Published: September 4, 2025
Satou here. Although I’ve flown on airplanes for work trips, I’ve never been on a hot air balloon or an airship. I did make a model hot air balloon back in school, but it seems there’s quite a difference between models and the real thing.
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“Hey, aren’t you going to raise our altitude? At this height, won’t beasts jump onto us from the treetops?”
“It’s fine.”
Arisa’s concern is valid.
In fact, since we departed on the ark airship, curious beasts have attempted to leap aboard twice already. Of course, because it was dangerous, I used the “Magic Hand” to thwart them just as they were about to jump.
Birds also come near, but none are like crows from Western cartoons that peck holes in balloons, so we just leave them be.
Considering what would happen if we fell, we’re cruising leisurely just above the treetops.
The thrust moving the ark airship forward is powered by the “Air Control” magic. Since this magic wasn’t originally designed for flight, the ark airship’s speed only reaches about 15 kilometers per hour. Using the “Air Cannon” to accelerate like when flying with skystride could cause the airship to break apart midair or rip the netting holding the balloons, so we avoid it.
Though slow, traveling in a straight line gains more distance than horse-drawn carriage rides.
On the ark airship, we’ve loaded a horse-drawn carriage with its horses, the carriage’s canopy folded. I considered storing the carriage in the storage, but since it floats fine, I left it as is.
The ark has viewing windows on all sides, though they’re really just holes with covers. The sidewalls are built taller than the horses’ backs. Between the ark and the balloon, there’s a barrier or ceiling made from a great monster fish.
Tama climbed all the way up the sidewall and is sitting perched on top, gazing at the scenery flowing beneath. It looks dangerous, but if she falls, we can catch her before she hits the ground, so I leave her be. Tama probably won’t fall anyway.
Nana seems to be watching outside from a rear window. According to her, the rear view is the cutest, though I don’t quite understand how. Maybe someday I’ll get it.
With nothing else to do and bored, Arisa, Lulu, and Mia have been playing cat’s cradle since earlier. I was surprised Lulu wasn’t scared, unlike Arisa and Mia.
Whenever Tama leans out, the ark rocks—
“Tama, that’s dangerous! What if you fall?”
“Yes! Tama, be still. We’re in the air, remember? If you fall, you can’t fly!”
From my lap in the captain’s chair, Pochi sits quietly, while Liza clings silently to the backrest behind me. Both chastise Tama rather than gently warning her.
“I’m fine~”
Tama’s reply is carefree.
“N-no, you’re not. Master! Don’t just laugh, your hand is over here. If you don’t hold her properly, falling will be dangerous.”
“Tama, if you come down to the ground, you’ll be punished, okay?”
Pochi and Liza apparently aren’t good with flying trips.
Their voices have been serious and nervous since earlier. I expected Pochi to be scared, but I didn’t expect Liza to be so timid.
Pochi stiffens every time the ark tilts, ears flattened, and she places my hand on her stomach for reassurance.
Liza not only clings to the chair but seems to secretly pinch my sleeve. I pretend not to notice.
Of course, the ship doesn’t actually tilt from Tama’s light weight.
I’m the culprit.
Since Tama leans out dangerously, I made the ark rock with the “Magic Hand” in response, but somehow Pochi and Liza overreacted instead of Tama.
Because Pochi’s reaction was cute, I unintentionally did it several times, but I should restrain myself now.
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So, though things seem smooth, there have been more problems in this air journey than I thought.
The biggest problem: toilets.
I plan to add more at tonight’s campsite, but for now, I have to carry everyone down to the ground with skystride at set intervals.
I tried to carry many at once, but we ended up bringing them down one by one in princess carries.