Chapter 166

“What you’re looking at right now is a small aircraft designed for traveling between islands in the Philenom Autonomous Region. Due to the environment of the region, which allows objects to float with low force, it’s an extremely efficient means of transportation used exclusively in these waters. Locals in the Autonomous Region call this aircraft a ‘Wingboat.'”

The young man articulated this information as he skillfully embarked on the Wingboat and assumed control.

As the aircraft effortlessly ascended from the ground, it elicited exclamations of amazement from the bystanders.

“You can’t hear any noise at all.”

“As soon as he took the helm, it started. It must be really convenient.”

Those who beheld the Wingboat for the first time were wholly engrossed in observing its operation, diverting their attention from all other matters. Conversely, individuals with prior experience in the Autonomous Region regarded its performance with indifference.

However, Lennok was an exception, scrutinizing the Wingboat with unwavering interest. More precisely, he concentrated on understanding the operational principles behind the force that propelled the aircraft.

‘He said you could achieve a large buoyancy with low force, and it doesn’t seem to be a lie.’

Inside the Wingboat, the magnitude of force exerted was exceedingly low, yet the propulsion emanating from beneath both wings remained faint. Nonetheless, this faint force effortlessly upheld dozens of individuals before him.Finnd new chapters on nove/lbin(.)com

‘Considering that there’s no noticeable change in gravity around here, it must be that only the force-propelled propulsion interacts with this peculiar updraft...’

Undoubtedly, the natural phenomena manifesting here were exceedingly peculiar due to the region’s geographical characteristics. While Lennok closely examined the Wingboat in search of concealed secrets, an unexpected voice disrupted his concentration.

“Is this your first time seeing a Wingboat?”

A young man, approximately Lennok’s age, with slicked-back brown hair and clad in a suit, supported by a cane, stood imposingly before him. Wearing a congenial smile, he addressed Lennok in a generous tone.

“Well, I understand your astonishment. For those who don’t fully grasp the concept of force, it’s a difficult area to comprehend.”

“...”

“My name is Byzen. I come from the Blaiver Magic Tower.”

The Blaiver Magic Tower gained renown for its specialization in researching fire-elemental unique magic. Unlike other secretive Magic Towers, Blaiver’s reputation extended even to the inhabitants of Vulcan.

Recently, they had declared their intent to introduce their wizards to the wider world, implying that this young man, Byzen, was part of that initiative.

Lennok responded to Byzen’s introduction with a suitable handshake and a nod. Nevertheless, Byzen continued speaking unbidden.

“...So, to explain how this Wingboat, developed in the Autonomous Region, works... In a sense, it is related to the propulsion that can be obtained through fire magic...”

Byzen was quite loquacious. For those content with grasping the essentials while allowing the rest to pass, it was evident that he held significant pride in his Magic Tower.

However, Lennok had nearly deciphered the workings of the Wingboat, and there seemed to be no reason to give close attention. The device would likely prove entirely unusable beyond this unique environment.

While he had momentarily fixated on the aircraft due to its allure, his conclusion remained unaltered. It was probable that others worldwide had contemplated the construction of a small aircraft powered by force.

Utilizing the potent propulsion facilitated by fire magic, which Byzen expounded upon, might indeed render the creation of such an aircraft feasible.

‘This might be worth thinking about.’

Lost in his thoughts, Lennok’s reverie was disrupted as the young man concluding the Wingboat demonstration finished his explanation. To utilize the Wingboat, one must pay a specified rental fee and secure its use for the duration of their stay in the Autonomous Region. Effectively, the Wingboat served as a permit for outsiders visiting the region, and those whose rental period concluded were seemingly automatically expelled from the region.

Lennok observed as the other guests sequentially paid their fees and secured their Wingboats. While he had a general understanding of the process, he aimed to closely monitor the peculiar updrafts that could potentially carry him farther.

“Actually, I came here to find a rare herb called ‘Flame Herb,’ thinking that I could find its cultivation site in the Autonomous Region, known as the repository of all sorts of medicinal ingredients.”

“......”

“What do you think?”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Despite Lennok’s straightforward response, Byzen maintained his composure and extended his hand once more.

“If you’ve come to the Autonomous Region for some reason and it’s your first time, you’re bound to have shortcomings. I can help you out.”

Byzen spoke with a benevolent demeanor, but instead of shaking his hand, Lennok met his gaze squarely.

At first glance, Byzen appeared polite, but his underlying intentions were different. From the moment he initiated their conversation, he assumed Lennok possessed limited knowledge of magic and audaciously presumed that Lennok would readily accept his assistance.

Had he secured it, it could have proven immensely valuable to Byzen in some capacity. But his greed had clouded his judgment, and he had faltered.

If the man realized the badge’s true worth based on Byzen’s comments, it would be highly vexing.

Unaware that this entire sequence of conversations had been orchestrated by Lennok, Byzen bit his lip.

“Wouldn’t it be better to take immediate action if things have gone awry?”suggested the wizard with a faint presence. At first glance, the idea seemed reasonable. If Lennok, the possessor of the badge, grew suspicious of Byzen, finding another opportunity would become arduous.

However, Byzen resolutely shook his head, coldly evaluating the situation.

“Let’s wait and see. The land of the autonomous region is limited, so an opportunity will come again.”

“Hmm...”

Although the allure of securing a rare treasure had momentarily led his heart, Byzen maintained a composed judgment.

They were still at the entrance of the autonomous region, not even fully within the floating island colony. Creating a disturbance here posed a double risk—not only might they fail to obtain the badge, but they could also face expulsion from the autonomous territory. Hasty actions would jeopardize both objectives.

Byzen had been deceived by Lennok earlier, but he was not one to let emotions cloud his judgment.

“Let’s focus on finding the Flame Grass for now. He probably came here for their own reasons as well, so we’ll surely run into him while wandering around the autonomous region.”

“...Let’s do that. Good work.”

Though vexed by the nonchalant pat on his shoulder from the wizard, Byzen suppressed his irritation and forced a smile.

It had been this individual who had alerted him to the fact that Lennok possessed Nick’s badge. His keen eye for recognizing artifacts could prove useful as they ventured together.

With these thoughts, Byzen casually transferred a million cells into the young man’s hand and assumed control of the Wingboat’s helm.

Shortly thereafter, two airships ascended toward the floating island, shrouded in a thick fog that obscured the cliffs from view.

***

Woooong!!

Taking hold of the Wingboat’s helm, Lennok peered downward.

As the predawn darkness slowly yielded to the rising sun, a remarkable transformation occurred in the sky. The boundary between mist and clouds dissolved, and a warm radiance bathed the entire heavens.

Dozens of elongated shadows descended upon the floating islands, each landing in its respective Wingboat.

“Whew...”

Feeling the brisk air, Lennok entertained the notion of lighting a cigarette.

Even for someone accustomed to high-altitude travel, the sensation of soaring through these clouds felt remarkably fresh to Lennok. The experience stood in stark contrast to Earth’s airplanes, given the vast disparity in scale.

[Where are you planning to go first?]

Davi, who had been peering out from Lennok’s arms to savor the scenery, inquired.

“First, I’m planning to familiarize myself with the geography while wandering around the autonomous region.”

Lennok harbored no knowledge of the drug lord’s vault’s location or the whereabouts of the next lighthouse keeper. While the ‘lighthouse’ within the Philenom Autonomous Region held renown, its precise position remained concealed, known only to a select few.

With hundreds of floating islands, ranging from expansive landmasses akin to districts in Vulcan to diminutive ones, scouring every single one was a near-impossible feat. Although he had gleaned information about the autonomous territory from documents supplied by Jenny, there existed a substantial difference between reading about it and experiencing it firsthand.

First and foremost, his priority lay in exploring the principal floating islands where communities had formed, so as to grasp the prevailing atmosphere and environment.

“Let me know immediately if you sense any reactions from over there.”

[Understood.]

The primary reason he had summoned Davi on this journey was to sense any messages dispatched by the lighthouse keeper, just as had occurred during the academic conference. There was no rationale for them to abstain from contacting him while he roamed the autonomous region.

With this in mind, Lennok adjusted the helm, directing the Wingboat toward the nearest floating island. Initially, he needed to secure lodging and establish fresh communication channels. Although communication between cities, particularly Vulcan and Philenom, presented challenges in the current circumstances, it remained within the realm of possibility.

There was no cause for hesitation in apprising Jenny of the current situation and seeking her assistance. Despite arriving in an unfamiliar land devoid of familiar faces, Lennok retained an air of composure.

The inaugural morning in the autonomous region was breaking.