I was Betrayed then Reincarnated as a Kitsune - Chapter 255: A Day of Sailing the Open Skies

Chapter 255: A Day of Sailing the Open Skies

[Luna POV]

Once the preparations were done, I started channeling mana into the ship, and it started lifting out of the water.  It was slow at first, but sped up once fully out of the water.  I then used some illusion magic to hide the ship so it wouldn’t scare anyone from the village that happened to see it.  Once we were high enough, I canceled the illusion hiding the ship and started sailing in the direction of the port city.

“Hey Velvet, how long do you think it’ll take us to get there?” (Luna)

“Hmm.  At the speed this flies, we’ll probably be there by tomorrow night or the morning after that.  Maybe earlier if we sail through the night.” (Velvet)

“Alright.  By the way, are you feeling better about flying on here now?” (Luna)

“Somewhat.  I’m more comfortable with it, but only if I don’t go and look over the edge of the ship.” (Velvet)

“Then can you go and help calm Mio down?  I’d give her something to let her fall asleep, but I actually don’t have anything for that.” (Luna)

“I’ll try to help her, but in my opinion, I don’t think her falling asleep will help in the long run.  Sleeping through a fear doesn’t help someone get over it, it just prolongs the issue.” (Velvet)

“Then do what you think is best.  Once I get us to a place where I can leave the steering up to an illusion, I’ll come and help as well.” (Luna)

Velvet nodded and went to where Mio was sitting.  Soleil and Ophidia also joined her and they got busy giving Mio reassurance.  Skadi on the other hand was walking around and periodically fixing something one of my illusions either missed or didn’t do correctly.  Like this several hours went by with nothing of note aside from a few instances of aerial marine(?) life coming over to inspect and fly(?), swim(?) around the ship.

‘Hey Tamamo, I don’t remember if I’ve asked this before, but are there any sky gods?’

{Not really.  The closest that come to that are me and Quetz.  You will be unofficially added to that when you ascend.}

‘Ahhh.  Does that mean I’ll also technically be a goddess of the night?  I mean, I know I won’t get that Authority since I already have three, but since stars are things that come out at night, it would make sense.’

{You can think of it that way.  Like you said, you won’t have the Authority, but you’ll be an honorary goddess of the night.}

‘Hehehe.  Then we’ll match.’

{Ufufufu.}

I enjoyed chatting with Tamamo when I noticed a slivery-white cloud was in the path the ship was going.  I was going to avoid it at first but decided against it when I notices that it was just a school of shrimp-like things.  The cloud split like the Red Sea when the ship got close and as the helm passed by, I grabbed one of the shrimp things out of the air.

{You’re going to try eating that, aren’t you.}

‘Yep.’

I took out some salt and a small amount of salt and pepper, peeled the shell off the thing, applied some lightning magic to cook it, applied the salt and pepper, and it was done.  I then threw it into my mouth.

“Hmmm.”

{How was it?}

“Bitter…with a hint of tang…followed by slight spiciness.  It was probably poisonous…Ugh.  And the aftertaste is horrible.  It’s like…I don’t know, but it’s gross.”

{Well, guess catching some of those is out of the question then.}

“Yep.  Though it also makes me want to see what the other things that call this place home taste like.”

{Have you tried butchering that large serpent yet?}

“Yeah.  After Skadi gave it a good kick.  By the way, remind me to keep Skadi from kicking things.  It won’t end well for others.”

{Noted, though you aren’t any better in that regard.}

“True.”

{Anyway, did you try eating the serpent yet?}

“No.  Though I guess I could try some now.”

I pulled out a small piece of the sky serpent and did the same thing I did with the shrimp thing.  When I threw it into my mouth, I was quite surprised.

“Hmm.  Still poisonous, but way better than that other thing.  I even think it tastes better that way, not that I would know any different.”

{I guess that means a lot of things that live in the sky are poisonous.}

“While I won’t say everything, you are probably right.  Though that begs the question of why we don’t see the corpses or blood of things that die up here on the ground.”

{Even I don’t know the answer to that, so I can’t really help with an explanation.  I don’t even know where to start considering the answer.}

“Hmmm.  Oh well, I’ll just chalk it up to a mystery of the world.  It’s more fun that way.”

{I agree.  What is life without some mystery to it after all.}

“Yep, yep.”

Another few hours passed, and I was finally comfortable enough to leave steering the ship up to an illusion.  I conjured one and then went below deck where everyone else was.  They were all sitting around a table with some simple dishes spread around.

“If you guys had food ready, you could have called me.” (Luna)

“We did nya.  You were too preoccupied with the helm and talking to Goddess Tamamo nya.” (Mio)

“You’re feeling good enough to talk Mio?” (Luna)

“Yeah nya.  While I won’t say I’m completely over my fear nya, it’s not as bad as it used to be nya.  Though I will still become a shaking mess if I go up top nya.” (Mio)

“Well, it’s still a good thing.” (Luna)

“Oh right, Luna, I saw you eating something earlier, what was it?” (Skadi)

“At first it was a shrimp thing that I managed to grab out of the air.  It was disgusting and poisonous.  I then tried some of that big snake from last time.  It was way better, but still poisonous.” (Luna)

“How poisonous are we talking here, master?” (Ophidia)

“No clue.” (Luna)

“Big sis, is there something you needed?” (Soleil)

“Not really, I just wanted to take a break.  While it is fun to sail the ship, it’s also a bit boring just staring at sky, clouds, and wood for hours on end.” (Luna)

“I could take over for you if you want, you know.” (Skadi)

“If you want to, feel free to.  Right now there is an illusion up there, but I can always dispel it.” (Luna)

“Then I think I will.” (Skadi)

Skid got up from her seat and went up top.  Ophidia followed shortly after saying she wanted to watch Skadi and possibly learn how to sail as well.  I grabbed a small piece of bread that was on the table.

“Mio, what can you tell us about your parents?” (Luna)

“They’re just my parents nya.  Last I heard nya, dad was a shipbuilder nya, and mom runs a flower shop that is also a pharmacy nya.” (Mio)

“What are their names?” (Velvet)

“Mom’s nyame is Cleo nya, and dad’s is Dio nya.” (Mio)

When I heard Mio’s father’s name, I almost choked on the bread I was eating.

“What’s wrong nya?” (Mio)

“*cough, cough*  Nothing, don’t mind me.” (Luna)

The three of them stared at me strangely for a second before deciding that it wasn’t worth thinking about it.

“Anyway nya, they are really laid-back people nya.  I’m sure they’ll love all of you when you meet them nya.  Also, Lunya…” (Mio)

“I know, I’ll set up a domain for you and Fenrir.  Just tell me when.” (Luna)

“Thanks nya.” (Mio)

“Oh right, speaking of parents, Velvet, I’ve met your mom, but what about your dad?” (Soleil)

“…” (Velvet)

I was curious about this as well.  Velvet never talks about her dad ever.  I could think of several reasons for this, but I never asked since I didn’t want to trouble Velvet if it was one of those reasons.

“Let’s not talk about that right now.  I’ll tell you about him later, but not right now.” (Velvet)

After those words, an awkward silence filled the room.  Soleil looked a bit distressed since she brought up a tough topic for Velvet and me and Mio had no idea what to say to break the ice.  Velvet had a far away look in her eyes but snapped out of it shortly after.  She looked at the three of us and tried to fix the atmosphere.

“Um…So, um…” (Velvet)

Velvet was panicking, so I decided to change the subject.

“How do we want to handle tonight?  We can either stay in the air, or find a body of water and stay there for the night.” (Luna)

“Depends, does the ship constantly drain mana from you to stay flying?” (Soleil)

“Not really.  I don’t know if that’s just because of my infinite mana or not though.  For all I know, it could be taking such a small amount that I can’t notice it.  Or it could be that every time I initially pour mana into the ship to get it to fly, it runs on that mana and then stops when it runs out.  I think it’s probably the first thing though.” (Luna)

“Then why don’t we just stay up here tonight?  It’d be more trouble to find a body of water deep enough for the ship just for the night.” (Velvet)

“I agree nya.  While the thought of the ship falling from the sky while you sleep is terrifying nya, I’ll place my trust in you nya.” (Mio)

“Then I guess it’s decided.  Have you picked rooms yet?” (Luna)

All three of them nodded.  I then stood up from the table to go and tell Skadi and Ophidia what we decided.  When I got back up top, the sun had set, and the moon was rising into the sky.  I smiled at the sight before making my way to Skadi and Ophidia.

“How’s it going?” (Luna)

“Smoother than sailing the sea.  Though I do wish there was a bit of rocking.” (Skadi)

“We also saw a giant thing earlier.  It looked like…what did you call it, Skadi?” (Ophidia)

“A whale.  Though it was different than any whale I’ve seen before.  It had a horn on its head.  And it looked sharp too.” (Skadi)

“Huh, a sky narwhal.  Interesting.” (Luna)

“Did you need something from one of us?” (Skadi)

“I was here to tell you two that we decided to stay in the air for the night.  We can stop whenever and I’ll set up a barrier since we won’t be moving.” (Luna)

“Then shall we stop here?” (Ophidia)

“Sure.  Luna, the sails please.” (Skadi)

My illusions got to work folding up the sails and we started to slow down.  When the ship came to a complete stop, I snapped my fingers and a space barrier spread around the ship.  Skadi nodded at my work before she and Ophidia went below deck.  Once I double checked everything, I went to the captain’s cabin and locked the door.  I set up a domain and Tamamo appeared.  Instead of wearing her usual clothes, she was wearing something much better for the current situation.

“Oh?  This is different, not that I’m complaining.”

{And better yet, they’re real as well.}

“Fufufu.”

{What are you just standing and staring for?  Are you going to take these off of me or not?}

“All in due time, Tamamo.”

I walked up to her and started to kiss her while simultaneously conveying all the frustration she placed on me every morning for the past few days.

Chaos Realm:

Atmos: Payto, how much longer?

Soon.

Atmos: That doesn’t answer my question.

Well it’s the answer you got.  Calm down.  And get Grey here already, he’s needed to make this work.

Atmos: I’ll be back then.

*Atmos instantly vanishes*

Order: Is that actually true?

No, but she hasn’t stopped asking the same question all day and I got fed up with it.  Plus Grey should be here anyway, it’s his parents after all.

Order: True.  And where did Fenrir go?

To Tamamo’s place.  She got there just after Tamamo left, so expect her to show up again soon.

Fenrir: I’m back, Tamamo wasn’t home.

See.

Fenrir: What?