"So what's our plan of action, we have less than two weeks for the exam?" Shinzo asked as they sat on deck.
"Nito Island is the location of the exam, but it's really far away," Luna said. "It'll take latest three days to get there if we stay on track."
The door to the control room pulled open and Octavius walked out. "I've made the final preparations, so let me give you a tour of the ship."
Paolo clapped excitedly. "Finally."
"I'm so excited; I'm going to navigate a ship," Luna said, squealing. "I've only navigated small ships to nearby locations not through the whole ocean."
Octavius first pointed at the figurehead. "Because I made the ship as an adventure ship, the arrow represents moving forward." he traced his hands on the ship wood. "And we don't have to worry about the ship getting damaged because it's made out of Fort Wood."
"So basically it's idiot proof," Shinzo stated.
Octavius chuckled, pointing at the control room. "Not only do we have the control room there, but the rooms are also located in that area."
They followed him to the control room at the back of the ship. In it was the helm, a lever and a back door. "The lever is to control the anchor."
He led them through the back door, a long hallway with many doors stretching into the dark. Octavius opened a double door, revealing a small lounge with a couch and beanbags. "This is supposed to be a lounge, so you guys can decorate it with whatever you want." He led them down the hall to a staircase leading down. "These stairs lead to another set of bedrooms. Men will take one while women take another."
"How many rooms in the ship?" Paolo asked.
"Sixteen in total. Each room has a hub to pass on information to the whole ship."
"That's so cool," Paolo said.
"Now, I shall lead you to the kitchen and the bar."
They left the control room and moved to another building at the middle of the ship. The room had many circular tables and high chairs by a bar table. "This is the bar. We come here to eat. When we increase in number, the place will be filled with life."
Paolo grinned. "I can't wait."
Octavius pointed at a little stage at the side. "This is where musicians can play their instruments." He moved to the bar table, pointing to the open wall behind it. "Behind there is the kitchen."
Aline's eyes gleamed. "Let me see."
He took them into the kitchen. "We have a cooler room and a pantry," he said, tilting his head towards two doors at the side.
Aline smiled wistfully. "I see five ovens."
"My brothers and I installed them. They cook really fast and last for a long time."
"That's wonderful," Aline said.
He pointed at a communication hub strapped to the wall of the kitchen, above one of the ovens. "This hub is to inform everyone when food is ready."
They left the bar in awe, the ship more impressive than they expected.
Octavius pointed at a smaller building in front of the observation tower. "Let me show you guys the workrooms. So here we have a sickbay, engineer's office, captain's office, library, training room, weapons room, treasure safe, and navigational room." Octavius smiled. "You guys will love this."
.....
The adventurers were satisfied with life. Aline had already planned the meal she would cook, Paolo wondered what books he'd fill in the library, Shinzo was waiting to pile money in the safe and Luna was already drawing maps in her head.
"On the poop deck, there is a hot tub for relaxation. There are also benches around the ship," Octavius said, pointing at the observation tower. "That's where we can check for passing ships and islands. I installed a set of binoculars and a beach chair"
The adventurers sat on the chairs around a circular table on the main deck, sighing with happiness.
"This is such a good ship. How long have you been working on it?" Shinzo asked.
"The beginning of last year. It was my first big project and took my team and I so much time to create," Octavius said. "Glad to see it's too your liking."
The crew started discussing what to put on the ship, a happy bubble surrounding the ship.
"What's the name of our crew?" Octavius suddenly asked.
A curt silence crowned the ship, Paolo stroking his chin. "Oh, I never thought about that."
Octavius slammed his palm on his forehead, sighing. "You mean to tell me that you didn't come up with a name for your crew."
"Nope."
Octavius sighed again. "Then let's think of one together."
"Paolo's Adventurers," Paolo suggested.
Luna quickly dismissed it. "It sounds generic, plus there are many people out there with the name Paolo."
"True," he mumbled.
"Gold Mine Adventurers," Shinzo suggested.
"Pass," Aline said. "The Super Adventurers sounds cooler."
"No way," Luna said. "The Rum Adventurers sounds much better."
Soon the four adventurers argued, their ideas clashing violently. Octavius looked at the cross chain on Paolo's neck and grinned. He clapped his hands and a bucket of white paint, a black cloth and a paint brush appeared.
The crew stopped arguing, watching as he drew a huge heart with a ribbon underneath it and a cross in between it. "We are now the Cross Heart Adventurers."
Paolo grinned, the name ringing nicely in his ear. "I like the sound of that."
"Any objection?" Octavius asked, examining their expressions.
They all shook their head, all in favor of the name and he smiled, the name giving life to the formerly nameless crew.
"Then I officially dub us the Cross Heart Adventurers."
.....
The people of Badeus Island moved aside, the presence of the Earthian Noble shocking them. Julius Ferrum walked with his back straight, his face not reflecting his age of forty-seven.
Behind him, a blonde in a white floral patterned shirt with a black jacket over it walked with his hands in his pocket. The jacket had a golden eagle pin, giving him a certain air of authority.
People whispered to each other, a presence like one of an Earthian Noble non-existent in their island.
"It's Julius Ferrum," someone whispered.
"And he brought a Military King too, do you think something happened?"
"Piero, why didn't Leon come?" Julius asked.
"The Adventurer's Guild have him on a roll this month," Piero said. "World Adventurers have it tough."
Julius didn't answer him, stopping when they got to the gate of Festus' Engineers. One of the workers gulped at his entrance, bowing hurriedly. "G-good day King Ferrum."
Julius gave him a once over before passing through while Piero smiled apologetically at the worker. "Sorry about that, he's just always sour."
"Piero!" Julius snapped. "Stop talking nonsense and move faster."
Piero followed him into the first factory, ignoring the reception hall. The Fedal brothers moved away from their work on his entrance, Festus moving forward first.
"Festus, where are my men?"
Festus sighed. "Not even a greeting or welcome, it seems you never change."
"I didn't come here to play, I received a call from Nintus saying you locked them up," Julius snapped. "First you take my son then my men do you Fedal's not understand boundary."
"Regarding your son, I didn't take him you pushed him to me. If you were a better father maybe he wouldn't resort to running away."
"You're right, if I was a better father, he might have become a better Ferrum."
Anger bubbled in Festus' chest, glaring at the Earthian Noble. "Your son is out there doing his best to have you acknowledge him. He may not have said it, but he really wants you to recognize him. Don't you care?"
Julius' eyes remained cold and unmoving. "I only do what is best for the Ferrum name anyone who goes against it will be crushed." Julius stepped closer until he cornered Festus, a chill going down the engineer's spine. "Even if he's my own son."