Outside Gabo City, Su Han and his five companions disembarked from the aircraft.
Just like last time, the appearance of a flying machine for the second time still attracted the attention of many curious elf onlookers.
After explaining their purpose, Su Han was taken to meet the Lord of Gabo City, Valentine Vanessa.
Valentine Vanessa received Su Han and his group in the grand hall.
Chu Shi once again acted as the translator.
Su Han said, "We have come to Gabo City merely to inquire about the path to the Elven Imperial City. May I ask why the Lord has summoned me here?"
Valentine Vanessa replied, "Yes, I have indeed summoned you to discuss some matters. I am also aware of the news regarding the destruction of Jaka City. I, too, despise the black dragon York. However, due to my weak strength, I have never considered dragon-slaying. I am not as capable as you. Therefore, I have called you here in hopes of assisting you on your journey to the Elven Imperial City."
Su Han asked with confusion, "What does the Lord mean?"
Valentine Vanessa explained, "In our Elven Imperial City lies the greatest Tree of Life and the most powerful magical barrier. This magical barrier protects the entire Imperial City. Furthermore, the Elven Imperial City houses the Unicorn Cavalry. If you were to travel to the Elven Imperial City as you are, your mechanical creation, the 'aircraft,' would be directly perceived as a threat and destroyed. However, it is different if I accompany you to the Elven Imperial City. With my introduction as the Lord of Gabo City, you will not be attacked by the Elven Imperial City's Unicorn Knights. Moreover, I also have some matters to attend to at the Elven Imperial City. Your aircraft is faster than my Pegasus Knights. This time, I shall travel to the Imperial City aboard your aircraft!"
Su Han understood. It turned out that Valentine Vanessa, the Lord of Gabo City, simply wanted a ride on their aircraft to the Elven Imperial City.
"My Lord, I am very grateful for your assistance. However, may I ask how far the Elven Imperial City is from Gabo City?"
Su Han needed to know the distance to the Elven Imperial City. If the distance was too great, traveling from here might result in a loss of a day's worth of portable supplies.
"The Elven Imperial City is a long journey from Gabo City, approximately four thousand elven leagues. Traveling by Pegasus would take nine to fifteen days to reach there."
Four thousand elven leagues? Chu Shi translated.
"Four thousand elven leagues? My Lord, I apologize, but we have no concept of the elven unit of distance. May I ask how long an elven league is?"
Valentine Vanessa replied, "The distance from the Lord's Mansion to the Tree of Life is about 3 elven leagues."
Su Han glanced at Chu Shi.
Chu Shi explained, "The distance from the Lord's Mansion to that Tree of Life is 2.87 kilometers. The Lord's statement is an approximation, with a margin of error of about fifty meters. You can consider an elven league to be approximately equal to a kilometer."
Su Han mused, If an elven league is considered a kilometer, then it's simple. A distance of four thousand kilometers, and that's not a straight line. If it were a straight line, it might only be over three thousand kilometers, or even two thousand kilometers. Flying by aircraft would only take about three to four hours.
The travel time back and forth, plus half a day spent at the Elven Imperial City, would mean they would return to the teleportation gate by noon tomorrow. Time would still be sufficient. As long as they returned by noon tomorrow and brought another batch of supplies and equipment, they wouldn't waste their daily carrying capacity.
If Su Han could calculate this, Chu Shi, standing beside him, could do so even more accurately.
Su Han asked, "Chu Shi, can our aircraft carry seven people?"
Chu Shi nodded and replied, "The aircraft still has some reserve carrying capacity. It can carry seven people."
Therefore, Su Han said, "My Lord, in that case, we shall travel to the Elven Imperial City by our aircraft. As time is of the essence, let us depart immediately! The aircraft can accommodate seven people."
Phil, the commander of the Gabo Pegasus Knights, who was standing nearby, immediately stepped forward and said, "Seven people? You mean besides your six, only one more person can come?"
Su Han nodded. "That's right!"
Phil, the commander of the Gabo Pegasus Knights, immediately objected, "No, I must also board the aircraft. I need to protect the Lord!"
After Phil, the commander of the Gabo Pegasus Knights, spoke, another deputy commander of the Gabo Pegasus Knights also spoke up, "As the deputy commander, I must also board the aircraft to protect the Lord."
Su Han looked at Chu Shi beside him. "How many people can our aircraft carry at most?"
Chu Shi replied, "It can carry a maximum of eight people, and not with too much cargo."
Su Han said, "You heard that. Apart from the Lord, only one more person can come. Only one of you can board the aircraft to protect the Lord."
Phil, the commander of the Gabo Pegasus Knights, declared, "If that is the case, then of course I will board the aircraft. I am the most powerful elf in the Gabo Pegasus Knights. Deputy Commander, you shall remain in Gabo City and lead the other Gabo Pegasus Knights in defending the city!"
The deputy commander had no choice but to give up this opportunity.
Su Han said, "Then let us depart immediately!"
Valentine Vanessa replied, "Wait, I need some time to prepare properly. After all, this is a journey of several days."
"There's no need to prepare too much. It will only take a few hours to reach. So, My Lord, you only need to prepare a small amount of items. And if you prepare too much, the aircraft will not be able to take off safely."
...
Thirty minutes later, Su Han and his six companions, along with Valentine Vanessa, the Lord of Gabo City, and Phil of the Gabo Pegasus Knights, stood beside the aircraft.
"Lord Valentine Vanessa, your luggage is too much. It needs to be reduced."
"Commander Phil, your equipment is also too much. It needs to be reduced as well."
"No, this contains my bedding. I need them for sleeping."
"You can purchase them upon arrival at the Imperial City. Just bring elven coins. You can find everything in the Imperial City. Also, Commander Phil, that armor of yours is too heavy. Take it off and leave it. You can buy better armor at the Elven Imperial City. The Elven Imperial City has superior armor."
After considerable persuasion from Su Han and Chu Shi, the weight was finally reduced to a safe level.
Then, the six of them boarded the aircraft under the watchful eyes of many Gabo City residents. The aircraft began to taxi, and once it reached speed, it gradually lifted into the sky, disappearing from the sight of the elves.
Onboard the aircraft, Valentine Vanessa and Phil, the two elves, looked out at the surrounding scenery with curiosity. It was their first time on an aircraft.
Valentine Vanessa gazed at the clouds around them and then at the scenery below.
"Phil, there's a town down there. The valley next to the town looks very familiar!"
"My Lord, that is Paxton Guai Town below."
"What? We've reached Paxton Guai Town already? This is too fast. Even Pegasus isn't this fast."
"This speed is three to four times faster than a Pegasus. Moreover, Pegasus cannot fly for extended periods."
...