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All-Weather Mobile Fortress.

It was immediately clear what the purpose of this massive sea-dragon-shaped mobile fortress was.

“This is a transport ship for the movement of the Spirit Device – Celcius, right?”

“That’s correct, Sage.”

The person guiding our party for a detailed explanation, Francis Bacon, was dressed in a black suit and invited us aboard.

“On the surface, it looks like a simple form of a Kraken with wings. From a distance, it would appear to be a massive winged lump floating in the air.”

“That’s exactly what it looks like.”

The hangar for the Spirit Device – Celcius.

Just like that Sky Island where Lucius is clutching Ascalon’s Spirit Device, this All-Weather Mobile Fortress also serves as a mobile hangar for Celcius.

However, the actual Spirit Device – Celcius was not present.

“This transport ship has a lot of functions. There are individual cabins, training facilities, dining areas, and even entertainment facilities.”

“Is that all?”

“No, of course not. There are various basic facilities for combat, including the bridge, armory, and hangar. However, I don’t think you will be using those functions, so I won’t mention them.”

“That’s probably for the best. It’s better to be thought of as a giant Kraken flying in the sky by those outside.”

If it became known that such a massive mobile flying fortress could be produced underwater, surely people on the surface would be greatly shocked.

If it only ended with shock, we would be lucky. Someone might impulsively propose a war against the underwater civilization.

Like those who are hoping the Order of the Crescent Moon Goddess does not gain any knowledge about Belselphia.

“The maximum speed will vary depending on the amount of mana, but it can travel at an average speed of 100 km/h.”

“Wow….”

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it just reminded me of the past. Do you know that they use the metric system on the surface?”

“……”

Francis’s expression briefly stiffened, but then he nodded in understanding.

“That is the great achievement of Great Demon Lord Bel Phegor. While the Order of the Crescent Moon Goddess hides the achievements of the Demon Lord and only enjoys the sweetness of it.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Five hundred years ago, there was a unit used in the human world called the yard. It’s different from the metric system you all use now.”

Five hundred years ago.

Humans were using the yard system.

They changed all the units to what is now called the metric system.

Although there was a lot of confusion and complaints arising from the existing system during that process, the name of the Demon Lord enforced the use of the metric system.

“…So this flying fortress is a submarine that can dive underwater while also spreading its wings to fly in the sky. I have heard from Celcius that this ship will be a great help in sending you to the Sky Island.”

“Sky Island….”

Lucius clenched his ring tightly.

“Finally…!”

It’s only natural that a man cannot contain his excitement at having his own Spirit Device.

“Do you really want to ride the Spirit Device that much?”

“Yes!”

Just like how Liriez wanted to ride the Spirit Device once more, heroes tend to have a significant interest in the new power of the Holy Sword.

“Sage, are we flying to the Sky Island with this? You said we could fly, right?”

“Uh, well….”

“That’s different. To reach the Sky Island, we need to use a very special method. First, could you come this way?”

Francis led us to the top floor through an elevator located in the very center of the ship.

It was composed of a total of four stories, and considering the height of each floor, it was about as tall as an average seven to eight-story building.

“This is the Main Bridge… the command room.”

With a sharp sound, as the geometric lines split, the walls opened to reveal the interior in an instant.

“Wow….”

A glass window that fully exposes the front section.

And below were seats for people to sit, with a chair placed directly in front that looked like a king’s throne.

“This is the seat where the Sage, the captain, will sit.”

“If I sit here… can I control all of this?”

“Yes. The method of control is….”

“It would be similar to the Spirit Device, since Celcius was involved in its creation.”

“…That’s right.”

No need for long explanations.

“I’ll set the autopilot for the journey to the Sky Island. During that time, you can check the manual or follow the guidance of the guiding spirit to steer the ship. As for supplies, water will automatically refill as long as you infuse it with mana, but you’ll need to regularly supply food and such.”

Just like the water spirit Celcius.

“Well, I’ll take my leave now.”

“L-leave…?! Is that all we need to know…?”

“Yes. The details will be covered by the Sage. My role ends with explaining it to the Sage.”

“That sounds right.”

No matter how much Francis explains, the other party members won’t understand.

In that case, it would be much better for both me and my party to check the inside of the fortress ourselves while it moves in autopilot.

“I hope you all have a journey towards peace. Well then.”

Francis bowed and left the room.

It seemed he had something important to explain, but I already knew well how to operate this massive ship.

“Wow.”

I felt a bit nervous.

I might have done a few demonstration runs, but piloting it for the first time officially was new for me.

“Sage…?”

“It’s nerve-wracking.”

“Are you also nervous, Sage?”

“Don’t even get me started. Everyone gets nervous the first time.”

I was genuinely anxious.

Like a baby bird imprinting on the first thing it sees upon hatching, those initial experiences tend to make someone the master in such situations.

‘Mammon needs to see this.’

Does Mammon know about Belselphia?

And what if he sees this ship with the technology of this world?

He would surely abandon everything to research this fortress.

‘I have to understand everything, just so I don’t get embarrassed by him.’

If I were to meet Mammon without grasping everything on this ship, he would undoubtedly mock me.

‘That can’t happen.’

I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself for being mocked by someone like Mammon.

“Alright.”

Gathering my thoughts, I stood in front of the pillar at the captain’s seat.

The pillar had a slot for something, and I placed the Kraken’s core inside it.

With a whirring sound, the pillar lit up, and the mana flowing from the core began to flow into the pillar.

Fwoosh!

The previously dark interior lit up brilliantly.

As the main power activated, light radiated from all around, and the pillar slowly descended to about waist height.

“Sage, this is….”

“Wait a moment. Let’s register the users first.”

Ignoring those who were calling me from behind, I quickly registered myself and the others behind me as crew members.

‘Thank goodness.’

I was already registered as ‘Bel.’

I felt a bit anxious thinking my full name or true name might get revealed, but thanks to Celcius’s prior settings, I could sit down in the captain’s seat with peace of mind.

“Then, Francis, please explain how to get to the Sky Island….”

“You already talked about leaving.”

“…….”

This guy…?

“Ugh, fine. For now, let’s slowly go through the bridge one by one… Wait a second.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Why the heck is there a swimming pool?”

*

Patter, patter.

Francis stepped out of the ship, adjusting the angle of his beret.

Outside, soldiers of Belselphia were already lined up in formation.

And in front of the soldiers, a blue-haired man in a black suit, Celcius, quietly opened his mouth while watching the mobile fortress with his arms crossed.

“I believe everyone now understands the truth.”

“…….”

“If it were the Sorceress of Crimson Lotus, I wouldn’t have gone this far. But as you all might subconsciously feel, the truth is indeed thus.”

He didn’t need to say it outright, but everyone from Belselphia instinctively realized it.

“You must have felt resentment and disappointment. But as it was 500 years ago, we have all benefited from his aid to rise to this position. Those who could not help him when he needed it the most do not have the right to speak ill of him. Isn’t that right?”

At Celcius’s self-deprecating words, everyone shut their eyes tightly.

Even Celcius himself had no right to speak against him, so how could others dare to say anything?

“Therefore, everyone, keep the secret. Let us bless our new master, who has now become her anew, for her fresh start. Pray that the delicate wings that have overcome 500 years of sorrow will reach their destination safely without breaking.”

“Will that be alright with the gods?”

“I’m fine. I have faith. I am an immortal being. Although we part now, in several thousand or tens of thousands of years, things will change once again.”

Celcius spread his arms wide.

Then, the transparent glass dome that surrounded Belselphia began to open to the left and right, and the ocean water flowing above maintained its form without falling.

“It’s a fresh start with the hero. Surely, if you have faith and wait, everything will be fine. The reason I didn’t ask for your help wasn’t due to pride, but because your existence was far too behind for the surface civilization to accept.”

“I know. I understand. The one who cares for us more than anyone is… the Demon Lord.”

“The Demon Lord? Now that it’s….”

Celcius stroked his chin for a moment, then snapped his fingers.

“Yes, I’m the Demon Lord, but since I’m a witch too, let’s just say I’m the Demon Lady. Just leave out the middle part.”

“Uh… Demon Lady?”

“Yes. That would be better, Forneus.”

The man referred to as Forneus, Francis F. Bacon, smirked as he stepped forward.

“Transport Regiment Commander of the 30th Demon King’s Army, Forneus!”

Francis F. Bacon.

He stepped forth as the representative of all the soldiers, saluting toward the ship as he shouted.

“For the… Demon Lady!!”

“””Glory to the Demon Lady!!!”””

With everyone’s cheers and acclaim, the Kraken ship slowly stretched its wings and began to ascend above Belselphia.

“Did you pack the swimsuits?”

“I’ve got everything from slingshots to all sorts of things.”

“Well done. Just as expected from Forneus. The one who rose to the rank of Transport Regiment Commander just by his supply talents.”

“Only the Demon Lord recognized my talent as a mere imp. It’s all for him.”

“The slingshot?”

“Good things come in all forms.”

“A genius indeed.”

 

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