247 Piling On (1/2)
”But… but what about lunch?!” Fel protested as Exel led his crew back on board their airship.
They left George staring at their back on the docks with a sinking feeling in his heart.
”I couldn't stop them. I couldn't even protect her…” George muttered darkly.
”George! I got them as soon as I could!” Alani came running up. ”We have thirty-nine people now!”
”Thirty-nine?” George's face fell. ”I asked for a hundred…”
”But… but there aren't many people who can channel magic!” Alani protested. ”I tried my best! I really did!”
”I know. I know you did.” George sighed, rubbing his forehead. ”It's not your fault. It's just… without mana crystals, we need people to power the airship engines magically. Thirty-nine people are barely enough to move one Sky Fortress.”
”Or nineteen Corvettes. Twenty, if you count yourself in.”
”Twenty Corvettes.” George shook his head. ”That's not going to be enough to stop a military-grade Galleon and six Frigates. We'd just be giving them target practice.”
”You want to stop those guys?” Alani stared. ”Why? How?”
”Why? Because they've practically kidnapped Mindy and they're likely to cause all sorts of trouble with the Wilds. The same Wilds that we JUST managed to reach a peaceful accord with! If they provoke the Wilds and we start fighting again, then… then everything Remian just fought for…”
”Okay. But would shooting them down really stop them? I think they're just going to send more and more people if you do that.” Alani observed. ”Speaking of which… there's another fleet incoming. Only three airships, but all three are Galleons.”
”Ugh.” George lowered his head into his hands. ”What are the odds that they're here looking for the Source of Magic too?”
Alani shook her head. ”I'm not taking that bet.”
***
The second fleet came in for a landing, three High-grade Galleons outfitted for mobility rather than combat. High-grade airships were the middle ground between Commercial-grade and Military-grade. Where Commercial-grade ships aimed at value-for-money, and Military-grade ships sought to have cutting edge combat ability, High-grade ships tried for quality without breaking the bank.
That is, to say, this second fleet was a lot cheaper than the military fleet that just left. However, in terms of power, three Galleons could likely overpower one Galleon and six Frigates, and in terms of speed, these ships were outfitted for mobility rather than combat. If it came to a race and a tussle over the Source of Magic, they were definitely capable of challenging Exel's expedition for it.
”We're just here for a short break.” The leader of the new fleet was a woman better described as handsome than beautiful. She was dressed smartly in a military uniform, though George really couldn't recognize any of the insignia she wore.
”Where are you from?” George asked. What he really wanted to ask was, 'who are you?', and 'what can we do to make you leave?', but he held back.
”We're from Bellas. We're with Fantasia. Ever heard of it?” she asked, with an expectant smile.
”Uh… no…?” George winced.
Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please clickfor visiting.
”You've never bought our products?” she stared, disbelieving. ”What about Club Fairy Wing? We're their sponsors!”
Alani tugged at George's sleeve. ”Mom uses their facial cream.”
”Ah. So you're here for…?”
”The Source of Magic.” She said openly.
George let out a sigh. ”Of course you are. Anyone else coming?”
”We have some reinforcements and supply ships on the way, yes.” She nodded. ”Please take care of them for me.”
Why the heck would I do anything for you?! George wanted to yell it, but again, he held back.
”George! More ships incoming!” one of the airport crews yelled.
”More of yours?” George asked the Fantasia leader.
”Not mine.” She said, peering into the horizon. ”Those ships… they seem to be from the Dragon Empire.”
George let out a long, heartfelt groan.