The Reddest Sand of the Desert
Aldamina's prices were murderous. The oasis in Aldamina was the only place around where you could get water, and since everyone relied on it to drink, its value skyrocketed. Moreover, right before the massive eastern winds blew across the Saramar Desert, the number of merchants and workers preparing to ride those winds swelled, and the limited oasis water couldn't satisfy them all—driving prices even higher. Even without the merchants, water was the most precious resource in the desert, so Aldamina's residents cherished every drop.
The native Aldaminans rose before dawn to scrape dew from around their homes into jars. Some men ventured into the desert to dig for damp sand beneath the surface, evaporating it to collect water. Even Habub, a high-status sand mage, wandered the dunes during droughts, sniffing out hidden moisture under the sand and drinking the blood of dead monsters to survive.
For such a man, a water park brimming with the stuff—used for play—was a cultural shock.
"Water... this much of it!"
Habub shuddered at the sight of crystal-clear liquid overflowing like desert sand. In the wasteland, water was sacred; immersing your body in it was a crime punishable by whipping until you bled an amount equal to what you'd wasted. They drank sparingly from narrow-necked bottles to minimize evaporation, using cups only to flaunt wealth. Seeing people splash around submerged to their waists left him awestruck.
"Is it really okay to use water like this?"
When Habub muttered in disbelief—even on a sea-surrounded ship, he'd heard water was managed tightly—Suhyun chuckled.
"About half the unused space inside Nautilus right now is filled with water."
He explained that the water for the park was trivial, like scooping a cup from the pool they'd gathered en route at Daiyen's request, minimizing environmental impact by drawing slowly from aquifers. Habub stared at him, eyes half envy, half wonder.
"By any chance—"
As Habub started to speak, Aurelia appeared behind them.
"Talking business at a place meant for fun is hardly dignified, wouldn't you say?"
She'd bought the top tier of the noble section—using a tenth of the park's construction cost—wearing an elegant swimsuit. Suhyun, who'd heard rumors that Nautilus's tailors had been mobilized for it, gaped at the sight.
The top was corset-inspired, cinching her waist and accentuating its curve, with generous frills above to modestly veil her ample bosom. Puffed sleeves of water-repellent fabric billowed at the shoulders, while long opera gloves of embroidered sheer cloth sheathed her arms. The pareo at her waist was woven in damask style from threads of spun gold and platinum, embroidered with imperial crests and ruby-melted rose threads along the long slit—drawing eyes inevitably to her snow-white legs peeking through.
It had cost as much as a capital mansion, yet on Aurelia, it seemed almost understated, radiating an aura that eclipsed the price.
Flanked by maids in modified maid-swimsuits holding translucent parasols, she prompted Habub to bow deeply.
"An honor to meet one who upholds the Empire. I am Elder Habub of Aldamina's Golden Sand Tower."
"Delighted. I am Aurelia Valentina Volontarius, staying briefly to foster ties between Nautilus and the Empire."
Every gesture from royalty carried political weight, intended or not. Even Habub, elevated by shipbuilding tech rather than politics, grasped her intent: Nautilus is marked by the imperial family—don't touch it recklessly.
A princess lingering in another territory was odd enough; appearing here, in a near-nude commoner playground, flaunting her allure? It screamed the palace's interest in Suhyun's side.
Controlling Nautilus would be invaluable. They'd missed it until it surfaced nearby, but loaded with oasis-filling water or imperial goods—or even scouting—it promised massive gains. Aurelia, likely watching Suhyun from afar before their meeting, had timed her entrance as a warning.
"Your beauty, Princess, dizzies me like the desert sun on my skin. The loveliest desert bloom would bow in shame beside you."
Don't cut me out entirely—you know that's too much. Even a concubine spot would do; hook me up.
"Haha, desert flowers? Now I'm intrigued. Might I see one?"
I'll judge once I see the girl's face.
"Of course. She'd prefer Your Highness's warm embrace to the scorching sands."
I'll bring the most obedient one—please, make it work.
With their indirect deal sealed, they parted smiling.
Suhyun had brought Habub to the water park to introduce it and drum up noble visitors, but Habub saw it differently: flaunting vast water reserves for negotiation leverage, then signaling imperial backing via the princess.
"He has it all."
Money, power, magic, women—everything. Habub couldn't help a twinge of envy. He'd prided himself on open-mindedness, but this? Fair enough. Living without want inside a mobile marvel larger than Aldamina, encountering new magic across the Empire—it was envy-inducing even unheard. He'd seen it firsthand.
Habub clutched the two wishes he craved: free trade between Aldamina and the eastern continent, endless water supply. Suhyun's paper—used to build that wish-granting Nautilus—beckoned.
Bio-Metal Transmutation Using the Spirit and Flesh of Organic Lifeforms as Artifact Crafting Materials
Habub had studied alchemy for desert ships, a prodigy made elder young—but half this eluded him. It was from a divergent tower, yes, but also required heights he couldn't reach. Like 2D beings blind to 3D, lower magic tiers struggled with higher.
Even detailed for other mystics, many formulae baffled him. What was impossible low-down was trivial up high—but impossibilities abounded here. Yet, versed in countless spells, he sensed their viability.
The encyclopedia-thick tome wove formulae organically into a flawless whole—like groping an elephant blindfolded, he grasped parts, not the mass. Interlinked perfection; touch one, ruin all. Habub reeled at near-flawless craft.
Copying and decoding one page to his sand-board took tenfold formulae—explaining Suhyun's casual gift.
"How many grasp this? Who wields such intricate rites?"
Even same-mystery users tuned formulae to properties; only archmages could attempt it.
Recalling despair rebuilding Radiance of the Sun-Containing Sand replicas for desert crossing, Habub slumped into a sand chair. But now? Better—the creator lived.
"Ugh, to board Nautilus, she must be beautiful... yet gifted enough for this."
Plenty of pretty, kind girls from well-off homes. But pretty, talented, kind? Talented beauties turned arrogant, adored from birth.
His sister Hasina proved it—same ambitions, divergent paths. Habub groaned.
"Would that madwoman stroke Suhyun's ego?"
Habub built superior ships for smooth eastern runs; Hasina planned to slaughter every monster en route. Normals quit fast; her talent made it viable.
Visualizing her: sand stained red from slurped monster blood, exterminating locals. Habub agonized. Right to introduce her? Might sour Suhyun on Aldamina.
"Hey! Bro!"
A door-kicking barbarian interrupted. Golden Sand Tower dubbed their fairest mage "Shining Sand"—Hasina, self-acknowledged beauty, was "Reddest Sand" instead.
She bolted to the desert daily, slaying monsters, feeding blood to sand for blood-red control. Ankle: blood-sand ring. Waist: Saya ("sand fang"), Psets ("wind tongue"). Fresh gore stained her garb.
"What's that?"
Flushed, she jabbed at Nautilus between dunes.
"Must you boot my door to ask?"
"They said downstairs you knew best."
Habub vowed revenge on the culprit, soothing the beast.
"Nautilus, ship from Suhyun outside the desert."
"A ship swimming under sand? Why hide it?!"
"It arrived today—first I've seen you!"
"Liar! That's what magic's for!"
Her nonsense wrung a sigh; he clutched his head. Seconds ago, debating introduction—now, she had only looks as womanly charm.
Yet fact: only her rivaled the princess in beauty and talent for Suhyun's magic.
But she'd ruin ties. Undecided, Habub needed time—tossed her the paper to distract.
"What's this?"
Curious mage that she was, he pointed outside.
"Theory behind Nautilus."
"You got it? What'd you trade? Not me, right?"
Her axe-glare—he'd bartered her before for goods. Sigh.
"No. Swapped for Golden Sand papers within my authority."
"Trading such lore casually? They must be mages too."
She conjured a blood-sand chair, shut up, and read.
By the time Habub snapped back—resolved on an elder's daughter and sharp attendants—she'd vanished.
Sand-board message made him pale.
> Bro, gonna meet that mage Suhyun. Be back.
The madwoman had gone to Suhyun.