Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 887: The First Jump

After Erika’s return with a torch of gold burning with a fever flame of dead silver and verdant green, the people of Athenia and all land belonging to her goddess felt a moment of something gentle passing over them. Then came the tenseness of muscles, the sternness of mind, and alas, the unquenchable thirst for the fall of their enemies. Such sensations were further intensified by the songs sung by the prince’s angels. All calling out in perfect harmony, the battles to come and the victories yet to be claimed.

Thus, with morale at an all-time high, Raven stood at the helm of the leading Iron Trident behind Reina and Regalia. Scanning the controls, the girls were visibly trying to remember everything that they had been taught by Shamisha and Lutz. If something were to go wrong after all, the only ones who could fix it would require some time before they could teleport back into the ship. And so, keeping their minds sharp, the two were at the end of their final test of memory–after which, the first voyage of flying ships on this world shall begin.

"First, we teleport to Athenia and the rest of our territory. Dropping off the security fleet for swift emergency evacuation comes first, and then we will continue on our journey." Raven’s voice thundered throughout the vessel as he stood in command over the fourteen ships. One would be left in Elenaris, one would be left in Athenia, and the rest would be scattered appropriately.

Taking heed of his command, the ship masters pulled some levers and finally did their magic. The tridents began to lift further up into the air while the throbbing of their engines rumbled underfoot like the pounding of a giant’s heartbeat. One after the other as the ships lifted and hovered over the spire, Reina and Reglia shot each other a knowing glance before the pirate’s daughter grabbed the end of the voice vent’s pipe and issued a command.

"Reina Don’Silvertooth, your captain aboard this hunk of metal and sorcery, and this will be our first ’jump’ as the iron queen called it. Grab onto something, and if you get a little dizzy, don’t you fucking dare throw up on my decks or I’ll clean it with your bodies!" Putting the pipe away, Reina pinned her gaze to yet another level marked at the homing destination. "By the gods, if this doesn’t work, I’m gonna test just how immortal that queen is."

Gathering her courage, she pushed the lever. The vessel’s vibrating roars quickly thunder into a maelstrom of metallic screeching and the clash of magic sparking up the air. A deep blue light consumed the interior of the ships as it did the exterior–forcing everything to shield their eyes, and when they were allowed to open them again, bellowed them lay the kingdom of Athenia, shadowed under the fleet of ships.

At first, a look of surprise took over everyone. Most of them weren’t even sure it would’ve worked, but now that it had and they could teleport between cities in an instant, an almost crazed smile took over their faces. Even Raven couldn’t help but feel his heart lift up. To get to the enemy with an army and cannon-loaded flying ships–what better blessing could a general have asked for?

"L-like flying dragons that can teleport," laughing as awkwardly as she was nervous, Regalia quickly turned her face upwards. She knew that the king’s spirit was still inhabiting the iron trident, but would only interfere if nobody could man the helm for some reason or in case of emergencies. "My lord... Reminds me of old times as we battled the sea dragons and the rest, ahaha..."

To her reminiscent words, there was no answer, for the king was conserving his energy for when a fitting fight awaits him. But even in his slumber, he couldn’t help but smile to himself. The memory of his fallen enemies and the smiles of those whom he had saved–to know that even after his death, his deeds were remembered, no better legacy could he have left behind.

"As much as I would love to admire Athenia from this height, Regalia," looking around at everyone as the flightless soldiers peered out the windows and adored their homes from the skies, Raven took a step forward and issued yet another command. "We have a lot of stops to make. So how about we leave one of the tridents here as planned and drop the rest posthaste?"

Retreating from the reverence of the past, Regalia offered him a nod and turned to the controls yet again. The default location was set to Athenia, while the repair and maintenance sector was Elenaris. With Athenia providing the most manpower and healthiest warriors, it only made sense for a battleship to come back to this place in case something were to happen to its current inhabitants.

"To Lantherem and the rest of the islands!" Shooting Reina a sideways glance, Regalia readied herself for another jump while Reina made the announcement.

In a flash, yet again, the vessel disappeared and reappeared on top of the renewed lighthouse of Lantherem. Looking down from the front of the vessel’s windows, Reina turned her gaze away from her home and left the panels for until the handover of the two ships was made. Right as the third jump occurred, however, she was back at the helm and glancing down at Lululalia.

The verdant and rocky oceanside city was as beautiful as ever, with its canals, bakeries, and countless beastmen, demi-humans, and humans roaming the streets. Another drop was soon made, but this time the vessel would serve both Lululalia and Aesteradia. The island was too far from the others to be accommodated only by two of the ships, and thus the decision was made.

At last came Eclanor and Inktaus, both of whom were eagerly looking forward to receiving this iron vessel. After a quick drop on both of the kingdoms, the rest of the Iron Tridents were positioned at the other end of the invisibility barrier. Looking at the ruins of a kingdom in the distance with enough room to skirt around and journey from above the ocean, it was time to make yet another decision. Whether to intercept this spirit of vengeful malice that ruled above a kingdom of rubble or to simply skirt around it?

"I wanna get a closer look at the creature," placing a hand on Regalia’s shoulder, Raven whispered in order. "Get me closer. I will look at the spirit with my group in person, but keep the ships a decent distance away. If anything happens, we will regroup in Inktaus."

Thus, yet another decision was made.