Chapter 517: Heading North (2/2)
Then came the morning of the next day, August 12.
“Good morning, Istalis, Shion. Good morning, Netros, Lucas.”
“Good morning, Lord Jin.”
“Morning, Jin.”
The time was 6 AM. Everyone had just finished their breakfast.al
Jin (‘s Substitute Doll) arrived with Reiko to pick up Istalis and the others.
“Jin, how are we going to travel north?”
Shion asked him that question since she seemed to be so worried about it that she couldn’t keep it to herself any longer. Istalis and the others seemed to be just as worried as her, which Jin thought to be very interesting.
“Our ride is waiting for us by the river.”
Istalis and Shion had no luggage to carry with them. They were going to travel, literally, with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. And in Istalis and Netros’ case, even that was something that Jin had given them.
Therefore, they left Nidou Castle empty-handed.
Barrow and Belle had already said their goodbyes, so they weren’t there to see them off.
The Herme River was right behind Nidou Castle, and the “Capricorn 1” was towering over the surroundings next to its wide riverbank.
“W-What is that…?”
“What is that thing, Lord Jin? …It has four legs? Does it walk?”
“No way, is that our ride?”
Shion and Istalis raised their voices in surprise. Lucas and Netros, on the other hand, looked up at Capricorn 1 silently as if they were completely awestruck by its size.
“This is Capricorn 1, a ground vehicle I made. We can use it to travel through any rough and snow-covered terrain.”
With that said, Jin gave a signal.
In response to it, Capricorn 1 folded its legs, bringing its main body down to the ground.
“Alright, let’s get in.”
Jin got in first and called them inside. Reiko quickly followed.
“Let’s go, Shion.”
Istalis got in next.
“Yes, sister.”
Then Shion. Lucas quickly followed after her.
Netros was still silently staring at Capricorn 1 with interest, but when he realized that he was the only one left to get in, he hurried inside.
“Alright, everyone’s in.”
The door closed, and the Capricorn stretched its legs.
“Uwaa!?”
Capricorn 1 had stood back up. Lucas, who was looking through a window, screamed in surprise.
“Let me introduce you. This is Land 1, a golem that will be in charge of piloting this vehicle. And this is Ann, an Automata that has been taking care of you all since the day you arrived.”
“I’m Land 1. Nice to meet you.”
“My name is Ann, pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Each of them introduced themselves; Land 1 still sitting on the pilot’s seat, and the standing Ann bowing profusely to them.
“…How impressive, as I’d expect from the Magi Craft Meister himself!”
Shion was deeply impressed. Istalis was staring out a window.
“Please take your seats.”
The main body of the Capricorn 1 was approximately 8 meters long and 6 meters wide. Two-thirds of it were used as a cockpit and living quarters, and the remaining one-third housed a kitchenette, a toilet, a shower room, and a storage room.
“Alright, let’s go!”
The Capricorn began to move slowly, heading upstream along the bank of the Herme River.
“It’s not shaking as much as I thought it would.”
Still staring out the window, Istalis muttered her observation.
“That’s right. I have made it so that its center of gravity doesn’t move up and down as it walks.”
That was a result of the many adjustments that took place the day before.
Taking the control system used for golem horses as a base added to a walking control that thoroughly suppressed vertical movement, the living area was also suspended and supported by an active golem arm in order to reduce shaking.
It was a measure put in place in order to help prevent motion sickness.
“Wait for us, everyone… We’re on our way.”
Shion looked up towards the northern sky and uttered those words, thinking about those waiting for their return.