The trial flight preparations for the Big Salted Fish proceeded in an orderly fashion.
Chief airship mechanic Franky led the crew responsible for piloting the airship aboard one by one, while the ground staff busied themselves with final inspections and maintenance.
Conquering the skies had always been humanity's dream.
Setting aside all other factors, simply soaring among the clouds with one's companions was an extraordinarily romantic thing.
So Garen and the others treated this trial flight as a company vacation. Aside from Nami, the meteorologist responsible for forecasting the weather, Vivi and Robin, who had nothing to do with the flight itself, were also invited to enjoy an airborne holiday.
Although the Big Salted Fish used relatively safe helium, the risks of its first test flight could not possibly be small. Still, Garen was not afraid.
Because he had an unlimited-firepower version of Geppo and could serve as an airborne lifeguard in an emergency.
When the time came, he could hold Nami in his left arm, Vivi in his right, and carry Robin on his back. That would be just enough to save all three of his companions.
As for what would happen to Franky, the mechanic traveling with them?
Life and death were fated; wealth and honor were up to heaven.
Ahem.
Franky was a scientist who had mastered core technology. Why would he need a brute like Garen to look after him?
While developing the airship, Franky had also invented parachutes and gliders for emergency use, as well as short-range rocket packs powered by cola fuel.
After a flurry of activity, the crew and ground staff finally completed all the preparations.
Standing before the airship, Garen was full of high spirits as he grandly declared,
"Onward, into the endless azure!"
"Big Salted Fish—"
His momentum ran out halfway