落とし穴１５７堀：空へ挑む (Part1)
Pitfall 157: Challenging the Sky
(Only one chapter left for the Birdman arc. Please bear with me a little longer.)
Challenging the Sky
Side: Ratz
"And now, entry number three! The 'Adventure Boys,' led by Mauve, are cleared for takeoff!"
As I announced this into the microphone, Mauve-san took his place as the pilot, while Raiya-san, Curse-san, and Ovik-san supported the wings...
"Let's go, you guys!"
"Yeah!!"
At Mauve-san's shout, they accelerated all at once...
"The Adventure Boys have taken to the skies!"
They soared into the air.
However, they lost speed in an instant, and the nose began to dip toward the water.
"Oh! They're falling! But the nose is pointing straight down—can they recover?"
That’s right; they stalled, but since they were nose-first, there was still a chance if they handled it well. I’d seen that happen many times at Birdman contests.
"Flyyyy!!"
Raiya-san and the others, usually so stoic, were shouting at the top of their lungs. Would their wishes reach them?
"Oh! They recovered! They actually recovered! Wait—!?"
As expected of an adventurer, Mauve-san showed real grit. He pulled the nose up and just as it looked like they were soaring again...
*CRACK!*
With that sound, the left wing snapped clean off.
And just like that, they crashed.
"Ah! The airframe couldn't handle the sudden climb! The distance is 23 meters! The Adventure Boys truly lived up to their name and took a daring adventure into the sky! They ended up in the water after the wing snapped during the pull-up, but pilot Mauve-san is all smiles!"
Mauve-san, having climbed onto the rescue boat, laughed and thrust his fist into the air.
"Raiya! Curse! Ovik! The Adventure Boys we built together really flew!"
"Yeah!!"
They cheered.
Honestly, it was surprising. It was already a shock that Mauve-san and his group had built their own plane to participate, but the fact that it actually flew was incredible.
Well, I’d assumed it was only "somewhat decent" because the brainy Raiya-san and Curse-san were on the design team, but seeing it actually fly was impressive.
Or perhaps, should I call this the fruit of Earth's accumulated history, which provided data simple enough for even amateurs to build from?
Regardless, as your cute rabbit MC, I’ll continue with the play-by-play.
"Now, let’s give another round of applause for the adventurers of Team Guild, who showed us such an unexpectedly valiant effort."
*Clap, clap, clap...*
As I said that, applause erupted from all over the venue.
"It turned into quite a big deal, considering Yuki-san said it was just a personal thing," Eris remarked.
"Well, the people of Weed are quite fond of festivals, after all," I replied, sharing a bitter smile with my co-host.
That's right. While the participants of this Weed Birdman Contest were limited to Yuki-san’s inner circle to ensure safety, the residents of Weed had gathered as spectators to enjoy the grand event.
"Well, I am making a profit, at least," I added.
"You really are a merchant at heart, aren't you?"
"It can't be helped! It would be miserable to watch this for hours without food or drinks. This is an act of consideration for the residents."
Where people gather, there is money to be made!
Food and drinks are essential for events like this. It’s naturally difficult to set up impromptu shops in areas that usually have no foot traffic or permanent stores. That’s why the prices at such stalls are higher—it’s not price-gouging; it’s fair market value for a festival.
"Still, I was surprised that Mauve-san and his group joined in."
"Indeed. I thought it would just be Yuki-san and the technical team."
It was surprising how many participants there were. Even though they only had a month to build, even Mauve-san’s group had managed to cobble a machine together.
"I wonder where and how they were building these?"
"Building a plane takes up a lot of space, doesn't it? It’s a mystery."
"Oh, that was, of course, done and stored in our Blacksmith District," a voice said.
"Eek!?"
I was startled by the sudden voice behind me. Turning around, I saw Narjia-san, the representative of the Blacksmith District, standing there with a smile.
"I-I see. So the Blacksmith District cooperated. That makes sense."
"Fufufu! Don't underestimate the Blacksmith District. While the pilots had to be Yuki-san’s inner circle for safety, anyone was allowed to participate in the aircraft development!"
"No wonder there are so many dwarves and elves in the audience."
They must have wanted to see the planes they helped build take flight. I noticed Mauve-san, now back on land, with his arms around the shoulders of the dwarves, laughing loudly.
"Still, it was a shame for the Lancer School team and the Haiden School team, the first and second entries. To think both wings would snap the moment they took off..."
Narjia-san looked toward the soaking-wet Lancer and Haiden teams with genuine amusement.
By the way, the Lancer School team consisted of students from the Lancer Magic Academy, led by Cleena, with Samantha as the pilot, Amanda and Eoid as support, and Principal Popuri as the director.
The Haiden School team was led by Kagura, with Mikos as the pilot, Enola and Stasia as support, and Princess Carrie and Prince Arge as directors.
I couldn't help but wonder if Princess Carrie and Prince Arge should really be here, but I kept my mouth shut to avoid getting dragged into their work.
As I was thinking this, the school teams responded to Narjia-san’s teasing.
"...The crash was entirely due to Samantha's lack of skill and her chest being too big."
"Cleena is right. Mikos's chest was too large, and she lacked the skill, so they fell."
The support members and directors nodded in agreement.
No, no, that’s a stretch. Because...
"That was Cleena-san's design flaw! Both wings snapped the moment we took off!"
"That's right! It broke the second we flew, so it’s not Mikos-chan’s fault! You flat-chested amateurs!"
"What did you say!?"
They were starting to bicker over something ridiculous.
Well, if they were going to blame a crash on breast size, Eris and I would be doomed to crash as well, so Samantha and Mikos weren't at fault. Still, if they started fighting over that, it would ruin the festival mood. Just as I was thinking I needed to stop them...
"Yes, yes. No fighting, calm down."
"Yuki-sama! Please listen! Cleena-san and the others are..."
"That's right, Yuki-sensei! Listen, Kagura and the others are saying we crashed because Mikos-chan and the others have big chests!"