Earth's Greatest Magus

“I don’t care what kind of request you’ve asked the Moonshard to handle,” the elderly man said, his voice edged with suspicion. “But tell me—who are you?”

Emery remained calm, responding evenly, “I’ve requested them to find information about travelers and their whereabouts.”

The mention of travelers visibly startled the elderly man. His brows furrowed deeply as he leaned closer, scrutinizing Emery’s expression. “Travelers? Why do you want to know about them? Wait… you’re not a traveler, are you? No, that can’t be! A Magus Realm traveler? That’s unheard of!”

“I am,” Emery replied casually, his demeanor unwavering.

“You what?!” The old man’s shock was palpable, his voice rising in disbelief.

Emery was well aware of the stigma surrounding travelers in the Tartarus Realm. Their reputation was far from favorable—viewed with distrust, hunted by factions, and often forced to live under false identities. However, some had managed to integrate into society, carving out new lives.

With time being of the essence and the dangers of the capital looming, Emery decided to reveal the truth. His gaze remained steady as he watched the elderly man’s reaction, prepared to defend himself if necessary. If this revelation meant their partnership couldn’t continue, it was better to part ways now.

To his surprise, the old man seemed unfazed. He nodded slowly, a strange glint in his eyes. “No wonder… that explains a lot.”

Emery frowned slightly, unsure how to interpret the reaction. “I thought you’d be more surprised. Don’t you hate travelers?”

The elderly man shrugged. “Not really. I knew a traveler once. Decent fellow, actually.”

“Really? Who was he? Where is he now?”

“Dead.”

Emery’s excitement was short-lived. “Oh…”

The old man continued, his tone laced with dry humor. “Decent, but a bloody fool. So, yes… dead.”

Emery took a moment to process the response before looking the man directly in the eyes. “Do you have a problem with my identity as a traveler?”

The elderly man’s expression shifted, growing more serious. “That depends. What are you doing here?”

“Senior,” Emery began, his tone sincere, “I ended up here by accident. I’m just trying to find a way back home.”

The old man studied him carefully, then nodded. “Hmm… I see. Alright, seems fine to me. Actually, I’m more curious about your identity as a fey. Are you really a fey?”

Emery blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic. “I… don’t know. Tell me more about this fey you speak of.”

The conversation between Emery and Stoltz shifted seamlessly as they discussed the enigmatic Fey and the mysterious travelers. Stoltz shared what little he knew, painting a picture of a race steeped in myth and secrecy, their presence in the realms more often spoken of in whispers than witnessed firsthand.

While at it, Emery turned his attention to his recent wealthy captive. Through subtle yet firm persuasion, he ‘requested’ the alchemist to replace the transport he had destroyed.

Baldoni could do nothing but comply, surrendering his prized carriage. The vehicle was impressive—twice the size of the one Emery had lost, with multiple private rooms and intricately designed compartments. Its speed, roughly 30% faster than the previous cart, made it a valuable acquisition.

Emery examined the new cart with satisfaction. Its reinforced frame gleamed under the light, and the interior was luxuriously furnished. The elderly Grand Magus couldn’t help but show his surprise as Emery let his daughter and the two acolytes out once again before setting off toward Pardera’s capital.

###

The Fey were counted among the most enigmatic of the beastman races, a people cloaked in mystery and awe. Residing alongside the fairies on a distant, untamed planet far removed from the bustling civilizations of the Tartarus realms, their existence was steeped in legends that dated back tens of thousands of years.

According to ancient lore, the Fey were tasked as the eternal guardians of their planet, bound to its essence in a symbiotic relationship that granted them immense power and an equally profound responsibility.

Their unique status placed the Fey at the apex of the beastman hierarchy, revered even among the mighty dragon warriors, who themselves were symbols of strength and resilience. Such reverence, however, came at a price: the Fey rarely ventured beyond their ancestral lands, their involvement in the affairs of the realms limited to rare and momentous occasions. To most inhabitants of the Tartarus realms, the Fey were little more than a whispered legend; only the elites or resourceful factions like the Mooshard Society had laid eyes on one of their kind.

###

Unbeknownst to Emery, deep within the mystical expanse of the fairy forest, an ancient presence stirred. Hidden amidst a sanctuary where magic thrummed like a heartbeat in the air, a supreme being—a fusion of human and beast—awakened from her prolonged slumber. Her luminous eyes, sharp as the piercing moonlight, opened to gaze upon a world that seemed to hum with renewed activity.

With a mere flex of her will, she extended her consciousness, her thoughts intertwining with other supreme beings in the region. A voice, ethereal and reverent, echoed in her mind.

Her mental response was steady, carrying the weight of authority and wisdom.

The Earth Mother’s focus sharpened.

But the Earth Mother offered no reply, her silence as deliberate as her words. After a moment of stillness, her thoughts rang out again, decisive and commanding.

The request was uncommon, but her words were met with absolute respect.

As swiftly as her consciousness had spread, it retreated, leaving the mystical forest in an uncanny stillness once more. High above, the ancient trees swayed gently, as if bowing to the supreme figure’s dormant will. Somewhere deep within the forest, a plan was already in motion