Earth's Greatest Magus

Despite having spent less than a week in Sky City, Emery made a decisive move to follow the lead Annara had provided. His curiosity and concern for Julian pushed him to take a journey through three portal gates and over six hours of space travel, leading them to a distant galaxy in sector 11.

Their destination was a middle-realm planet with a tumultuous past. Over 3000 years of unrelenting conflict had scarred the land.

Historical records painted a bleak picture: once a flourishing world under the rule of an incompetent magus, the planet had fallen into disarray two millennia ago due to insurmountable debt.

The original magus, unable to settle the debt, was forced to sell the planet.

Since that time, the planet's ownership has changed hands multiple times, with each new ruler seeking to exploit its remaining resources. The relentless cycle of exploitation and conflict had left the land ravaged and desolate, with twelve kingdoms perpetually at odds, fighting over the last remnants of their diminishing resources.

However, less than five years ago, a significant shift occurred.

The database detailed a dramatic turn of events when a new faction, led by a Magus named Julius, acquired the planet.

This Julius—was described as having achieved something extraordinary. Under his leadership, the long-standing war between the twelve kingdoms came to an abrupt end.

The once fragmented and strife-ridden world began to stabilize as the magus united the warring factions. His efforts in bringing peace and order were not merely a political feat but a monumental achievement, transforming the planet from a battleground into an empire now known as 'Nova Roma.'

This title was not just a reflection of his diplomatic prowess but also symbolized his ability to bring harmony to a planet long plagued by turmoil.

As Emery and Annara stepped through the portal, they found themselves standing in the heart of a grand capital city—its transformation was nothing short of remarkable.

The architecture before them was astonishingly reminiscent of ancient Rome, with its towering marble columns, sprawling plazas, and meticulously designed streets. The blend of old-world grandeur and careful reconstruction gave the city a sense as if they had been transported into an era of Roman splendor. Even the citizens, dressed in traditional Roman attire—tunics, and intricately woven fabrics—added to the city's authentic atmosphere.

Despite being a middle-realm world, Nova Roma had a sense of regality and order.

Like Nexus Planet, it operated under specific rules, where the majority of the population was largely unaware of the broader Magus Universe.

This restriction meant that Emery and Annara, categorized as the Traveller, were confined to certain areas of the city, with limited access to the deeper workings of the empire. Despite these restrictions, they were met with an unexpectedly warm reception from the locals. The people of Nova Roma greeted them with genuine hospitality.

One man, well-versed in etiquette and history, offered them guided tours, showcasing the city's rich cultural heritage and the impressive achievements of its new ruler.

Emery took note of the city's defenses, which were formidable by any standard. He observed that at least a dozen magus of considerable strength—comparable to those he had encountered in Terra City—were stationed throughout the city.

These magus, along with hundreds of praetorian guards, Julian's powerful clay warriors formed a formidable protective force. Their presence, both in terms of number and skill, underscored the serious measures taken to secure the city and maintain order.

A female magus approached Emery and Annara with a practiced grace.

With a subtle probe of their auras, she confirmed their honorable status and ensured their identities were in order. Her demeanor was courteous and professional, reflecting the high standards of service expected in Nova Roma.

"I understand you are a trader, Sir," she began, her voice smooth and respectful. "I wonder if there is anything we can assist you with during your stay?"

Emery prepared with his reasons for being there, responded promptly, "I am here to see the Lord of the City."

The woman's response caught Emery off guard. "Our Lord will be arriving in a day or two," she informed him. "In the meantime, I would be pleased to offer you the finest accommodations available."

Emery quickly deduced that he was not the only guest seeking an audience with Julian. Much like the envoys who had flocked to Sky City to meet Julian, some had come to Nova Roma in anticipation of his arrival. The woman's assumption that Emery was one of these high-profile visitors seeking to engage with the new ruler of Nova Roma made sense in light of his recent achievements in the Trial of Faith.

As soon as they were shown their accommodation, Emery made a decision. He instructed Annara to stay behind and continue probing the city to gather intelligence. Meanwhile, he would slip away, venturing outside the city to explore and gather more information about the planet and its recent transformation under Julian's rule.

Unlike the heavily guarded and magically reinforced Sky City, the people of Nova Roma were completely unaware of Emery's presence. He slipped through the streets and halls unnoticed, a ghost among the living, his mastery of space magic and spirit reading rendering him invisible to even the most watchful eyes.

As he walked past nobles and commoners alike, he effortlessly probed their minds, piecing together their thoughts, histories, and, most importantly, their perspectives on their new ruler.

Nova Roma was made up of twelve kingdoms, each with its own culture, power structure, and long history of conflict. With his spatial magic, Emery moved swiftly across the entire planet, visiting every one of these regions in a matter of hours.

As he observed the people and their rulers, he found himself increasingly impressed by Julian's method of governance.

Through a careful balance of might and diplomacy, he had unified the once-warring kingdoms under a single banner. The political structure he established mirrored the Roman Republic—complete with a Senate of 120 influential figures who held considerable power, though ultimately answerable to Julian, whom they viewed as something more than just a ruler.

Some saw Julian as a formidable warrior, whose victories on the battlefield had earned their respect and loyalty. Others viewed him as a savior, the man who had brought an end to centuries of warfare and suffering. Still, others believed him to be a divine figure, a king ordained by the gods themselves, destined to bring peace and prosperity to their world.

Emery couldn't help but notice the towering statues of Julian erected across the kingdoms. The people, whether they were peasants or nobles, bowed their heads in reverence when passing these monuments. It reminded Emery of the reverence he had seen on other Nephilim-controlled planets, where rulers were worshipped as divine beings.

Here, Julian's image dominated every corner, and the people revered him without hesitation. Everywhere Emery looked, he saw unwavering loyalty, and it was clear that Julian was not just admired, but deeply loved by his people.

The truth was, that Emery would have been greatly impressed by what Julian had accomplished.

If only he didn't know the Nephilim were behind it all.

Nova Roma = New Rome

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