"The Magic Crystal was transported from another Floating Island, roughly located at..., the whole Magic Crystal is as big as an island. In two days, they will officially start extracting Magic Power from it."
Listening to Gemini's description, Rhode realized that to mark this thing on the map, you have to add a relative altitude.
But it makes sense, considering most of the people in this country live on Floating Islands, it's normal for the map to be three-dimensional.
"If we want to rescue our companions, we have to go to this Floating Island..."
But it's obvious that it's heavily guarded. Sailing the ship over now would be walking into a trap.
Moreover, Gemini mentioned that Edolas has a Regiun Team, specially responsible for aerial combat.
Their mounts, even if they aren't as big as the ones encountered before, aren't much smaller, and they have quite a number. Relying on Rhode's current ordinary wild creatures definitely won't solve it.
Rhode thought for a moment, then said, "Before tonight, we need to find a hidden place to land, and test whether my method can restore the Magic Crystal to its original state. If possible, we'll find a way to touch that massive Magic Crystal."
As for how to return to Atlas, Gemini needs to go to the Royal Capital and get close to a few important individuals.
The worst-case scenario is... the people below don't know, and they have to figure out a way to kidnap the King.
With only two days, if pushed, Rhode really might have to release spiders in the Royal Palace.
Lucy asked, "What kind of place would be considered safe, then?"
"Either it's a place rarely visited by people or a place the King's Army wouldn't dare go to..." Rhode wasn't familiar with the area, so he couldn't name a specific location, and could only ask, "Lisana, do you know of such a place?"
"The place where the Guild used to be was good... no, it's too far. All the places I know are too far," Lisana frowned. "If it's too far from the Royal Capital, we might not make it back in time to save everyone if the ship's Magic Power runs out."
This is indeed a problem.
If it's too far, we might not make it back, but the closer to the Royal Capital, the more abundant the magic, and the stronger the kingdom's control, making it impossible to set up camp with peace of mind.
"I know a place~ Not far from the Royal Capital, but the King's Army doesn't dare to go there," said Gemini, "in Extalia."
"..." Carla's face turned pale—it was already white since she's a white cat, but her eyes showed her panic.
Rhode recognized the term: "Where is Extalia? Does it have anything to do with Aikxite? And does anyone know what Aikxite is?"
"Extalia is north of this island, belonging to the kingdom of Aikxite. As for what is Aikxite, Hapi and Carla are Aikxite!"
"What?" Lucy showed a surprised expression. She always thought Hapi and Carla were just special cats.
Carla covered her head, not wanting to hear any of this.
"We and Carla are Aikxite?" Hapi learned new information about their origin for the first time because Carla never willing to speak about it for some reason.
"Bi-li~ Bi-li~ To be precise, it's the Transcenders—a race that naturally possesses Magic Power, with a status that surpasses humans," Gemini corrected.
Rhode recalled the scene where soldiers would salute Hapi and follow commands: "Wait a minute, ruling all of Edolas, it can't be cats like Hapi and Carla, could it?"
"No, the ruler of Edolas is Faust, the King of Edolas, a human. Transcenders are akin to Gods, with power and status far above humans."
"Gods?"
"Because the Queen of Extalia, Shargate, has the power to control human life and death—any human she wishes to eradicate will definitely die. Soga has heard of such things."
Does she also have a Death Note? This was Rhode's first thought.
Such descriptions sound like possessing some kind of Curse Killing Magic. It's rumored that the Black Mage Jellal had such magic.
If that's the case... Rhode thought if he were the King, he would definitely find a way to eliminate that Queen.
He had the courage to start a war-like operation against the entire world of Aslan for Magic Power, so there's no reason he wouldn't dare make a move against a cat queen.
But this wasn't Rhode's concern, so he asked, "Is there a place in Extalia where we can dock our ship? How long would it take to get there?"
"Just go around the Royal Capital and ascend further to reach Extalia, but Soga hasn't been there, nor has Daiuer, so we don't know the terrain," said Rhode, turning to Lisana, "Lisana, do you know anything about the Transcenders?"
Lisana replied, "I don't. It seems that not many people have seen Transcenders. If it were otherwise, Hapi and Carla would have been recognized in the Guild."
"Indeed. Well then..."
Suddenly, Gemini exclaimed, "I'm sorry!"
"What?"
Gemini and Minnie huddled together: "Time's up, see you next time, bi-li bi-li~"
With their final words, Gemini and Minnie transformed into golden light and disappeared.
Lucy's body wavered, having to lean against the cockpit wall to keep herself steady.
"Are you alright?" Rhode understood that feeling too well.
"I'm fine," Lucy said with effort, "It's my fault for being too weak; I didn't manage to relay all the information."
"It doesn't matter; we've already learned most of the important things. Just get some rest," Rhode said, "Let's first go and check out Extalia."
Carla seemed to have just snapped out of her daze and, hearing where Rhode wanted to go, she quickly said:
"That's where me and Hapi's eggs were born, which means it's them who sent us here, and it could be very dangerous!"
"Well, there are no better options; maybe the most dangerous place is the safest?" Rhode looked at Carla, "Or do you have more valuable information for us?"
"I..." Carla bit her lip, "At least... At least Wendy and Natsu cannot go!"
Rhode shook his head and said, "We only have a few people in total; spreading out will only make it more dangerous. Moreover, they both absolutely won't want to be left behind by us.
"If that happened, Natsu might impulsively storm into the Royal Capital by himself. And Wendy's character is such that she wouldn't let Natsu act alone, so in the end, she'll follow too."
"..." Carla couldn't argue because, thinking calmly, it's clear those two would absolutely do just that.
"Carla..." Hapi drooped his ears, cautiously asking, "Why can't we go back to our homeland?"
Hapi was just thinking that if their hometown was involved, maybe he could use his Transcender status to help everyone.
Just like before when he had the soldiers disarm, this time he might help conceal everyone.
Hapi looked at Carla, who had turned her face away, and unwillingly continued to ask, "Why can't Natsu and Wendy go either?"
"You!" Carla turned her face, gritting her teeth as she glared at Hapi.
Seeing the ship adjust its course while Hapi remained clueless, the anger on Carla's face grew stronger.
Hapi didn't know what he said wrong, and Rhode and Lucy curiously looked at Carla, while Lisana also turned her head.
Carla's anger gradually turned to despair, her tears spilling from her eyes.
Nearly breaking down, she shouted to Hapi: "Because our mission! Is to kill Wendy and Natsu!!!"
"!!!" Hapi's eyes widened, mouth agape, unable to speak.
A familiar voice rang out: "Carla... what did you say..."
"Wen…" Carla whirled around to see Wendy struggling to support Natsu standing by the door.
Wendy's expression matched Hapi's, and even Natsu temporarily forgot his physical discomfort, looking at them in shock.
Tears continued to stream down Carla's cheeks, her mouth opening and closing, she now didn't even dare to call out Wendy's name.