Chapter 82: Battleship

“All-nighter it is.” Not my first, neither my last. Having disposable body’s really makes you care less about your physical wellbeing. Body maintenance is important irrespective of replaceability; I still shower, brush my teeth, and other basic activities. Things like eating unhealthy food, neglecting proper exercise, and doing activities that negatively impact your health; all things I don’t care too much about given my body is completely replaceable.

So, as much as feeling tired sucks, I’m feeling an all-nighter is the best choice. Better to get big jobs done earlier, rather than later. ‘crack’ as I stretch my achy joints, “let's get started.”

This structure needs to prioritize strength, durability, and destructive capability over other aspects. Settling on a 2-tiered ship with side-mounted cavities for weapons to be installed, got to love a good battleship.

I admire the appearance of ships so bias is seeping into my design ideas. Collecting a rather large quantity of obsidian along with wood and stone before getting to work. Beginning by making an obsidian skeleton to base the structure around. A glorified spiky circle running a circuit through the front and back of the ship with offshoots for stability.

Next, with wood, I begin to make the outer shell of the structure. Focusing on general shape before adding complex changes. Creating a large bottom base before adding a smaller top base within the center. The whole structure is massive so the side difference allows for large space on top of the vessel, both on the walkway paths to the sides of the smaller inner segment and at the front of the back. Both having large open space for weapons; having kept both structures a rough oval shape with the bottom base having a large curved bottom.

Flattening out the floors with balloons and filling them in completely into 3 segments divided by both obsidian and stone. Covering over top with wood to create the absolute bottom floor, before breaking holes into the walls. Making large circular openings in the walls before creating a large open room around said openings with doors to create weapon chambers with easy access. Each chamber was primarily made of stone for stability and its fire-retardant capabilities. The center of each room has a small X of obsidian for the weapon to be mounted on.

Leaving any further alterations to later, I head above deck. Ignoring the second tier of the structure and focusing primarily on the empty space on top of the bottom base of the ship. Creating similar Obisidans X’s across the deck while surround said obsidian with stone to create gun platforms. The ones at the back and front were raised a few blocks, the inner cavity is stuffed with balloons.

Above the second floor of the ship hosts 2 massive platforms designed for extremely powerful artillery. Making the majority of the top floor a combination of obsidian and stone; safety first. Heading into the second floor I begin to segment it into separate rooms with 3 thick wooden walls. Inbetween houses more balloons of course; the damn thing needs to float after all. I create a few barracks for sleeping within along with a kitchen, living room, and a multipurpose dining and gaming area. All the remaining space was converted into empty rooms for storage.

Heading back down to the bottom floor, I create large stone pillars, housing massive quantities of balloons while also dividing up the floor into more manageable segments. Adding some storage along with a room in the middle for whatever purpose is needed.

Heading back above the entire ship, between the 2 heavy artillery platforms I create a small tower. Hosting an obsidian and stone room with slitted glass windows, a ladder allows for access to the enclosed room. Using this structure, I create a second floor for it above the viewing area housing a large bed and comfortable room for the captain. Within the looking area, the helm will rest with all its direction tools.

I also allowed access to above the tower, enclosed in fences for safety. It may very well be needed for figuring out with direction to go… or just the view; a very good view. Finally, at my last room pass, I add a few high-valued basic roomed throughout for either guests or important crewmembers.

With the inner workings of the ships complete I begin to strip away some wood in favor of adding stone. While doing this obsidian is added in places such as around the weapon platforms, the front of the vessel, and the back in case of oncoming fire. Allowing my creative flare to take hold I go around, adding little bits here and there to improve its aesthetical appearance. Painting the whole damn vessel, a deep military black; even with a big brush and flight, it took half the night.

Looking over my structure and smiling at how it appears, I should add some more balloons just in case. Flying around and finding any free space I possibly could to add balloons before making 2 wings on either side of the vessel's main deck out of balloons. They also double as docking platforms; you can never be too careful. I was careful with the wings to make them wide instead of long to not interfere with the guns.

With that I think it's complete, taking the helm to make sure the damn thing flies… which it does. Although it's ever so slightly slower, likely due to the obsidian. How odd, it's my first time spotting weight affecting the speed; good to know.

Ideally, we could use corvettes with a heavy gun on top and covered by obsidian. Fast, dangerous, and durable; although damned expensive too.

Looking down from the vessel I spot the Mayor, who is whistling in appreciation at the behemoth I've just created. Flying down to meet the man, “Hey; how are you doing?”

He looks over me calculatingly before speaking, “I’m good, pretty impressive making those 2 in 12 hours.”

“Thank you,” nodding in appreciation for the compliments.

“Sadly, we can't pump out these ships nearly as fast, not because builders aren’t as fast as you. We simply need to pay the workers, buy the materials and have them follow a strict plan. It slows the process down a lot.”

Looking towards the town I see a large group of muscular men in glasses approaching the vessel. The mayor turns to them with a slight smile, “They're here, early too; how rare.”

“Who are they?” I ask in curiosity.

“They will optimize the structure before creating a blueprint.”

“Interesting, can I help in any way?”

“No” he replies sharply. “You would make things harder. They are skilled in making blueprints specifically designed to be easy and simple to follow.” His eyes drooping ever so slightly, “damned expensive too. Got em teleported here for haste, cost me a pretty penny.”

“Wait, you guys have a teleportation network?” Mind spinning at the thought of having walked when I needed to go somewhere… well flew but the same point.

“No, of course not. I just paid a mage to transport the group from a larger town.”

“Makes sense, are mages expensive?” Fishing for a bit of info about this world's mages, I've seen a distinct lack of them.

“Depends on the type, generally you don’t know how their magic works but if you say I want you guys to do this or that; they figure it out. I said, move this group of people to my town within 16 hours and they billed me a price.” He visibly deflates at the thought of the cost.

Realizing I neglected an important point, “How much do I need to put forward for this project?

“Raw materials would help, along with some rare materials to help fund the labor costs. Just throw me some diamonds and as much of the building materials as you can spare.”

Reasonable I suppose, “Here,” as I hand him a large handful of diamonds. The whole stack is likely worth around 5-10 gold.

“Thanks,” He says before pocketing them. It's terrifying how little materials are valued sometimes. I would expect diamonds to be worth a fortune but no… they are on the lower end of the spectrum to value. In fact, within this country, rare ores are far more expensive. Apparently, the imperial empire has fewer metals and minerals within the soil.

Nothing compared to the earthen empire who are positively filled to the brim with ores both rare and common. It’s the reason the technological and magical divide is so large, resource demand. This empire here is sat on far more magical materials, crystals, and a whole host of other stuff. Also, it seems the magic density is higher, likely due to a large number of forests and greenery throughout.

Looking through a book gave me a lot to learn about the neighboring empire and its black mountains. Itching to visit the place because of pure curiosity alone; it sounds exciting with all that advanced technology.

One day I’ll have internet and proper tv… one day.

Looking over I see the mayor staring at me, why? Wait I've been sat here in my whole world for ages haven’t I? “Crap, sorry I was lost in my own world. Anyway, I should get going; good luck with the blueprints.” I say quickly before hightailing my ass out of there in embarrassment.

Finding myself home before I even knew it, spotting a familiar face walking near my house – Andira.

Unable to resist the pretty face. “Hi, why are you up so late?” Asking, fully aware it's just about 3 in the morning or some other stupid o clock time.

She turns to me with a dazzling, although tired smile. “Had to get some late-night shopping.”

Raising an eyebrow, “Stores are open at this time of night?”

She doesn’t even flinch, “Some.”

I just shrug, it's odd but I don’t know the place that well.

“Originally, the bed was my destination but would you like to join me for some evening tea?”

“Sure you don’t want me to join you towards that destination?” She says with a smirk before laughing. I quickly follow suit laughing, although a little curious how serious she was about that. Although I’m far too tired for nightly activities this night; id collapse from exhaustion. “Sure, tea sounds nice.” She says with a far more genuine tone.

Walking inside I begin to prepare some tea, “What tea do you want?”

Placing her hand over her face, covering her red lips. “Just normal tea today, don’t want to be up all night after all.”

“Very well,” I say before quickly preparing the teas. Heating the mugs before placing the tea within. “Sugar?”

“No, trying to keep my sugar down at the moment.”

Looking over her before slightly laughing, “Why are you reducing your sugar, you look great!” I say in slight exasperation.

She blushes ever so slightly, “Thanks for noticing but this figure requires some work, mostly squats and low amounts of sugar.”

It's my turn to blush, rushing to serve the teas; placing them down with a loud ceramic ‘bang.’

In comfortable silence, we enjoy the teas before settling down in each other's company for a time.

“How did you become a witch anyway?” Curiosity spiking for some reason.

She leans back in comfort, mulling over her thoughts for a moment. “I lost my family… a long time ago; I was an orphan bouncing from street to street to family to family. Eventually, I turned to thievery and grew up quickly. It was hard, but I grew stronger through it. Coming across a store one day, it had a whole bunch of rare herbs. I walked in, asking for a job; apprentice kind of thing. I had full intention to clean it out and sell it for profit but I quickly fell in love with the job. It was by normal standards mundane, repetitive but talking to people; trying to sell stuff, and caring for plants… it stole my heart in a way.”

She takes a moment to breathe, thinking long about what to say. I stay silent in attention and attempting not to distract her.

Eventually collecting her thoughts, she speaks. “The woman who ran the place, she was part of the covern. As I spent more and more time working at the job and moving up in value so to speak. She eventually brought me into the covern. Small things at first, deliveries; got me accustomed to seeing people within it, they were very friendly. They pretty much raise me through my late teenage years, which I am thankful for; mellowed me out a little. I used to lash out too much, hurt someone important once.”

Done with her short story, “I suppose that’s one way to get into a covern, I expected more…”

“Ritual sacrifice?” She interjects before we both start giggling. She has a good sense of humor.

“No, well I did expect more stringent requirements I suppose. Thanks, it was interesting and enlightening. Sorry about your parents… it’s a shame.”

The silence didn’t last long, “Don’t worry about it, they are a ghost of a memory; I was barely able to talk in full sentences when they moved on.”

After some short small talk, she bid farewell in favor of actually getting to bed before passing out.

I did the same; falling onto my bed and stepping into dreamland.