Ignition

“The wind’s a bit strong today. Should be fine, though. I have to admit, I am a bit nervous with a crowd this big.”

Shiro was once again outside the city walls. This time, they had traveled farther than ever before for the testing.

The guard detail was also larger than ever.

Forty-two soldiers formed two lines, their ranks flanked by a dozen knights mounted on horseback and two dozen archers standing ready behind them.

Two wyvern riders circled overhead. Azura and High Oracle Marcellia stood nearby, flanked by two clerics and a lone girl. One of the first to be trained with the light rail cannons.

They say it’s for safety, but I can’t help feeling they’re worried about me running away...

...I also feel like we should’ve had a cleric around when testing the rail cannons, that was much risky. Things must be happening in the background I don't know about.

He looked at the hot air balloon prototype. its enormous balloon layed across the red plateau. The ship sails had been enchanted and sown together. The ends came up, held open by an aluminum framework that connected them to the carved up carriage below.

Shiro had personally removed the wheels and their axis. He had cut off the driver's shaft and reinforced several sections with the aluminum frame. The roughly made the hole in the center was uniform and ready to hold the burner engine.

However, the burner was still missing. Geraltavin was running late.

"So... What is the plan for this test?"

Marcellia and Azura came up to him to ask.

"Mostly to see if it works. Brought a branch off barrels to test weight capacity. Honestly not sure why so many people came out. Worried I'll run away?"

"No, but we are prepared if you do something. Kights, riders, archers. Even brought one of your own rail cannons to shoot you down if you do."

I can't tell if she's joking or not, but she's not glaring.

"So then I take it Marcellia is here to heal me after I get shot."

"Yes."

Marcellia interrupted the two with an awkward laugh to steer away the conversion.

"Ha ha... You two have quite the relationship... I'm here for you safe as well as your protection. Suffice to say, you've become quite the asset, and this test has many people worried."

"Yeah I guess if I fall from mid air I'm pretty much done for. Being useful has its perks."

"It does. Now in regard to being useful, where is that dwarf?"

"I see him."

Shiro and Marcellia looked to where Azura was looking. Nothing was visible within their range of vision.

"I can't see him."

"Nor can I."

A few more minutes would pass until the two saw him with a cart in tow.

Even longer till he finally arrived.

"Oh Geraltavin, I forgot you were coming today."

"Bite me."

Geraltavin jumped out of the carriage and began pulling out the burner engine.

"I'm late because yer the one who made this stupid design."

Shiro helped Geraltavin pull it out and carry it to the hot air balloon to be assembled.

"It's just sheet metal, pipes, rings and a few spikes. It's only going to get more complicated from here."

"I hope it falls out of ya sky."

"You're coming with me, buddy."

"Oh no I'm not. Dwarf don't leave the ground."

"What excuses is that?"

"Take Azura."

"No!"

Before Shiro could turn to look at her, Azura had already replied.

"Yeah I'm not testing my luck with that one. Also you doubted my rail cannon on the first day too. Haven't you learned?"

"Oh I ainta doubt that this is getting off the ground. That's why I ainta getting on it."

"Fine... Marcellia?"

Marcellia let out another awkward laugh.

"Ha ha... I think it's best I stay on the ground. Ready to heal you in case anything goes wrong."

"Just me alone then? I guess I could take a random guard with me. If I bring that new girl with the rail cannon, we could see how it performs at high attributes..."

Actually in a low oxygen environment, the rail would last longer since the aluminum would oxidize.

"FINE!"

Azura began marching over towards the hot air balloon.

Huh? Didn't she just say no.

"...I...we can't have you running away with the balloon and a light rail cannon."

"But aren't we already going to be selling them to other nations? They're going to reverse engineer it eventually."

"Just!... Just start this thing already."

"Alright. Well here goes nothing."

Shiro activated the series of small rings that lined the bottom. The wind runes for the spell 'Gust' began blowing air into the engine. Spinning the air in a vortex as it ran across the internal metal spikes

Next he activated the basic fire runes. Heat began to fill the air as the spike acted like a heat sink. The air began to pass through the long section at the top made of multiple tubes and flow straight into the opening of the balloon above.

"Nothing is happening..."

"Well yeah, we have to fill this entire balloon with hot air"

Come to think of it, don't they usually have the burner on their side as they fill balloons...

Shiro looked above him at the sails. The frame work was designed to go past the edge of the balloon. Both to protect from the possible fire risk of the sails being directly under the burner and to ensure there was always a clear way into the balloon.

Should be good enough. I didn't want to waste time or money enchanting the cart or the framework since they won't be reused for the actual airships like the sails will be. I hope the lifting force will be enough.

"Well it's barely filling, but I guess it's working."

Shiro looked over to where Azura was pointing. At the edge of the sails was a trail they had drawn in the sands from where they once rested.

"Hahaha. Yeah! Look at that! Well get comfortable, because you're In store for a whole lot more waiting!"

"Great...."