly into the dark cave.
'Straight line only...'
The expansive Gentle Wind field detected air currents. Nothing blocking the path ahead, no ships behind. Straight road too, so he could pick up speed a bit.
"I'm speeding up, so hold on tight."
"Pardon...?"
Mana flowed from his feet, interfering with the rear-mounted core and activating the runes. With a massive roar, the ship shot forward at tremendous speed.
Kwaaa-!
"Eeeek!"
"Whoa...!"
Unable to withstand the sudden acceleration, the disciples tumbled wildly across the deck. Water split left and right, spewing fierce winds as distances shrank in an instant.
Just as the disciples adapted to the speed and started rising, the thick darkness lifted, vision clearing abruptly.
He stared straight ahead, breathing hard.
The vast open ocean stretched out, salty sea breeze riding the wind and hitting hard. At that moment, the Black Feather Hawk soared into the sky.
Shwaaaak-!