Mage? Magic Engineer!-Chapter 78 - 75: Topological Array

In the clear skies of the Holy Kingdom, a "Giant Beast" weaved through the clouds, appearing and disappearing. The white steam it expelled became part of the cloud cover.

The Airship’s journey was incredibly smooth. Compared to an airplane, the takeoff and landing were almost imperceptible. The first-class cabin here was more like a private dining room, with tables covered in white cloths and seats that were soft, comfortable armchairs.

Like the other passengers, Rorschach was nestled in his armchair, watching cities and fields pass by through the porthole. After watching for a while, he took out a copy of the *Red Butterfly Report* that he hadn’t had a chance to read yet.

’It’s actually a collection of stories, and there are even a few comics... Ugh, the content is a bit risqué. Seems like a pulp magazine.’

"Is there anything you need, sir?" a flight attendant asked, bringing him a cup of citrus tea. Rorschach put down the newspaper. "I’d like to visit the cockpit. Could you please ask Captain Ted if it’s a good time?" Rorschach figured the captain would be busy during takeoff and landing, so he hadn’t wanted to disturb Ted right away.

"Of course. Please wait a moment."

A moment later, the first-class cabin door opened, and Ted appeared in person. "Let’s go, Rorschach Mage! I’ll give you a tour of the Airship’s interior. I guarantee you’ll get your money’s worth, haha."

The cockpit’s windshield was enormous. It was common knowledge that the larger the pane of glass, the more expensive it was. Rorschach observed that the size and transparency of the Aerial Fortress’s glass were nearly on par with those from his previous life, though he had no idea if it was tempered. Because of this, he didn’t risk getting too close.

"Everyone, this is Rorschach Mage!" Ted announced to everyone in the cabin as soon as they entered.

The crew was indeed idle at the moment. Several members gathered around, asking if he was the same Rorschach Mage who had been to the Sub-plane. Thankfully, no one asked him for stock tips.

"And this is our captain, Mr. Verne." A man with a large beard, currently holding the Airship’s helm, nodded to Rorschach in greeting.

The forward cockpit continuously pushed through clouds, but up close, they lost their shape, leaving only tiny ice crystals and water vapor clinging to the glass. In the center was a huge compass, its face glowing with Magic Marks. "Through a Secret Contract with the destination terminal, our compass shows us the shortest possible straight line."

After his introduction, Ted pointed out the altimeter, barometer, and other instruments on the dashboard, as well as a large Crystal Ball. "This is the most expensive thing in this cabin, aside from the glass—a Crystal Ball with a Prophetic Skill permanently enchanted on it. When it lights up, it means there’s bad weather ahead, like storms or thunderstorms. We’ll choose to hover or even land until the Crystal Ball goes dark. Rorschach, you picked a good day to travel. The weather should be fine for the whole trip."

"Doesn’t it need to be charged?"

"Before departure, a professional Mage inspects the Crystal Ball’s circuits for accuracy. After the check, they fully charge it with Ether—one charge guarantees three days of operation. There aren’t any routes on the entire continent that take more than two days."

"We’re done with the cockpit. How about I show you the really exciting part? Is that alright, Captain?"

"Just don’t touch anything you’re not supposed to."

"Alrighty! Follow me, Rorschach Mage."

The engine room was a strictly isolated area, filled with noise, smoke, and fire.

A Dwarf covered head-to-toe in coal dust yelled at Rorschach: "YOUNG—MASTER—ROR—SCHACH! I’VE—READ—YOUR—PAPER! THE—PRESSURE—VOLUME—DIAGRAM—IS—GREAT! GOOD—STUFF! THE—TEMPERATURE—ENTHALPY—DIAGRAM—I—DIDN’T—GET—YET! YOU’RE—AMAZING!"

It wasn’t a matter of poor manners; with the steam turbines running, this was simply the only way to be heard.

Ted’s shout was much quieter than the Dwarf artisan’s: "ROR—SCHACH—MAGE! AFTER—THIS—LET’S—GO—UP! INTO—THE—GASBAGS!"

Beneath the cigar-shaped Airship’s skin was a steel frame and enormous, spherical gas cells. The outside of the gas cells was covered in engraved Magic Circuits.

The Dwarf accompanied them, explaining the substance that filled the gas cells—an extremely light Flammable Element obtained by using electricity to Decompose Water Element. When it came into contact with air, it would release the input electrical energy in the form of an explosion and Fire Element, ultimately reverting back to Water Element. Only Dwarves knew how to produce this ultralight, highly explosive gaseous Flammable Element, which was why their refueling stations were indispensable wherever Airships were built and docked.

’It really is hydrogen!’ Rorschach suddenly felt he should have mastered Defense System Magic before boarding. He also thought of a question for the Dwarf. "Does the Holy Kingdom permit... this?"

"These Airships are mostly refueled within Istani and the Empire. There’s only one licensed plant near the Central Port District, and they don’t let us guys leave whenever we want. If the pay wasn’t so high, none of the lads would be willing to go," the Dwarf engineer explained.

Ted proudly explained the gas cells. "The cells are double-layered. If the inner layer is breached, or in the worst-case scenario—BOOM—the Magic Array on the outer layer will activate instantly. In theory, anyway."

"The Repair Skill, Shield Skill, Protective Energy Damage, and Reverse Explosion... all the Spell Arrays are nested and engraved in triplicate. The entire system was designed through calculation to be a seamless whole, activating in sequence. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

This is the greatest masterpiece of the Tower of Stars and the Tower of Secret Techniques. They used topological transformations to successfully make the Magic Arrays conform perfectly to a spherical surface without affecting their function. The nested arrays also share a recycling energy storage block..."

Rorschach’s eyes lit up. ’These gas cells could withstand a violent explosion with the help of the Magic Arrays, and they were currently under high pressure. And Dwarves can produce hydrogen... synthesizing ammonia wouldn’t be just a dream! Furthermore, conventional Magic Arrays and Scrolls have to be used on flat surfaces. Making them work on a sphere is truly a remarkable achievement.’

The Dwarf returned to the engine room, and the remaining two continued their tour along the walkway inside the gasbag. The walkway ran along the centerline of the entire support structure. Rorschach and Ted were now standing in the center of the Airship, where there was a lead-lined tank with a level gauge. Through a glass viewport, they could see a bluish-green liquid inside.

"Thoth Alchemy Ink. A whole tank of it." Ted patted the tank, which was eight-tenths full and only made a dull thud. This special ink had been used to create Scrolls since the Old Empire Era because it could hold Ether. "The pipelines and the Magic Array’s Energy Storage Circuits are connected by Secret Silver Thread. The ink in this tank constantly circulates to supply the Magic Arrays with Ether. Never thought it could be used like this, huh?

One of my duties, along with the two other accompanying Mages, is to infuse the ink in this tank with Ether every three hours. Oh, and there’s another tank at the bow and one at the stern. To be honest, this job doesn’t require any actual Magic—it’s all pre-engraved! We just provide the Ether. That’s it."

After carefully observing the tank and the circulation system, Rorschach asked, "Does it get boring?"

"I quite like it. Flying between cities and countries on such a cool Airship, weaving through the clouds. If you’d like, we can even go up top and take a look outside from the highest point, instead of through a window." Ted pointed to a straight ladder on the iron frame that led to the top surface of the skin.

"No, thank you. It’s about time for dinner." Rorschach glanced at his Pocket Watch. "Thank you very much, Captain." Since he didn’t know the Floating Skill or the Feather Fall Skill, Rorschach declined the invitation, adhering to the principle of not tempting fate.

"Co-pilot, actually. Well then, let’s head to the dining hall."

The entire journey was expected to take a little over fourteen hours, which meant spending the night on the Airship.

Thanks to the Airship’s inherent stability and the mild, pleasant weather, Rorschach’s sleep was no different from being on land. The armchair’s backrest folded down flat to become a good bed. He was unaware that the beds in second class were hard boards, and in the hold below that, there were only cramped seats, where passengers could be startled awake at any moment by the sound of shifting cargo as the Airship turned.

At night, the Aerial Fortress was illuminated by small lights all over its body, outlining its silhouette. Night navigation, just like during the day, relied solely on the positioning compass locked onto the destination. The cockpit was brightly lit, like the piercing eyes of a Giant Beast. The idling sound of the steam turbines was like the low hum of a whale, slowly decelerating in an ocean of gas, preparing to sink to the "seabed."