The Pirates of the Caribbean universe really wasn't complicated.
Even the so-called gods, sea monsters, and other supernatural elements didn't give Noah much to think about.
If there was anything worth appreciating, it was the scenery-the deep ocean, the coastline, and that oddly interesting curse.
As a vacation destination, this world wasn't bad.
As long as you didn't get seasick.
The plot itself was simple.
Jack Sparrow had been betrayed and lost the Black Pearl.
Now he wanted his ship back. Nothing more.
Barbossa and his crew, who possessed the Pearl, were cursed.
To break the curse, they needed to return all the gold they had taken and spent.
Only one coin was missing.
That coin was with Elizabeth, the Governor's daughter.
Add in Will Turner, the blacksmith secretly in love with her.
Barbossa would attack Port Royal, kidnap Elizabeth, and force the ritual.
Will Turner and Jack Sparrow would cooperate for their own reasons.
Commodore Norrington would play the role of a well-meaning obstacle.
Then Barbossa would be defeated.
Jack would reclaim his ship.
Will would save Elizabeth.
A clean ending.
"Basically... that's it?"
After recalling everything carefully, Noah came to that conclusion.
Aside from how quickly everything happened, there was nothing especially strange.
In that case, things were easy.
He could follow the protagonists, watch them resolve the issue, and casually capture a cursed pirate to study the curse.
After that, he'd have them take him and Hermione on a proper Caribbean tour.
With that thought, Noah more or less settled his plan.
As for when the plot officially started?
He didn't care.
"I have to admit," Hermione said, standing on a high ridge overlooking the sea, arms spread as she felt the breeze, "even though it's dirty, the scenery is really nice."
She lowered her arms a moment later.
"Except this place isn't very friendly to pirates."
"Why should it be?" Noah wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"They're not good people."
"Of course, of course." Hermione leaned back against him slightly.
"It's just that hanging them everywhere really ruins the view. By the way, when are we going out to sea?"
"Out to sea?" Noah rested his chin lightly on her shoulder.
"Soon. We might even catch a good show."
They were definitely going to sea.
Otherwise, there was no point coming to this universe just to stay on land.
The only issue was that the pirate captain with the smoky eyes, slightly effeminate manner, and terrifying cunning hadn't appeared yet.
Exactly when Jack Sparrow would show up, Noah wasn't sure.
But time wasn't a problem.
Over the next few days, Noah and Hermione explored every corner of the town.
They even visited nearby islands.
A week passed quietly.
They watched sunrises and sunsets together.
They even went down to the seabed once, just out of boredom.
Hermione was curious about what Noah was waiting for and why he hadn't chosen to set sail yet.
But she didn't ask.
To her, life right now was already very good.
Being with the person she loved-whether things were calm or passionate-was enough.
Life didn't need constant excitement.
Peace and harmony mattered more.
So many couples broke up because they couldn't stand familiarity or boredom.
That wasn't the future Hermione wanted.
And it wasn't what Noah wanted either.
Fortunately, they were alike in that regard.
Their compatibility was effortless.
They both enjoyed this life.
Of course, while they were enjoying themselves, some amusing things happened as well.
For instance-
They discovered that the townsfolk were talking about them behind their backs.
That wasn't surprising.
Their appearance and bearing stood out too much.
They didn't seem short on money either, having melted Galleons into ordinary gold coins.
Their clothes were clean and well-made.
Their hands and faces were spotless.
They avoided dirty or chaotic areas without hiding their distaste.
On top of that, they stayed at the best inn in town.
Even without guards or attendants, ordinary people didn't dare provoke them.
All of this led to a rather funny result.
Noah and Hermione discovered they had become "aristocrats" in the mouths of the locals.
They both found it hilarious.
The innkeeper didn't treat them strangely, but there was clear respect-and a hint of caution-in his tone.
"Who would've thought we'd become aristocrats?" Noah said that night, lying on the bed propped on one arm.
"What rank do you think I am? Baron? Viscount? Earl?"
"I think you're a Lord," Hermione replied, wrapped in the quilt as she turned over.
"Of course, you're my Duke."
A Duke?
Noah tilted his head.
The title didn't interest him in the slightest.
Compared to meaningless ranks, being a mage-and being with Hermione-felt far more real.
Looking at her, Noah felt that even without electricity, the internet, or modern entertainment, this world wasn't so boring after all.
"It's still early," Noah said softly, pulling her into his arms.
"So?" Hermione adjusted herself comfortably.
"One more time?"
"Uh..."
"What? Is that strange? Please. We're both adults."
...
The next morning, Noah was thinking about where to go next.
That was when the innkeeper brought him an invitation.
After reading it, Noah didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
The Governor of Port Royal-Weatherby Swann-had heard about him and Hermione.
And had formally invited them to his residence as guests.
Noah hadn't expected that simply maintaining normal habits would create such a contrast in this era.
Especially habits that commoners couldn't even imagine.
As for Governor Swann, he had clearly gathered information out of caution.
After confirming that many of their habits were indeed not those of common people, he sent the invitation.
As the local authority, he couldn't ignore a pair of suspected aristocrats roaming his territory.
If they were young nobles traveling for leisure, he needed to ensure their safety.
Who knew whose children they were?
If something happened and some terrifying figure appeared demanding answers, what could he say?
There was also the possibility they were eloping.
Rare, but not unheard of.
If so, earning their goodwill wouldn't hurt.
And if they were foreigners-
The possibility of espionage couldn't be ruled out.
No matter which scenario it was, direct contact made sense.
That was how the invitation ended up in Noah's hands.
He considered it briefly.
Very briefly.
Then he decided to go.
He had nothing better to do.
Experiencing aristocratic life from this era sounded interesting.
As for etiquette?
Noah didn't care.
He was a mage.
Worst case, he'd use a few tricks-or just rely on wizarding manners.
Many of the etiquette lessons at Hogwarts were said to have ancient origins.
They should be more than sufficient.
"So," Hermione said, holding the invitation and tilting her head, "should we go? Who would've thought you'd really become an aristocrat, my dear Lord Finniel."
"Why not Baron Finniel?" Noah raised his hands.
"Lord sounds a bit low, doesn't it? I'm the successor to the Sorcerer Supreme, and you're the British Minister of Magic. If we're being honest, calling us Dukes wouldn't be wrong."
In the magical world, their status would be terrifying if translated directly.
But in Noah's time, aristocratic titles were symbolic at best.
They mostly meant past contributions or family history.
Nothing more.
"Alright, Your Grace," Hermione said, linking arms with him.
"Shall we go, then?"
"Of course. But let's skip the 'Grace' part," Noah replied with a smile.
"We'll just make something up-or say nothing at all."
"After all, I don't remember any Archduke Finniel in British history."
"Fair enough. By the way, when are we going out to sea?"
"Let's meet these local aristocrats first," Noah said calmly.
"Who knows? Maybe he'll be happy to lend us a ship for a bit of fun."