A warm purple on top of dark green finally traced the horizon, and soon, dusk would make its departure.
Flying in the Helix Wing, Vasen Lak Orazen turned around and looked at the eastern sky. It was already filled with stars.
‘Oh, Night Sky, apostle, and priests and guardians of our continent, please bless us. We are heading toward the promised hardship, as you desired.’
Vasen and the expedition team that was tasked with a special mission soared through the air, listening to the hum of the wind.
Then, a low but massive echo pushed through the atmosphere and revealed itself.
Thud…!
It was the Moving Castle. Its twenty-three legs that were positioned without any apparent pattern or rules were made of metal and attached to the foundation supporting the castle. On top of the big and solid rock foundation existed a rampart that was cut and stacked, and the interior of the rampart was illuminated by torches and braziers. The gray structures were covered in moss and weeds, but their dominance was firm.
Vasen thought that if it weren’t for the Helix Wings, they would have had to prepare for a head-on battle with the Moving Castle itself, or assemble an even more extreme elite group.
The highest rising building on the inside was the enormous gray dome located in the center.
‘Did they say the Dragon was there?’
Fortunately, the control room that maneuvered the Moving Castle was located in a tower quite far from the dome. According to the Rakshasas, the Great Ashurada rarely left the dome for minor disturbances. Even during an inter-tribal fight among the Rakshasas, Ashurada hadn’t shown any particular interest.
‘We’re almost there now.’
Vasen looked down to see if there were any problems with the other Helix Wings. Although it was quite a fussy technology, none of the Helix Wings had broken down.
Skilled engineers from the Black Scale, as well as their excellent materials, were included in the second expedition team, and it was also fortunate that they could communicate with the palace’s technology department through Mazdari’s magic.
The craftsmanship of the Platys was impressive at their level, but with Black Scale’s technology and materials, they managed to resolve a few flaws in the Helix Wings.
‘Then could these Helix Wings also be used in Black Scale?’
Vasen pondered for a moment.
‘But the rubber for the rubber powered engine can only be obtained from the Doodooba trees that grow in warm places and not on our continent. According to Theone, as long as a sea route is fully established, there would be no major issue in supplying them, but wouldn’t there be a better way?’
Vasen couldn’t find an answer.
While Vasen was clever enough when it came to utilizing scientific technology, creating something entirely new wasn’t his strong suit, and furthermore, he didn’t have enough time to think more about it.
“Something is rising to the right of the Moving Castle!”
Hearing that shout, Vasen looked to the east. .
When he looked carefully, something was rising into the sky above the horizon, where only a faint dusk remained.
‘A Dragon? No, it’s too small. And there isn’t only one. Are they birds?’
It seemed to have wings and its flapping motion resembled that of a bird. However, as the silhouette of fifteen of them came closer, Vasen realized they weren’t as small as he thought.
Those who knew them could identify their forms even in the dark.
“They’re Wyverns!”
They were reptiles with two wings and thin skin that flew in the sky, Wyverns.
“I don’t recall hearing about this.”
Vasen turned his head toward the voice. Madadari had brought his Helix Wing close to Vasen’s.
Vasen replied, “Well, it’s only our wishful thinking that there will be no surprises to respond to.”
“I’m curious how they tamed the Wyverns.”
Vasen didn’t pay attention to the scholarly curiosity as he knew that his lack of interest was one of his strengths.
“Let’s talk once we safely land first.”
Vasen reduced the friction of the rubber powered engine and said, “Raise your arrows! Squad one, go up and draw their attention! In the meantime, squad two, infiltrate the inner walls!”
They hadn’t predicted the existence of Wyverns, but since they had assumed an enemy attack would happen, the military expedition team listened to Vasen’s orders and moved in perfect order.
As expected, the Wyverns flew toward squad one, Vasen’s group.
“Arrows are being shot from the Moving Castle!”
Vasen didn’t issue any other commands to squad two.
‘It’s difficult to hit Helix Wings despite the slow moving speed, especially if they didn’t anticipate it. It would be difficult for guns, but even more difficult with arrows. Also, the Helix Wings aren’t the only things that are moving.’
Vasen’s assumptions were correct. The Helix Wings of squad two, which had been flying ahead, had begun landing over the castle walls.
Many arrows missed the Helix Wings. Although very slow, the Moving Castle was also moving. Having experienced the challenges of long-range shooting during the continental war, Vasen and the expedition team knew that they had no reason to be concerned.
While hoping for the Helix Wings to land without getting damaged, most of the expedition team members were seen fighting against the charging Rakshasas or jumping out of the Helix Wings before they even landed on the ground to attack the archers that were aiming at squad one.
‘Now it’s our turn.’
Vasen let go of the control stick and raised his bow. A gun would have been better, but there wasn’t time to light the matchlock.
Vasen took a breath and held it. He calculated the trajectory of the slowly descending Helix Wing and the shortest distance between him and the head of the Wyvern flying straight toward him—the straight line, that was.
‘Now.’
With the sound of wind and a swoosh, the arrow disappeared into the darkness. Just as Vasen was going to lament his miss, the Wyvern that had been flying at the very front lost strength in its wing and fell. Without taking even a moment to observe the falling Wyvern, Vasen quickly notched another arrow. And within that short time, the Wyverns reached squad one.
Sounds of arrows being released, occasional gunshots, sharp cries of the Wyverns, and the cries of the expedition members fighting against them were heard. The central wing of the Helix Wings were made of leather and wood, so structurally and materially, they weren’t sturdy. While some individuals, like Vasen, were skilled enough to take down the Wyverns, there were also Helix Wings crashing down with the Moving Castle right in front of them.
‘Damn it, just a little more!’
When about half of squad two landed, Vasen saw them fighting against the Rakshasas to create space for squad one to land. Vasen then aimed an arrow at the Wyvern that was clinging onto one of the Helix Wings of the expedition team below.
Krrrrr…!
The first thing that Vasen felt was the sudden warmth that blocked the coldness of the sky. Then he felt his Helix Wing shaking, and when he turned his head, he saw a Wyvern’s head, accompanied by the smell of blood.
“It seems that your partner was the one who died first!”
Vasen then turned around in an instant and shot an arrow. However, the Wyvern’s neck extended at an exceptional speed. The arrow pierced the Wyvern’s lower jaw, but its sharp teeth also came dangerously close to Vasen’s face.
Kao!
The Helix Wing tilted halfway as the Wyvern tore the Helix Wing and pushed its snout toward Vasen. Because the Helix Wings had no safety devices, Vasen had no choice but to grab onto the body of the Helix Wing with one arm. The tilted Helix Wing was being held by the Wyvern’s claws, so essentially, Vasen was in the Wyvern’s clutch.
The Wyvern tilted its head for a moment, then seemed to realize something and joyfully cried out.
Krrrrr!
It had just realized that if it let go of the Helix Wing, Vasen would fall to his death. However, just like how the Sapiens had always managed to respond to ferocious beasts until now, Vasen was quicker.
“Hmph!”
Vasen puffed out air from his nose, took out the dagger in his inner pocket, and struck it through the Helix Wing and into the Wyvern’s foot.
Kaaaooooo!
As the Wyvern attempted to throw aside the Helix Wing several times and failed, it extended out its long neck again and pushed it toward Vasen, who was still hanging by a hand. Vasen didn’t miss his chance. He drew his long sword from his waist and thrust it into the Wyvern’s jaw. The Wyvern’s head then drooped, and as Vasen pulled out the dagger buried in the Wyvern’s foot, the Wyvern fell toward the ground.
The main wing of the Helix Wing began to rotate again with a creaking sound, but its condition didn’t look good.
‘Damn it, it seems like it’s not enough.’
Vasen looked down to find the walls of the Moving Castle still too far for him to just drop down onto. The Helix Wing wasn’t going to crash straight down, but it seemed like it would crash below the Moving Castle.
“Jump down!”
As Vasen looked back, he saw Mazdari’s Helix Wing flying below him.
Vasen shouted, “It wouldn’t be able to handle the weight!”
“Just trust me!”
There was no time for further conversation, so Vasen trusted Mazdari and jumped. Their arms crossed for a moment, and they grabbed onto the other’s wrist.
“Fly up!”
With those words, Mazdari’s Helix Wing began to rotate rapidly at an incredible speed, far beyond what the rubber powered engine alone could achieve. Having been falling toward the ground, the Helix Wing that had caught Vasen slowly rose again and eventually made it over the Moving Castle’s walls. As soon as it did, they jumped down onto the rampart. Vasen landed lightly with a roll and turned to look at Mazdari, who made a graceful landing despite his big physique.
Mazdari explained, “I originally learned magic for my species’ long-cherished wish.”
“What is it?”
“I learned magic to be able to fly.”
Mazdari slightly wiggled his wings.
***
A total of 46 individuals, including Vasen, successfully arrived inside the walls of the Moving Castle.
After managing to temporarily get away from the Rakshasas, Vasen called over two more expedition members who could serve as leaders.
He told them, “Unlike our expectations, they already knew we were coming. Therefore, they must have made some preparations, so we need to modify our operation.”
The expedition team members nodded, but their faces were filled with nervousness.
“We’ll divide into groups again, but three this time. Squad one will head to the control room, and squad two and three will create commotion and divert their attention. Engage in battle while prioritizing your safety. Even if they don’t have any great weapons, Rakshasas are the same size as Trolls, and they will be prepared.”
Vasen then issued specific instructions to each expedition member. One group would set fires to attract attention, while the other group would capture high-ranked Rakshasas and stage a hostage situation.
After roughly dividing the number of people, one of the expedition team members asked, “But then there is no one left for squad one. Who will be in it?”
Vasen replied, “I’m going alone.”
“But that would be too dangerous!”
“The enemy would have already made preparations to guard the control room. So instead of causing chaos and rushing all together to the control room, it’ll be better to scatter their attention and quietly invade it alone.”
As one of the expedition team members was about to say something, Vasen shook his hand.
“Don’t say anything else. This meeting is over. Let’s move.”
With that, Vasen turned around, and the expedition team members began to move as Vasen ordered. Vasen, too, easily climbed over a fence and moved toward the tower where the control room was located.
Someone was standing in the dimly-lit short corridor. Vasen approached cautiously, but then recognized the face.
“Mazdari?”
Mazdari walked out into the starlight and said, “Do you not trust your subordinates or something? Or think they won’t do their jobs if I don’t help them?”
“Well, then have you come because you don’t trust me?”
“Yes.”
Vasen walked past Mazdari and said, “I guess I can’t do anything about that since I’ve shown you my unreliable side. Let’s move.”
“Hmm.” 𝘳.𝑐ℴ
Mazdari followed behind Vasen, thinking he was a complicated man.