The Outer City of the North Kingdom's capital was a bustling sight, with a vibrant blue sky stretching overhead. The harbor teemed with activity as numerous people flocked there, seeking trade opportunities with the traveling merchants or hoping to acquire new goods.
Birds gracefully soared through the sky, their flight patterns weaving amidst the azure backdrop. Some of them swooped down upon the fish displayed on various stalls, seizing their prey with precision.
As Bastian's ship glided into the harbor and found its mooring, it momentarily drew the attention of onlookers. Curious gazes swept over the vessel, scanning its entirety. Once it became apparent that it was merely another merchant ship, the observers returned their focus to their own affairs.
Meanwhile, Bastian and his family, accompanied by a select group of his crew, gathered on the lower deck, preparing for their next course of action.
"Listen, my comrades," Bastian addressed his crew with a commanding tone. "Some of you will remain behind to protect our ship, while the rest will accompany me to the church."
"Once we disembark, I want you to shield our movements from prying eyes. If you notice anything suspicious, alert me immediately. Look out for gestures directed towards us, unusual behaviors with their tools, or individuals who swiftly avert their gaze upon making eye contact," he instructed, his arms folded across his chest, his eyes narrowing.
He took pride in the fact that none of his crew appeared scared or anxious. It seemed that they were all wholeheartedly dedicated to serving his family.
"Yes, Captain!" they responded in unison, their eyes reflecting unwavering determination.
With a nod of approval, Bastian turned around and, in an instant, his stern countenance softened. "Let us proceed," he said, leading the way.
Each member of the group donned cloaks that concealed their bodies, leaving only their faces exposed. Leona, however, wore a veil that partially obscured her features, a precautionary measure to prevent her beauty from attracting any unwanted attention.
"Father, can I buy some toys later?" Alice's voice piped up from beneath the oversized cloak that engulfed her petite form. Her stature reached only half the height of Bastian's feet, rendering her utterly endearing as the cloak swept along the ground.
"Ohhh, come here, sweetie," Bastian's heart melted at the sight of his daughter's adorableness, unable to resist the urge any longer. He swiftly scooped Alice up and placed her on his back, eliciting a momentary shout of surprise from her as she suddenly found herself elevated. "Let's go, father!" Alice exclaimed with sheer delight, tugging on her father's cloak eagerly.
Meanwhile, Leona cradled Desmond in her arms, a soft smile gracing her lips as she observed the heartwarming interaction between father and daughter.
From Desmond's perspective, his attention was captivated by the bustling port, reminiscent of scenes from his past world's history books. As they slowly descended from the ship onto the dock, he found himself fascinated by the sights that unfolded before him.
Instead of focusing on his family's interactions, Desmond's gaze was drawn to the people and their attire, which seemed straight out of a fantasy realm. Coats and hats adorned their forms, creating an air of antiquity that intrigued him.
Moreover, even the stall owners engaged in magical practices, performing enchantments that imbued their stalls with extraordinary abilities. As the owners muttered incantations, small magic circles materialized on their tables, effortlessly clearing away dust and debris.
Fascinating, Desmond thought, unable to quell his thirst for experiencing these fantastical scenes with his own eyes. His attention then shifted to another captivating sight—a sight that astonished him. He witnessed his ship being moved without the need for any human effort!
Several maids stationed on the ship's deck whispered incantations, causing multiple small magic circles to appear on the vessel's hull. The water beneath the hull came alive, gently pulling the ship closer to the dock before abruptly halting just moments before making contact.
As they made their way toward the church, Desmond noticed the curious gazes of the onlookers at the harbor. It was only natural for people to become intrigued when witnessing a group surrounded by a protective formation of individuals. Their eyes followed Bastian, Leona, and their children, fueling an air of curiosity and speculation.
With his father's crew donning their light armor and armed with weapons at their waists, their formation served as a deterrent to unwanted individuals approaching them. Desmond couldn't help but appreciate the tactical prowess displayed by his father's crew, effectively announcing their presence while keeping potential threats at bay.
As he contemplated the reasons behind his parents' caution, Desmond's attention was suddenly interrupted by the emergence of a system interface, blocking his view.
[Automatically scanning the new environment]
[The map has been updated!]
Simultaneously, a transparent screen materialized before him, displaying a map that depicted his current location as a blue dot in a city-like terrain.
Unexpectedly, the system seemed to have initiated an automated task without his direct command, prompting a realization within Desmond. He had always assumed that his commands were the sole triggers for the system's actions, but now he pondered the possibility of automated tasks being carried out as well.
With his vantage point granting him clear visibility of people's expressions and the surrounding area, Desmond's attention was drawn to those individuals practicing magic.
"System, can you create a magic or spell that can be attached to an object without requiring personal energy? Essentially, it would utilize the surrounding energy to sustain its own energy consumption," Desmond inquired, seeking a more efficient and sustainable way to harness magical abilities.
[Creating a Task...
Using Slot 1
Status: Working 0%]
[Estimated time: 10 years]
[Unused Slot 1]
[Running in the background]
[Requirement: The host must learn the structure and workings of the spell in order to proceed. The task will only commence once the necessary knowledge has been acquired.]
Desmond realized that, despite the system's capability to execute tasks autonomously, his intervention and understanding were still vital for the task to progress. This realization resonated with the concept of scientists requiring previous research as a reference to solve new problems.
With newfound clarity, Desmond accepted his role in acquiring the knowledge necessary to initiate the task, recognizing that his understanding and mastery of magical structures would be crucial for its success.
Desmond's excitement grew as he contemplated the possibilities of utilizing the system to gather materials, information, and conduct experiments. It felt as though he possessed a unique advantage in this world, akin to having a personal computer that could assist him on his journey.
While others might spend years focusing on researching and conducting magical experiments, Desmond realized that he could streamline the process by utilizing the system to gather data and let it handle the more laborious aspects, allowing him to continue strengthening himself and engaging in further experimentation simultaneously.
...
Unbeknownst to Desmond and his family, their crew members who remained on the ship failed to notice the presence of a man among the crowd. This man observed their arrival with a smile and proceeded to his stall, swiftly dismissing his newly arrived customers. Casting a cautious gaze around, he closed his stall, giving the impression that something suspicious was afoot.