Chapter 366: How is the Ship's Quality?

“Indeed.”

Rosso nodded deeply in response, then raised his voice to address everyone.

“Thank you for waiting, everyone! Finally, the ship is complete by the power of Lord Van! This is an important prototype ship destined to make the future of our Kingdom brilliant! Consider it the highest honor to be present at this moment!”

When Rosso announced this, everyone cheered for the completion of the prototype ship.

Confirming this, Rosso raised one hand toward the ship.

“To the sea!”

“Sir!”

Responding to Rosso’s command, many knights, including Dee, removed the chains holding the ship in place.

At the same time, the ship began to move, sliding little by little toward the sea.

Mhm, mhm. It seems the ‘Operation Launch via Rail’ is a success. The ship was sucked splendidly into the sea, splashed into the water with momentum, and…… stopped?

“……It seems the angle of the rails was too shallow.”

Seeing the ship enter the water halfway and stop moving, Havel voiced a calm analysis.

“Ehh!? That’s such a bad omen!”

I raised both hands and screamed. Then, Panamera Carrera Cayenne approached me quietly, glancing sideways at the scene which had taken on an awkward atmosphere.

“……What do you intend to do?”

“Eh? Well, we have no choice but to push it out. If we insert a long pole underneath and utilize the principle of leverage……”

As I was having that exchange with Panamera Carrera Cayenne in a low voice, a hearty laugh suddenly rang out.

“Rest assured! This Dee is here for you!”

Turning around at those words, I saw Dee, shirtless for some reason, flexing his arm to make a bicep. Then, he began walking deliberately toward the ship. As everyone watched Dee’s back with wide eyes, Ortho took action next.

“I-I will help too!”

Saying that, Ortho quickly removed his cloak and armor, took off his shirt, and became shirtless as well.

“Ooh, Sir Ortho! That helps!”

“Leave it to me!”

The two exchanged words and pressed both hands against the stern of the ship, sandwiching it from both sides.

Superhuman strength and brute strength—a dream collaboration.

Thinking such silly thoughts, I watched the two-man human launch operation. Power flowed into the hands pushing the super-heavy large ship. Muscles bulged, and thick veins popped out. Even watching them made our shoulders tense up in sympathy.

“Hmph!”

“Nu, aaaaaah!”

Dee and Ortho put their strength into it in unison. Immediately, the ship shook.

“I-It moved……!”

“What incredible power!”

“I-Is this the power of a Dragon Slayer!”

Regardless of affiliation, all the knights watched the joint effort with sparkling eyes. Perhaps it was due to Dee’s alias. Everyone was voicing admiration without questioning the two’s actions, but I want them to think about it for a second.

I mean, can two humans really push a large ship that likely weighs as much as a medium-sized magic beast, just because it’s on rails? No, there is no way they can push it.

“……Are Dee and Mr. Ortho actually human?”

I involuntarily voiced such a thought. After all, the ship was now almost entirely floating on the sea.

“……Won’t you give me Sir Dee?”

“No.”

Panamera Carrera Cayenne seemed to share my sentiments; her eyes went round as she said something outrageous. When I immediately denied her, she laughed like a leaking breath as we watched Dee and Ortho high-five.

“Well, I suppose so. No one would let go of a subordinate like that.”

Panamera Carrera Cayenne leaked that comment mixed with a wry smile. However, I had to object to one thing.

“No, Dee is my family, so there is no giving or taking involved.”

“……Is that so. My apologies for that.”

When I conveyed my thoughts firmly, Panamera Carrera Cayenne apologized with unusual seriousness. While I was surprised by that, a severed head suddenly popped up near the ship floating in the sea.

“Is it done? Then, I shall check it underwater.”

“……Ah, Mr. Ladavista! Roger that!”

I had completely forgotten about the next step. Ladavista confirmed the next action, so I replied immediately. I had Havel check it on land, but I had planned to have it checked underwater at the end to see if there were any differences from the Kingdom of Fiesta’s large ship.

While Ladavista investigated the state of the ship underwater, we installed stairs on the pier so we could board. Once on board, we would attach a folding ladder, so this was just a temporary foothold.

Now then, maybe I should board and check the inside too.

Just as I thought that and started climbing the stairs, a voice called out to me from the sea surface.

“It seems slightly different from the ship I saw before.”

“Eh?”

Receiving that shocking statement from Ladavista, I involuntarily stopped my feet and turned around.

“Is something wrong with it?”

When I asked back, Ladavista brought his upper body out of the water, crossed his arms, and tilted his head.

“……I cannot say exactly where, but I feel that the sound produced when it receives waves is slightly different.”

“E-Ehh? That is…… what should we do……?”

To think the first prototype ship would fail before even setting sail. And I haven’t even boarded it yet……