Henry's Diary (Part One)

New Magic Era, Year 5, April 11:

I finally applied for the qualification to explore this route. Of course, I had expected this result long ago, so I wasn't surprised...

Tanzan Terrez was a place renowned for producing Mechanical Alchemists, with a strong atmosphere for scientific research. However, it lacked the adventurous spirit an island nation ought to have. As a result, even though the bounty notice had been issued for more than three months, no noble in the country had answered the call.

As a member of the Archipelago Alliance, failing to send a noble of some standing to participate in this matter would seem rather uncooperative. That was when I caught the scent of opportunity. The nobles with real influence didn't want to take part in this kind of adventure, but the Empire still had to show the Alliance some respect. In this country, who else could there be besides a wretch like me—someone who appeared to have some standing, was actually unimportant, possessed royal blood, and had been ostracized?

May 7:

Although I had started preparing three months ago, there still wasn't enough time. After lobbying in every possible way and exhausting the entire family fortune, I finally managed to obtain the Victory and Triumph, two large ships equipped with advanced technology, and gathered enough supplies.

Of course, the sacrifice was immense. Everything in the family that could be sold was sold: the collection, the shares in the tobacco company, the farmland in Sicilyr, and even several of my most profitable shops. I had left almost nothing for my wife and children, like a gambler staking everything he owned. But I believed I would definitely succeed. Today's sacrifices were necessary hardships to make her a duchess. I would never forget everything my wife had done for me—including