An airship

The next day, I was sitting in a daze, still drowsy after waking up. It seems a little too early to get up, but I should get out of bed. I sit up, deciding that I might as well use the time constructively now that I'm up. While I'm stretching, a vibration shakes through the entire room. Is it coming from outside? I get out of the bed and run over to the window. An airship?

"Hoy! Are you up? Airship delivery!" Lupin's voice echoes loudly from the ship.

That must be a loudspeaker, like Agrona had been using the other day.

Lupin waves and smiles, but all I can do is wave absent-mindedly, too dumbfounded by the scene before me.

I gasp. I snap back to reality after a few seconds, then quickly make myself presentable and leave the room. Once I'm outside, I find everyone else from the mansion, including Dracy and Elliot, has gathered around.

Everyone is looking up at the huge vehicle with round eyes.

"Wow! So this is an airship?! It's gigantic!" Dracula says.

"That's right, it's an airship. Is this your first time seeing one, too?" I ask.

"No. I've seen them several time in the air. But this is something else. I didn't realise it would be so big!" Dracula says.

"You get it, Dracy! This kind of thing is a true dream, isn't it?" Nemo asks.

"Fine! Elliot insists on looking it up close, so I am going to approach the airship. Do not attempt to stop me!" Dracula completely ignores Nemo's attempt at conversation, and she seems to be ignoring Elliot as well. Dracy and Elliot run towards the airship at full tilt.

"So now even Dracy's ignoring me. What happened to respect for my dignity?" Nemo stands there looking sad, so I decide to ask a question.

"Lupin said she's delivering it. What's that supposed to mean?" I ask.

"Who knows? I think that's the question we're wondering about right now." Victoria says.

As we stand around, Lupin appears from within the airship and looks over at all of us, satisfied at a job well done. "Aren't you all up early? You could've slept in a little, you know." Lupin laughs in a good cheer, but Van Helsing speaks in her usual tone.

"And? Where did you steal this from?" Van Helsing asks. "You'd better not have done anything stupid that would ruin our negotiation with King Victor!"

"Yeah, yeah, don't worry about it. I stole this technology from somebody we wouldn't feel guilty about. No problems at all." Lupin says.

"Ah. Ahah. I see. How very you. You might even an award from Scotland Yard for this." Doreen says.

"An award?" I ask. Doreen seems to have understood what Lupin was talking about right away. "Um... So where did you steal it from?"

"No idea." Van Helsing says.

"Don't sweat the small stuff. How about it, Nemo? You think you can fix her up for the race?" Lupin asks.

"It's a pretty old preeeeeetty old model. Let's see... Hmm... I guess it'll depend on the budget I have available." Nemo says.

"Don't worry about the money. Just keep working until it's a winning ship. That's what I stole it for." Lupin says. "So, while Nemo's working on this, the rest of us will have to--"

"Gather the funds for this remodelling?" Lupin nods at Van Helsing's question. "I suspect we have ****. To get a large sum quickly. Maybe I'll sign up for a short-term bodyguard job."

"Raising funds... Hm. Selling patients for a few new **** would probably bring in a good amount." Victoria says.

"Hmph. Either way, we won't be able to move forward unless we win this race. Fine. I shall aid you with funding this time." Doreen says.

What to do?

Everyone is mentioning ways to earn money, but I have no way to help them. What can I do? After some thought I arrive at an idea. "Um, Nemo, I can't raise money, so I was thinking that maybe I could help you. Would you mind?"

"Of course not! Not only do I not mind, I'd totally welcome it! We'll make great progress with a fine assistant like you." Nemo says.

"Thank you. I'll work hard, Nemo." I say.

"Heh heh heh. While we're at it, I can even show you how to fly the airship! Of course, we'll have to get pretty cozy." Nemo says.

"Nemo. Just because you two are left alone, don't go making any moves on him. All right?" Lupin asks.

"Ahah. If she does lay a finger on him, I'm sure he can just break it." Doreen says.

"Um... What are you talking about?" I ask.

"Uh... Well, it's not entirely relevant to the task at hand. Haha." Victoria says.

"All right, time is money. We don't have much time before each race. Everyone go make as much money as you can!" With Lupin's shout, everyone goes off to fulfil their duties.

"Shall we get started?" Nemo asks.

"Yes, let's do it." I say.