Earth's Greatest Magus

The truth was Emery had a lot on his plate right now, counting the six grueling months he spent in the Demon's Pitt, he now only have two months before the much awaited Ancient Celestial Ruins open. Such a limited window to prepare was stifling. The urgency was palpable.

During such a limited period of time, he had other dire matters pressing on him. His cherished plant creatures were in peril, a consequence of some unforeseen imbalance. Finding a remedy for their ailment was paramount. Added to this was the damage sustained by his primal core. On top of it all, Emery still need the permit to leave his planet and reentry into the Magus Universe, a step he had yet to take.

There were also the 140 human spirit souls that he carry with him. Their silent pleas echoed within, a constant reminder of their dislocation from their homes galaxies away.

All those concerning situations and here he was, grounded in Britain, waiting for a mere boat to cross the relatively short expanse of water.

Amidst these pressing thoughts, a familiar voice snapped him back to reality.

"Abe... Abe! Hello, Abe!"

The call startled him. Emery had momentarily forgotten his current guise. He had taken on the identity of Abe Fantumar, a noble from the Kingdom of Lioness.

Shaking his head to clear the daze, Emery responded, forcing a tone of feigned concern, "Yes, my Queen. My apologies, I was...distracted. I can't help but worry about our journey."

The Queen's eyes, a shade of deep azure, searched his, her voice carrying a hint of impatience, "Abe, we can't delay any further. Why hasn't the ship set sail? It's noon already."

She was concern of being found out, after all she was one of the most famous person in Britain, especially in this old Lioness city.

Emery let out a weary sigh, a tempting thought fluttered through his mind: perhaps he could simply employ spell, teleport directly into Rome, and then manipulate her memories afterward. Yet, that mysterious sword, securely fastened to the Queen's back, was a formidable deterrent. Acted as a shield, blocking his magical influence over her.

Revealing his true identity to the Queen was a potential solution, but the prospect was riddled with uncertainty. Emery would rather not have such awkward conversation unless there was no other alternative. With no other option in sight, Emery decided to approach the ship and discern the cause of the delay.

The ship, with its medium stature and intricately carved bow, bobbed gently in the dock's embrace. Emery approached, his footsteps echoing faintly against the wooden planks. Spotting a sailor busily coiling ropes, he approached him with a query. The sailor's grim expression and the urgency in his tone conveyed that their captain was still engaged in official proceedings, seeking clearance for departure. As the sailor relayed this, a shadow loomed over the horizon—Roman soldiers, their armor glinting under the sun, marched with unmistakable intent toward the ship.

"Can't we depart without the captain?"

The sailor hesitated, casting a glance over the ship's crew. "None among us can chart the path to Rome. Only the captain possesses that knowledge."

Emery's could weave a spell, compelling the sailors to abandon their captain and set sail. Yet, even with the power of persuasion at his fingertips, Emery could not grant them the knowledge of navigation.

The footsteps of the advancing Romans getting closer, leading Emery to made a snap decision. "Prepare the ship. I'll navigate," he declared.

After all, he mused, if he had once guided a spaceship through the vast expanse of the universe, how challenging could navigating a voyage from Britain to Rome be?

With a newfound purpose, Emery retraced his steps, "The preparations are complete; we can embark now," he informed her.

Her reply, "Alright Abe, that's wonderful," was tinged with relief. Yet, Emery couldn't help but notice the subtle tremble in her voice, the way she hesitated before stepping onto the boat. Her rapidly fluttering heartbeat was almost palpable. Observing these nuances, Emery pondered on the depths of the emotions and the weight of the decisions the Queen bore.

As the ship's sails billowed with a sudden gust, the boat began its gentle glide away from the docks. The Queen, eyes fixed on the receding shoreline, exhibited a palpable tension. Observing her closely, Emery felt compelled to voice his concern.

"Your Highness, are you certain about this journey?"

Her gaze momentarily shifted to meet his, "Yes, of course Abe, I must… it's… just this is my first time on the boat… i didn't realize it would be this overwhelming."

Emery's heart clenched at her words. He was transported back in time, remembering a young princess who had once shared dreams of exploring distant lands but was constrained by her royal duties. He found it hard to fathom that in the decade since, she had remained ensconced in her kingdom.

"You've never ventured beyond these shores?" he asked, incredulity evident in his voice.

She chuckled, albeit nervously, "It's true. You know I never leave… I never been anywhere"

Her gaze returned to the diminishing silhouette of the Lioness City. Her voice, laden with melancholy, whispered, "I almost did once… ten years ago… I… was…." Her voice trailed off, her eyes distant. "I wonder what I become if I did"

The raw emotion in her voice resonated with Emery, unearthing memories of painful past that he had fervently tried to bury. As the ship gathered momentum, a gust of wind playfully lifted the cape she wore, revealing a cascade of golden locks that shimmered in the sunlight. The rhythm of her heartbeat, which had until now been a frenetic symphony, seemed to calm, reflecting the wonder in her eyes.

"I finally here," she murmured, her voice awash with newfound exhilaration.

The gravity of the moment made Emery momentarily set aside the urgency of his tasks. He was ready to embrace the present, willing to fulfill a long-standing wish - to take her on a voyage through the wonders of the world. Everything else can wait 7 days.