Upon hearing the word "sea," the emperor displayed a look of considerable bewilderment.

He must have truly thought that what I had done was commendable and intended to generously provide a "form of reward that leaves no trace."

What I requested was the concept of a "world beyond the sea," which he could not comprehend.

"Beyond the sea... when you say 'beyond the sea,' are you referring to the two stone pillars at Gibraltar?"

I had heard that such legends existed in ancient Greek mythology.

Hercules set up two stone pillars at the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar and …