On the day of my departure, I teleported to Lia's tower in Night City and was then led to somewhere underground. Night City was closer to Count Tusk's domain but the real reason I was here was because Lia said she had something that would allow me to travel quickly and stealithy. Even if our enemies already knew our plans, we still couldn't slack on trying to throw them off our tails.
I thought it would be more convenient if there was a teleporter that was connected to every city like in games, but since this was real life and in the Demon Lands, there were important concerns such as the use of teleporters to wage war so the idea never got much support as no one wanted to be on the receiving end of that.
"Here we are. Follow me."
Lia and I rode the elevator for about a minute before finally coming down to a room with the space of a parking lot. Furthermore, I specifically used that term because everything before my eyes was either a finished or almost finished vehicle that wouldn't look out of place in a futuristic movie.
While I silently admired the collection, Lia led me to one particular vehicle that looked like a motorcycle.
"What's this?"
"An automatic, magic-enhanced, pure etherite-fueled advanced super treader."
"Uh-huh. Does it have a shorter name?"
"You can call it a cruiser."
"Got it."
It would take a while before I stopped subconsciously calling it a motorbike in my mind, but with a quick look I was able to become familiar with the operation of this vehicle.
When I sat down on it and got a feel of the handlebars, I noticed Lia giving me a suspicious look.
"What is it?"
"How do you know how to ride it? This should be the first time you've seen one."
"Oh, um that's because I saw how everything was connected with my Magic Eyes,"
Since I had mastered the use of my Magic Eyes of Perception, I could analyse my environment through different types of vision abilities like x-ray vision and clairvoyance. However, these abilities didn't have many chances to be useful since I unlocked them.
"Wait, should I not have looked at the internal structure?"
I had to give a half-truthful response but since the blueprints for this bike might be confidential I was worried Lia would take this chance to make me owe her another favour.
"No, it's one of our latest works but I'm the only one in Lambda with the core materials needed to build it so that's fine. Still, if you ever head to Asura and get the chance to see one of these act like you know nothing about it since it's 'top-secret' technology."
"Oh."
I responded casually since I wasn't in trouble, but once I finally processed her words my eyes were wide open in surprise.
"Huh?! So you make their top-secret technology?"
"Yes. Did I forget to mention this?" replied Lia with a hand on her cheek in a ditzy manner. I couldn't deny that she looked cute, but I wouldn't fall for that act.
"You did! I was wondering what took them so long to make a move even though they should be aware of us. I thought they didn't want to make a scene but it was because of you!"
"Oh, you flatter me."
"!"
I struggled to hold back my frustration from exploding at her grinning face with my teeth clenched. While I would have been glad to hear about this earlier, I knew that it wouldn't have changed anything so I was barely able to restrain myself.
"I'll stop for now. But we'll need to have a talk when I get back."
"Eh? Are you going to punish me?" she asked with innocently fearful face.
"...Tch."
As I had learnt many times before, I stood no chance against her in a war of words so I turned away and focused on getting more familiar with the cruiser.
Once she realized that I wasn't paying attention to her anymore, Lia calmly explained anything I didn't understand about the vehicle before I was sent off through an underground tunnel.
"Good luck. I'll handle the house while you're gone for work."
I stopped myself from retorting to the line that seemed perfect for newlyweds and kept my eyes on the road.
***
"Aw, he didn't bite back."
Watching as a tunnel entrance slowly disappeared as if it was always just a metal wall, Lia stood in place with a sad frown.
Even when she heard someone enter this garage from the elevator, she remained in place.
"Mistress, your guests have arrived."
"I see. I suppose my battle will start first."
***
Without checking the watch I got from Lia, I felt like three hours had past while riding on my cruiser. Well, it technically wasn't mine, not yet at least.
'I don't plan on going out very often but this would be really convenient when I do.'
Just like the motorbike I remembered, though I had never ride one. As long as my focus didn't wane this ride would stay a comfortable one. Even with the obstacles that were along the way.
A horde of monsters, killed with magic.
A sandstorm, a barrier to block the sand.
A cliff, that's what wind magic's for.
And since I had no need to worry about my luggage thanks to my ring storage, overall I had a good time.
'Next time I should take a ride just for fun.'
Lambda wasn't the best place for tourists, but it had exotic sights at least.
Two nights later, I stopped when I spotted a small town that was bordered by a blue forest on one side. I didn't expect them to have a parking lot so I just placed the cruiser in my storage.
Since this was supposed to be top-secret technology I wondered what Lia expected me to do if I didn't have a storage, but since it was her I wouldn't be surprised if she knew about it. Just like I knew she had a bracelet with the same ability.
Once the cruiser was put away, I took a couple steps towards the town before stopping.
'Should I disguise myself?'
Since we wanted to be as covert as possible, it would make sense if I hid my identity, but I hadn't really investigated that kind of magic.
'Tch, I want to ask Jeanne to teach me how to use illusion magic but would it be something I can pick up quickly?'
Since it would soon be time for me to meet up with Count Tusk, I didn't want to waste too much time preparing a disguise so I thought about how I could make do with what I had.
'Hmm..., !'
When a good idea finally hit me, I focused on activating one of my skills.
'Hulk.'
With the skill I copied from Bony I made myself into a bodybuilder with slightly red skin. Furthermore, since my clothes were enchanted goods they grew with my body. Lia once said it was a waste since this was the only thing they could do, but now I could confidently say it was money well spent.
One important thing I had learnt after my years in this world was that skills were flexible. Just because the skill was meant to do A, didn't mean it couldn't be used for B.
Hulk changed my body so that I could make the best out of my physical stats, but once I mastered the skill I could change the way my body was strengthened and even add a few minor enhancements.
With my new buff body I strode boldly towards the small town.
All I needed to do to enter the town was to pay a cheap fee. However considering how dull this place looked, the fee seemed a little too much. While I could spot a bar, an inn, a smithery and other buildings you would expect in a town, they were all nearly empty.
'Not a place I would visit for fun, but the lack of people means less eyes to be wary of.'
Even though I had a good time getting here, I knew that I couldn't let my guard down for a second.