The Lord of the Seas - An Isekai Progression Fantasy [ Currently on Volume 2 ]

In the following days of Rosalia and Soren's spar, the kingdom buzzed with whispers and praise of the Princess of Easthaven.

A week had passed since that decisive spar and Rosalia's reputation had already begun to swell far beyond what Lukas had anticipated.

Word of her victory over the bastard son of King Daerion had spread like wildfire and the rumours of her wielding water magic had stirred something deep in the hearts of the people.

In a land devoted to the Church of Oceanus, her magical affinity for water was more than just a talent. Lukas could see it in the eyes of the guards as they bowed a little deeper, heard it in the way the nobles spoke of her as touched by Oceanus himself. She was no longer just that little girl that they'd grown to love and adore. She was no longer just the Princess of Easthaven—she was a symbol now. A good omen for what was to come for the future of Easthaven.

As time passed, Lukas also made a decision that had not been easy to make: The Merchant Guild would be traveling with King Daerion and his fleet to Nozar.

Lukas knew exactly what was at stake—he knew better than anyone else what it meant to step foot in the very heart of the empire that had hunted dragons like animals, enslaved them, butchered them, and paraded their bodies as trophies.

The Kingdom of Nozar had been the spearhead of the Great War, and even now, the draconic kind suffered the most within its borders. But if the Kingdom of Linemall was to rise again, it could not do so without this opportunity. They needed the resources to provide for his people and to do that, the Merchant Guild needed to grow. And to grow, it needed wealth, resources and most importantly...connections.

King Daerion had offered them all of that—on a silver platter no less—and turning it down would be foolish.

It was an opportunity they couldn't afford to waste, especially after their deal with Magnus had fallen through.

This was their chance to stand before the richest, most powerful nobles in Hiraeth, and sell them something they could not ignore. A product, a service, a marvel; something that only they could provide. Something that they had never seen before.

Even if that product didn't become a wild success, the exposure alone would bring in valuable connections that would have otherwise remained out of reach. Not to mention, the trading permits that Daerion was going to grant them.

Still, Lukas felt uneasy.

He had not forgotten about him.

The Hero From Another World.

The man who had appeared like a ghost from the past, only to send him to the brink of death.

The man who had killed Rodan Drakos.

The man who Oceanus had chosen as his personal champion, enacting his will on this world of Hiraeth that he had created.

The man who he had once called his own father.

There was no doubt that they would meet again. It was just a matter of when it happened, not if.

The truth was, very few knew the hero's true identity. Nozar had hidden him well, keeping him away from public view like some divine secret not yet ready to be revealed. It made Lukas really wonder why Darren chose to tell him that the Hero was hunting down Rodan that day they met in Ilagron Village.

It seemed like only the King's most trusted knew of the Hero's existence.

Lukas hoped that secrecy would continue, at least for a little longer. Because that meant the Hero would remain hidden from the public eye. If he was lucky, their paths would not cross during their visit to Nozar. And if they did…Lukas would be ready.

It was the reason why he had taken on the Trials of Kairos Castle. He'd face the Hero From Another World and this time and he would be ready for him.

When he broke the news to Rosalia, he could see the twinkle of excitement in her eyes light up instantly.

This wasn't just an opportunity for the Merchant Guild to grow, this was an opportunity for the Princess of Easthaven as well. And it was one that Rosalia was not going to just let pass her by, just like he hadn't let King Daerion's offer pass him by.

This was why Lukas found himself in the the King of Easthaven's quarters on a sunny afternoon. Magnus Elarion's study had always been a quiet, regal place—sunlight filtering through tall windows, shelves of ancient scrolls casting long shadows against polished stone walls.

Lukas stood silently behind Rosalia, his arms folded behind his back, as the young princess stood tall before her grandfather's desk. She had dressed sharply for the occasion, her posture straight, her voice composed. But Lukas could see the tension just beneath her confidence—the nervous energy bubbling under the surface.

He couldn't blame her.

Rosalia knew how big of an ask this was which was why they had spent hours working on this proposal that she was now going to present to her grandfather.

Magnus Elarion looked exhausted. The King of Easthaven sat slumped forward, his silvered hair slightly dishevelled, the lines under his eyes deeper than usual.

It was clear the past few weeks had rough for the old man.

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Since the duel with Celina, he had been working endlessly to make up for the lost time he had spent on the runic arrangement that had made the One Year Challenge possible in the first place. Magnus Elarion was still the King of Easthaven and the Head Mage of the Magic Tower. He had responsibilities to attend to. And Magnus, ever the perfectionist, had been working overtime to catch up on the work he had neglected.

In fact, this was the first time Lukas had seen him since that night—since the old man had looked him in the eye and turned down his plea for an alliance. But there were no hard feelings between them.

Lukas understood the burden he had to carry as the ruler of an entire nation. He understood better than anyone what that burden felt like.

Rosalia cleared her throat softly and began to speak.

"I've come to formally request permission to travel with Lukas and the Merchant Guild to Nozar, grandfather. I believe this journey is necessary."

Magnus arched a brow, lifting his gaze from the stack of parchment he'd been reviewing.

"Necessary?" he echoed. "Go on then. Explain to me how you think this journey is necessary for you to take on."

"First," Rosalia explained, "I understand that the Celebration of the Great War's End is an international event with great political significance. But as King and Head Mage of the Tower, your presence is required here in Easthaven. There are many responsibilities and duties that you must attend to. If you were to leave now, the Kingdom would suffer in your absence."

Magnus raised an eyebrow, impressed despite himself. "So you're saying that you wish to go in my place as the Representative of Easthaven for the Celebration?"

Rosalia gave a single, resolute nod. "Yes. As the only other member of the Elarion Royal Family, it is my duty to represent Easthaven in your stead."

The old man's lips twitched, but he did not interrupt for it was clear that she had much more to say.

"Secondly," she continued, "I have never left Easthaven. All my education, training, and worldview has been shaped within the borders of this Kingdom. That's not a bad thing but I think we both know that it is not enough don't we? If I'm to be someone who makes decisions for others, someone who serves the people...then I have to see the rest of Hiraeth for myself. Otherwise, I'll remain narrow-minded and…very very myopic."

That made Magnus chuckle, a short, amused burst of sound. To think a girl no older than twelve to be using a word like myopic, how his granddaughter had grown. Ten years ago, this same girl had just begun to learn her ABCs.

Rosalia smiled faintly but didn't break her momentum.

"And third," she said, "I understand that you worry for my safety. I will be travelling to foreign lands and anything can happen. But I will not be traveling alone."

She turned slightly, glancing toward Lukas before facing her grandfather again.

"Lukas is going to be there. You've seen what he's capable of. Not to mention, Jesse and Valakri are going to be there as well. You've seen what dragons can do! I am in safe hands, grandfather. I promise you that there is no need for worry."

The room fell quiet for a long moment. For a moment, Magnus Elarion said nothing.

His weathered gaze lingered on his granddaughter, not with anger or disapproval—but with hesitation.

There was no realm of possibility in which he should allow his only granddaughter to travel to the Kingdom of Nozar, even with Lukas and the Merchant Guild. It wasn't about political tension—Nozar and Easthaven had long enjoyed steady relations for years now. But that didn't erase the danger that the Princess might face outside the borders of this Kingdom.

Rosalia Elarion was still the Princess of Easthaven. She wasn't just a girl anymore—she was a symbol now, especially after her fight with Soren. And in Hiraeth, symbols were dangerous things to leave unguarded.

Magnus opened his mouth—likely to voice that very concern—when Rosalia suddenly raised a hand.

"There's one more reason," she said.

This time her voice was quieter, softer. It seemed less certain but more raw. It was clear that she hadn't exactly rehearsed this part of her speech.

"I want to go to Nozar…because I want to see my uncle."

That made the old man still.

"I haven't seen him since I was five," she continued. "I don't even remember what he looks like, grandfather. But I remember his voice. I remember the way he used to carry me on his shoulders and tell me stories about my mother."

She hesitated, swallowing hard.

"I know he's not no longer a Royal anymore. And I know he gave up our name when he joined the Marines of Nozar. But he's still your son, he is still my uncle. He's family. And I want to see him again."

Lukas, standing behind her, blinked.

That part hadn't been in the script.

He glanced at Rosalia, then at Magnus, before blurting, "Wow." Then louder, and entirely unhelpfully: "You're so right!"

Magnus shot him a look.

"Seriously. I mean—very emotionally compelling. Personal stakes. Very strong closer," Lukas added, throwing in a thumbs-up and nodding with the solemnity of a man who had no idea what to do with his hands. He regretted it immediately but he was trying to do what he could to help.

Rosalia rolled her eyes, but the young girl couldn't help smiling at Lukas' sad attempt at trying to solidify her argument.

Magnus looked at her for a long while, but something had changed. His expression softened and his shoulders lowered slightly as if the weight pressing against them had finally been acknowledged.

The room was still and then his gaze drifted towards the man who stood behind Rosalia.

Lukas and Magnus locked eyes. There was no need for the Crown, no need for mental connection to be established.

No words were required for the unspoken question that the King was asking Lukas.

Could he trust him? Could he trust him with his granddaughter's safety and well-being?

And Lukas, in the subtlest way possible, nodded without hesitation.

Lukas Drakos would protect her with his life.

Magnus closed his eyes for a brief moment, inhaling deeply before letting the breath go.

When he opened them again, he had already decided on his answer.

"Very well," he answered with a sigh. "You may go to Nozar. You will act as the official Representative of the Elarion Royal Family during the Festival."

There was a beat of silence—then Rosalia let out a loud cheer, throwing her arms into the air. "Yes! I'm going on an adventure! We're going on an adventure!"

Lukas laughed as she jumped around the room in pure elation. Even Magnus smiled a little, shaking his head as he reached for his forgotten tea, now cold.

For the first time in what felt like a long while, the old man didn't feel quite so tired.