A Clueless Genius Wolf (BL)

The days that followed, since the Council's approval of Project Horizon, passed. A whirlwind of preparation had accrued. My kingdom, once humming with routine, now pulsed with anticipation, like the collective breath held before a leap into the unknown.

Every department went into overdrive. Orders were issued. Supplies were counted, sorted, and loaded. Soldiers were selected and trained for long-haul naval deployment. I hadn't realized just how complex an expedition of this scale would be—not until I sat in my war room reviewing every manifest and name.

All the paperwork for just one expedition. Oh, the horrors. I need to study a way to make a shadow clone magic, but it will not be any time soon. I will find a way to defeat the beast that is paperwork one day. Then, I added more work for logistics, ughhh....

One of the first things I finalized was the communication infrastructure. Each high-ranking officer, medical head, and magical team leader was issued a Runed Communication Mirror—small, hexagonal mirrors engraved with personalized sigils.

The central master mirror remained with me aboard the Royal Horizon, the massive cruise-ship-turned-flagship. From there, I could contact the kingdom, the two naval vessels, and key officials. It took days with my mastery in runes to create these things, but I went to have my steward, the court magician Rowan Arclight, make a company to mass-produce them for our kingdom. For the common people and all walks of life. Means more jobs and money for the Royal Family, which is just me.

Then I had Master Brianna Right, a Rune Master, summoned personally to the docks. To check over the vessels and the cruise ship to double-check my work and add some of her rune work.

"I want you to reinforce the keel and hull with your finest knowledge in runes," I instructed as we stood in the shipyard, the towering bulk of the Royal Horizon casting shadows across the harbor. The Royal Horizon was built for luxury, and as a typical cruise ship back on earth.

She grinned, tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. "If I do this, you're going to owe me a private lab."

I smirked. "Granted. And double funding."

Her laughter rang out, and she clapped her hands together. "Then prepare to sail on a fortress."

Within days, she and a team of enchanters began embedding structural runes along the hulls, engine rooms, and weapon decks of all three ships—ensuring magical buoyancy, resistance to elements and high waves, making the hulls resistant to attacks and damage, self-repairing runes, and defense wards in case of hostile engagement with sea serents, karens, pirates, or other possible deep sea beasts that live in the sunset sea.

The navy vessels—Duskwind and Ironwake—were populated with elite personnel. Veterans of the Beast-Kin Guard, the magical units, and the Royal Army stood shoulder-to-shoulder with recruits. Magic users specializing in weather manipulation, barrier deployment, and water, ice, and wind-based spells were assigned to the vessels for sea combat and monster repelling.

I personally oversaw the training rotations, alongside the commander for both navy vessels. Sword drills clanged on castle courtyards. Spell duels illuminated the skies. Sparring sessions grew more intense, especially with the addition of fresh volunteers seeking glory and rookie cadets from the military boot camp on one of our island that house the miltary boot camp and the nations main univeritsy and Magical school.

"Any of them catch your eye?" I asked Kyle one evening, watching the warriors train under the moonlight. Wondering about his thoughts.

He grinned, wide-eyed with excitement. "Honestly, all of them. This is insane, Damon. Like... history-book level."

"You're about to live it, Kyle. You ready?" I said with a smile.

He saluted me with mock seriousness. "Ready to bandage wounds, give emotional support, and scream if sea monsters attack." I laughed at his words. He is becoming more lively and less shut-in since we met a few years ago. He is different from the awkward orphan that day we met at the park.

Then I started thinking about the individuals who have families. Which brought up to make my Kingdom seem credible and older. And not & years old. Good thing too, and I also didn't need to worry about my own family, since I created this kingdom. Literally. The whole place. Fabricated. Designed. Brought to life through the mystical Minecraft-like system I woke up with in this world.

Of course, no one knew that.

Instead, I'd written a fake royal history taught in every primary, secondary, and university classroom—complete with a tragic backstory. The official record claims my parents died on my fifth birthday, leaving me to rule as the sole heir. Very noble. Very tear-jerking. No one questions it.

They believe the lie.

Because I built the truth from stone and spell. Everyone will think I'm insane if the truth were told. An outsider will need to know the fake history and not the real one. It is to make my Kingdom credible, at least.

Then came to which royal guards I'm taking with me to protect Kyle and me, besides the navy and army perssonel. My guard—Zackarey the lion beast kin, Arin Maincoon cat beast kin, Seraphine a female human warrior, and others—finished preparations for the Royal Horizon's command deck and the ship's living quarters. For me and them, and their families on the Royal Horizon. Plus, it's like a mini vacation for their families and other civilians coming along for the ride.

Each bunk was enchanted for comfort and utility. Kyle's room, of course, was beside mine—both of them fortified by warding runes. They were in the royal suites. Huge cabins with a living room, kitchen, master bedroom, huge bathroom, and made for the wealthy and mass comfort. I warded them myself, using space and defensive magic to anchor the spells.

The kitchen staff packed the freezers and pantries with dried rations, magically preserved fruits and meats, and—most importantly—my coffee beans. I always need my morning coffee with my French vanilla coffee creamer. Yes, we have these items.

The medics, healers, doctors, and nurses finished stocking the medical bay. The ship's library was being filled with books. And trade goods were loaded aboard: steel, alcohol, medicine, exotic fruits, nuts, and spices—ready to open negotiations if we encountered other civilizations across the sea.

The pool on the deck was clean, bar and lounge, arced room, basketball court, gym, restaurants, cafes, vendors, and other fun things you do on a cruise were on board.

You might be thinking, Why? It is because it is as much a cruise and vacation for me and the others, as well as an expedtion mission. Best of both worlds. 

Everything was crazy and filled with madness to get things ready before departure. Then, finally came the part to settle the Kingdom affairs.

The morning before departure day, I gathered the Ministerial Council for a final meeting in the throne room.

"While I'm away, I am trusting you all with Dusklight's stability," I said, standing beneath the moonlight that poured through the stained-glass windows. "Every two days, I expect mirror communication. I'll handle decisions remotely when needed, but the Council holds provisional authority in my absence."

Minister Octavian bowed. "Your will be done, Your Majesty. We will guard this kingdom like our own hearts."

Rowan Arclight stepped forward. "The stars are aligned. This is your moment, my King. You walk where destiny dares not tread."

I bowed to them, sincerely. "Thank you for your loyalty, wisdom, and faith." 

Later that same day, in the evening, the castle was alive with final farewells. Families embraced. Lovers whispered promises. Soldiers offered prayers to sea gods and sky spirits alike. All this before, having to make our way to Seaside Town before departure.

While in my castle with Kyle, we went on to chat as we made our way to a balcony.

Kyle stood on the observation balcony with me, a small backpack already on his shoulder. He came from the orphanage with all his things packed and ready to go for tomorrow.

"Still nervous?" I asked.

"A little," he admitted. "But also... this feels right. Like this is what I'm meant to do."

I placed a hand on his shoulder. "It is. We're meant to do this together, and you can learn from the personnel in the med bay whenever you want."

"Yes, I will do so, while I'm not busy looking around," he said in excitement.

We stood in silence, gazing at the horizon where the sea shimmered under moonlight. Tomorrow, we will chase that line where sky met ocean, before so. A short 15-minute trip on the royal bullet train to Seaside town for the easy access to the open sea, then we will depart.