In the castle park, large celebrations took place. The raider flags were taken down and burned, and in their place, the flags of Andorra were raised. The Prince of Andorra gave a speech through a kind of speaker that spread sound over the entire crowd. Neither Herald, nor Charles, nor Elizabeth understood what he was really saying, but Alizandro translated for them.
After the event, where all three heroes (yes, three, because Roberto had already left) were congratulated, they went to the left of the castle towards the dark and uninhabited alley. After the overthrow of the Neo Leo dictatorship, all the alley's residents had returned to their homes, including Alizandro.
The previous house where they had spent the night turned out to be Alizandro's shop. His actual home was located in the very center of the alley, which now was almost as lively as the city center. As they walked towards Alizandro's house, balloons were released all around them, music played, and laughter filled the air. Everyone was celebrating the liberation of Andorra. Countless people passed by, and beautifully ornate carriages ferried the city's guests.
When the friends arrived at Alizandro's house, the host himself inserted a key into the door and turned it. As the door swung open, a very cozy interior was revealed to them—furnished with elegant furniture, modern technology, and also a cat. Elizabeth immediately approached to pet the kitten.
"What a lovely house," Charles remarked. "We just need to find a background."
"What background?" Alizandro looked at him in confusion.
"It's a kind of setup that... oh never mind, it's a very long story," Charles explained.
Herald and Charles began to discuss the search for a background. They agreed that it should be sought in the castle. They were already about to invite Elizabeth along.
"No, guys, I already arranged with Alizandro that he will help me set up an apartment in Andorra, which means I will stay here to live!" she concluded happily.
"Ah, well then, we should say goodbye," Charles stated.
After that, both he and Herald shared one last group hug with Elizabeth. They also shook Alizandro's hand. Then, having properly said their goodbyes and uttered one last "farewell," both friends left, closing the door behind them.
***
The guards, without objection, allowed both scientists to enter through the castle's mighty gates. They greeted the tall prince, and, having received permission, they continued to search for a background.
"If I were a background, where would I hide?" Charles pondered aloud.
"Either in the deepest basement or the highest tower," Herald suggested.
They decided to split up to make the search somewhat faster. Charles went to conquer the countless steps and balconies of the towers, while Herald set out to uncover the darker secrets of the dark basement.
Herald, opening the green wooden door to the dark basement, almost stumbled inside. The heavy door was indeed weighty, requiring considerable effort to open, and when he finally succeeded, his sock barely managed to tear away from the ground to avoid getting trapped in the doorway.
Herald found no better sight in the basement than the slippery steps leading straight into the black void. But once he descended into the heart of the basement, he was pleasantly surprised. The dark basement was not so dark after all; it had a kind of gloom. It also was by no means small; it was a royal-sized basement, but that could already be expected from a castle's basement.
Below is the English translation of your Latvian text:
Down below were various supplies: ancient wines, lovely jams, shiny precious metals, and other interesting odds and ends. Just as quickly as the cellar began, it ended, and Herold had no choice but to turn back. After about half an hour, Herold realized he was completely lost.
Charles had a slightly better experience. He quickly flew up and down the tower stairs. One by one, he inspected the towers. However, the big problem was that the artifact had still not been found. Until the scientist climbed the last tower - the highest tower. There he found part of the artifact.
Getting closer, he realized that it was only half of the device. But where was the other half? Bridgton grabbed the other half and decided to assist Herold. Perhaps the other part was hiding in the cellar.
After descending to the first floor, Charles was about to ask the royal guards if they had seen Herold coming out of the cellar. At the last moment, he remembered that he couldn't speak Catalan.
The large doors of the cellar were wide open. "Then Herold must be right there," Charles thought to himself. He made his way down to the cellar, half climbing, half crawling, and sliding. There he almost immediately found the second part of the artifact, but there was no sign of Herold.
Herold Rimny the Almighty III! - Charles knew that his friend would respond to his full name, but he forgot to call out his second name - Valheims.
But then, unexpectedly, from some dark tunnel to his left, Herold came running out. He looked genuinely desperate.
"Run!" That was the last thing Charles heard before he saw the terrifying monster behind his friend. Bridgton quickly grabbed Herold by the hand, and they both literally sprinted for the first floor. When the dusty cellar doors slammed shut behind them with a loud bang, they could finally breathe.
"What in the name of all saints was that!?" - Herold was still very nervous.
"I don't know what it was, and it's not relevant right now. While you were playing tag with the cellar beast, I accomplished something useful. I found both parts of the artifact," Charles pulled out the assembled artifact from his pocket.
"This time it was in two parts?"
"Yes, exactly, but now, are you ready to listen?"
"Of course, spill it!" - Herold cheered enthusiastically.
Charles hadn't quite put the pieces together properly. When he realized this, he assembled them correctly, and finally, the recording began. As usual, it was a hologram.
"Ahem, finally I have more time to talk to you. Let's start with the biggest news: the raiders have taken Luxembourg, the king's army has fallen. Everyone who was on the king's side is now a slave obeying the vile orders of the raiders. Next, very important information for the future. The raiders' main bases are as follows: Bergenheim, Luxembourg, New Geneva, Tivoli, and certain places in the Russian Empire, particularly in the newly emerging independence movement zones - Belarus and Ukraine… Now your main mission is this: you must get to Rome and stop the raider uprising. They intend to fully occupy Rome and thus Italy, but… don't go there via the Mediterranean, as there is currently a severe sandstorm happening due to that dirigible you shot down. Unfavorable..."
The substances were released during the awakening and were blown towards Monaco... Make your way to Geneva and then proceed to Rome; you'll meet there in an unusual way. And also, beware of the raiders patrolling the mountains… well, good luck! - the conversation was interrupted.
The recording ended rather abruptly. Both friends sat silently, reflecting on everything they had just heard.
Hmm, so much has happened without us knowing. - Charles straightened up, as they were sitting on the floor like children.
Yes, an entire country has ceased to exist. - Herald lamented.
Well, at least it's in the hands of others. Poor king, he didn't deserve that.
Yes, and the storm we partially caused. I hope everything will be alright for those people. - Herald continued the conversation.
Wait, wait, what did he say about our transport, that it would be different?
I don't know, maybe we should ask the Prince of Andorra, perhaps he has some special transport. - Herald suggested and they both went to look for him.
Having found the prince and asked him about the transport, he remarked: - It's funny that you ask about this, because when I learned about the nearby airship crash, I immediately sent my best mechanics there. They restored it within a few hours! - Meanwhile, Herald had turned on the translator so that Charles could understand. The prince was speaking to Herald in Spanish at that moment, so he didn't need a translator himself.
It's not far, as I mentioned, so you don't want me to take you there? - the prince offered out of nowhere.
Well, okay. - Herald hesitantly agreed.
And so, within a few minutes, they were already traveling through the mountains in a sort of carriage that ran on gasoline.
I thought that the nobility didn't drive their own transports. - Herald shouted, struggling against the wind.
Let's just say, this is not an ordinary monarchy. - the young prince bluntly replied while sitting in the driver's seat.
They didn't notice that they had already arrived at the airship. It seems the prince had taken a super short route.
Here it is! - the prince, stepping out of the gasoline carriage, gestured grandly towards the airship.
Does it work? Could it theoretically take us somewhere? - Herald asked some very clever questions.
Of course! It's just not inflated yet. - the prince replied eagerly.
We can inflate it, right?
Of course, we can inflate it, and I can take you wherever you want! - the prince cheerfully declared.
Meanwhile, the translator device was working, and Charles was also catching the train of thought.
So then, what are we waiting for? - Herald, getting impatient, asked the prince. - It's time for an adventure!
***
The mighty body of the airship was untied, and the balloon slowly began to fill with helium. A line of men carried in huge crates and supplies. While all this was happening, Herald and Charles were waiting outside in the heat. They felt like they had never experienced such a temperature before. The sun was already at its peak, and strong hot winds were blowing down from the mountains. There wasn't a trace of even the smallest cloud in the sky.
Charles's stomach rumbled, as he hadn't eaten properly in quite a while. He could barely stretch to carry the travel bag, which occasionally contained food and water. The friends were gathering all supplies, as they had a feeling they would need them later. Charles snapped out of his daydreams when the prince approached them.
"Come on deck, the balloon is inflated!" - the translator conveyed to Charles in a comprehensible language.
Charles and Herald struggled to get to their feet and made their way to the mighty airship. The friends entered the ship's cabin and were then taken onto the deck, where the large blue balloon towered above them.
So, do you know where you want to go, that is, fly? - the prince asked.
Nothing specific comes to mind. - Herald lied. - But I think it would be nice if we went northeast, somewhere to the Alps.
So you're not tired of the mountains yet, huh? - the prince smiled.
Then he arranged with the navigator to set the course northeast.
Who will steer this ship? - Herald asked somewhat casually.
I will, of course! - the prince replied too confidently.
The two scientists watched with their mouths agape as the prince glided towards the control center. After a brief wait, the mighty propellers of the dirigible roared to life in the back. The wings unfurled, and the airship lifted off the ground.
The thing was that it moved forward and slowly rose higher, but there was a mountain ahead. The captain-prince deftly maneuvered the airship away from the mountain into open skies.
At least it looks like he knows what he's doing. - Herald muttered quietly.
***
There was some bustling on the deck. Almost always, someone was monitoring the airship's status, air pressure, and quality. That "someone" was a group of scientists. Charles and Herald both wanted to talk to their friends-the scientists about science, but then they remembered that they wouldn't know how to communicate with them. However, the friends realized that they were foreign scientists and spoke perfect English. In the end, the friends decided to go chat with them.
The sun was approaching the horizon, but just as it had been, it remained in the sky. One couldn't miss the fact that the sky was unnaturally blue. And at this altitude, it wasn't very warm. Generally, the dirigible was flying, or sometimes even above the clouds.
That evening, Charles and Herald had an excellent opportunity to have a good meal. The meal was served below deck, mainly featuring traditional Andorian and Catalonian dishes. Everyone was invited, including the prince, who had set the ship on autopilot.
Some sang, some laughed, some cried, but everyone was having a good time. Charles ate so much that he could barely breathe. He decided that it was necessary to take advantage of the opportunity to fill up well. While eating, he thought about how great it would be to have a device that specifies the exact location - like a map, but better.
Charles decided to go outside onto the deck to observe the romantic skies. Herald was the only one who noticed him leaving. It was completely silent on the deck, only the whispers of the wind and the hum of the dirigible's turbines could be heard. Charles approached the very edge and leaned over the railing.
The sail moved westward, casting many warm tones across the sky. Charles hadn't even noticed how Herald had sneaked up.
What are you thinking about?
Here's the translation of the provided Latvian text into English:
---
What can we already think about… is there any point in continuing this journey… and also, that I urgently need to go to the hairdresser, I can barely see through my hair!
Yeah, that's true, but speaking of this trip… it's actually quite interesting, we have been to many places and even made a lot of new friends, what's wrong with that?
Maybe it's that we don't know who sent us to these places and what we are going to solve… maybe it's the fact that we really caused a person's demise. - Charles shouted the last part.
On the other hand, we have saved many others, and after all, Elizabeth shot that arrow, not you or me. - Herald leaned in.
You're right, but can we travel forever? And why do raiders hate us? We haven't done anything bad. - Charles voiced loudly.
Herald was about to say something, but the prince came on deck.
I just came to see if everything is alright with you. - the prince said in Spanish.
Yes, everything is fine. - Herald replied.
After a brief discussion, they were shown their sleeping cabins. They were located below deck, as expected, and behind the dining hall. Each had their own room because there was enough space below deck. When the prince left alone, Charles immediately climbed into bed and slipped under the blanket. He just had to place his head on the pillow and he instantly sank into the world of dreams.
***
Brighton felt like he was waking up, but everything was completely wrong. Charles stood on the airship's deck, looking at the pale pink sky. Then suddenly, the airship got caught on something. Charles noticed it was some very, very long ribbon or thread. He traced it with his eyes. It twisted infinitely far, but there, in the far distance, was a bright light. It sparkled like a star.
The scientist was amazed that one could see so far, regardless of the curvature of the earth. Then, turning his gaze back to the ship, he noticed how raiders were landing on it… and darkness. Charles tried to grasp what all this meant. The name "Adam" echoed in his head, incessantly and with resonances. Brighton felt like he was in the center of a tornado - everything was spinning.
***
Charles could hardly bear it. He was all sweaty, but he was cold, mercilessly cold. As usual in cases of insomnia, he went for a walk. The corridor was quiet. There was a clock in the corridor. "4:30" Charles mumbled to himself, sleepily, in the dark.
He, fumbling against the wall, found a coat left behind by someone and quickly put it on. Climbing onto the deck, he saw how in one corner the sky started to get brighter, in the first hints of morning.
The scientist approached the edge of the ship, and looking down, felt dizzy. Far down and in the distance, the beginnings of the Alps were visible. Charles quietly sighed to himself.
What are you doing here, at such an early hour? - A voice startled Charles, it turned out to be just the Andorran prince.
Charles quickly considered how much to tell. In the end, he summarized the entire dream with feelings.
Sounds terrible. - Charles's pocket translator translated what the prince said. Charles also used it to understand what the prince meant.
After all that strange morning commotion, and about an hour later, they landed at Geneva airport.
We have reached our destination, go have fun! I will recharge the airship at the same time! - the prince cheerfully explained to everyone as they had just landed.
Charles, having searched for Harold, went towards the city.
I have always wanted to go to the majestic Alps! - Harold rejoiced, while Charles merely grunted in response.
The view from the outskirts was epic - a massive airship with currents flowing from it. And, of course, the Alps in the background.
Both friends had a few hundred Andorian francs, which they exchanged for several tens of Swiss francs at the Universal Bank. They started to look for a coffee house.
Having bought delicious, steaming coffee, they exited the café and sat at a nearby wooden table. The coffee was already at the perfect temperature; the Alpine air must have cooled it down. As they sipped their coffee, the friends noticed that two burly policemen were approaching them.
They had appeared so unexpectedly that one might think they materialized out of thin air. Then one of the Swiss policemen suddenly addressed both friends in a friendly and composed tone. Charles had the translator switched on so they could understand what was being said.
Good day, guests of Geneva, we will need to take you to our precinct for a moment to verify your documents' legitimacy. Can we? It will take less than 10 minutes! - the shorter of the policemen explained.
Why? - Charles bluntly asked with the help of the translator.
Ah, well, you haven't done anything wrong, but both of us saw you getting off that airship around the corner. As you know, Switzerland has strict controls. I hope you understand. - the businesslike policeman spoke somewhat strangely, but Charles couldn't quite comprehend how.
We understand. - Harold replied thoughtfully.
After that, the friends were seated in a lavish police carriage. The smaller of the policemen sat down next to the driver's seat, while the taller policeman continued down the cobbled road, looking for more loot.
Charles and Harold were able to relax - they were not being arrested. At least, that's how it seemed to them. Suddenly, the policeman swiftly removed his humanoid mask, and something horrifying was revealed underneath. Given everything that had happened, Bridgton was hardly surprised that the policeman turned out to be a raider.
The raider-policeman laughed with evil, accusatory laughter. The friends were already calling for help, but it was too late. All the carriage windows had now closed shut. The carriage had transformed into a cage on wheels.
After a considerable time, traveling in silence, the trio arrived at some fortress, possibly a prison. Of course, no document checks took place. Instead, the friends were thrown into confinement so quickly that they couldn't even really comprehend how they went from the carriage to the cell.
This must be the New Geneva that that guy mentioned in the recording. - Charles pondered aloud, as if all this didn't affect him at all.
Harold merely stared in disbelief. And so they sat in that prison. They were too confused to realize that they should be afraid or react to their current situation. An hour passed in silence, talking about love and artistic nonsense. Their dialogue was interrupted by some footsteps outside.
Here is the translated text from Latvian to English:
---
"Hey, you down there!" - the Prince of Andorra called from the upper window.
"Prince, how did you find us?" - Herold sounded very relieved.
"There's no time to explain, I'll get us out of here right away." - the young prince whispered, so only his friends would hear him, not their enemies.
He pulled out a rusty pipe end from the corner and started to pry open the metal grates. The Andorran tried to find a way out; it came easily because the metal grates quickly yielded. The prince extended his hand so that Charles and Herold could both get outside into the fresh air.
"Who knew that a drainpipe could be SO useful!" - Herold complimented the monarch's ingenuity as the three of them ran down the rocky slope toward the bastion.
Bridgton threw a last glance back. There he noticed a large sign - "New Geneva." Then everything became clear.
"Prince, we will need your high-level guard." - Herold announced as they walked through the city streets.
"For what reason?" - the prince inquired.
"We are being pursued by some bad guys; they look like black knights." - Herold continued.
"Why didn't you say that right away? Good, when we get back to the ship, I will assign some guards for your safety." - said the prince, and he did just that.
Charles and Herold didn't leave the airship after the traumatic event. They stayed there until the end of the evening when the dirigible ascended above the Swiss mountains.
"Where to now?" - the Prince of Andorra asked his friends, who were each settled on their side.
"Hmm." - Herold pretended to think. - "I have always wanted to go to Rome."