All decisions made, and the fleet fully prepared, the Empress's retinue was finally set to depart to sea.
The next morning, the send-off crowd filled the pier.
Led by the Chief Minister William, the cabinet members, alongside local officials headed by the mayor and port authority personnel, and the remaining crew of the Fourth Fleet all gathered at the pier to bid farewell to the Empress.
Additionally, there were citizens and merchants from various countries who voluntarily came to see her off.
The Empress's unparalleled beauty and dignified demeanor left them in awe.
The crowd was transfixed by the Empress's grace until she slowly stepped onto the deck, ascended to the highest floor where the captain's quarters were, and disappeared into the room, only then reluctantly dispersing.
William and the others watched the Empress's entourage depart and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
