Chapter 67: Thrust 4

Yolani watched intently as a giant city-based artillery cannon emerged from the City Works in multiple pieces, transported on a set of extra-wide artifice carts.

The cannon, one of the new defensive siege weapons designed to target airships from afar, boasted an impressive elemental shell capable of dispersing thousands of smaller black powder-filled bomblets in a massive sphere before detonating a second time, creating a devastating cloud of shrapnel.

At least, theoretically. She hadn’t had time to test it yet. And there were so many things to test.

She hoped the lower-velocity black powder shrapnel would prove effective in penetrating airship physical barriers. Most arcane shields were tuned to defend against high-velocity projectiles or elemental effects.

As she moved inside, Soren approached. “Yolani! Good to see you,” he called out.

“Soren, hello,” Yolani replied. Her gaze slid to the compartment's rear where shells were being fitted into crates for transport. “I see the production of shells is well underway.”

Soren nodded. “Indeed. The testing was successful, and we’re now preparing the ammunition. We’re making good progress.”

Yolani observed the workers meticulously mixing the black powder by hand, each separated from their colleagues by metal sheet walls—a precaution she had implemented after witnessing the risks firsthand.

Despite their triumphs in Neftasu, three injuries and one fatality had already occurred during the powder mixing process in Contia so far.

Ember had decided to switch to unskilled labor for the task after that. The issue with that was that while it spared the more skilled workers, it meant more flare-ups and accidents.

The system Yolani had devised allowed the workers to operate individually, minimizing the chance of a catastrophic chain reaction should the powder ignite unexpectedly. Still, the uneasy feeling in her gut persisted.

“I need to speak with Ember,” Yolani informed Soren.

Soren waved her on. “Of course, don’t let me keep you.”

She nodded, then continued, navigating her way through the busy City Works, weaving past the increased activity and workers diligently preparing an array of weapons and equipment for the impending war.

The scale of the operation dwarfed the artifice shop she remembered Ranolf running in Neftasu. It more closely resembled the industry and forge works she had seen, but with a focus on advanced artifice weapons and technologies.

An extra set of forges was under construction. The rapid expansion the City Works had undergone since her and Elania’s arrival was nothing short of a miracle. The number of people and the sheer size of the operation had doubled, at least.

Amidst the organized chaos, Yolani spotted Ember sitting cross-legged on an anvil with her red wings folded around her like a cloak.

As Yolani approached, Ember’s eyes fluttered open, and she hopped off the anvil with a graceful movement.

“What can I do for my favorite Priestess of Artifice?” Ember asked.

“I’m not your priestess, Ember,” Yolani stated firmly.

Ember pouted, her lower lip protruding exaggeratedly. “I know you’re Elania’s, Yolani. But you’re also helping so much with the City Works, and that’s a genuine connection, too, even if it’s not the one I want.”

The demi-divine walked around the anvil, her finger tracing the center of the metallic surface as she circled it. “If something happens to Elania, you’ll always have a place here.”

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She met Ember’s gaze, tone acid. “If something happens to Elania, then I won’t survive either.”

Ember’s expression softened. “I will do everything I can to protect both of you,” she assured. “After all, you are both precious to me.” A sly glint appeared in her eyes as she added, “And besides, I haven’t given up yet.”

Yolani shifted uncomfortably. “Ember, we already discussed this.”

Ember knelt down, resting her cheek on her hands atop the anvil, looking up at Yolani with a wistful smile. The artificer averted her gaze, the intensity of Ember’s stare making her skin prickle with discomfort.

Abruptly, Ember stood up, gesturing for Yolani to follow her. “Come, come.”

“Ember…” Yolani said in a warning tone.

The Tower ignored it, and Yolani found herself following anyway.

They entered Ember’s office, the space filled with an eclectic mix of artifice projects and personal trinkets. The red velvet decor hadn’t changed.

Ember turned to face Yolani with a sly smile. “How was the ambrosia? Did you enjoy the effects?”

Heat rushed to Yolani’s cheeks, painting them a vibrant shade of crimson. “You could have warned us about the other effects,” she muttered, her embarrassment palpable in the air between them.

Ember let out a melodic laugh, the sound filling the room with a momentary lightness. “Did you share some?”

Yolani shook her head. “Elania drank it. We just… kissed.”

Ember clicked her tongue. “You should have. It would have strengthened her as well.” A knowing smile filled her face. “Though I’m sure you both did more than that.”

Yolani’s cheeks heated, but the indignation fixed the scowl on her face. “Why do you have to be this way sometimes?”

Ember sat down. “Sometimes… a demi-divine gets lonely.”

“There are a lot of people living in Contia. Don’t you have your own oracle?” Yolani asked.

Ember tsked, then leaned back in her chair. “I’m afraid Soren and I aren’t compatible that way. He has his preferences… and I have mine.” A smile appeared on her lips as she leaned forward. “Although that never stopped us from experimenting a few times.”

Yolani shifted uncomfortably. “I came to talk about something important. I—”

Ember held up a hand, silencing her. The other woman reached down under her desk and retrieved a bottle. It slid across the surface as she offered it to Yolani. “Another bottle of ambrosia, this time made by yours truly,” she announced, a proud smile playing on her lips.

Yolani frowned, eyeing the bottle warily. “What do you want for it?”

Ember’s smile widened. “I want nothing for it,” she assured. “I’m taking the long view, Yolani. Who knows how you and Elania might feel in ten years, or a hundred?”

The demi-divine leaned forward. “Your connection with Elania means you will live for centuries, maybe even millennia, if you drink her ambrosia every so often.”

Yolani shook her head. She reached into her pouch and pulled out a parchment, her focus shifting to the reason for her visit. “This is why I came,” she stated, handing the document to Ember.

Ember stood up, accepting the parchment with a curious glance. “What new thing do you have for me today?”

“It’s Hels’ detection device, as described by one Daelar Rynor,” Yolani explained.

Yolani watched as Ember examined the parchment, her eyes scanning the intricate details and complex arcane formulas.

“Did you convert this into something we can use?” Ember asked, her gaze still fixed on the parchment.

Yolani nodded. “I’ve already created a prototype receiver that should work, but I need help with the more complex arcane aspects.”

A sly smile tugged at the corners of Ember’s lips as she looked up at Yolani. “I’m happy you know who to come to when you have a brain problem.”

Yolani crossed her arms. “Where else am I supposed to find a thousand-year-old grandma demi-divine who has experience in everything related to crafting?”

Ember sputtered. “G… g... grandma?” She took a moment to recover, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to find the right words. “While I might have a few offspring and bloodlines descended from me, I’m not nearly as old as Arlois.”

Yolani took a deep breath. “Can you help with the detector or not?”

“Where’s your receiver?” Ember asked.

Yolani reached into her bag, pulling out a metal plate adorned with antennas.

She handed it to Ember, who took it with a smile. The demi-divine pulled out an azure crystal and placed it on the plate.

“I’ve already solved it,” she announced.

“What?” Yolani blurted.

Ember held the crystal in the air, the receiver screen glowing a vibrant blue.

A mist of tiny lights flowed between the four pillars on the board.

Yolani squinted, confusion etched on her face. “There’s nothing there.”

Ember chuckled as she tuned the device. “It’s set to detect high and hot things,” she explained, “but dear Rynor never considered all the applications. Why can’t we detect energy-dense things instead? And at any altitude?”

Yolani blinked as she tried to keep up with Ember’s train of thought. “I have no idea.”

“Exactly,” Ember grinned in triumph. “Granted he did most of the work, this is a simple modification.”

Suddenly, the receiver morphed, and a massive red area appeared where Contia was located.

Red dots representing airships appeared nearby, moving slightly.

To the west, a clump of a dozen airships patrolled north and south—the Lightbringer fleet.

Ember turned to Yolani. “Congratulations,” she praised, “this will be invaluable.”

Yolani reached out to touch the board, but Ember caught her hand and eased it to the bottle.

“Don’t forget this,” Ember said. “It’ll help both of you.”

Yolani eyed the Ambrosia warily before quietly slipping it into her bag.