Chapter 88: Setting off
King Chivas had an ear-to-ear smile. This day had been going better and better for him. It had all started with the delivery of 1,000 gallons of crude oil, which was everything his city, Retoa, had at the time.
Crude oil was not as valuable at the time, mostly used for lighting up torches and some light crafting. However, the city still needed its supply. Usually, they had had to buy the supplies from Fulah even if they had the mines since they couldn't dare give the bigger city a reason to attack.
However, things were looking up. After his gallons had arrived, a commotion had ensued as people wondered where the oil had come from. The craftsmen were already feeling the pinch due to the low levels.
After a few hours, more materials kept flowing in. They may not have been impressive for a grand army, but the materials were just enough for Barda to make proper use of it.
The King could almost imagine the look on the King of Fulah when he learned this. The man had made quite a fuss over it, too bad for him.
King Chivas could still remember that fateful night that Barda came to see him. He had been drinking after quite an entertaining court. The man loathed Fulah and seeing the King put in his place brought him immense joy.
When the man responsible for making his night, if not his entire journey, came to see him, he was more than willing to hear him out. He had been very instrumental in getting the 'lesser' kings to cooperate with Barda, seeing it as a chance to earn more than just prestige.
His city was slightly bigger than Crane city but less prosperous. Sometime in its past, the city of Retoa had been to Fulah what Crane was to Tristan. However, feuds over war made it completely isolated, leading to impoverished conditions. They were barely surviving as is.
The moment the King of Fulah learned of this, he was livid. He immediately went to see the Queen, demanding an explanation. The Queen simply stated that she had negotiated with the allies that had come to see her. They offered their help, and she agreed.
What pissed the king the most was the fact that he now believed that Barda could win. If he was a betting man, he would place it all on Barda now. The man had shown that he was beyond capable. This was not the king of enemy Fulah needed. He realized that it was time for him to contribute to the success, or else he wouldn't stand to benefit from this.
***
Meanwhile, as the king was busy having nightmarish thoughts, Barda was busy modifying his Crude oil separator. Crude oil was a collection of too many things. Every polymer he hoped to gain was in a way connected to this fossil liquid, and he needed a way to process the liquid into proper and usable fuels.
He already had his Kevlar reactor working full time, as well as his silicon reactor. He was not making chips this time but glass. Glass would be used to make scopes and binoculars.
As Barda had guessed, Tristan, being a seaport, had many people experienced in sailing. Among them were the craftsmen. Even Kia himself was a son of a fisherman. In his teenage days, he would go out to fish and sail, before becoming recognized as an excellent blacksmith.
Needless to say, every one of them were dying to work on this revolutionary creation, and hence Barda made some design changes.
For starters, the bow and the stern looked exactly like a ship, with the sails extending from the sides. The capsule would maintain its size, but the canisters were more closely packed because the ship was now smaller.
A smaller ship was not necessarily a bad thing. Given its size, it was more compact and easier to maneuver. However, it would hold considerably lesser people during combat. However, it was loaded with all kinds of war machines.
In the new redesign, the sails were placed on either side of the capsule. Moreover, they were made to be much bigger and retracted much like a bird's wings. This way, when the ship drew closer, one could see the Tristan sigil flying high.
By the end of the sixth day, since Barda made his gamble, 20 ships stood outside Crane city. Outside of these 20 ships stood 10,000 men, 500 men outside each ship. instead of the conventional steel armor and chainmail that they were used to, they were wearing rigid Kevlar. Not only was it less bulky, it felt more natural and flexible.
Additionally, each soldier held an assault rifle with 10 magazines containing 30 rounds, a handgun with 10 magazines containing 15 rounds, and a sword. There were 200 footsoldiers, 100 archers, 100 crossbow holders, 50 ballistae operators, 20 ship operators, 10 sniper rifle holders, and the remaining being officers.
Looking at this line-up, even the Queen was impressed but was it enough to make a difference. Standing at the very forefront were the commanders, and among them stood Barda, Commander Greer, General Morio, and Lady Arnea.
The rest of the city was facing their warriors. It was very emotional as the city gathered to bid its warriors goodbye. Young maidens gave their lovers handkerchiefs to remember them by. Tears were cried, hugs exchanged. Once they sang Tristan's anthem, the entered the ships and took off.
"And so it begins," King Chivas muttered as he watched the 20 ships take to the air. It was so spectacular he wanted to cry. Looking at the Queen from where she was at the bow of the main ship, he wished he was standing with her.
***
"I didn't think you'd come," Barda said as he approached the Queen at the bow.
"What part of me screams coward to you?" She asked.
"Does that mean you think we'll win?" Barda queried her. She smiled brightly at him before asking, "What now?"
"Since you're here, how about you do the honors, We are at optimum altitude."
Looking behind him, the Queen saw everyone was waiting for her. She then signaled Lady Arnea. A ghastly wind began to blow them towards their target.
"You know, I've been so busy with all this I barely took the time to enjoy this," Barda muttered mostly to himself, but Lady Maara caught it. He turned, bowed at her and them went about final preparations. By that time the next day, they would be in Tristan.
***
"Today is the day they set off, right?"
"They have already started the approach,"
"What is this report of a flying ship? Is it magical? Since when does Tristan have any mages?" The Prince of Reuze was anxious. He didn't expect things to go this way. It should have been an easy win, it had been. Was it going to be taken away?
"Reports say that it is only using magic to steer itself, the flying design had no magical components," an aide replied.
"How is that possible?"
"Enough!" The Prince of Gumina, "It doesn't matter how it came to be. What matters is, are we prepared for them?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the aide answered.
"Court is dismissed, leave now!" The Prince forgot he was not in Gumina, and that this was not his court. However, King Branton was not going to remind him of that now. Awkward looks were exchanged, but they had no choice but to leave.
"General Dasson, remain," as the others went, the general had to stand back.
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes your majesty, however, I have to ask. Do you think it will come to that?"
"If it does, I want to be prepared,"
"Yes, sire."
***
"Is everything ready?" Custer asked. It was late in the night, and he had to go for guard duty. He had arranged it very well because he knew what this night represented, but he couldn't help fussing over the details.
"Relax boss, we are fine." To this, he raised one eyebrow. He had no choice but to trust that everything would go well. Concealing the handgun he had received 2 days prior, Custer went to the city gates.
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