Michael arrived at the area outside the town where the two airships were landed. He expected something like blimps, but they were sleeker and more sci-fi-looking. They had large protrusions on the lower half of the ships that looked like long tanks embedded into the surface. A wide ramp was open at the back end of both ships, one ship that was half the size of the other. Michael felt the larger one was the size of what he thought a zeppelin was.
Michael watched as the soldiers led the remaining prisoners into the larger ship and took an interest in the two soldiers dragging a screaming High-Commander.
“You damn beasts! Unhand me! You are all beneath me!” The man yelled until he saw Michael. “You damn monster!” The High-Commander began yelling profanities at Michael as the soldiers continued to drag the man into the smaller airship.
Sir Lucas approached Michael. “Master Caeldaemos, we should be ready to leave in the next twenty minutes.”
Michael nodded. “Thanks. I’m guessing that airship is heading to Vauldulin, then?”
“Correct. Our diplomat will be heading there to get the investigation details and keep our royal family informed. I just received an update that apparently a new Count of the empire came across some damning evidence and provided it to their imperial family.” Sir Lucas explained and waved over a soldier.
“Are you ready to head into the airship?” Sir Lucas asked Michael.
“Sure,” Michael said with a bit of excitement.
Sir Lucas chuckled and instructed the soldier to take Michael aboard the airship and show him to his quarters.
Michael happily followed the soldier.
Walking up the metal ramp, Michael could see that the ramp was controlled via hydraulic pistons. He wondered just how advanced this world really was.
The soldier led him to the starboard side of the airship, where a large lift was waiting.
“Heading up!” The soldier called out.
Michael saw the soldier was checking if anyone else needed to head to the next level up. A few other personnel joined them on the lift, and they ascended to the upper level.
“The level we just left is the prison deck and where we store larger items, like vehicles. The level we are heading to is the most used.” The soldier summarized.
The lift stopped on the next floor. The ceiling was about fifteen feet tall in the wide hall they entered.
“This way, sir.” The soldier led Michael down to a central hall. “The aft end is where you will find the common restrooms and showering areas. You will not have to worry about that as you will be in one of our noble level rooms, per her majesty’s orders.” The soldier led Michael toward the middle section of the ship.
In the middle of the ship was a large cafeteria area with several tables and a couple of kitchen areas on the starboard side. Between the kitchens was a smaller eating area with a window view. Looking to the port side, Michael could see a larger version of the windowed sitting area.
“Meals will be served at three set times: 6:00am, 12:00pm, and 6:00pm. As an honored guest, you are welcome to eat at these times, but you can also request meals delivered to your room when you want.” The soldier explained.
“Oh, I don’t want to trouble the cooks for just me,” Michael said as he followed the soldier further forward and out of the mess hall.
The next area they entered was a hall with six doors, three on port and three on starboard. Each door was separated by about sixteen feet.
“This is where you will be staying, sir.” The soldier led Michael to door number 6.
Opening the door with a keycard with a magic circle imprinted, the door popped open. The soldier stepped aside and let Michael enter.
The room was well-decorated, with plenty of amenities. The room looked to be eight feet wide and nearly twenty feet deep, with a large door at the back end.
The soldier followed Michael in and handed him the keycard while pointing at the back of the room.
“The door back there leads to your restroom.” The soldier then moved up to a wall with a hand-sized orb installed.
Pressing the orb, the wall clicked, and a large bed folded down.
“If you need service to come in and service your room, use the call button here.” The soldier pointed at a panel with an orb implanted in it.
The panel had three buttons: Service, Order, and Emergency. The Emergency button was larger than the others and was set aside from the other two.
“Do you have any questions, sir?” The soldier asked.
“Uh, no, I’m good. Thank you for your assistance.” Michael replied.
The soldier saluted and headed toward the door, but Michael stopped him with one final question.
“H-Hey. Is it alright for me to see the flight deck?” He asked, hoping the name was correct.
“Of course, sir. If you continue to follow the hallway forward, you will reach the flight deck. They will likely ask you your purpose. They should allow you to stay if you are there to observe.” The soldier answered.
Michael thanked the soldier, and the man left the room, closing the door behind him.
“Welp. I guess I should explore the room for a bit.” Michael checked some of the cabinets, finding only a few useful items. The nightstands next to the bed contained a handful of prophylactics. Michael just chuckled and closed the drawer, wondering about the various advancements the summoned heroes brought to the world.
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The large crystal that was on the service panel crackled with sound. “Attention. Attention. Lift off in five minutes. I repeat. Lift off in five minutes.”
Michael decided to see what it was like for the airship to take off and headed out of the room.
Michael made it to the flight deck. As soon as he entered, a young demi woman approached him.
“Welcome to the Prestia’s flight deck. What can I do for you?” She asked.
“Hello. I was curious about takeoff and wanted to ask if I could observe.” Michael replied.
The woman’s eyes seemed to sparkle. “Really?! Of course, you can observe takeoff! If you have any questions, please ask! I, Private Rudy, would be more than happy to answer any airship questions.”
“There she goes again.” One man said.
“Always the airship nut, hah, hah, hah.” Another commented.
“There is nothing wrong with liking airships!” Rudy yelled back at them.
“Really? I am sure the honored guest is put off by it.” The first man commented.
Michael didn’t like the man’s attitude. “There is nothing wrong with someone being passionate about something they love.”
Rudy smiled brightly. “Thank you, good sir! Do you like airships too?” She asked.
“I think they are amazing. But I am a fan of motorcycles.” Michael answered.
“Motor?” She asked.
Michael realized he had used the wrong term. “Uh, a motorcycle is the historical name of what the Magic Cycle is based on. It was said that the motorcycle ran off a… an alchemical fuel to run, instead of mana.” Michael tried playing off his mistake.
It seemed to work as Rudy’s eyes were sparkling once more. “I see! That is truly a sign of a fan if you know the origin history!”
The first man seemed to go quiet, while the second seemed to consider what Michael said.
“So, Private Rudy, how does an airship fly?” Michael asked.
“So, to start off with.” Rudy began.
From her explanation, Michael learned that the long tank-looking outcrops on the airship’s lower sides were the airship’s main baffles. They would intake mana from the air and use a unique conversion method to convert the mana into a negative mana. The negative mana would be fed into the baffles, giving the airship its buoyancy.
“Mana does not have a polarity, so adding one causes the negative mana to float upward because mana is dense the closer to the land we are. Containing the negative mana in the baffles leads to the airship rising in the air. Once we are airborne, we have Mana Engines propel us.” Private Rudy finished.
“What would happen if positive mana was used?” Michael asked.
“Oh, there is no positive mana. In reality, the converted mana is actually called Anti-Mana.” Rudy answered.
“Anti-Mana? Why the name change?” Michael wondered.
“The name change occurred because people thought that Anti-Mana would destroy mana. The reality is that the Anti-Mana would rise into the atmosphere, where it would gradually turn back into regular mana. The name change was to avoid panic.” Rudy answered.
Michael smiled at Private Rudy. “Thank you so much for the information. I look forward to seeing the takeoff.”
The time came, and the airship’s captain began giving orders to prepare for liftoff. Reports began rolling in.
“Loading bay has reported ramp is secured. Supplies have been double-checked.”
“Galley has reported they are ready for takeoff.”
“Mana team reports they are ready for mana conversion.”
“Engine room reports that engines are warmed up and ready to start.”
The captain nodded. “Very well. Baffle Operator, begin Negative Mana charging and bring us airborne at up-force one-third.”
“Begin Negative Mana charging and bring us airborne at up-force one-third, aye!” The Baffle operator adjusted a slider on his panel.
Michael could feel a hum through the air as something he could not see began. Private Rudy approached him. “The Baffle Operator controls our buoyancy. The slider he operated notifies our Mana Control team to begin mana conversion and fill the baffles. The up-force one-third is the speed at which we will ascend into the air.”
Michael nodded his head. Everything happening kind of reminded him of military movies he had seen about submarines.
Michael felt the airship shift and could see out the large windows that the ship was beginning to rise into the air.
“Baffle Operator. Make altitude 30,000 feet. Up-force two-thirds.” The captain ordered once they were clear of the tree line.
The Baffle Operator confirmed the order and adjusted a couple of sliders on his panel.
“Helmsman. All ahead one-third, make bearing north-northwest.” The captain ordered.
“All ahead one-third, make bearing north-northwest, aye.” The Helmsman adjusted a slider and began turning the wheel, which caused the airship to turn to the right.
“The Helmsman controls the speed at which we move horizontally and what direction we go.” Private Rudy informed Michael.
Michael had to admit, it was interesting to see the flight deck personnel work so well together. Everyone had their role in fulfilling. Which got him thinking, what was his role in the world?
Michael thanked Private Rudy for all her help and returned to his quarters.
After showering, Michael lay on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.
Michael contemplated what he was supposed to do? From what the priestess said, it sounded like the purpose of the Demon-Lord was to become the enemy of the world and die to bring peace.
What would happen if he didn’t become the enemy of the world? Would there be a great war? Would all the races die if he didn’t fulfill his role?
Michael rolled onto his side and closed his eyes. He didn’t want to die again. Sure, he didn’t feel a thing when he was murdered, but even though he had only been in the world for a short time, he had friends and people he knew. Michael didn’t want to lose everything again just because some shitty goddess didn’t like him.
Could he genuinely become a benevolent Demon-Lord and bring peace to the world without dying? Maybe he could work with the Heroes to do so? Would they even be willing to listen to him?
Michael smacked the side of his face. “Too many questions and not enough answers.”
Michael didn’t want to be evil or kill innocent people. He just wanted to live a simple and peaceful life. But he had a massive concern over the Heroes. Not sure when they would appear, Michael decided that he would just try to get stronger and make more allies for now. The better prepared he was, the higher chance he had of surviving. Then maybe, he could try to become known as Caeldaemos the Benevolent.
The trip to Galgalake would take a few days before they would arrive. He would finish reading through the Mercenary Manual Thomas had given him for now. Perhaps he might become a mercenary to start?
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“ARGH!” Sylfaerune threw a chair against a pillar, shattering it. “That bastard! How dare he destroy one of my idols! Why do I keep losing his location!? Dammit all! And that priestess! Why has she not reported him!? Why has my idol not been replaced yet!?”
“My goddess?” A man’s voice called out.
Sylfaerune turned to the man who was nearby. Quickly she fixed herself, putting on airs of dignity.
“Gabriel. Have you finished getting ready?” She asked the man.
“Of course. I am excited to become a hero. I feel that I will have quite a bit of fun in the world.” Gabriel smirked.
“Yes. I expect great things of you.” Sylfaerune replied.
Gabriel was tall, clean-shaven, with neatly cut golden hair. His eyes ogled the goddess’ body as she shuffled over to a sofa to sit. His body was toned, and he had a chiseled jaw.
“Now. That damn Demon-Lord has committed a great blasphemy.” Sylfaerune informed the Hero.
“What has he done?” Gabriel asked, watching her breast heave.
“The bastard destroyed a holy idol in a temple, an affront, and insult to the gods. I expect you to get strong as soon as possible and kill the Demon-Lord. Then, you can begin your retirement of being adored and worshiped by the people.” Sylfaerune replied.
“Very well, my goddess. I will see us Heroes kill the evil Demon-Lord as soon as possible.” Gabriel bowed his head to her.
Sylfaerune stood and began a grand display of sending Gabriel to the world. “Oh, my great Hero. I bless thee with great power and responsibility to save this world cursed with a great evil! Seek out and destroy the Demon-Lord before he ruins our world!”
Light surrounded Gabriel, and before long, he was gone.
“Oh! I must inform the others that I have sent my Hero over.” Sylfaerune pulled up a tablet and began typing.