Ch.272Mountain Piercing the Clouds. Seraphim Floating Mountain Range (1)

“Wow. What a spectacular view.”

I whistled, gazing at the elegant scene of clouds draped across the middle of the mountain range dispersing into mist.

I had seen clouds like cotton candy once from the peak of the Crusis Mountains, only to forget about it afterward.

Now, after having grasped countless horizons, that day’s impression had already become a memory that had passed to the other side of recollection.

Why does time fly so fast!

It seems like just yesterday I was lamenting the summer heat, yet already snow was swirling in the world, announcing winter’s severity.

“My goodness. I’m already getting excited. Let’s sell our trade goods quickly and explore.”

“I agree. With the shuttle available, we can take our time looking around.”

I nodded at Simon’s words.

On the flight deck consisting of 100 military shuttles and one luxury cruise shuttle, pilots would already be preparing the shuttle exclusively for our party.

[This is Seraphim Floating Mountain Range Immigration Control. Identify the name and affiliation of the approaching vessel.]

As we approached their airspace, air traffic controllers contacted us as usual, and our communications officers began conversing with them.

“This is the Sky Warden. Flagship of the Solar Army. An Apostle is on board, so show proper respect.”

[…Are you certain an Apostle is on board?]

Twitch.

The doubt in those words makes me slightly uncomfortable.

Come on, test your faith. Your answer will determine whether this place remains a floating mountain range or becomes a ruined one.

“That’s correct. Have you not heard of the Sun’s resurrection?”

The communications officer’s tone carries a trace of faint devotion.

I hide my laughter that threatens to burst out, and instead look at them with an expression of approval.

[No. We are aware. O Apostle of the Sun. Welcome to Seraphim.]

After receiving a nudge to accept their bow, I watched as the Sky Warden was moored to the docking tower and then left the bridge.

This time, I will not be leaving through the docking tower.

-Notice: Inspectors boarding. All personnel remain at current positions.-

As usual, inspectors began boarding, and upon seeing me, they knelt to show respect.

“Respect to the one who has ascended to the Apostle’s seat. Welcome to Seraphim.”

“Rise. You shall fulfill your duty, and I hereby grant you the right to inspect my vessel.”

“Thank you for your kindness. Then…”

“Hmm.”

I left the inspectors behind and led my party members down to the flight deck.

Since we were still floating in the sky, numerous personnel were working on the exposed flight deck, facing strong headwinds.

“My lord.”

“Is the shuttle ready?”

“Yes. We’re preparing to unload cargo, and currently loading the ingots onto the shuttle.”

“Well done. We will go down to examine the buyers. You fulfill your duties so that the ingots can be transported immediately when we call.”

“It shall be done. Take care, my lord.”

I nodded and boarded the luxury shuttle exclusively for the Iron Walker party.

Iron Walker party…

A term that comes to mind after a very long time.

Sun above… I’ve become so consumed by divinity that I’m even forgetting the name of the party I created.

“Is everyone aboard?”

“Yes.”

“Then we’ll depart. Control room. This is Shuttle 1. VIPs are all aboard. Request permission to launch.”

[This is control. Permission granted.]

Clunk! Clunk!

Upon receiving permission, the restraints holding the shuttle were released, and the pilot skillfully adjusted altitude while operating the airship.

“Where would you like to go?”

“Let’s first cruise along the mountain range. Drive close to the clouds.”

“Understood. Close to the clouds.”

Gradually increasing thrust, the shuttle drove to an altitude where we could look up at the clouds.

It was incredibly beautiful—peaks piercing through clouds, forests hidden by mist, and sunlight streaming down from above.

The canopy of trees visible through the fog-like clouds. The pristine snow and glaciers on the mountain range reflecting light serenely… and beneath them, the pure foam of rivers and waves flowing down…

“Beautiful…”

“Ah, indeed. Look, a rainbow is appearing.”

The sight of waterfalls flowing from the mountain range suspended in the sky down to the ground was truly fantastic.

I was particularly fascinated by that waterfall.

It seemed quite strange that in what must be a closed ecosystem with limited water on a floating mountain range, water could still pour out so abundantly.

How can nature’s cycle be so majestic and perfect?

This too is possible only because of the Sun, the source and foundation of light and heat.

Damn it. There I go again, Your Majesty. I must worship.

*

“Landing now.”

For about four hours, we had traversed the skies of the Seraphim Floating Mountain Range, feasting our eyes.

Now it was time to discuss business, so I instructed the pilot to land. After briefly communicating with the control tower, the pilot landed the shuttle at a nearby landing pad, and we disembarked to leisurely walk the streets.

“The people here seem very relaxed.”

“That’s because they have no worries! How could they see the troubles of the world below from up here in the sky?”

“True…”

Lucia is right.

On the ground, one would encounter monsters and bands of thieves, and become entangled in the diplomatic and political logic of other nations and organizations.

But living in the sky, who could touch them?

Attempting to colonize this scenery in the sky, which would hardly yield any profit, would only bring the dishonor of having trampled those living in peace.

“Peace obtained through escape… truly a paradise.”

The saying that there’s no paradise in the place you flee to is usually a lie.

It’s a saying invented for self-comfort by those who have no paradise to escape to.

Who could blame those who sought peace by fleeing war?

Those who criticize people who have turned swords into plowshares must surely be those without a patch of land to till, I thought as I admired the faces of the leisurely passersby while accepting a communication from the division commander.

[My lord. Is this a good time to communicate?]

[Yes. What is it?]

[We’ve found a buyer for the ingots. It’s a state-owned enterprise, and they’re offering double the price specially because the ingots come from an Apostle.]

[Double? So how much is that?]

[For all the ingots, they’re offering 2.3 million.]

[In gold coins?]

[Yes.]

[Wait a moment.]

I briefly cut the communication and relayed the information to Simon.

“2.3 million coins. Doesn’t seem like a bad price.”

“Really?”

“If it’s about twice the price, that’s definitely profitable. Even for an Apostle, dishonest profit brings more harm than good. Besides, raw material prices aren’t that high. That amount is quite generous.”

“Then we should accept it…”

“Yes. Above all, I like that it’s a state-owned enterprise. They wouldn’t dare play tricks on an Apostle in the name of the state.”

“Hmph. That’s true.”

A state’s name isn’t something to be used carelessly.

Lending a name incorrectly can lead to consequences ranging from small guarantees to all-out war between nations. There have been many cases where staking a nation’s name and prestige has led to complete downfall.

If they investigate me, they’ll know I turned Long Legs into past tense, so they won’t try any foolish tricks.

[It’s me. Proceed as planned. Order the chief of staff to act as my proxy in drafting the contract.]

[Understood, my lord.]

“Good. That gives us 2.3 million gold coins. I’m very pleased.”

This is how money makes money.

Although repairing and improving the Sky Warden required many resources, we’re still extracting much more profit than that.

This is what they call seed money.

“I would have succeeded as a merchant too.”

“Oh my… would you have no one to talk to without this old man?”

“What are you saying? If I were a merchant, Simon would naturally be my finance manager. I’d never let you go.”

“Ugh, disgusting. What are you two bearded men doing?”

“Ah… don’t you know? This is what they call ‘camaraderie’!”

I grabbed his arm and shook it while exclaiming to Lucia.

Simon is invincible, and I am an Apostle.

“But why don’t you show me any camaraderie? That’s discrimination!”

“Only when your blood alcohol level reaches 0% will you receive my downward love!”

I retorted, pointing at the bottle of alcohol in her left hand.

Only by escaping the control of mind-numbing beverages can you earn my favor!

“Please say something possible!”

“Why is that impossible?! Just don’t drink alcohol!”

“That’s impossible!”

Lucia said as she gulped down her bottle.

Kasia sighed and quietly started drinking from her own bottle, and I shook my head with a sigh.

Where is the liver cancer fairy? Not coming for these elves…