All preparations to rescue Sedina were completed in just two days.
Normally, it would have taken several more.
But vast funds made it possible.
“So, we’re finally leaving.”
Standing in the large clearing of the Roschen estate, Vierno murmured.
Ludger nodded silently in agreement.
“Are there only four of us departing?”
Bellaruna asked.
Present now were Ludger, Vierno, Alex, and Bellaruna.
Looking at the lineup, their skills were certainly not lacking.
Still, for infiltrating a kingdom to rescue someone kidnapped, the number seemed far too small.
“Don’t worry. One more will be joining us.”
“And just who would that be...?”
Would a single additional person really change anything?
As Bellaruna thought that, a steam vehicle approached from the distance.
The car stopped, its back door opened, and the last member appeared.
“Hans?”
At Hans’s arrival, Bellaruna widened her eyes.
From the look on his face, he already knew everything that had happened on the way here. His expression was grave.
“Boss.”
“Good. Hans. Have you arranged everything?”
“I made sure things will run fine even in my absence. Violetta helped a lot. Of course, it’s dangerous to be away too long.”
“That won’t happen. There’s nothing good in dragging this matter out.”
“Whew. Are we really going?”
He was referring to the elven kingdom.
He had heard the full story of Sedina’s abduction and what might happen.
But barging in recklessly—it was something to be worried about.
Hans knew Ludger’s strength well.
But this matter was beyond common sense.
One wrong move, and they might have to fight an entire nation.
“For someone worrying so much, you still showed up instead of running away.”
“Well... hearing that, how could I possibly stay behind?”
Especially since Sedina had her own significance for Hans as well.
“If that little brat disappears, the workload I’ll have to handle will at least double.”
Hans muttered in complaint, as if hiding his true feelings.
Ludger let out a small laugh inwardly at the sight.
How insincere.
“Besides, it doesn’t seem like a completely impossible task either.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing at all. Anyway, I’ve finished my preparations. Are we leaving right now?”
“Yes. Soon.”
Hans nodded in acknowledgment and looked over the others.
Among those present, the only one he was meeting for the first time was Vierno.
But Hans immediately recognized who Vierno was.
He had already memorized the personnel files of Seorn’s faculty.
And in Vierno’s case, being an elf of extraordinary lineage, it was impossible not to remember.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Vierno Dentis.”
“...Hans.”
Hans shook hands with him.
Though Vierno looked like a boy far younger than himself, the years he had lived surpassed Hans’s tenfold.
What stood out was the absence of the typical elven arrogance.
The rumors of him being gentle and kind to everyone were true.
‘That’s unexpected. He doesn’t even ask who I am.’
Hans could not hold back his curiosity and asked,
“Are you not curious about who I am?”
“If Professor Ludger called you, then you must be someone helpful for this mission. That’s enough for me.”
Hans was at a loss for words at the reply.
He hadn’t expected Vierno to trust Ludger that much.
Of course, Vierno was curious about Hans, Alex, and Bellaruna.
And also about Ludger’s identity, knowing people like them so well.
But he didn’t ask. That restraint was a product of long-lived years.
To Vierno, Ludger was not only a brilliant magician but also a fine teacher.
Even now, he was risking himself to rescue Sedina. Not something an ordinary man would do.
So there was no need to ask.
It was, in a sense, an elder’s consideration.
“I didn’t expect things to turn out like this right at [N O V E L I G H T] the start of the vacation.”
Vierno phrased their current situation in a roundabout way.
“Still, taking a holiday at this chance isn’t so bad.”
“Can the head of the Planning Department just take a vacation like that?”
“I’ve already spoken to the Headmaster.”
“Hm. Knowing Headmaster Elisa’s temperament, she wouldn’t have let you off so easily.”
“I recently produced a significant achievement, so I reaped some benefits. When I asked for a vacation, she was immensely relieved instead. She even said I finally looked like a normal person.”
“I... I see.”
That was a relief.
Just then, Walter arrived.
Looking over the five about to depart, he asked,
“Have all preparations been completed?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. Anything more I say now would only be nagging. What I can offer you ends here.”
No sooner had Walter spoken than a sound rang through the air.
Like an engine’s roar.
At the same time, a massive shadow passed overhead.
Those who looked up, expecting clouds, were instead surprised.
“An airship?”
A gigantic vessel capable of flying through the sky using buoyancy.
Everyone was astonished at its appearance.
“This will take you to the Elven Forest.”
The airship slowly descended from the sky and landed.
Up close, it was no ordinary airship.
It was custom-built with magical enhancements, fit for military use.
This was Walter’s final prepared card.
The party boarded the airship.
Its mana engines activated, and the vessel slowly rose into the sky.
Walter stood alone in the clearing, watching it ascend.
The airship, despite its massive size, cut swiftly through the sky, vanishing beyond the horizon.
* * *
“My word. An airship... and this model, no less...”
Hans murmured as he looked out over the scenery.
Though built for military purposes, its interior was fully furnished for comfortable rest, stocked with every necessity.
It was practically a premium hotel room flying in the sky.
Beyond the door, in the rear storage section, artifacts required for this mission were stacked high.
As expected of the Roschen family. Their wealth was unmatched.
“With this, we’ll reach the kingdom far faster than expected.”
Vierno admired the passing scenery beneath the clouds.
Even by train, it would normally take several days to reach the elven kingdom.
Especially since there were no railways or roads near the forest, from that point onward they would have had to move on foot.
Considering the cargo they would need to transport, a considerable amount of manpower would normally be required.
But with this airship, all of that was bypassed in an instant.
“D-Does this mean we’re going straight to the kingdom?”
“We’ll need a landing point when approaching the forest, so we can’t enter the kingdom directly. Still, even accounting for that, this saves us a great deal of time. At this speed, we’ll reach the destination in no more than two days.”
They might even arrive before the Shadewardens who had abducted Sedina.
Though that was probably overly optimistic.
“B-But with such a massive vessel, won’t we be detected the moment we get near the forest?”
“You needn’t worry about that.”
It was Hans who answered Bellaruna’s concern.
“This model—it’s the Chapellin, used by the military. A completely different class compared to ordinary transport airships. Built with magitech. One of its main features is the ability to move with stealth.”
In fact, when the Roschen family had first revealed this airship, the party hadn’t noticed it until its shadow loomed overhead.
It was fast, yet silent.
That was only possible thanks to layers of magical enhancements.
“Of course, if we show up in broad daylight, the sharp-eyed elves will notice us. But at night, there’s no such worry.”
At that moment, the cockpit door opened and the airship’s pilot stepped inside.
He looked to be in his forties, with a dashing demeanor.
“So it’s just the five of you going? Quite the squad.”
“And you are...?”
“Ah. Forgive my late introduction. My name is Robert. Captain of this airship. You could also call me the errand boy tasked with delivering you safely to your destination.”
By calling himself an errand boy, Robert revealed his easygoing character.
“Were you in the military?”
“Oh? Did it show?”
At Ludger’s question, Robert didn’t bother to hide it.
Perhaps he thought there was no point in concealing things when they were all bound for such a secret mission.
“I once served in the Air Force. Flew a few biplanes. Outdated relics now, of course.”
“Outdated, and yet you work for a major conglomerate, piloting their latest model airship. You must have been an ace back then.”
“Well, people did call me ‘Top Gun’ in those days. Now I work at Roschen as a test pilot for their new machines.”
A test pilot—someone who flies newly developed aircraft and assesses their condition.
Despite his casual tone, such pilots were veterans with countless hours of experience.
Flying an unproven craft always meant gambling with one’s life.
“As you know, this mission involves crossing the border into the elven kingdom. It must remain absolutely secret. Even this very conversation never happened. Once I drop you off, I’ll withdraw. I won’t risk bringing trouble upon my employer. Please keep that in mind.”
If the elves discovered an airship trespassing, it would become an international crisis.
Should it be exposed, the Roschen family would be utterly crushed as an example.
Walter knew that risk.
And yet, he had still arranged this support.
“That’s fine. Just helping us get there is more than enough.”
At Ludger’s words, Robert’s eyes gleamed faintly.
“I heard you’re going to rescue the young lady.”
“So you knew?”
“Well, I’m on good terms with Mr. Walter. The destination’s the elven kingdom, with only five people going—and two of them elves, no less. In my life, I’ve never seen a mission more suspicious or secretive.”
Robert chuckled.
“So I’ll give you my best support. At least until you reach your destination, you won’t lack anything.”
“That, I like.”
“And this I’ll say only because my employer isn’t here—there may be some leeway of a few days.”
“A few days of leeway...?”
“Normally, after dropping you off, I’d have to head back immediately. But there’s no reason I can’t linger. I plan to circle at high altitude nearby before returning.”
Though he phrased it lightly, his intent was clear.
If they succeeded quickly in rescuing Sedina, he would be there to pick them up.
“Wouldn’t that be disobeying orders?”
“I have a degree of autonomy.”
“Holding station at high altitude without touching down isn’t easy. Even with supplies, you won’t have day or night. The currents shift constantly. Sleeping will be difficult, and you can’t leave the controls unattended for long.”
Of course, there must be a co-pilot.
While he stepped out now, the co-pilot was no doubt manning the controls.
But even then, for the two of them to remain in the sky for days without rest was no small feat.
Not to mention they’d still need to make the return trip afterward.
It was taking on needless hardship.
Sensing Ludger’s skeptical gaze, Robert smirked.
“This is about the young lady, isn’t it. I can’t just sit back and do nothing.”
“But it’s not your problem.”
“True. But I’m also a husband and a father. I understand our employer’s feelings. He acts cold and aloof, but inside he’s far softer than he lets on. Foolishly so.”
Robert gave a short laugh, then his expression turned serious as he fixed his gaze on Ludger.
“So I ask of you. He’s clumsy when it comes to things like this. As a father, he doesn’t know what to do for his daughter. That’s all.”
“Is that your excuse on his behalf?”
“If that’s how it sounds, so be it.”
Robert shrugged.
“But fathers aren’t always right or great in their choices. More often than not, it’s their first time being fathers, and they make plenty of mistakes. I fought with my wife countless times, nearly ruined my marriage, even. Sometimes I was right, but many times I was wrong. It was my wife who set me straight.”
Robert sighed deeply.
“But that man has no one left to correct him. He’s been alone all this time.”
His face was filled with pity and sympathy.
“To avoid breaking, he’s always pretended to be strong, always worn a mask. And who would dare tell such a man otherwise?”
“So, are you saying there’s nothing to be done even if he regrets it?”
“I’m not saying he shouldn’t regret. Just that—shouldn’t he at least be given the chance? Whether he kneels or weeps afterward, that’s his choice. I just don’t want this to end in vain. That’s why I chose, against orders, to stay within reach.”
With that, Robert bowed his head to Ludger.
“So I ask you. Please bring the young lady back safely. You’re the only one we can rely on.”
“And you don’t even know who I am?”
“I don’t. But if my employer entrusted this task to you, then you must be exceptional.”
“...Can’t argue with that.”
Robert raised his head with a playful grin.
“I’ve always been good at flattery.”
“You should have said that in front of your employer.”
“Ah, if only I had this moment recorded.”
“Enough. Just take us to the destination.”
“I’ll bring you to the forest’s edge.”
Ludger shook his head.
“No. That won’t be necessary. Straight above the forest. Drop us there.”
“...But then you’ll be spotted immediately. And there’s nowhere safe to land.”
“No need to land.”
Ludger glanced out the window at the passing scenery.
“We’ll get down on our own.”