Standing at the bow of the skyship, Rocky could only see thick clouds, but even so, he was still very excited.
This was his first time riding a skyship away from Thunderhawk City, and also his first time heading to the land below, so he couldn't help but feel a little thrilled.
The land had been occupied by demons, which was the first thing Rocky learned after coming to this world, but what then?
Was the demon-occupied land now devastated and unrecognizable, damaged beyond repair?
Had all the other creatures on the land died out?
And those who hadn't managed to reach Sky City all those years ago, could they have survived after so many years?
Rocky had no answers to these questions, but he was about to see for himself.
"Sir… please come back to the cabin… outside… the wind is too strong."
As Rocky stood alone in his excitement, Liliya's voice came from behind him. Turning around, he saw Liliya struggling through the strong wind.
Traveling at an altitude of tens of thousands of meters, one could imagine the strength of the winds outside the skyship. Even Liliya, a Third-Level Warrior, was having trouble keeping her eyes open and found it difficult to speak on the deck, which was despite the fact that the skyship had its Defensive Net spread out to block the winds. Without the protection of the Defensive Net, a gust of wind could easily have blown Liliya away.
"I'm fine; I'm just getting used to the Void Magic Armor."
Compared to Liliya, who was struggling to walk on the deck, Rocky seemed unaffected by the strong wind, a feat naturally credited to the Void Magic Armor.
Designed specifically for aerial combat, the Void Magic Armor was covered with an energy shield from top to bottom. This energy shield acted like a miniature Defensive Net, not only increasing defensive power but also blocking the vicious wind, offering protection to its wearer even during high-speed flight. That's why Rocky, standing at the bow, didn't feel the strong wind at all.
But Liliya was a stubborn girl. She didn't turn around and leave; instead, she bravely stood by Rocky's side, despite the howling wind.
"Sir, you…"
"Just call me Rocky, it sounds less awkward."
Turning to glance at Liliya, Rocky repeated his request with a smile.
This time, Liliya didn't respond with the cold reply she had given before. Biting her lip, she eventually nodded, "Rocky…"
Hearing his name from Liliya's mouth made Rocky inexplicably feel a wave of relief, much more comfortable than when others called him City Lord.
"Rocky, do you really plan to personally explore the research institute?"
While Rocky was basking in that moment, Liliya brought up her question.
At that time, the skyship was en route to the land. Amidst the strong winds, aside from Rocky, clad in Void Magic Armor, and Liliya, a Third-Level Warrior, no one else dared to come to the deck, which made their conversation private, with no chance of being overheard. Liliya took this opportunity to ask.
"Yes, I want to go there myself."
Nodding, Rocky didn't hide his intentions.
"But... that's too risky... I think we should just confirm the exact location of the research institute and sell the coordinates. We would still make a lot of money from that, money enough to support Thunderhawk City for a long time."
Standing behind Rocky, Liliya voiced her thoughts.
But in response to his words, Rocky simply shook his head. "Thunderhawk City needs more than just a sum of money; just a sum of money can't change Thunderhawk City…"
After finishing his statement, he turned around. "You don't need to worry about me. Even if I really encounter demons, I can retreat unharmed with the help of the Void Magic Armor, so it's fine."
"You can't rely too much on the armor."
However, the intended comfort from Rocky had the opposite effect, invoking Liliya's dissatisfaction. "You're only a Second Level Warrior, with no actual combat experience. You can't exert the power of the armor like the old master did. Over-reliance on the armor could cost you your life."
The 'old master' Liliya referred to was naturally Rocky's father. She had fought alongside him and had witnessed his gallant form donning the Void Magic Armor. Therefore, in Liliya's eyes, though Rocky might be wearing the Void Magic Armor now, he was still a far cry from his father.
That left Rocky with no choice but to roll his eyes. Must she be so blunt? What about respect?
Unfortunately, even though he grumbled inwardly, he couldn't refute her because what Liliya said was true. His own strength was indeed too average. Even with the enhancement of the Void Magic Armor, he couldn't afford to be careless, especially since the foes he would face were not like Eyer.
Left with no other option, Rocky had to play hardball. He verbally agreed to all of Liliya's demands but didn't budge in his actions, eventually frustrating Liliya to the point that she simply walked away.
Watching Liliya's retreating back, Rocky shook his head with a wry smile, then stopped pondering other matters and began to adjust his own state.
Liliya's admonitions had not fallen on deaf ears. On the contrary, they had sounded a warning bell for him.
He must not become complacent just because he had the Void Magic Armor, for he might be facing demons this time!
The Void Magic Armor was indeed strong, beyond doubt. Yet even so, there was no certainty of victory when facing demons. Otherwise, after the invention of the Void Magic Armor, people would have counterattacked the land long ago. Instead, they remained adrift in the sky, and so Rocky continually reminded himself not to be careless.
Not long after he adjusted his state alone, the speed of the skyship began to decrease gradually, and the gusts of wind surrounding them started to weaken, transitioning from the initial howling gales to a gentle breeze.
Clearly, they had arrived at land.
Standing at the bow and looking down, Rocky no longer saw thick clouds beneath him but the silhouette of land.
A stretch of green…
When Rocky looked towards the land, he didn't see the devastation or scarring he had imagined. Instead, he saw a verdant and beautiful vista.
"This… is this really the land…"
Looking at the lush forests beneath the skyship, Rocky was stunned. He hadn't expected the land to look like this.
Hadn't they said the land was occupied by demons? Hadn't they said the demons had destroyed the land?
Yet why was this forest before his eyes so beautiful?
"Rocky, prepare for landing."
Just as Rocky was astounded by the sight before him, Liliya emerged from the cabin and informed him that the skyship was ready to land.
"Okay."
He nodded and followed Liliya back into the cabin, after which the five skyships began to descend slowly.
And when the five skyships landed smoothly, Rocky disembarked with the guards, stepping firmly onto the land that had been occupied by demons.