Chapter 262: Quite a Long Journey
Rosie and her group left the city using the royal carriage. They were escorted by Lucas, one of Emperor Arthur"s two confidants.
"Thank you for driving us up here, Sir Lucas." Rosie represented her group to convey grat.i.tude for the courtesy.
"Hum, it"s fine. I"ll wait for your departure before I return to the palace." Lucas closed the carriage door before answering in an upright manner.
"All right. Miss Ariel, if you please." Rosie gave an open palm to the holy knight lady.
Ariel just nodded and took out something from her s.p.a.ce Bag. She was careful to take out the special Gravy Ark and put it on the ground. It was a semi-metal plank of four by three meters designed like art with intricate carvings and runes. The size was smaller than the one used when transporting students to yesterday"s test.
Elysia and Elena just looked at the Gravy Ark in slight wonder. For some reason, they sense the presence of a seemingly sophisticated sci-fi element in nearly every magical device. Slightly different from the magic tool, which was more inclined to antique.
Since the person in charge was Ariel, she was the first to go up the Gravy Ark and stand on the round control rune.
Then, ten other people went up there as well and positioned themselves. After that, Ariel channeled her magical energy into the control rune under her and caused the Gravy Ark to float. A sphere of light enveloped the Gravy Ark at the same time.
"It"s quite a journey. I suggest you sit down comfortably." Ariel looked back and made a suggestion to all the pa.s.sengers.
The others just nodded and took a seat on the board. The special Gravy Ark was 12 square meters for eleven people and a cat... They sat at a certain distance as they pleased.
"Miss Ariel, we are all seated and ready for the long journey. Umm... Will you be standing all the way?" Evelyn announced when everyone was in position.
"I will sit down as well when the Gravy Ark has reached a sufficient height at a steady speed. We will be flying at high speed, please prepare yourself... This is no ordinary Gravy Ark." Ariel smiled slightly and gave a gentle reminder.
"I think everyone understands, Miss Ariel. It"s time for us to launch." Maximilian concluded that there was no need for small talk anymore.
"Well then." After saying that, Ariel immediately made Gravy Ark shoot towards the sky at high speed. Lucas only looked up for a moment before he headed back into the city.
"Wow, it"s so fast! Maybe this long-distance Gravy Ark is twice as fast as the regular edition." Evelyn cheered as she gazed across the vast land and forest from the sky.
"For your information only, we are traveling at a speed of 1,200 kilometers per hour. In addition, this special Gravy Ark can go up to 7,000 kilometers per hour at its maximum, Princess Evelyn." Ariel corrected the wrong a.s.sumption after seeing the numbers near her feet. After confirming a few things, she sat down and faced backward.
"Oh, wow! Fourteen times normal speed. We are now only using 20 percent of the maximum potential of this device tool." Evelyn was amazed by the light applause. She just found out about this new information.
"Um, a question here." Elysia raised her hand, and it received a nod from Ariel. "If so, why are we traveling at only 20 percent of the maximum speed? Isn"t it faster that the better? Perhaps, we can arrive at Cuttexus City in a few hours."
"Hoh-hoho, the first question that is often asked. Miss Ariel, let me answer that question." Maximilian chuckled and stroked his beard like a wise man.
"If you wish, Sir Maximilian." Ariel responded with an open palm.
The curious girls and a boy looked at Maximilian for the answer. Elysia wasn"t the only one who wanted to know.
"That"s because we need to maintain the utilization of Energy Core and other components for long-term use. If this special Gravy Ark is accelerated by more than 1,500 kilometers per hour, then the component life will shorten even faster." Maximilian explained essential points. While the listeners only nodded in understanding.
Then, he pointed to a mid-tier Earth Grade Energy Core near Ariel. "In addition, the dark blue Energy Core over there would be lavishly drained far from normal calculations. If there is no urgency, then we only need to go at a steady pace."
The listeners turned to the direction the old wizard was pointing. An energy ball was locked in its socket as the Gravy Ark"s power source, but it was only half a ball.
Elysia nodded in understanding, but she raised her hand again to ask as the conversation topic was still hot to discuss. "Sir Maximilian, why is this magic device called Gravy or Gravy Ark?"
"Hmm, that"s a simple question with an easy answer. It has something to do with the name of the first inventor of this magic device. He was the genius researcher from ten centuries ago. Known by the respectable name, Gravy Typhoon." Maximilian looked up slightly. He recalled the merit of researchers in the past.
"*Giggle* Gravity pun? Please forgive me if I look rude, but I"m sorry, ufufu..." Elysia m.u.f.fled her laughter because she couldn"t imagine someone with a name like that. Far different from Elena, who laughed out loud in the Soul Realm.
"Gravity Poon? Gravy T-fun? Hehe, what a quirky name. SIr Maximilian, I"m sorry, but how is it written?" Evelyn also giggled because her best friend started it first.
"You little girl... Let me tell you this. It"s not poon, fun, pun, or anything. His name is Gra-vy Ty-phoon. Don"t make the name of the great inventor a joke." Maximilian felt a little annoyed, and he immediately straightened out the fallacy to the truth.
"Yes, sorry. Eve, don"t giggle." Elysia nudged her friend lightly.
"You too, Ely." Evelyn covered her mouth with her hand.
Rosie, Fran, and Ella just smiled at that. Not because of anything, but because of the two jolly girls" behavior.
In the next few moments, they chatted about light and fun things to fill their spare time. They even played some simple games, but only four girls and one boy partic.i.p.ated.
After two rounds, Rosie was not strong enough to keep up with it all again. The drowsiness slowly came over until it was unbearable.
"Rosie, now it"s your turn." Elysia said after taking the card. However, there was no response and movement from the girl beside her. She even felt that something was leaning against her shoulder.
Rosie leaned her head on Elysia"s shoulder. She was breathing softly in her sleep, but she was still holding the cards in her lap.
"Ah, Rosie is asleep." Evelyn muttered when she saw that Rosie was fast asleep.
"Yeah, Senior Bianca said that Sister Rosie didn"t sleep all night. Please let her sleep, she needs that very much." Fran took the card in his big sister"s lap, then arranged all the cards. It was time to end the game.
"En, sure." Ella and Evelyn nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Elysia just let out a subtle breath. She gave her cards to Fran, then she took out a pillow from her s.p.a.ce Bag. It was a pillow from a gift she got some time ago.
After putting the pillow on her lap, Elysia positioned Rosie to sleep in a better position so that Rosie did not suffer from neck aches or pain.
"Ella, help me stretch Rosie"s legs." Elysia whispered for help.
Ella only nodded in response and then stretched Rosie"s legs so Rosie could sleep comfortably. She knew very well that sleeping in a sitting position with the folded legs was not a restful sleep.
"Uhh... It"s only been an hour since we fly in the sky, and I"m already feeling bored. What should we do?" Evelyn looked up a little. She didn"t feel glare or overheated even though the sun was shining above her. It was thanks to the sphere light barrier, which also toned down sunlight and neutralized heat.
"Do you remember Prince Theo"s expression when Ella said something about him, Eve? He seems quite brokenhearted earlier. What did he think about Ella earlier, hmm... I wonder?" Elysia patted her chin as if she was wondering something, but she glanced at Ella.
"Hmm... Maybe, he had a crush on Ella but her grandfather kept the chance? Or maybe, his royal father was the reason? Oh, I"m also wondering, Ely. Ella, what do you think?" Evelyn rested her cheek on her hand. She also glanced at Ella to tease her.
"Mou~ You two are so mean. Why am I being asked about it all the time? Are you not satisfied yet?" Ella puffed her cheeks a little in protest.
"Then, let us know. After that, we will no longer bring up the topic to tease you for an answer." Evelyn smiled mischievously, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Ah-uh, I already answered right? I don"t know much about Prince Theo. I only met him three years ago on one occasion. He came over to say h.e.l.lo and asked a few things. I answered politely and left afterwards." Ella pumped his fists lightly as if to say she could do it.
"After that, well... I didn"t know that he followed me, and he met my grandfather at the Holy Cathedral. The two of them went fishing afterwards. That"s all I know, really. I never saw him again from then until earlier. Anyway, why are you two so curious about that, hmm... I"m the one wondering now." Ella put her palm against her cheek and tilted her head slightly.
Evelyn and Elysia exchanged a glance. One thing came to their minds, poor Prince Theo. They weren"t sure before because Ella wasn"t convincing enough, but not anymore. No wonder Theo"s expression was a bit strange when facing the accusations from Pope Alexander.