My Players Are So Fierce

The logo printed on the two balloons on its sides is so conspicuous in the air, making it impossible to ignore.

Behind the Good Luck are two smaller airships, much older than the Good Luck, but marked with the same insignia.

This is Captain Paula carrying out her first business deal with Murphy, delivering what Transylvania urgently needs at the fastest speed.

“It’s really a timely help.”

Murphy sighed.

In the air, he changed direction and quickly approached the airship, while Captain Paula in the cockpit heard the piercing sound from her mechanical control panel.

The device, driven by four Calculating Pearls and utilizing external echo observation, detected something rapidly approaching the airship.

Paula decisively commanded the airship to enter a defensive position, and the well-trained half-human sailors began to move, positioning several heavy rapid-fire guns on the deck towards their target.

This is not the outdated toy of the automatic hunting crossbow; it’s genuine enemy firepower.

Designed and manufactured by half-body mechanics, it’s considered the most dangerous battlefield weapon, essentially the steam machinery version of the Maxim heavy machine gun, still using small high-pressure steam boilers as power and capable of firing standard bullets, with the option to switch ammo boxes to fire more lethal burning gold bullets when necessary.

Of course, powerful anti-aircraft fire means this piece is very heavy and large, including a specialized 360° rotating turret.

It’s too heavy to be mounted on ground vehicles for firing, only airships like this big one can bear it.

Furthermore, this thing is only open to airship companies granted a license by the Steam Lord Council, with half-humans never allowing their war weapons to leak out.

Murphy slowed down as he was targeted by three rapid-fire guns, not because he felt threatened; with his elite vampire’s flying speed, even in daylight, these weapons are hard to aim at him.

But he wasn’t here to cause trouble.

After slowing down, Governor suspended in the air to identify himself, and only then did Captain Paula release the alert and personally welcomed her most important business partner.

When Murphy boarded the Good Luck, he immediately saw the “elegant and graceful” half-human lady beside Captain Paula.

The latter was dressed in a long gown suitable for half-human size, black with lace trim and topped with a small lady’s soft hat, holding an ornate gemstone-studded cane.

She was no longer young.

Wrinkles appeared on her delicate face, but from the lady’s demeanor and makeup alone, Murphy could guess her identity.

She should be the old sweetheart of Old Flywheel, reputedly a well-networked black market founder in Charldo Harbor, one of the leaders in the city’s gray areas.

Murphy approached with a gentle smile, greeting the lady:

“Transylvania welcomes your visit, Lady Yishar Taylor.”

“Oh, look, this young governor is the most gentlemanly and handsome vampire I’ve ever seen in my life.

If I were two hundred years younger, I’d certainly pursue you passionately, my dear.”

Lady Taylor covered her mouth with a hand clad in sheer gloves, releasing a unique half-human sharp laugh.

She waved to dismiss a few servants holding the parasol for her and extended her left hand to Murphy; the Governor naturally half-knelt to express his respect with a hand-kiss.

Well, this half-kneel might have different meanings in other occasions, but for half-humans, such an act brings taller races on equal eye level with them, deemed the most amicable gesture.

It seems Governor Murphy has indeed invested effort into half-human etiquette.

This gentle host demeanor pleased Lady Yishar even further, and she asked:

“So, is it true my Old Flywheel has surely troubled you?

Please forgive his rashness and crudeness; geniuses like him always have such pride in their talents.

For instance, during my first encounter with Flywheel, I was struck by his astounding wisdom, easily capturing the heart of a poor widow.

Since then, I’ve been his number one sponsor and lover.

Flywheel told me that Transylvania could expand my black market business, praising the potential here so highly that I wondered if you have used some magic to alter his mind.

Yet, I suspect there are things Flywheel couldn’t express in his letters, only urging me to meet any of your needs.”

The clever half-human lady stared at Murphy, wanting to get some hints.

Murphy used hisvoiced technique to inform Yishar Taylor about the burning gold ores, causing the half-human black market head’s beautiful light green eyes to widen instantly, but she quickly regained composure and nodded with satisfaction.

She was quite pleased with the business Old Flywheel had discovered.

Clearly, Lady Yishar is no ordinary half-human; regular half-humans would have been terrified upon hearing about burning gold mines, but she’s not only fearless, she starts scheming on profits from this risky affair that would potentially anger the Brass Dwarves.

We can see why the woman admired by mad genius Old Flywheel couldn’t possibly be ordinary.

“Governor, please follow me.”

Captain Paula was dressed in the full captain uniform, addressing Murphy:

“You can check the various items transported by your followers; I must say, their undertakings at Charldo Harbor have truly surprised me.