Chapter 678, I Swear on Its Life
Carrier-deployed wyverns!
The sisters stared blankly at the rows of skeletal wyverns.
The last time they saw the escort ship, it was already twice the size of normal vessels. This one felt like a floating island.
Nearly four to five times the size of a typical warship.
And with so many skeletal wyverns, it was overwhelmingly impressive.
After a while, Shiyali was the first to speak. "So you're planning to use these wyverns for combat?"
"Yup. Smart girl." Wu Heng patted a skeletal wyvern beside him. "I've categorized them into two types—air combat units and ground bombers with payloads stored in their chest cavities. This ship acts as an ocean platform and can store large amounts of munitions."
He called it an aircraft carrier, but that was his own naming.
Its real name was the Changfan-class cargo ship, a massive Korean ocean freighter.
Four hundred meters long, sixty meters wide.
The escort ship from before was just 144 meters long and 14 meters wide.
This freighter was massive, its deck open and expansive.
Wu Heng's first thought: use it as a fantasy-world carrier. It couldn't launch planes, but wyverns didn't need runways.
Any broad surface would do.
Sheila Grey recovered from awe. "Better equip it in case of emergencies."
"Philipa's working on that," Wu Heng replied.
The sisters walked around, asking casually, "What about speed?"
"Faster than traditional warships."
Sheila Grey nodded. "It could defend all of Gold-Silver Island."
Wu Heng smiled. "It's meant for overseas operations. It'll shine in battles beyond the Emerald Sea."
The sisters raised their brows, glancing up at him.
Wu Heng added, "Also, we need a larger Guild banner. The current one's too small to be seen from the ship. We'll make our own."
Sheila Grey said, "Shiyali, measure the size. We'll have one made."
"Got it." Shiyali nodded and walked off.
Wu Heng said, "Come on, let me show you the lower decks."
The two of them headed below.
The lower decks were even more spacious.
In the hallways, skeleton warriors mopped the floors.
Wu Heng guided her through room after room.
"These are quarters. Below is the cargo hold—for goods or troops."
Sheila Grey nodded. "It really is a floating base."
They walked through several compartments—nothing unusual.
......
In a dimly lit room—
Wu Heng glanced at Sheila Grey and whispered, "Is there a reward this time?"
She rolled her eyes. "There was no bet."
"But what if there is?" Wu Heng stared at her.
Her face visibly turned red. She muttered, "Greedy."
Hesitating, she whispered, "Close your eyes."
Wu Heng smiled and lowered himself slightly, closing his eyes.
He felt a cold, wet touch on his cheek.
A quick kiss—then they parted.
He opened his eyes. Sheila Grey glanced nervously at the door.
"Enough. Let's go. You're always thinking about this stuff," she said, red-faced.
Wu Heng grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
Their eyes met.
She trembled. "W-What are you doing? Shiyali's right outside!"
Wu Heng leaned in, wrapped an arm around her waist, and cupped the back of her head.
He kissed her.
Sheila's eyes widened in shock.
She weakly pounded his chest—not too hard, afraid of hurting the fragile mage. Too soft, it felt like flirting.
Her teeth parted. She gently responded.
Her body softened, arms wrapping around his shoulders, but her eyes stayed alert—watching the doorway.
Afraid someone might come down.
Footsteps echoed above.
Sheila quickly pushed him away, fixed her clothes, and wiped her lips.
She pulled a mirror from her ring and checked her appearance.
The footsteps came closer.
A skeleton with a bucket entered.
It walked to the back and began mopping.
They both froze, then burst into laughter.
"We've still got time," Wu Heng said.
"Who said anything about time?" Sheila frowned.
Then ran out—straight to the deck.
Wu Heng followed.
Shiyali approached. "Measurements are done. I'll have a flag made in two days."
"Alright. We're done. Let's go," Wu Heng said.
The three disembarked.
Shiyali eyed her sister. "Why are your lips swollen?"
"Bit them by accident. I'm fine."
"You bit your own lip?"
The three left Port 2 and took a carriage back.
The sisters got off at the Guild. Wu Heng returned to the island lord's manor.
......
Back at the manor.
"Welcome home, Master!" Minnie greeted cheerfully.
"Yeah. What's with the wet clothes?" Wu Heng hugged her shoulder as they walked inside.
"Washing the wyverns," Minnie said, nodding toward the courtyard.
By the central fountain—
Four skeletal wyverns sat waiting.
Several skeleton warriors scrubbed their bones with buckets and brushes.
Robe and Annette directed them.
"It's all bones. Do they need scrubbing?" Wu Heng asked.
"They're getting leather armor. Clean bones help tell ours from others."
Some wyverns were stationed across Gold-Silver Island.
The manor had its own too.
Minnie's idea was smart—armor would help differentiate them.
"Alright. Carry on."
In the living room, Minnie made him tea, then returned to washing.
Wu Heng relaxed on the sofa, thinking about the Guild.
"Their orders should come soon. I wonder what they'll decide."
It had been days since the report was sent.
He expected instructions soon.
A steward's death wasn't trivial.
Even if unrelated to Ekow Kingdom and just a random murder—
The Guild would make them pay.
After all, they did suppress the news.
The Guild had to respond or risk imitation elsewhere.
"No matter the orders, I'll join in—time to gain renown."
"If Ekow Kingdom gets as much attention as Gold-Silver Island, I could reach level 20."
As he pondered and stood to head upstairs—
A knock came at the front gate.
Minnie opened it. Philipa strolled in with her parrot on her shoulder.
She chatted briefly with Minnie, then entered.
"The port's ready. A level-15 skeleton captain is assigned, with crew. All equipment will be loaded tomorrow."
Wu Heng had shown Philipa the carrier before Sheila.
But he had her handle other arrangements first.
"Good. The Guild's decision on Ekow should arrive soon. We'll probably use the ships."
"Don't worry. I've got it covered," Philipa said, sitting in his lap. "Great wyvern idea. Yours?"
"Just made sense. Pirates used wyverns too."
"Not like this. Pirates used them for scouting or scare tactics. Yours are combat-ready. Much better," she said.
Wu Heng patted her waist. "Thanks, Captain Philipa."
"You're welcome," she giggled, scooting closer. "Hey, can I take the carrier out tonight? Just a patrol."
"No. We might act soon. Can't have the ship away."
Philipa raised a hand. "I swear on my beast-taming skills—we'll be back in two days."
The parrot snapped its head around, shocked.