Chapter 234: Back in the Sky
Needing to reach their next destination quickly, Logan decided to forgo any fun that night. He woke up ready to depart with Silvia and Kryst. This time, they would rely on Zephyr and Wyver—their speed and ability to sustain long stretches without stopping would be invaluable.
They aimed to arrive within five days, though Logan hoped they might manage even less by rationing their strength and using Silvia's power to return home at night for rest.
"I understand why you're not taking me this time, but do try to come back to rest," Lisa said, kissing him softly.
"Don't worry. We'll return using the array by nightfall. At least this time I won't have to spend hours with pleasantries in each lord's city," Logan reassured her, pulling her into an embrace. They shared one final kiss before Logan exited the room.
Silvia and Kryst waited at the entrance, ready for the journey. Rubina, Alma, and Marie stood nearby, bidding farewell to the trio.
"Make sure you take us when you finally reach the thunder temple. I want to see more than just boring cities or labyrinths," Alma said with a sigh.
"Trust me, you're lucky you won't have to travel ten hours a day. I'm more than happy to stay here this time," Rubina said, smiling at the thought.
"Just remember to call me when you find the creature. I'll be preparing the crystal and working with the fungus to ensure everything is ready for your return, Silvia," Marie said, hugging her tightly, as if she were leaving for a year.
"I've left the seedlings ready to grow. Just harvest them when the time is right and place them on the machine. Hopefully, we'll be back in less than ten days," Silvia said, returning the hug before opening the door to leave.
"Well then, we'll see each other tonight. Leonard, if anything happens, don't hesitate to send me a ring," Logan said, noticing his assistant standing beside the throne, absorbed in his terminal. Leonard simply nodded in response.
Logan approached Kryst, allowing her to envelope his body before mounting Zephyr. Meanwhile, Silvia prepared to take Wyver for the journey.
[Sorry, buddy. I know I wanted to let you rest more, but we need to find our next friend to tame,] Logan thought, patting Zephyr gently while infusing mana into him from a crystal.
"Now let's go—you should have the strength to keep moving all day," Logan said as they ascended into the air. He patted his bracelet, Scarlet, prompting the dome of vines to open up so they could leave.
It was a little after nine in the morning, and the spring sky felt refreshing and cool. Moisture hung in the air as they elevated, flying just below the clouds that hovered a few meters above them.
With Silvia's ability to manipulate wind magic, Logan focused on maintaining his own air supply, ensuring it didn't feel like a high-power fan was blasting in his face. Meanwhile, both Zephyr and Wyver seemed intent on competing for dominance, vying for the title of "king of the sky" as they headed northwest.
Zephyr, the faster of the two, had an advantage, but Wyver wasn't far behind. Silvia's wind magic bolstered Wyver's pace, making it difficult for the large eagle to outdistance him entirely.
[Let's keep this up. We should reach Nyirmat within four hours. After that, it's all west until we hit Nabolcs. Once we leave the Kingdom of Veridith, we'll enter Eta,] Logan explained through their link.
[I can maintain this speed for as long as needed. Just keep going,] Silvia replied, her nearly inexhaustible mana reserves proving to be even more potent than Lisa's.
A few hours later, they reached the outskirts of Nyirmat but pressed on, not stopping until nightfall. By the time they arrived in Nabolcs, it was late, but fortunately, there were no interruptions like a demon invasion to delay them this time.
Upon reaching the city, they stopped just outside, where it was safe to set up a teleportation array that would last until their return the next day. Thanks to Logan's status as a king and a welcome guest in the Kingdom of Veridith, setting up the array was a straightforward process. Silvia got to work, crafting a few intricate magical runes that connected to the arrays back in their own kingdom. The process wasn't instantaneous, so they had some time to wait before the teleportation would activate.
Logan took this moment to feed Wyver and Zephyr, ensuring the creatures could rest and regain their energy. Meanwhile, soldiers from the city gathered nearby, staring in awe at the frost wyvern. The majestic creature was a symbol of their nation, embodying the dreams of countless men who aspired to become frost wyvern riders.
The boy couldn't help but smile as some soldiers brought their families to witness the rare sight. Children approached cautiously, their curiosity overriding their hesitation. When Logan assured them it was safe, a few even tried petting the large, dragon-like creature, their faces lighting up with wonder.
He had instructed both Wyver and Zephyr to stay calm and relaxed as humans approached them, marveling at their majestic presence. Meanwhile, Silvia finished her task and moved closer, sitting on a conveniently placed log that served as a perfect makeshift seat.
"You know… we should enjoy our time here. Whether we find a way back or decide to stay, it won't do us any good to constantly focus on death and killing. It'll only sour our lives," Silvia remarked, her tone thoughtful. She knew Logan had grown accustomed to battle and its toll.
"Oh? I didn't expect the person who spends all day in a lab to tell me this," Logan chuckled, savoring the tranquil atmosphere.
"What I meant was... I'd like to have some of your time. I don't know how others ask each other out, so I hoped you would understand," Silvia admitted, her demeanor shy but sincere.
"Alright, guess I was a little slow on the uptake. How about we take a relaxing tour of this city? Even if it's not the largest in the kingdom, it might be nice," Logan said with a smile, standing and gently pulling her hand.