"The Valen Empire? The one that was once flourishing, hailed as the most powerful empire after the Age of the Dark Queen?"
Miaoke asked, her expression one of astonishment.
"That's right. The Valen Empire is quite different from our empires here."
"Most empires on this side originated from families, or were developed by a few families joining forces, so their scale isn't large, and their architectural styles are quite uniform."
"But the Valen Empire is different. It's essentially a great fusion of all the world's races – of course, human races. They are still very exclusive and even discriminatory towards non-human races like us."
"People of all skin colors, hair colors, and eye colors coexist peacefully there. Their military, economy, and technology all reached their peak."
"It is indeed a very powerful nation... but at the same time... it is also the country with the most severe trafficking of non-human races. Every year, elves, cat-eared people, and other races are taken to the Valen Empire by human traffickers, either by force or deception, and sold."
"In short, for us non-human races to rise, we either have to change the Valen Empire's attitude towards us, or we have to eliminate them."
Emile said with a somber face, hatred showing in her eyes as she mentioned the name Valen Empire.
"Emile's sister has likely been sold to the Valen Empire, and her fate is unknown, so..."
The Wood Elf Queen reminded them softly.
"I see... then, on my trip to the Valen Empire to search for historical truths, I can also look for Emile's sister..."
Zhang Chen thought to himself.
He couldn't just voice this out loud. After all, searching for someone in the world's most powerful nation would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
If he spoke of it, it would give Emile immense hope, and if he couldn't find her, it would only make her more heartbroken.
Therefore, Zhang Chen decided to search in secret and surprise Emile once he found her.
"If True God intends to go to the Valen Empire, I can send elves familiar with the environment there to accompany you."
"We also have trade dealings with the Valen Empire through our caravans, usually once a year. It's almost time for trade season now, and you can travel with the caravan."
Emile straightened her demeanor and suggested to Zhang Chen with a smile.
"How long does it take for the caravan to travel from here to the Valen Empire?"
Zhang Chen asked.
"It takes about 15 days, of course, if the journey is smooth."
The Finance Minister beside them quickly replied.
The Queen would certainly not concern herself with such minor details, which was why the minister answered first.
"15 days? That long?"
Zhang Chen frowned.
Having grown accustomed to reaching destinations instantly via teleportation gates, Zhang Chen was no longer used to such long journeys.
"To maximize profits, our caravan not only goes to the Valen Empire for trade but also stops at many towns along the way for transactions."
"We will pass through three main towns to purchase and sell goods. The travel time on the road is about 7 or 8 days, but trading with local merchants also takes time."
As she spoke, the Finance Minister noticed Emile's displeasure and instantly understood.
Emile saw that Zhang Chen wanted to reach the Valen Empire as soon as possible, but the Finance Minister was presenting Zhang Chen with difficulties, which displeased her.
However, for the Finance Minister, the nation's fiscal revenue was also very important, especially this annual trade with the Valen Empire.
Despite the poor relations between the two countries, no one hated money, so as long as they didn't break ties completely, trade would continue.
To preserve the financial income of the elven kingdom and also to please the Queen and the True God... the Finance Minister thought for a moment and quickly added:
"Of course, if you want to save time, there is a way. We can instruct the caravan to significantly increase its cargo capacity. Although this might slightly extend the travel time, it would allow us to avoid excessive stops in intermediate cities."
"This way, we can reach the border of the Valen Empire in about 12 days!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen's eyes lit up, and he repeated:
"You mean we don't have to stop in the intermediate cities? That makes things easier!"
Zhang Chen looked at the location of the Valen Empire on the map.
He slowly drew his right hand through the air.
Following that, to everyone's astonishment, a large teleportation gate, 10 meters long and 5 meters high, slowly opened.
"This is..."
The Finance Minister's mouth gaped in surprise.
"This is a teleportation gate directly to the border of the Valen Empire – if your map scales are accurate."
"The caravan can enter the Valen Empire directly through this, saving us 12 days."
Zhang Chen said with a smile.
"This... this... I will have the caravan gather here immediately. Thank you, True God!"
The Finance Minister was so delighted she could barely contain herself.
The previous limiting factor for trade volume was the journey.
If there were too many goods, it would require a large number of teams, more soldiers for protection, and greater losses along the way.
Now, with the True God providing protection on the road, and absolutely no losses, they could depart and reach their destination.
This was simply a windfall!
Of course, they could load as much as they could carry, as they could unload anywhere in the Valen Empire.
If this didn't earn the elven kingdom two years' worth of fiscal revenue, the Finance Minister wouldn't have to do her job.
A few hours later.
The grand caravan finally passed through the teleportation gate completely.
"We entrust the caravan to you, True God!"
The Finance Minister said, her eyes shining.
"Yes, I understand. After the trade is completed, I will open the teleportation gate to allow them to return quickly."
"However, I will leave a few people here as guides."
Zhang Chen said.
"No problem, absolutely no problem. Everyone in the caravan will obey the True God's arrangements, whatever they may be!"
The Finance Minister said with a smile.
She even hoped that the True God would favor more elves, which was why many of the elves sent out this time were beauties of high caliber.
After all, only the offspring of the True God could make the elven kingdom's descendants stronger.
Strength was the foundation for national development.
"Then I'm leaving!"
Zhang Chen nodded to the three queens, who immediately bowed respectfully.
The other ministers and soldiers knelt on the ground.
Soon, the three little cats followed Zhang Chen into the teleportation gate.
On the other side...
Outside the city of Qingsong, a portly man stood outside the city, still holding a chicken drumstick.
"I wonder where that robot ran off to. It's really unruly. I won't take missions with him next time."
"Qingsong City, the sweet crispy pancakes here are very famous. After we eliminate the True God Cult, I'll try them properly!"