He was one of the three craftsmen sent by the Grand Princess to oversee the construction of this ship, the leading figure of the Seven Seas Traveler. Only this Old Dwarf understood what this small ship truly meant—
"Master Uno," Elisa spoke, "please pass this item on to Lady Aierna, asking her to relay it to the Grand Princess."
Unaware, the Old Dwarf put the thing away. Looking down, he realized it was a broken photo frame. As for the person in the picture inside the frame, he seemed to recognize them, but couldn't quite remember at the moment.
He nodded, wiped a tear away, and said gruffly, "You all must treat this ship well."
Elisa smiled faintly, "Of course, I understand. Take care, Master Uno."
"Safe journey, Lord Tarot will protect you all."
Elisa nodded before turning to rush towards Gita, who was maintaining the spell.
But Miss Natural Historian, upon seeing her, suddenly seemed to remember something and called out, "Sister Elisa, wait a moment!"
She put away the Magic Guided Book, quickly dashed to one side, and picked up a small box from behind a box there, then hurried back. The Communication Crystal inside had already transmitted Fang Hong's urgent voice:
"Elisa, hurry a bit."
Elisa scooped up Miss Natural Historian along with the box in her hands. She glanced at it and saw a small, horned head poking out of the box.
Miss Nightingale was momentarily stunned, then remembered the origin of this little thing; Miss Natural Historian said it was a Horned Lizard, but Tianlan insisted it was a Fairy Dragon—though none of them had actually seen what a Fairy Dragon looked like—but this little thing was indeed the uninvited guest residing on Mr. Greyrock's platform.
Ever since Mr. Greyrock left, it had been living in the shipyard with everyone, peacefully coexisting, to the point where everyone almost forgot its presence.
"It is also a member of the Seven Seas Travel Group," Gita said softly, "Brother Ade mentioned it."
"Yes, yes, yes," Elisa nodded, "Captain Ade is always right."
At this moment, the Seven Seas Traveler was about to pass through the gate. Miss Nightingale quickly stepped forward, one arm holding Miss Natural Historian and the other grabbing the hanging soft ladder.
"Elisa and Gita have come up!"
Ai Xiaoxiao's cheering voice came through the Sound Transmission Tube.
Only then did Fang Hong sigh in relief and set down the Communication Crystal in his hand.
Amidst the noisy clamor, time seemed to slow down, and he also heard Tianlan screaming:
"Ah, there seems to be a mouse on the ship!"
"I, I, I just saw it run past me!"
But Fang Hong was no longer concerned about that. He turned back, watching the Seven Seas Traveler slowly pass through the lock, leaving those familiar faces behind.
A dazzling beam of sunlight was reflecting into everyone's eyes. Through the window, he looked in that direction. He watched as the illusion enveloping the entire shipyard began to slowly fade away after Gita's departure.
Outside the shipyard, the Arcanists finally realized they had been tricked and, breaking through the barrier set by Aierna and her group, rushed towards the shipyard.
But their movements were so slow...
Because the Seven Seas Traveler was gradually accelerating.
A gentle breeze flowing from the Sky Sea swept across the ship's bow, and the snow-white sails gently unfurled. Bakins leaned against the mast, took out a flat flask from his coat, and couldn't help but smile at the Cloud Sea gradually unfolding ahead.
At this time, Fang Hong lowered his head.
He spoke softly into the Sound Transmission Tube:
"Everyone—"
"Raise the sails, set sail."
A gentle hum sounded, and the slender body of the Seven Seas Traveler quivered slightly.
At that moment, everyone felt as if their bodies had become lighter, almost as if they were floating up to the clouds.
...