Chapter 61: Sky Fortress Eeza: A Moment of Peace

This is our airship.

Hey, can you really carry the whole pack of us up into the sky with this thing?

If you're speaking of seating capacity, it shouldn't be a problem.

This is the latest model of airship. It won't drop out of the sky, even loaded up with this many people.

The latest model, eh? Where in the world does the Chrono Clan get its funding, I wonder?

That is a business secret. And that's enough talk for now. Let's head for Eeza.

Well, don't be shy. Climb right in.

Welcome to the floating Sky Fortress, Eeza!

It sounds like you bumped into Mildy and Clughorn once before and had a bit of a misunderstanding... But why don't we think of that incident as water under the bridge, and start over with a clean slate?

As I was saying before, we are currently investigating the Goddess of Time, like you. We'd like to ask for your help. The Goddess of Time is a very intriguing entity, of great interest to us Neohumans. What manner of being is the Goddess of Time? The Goddess, and paradise... What is the truth hidden behind them?

All right, but we're not planning on joining the Chrono Clan, understand?

Yes, that's a conversation for another time. For now, why don't you have a look around Eeza at your leisure? We'll be in the new church on the highest level of Eeza, so you can find us there if you need anything. We need to start examining the Book of the Time Dream. If you need to leave Eeza, go ahead and use the airship, I don't mind. It will transport you on autopilot, but the pre-programmed destinations are limited.

Got it.

Well then, we'll see you later. Mildy, Clughorn, let's go.

Bye, Amy.

So long.

All right. Let's have a quick look around Eeza, shall we?

I wonder what kind of place this is?

I have not yet acquired any data about Eeza. However, they say one good look is worth more than a hundred scraps of deersay!

They spoke of a New Church, did they not? Does that mean that the Chapel of the Goddess of Time has been re-established, here? By the way, I believe the word you're looking for is "hearsay," Riica.

If we're exploring Eeza, I'll be your guide. I've come here plenty of times for work.

Yay! Thank you, Kikyo!

Well then, let's get going!

So, this is Eeza, huh? All right! Let's go, everybody. We might as well take our time exploring until the Chrono Clan crew finishes examining the Book of the Time Dream.

This is the KMS Eastern Division.

They have an advanced security system running, so it's better not to try and get too close.

It seems to be set up so that the automatic defense lasers will activate if anyone enters without the correct protocols.

I see. So, they don't like guests dropping in on them unannounced, huh? Better not butt in where we're not wanted.

This is the New Chapel for the Goddess of Time.

It looks like the Chapel of the Goddess of Time where people worshiped on the surface for eons was rebuilt in Eeza.

So Kamlanage and the Chrono Clan have been using it as their base of operations?

I guess... I don't know much about those guys, either. Or their goals, or what kind of group they might be.

Imagine having such a magnificent church as your base... The Chrono Clan is amazing.

How about we let them examine the Book of the Time Dream, while we explore Eeza a little more?

Oho...are you travelers? My, my, you're quite the unusual rogue's gallery, aren't you! Let me see...the fellow with the horns must be a beast, eh? Didn't realize there were any of your folk left! I thought you'd all perished ages and ages ago... Good gracious me, what a surprise...

You're quite right, sir. I am a beast. Although my personal situation is not quite what you might be thinking. However, there are certainly still beasts surviving and thriving on the surface, even to this day.

I see, I see... So, they eke out a living on the polluted surface, eh? My goodness, that is quite a feat! But seeing those horns on your head mainly brings back memories of one particular man, for me. He had two horns growing from his forehead... They called him the Demon.

The Demon?! Hang on, Mister! Who was this guy they called the Demon?

Now, listen, this is just between us, eh? They called him the Hyperspeed Demon... Back in the day, he took a stand against KMS, then vanished. The official story was that he'd been captured and executed... But as a matter of fact, he isn't dead yet.

The Hyperspeed Demon is alive?! No, it can't be!

Huh? What's wrong, Kikyo? Do you know this Hyperspeed Demon guy?

The man they called the Hyperspeed Demon was my father!

What?!

He was captured six years ago, and I heard they executed him right away...

Oh! Young lady...you mean, you're the Hyperspeed Demon's daughter?!

Yes.

What you said just now...is it true? Is...is my father really alive?

Hmm...I see... So, you're...his daughter? Very well. It must be fate that we met like this. I'll tell you everything, child. Your father is alive. He wasn't executed. He's still being held captive in a cell aboard the Prison Ship Gulfagin, floating in the darkest regions of the sky.

The Prison Ship... Gulfagin...

Mmm... At the time, I was assigned as a laborer aboard the Gulfagin. Your father was housed in a special cell, and I caught a glimpse of him now and then. It seemed like KMS couldn't execute him, for some unknown reason. They seemed prepared to keep him imprisoned in total secrecy forever.

My father... My father is alive!

A man who rebelled against KMS... Hah! He sounds like an interesting fellow.

If he had horns on his forehead, then perhaps he was a descendent of Suzaku or his demon followers? But you seem to be a normal human, Kikyo... He doesn't seem likely to be related to the Imp Clan down on the surface, but...

Hey, Aldo...

Yeah, of course.

Kikyo! Let's go to the Prison Ship Gulfagin! All this is making me want to meet him, too... Your dad... The man they called the Hyperspeed Demon! Plus, why exactly was KMS so obsessed with your dad? Now I can't stop wondering about that, either... Why are they keeping him prisoner and not telling anybody? What in the world happened between KMS and your dad?

Yes! I was hoping you'd say that, Aldo! Let's go!

All right! If we're all decided, then let's borrow the clan's airship! If we use that ship, then we might be able to fly over to the Gulfagin with its autopilot.

The Gulfagin is no longer in active use. I hear it's full of prowling monsters and old mechanical prison guards, and has become quite dangerous. Please, be very careful.

Got it! We'll see you later, Mister.

Thank you so much for telling me about this, sir. I never dared to imagine my father might still be alive.

Oh, child, there's no need to thank me. I'll be praying for you and your father to meet again.

Yes, sir!