At first, even traveling against the wind, the Gondola's speed was unaffected.
But as they ventured deeper into the sea of clouds, the wind grew stronger and more violent. Even after Angel activated the Gondola's headwind mode, the raging, howling gale forced it to slow down.
Fortunately, though its speed had decreased, it remained steady.
The Gondola sailed quietly against the wind, as though no matter how wild the surrounding gale became, it could not shake its stability.
Jieke, hanging from the gauze curtain, once again felt that its choice had been the right one. If it had been alone, let alone drifting all the way to Wind Island, the fierce winds winding through the sea of clouds would have been an impassable chasm. With its thin, wiry bean-vine body, it simply could not have ventured deep inside.
Half an hour later, the sky gradually began to darken, yet the gale showed no sign of abating.
Within this dim sea of clouds, the wind seemed to transform from something invisible into something tangible. Strands of scattered cloud vapor filled the air like clawing, writhing tentacles, layering themselves around the Gondola.
Dangros, who had been sitting beside the yellow-sand cage, shuddered and quietly shifted closer to Angel's hand. Not a wisp of wind had entered the Gondola, but the ghostly wails of the wind outside, coupled with the pitch-black sky and the ever-encroaching mist, made Dangros somewhat afraid.
Little Whirlwind Anoto, on the other hand, felt nothing at all. It even seemed to enjoy the gale's howl, and the moisture at the corners of its eyes had completely vanished.
"Does everyone heading to Wind Island have to pass through winds this strong?" Dangros asked curiously.
Anoto thought for a moment. "Yes. The White-White Cloud Sea contains a great many hurricanes, and