Vol 2. Chapter 3: A Side Story (Iron Town)
Chapter 50: A Side Story (Iron Town)
The residents of Iron Town had been informed in advance. However, the announcement described something entirely unfamiliar, something no one had ever seen. When it finally appeared, the town fell into a state of half-panic.
“What... what is that?”
“Is that... a dragon!?”
It arrived with a low, resonant hum, akin to the buzz of insect wings but far deeper and heavier, reverberating in the pit of one’s stomach. At first, it appeared as a small dot in the distant sky, steadily and unmistakably drawing closer.
“Is it... small?”
“Listen to that sound!”
The townsfolk murmured among themselves, their eyes fixed on the object in the sky. Mining work had been canceled for the day, allowing nearly all the townspeople to gather outside to catch a glimpse of what was rumored to be Paraiso’s flying ship.
At first, it seemed unimpressive—small, even. But as it began to descend and circle lower, the crowd fell silent.
The flying machine, dubbed the Albatross, was said to be the bird that ferried the souls of the dead. At 35 meters long and 45 meters wide, it was a massive mechanical marvel. As it circled Iron Town with a thunderous roar, its sheer size and the imposing noise struck a primal fear in the hearts of the townsfolk.
“I heard wyverns sometimes appear in the northern mountains... They say they’re bigger than houses...”
“Bigger than houses... But this... this thing’s bigger than the forge!”