Precious had just reported a crucial piece of news when Yamato sprang up from the sofa.
"Heavenward! I'm ready!"
She moved almost without thinking, snatching up Genzo, the kanabo leaning against the sofa, and looking eagerly at Sephiroth.
"Which way is Waterwheel Island?!"
They called the six islands "nearby," but reaching them by ordinary sailing ship took anywhere from less than a day for the closest to seven or eight days for the farthest.
The main problem was the New World's unstable weather at sea. Sailing times depended on luck, too.
"The exact location is in the database. Take the Iron Cavalry, and you'll definitely make it in time."
The Thunderhawk, which Sephiroth had built out of personal interest using reverse-engineered lunar technology, was essentially a brick. With enough thrust to make that brick fly, even supersonic speeds were no problem.
The Iron Cavalry, improved by York, was even faster. Beyond its comprehensive upgrades, its aerodynamics were much more sound. It had gone from a flying brick to a proper fighter aircraft.
"Whoo! I ride to battle!"
Yamato answered cheerfully and strode out the door. Her footsteps quickly faded down the corridor.
Sephiroth could almost picture her shouting, "The enemy commander has fallen to my blade!"
"...Precious."
Sephiroth looked away from Yamato's departing figure and turned to Precious.
"Send Ulti an update on the situation, too. Have her meet Yamato in Hangar 3."
Page One had gone fishing and wasn't aboard the Silent Ship. Yamato was already impatient to leave.
With this sudden development, Sephiroth decided not to have Precious notify him.
To put it pragmatically, Page One's combat strength wouldn't make much difference there.
If anything genuinely went wrong, Sephiroth could teleport over at any time and provide backup.
"The message has already been sent, my lord."
Precious's diamond-shaped