The distance from Taiwan to XJ is only about two to three thousand kilometers.
From Britain to the Pacific, it's about twelve to twenty thousand kilometers.
Even with Dumbledore's abilities, it wouldn't be a quick journey.
Apparition magic allows for instant travel, but it's not without its limitations.
First, the farther the distance, the higher the risk. If the distance exceeds a wizard's capabilities, it can lead to splitting, with the body being torn apart by space.
Even someone as powerful as Voldemort couldn't use intercontinental Apparition.
Second, the key to using Apparition is target, determination, and composure. The destination for Apparition must be a place the caster is very familiar with. Places you've only seen in photos, or merely passed through once without remembering the terrain, won't work.
Clearly, there are no landmarks on the Pacific Ocean that would be particularly memorable to Dumbledore, a wizard from Britain. Even if there were, he wouldn't be able to make the journey.
So, after hearing Roger's request, Dumbledore pondered for a moment before asking, "Can't it be somewhere else?"
"Other places are fine, as long as there's no human habitation within a thousand-kilometer radius."
A thousand kilometers... Dumbledore could think of a few uninhabited areas, but uninhabited areas aren't completely devoid of people; there are still observers from government departments.
After much deliberation, Dumbledore decided to proceed with Roger's original request.
Actually, there was a way to reach the Pacific in a short amount of time.
The Floo Network.
It was a more convenient form of spatial travel, more stable than Apparition, consumed less energy, and even children could use the Floo Network for international travel.
But there were two problems.
The Floo Network is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic. While normal domestic use is fine, international travel requires approval from the Ministry.
Of course, one could choose to operate illegally, but then they would have to bear certain legal risks.
Dumbledore was a man who respected order and wouldn't engage in illegal activities at a time like this.
Moreover, the Muggle international community was currently undergoing earth-shattering upheaval. With Dumbledore's status and power, any overseas travel would definitely need to be reported to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
There was no need to worry about approval. Fudge had only been Minister of Magic for about a year, and he was still consolidating his power, needing Dumbledore's support at every turn. It was a honeymoon period for both of them, and Dumbledore's requests would undoubtedly be fast-tracked without question.
...
...
...
Looking at the unfamiliar country before him through the fireplace, Roger's first reaction was that the Floo Network was much more comfortable than Apparition.
Roger and Dumbledore were now on a small island nation near Australia in the Pacific.
Since prior arrangements had been made, and they were merely passing through, there was no welcoming ceremony for Dumbledore's arrival. Only two external liaisons from the local wizarding authority greeted Dumbledore.
Speaking of the local wizarding authorities, they were somewhat different from the British Ministry of Magic and other major countries. Britain, with a population of over fifty million, had only a small number of wizards. These small Pacific nations had too few people, so instead of each country having its own Ministry of Magic, they had jointly established the Pacific Wizarding Alliance.
... But even combined, these countries were less than a tenth as powerful as the British Ministry of Magic.
Although magic was idealistic, it also relied on foundation. Without the spells and extensive magical theories developed by their ancestors, progress made through pure guesswork would naturally lead to wizards in remote small countries having limited power.
"Roger."
The sky and sea blended into one. The midday sun was a bit harsh, with occasional clouds drifting by, mirroring the surging waves and preventing the surroundings from feeling too desolate. The two, with no sailing experience, were sailing into the deep sea in a purchased small boat.
They didn't need any sailing experience. One could Apparate, and the other didn't need to eat or drink to survive. No matter what maritime disaster occurred, it wouldn't affect Roger or Dumbledore.
"Hmm? What is it?" Roger, who was steering the boat according to the operator's manual obtained from the locals before setting sail, glanced back at Dumbledore.
Although sailing with magic would be more convenient, he wanted to try something he hadn't experienced before.
"It's nothing, I've just been curious about something." With some time still left until they reached their destination, and with nothing else to do, Dumbledore suddenly wanted to discuss some matters with Roger.
Looking at the calm, always smiling young wizard before him, Dumbledore couldn't help but recall their first meeting.
At the Supreme Tribunal, that young child had said in a serious tone: 'I want to save myself, I want to save those who believe in me, I want to keep my promise and lead everyone to survive. I have no regrets. Even if you judge me guilty and give me a chance to turn back time to that battlefield, I would still choose to fight.'
"Roger, you are one of the bravest people I've ever met when facing death. Why are you so obsessed with Eternal Life, and so... anxious?" This was a question that Dumbledore had never quite understood.
Many wizards pursued long lives, which was not surprising, but that wasn't what Roger was after.
From the research Roger had shared with him, Dumbledore could tell that Roger wasn't seeking eternal longevity or an infinite lifespan, but absolute immortality. These two things were worlds apart.
The Three-Dimensional Theory began with magic, but it didn't stop there.
If this system were pushed to its extreme, it would lead to everything becoming oneself, omniscience, and omnipotence. Not to mention the disappearance of magic, the annihilation of the universe, the collapse of space-time, and the erasure of causality, even more terrifying things would likely not be able to harm such a being in the slightest.
Setting aside whether this theory could support Roger reaching that point, at least in its initial conception, it was moving in that direction. Normally, even when pursuing Eternal Life, one wouldn't need to go to such extremes.
Furthermore, with the talent Roger had already displayed, and his Seer abilities, he could take his time with many things. Why was Roger always so impatient with every step, constantly taking risks, as if some unspeakable entity were chasing him from behind! Hearing Dumbledore's question, Roger couldn't help but laugh heartily before saying, "Headmaster Dumbledore, you're not the first person to ask me that question."
A few months ago, when he had asked Professor McGonagall for the Undetectable Extension Charm, she had asked something similar.
At that time, Roger had deflected the question by discussing complex international situations, the tense relationship between Muggles and wizards, and unknown threat theories like the dark forest theory of the universe.
His current strength was not at the same level as then, and he had shown Dumbledore much more. The exact same explanation probably wouldn't work anymore.
Roger needed to come up with a new explanation.
Tell the truth?
On this one question, Roger could not tell the truth, because it involved Roger's deepest secret!
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