Translator: Cinder Translations
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Since the dawn of intelligence, the species known as humans has harbored a profound longing for the sky. Throughout the long course of history, countless individuals have exerted tremendous effort in their quest to reach that vast, deep blue expanse.
Birds, capable of soaring freely through the skies, became objects of human envy and admiration. Legends tell of a man who crafted wings from wax and successfully took to the skies. Unfortunately, he flew too close to the sun, the wax melted, and he plummeted into the sea.
In recorded history, however, there is no definitive evidence of anyone truly achieving flight. The azure realm above has remained an insurmountable frontier, a forbidden zone beyond the reach of mortals.
As a result, the sky holds unparalleled symbolic significance in human culture. To some, it is the dwelling place of the gods; to others, it represents the ultimate realm of freedom.
Thus, when a hot air balloon carrying a person appeared in the sky, the awe it inspired was beyond words.
"That's a hot air balloon. It seems their experiment was a success," Paul remarked.
Upon hearing this, Nathan's body stiffened. He turned to his brother with a fierce glare, as if he wanted to devour Paul.
"Hot air balloon? What's a hot air balloon? And what experiment are you talking about?"
Clearly, Paul Grayman knew something about the object in the sky.
Seeing the usually silent Nathan suddenly so agitated startled Paul. He quickly explained, "Well, as you can see, it's that thing up there."
Marianna asked, "Did you create that so-called hot air balloon?"
"It was our researchers who developed it," Paul replied. "I know you must be full of curiosity right now. Actually, the principle behind it isn't that complicated. Our researchers discovered that when air is heated, it expands and becomes less dense. The surrounding cooler air then exerts an upward force on it, known as buoyancy. It's similar to how water can float wood that is less dense than water—that's also buoyancy."
"Uh... so you're saying it's essentially the same as a boat floating on water?" The three of them looked both puzzled and intrigued.
"Exactly!" Paul affirmed.
"We want to see it!" they all exclaimed in unison.
"Let's go!"
Paul turned his horse around and led them in the direction of the drifting hot air balloon. He, too, wanted to see it and was somewhat concerned about the safety of the experimenters.
Along with Paul's guards, the group galloped for several miles until the hot air balloon in the sky began to descend slowly, eventually landing in an open area.
The weather was exceptionally clear that day, making the hot air balloon easily visible as it drifted. Many people were drawn to the landing site by this mysterious flying object. Some even hailed it as a divine miracle, treating the occupants of the basket as angels descending from heaven.
By the time Paul and his group arrived, the experimenters who had just emerged from the basket were struggling to explain the situation to the curious onlookers.
Seeing the group bearing the lord's banner, the crowd naturally made way.
Paul led Catherine and the others closer to the hot air balloon. Relieved to see that no accident had occurred, he recognized the leader of the experiment team.
"Aubrey! Thank goodness you're all right."
"Ah, Lord Grayman!" Aubrey and his two assistants quickly bowed in greeting.
"I'm sorry, my lord. With so many people seeing this, it seems the secret is out."
Paul waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. This was never meant to be a secret project. Sooner or later, people would have learned about it." His expression then turned stern. "However, I must criticize you for taking such a risk. Perhaps you should have tethered it with a rope and conducted the experiment in a controlled environment instead of letting it drift freely with the wind."
Aubrey hurried to explain, "We did conduct those experiments, my lord. That's why we wanted to take it a step further. The tests confirmed our earlier theories—there are indeed layers of wind at different altitudes, each moving in different directions. We can use this to adjust our flight path."
Paul gave them a thumbs-up. "In that case, congratulations. This is a significant step toward making the hot air balloon practical."
While Paul was speaking with the experimenters, Catherine, Marianna, and Nathan, driven by curiosity, circled the hot air balloon repeatedly, marveling at it.
Up close, the flying object was much larger than they had imagined, especially the envelope. It was enormous, clearly made from multiple pieces of linen stitched together, with a layer of paper pasted on the surface. Its shape resembled an inverted pear, adorned with the vibrant dragon emblem of the Grayman family.
The basket hanging below was woven from rattan, appearing both sturdy and lightweight. It seemed capable of accommodating four to six passengers.
Above the basket was a blackened object, seemingly scorched by smoke. That must be what heats the air inside the envelope, they thought.
Catherine immediately recognized the potential military application of the hot air balloon—if one could ascend to a high altitude, the enemy's positions and troop deployments would be laid bare.
Nathan, meanwhile, was eager to try it out himself. "Can... can I give it a try?"
Paul asked, "Aren't you afraid?"
"Come on, this is flying! I want to be... the first among us to take to the skies!" He was practically bursting with excitement.
Paul turned to Aubrey. "Is it safe?"
Marianna stepped forward. "Even if something goes wrong, I can ensure a safe landing."
"Are you going up too?"
"Of course!"
With that, two of Aubrey's assistants were replaced by Nathan and Marianna.
Nathan carefully stepped into the basket of the hot air balloon, his heart pounding and his palms slightly sweaty.
"Everyone, pay attention! We're about to take off!" Aubrey loudly reminded the passengers.
As the sound of flames roared, heated air filled the envelope. Before long, the basket gave a slight tremble.
The crowd erupted into a cacophony of noise as the hot air balloon slowly ascended into the sky. The noise soon turned into enthusiastic cheers as people were thrilled by the living miracle before their eyes.
Nathan felt as though his feet had lost their weight, and he realized that the ground was gradually receding. The houses and trees below shrank into tiny models.
Higher and higher they went! Nathan's heart raced.
A gentle breeze brushed his face, carrying a hint of coolness, but it couldn't dampen the excitement in his heart.
He gripped the edge of the basket tightly, his eyes greedily scanning the surroundings—the endless horizon stretched out before him, the clouds so close they seemed within reach, and the sunlight bathed the vast fields in a golden glow.
The hot air balloon floated steadily in the sky, and the world became so tranquil that only the occasional roar of the flames broke the silence.
Nathan took a deep breath, feeling a sense of freedom and peace unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was as if he had become one with the sky.
"This is true flight—a magnificence that transcends the earthly realm!" he marveled inwardly.
(End of the Chapter)
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