The launch of the Flying Airship became a carnival and celebration, as countless people chased the silhouette of the silver-gray giant ship from the Royal Shipyard to Langton City. They shouted and cheered loudly, even though they themselves didn’t know what they were cheering for, but that didn’t stop them from participating in this grand occasion.
The maiden voyage of this Flying Airship was from the Royal Shipyard to Langton City, keeping at a very low altitude for fears of potential issues with the new vessel.
In this era, there was no need to worry about the Flying Airship hitting any obstacles in the air, and its enormous size ensured that even if it collided with birds, it wouldn’t suffer any damage.
This undoubtedly gave those chasing the Flying Airship an excellent opportunity to pursue this colossal beast and witness its awe-inspiring figure.
Thus, a marvelous spectacle appeared on the roads from the Royal Shipyard to Langton City.
In the sky, the giant Flying Airship led the way, while on the ground, countless carriages and riders, along with a crowd of running and chasing citizens, formed a torrent rushing toward Langton City, continually attracting more people along the way to join the chase.
Describing this spectacular scene as tens of thousands of people in attendance is definitely appropriate, and it could even be said that the numbers chasing behind the Flying Airship far exceeded ten thousand.
Moreover, as the Flying Airship got closer to Langton City, the crowd underneath it grew larger.
This even sparked significant chaos and traffic congestion, which left Langton City’s police department overwhelmed, having to urgently request City Guard support to maintain order.
Eventually, when the Flying Airship flew over Royal Langton University, nearly half of Langton’s population swarmed the streets, attempting to witness how this colossal creation would land.
But they were disappointed, for the Flying Airship didn’t land directly and instead moored atop the clock tower of Royal Langton University.
This allowed the spectators around Royal Langton University to finally admire the largest flying vessel ever created by mankind.
Though it lacked the crown of being the first human flying vessel, in the hearts of almost all Langton citizens, it was the world’s best, since not many had seen Perfikot’s Flying Airship.
This also caused severe traffic congestion around Royal Langton University, with those unable to get a good view even climbing onto rooftops, creating a scene as if the crowd had engulfed the neighborhood. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel⸺fire.net
The exhaustive efforts of Langton’s police and City Guard finally calmed down the chaos by evening.
However, the damage and casualties caused by the chaos left the municipal department overwhelmed with grief.
Compared to the municipal department, which suffered from unnecessary disaster, another group’s plight could be described as self-inflicted.
Before the Flying Airship even approached Royal Langton University, when they could only see it from afar, professors of Langton University’s Alchemy Department gathered in front of a tall building, watching the silver-gray airship approach, with grim faces.
"It’s all your fault! Why did you agree with the board to oppose her becoming a professor in the Alchemy Department? If she had been allowed to teach back then, we would be on that Flying Airship now instead of just watching!" An elderly professor was fuming.
Clearly, in this professor’s view, had they approved Perfikot coming to Royal Langton University to teach, they would now share in the honor of designing and building humanity’s first flying vessel.
But due to gender discrimination by the board during Perfikot’s application for a professorship, these old professors missed the opportunity to participate in designing the Flying Airship.
Now, they were beating their chests in regret because they had missed a great honor.
At this moment, all these old professors were cursing the board’s past mistake while blaming those who, influenced by the board, cast opposing votes back then.
Especially among them was a middle-aged professor standing aside with a face as dark as the bottom of a pot, shrinking away silently.
Because he was the one who took Perfikot’s teaching position, he covertly connected with some relations, persuaded these old professors to choose him instead of Perfikot.
Originally, it wasn’t a big deal; after all, Perfikot was just a young girl, and no matter how brilliant she was, what threat could she pose to the academic authority and reputation of Royal Langton University?
Then they saw this Flying Airship that caused tens of thousands of people to flock, feeling intimately the sting on their faces, accompanied by the cheers of the spectators.
"What good does it do to say this now?! The focus is on reconciling our relations with Count Brandelis as soon as possible!" Another professor spoke up, he had a good relationship with Perfikot and thus spoke favorably.
Several other professors exchanged glances, remembering their previous meeting with Perfikot. They didn’t feel much goodwill towards Perfikot, but neither did they intentionally target her.
Seeing someone taking the initiative to propose cooperation, one of them spoke up: "If so, how do we repair our relations with the Count? She’s only fourteen, younger than my granddaughter; should we appease a child?"
"Seeing her as a child would be the biggest mistake!" Another professor shook his head and said: "Look at this Flying Airship! Who among you thinks could design such a thing? She is a genius, the greatest alchemist Langton has ever known!"
Beyond the Flying Airship, considering only the Steam Knight armor, who among you could create such inventions?
She’s already proven with practical actions that she’s a genius, a well-deserving alchemy master, far more outstanding and great than you and me, acknowledging this is not shameful!"
"But admitting she’s better than us, so what? Should we apologize? That’s easy, it’s merely an issue of pride, we’re already of old age; bowing to a young girl is not shameful." An open-minded professor agreed but brought up the crucial question: "How do we smooth relations with Count Brandelis?"
"When Count Brandelis previously visited the university, he had entrusted us with developing cold-resistant materials for the North Polar Expedition. Perhaps we can work from this angle?" Another professor suddenly thought of an idea.
The other professors looked at each other but ultimately didn’t oppose the suggestion.