Isekai Nonbiri Nouka

Character Refresher:

Tiselle – Angel. Daughter of Tier. Eldest daughter.

Aurora – Angel. Daughter of Tier. Second daughter.

Roze Maria – Angel. Daughter of Gran Maria.

Laladel – Angel. Daughter of Kuudel.

Tormane – Angel. Daughter of Corone.

-0-

The name of the airship has been decided.

It’s now called the Trois Rose.

I think it’s a good name.

But why Trois (three)?

Ah, because it has three gasbags.

I see.

While we were at it, the Universal Ship also got a name.

It’s now called the Cielterre.

TN: French words “ciel” (sky/heaven) and “terre” (earth/land)

That one was chosen by Tou.

The Universal Ship had hoped Tou would name it.

They’ve been arguing a lot lately, but it’s not like they hate each other.

Also, even though it’s a one-of-a-kind ship, shouting 「Universal Ship, depart!」 sounds no different from saying 「Cargo ship, depart!」

I should have come up with a name for it sooner.

I regret that.

Hm?

So even though its name is Cielterre, it’s okay to still call it the Universal Ship as usual?

You say the name is important too.

I understand.

Thank you.

I’ll take you up on that.

-0-

One early morning.

After thorough preparations were completed, the airship and the Universal Ship, loaded with the tools, lumber, and other supplies needed for the test excavation, departed for Howling Village with the team on board.

Leading the way was the airship Trois Rose.

Following just behind it was the Universal Ship, maintaining formation.

We arrived at Howling Village before noon. As agreed in advance, we borrowed ten people capable of mining and then set off once more toward our destination.

The ten workers from Howling Village were intrigued by the airship, but…

They chose to board the Universal Ship instead.

They preferred the familiar Universal Ship over the unfamiliar airship.

After all, the Universal Ship had been used for trading with Howling Village.

It gave them a greater sense of security.

The Universal Ship looked slightly bashful yet somewhat proud at being chosen over the airship.

Tou, riding aboard the Universal Ship, nodded as if to say it was only natural.

Though the airship had better livability…

I didn’t say anything.

-0-

Now that I think about it, since our goal was test excavation, Gutt had also wanted to come along. However, he declined this time because he had to help Hiichirou with brooch-making.

Hiichirou’s brooches had attracted the attention of the dragons.

It must have been difficult for him to ignore that and come on a dig instead.

I’m sorry.

Once we return, I’ll find a way to make it up to him.

Hiichirou also asked me to bring back any materials that might be useful for making brooches if we come across any during the excavation.

He’s working with what he has now, but if there are rare materials out there, he’d like to try using them.

I’ll do my best.

-0-

My position aboard the airship is captain, but honestly, sitting in the captain’s seat just gets in the way.

So instead, my usual spot is the special guest room.

Loo and Tier are staying in the same room, but… this special guest room is designed to accommodate eight people for sleeping, and in addition to that, there are two private rooms.

Why is that?

「Some people, like servants or bodyguards, aren’t allowed to sleep in the same room as their master」

I see.

Originally, I had planned to let the ten people we borrowed from Howling Village use the two first-class cabins on the same floor, but they ended up boarding the Universal Ship instead.

So I decided to let Reginleif and the high elves use them instead.

Each first-class cabin has enough space and beds for six people to stay, so technically one cabin would be enough, but I thought it was better to give them more room.

I had intended to offer the private rooms in the special guest room to Gulf and Daga, but before I could even suggest it, they said they felt more comfortable in the second-class cabins and headed off there on their own.

They didn’t need to be so reserved.

The mountain elves in charge of operations, the angel guards, and the oni maids are all staying in the staff quarters.

The second-class cabins are cramped, but I feel like they’re still roomier than the staff rooms.

But since that’s what they wanted, we arranged it that way.

And then… the kuros and spiderlings are scattered around in various places.

-0-

A peaceful journey through the sky continues.

It’s not boring, but it does lack excitement.

Since we anticipated this during the test and leisure flights, the high elves brought musical instruments and have been lifting everyone’s spirits by playing music and singing.

If we ever use this ship as a passenger liner, having a musical troupe might be a good idea.

Ah, high elves.

Please avoid any songs with lyrics about falling or dropping.

They make people imagine the worst.

We don’t need any heart-pounding tension.

Stick to cheerful and fun songs, please.

-0-

The oni maids prepared tea and other refreshments, so I sat back and enjoyed the view of the sky while sipping my drink.

…

We were attacked several times by flying demon beasts, but the Universal Ship and the angel guards drove them off, so there were no problems.

Since there was no need to kill them, we didn’t overextend ourselves, and no one was injured.

Still, the angel guards remained tense, likely because Reginleif is aboard this airship.

Reginleif herself said she wouldn’t be interfering anymore, but…

Well, even if she says she won’t speak up, being watched by someone considered an elder makes it hard to relax.

Tier says that a little tension is a good thing… but doesn’t she feel any pressure from Reginleif?

「Even if you ask me that… Reginleif-sama is village chief’s bodyguard, right?」

That’s true.

「As village chief’s wife, I’m included among those she’s protecting. It would be a bother if I acted self-conscious about it」

So that’s how it is.

「That’s how it is」

Apparently, Reginleif doesn’t talk much with the younger generation because they don’t have much in common.

「I end up saying too many things, you see. Even if being seen as a nuisance is part of an elder’s duty, I don’t go out of my way to be one.」

I see.

She seems to get along better with Tiselle, Aurora, Roze Maria, Laladel, and Tormane.

Tiselle and Aurora, maybe, but Roze Maria and the others are still only about three or two years old… but if Reginleif says the conversation is lively, then I suppose it is.

I won’t say anything unnecessary.

-0-

Now that I think about it, wasn’t there supposed to be a barrier around the Forest of Death?

Dors and Doraim mentioned it before.

But the Universal Ship and airship didn’t trigger anything.

Why is that?

I asked Loo.

「Dragons come and go through the barrier without concern, right?」

That’s true.

「The Universal Ship and airship are under the dragons’ blessing, so it’s the same for them」

Wait, the ships have dragon’s blessing?

「You didn’t know?」

I don’t remember ever hearing that.

「I thought you knew since it was you who asked Hakuren-san to bring the airship back.」

So the airship received the blessing back then.

As for the Universal Ship, it had already received a blessing from Rasuti before we introduced it to Dors.

I had no idea.

「Well, the dragon’s blessing is more like a pass through the barrier. It doesn’t glow or anything obvious」

That makes sense.

Still, it would be nice if there were some clearer indication.

Wait a second.

The angels and harpies came and went freely too.

So did wyverns.

Do angels, harpies, and wyverns also receive the dragon’s blessing?

Tier answered that question.

「I don’t know about the wyverns, but no angels or harpies have been given a dragon’s blessing」

Then how?

「The Forest of Death’s barrier doesn’t really apply to the upper airspace」

Is that so?

「Yes. The barrier’s main purpose is to prevent the beasts and monsters living in the forest, like Inferno Wolves, Grappler Bears, and Bloody Vipers, from getting out.」

I see.

「Originally, it was also meant to keep out beings like Zabuton and her kind, the Demon Spiders, but they just fly out…」

That’s true. Some spiderlings do leave the forest by flying.

「Also, the barrier is mostly specialized.」

Specialized?

「It targets specific beings. And instead of being physical, most of it affects the mind.」

So something like giving you a bad feeling so you don’t want to go near it.

「Exactly. If you know the barrier is there, you can resist it. I wouldn’t say this in front of Doraim-san and the others, but the Forest of Death’s barrier has its fair share of gaps.」

Yeah, definitely not something to say in front of Doraim.

「Considering the dragons pride themselves on wisdom, there’s no way they wouldn’t notice. Maybe they left those holes on purpose」

Let’s go with that.

Still…

A barrier meant to keep beings like Kuro from leaving the forest, huh…

I glance at the kuros relaxing nearby.

I’ve already taken them outside.

Is that okay?

Well, no one’s said anything, so it should be fine.

It’s a bit late now anyway.

-0-

Universal Ship: 「Cielterre… but I’ll just be called ‘Universal Ship’ anyway, won’t I?」

Tou: 「Th-That’s not true at all!」

-0-

Village Chief: 「You’re pretty knowledgeable about the barrier.」

Tier: 「Since I started living in Big Tree Village, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to speak with dragons.」

Village Chief: 「…I talk with them quite a bit too, you know.」

-0-

Village Chief: 「Gulf, Daga, where will you two sleep? The rooms in the special suite are fine, right?」

Gulf: 「No, no, that’s quite alright」

Daga: 「No no no no no」

-0-

Gulf: 「Not naming anyone, but I felt an overwhelming pressure…」

Daga: 「Yeah yeah, best to flee while we can」

Reginleif: 「I’d like to run away too, if I could…」