章 25: Balloon Express
The hot air balloon that suddenly descended from above was large enough to fit six people, I presume. A white diamond-shaped balloon carries a metallic basket while an auburn flame ignites enough air into the balloon itself for it to stay afloat. IT didn't have any discerning designs or colors to make it stand out; it's really just a white balloon carrying a gray basket. The Vyurborne soldier who left earlier was inside; it seemed like he's operating the aircraft.
Immediately after the balloon's successful descent, Times carried his injured daughter with the utmost care and hopped onto the hot air balloon that was now standing on the darkened lifeless soil. I also noticed a metallic folding bed already prepared inside the basket; I'm guessing it was there for the injured Vyurborne lady. I guess there's no bed for me, then--probably because there's no space left in there to babysit my human ass. But I reckon that there's still enough space for the three of us in the balloon. I'm just scared it might not be able to sustain the weight of the four of us, including the bed. The worst-case scenario is that we might crash, and it's very likely since this bad boy is carrying a lot of loads.
<Don't worry too much, Aleph. When it comes to aviation, the Vyurbornes are second to none. I personally don't know how they did it, but I've once seen a kapre ride one of these guys before, and it still flew high with ease.>
'Interesting. I should probably ask them more about this aircraft.'
<Well, once you're the god of this land, you'd have all the power to ask anyone anything you want.>
'Is that really okay?'
<Of course. Asking questions is okay as long as I don't get to be the one to answer them. The problem now is not your authority; it's a matter of schedule. Do you enough time to chat with a local engineer just to ask about how their balloon technology works?>
"Quit dilly-dallying, Exile." Times' solemn but still unbelievably chilly voice brought me back to reality. "Get on the basket. We need to hurry if you don't want more scars."
I did as I was told and stepped towards a small little gate on the side of the basket. I stood beside Times, who's looking intently at his daughter while tapping his feet furiously.
"It looks a bit hectic around here, sir," I uttered as I felt the aircraft rise again. It's quite warm in the basket, perhaps due to the heat propelling the balloon upward.
Times glanced down at me without moving his head. Now that I was standing close beside him, I began to realize how tall the Vyurborne general really was. Even with his slender body, Times' unbelievable height dwarfed my awed figure. And here I thought Gres was tall. To be fair, Times is also taller than the soldier beside him. And by the way, that guy is still looking at me with the angriest eyes I have ever seen. Is this a soldier thing, or is he just that mad to see me?
<You have to admit, Aleph, you're not the most pleasing thing to see.>
'Apologize to Gres right now.'
<Ah. Oh yeah. Whatever. You two suck.>
"This is the most relaxed this place has been in the last few years," Times uttered in a low voice before letting out a defeated sigh. His words were enough to silence the intrusive thoughts in my head.
"I'm guessing it's not quite peaceful around here then, sir," I replied while leaning my back on the cold metal wall.
It didn't seem like Times minded my attempt to strike small talks with him. But the soldier looked absolutely fucking gutted and even downright offended that I'm asking so much useless things to his direct supervisor, and maybe he even has some qualms with how I looked directly at Times' face while I speak. Isn't that just the proper way of speaking to someone? Besides, the man himself is clearly enjoying our chat. Well, at least I think he does.
"War. Peace doesn't exist in war." Times replied with his wings folded on his side. He then shook his head with his eyes closed.
<I guess that confirmed our suspicion earlier. The question now is not "what" anymore but "who." I know only three countries with enough strength to combat us, but I'm already ruling out the first one. Unless their old god has reclaimed them. But realistically speaking, the enemy can either be the river-dwellers or the spiders.>
'Which one is a bigger threat?'
<Both can be significant threats in their own special ways. Most of Skystead Keep's resources came from our allies in the twin rivers, and the spiders have legs that cancel out the Keep's natural defenses.>
'So either starvation or infestation.'
<Correct. But I don't understand why Time's worry. He's in control of three races: Vyur, kapre, human; all have thousands of soldiers that can easily repel a siege or an attack.>
'Maybe that's why he has enough time to fly around, finding his daughter.'
<Haa... I don't know. In a way, your inference is understandable but is equally just as confusing. If the war is really manageable enough for him to leave his post, why is he so concerned?>
'Maybe both countries are attacking the Keep?'
<Possible. They have a good relationship with each other, and they have reasons to attack the Keep in my absence. Maybe they've managed to train enough soldiers to overpower us.>
'We can keep making guesses, but the best way for us to get the answer we want is by asking. Luckily, we have the perfect man to gather intel from.'
<Hah! Good luck.>
"Would it be rude of me to ask who you're fighting against, sir?" I asked Times as politely as possible, but I was only met with a suspicious gaze from the general and a furious glare from the soldier.
"Yes." Times scoffed and looked at me with his dark sunken eyes. "But you still did it anyway."
"Forgive my rudeness, sir."
<That's what you get for asking stupid questions.>
'Shut up.'
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