"I don't have that many souls to burn," David said. "Can you find a way to use the Mana Energy in my blood or in the air as a power source?"
The old devil, Dalonas, finally showed some surprise.
"Are you planning to..."
Indeed, since obtaining the Mithril Energy Core was out of reach and the plan to climb the technological ladder in a short time had burst like a bubble, David could only resort to the most foolish and intuitive method. He grinned and said, "I'm planning to launch myself into outer space."
Waiting for The Slaying King Star to appear over Ferren would be too late. The whole situation was far too passive.
... Dalonas couldn't help but feel that this Red Dragon was being driven to madness by the pressure of the task from the Dragon Queen.
Even he, a devil, knew that space was not the Astral Plane—a place not every creature could survive.
"Just tell me if you can do it or not," David said, feeling as if Dalonas was looking at him like he was a White Dragon.
But Dalonas didn't care much about that. The being in front of him was just a soul projection. Should he 'die,' he'll just use another body to visit me again, Dalonas thought.
The old devil smacked his lips and said, "If it's just about drawing Mana Energy for acceleration, there is a ready-made way."
"Hmm?" Is this old fiend really a genius? David wondered. Did he make a 'new invention' in less than a month since arriving in Ferren?
The old devil, Dalonas, motioned with his fingers toward the shadows. At his signal, the Red-Robed Mage, who had been completely 'tamed' by Dalonas, took off his scalp, which was covered in tattooed runes. Dalonas took it and handed it to David, saying, "This can do it."
"Just this?" Is he really going to give me a tattoo? David thought.
And indeed, he was. The old devil patiently explained, "Do not underestimate these tattoos; they are a form of magical rune application—primitive, yet effective enough. As I understand, you dragons have an advanced profession known as the Sculpted Hide Dragon. Although I don't know the origin of these Red-Robed Mages' runic tattoos or if they have any inherited connection to the Neisser civilization, the piece in your hands alone is already equipped with the five major functions of Spell Storage, Magic Protection, Magic Communication, Mana Energy Absorption, and Teleportation. Among them, Mana Energy Absorption can utilize your own Mana Energy and that from the surrounding environment more efficiently. Although it cannot be used on inanimate objects, for you, isn't this exactly what you need?"
"...Then give me one," David responded without hesitation.
"I will need a month. After all, you are a dragon, and I need to design it properly according to your size," the old devil said, lifting the documents about The Slaying King Star in his hand. "Calculating for it also takes time."
A month later, atop the high tower of Ghost Soul City, when the old devil Dalonas personally 'carved' David's skin, it immediately drew the attention of the 'Neisser people' below.
In their ingrained memories, this was mostly seen as yet another great attempt by Governor Shado.
Attilicia, who had arrived upon hearing the news, wanted to dissuade him, but he found himself unsure how to begin.
After all, in the eyes of this old Silver Dragon father, there were clearly at least two deities on The Slaying King Star. Even if not corporeal, they were still gods.
Who could guarantee that a soul projection under the gaze of gods would remain safe and sound?
And most importantly, flying directly into space in a body of flesh and blood...?
Is this something a dragon can do?
But then, remembering David's bizarre ability to thrive underground as if in water, maybe my son really can do it?
David, however, opened his eyes. Looking at his anxious father, he reassured him with a smile, "Don't worry. My real body is still lying in the Sixth Layer of Barto Hell. Even if the Elven gods really did notice, so what? Could they really track my projection back to the domain of the Lord of the Nine Hells?"
"Besides, the Chromatic Dragon Queen is the one leading this plan. If you don't trust Tiamat, surely you trust Mom?"
*Arrogance*
Hearing David say this, Attilicia felt that it did indeed make sense.
Even the War God Tempas, despite his great divine power, wouldn't dare to directly wage war against Tiamat and her kin in Barto Hell. It seemed even the Elven deities might not be able to do anything to David.
The most important thing was that David was only playing the role of a frontline 'sentry' in this incident. Who had ever seen a commander charge directly into the enemy's main headquarters just to capture a mere sentry?
"We still have plenty of time. Can't we think of another way?" Attilicia could only instinctively try to dissuade him.
But David shook his head. "The original plan deviated too much from the actual situation. Since we can't secure the Mithril Energy Core, this is the most reliable backup plan."
Attilicia, of course, understood this.
In David's view, even if they struck it lucky later and the Neisser spirits 'recalled' how to make the Mithril Energy Core, they would still be unlikely to create it in just a few decades.
These magical research achievements were never accomplished overnight. Rather, they required a series of prerequisite studies and even the support of an entire magical industrial system.
On Blue Star, it was akin to humans suddenly 'unearthing' an 'alien blueprint' for a nuclear fusion engine. This would also be hard to realize in a short period, even if the model was exactly the Tokamak toroidal coil. The discovery and mass production of suitable superconducting materials alone would take decades.
Attilicia, having come to the same realization, knew that David had set his heart on completing this mission. He patted David's chest, sighed in resignation, and did not try to dissuade him further.
He would have liked to take David's place, but he didn't have David's ability to 'make things happen just by thinking them.'
David, whose projection body was being tattooed, took out the trajectory chart for The Slaying King Star—a comet path deduced by the old devil Dalonas—and handed it over. "Thirty-two years. If Dalonas's calculations of the comet's orbit are correct, I will meet The Slaying King Star in thirty-two years."
"That long?" Even though he had expected it, Attilicia was still somewhat emotional.
Thirty-two years. By that time, his son, David Uthos, would be just stepping into his youth.
Yet this is how he will grow up.
"Yes. So, it's better for you to take Tania back to Barto Hell first.
"The Chromatic Dragon Queen has already agreed to your trade of potions for military supplies. When you get back to Avernus, just go directly to the Dragon Queen's Vassal, Ephelomon.
"As for me, don't worry too much; it's just like taking a nap."
Attilicia listened, an ache in his heart.
In his mind, how could it possibly be a simple matter of taking a nap?
With their current rudimentary technology, David might have to adjust his course every few years according to The Slaying King Star's position to avoid veering off in the empty void. He would also have to endure the torment of loneliness and isolation.
Thinking of this, the empathetic dragon father almost burst into tears. If only I were a little stronger!
I'm truly useless! he thought.
As the old devil Dalonas finished his 'carving' work and the final adjustments were confirmed, "PFFT!" The engraved runes on David's scales gradually lit up. His wings, utilizing the six 'comet engines' enhanced by Lust, simultaneously shot out dazzling flames. Then, under the watchful eyes of thirty thousand 'Neisser refugees' in the city, he soared into the sky, toward the unknown sea of stars.
At that moment, in many people's minds, a scene seemed to faintly appear: the first time their great Neisser Arcanists boarded crude magical constructs for manned spaceflight.
In the crowd, a teenager who had come out to 'fetch some water' suddenly had wide, bright eyes. He muttered to himself in confusion, "Why not use a Magic Ship directly?"
"Huh? A Magic Ship?"
Why do I know about such a thing?
Meanwhile, in the stratosphere, David was falling far short of the velocity needed to escape the gravity well of the planet Toriel using rockets. He moved higher by using Greater Teleport, constantly reminding himself that this was like being in the sea.
The sea of stars is also a sea, isn't it?
Authority—Arrogance