We’d done it—the first circumnavigation in Real Fantasy. When our ship returned to the port of Nant in the Kingdom of Silesie, the entire city erupted in celebration.
The mont we docked, every crew mber, including , was hoisted onto luxurious open carriages, paraded like triumphant war heroes.
I barely had ti to set foot on solid ground before I was swept up and carried off.
Seated in the carriage, bouncing with every step of the procession, I waved to the cheering townsfolk.
「It feels like being carried in a portable shrine.」
I muttered with a chuckle.
Still, my first thought was for the crew.
After all, this voyage had lasted more than six months.
Even with magical teleportation circles enabling quick returns to the royal palace, the physical toll on the sailors had been imnse.
「First and foremost, we need to give everyone so well-earned rest.」
At this, Admiral arid grinned and replied,
「You won’t need to organize any celebrations yourself. Looks like the city’s got it covered.」
Banners reading “Congratulations to the Hero of Silesie for Completing the Circumnavigation!” hung all around Nant. Everywhere, people were already partying.
The citizens of Silesie had wholeheartedly embraced their love for festivals.
There wasn’t any need for a grand party; the entire city was already a party venue.
The sailors, no longer weighed down by exhaustion, dove headlong into the jubilant atmosphere, scattering to taverns across the city to drink and revel.
In a port city like Nant, sailors with heavy purses were always popular.
Now that they’d achieved a feat as monuntal as circumnavigation, they were treated like celebrities wherever they went.
After enduring such hardships and accomplishing sothing so grand, a bit of indulgence seed well deserved.
「So, we’ve finally done it. Circumnavigated the world.」
I had always believed the world was connected, that it could be circled. But until it’s done, you can’t really know for sure.
It’s funny to think we took the opposite route of Magellan, the first person on Earth to complete such a journey.
arid and I unfurled the new world map we had completed during the voyage.
Even now, there were vast blank spaces.
Places like the interior of the Abyss Continent, where Nicholas discovered the rift in ti and space, or the unexplored regions of the Sia Continent (analogous to Asia) and the lands near “Australia”.
This world still held countless mysteries.
We hadn’t even touched the poles.
I’d glimpsed the edge of the southern ice fields when we sailed around the Abyss Continent. Watching penguin-like creatures hopping across the glaciers had been a delightful surprise.
What other wonders might this world hide? The thought was endlessly intriguing.
arid glanced at , reading the restless glint in my eyes.
「Already thinking about your next voyage, aren’t you?」
arid smiled as she looked at my restless expression.
「Well, it’s hard not to find it exciting.」
Still, it was clear I’d be expected to stay put in the royal castle at Silesie for a while.
「There’s the matter of my wedding with arid and Princess Shizuka, after all.」
To be honest, this long voyage had led to both arid and Shizuka carrying my children.
We’d even talked about visiting Shizuka’s holand, Hinomoto, once the children were born. That might beco our next adventure.
「Marriage, huh? Being stuck on land will probably drive up the wall—I’d rather get back to sea as soon as possible.」
arid said casually.
「Hey, hey, at least stick around for the formal introductions, okay?」
Even Admiral Drake, who had taken a dragon maid as his bride, spent most of his ti at sea. But no matter how much he loved sailing, he’d still made sure to formally present his wife to the people.
Doing so had earned their recognition, which would help ensure a bright future for his children. I wanted that for my kids too.
「I know, I know. I’d want Asama’s blessing for our child as well.」
arid replied with a chuckle.
It made happy to hear that, though her slightly visible belly made pause.
Hmm, would she wear a wedding dress with that bump?
Looks like I’ll need to ask Sharon for a custom design again.
「By the way, where’s Shizuka?」
「She went out with her attendants to explore the streets. She seed fascinated by the architecture and stone-paved roads.」
Shizuka’s black hair might draw attention, but Nant was a bustling international port. Plenty of unusual people passed through here, so no one would likely recognize her as the princess of Hinomoto.
「Got it. Let’s join them and explore the city too.」
My face was fairly well-known, so I’d need to disguise myself.
「Yeah, it’s a festival day. Let’s enjoy it.」
「Just promise you’ll stay away from the alcohol.」
It wouldn’t do to risk the baby’s health.
「Relax, I get it, King General. Just soaking up the atmosphere, nothing more.」
「You’d better an that.」
Still, if I stayed close to her, I could keep an eye on things.
And so, we headed out to join the festivities in the streets of Nant, which had transford into one giant party.
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