Chapter 267: Chapter 263 Maiden Voyage of the Route
When the enormous Flying Airship sailed across the fjord, Perfikot saw this airship for the first time, one that wasn’t manufactured by her own hands.
As the inventor of such a means of transportation, currently all airships officially built by the Empire are designed by Perfikot, adopting a streamlined cigar-shaped gas bag, placing the cabin below the gas bag, and relying on custom-made small steam engines and thrusters for propulsion.
The overall design still references airships from the original world, but combined with some alchemical technology, it possesses a greater payload capacity.
The Imperial Military has clearly utilized this design structure as well, with several large airships built according to the design blueprints left by Perfikot, without making significant modifications.
This doesn’t mean the Imperial Military is content with what’s useful nor that the Royal Shipyard lacks the capability to alter Perfikot’s designs; currently, what’s most important for the Empire is the ability to quickly and mass-produce airships, with other improvements not being urgent matters.
Moreover, the military isn’t like other places; the military demands reliability, and overly advanced and unverified technology can have negative impacts for them.
By comparison, civilians are not constrained by this; they prefer to use the most advanced things, even knowing that it might bring some risks.
Just like the Flying Airship before her eyes, in Perfikot’s view, it clearly has some issues and risks.
Its main body is a massive cylindrical gas bag, appearing similar to Perfikot’s designed airships, but it is clear that there are six spherical gas bags on either side of the cylindrical one, evidently to enhance the airship’s payload capacity.
Such a design is understandable, but in Perfikot’s view, this shape somewhat disregards air resistance.
Moreover, its structure requires the ropes and cables binding the gas bags to be robust enough; even a minor issue could potentially cause the entire airship to disassemble.
Of course, given the extent achievable by alchemy, the structure of this airship is still problem-free; at least with Perfikot’s skill level, she might have been able to build an even more radical airship.
After all, alchemy is truly versatile! Especially since Perfikot still possesses the Flying Stone, an unimaginably surreal creation.
Even so, in Perfikot’s view, this airship is already bold and aggressive enough, with multiple cabins hanging below it, evidently designed to maximize the load limit without leaving sufficient safety redundancy.
Fortunately, the designer seems aware of the risks in their design, so the cabins under the six spherical gas bags are independently detachable.
It appears that should the airship disassemble, these six spherical gas bags can safely land with their respective cabins.
Such a design makes it somewhat difficult for Perfikot to assess.
You might say it’s safe, but it’s designed pushing the load limit, and should it encounter slightly extreme harsh weather, it could fall apart.
But to call it unsafe would be unfair, as it has designed an escape-pod-like structure that might save your life in the face of danger.
However, despite finding it difficult to assess this airship’s design, Perfikot has no intention of criticizing; the Empire now needs transport capacity, and an extra airship provides a bit more transport capacity, benefiting everyone.
As for danger? Do airships she designed have no risks? Everything is relative, it’s just a question of whether the risk is worth taking.
"Miss, all the guests have arrived, it’s time for you to appear," Foster came to Perfikot’s side to remind her.
Perfikot nodded, then stood up and walked out; today’s celebration ceremony had long been prepared for, waiting only for the airship to dock and her presence as the Lord of the North.
It must be said, having money truly accomplishes many things.
Like this celebration ceremony; the original Northern Territory clearly lacked the capacity to bear the expenses required for such a lavish celebration.
But after merchants sponsored a large sum of money, everything became much simpler.
The Behemoth had run two trips to the New Continent, procuring a large amount of food, drinks, and other supplies required for the celebration, leaving only the task of redecorating Eagle’s Beak Cliff.
In fact, to make the money seem well spent, Perfikot even gathered the White Bear Knight Order, arranging two teams of Steam Knights and four teams of Armored Knights to act as the honor guard for the ceremony.
Moreover, the knights donned brand-new armor specially made by Perfikot, making them look even more majestic and bold; the mirror-treated armor dazzled in the sunlight, accentuating the white capes adorned with wolf fur collars they wore, making them appear especially dignified.
The armored plates of the Steam Knights also had the Brandlis Clan’s crest made from brass, along with the White Bear Knight Order’s emblem and the knight’s own crest.
Among them, those White Bear Knights who participated with Perfikot in the dragon-slaying battle, sported crests symbolizing dragon-slaying merit, becoming the focus of everyone’s attention.
After all, it was dragon-slaying! Since Saint George slew a dragon centuries ago, the Empire once again saw someone successfully slay a dragon!
Especially as Perfikot had the dragon’s skeletal remains cleaned out, later assembling them 1:1 into a sculpture depicting a Steam Knight using a Chain-Saw Sword to chop off the dragon’s head displayed prominently at Eagle’s Beak Cliff, to showcase her dragon-slaying prowess.
Perfikot wasn’t one for arrogance, but since someone funded a celebration, naturally it was time to promote the Northern Territory, giving the impression that one could achieve fame and fortune there, encouraging the daring ones to come quickly.
Although a few well-connected people inside the Empire have already sensed some rumors, for Perfikot, until the Empire officially announces the apocalypse disaster, she cannot make things too obvious.
However, all the plans in the Northern Territory rely on manpower; what can Perfikot do to secure people? She can only promote the good of the Northern Territory to enhance its appeal.
Promoting dragon-slaying is one way, hosting this celebration ceremony is another, and selling the five Pioneer Knight appointment documents is yet another.
Thinking of this, Perfikot couldn’t help but look at her loyal old steward, asking him: "Fu, how much do you think those guys can offer to bid on the development documents?"