< 89. Shoot for the dawn (2) >
#89
“Fuck.”
Seven huge fireballs were flying towards the airship. The eerie sound of flames burning the air was echoing. Ronan realizing that he was screwed shook Erzsebet’s shoulder.
“Hey wake up!”
“Ugh…why are you like this…ugh.”
Erzsebet who had been shaking as she was shaken fell to the floor. I woke up but I couldn’t come to my senses because I was nauseous repeatedly. The gryphons became excited when they saw the fireball and began to struggle.
– Hwiyoooooot!!
“are you okay. It’s okay calm down…!”
The riders in charge of steering tried to calm him down but it was not enough. The ship began to shake violently as if hit by a storm.
Within a few seconds a man who appeared to be the captain and the crew ran out onto the deck. Screams erupted from their mouths as they belatedly discovered the fireball.
“Huh!”
“What is that?!”
Judging by the reaction it did not seem to be an event coordinated in advance with the Magic Tower. The captain staggering forward rang the bell installed at her stern. Dang-! Dang-! A loud metallic sound echoed across the sky.
“Brake on numbers 1 5 and 7! “For the rest of you turn left and lower your altitude!”
The captain shouted urgently. The riders did their best to carry out orders. The airship which had somehow regained its balance was attempting an evasive maneuver but the fireball was faster than expected. Ronan gritted his teeth after reading the orbit.
‘It takes three hits.’
Among the seven fireballs there were three that were likely to be hit directly. It was to the point where it was safe to say that the one flying at the front aiming for the hull was guaranteed to be hit.
He had to stop it somehow. While looking around a rope for anchoring caught my eye. One end was securely fastened to the hull.
Ronan wrapped the rope tightly around his waist. And without hesitation he jumped towards the fireball. When I looked at the empty space beneath my feet I couldn’t help but curse. The wind was roaring in my ears.
“Fuck.”
It seemed like a lot of things like this were happening in the sky recently. Before I knew it the fireball was right in front of me. The collection of flames which appeared to be about 3 meters in diameter was much larger than when seen from a distance. Seaaaa- A strange breathing sound began to come out of Ronan’s mouth.
‘You shouldn’t cut too much.’
It had to be blown away without a trace. If you split it half-heartedly the chances of being hit could increase.
Ronan tugged at the hilt of his sword. Dozens of slashes from different directions rained down on the fireball. The moment the fireball hit Ronan a booming sound rang out. Paaang! The flames were torn into hundreds of pieces and scattered like an explosion.
“It’s killing me.”
It was the first result in actual combat. Ronan looked at La Mancha in disbelief even though he had swung at him. The sword body that had been fed with mana had a subtle red color.
The torn pieces of fire were unable to overcome the blowing headwind and perished. The rope connected to the hull was completely unfolded.
Ronan’s falling body stopped with a recoil. At the same time the remaining fireballs passed around him.
Now he had no choice but to leave it to fate. A few seconds later an explosion sounded from behind.
-Kwakwang! bang!!
‘Did you get sick?’
Ronan quickly turned his head. His face brightened when he saw the airship in good health. A purple mana shield covered the hull and the griffons. Smoke was rising from the fireballs impacting here and there on the shield.
“Well done Erzsebet!”
“Ahhh…the head. How did this happen…?”
Hergé Bett was leaning his upper body against the railing and complaining of his hangover. Suddenly a fireball flew out and I blocked it but I couldn’t figure out what was going on.
-Kkiik. Sigh.
“huh?”
Suddenly a rope that was pulled taut and creaking came into view. Erzsebet who lowered her gaze along the rope screamed. Down below Ronan was tied upside down and dancing around.
“Ro Ronan? Why are you there…?!”
“Why do you think it’s there huh?”
“I’ll upload it now!”
Ergé Bet stretched out his arm toward Ronan. His invisible hand grabbed him. Ronan soaring like a herring on a fishing hook landed on his deck. Erzhebet who staggered closer covered his mouth with his hand and spoke.
“sorry. Ugh…I still can’t control my strength well.”
“No you did well.”
“What on earth happened…? Actually I don’t remember much from last night…”
“If you know you’ll want to jump.”
Ronan laughed. There was still a faint trace of spittle visible on his shoulder. Originally I had planned to tell him about his feelings of shame by detailing what had happened but he finally came to his senses later so I decided to ignore it. The captain and crew rushed over.
“Are you okay?!”
“I saw you block the fireball. “How can you tie yourself with a rope and jump?”
“Thank you so very much. “If it weren’t for you two I would have been stuck!”
They repeatedly bowed their heads and expressed their gratitude. Erzébet ran to the corner covering his mouth. Seeing a girl who couldn’t accept a compliment do something like that she must have had a serious hangover.
‘Anyway I’m glad.’
Ronan looked around and breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately no one or the griffon seemed to be injured. Ronan sighed in relief looked at the captain and opened his mouth.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know either. “I was definitely in contact with the magic tower before departure… I’ve been driving this ship for 10 years but this is the first time this has happened.”
“Damn aren’t there a few more coming?”
Ronan narrowed his eyes and looked at the magic tower. Fortunately there were no further signs of attack.
The captain and crew began discussing their next move. Opinions were leaning towards turning around or making an emergency landing. Suddenly a man’s voice echoed in Ronan’s head.
[Can you hear everyone? Aun Pilayo the current Deputy of the Mage Tower.]
“Mr. A I’m surprised.”
Ronan’s eyes widened at the sudden sound. The startled captain shrugged her shoulders. Seeing as everyone on her deck had a similar reaction it seemed like it was a message being sent to the majority.
[I confirmed that a total of seven fireball magic shots were fired towards your ship a little while ago. This attack was never the intention of the Dawn Magic Tower and we are currently doing our best to find the suspect.]
“What?”
[I will explain the details in person. We will take safety measures so we hope you land safely.]
The electric sound was cut off. It was the moment when Ronan shouted “How can you believe something like that?” Sigh! A thick mana shield that seemed to be able to block the dragon’s breath surrounded the entire airship.
****
The sun had clearly appeared and was pouring out its light. The tangerine-colored appearance of the Dawn Magic Tower filled the field of vision. The captain who had been watching the situation from her stern sighed before her.
“Whew… I don’t know if this is the right decision.”
“I think that’s right. “I should at least see the face of the guy who shot the fireball.”
Ronan tapped the captain’s shoulder. After careful consideration he chose to land. This was because the griffon and its riders were so tired that they could no longer continue the flight.
The airship landed directly in the garden of the Dawn Magic Tower instead of the existing landing point following the recommendation of the Magic Tower owner. The griffon and its riders who had been through a lot of hardship fell to their knees. Ronan looked around the garden and shrugged his eyebrows.
“The view is nice.”
The circular garden was a space that combined aesthetics and practicality. A variety of flowers and trees were growing in harmony on the evenly laid lawn. Most of them were plants used as ingredients for magic or experiments.
‘hmm?”
Ronan suddenly noticed a particularly desolate area and shrugged his eyebrows. The soil on which little grass had grown was awkwardly filled with rocks and statues. It didn’t take long to figure out why.
‘It must have been a fairly large explosion.’
Ronan twisted his lips. It was clearly the spot where Nebula Clazier blew herself up a few months ago. As the airship landed wizards wearing red robes began to gather in groups of twos and threes. All of their backs had a sun pattern embroidered on them symbolizing the Dawn Magic Tower.
“Thank God. Why is this happening again….”
“It’s ominous. Why does this keep happening? “Not long ago there was even a missing person.”
“This is a curse. “Is it okay to keep bringing in outsiders?”
The wizards were whispering and even pointing fingers at the airship. I didn’t really like the attitude of treating them as if they were pests. curse? Missing person? What are you talking about?
‘I don’t like it.’
Ronan placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. If anyone among them did something stupid I was planning to cut them down right away.
The ship’s entrance had been open for a long time but due to work passengers were unable to disembark easily. The captain took a deep breath and was the first to get off the ship. Ronan was about to jump off the deck. Grumble! Suddenly a tall narrow pillar of fire erupted from a position about three steps away from the captain.
“What the fuck?”
“Aaaah!”
Ronan cursed and pulled the hilt of his sword. The passengers were scared and stepped back.
A man wearing colorful robes walked out from the flames that scattered like flower petals. He was a middle-aged man with handsome sideburns and a mustache giving him the appearance of a gentleman. he said extending his hand to the perplexed captain.
“Thank you for your hard work coming. “My name is Aun Pillar the current Dawn Mage’s representative and top mage.”
It was a loud appearance. The captain with his chest down shook his hand.
“…This is Captain Triol of the Western Wing.”
“I’m sorry for putting you through such hardship. “I sincerely apologize.”
“I wish you could properly explain the circumstances. “If it wasn’t for those two people something really big could have happened.”
The captain said pointing to Ronan and Erzsebet standing side by side on the deck. Aun Pilar sneered as if he had no shame.
“We are also doing our best in the investigation. “We have secured the location where the magic was cast and the unique mana wavelength so the culprit will probably be caught sooner or later.”
“I hope so.”
“We will contact you as soon as we secure the identity of the suspect. “Dawn Magic Tower will compensate for all material damage suffered in this incident so please let go of your anger.”
Aun Pillar bowed his head. Since the tower owner’s representative came out like this it was difficult to argue further. The captain reluctantly accepted the apology and turned his back. Erzsebet who was standing next to Ronan muttered as if she was surprised.
“I heard it at first glance but it really was Aun Pilar.”
“Is it worth living now?”
“Yes… I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”
Hergé Bett lowered his head. It seemed like the constant emptying of my stomach was having an effect as my complexion had clearly improved. Ronan seeing his gloomy appearance laughed.
“I hope it gets better. “Are you famous?”
“yes. Aun Pillar a hot bird. “He is one of the few 7th circle wizards on the continent.”
Erzsebet’s voice was half wary and half envious. Come to think of it I felt like I had heard the nickname Yeoljo many times before. Ronan questioned narrowing his eyes as he searched through his memories.
“…Is that someone who fights by making birds out of fire? “You can change yourself.”
“that’s right. It’s Aun Pillar’s signature magic. “Did you know?”
“Damn that was that guy.”
I asked just in case and it turned out it was someone I knew. I didn’t recognize him because I’d only seen the magic he cast and his transformation.
Aun Phila. He was the one who led a group of wizards in the final battle summoning dozens of birds of prey made of flame and turning himself into a huge firebird and flying around the battlefield.
‘He was a fierce warrior.’
Ronan suddenly remembered his end and clicked his tongue. Aun Pillar who was active in reducing Ahayute’s summons to ashes was eventually shot down by the Spear of Light. It was immediately after his death that the formation of the wizards who had been holding on in their own way collapsed.
‘Still I’m glad he’s a trustworthy person.’
He was glad to see someone who had stayed until the last moment but his feelings were mixed. He had a guarantee not to betray but he was destined to die anyway.
Passengers who were at least relieved by Aun Pilar’s words were getting off the ship one by one. Ronan was also about to take a step forward to complete his business at the Magic Tower.
“Wait a minute you two there.”
“ok?”
Ronan lowered his gaze. Aun Pillar was staring at him. He looked around him to see if he was seeing someone else but he and Erzhebet were the only ones left on his deck.
“What’s going on?”
“I saw the two of you in action below. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.”
Grumble! A pillar of fire suddenly rose up and enveloped Aun Pilar’s body. The two people’s eyes widened. At that moment Aun Pillar who had disappeared appeared right behind Ronan with the same pillar of fire rising up. Erzsebet who had not noticed anything at all screamed.
“Aaaah!”
“Holy shit. “What are we going to do?”
In Ronan’s hand the La Mancha that had already been pulled out was shining. The mana leaking from the 7th circle mage’s body was so concentrated that it made her dizzy. Aun Phila who was looking down at the two people opened his mouth.
“I want to talk to you guys. Are you okay for a moment?”
