Chapter 237: Direction of Travel

"Boom, boom, boom..."

Twisting the throttle of this "motorcycle" and listening to the roar of the alchemical engine, Wang Yu rubbed his chin.

The crude, steampunk-styled machine before him, devoid of any ornamentation, was something he had fashioned with his own hands using the Power of the Chariot, under Avia's precise direction.

Having awakened the Chariot ability, paired with the Knight's incredibly precise bodily control, Wang Yu had effectively become a human industrial lathe—one of such absurd capability that he could perform operations entirely unimaginable to modern industry.

"Does it feel... successful?"

Wang Yu asked with some uncertainty. Although he had hand-crafted this alchemical vehicle, he was a total novice in the discipline of alchemy. Even with the girl guiding him every step of the way, he couldn't be sure he had truly succeeded.

The propped-up machine's wheels spun at high speed. Inside the engine, the magic power, channeled through the runes Avia had inscribed, converted into a hybrid force of fire and wind elements, simulating the roles that cylinders and pistons play in a combustion engine.

"An interesting concept. By utilizing a special structure to convert the application of magical force, it becomes far more efficient and practical. This mode of transport should prove quite effective."

Zieg examined the machine as it underwent its test run, offering his assessment with genuine interest.

As a professor of vast knowledge, Zieg had watched Wang Yu shape the parts piece by piece with his ability and assemble them; he had already grasped the working principles of the alchemical vehicle and had high expectations for its performance.

"It's a success. Wang Yu, I watched you shape every single part, and I didn't find any flaws. I must say, your ability is exceptionally well-suited for alchemy. I'll need your help often in the future."

Avia extended her spiritual sense to inspect the most critical component—the magic fluctuations within the engine—and nodded, confirming that this prototype "alchemical motorcycle" was a genuine success.

"As expected of you. I suppose I'll have to study more alchemical theory then."

Wang Yu gave the girl a thumbs-up. It was just like Avia; she had managed to realize the motorcycle—a concept Wang Yu had only vaguely described to her—using alchemical techniques without wasting much time.

This made Wang Yu realize he needed to learn more alchemical theory to complement his role as a "human lathe," while simultaneously feeling an itch to test out this rugged machine.

One of a man's hobbies is racing; even in a different world, that urge remained as constant as the need for good food.

"Give it a try."

Sensing Wang Yu's undisguised excitement, the girl smiled and patted the machine, lowering it from the stand to the ground.

"Let's go."

Mounting the bike and placing his hands on the grips, the rough texture could not mask the strange comfort this alchemical machine provided. With a simple brake and throttle, and no flashy, unnecessary parts, he easily found his balance and twisted the handle.

Magic reacted within the engine, and the hybrid wind and fire elements transmitted a powerful force to the wheels, causing them to spin rapidly against the ground and propel the machine forward.

"Whoosh!"

Wang Yu was confident in the sturdiness of the machine he had hand-built. Without the delicate maintenance required by Earth's motorcycles, he twisted the throttle to the max. With a roar, the alchemical bike surged forward at high speed.

"Whoosh!"

On a small path in the forest, the machine thundered along, weaving through the trees at a reckless pace. The wind whipped past Wang Yu's face, letting him feel the raw power of the vehicle.

Lacking a suspension system, the bike bounced wildly on the uneven forest trail, the seat hammering against his backside. Had Wang Yu not been a formal Knight, he would surely have been bruised and battered.

"This speed is decent—a bit slower than me at full sprint, but it can maintain this pace indefinitely. And this is just the prototype; the future is promising, truly promising."

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Wang Yu enjoyed the thrill, which felt much like racing on Earth. Contemplating the prospects of the alchemical bike, he found the experience of racing through this world on such a machine quite marvelous.

Wang Yu's keen vision captured the forest's details; he could see various predatory magical beasts hiding in the woods, startled by the machine's immense noise and magical fluctuations, cautiously keeping their distance.

"Ho, so it has this benefit too. Most ordinary magical beasts won't dare provoke this thing. To them, it must look like a beast that moves incredibly fast and possesses a strong magical bloodline."

Driving at maximum speed, with the magic engine roaring, Wang Yu navigated the treacherous path. A rider from Earth would have crashed instantly, but with the terrifying reaction speed of a high-ranking formal Knight, Wang Yu avoided every accident.

But luck can be fickle. As he sped through a thicket of overgrown brush, the path ahead suddenly vanished.

In its place was a tangled mass of vines, blocking the way completely.

This was normal; in an unmaintained wild forest, magical plants grew rampantly, and it was entirely possible for them to block a path within a single day.

"Time to turn back."

Muttering to himself, Wang Yu casually raised his right hand and flicked it. Blood appeared from his arm, driven by the Bloody Rage Wind Knight secret technique, forming several threads that shot toward the tangled vines.

As the blood threads touched the vines and spread, Wang Yu, riding toward the barrier, snapped his fingers: Cursed Fire.

The blood ignited instantly, serving as fuel for a flame that fed on life force. The ghostly green fire raced along the blood threads, incinerating the vines and everything the blood had touched.

"Boom!"

With the aid of the blood, the ghostly green flames surged over the vine pile, turning the obstacle into ash that drifted away in the wind before Wang Yu could collide with it.

The bike sped through the clearing of ash, and Wang Yu leaned the body of the bike to prepare for a turn.

The forest path offered no space for a U-turn. Attempting to force one on such a narrow trail would surely send him flying into the woods or crashing into rocks.

Wang Yu didn't care for such trifles. If there was no road, he would simply make one. He tilted the bike, lowered his hand to touch the ground, and channeled the Power of the Chariot into the earth.

Under his influence, the soil and rocks beneath the bike were summoned and commanded. Following his will, they surged up behind the machine, forming a rolling wave of earth.

With a flick of his hand, the wave accelerated, passing the bike and reaching the front, where it quickly reshaped itself into a brand-new road beneath the tires.

Without slowing down, Wang Yu steered the machine along this path of his own making, completing the turn with ease and speeding back the way he came.

Minutes later, Wang Yu returned to the small clearing outside the forest and parked the machine next to Avia and Zieg.

"It works—it works remarkably well. With a bit of supernatural power, we can travel unimpeded even on complex terrain. We can use this for our travels from now on."

Wang Yu patted the machine with satisfaction.

"That's good. This is still just a prototype. We'll need to add suspension and other structures later to optimize it."

Avia walked over to inspect the machine, noticing that a few parts had suffered minor damage during Wang Yu's wild ride, confirming the necessity of a suspension system.

"A truly creative design. By simply changing the way magical force is utilized, you've created an alchemical machine far more efficient than a carriage."

Zieg looked at the "fresh" machine with a smile. Although he was a dragon and could travel much faster than this bike, such machinery always had a way of piquing a man's interest.

"I'll optimize the structure a bit more. With Wang Yu here, alchemy has become much simpler; in most cases, we don't even need a workshop. The remaining materials are enough for two more of these. Let's use them for our journey."

Avia walked to Wang Yu's side and poked his arm, her tone filled with a hint of pride as she evaluated his "incredibly useful" ability.

There was a sense of "as expected of my Wang Yu" in her voice, and she began to plan the next leg of their journey.

After Zieg transformed into a dragon and carried them away from the Alestler Kingdom, they flew until the power of the Lady of Night, which had shielded Zieg's presence, was completely exhausted.

With the dragon's flight speed, they were already a great distance from Alestler; it was virtually impossible for any pursuers to cross multiple human kingdoms to find them.

For now, they were wanderers, but in other words, they were free.

"Do you have any plans for where to go next? We seem to be too far from the Lady of Night and her followers, which means the prayer communication network is unavailable to us."

"However, before we left the range, Shael sent me a message through the network. Alestler has issued a warrant for our arrest with a generous reward. This might indeed tempt some to take risks."

"So, it would be best not to travel in the direction of Alestler."

Zieg looked at Wang Yu and Avia, asking with a faint smile and sharing the news of the warrant.

"Ah, it doesn't matter to me. I was planning to leave Alestler anyway to wander the continent and see its wonders."

Originally, we had intended to visit Avia’s mother; Avia had previously asked Mr. Garcia to help protect her, but Lilia, Avia’s aunt from the Tower of the Hexbound, had taken both Mr. Garcia and her mother to the tower instead.

Avia and I had planned to head to the Tower of the Hexbound first, as it had been quite some time since we had last gathered with her mother.

However, the tower lies too close to Alastrelle, and with the warrants out for our arrest, that plan must be deferred until this storm of trouble passes.

Wang Yu said this while casting an apologetic glance at the girl beside him, feeling a pang of shame that he could not reunite her with her mother sooner after our departure from Alastrelle.

It is fine; with Aunt Lilia and Mr. Garcia there, Mother will surely be safe, and when the opportunity arises, we can simply go to the Tower of the Hexbound together to find her.

Avia, reading his intent, shook her head gently to signal that he need not worry.

Ah, that Flame Witch—she is quite a renowned figure, so with her there, you can certainly rest easy. That is to say, you have not yet decided on a direction for your travels? Then why not join us?

Zieg stroked his sister’s hair and extended the invitation to Wang Yu and Avia.

Wang Yu and Avia exchanged a look, confirming through each other’s eyes that traveling with the knowledgeable and formidable Zieg would be a wise choice.

I think that sounds wonderful!

It would be a pleasure to travel with you, Mr. Zieg.

The two accepted the invitation without hesitation.

What good news. My plan is to head to the Elven Kingdom first; I have an old acquaintance there. Though the conservative faction of elves can be rather xenophobic, I suspect you two will be welcomed.

Zieg outlined their upcoming destination to Wang Yu and Avia.

The Elven Kingdom? Do you have business there, Mr. Zieg?

Avia, ever perceptive, sensed something and inquired further.

Indeed. It has been a long time since I have had contact with Noelle or my sister. After hiding our identities in the human realms for so many years, it is time to meet with Aerielian.

Even for dragons, such a long passage of time brings change—for me, and for Noelle as well.

Zieg spoke of his purpose with a tone tinged by nostalgia and reflection.

My old friend possesses a means of contacting Aerielian; only the lifespan of an elf can truly keep pace with the enduring vitality of a dragon.

Of course, this journey should offer something of interest to Miss Avia. My friend holds a position of some influence in the Elven Kingdom and should be able to grant you both passage to the mechanical floating city, a marvel crafted by the combined efforts of the Avian and Elven races—a sanctuary for alchemists.

Avia’s eyes brightened visibly at the mention of the mechanical floating city.

Just as Zieg had surmised, that sky-bound metropolis, a sprawling expanse of alchemical machinery drifting through the heavens, was the very place the girl, with her passion for alchemy, had always yearned to see.

She had never imagined she would truly have the chance to set foot upon that holy ground, the destination of every alchemist’s dreams.