Sunders glanced at Ness. The simple gesture instantly removed Ness’ exaggerated attitude and replaced it with fear.
“Don’t waste time now. Let’s move,” said Sunders.
Ness nodded quickly. “Ahem. Since The Savage has arrived, let’s get those talents aboard!”
…
Angor followed all the talents onto The Savage.
Probably because they felt restrained in their tents all these days, the talents gathered on the deck of the airship to enjoy the cold air in the sky, as well as the temporary freedom.
Most people witnessed an airship for their first time. They began to discuss how the ship flew in the air. Someone said it used spells, others believed it was alchemy or special magic arrays. The discussion became quite heated.
“I think none of them is the answer,” Sailum spoke in a serious tone with his beloved book in his arms.
“So what’s your opinion?” asked Nausica who was leaning against the safety bar on the deck and was smoking her pipe. The cold wind brought her long hair up and created clanking noises on her scale shoulder armor.
“I’m not sure. I think it could be some connected devices, like those in clocks,” answered Sailum.
“What about you, Angor?” Nausica asked.
Angor gave them a noncommittal answer, “Maybe Sailum was right.”
Angor was thinking to himself. He believed Sailum was half-right. There must be mechanical elements inside the steam airship. However, to maintain such a stable and fast flying course, there should be something related to Occult Art as well.
Nausica noticed Angor was not being serious, but no one would care. They were only enjoying the sky without any particular purposes while finding random stuff to talk about.
“Acho!” Sailum sneezed. He added, “The wind’s too strong. We’ll catch a cold like this.”
Nausica looked at Sailum’s running nose and shook her head as she said, “You also need to get some training.”
Angor felt chilly as well. When he heard Nausica, he felt a bit embarrassed.
He took out a handkerchief with his family emblem—a lion heart—on it and handed it to Sailum. “Use this. It sure is cold, let’s head down.”
Sailum nodded. He would rather read his book than feeling the wind. Same for Angor. Compared to the cold wind, the occasional attention from the talents around him made him feel worse regardless of whether they meant good or bad.
“Not me. I haven’t enjoyed the fresh air like this for a long time. Gotta seize the chance,” said Nausica.
Angor and Sailum went through the hallways full of mechanical elements. Brute Cavern usually put several people in one room. Since Sunders only recruited nine people aside from Angor, they could use single rooms, and there were still free ones left. Angor’s and Sailum’s rooms were on different floors. Angor’s room was on an upper floor.
After saying goodbye to Sailum at the stairway, Angor saw a small figure in front of his door.
He walked closer and noticed it was a tiny demon falcon.
The creature had a golden beak, black feathers, and blood-color eyes. It looked bright and pretty. As Angor tried to figure out why the creature was here, a familiar voice came from it.
“Angor, that’s my alchemy familiar. Follow it to my room.”
That was Sunders’ voice. Angor was wondering what the man wanted. However, he did not dare to neglect Sunders’ order. He left Toby in his own room and hurried behind the demon falcon.