At the 12th bell, thousands of families picnicked near the ship.
The ship sat moored on several boards by the river. It was a beautiful late summer afternoon. The weather was hot, but the scenery was beautiful. The picnickers sat on the grassy plain of the valley, with the calm river flowing in the foreground, and surrounded by golden wheat gently swaying in the wind.
This was a picturesque day if there ever was one. The families gathered early to sit close, not wanting to miss the show.
At the 13th bell, Kurosawa, Bradley, Rupert, and a squadron of guards arrived. Bradley and Rupert went to work on the galleon, and Kurosawa planned for the arrival of the Baron's guest.
Rupert cast his air magic and filled the latex balloon with lighter-than-air helium, the balloon slowly filled with air; while Bradley worked to anchor the balloon's cables to the deck and four tall masts.
The ship was 200 meters long, had a 40-meter beam, and had over 100 square meters of living area.
The hull of the ship was covered in cover, and a large curtain draped over the port. But, the most distinguishing feature of the galleon was the long, prominent phoenix attached to the beak of the ship.
The airship was more of a luxury yacht than a cargo hauler. It was the kind of airship that served kings, wealthy merchants, and nobles.
The ship was designed for travel with grace and dignity, and not something that could stand up in a fight
Claud constructed the ship from locally sourced oak trees. The keel, masts, hull, and decking were made from oak and other hardwoods.
Claud was a master terramancer. Unlike most terramancers you could manipulate earth mana, Claud was a variant and manipulated wood. He easily cast his magic to carve and meld ships from large trees. Claud was an artisan, tree trucks were his medium for sculpting.
Where some looked at trees and saw bark and branches, Claud saw perfectly sculpted sailing vessels. Works of art on the water he would often say.
Non-magic shipwrights and other crafters took months to build a galleon. Not only the time, but the expenses were enormous.
Yet, Claud could frame out a galleon in days, not months.
After filling the balloon halfway with air, the deflated balloon just floated above the central mast lazily.
After leaving Bradley to engineer the cables, and harnesses; Rupert walked to the ship's hull, under the keel.
According to Bradley, the keel was a boat's backbone and provided strength, and stability, as well as prevented sideways drift of the ship.
In the keel, Rupert slowly inscribed the phrase به هوا بلند شوید و شناور شوید on a wyvern's core. Rupert began to sweat as he slowly carved the inscription into the dire beast's core.
After half an hour, he finished. Now, Rupert had to cast an air-gathering array and channel mana into the core.
This was the moment of truth, if the core did not glow, he knew the rune inscription failed.
Rupert stretched out his arms and cast the array. Rupert was a journeyman mage, like Will although not as powerful, he was dedicated to this project.
After he finished, the core began to glow a dim yellow. Then the dim yellow began to glow a bright golden color.
Even though the glowing core was now a magicked tool, Rupert could still not be sure the inscription would work. That way because he had no idea how much weight the magicked tool could lift.
Out of caution, Rupert inscribed a second wyvern core and put it in the hull, under the bow. Seeing both cores glow brightly, Rupert worried if the array could gather enough mana to supply to the magicked tool.
Immediately, Rupert doubted the airship's ability to take flight. For over a year, he was certain this project would work. Now, just moments before the first test, he doubted the inscription, array, and his abilities. Rupert felt like a failure. Instead of being the first person in history to pilot an airship, he's de responsible for wasting millions of gold in research and development.
Had Rupert known on Earth this was a similar occurrence for many R&D projects, he might not have worried so much.
Rupert sulked, in an hour he would cast his magic and pilot the ship on its inaugural crash.
Rupert knew the probability of everything going correctly was slim to none that he could trigger the runes to fly the ship. Another thing he did not know was how long the airship could stay airborne.
At 13:30 Will and Elizabeth approached, walking a step behind the king and crown prince.
All the commoners kowtowed as the king and regent walked to the makeshift stage.
Elizabeth decided to delay her return to the Magic Academy to accompany Will to the launch.
Behind Will and Elizabeth, were their parents, Marcus, Elder Thaddeus, bishops, and nobles (who paid handsomely to be included in the entourage).
After the family came, Kurosawa and the senior clerks.
Facing the ship sat two armchairs on a richly colored red rug, for King Remus Albus and Crown Prince Roland. Behind the king, sat Will, Elizabeth, Elder Thaddeus, and their families. Behind the families sat the nobles.
The senior clerks and Kurosawa stood to the side of the chairs. Kurosawa and Vanessa stood to the king's left, and Mei and Miles stood on the right.
Will appointed Kurosawa as his Master of Ceremony, as this part of his training in the Royal Academy.
"To his majesty, regent, Baron, his fiancé, their families, lords, and you I greet you!" Kurosawa began.
"The Lord has asked Bishop vont Suzuki, from the Church of Aether to offer up a prayer," Kurosawa announced.
"Dearest Father-God, the divine light of the heavens, your humble servant requires your aid. Bless this vessel and encourage the pilot. God Aether, I ask your continued blessing to repel the evil forces from your beloved kingdom. I seek this of you in your eternal light, o eternal keeper. Sustain us with your holy kindness. Amen," the Bishop concluded.
"Amen," the crowd repeated.
Claud looked at the ship, with a large balloon overhead. He heard this morning that his ship was being turned into an airship. If this worked he be famous, his face lit with excitement.
Currently, he was surrounded by congratulatory nobles, showering him with a heap of praise!
Yes, this was the life he wanted, a new challenge and greater acclaim.
"Next, we shall have word from our Lord, Baron William vont Ballard," Kurosawa exclaimed.
The king decided to speak after the test, and as such Will choose before the test. No noble was foolhardy enough to upstage the king.
Will stood up and held hands tightly. He and Elizabeth approached the speaking platform.
"Greetings beloved subjects, today we are here to test whether this ship can soar as does the wings of eagles. Please do not be disappointed if this does not work, that simply means a greater challenge awaits us.
If the ship does set sail in the sky, I shall take no credit! The credit belongs to Bradley vont Alms and Mr. Rupert.
These men put in countless hours of study, research, and experimentation. All I did was finance the project. May the gods bless their hard work today!" Will said.
Elizabeth could feel Will's firm grip and knew he was more nervous than he let on. Her heart wrenched. If this test flight went poorly, he would take the blame, and become a joke among the nobles.
She admired his courage, to step out and show weakness. She loved him for that reason. Unlike the other nobles who all thought and acted the same, Will dared to dream.
It was thanks to his dreams, that her dream was realized. Gaia's Purse had helped countless families. The charity purchased grain, farm animals, housing, and clothing, dug water wells, and even paid tuition for poor students to attend the academy.
Yet, all the credit went to her, and not her love. Elizabeth had protested to share credit, but Will was obstinate and refused each time.
In less than a year, Elizabeth was known as the Saintess. People claimed her responsible for taming Will's greed. That claim upset Elizabeth to know the end. She rejected the imposed title. But, it was too late. It had spread too far.
It was only thanks to her mom, that she relented. Charlotte vont Whitby, to Elizabeth to trust her husband. He would not have created the charity and refused to take credit for no reason.
Even as she stood next to Will, some in the audience yelled out, 'Saintess,' or 'Saint Elizabeth!'
After Will finished he and Elizabeth waved to the crowd. The people roared their approval. They admired their lords, the Lord of Games and the Saintess.
"Thank your Baron vont Ballard. Please listen carefully, if successful, Mr. Rupert shall pilot the ship above the river. However before the launch, the Baron has a special unveiling," Kurosawa said motioning with his hand.
At that moment, the curtain on the side of the ship fell. On the side of the ship, it read: H.M.S. Remus Albus Fermion IX.
"The Baron wishes to dedicate this ship to his majesty. The abbreviation stands for His Majesty's Ship, which will be painted on all of the airships in the future.
The ship's name is the Remus Albus after his majesty King Remus Albus Fermion the IX. The Baron and his household do this humble submission to his majesty," Kurosawa said.
The king stood and waved his hand while nodding in appreciation to Will. Meanwhile, everyone in attendance clapped respectfully.
After the applause ended Will motioned to Rupert.
Rupert and an experienced sailing crew readied themselves for the inaugural flight.
The crew readied the ringing, and Rupert cast an activation spell on the runes, the two cores began to grow brighter. Rupert added more helium to the balloon above.
Slowly, the ship began to hover above its restraints.
What Rupert had not learned was that by using the two inscribed wyvern cores, he created a circuit.
The wyvern cores acted as the batteries, and he acted as the resister. The array acted as the amplifier. After feeling the power, Rupert realized by controlling the array he could adjust the amplitude of the magicked tools.
It was at that moment, Rupert realized that this could work. That an airship was possible. That he and Bradley had done! They did it!
After increasing the amplitude the airship floated higher.
"Open the sails" Rupert commanded.
The sails on the four-mast unrolled, and the airship began to travel upriver.
"They did it!!" Claud was the first to stand and shout.
The nobles clapped and cheered, but Will stayed seated. It was too early to celebrate.
Seeing that Will was not celebrating, Elizabeth dared not celebrate either. Yet she still cheered in her heart for Will.
Will had instructed Rupert if possible to take a simple flight hovering over the river. Only, if he felt confident should he fly higher into the sky.
Rupert felt traveled upriver, as instructed. But when the wind shifted. Southward, Rupert knew now was the time for the true demonstration of his and Bradley's passion.
Rupert instructed the crew to turn the ship's sail slowly southward. As the crew turned the sails, Rupert cautiously increased the array's amplification. The airship sails higher and higher into the air.
Rupert stuck out his hands and touched the clouds. As an air mage, he could see the air currents, like a water mage could see sea currents.
The ship sailed along with the gentle summer winds. Rupert felt the power draw on the wyvern cores was minimal. Rupert knew he could take the ship still higher above the clouds. Rupert took the ship higher. The crowd on the ground looked like a small black ant.
While he sailed peacefully in the air, the audience was going mad with glee.
"It's real! This is happening. For being present here today, my descendants shall honor my name for eternity," a noble cried in joy.
"In Aether's name, the events here today need to be inscribed in history. Please mark my name as a present!" said another noble.
"Quick servant purchases me a house," said another noble.
"You fool, I purchased mine when I first arrive two weeks ago!" laughed the noble seated adjacent.
More and more nobles asked their servants to purchase them hones as well.
After an hour of sailing, Rupert slowly moored the ship to the river. It was a perfect flight. Only the gods could have predicted this.
When Rupert was safely off, Will dropped to his knees in celebration. Elizabeth celebrated and hugged her husband.
Kurosawa, Mei, Vanessa, and Miles also kneeled in respect to their boss. They smiled widely, proud of their employer's achievement, and equally proud to work for such an honorable man.
Elizabeth's hugged the kneeling Will in celebration of his history-making achievement. Elizabeth cried tears of happiness, she was the only one who knew Will's stress.
Their mothers cried too in happiness and their father smiled happily.
Poor Claud was so happy he openly sobbed. He looked ugly crying gobs of tears and whipping his nose with his sleeves. Claud was not prepared for such a historic achievement.
Everyone celebrated until the king stood. Immediately, everyone bowed or kneeled.
"First, I am honored to have this historic airship named it my honor. Second, I wish to congratulate Baron vont Ballard, Claud vont Ahmed, Bradley vont Alms, and Mr. Rupert.
I want to commend Mr. Rupert and his crew on their initial flight. Fermion is honored to have these great men.
Make note, that a commoner was the first to pilot an airship. And, an Albanian was the first to build an airship. Both the Mage and Knight Academies students were responsible for engineering and rune-crafting.
I believe this ship highlights the best of Fermion. As king, I declare this day a national holiday evermore.
Since Baron vont Ballard asked for no credit, I shall award his subordinates. Approach Bradley vont Alms. I appointment you Fermion's Airship Commander-General," the king said.
"Thank you, your majesty!" Bradley said nervously.
"Step forward, Rupert. I offer you a noble surname," the king announced.
Kneeling nervously in front of the king and crown, Rupert's brain froze, and could not respond.
"Your majesty, may I offer a name?" Will asked.
The king nodded in acceptance.
"Your majesty, I believe Zeppelin is an appropriate last name," Will said.
"Zeppelin, what does it mean?" the king asked curiously.
"Wind Runner," Will said
"What a good name for an air mage!" the king said impressed.
"I name you Ruper Zeppelin, and appoint you Deputy Airship Commander-General," the king announced.
The picnicking commoner exploded in applause and cheers, to witness their rank gain nobility. This was every commoner's dream come true.
"Thank you, your majesty!" Rupert cried tears of joy.
After the awards, he returned to his seat.
Claud could not be rewarded as he was Albanian. He knew his king would reward him later, for now knowing his ship, sailed in the air was enough.
Bradley was named as Airship Commander-General because his noble rank was higher than Rupert's.
"This concludes the event. Nobles who wish to tour the ship are permitted. The shipwright Claud Ahmed has graciously agreed to provide tours and a viewing of the interior's blueprint.
My lord and lady wish to thank you for coming," Kurosawa said.
As the crowd began to disperse and the nobles gathered around the ship, Will huddled with his clerks.
"Here are the blueprints for the Airship Port. Leave now, and make sure the Airship Port and rickshaws are constructed immediately. Remember to build the ports outside the city, near the guard post.