Woman of the Desert
Politics was originally a technique born from the need to distribute limited resources. Its purpose had been to allocate just the right amount to those who truly needed it, but as society advanced, it devolved into mere antics for squeezing personal gain from those same scarce assets.
In that sense, competing for Suhyun was merely an extension of politics—a scramble to divvy up the limited resource that was Suhyun himself.
Aurelia held the advantage of her imperial blood, but ironically, that very status made it harder for her to approach him. No matter how oblivious Suhyun might be, he wouldn't completely ignore the presence of royalty, so despite frequent meetings, she hadn't built much true intimacy with him.
Daiyen, on the other hand, came from a relatively low status—which actually made it far easier for her to foster closeness with Suhyun.
To break through this impasse, Aurelia had planned to draw a new woman from the Golden Sand Tower into her fold via Habub, positioning her as a bridge to Suhyun. Unfortunately for her, Daiyen's influence on Nautilus was a cut above.
Having gleaned the intel through Water Park staff, Daiyen learned of Aurelia's scheme and moved first. She still needed the imperial family's aid, but she had no intention of letting them dictate Nautilus's fate.
"It's hilarious, really. To gain freedom, we have to tie ourselves down, and seducing one man turns into an imperial priority."
Her direct subordinates let out dry chuckles at Daiyen's words.
"People vary, don't they? Suhyun's greater than any noble out there," Thomas said.
Daiyen flashed a pleased smile. "Thomas, marriage has made your tongue smoother, huh?"
"Haha, the only perk of being a married man is learning to read a woman's heart."
Thomas grinned slyly, and Daiyen burst into laughter.
Outside Nautilus, the world was a wilderness. Rival merchant groups attacked daily, trading partners haggled ruthlessly for rock-bottom prices, and even hard work yielded razor-thin margins. But inside Nautilus, it was paradise.
Rival merchants? With Suhyun as owner, no one even dared compete. Bargain-basement deals? Storage fees were negligible, and unsold goods could simply be shipped elsewhere. Profits? Transport costs neared zero, hard-to-reach spots were accessible by burrowing underground, and production from raw materials could happen en route in Nautilus's belly.
As long as Nautilus existed, trade was a foolproof game—even a three-year-old could run the caravan successfully. Thus, Daiyen's role here was pure coordination.
"How's the Water Park faring?"
"Customer satisfaction is high. Surprisingly, swimsuit purchases outpaced rentals, and most Aldamina locals opt for cabin rentals, boosting our margins nicely."
"Makes sense—Aldamina folk rarely get water play, and they're flush with cash, so they prefer splurging."
"Hmm, so we can't accurately gauge profitability for Aldamina visitors?"
"Yes. It's likely the novelty of desert water fun, their wealth, and Suhyun slaying the sandworm—which warmed locals to Nautilus—that's driving the visitor surge."
"The Water Park draws in locals and outsiders alike, but since it's Suhyun's favorite spot, put extra care into it."
"Understood."
"Next, the arena?"
"Seats sell out daily, including noble boxes."
"Viewer preference surveys by match type and fighters?"
"Crowds fill nearly everything, so we gauged cheers. Top draw: local versus Nautilus fighters."
After Hasina and Suhyun's bout, Aldamina warriors started visiting for spars on Nautilus. Some hated public fights, but others thrived on the spotlight—especially skilled ones lacking fame. Bouts here paid well and built reputations, a win-win.
Multiple events led to official rankings. Redeemers and Aldamina warriors obsessed over them: for the former, Daiyen awarded prizes by rank; for the latter, it was a badge of credibility.
"That's why I bought that computer—for data collection."
Suhyun's creation played a huge role in rankings and analysis.
"It's incredible—the more we use it, the more potential we unlock."
Initially for basic math and data crunching, staff soon tinkered with simple programs. Suhyun's user-friendly, ever-updating tools helped, despite Earth PCs' edge. Daiyen encouraged programming with fat bonuses.
"Finally, market security?"
"Pickpockets and thugs flooded in from Aldamina, but after Suhyun stepped in, they've dwindled."
"Eira just restrains them mildly, but cross Suhyun and it's brutal."
Eira, mere caravan security head, struggled with harsh crackdowns on Aldamina citizens—but Suhyun could. Beating Hasina in duel and slaying a sandworm made him power incarnate. Few challenged a guard chief nabbing crooks; none dared a sandworm hunter over flimsy excuses.
Thus, Suhyun arrested decisively: broke pickpockets' hands, slashers' legs. Terrified criminals hid deeper, but Suhyun tracked even faint leads, shattering limbs and dumping them before Aldamina. Crime on Nautilus vanished.
Sighing over Eira—who Suhyun aided in recovery, helping her process duel insights against Hasina—Daiyen pondered. "Sigh, Eira's issue needs fixing too."
She knew Eira loved Suhyun, but Eira was firmly Aurelia's ally: noble ties, deep friendship, Bostain's imperial debts.
"Don't tons of women on Nautilus fancy Suhyun?"
"Fancying him isn't enough—he has to fancy back."
Reading desires was merchant basics; Daiyen tracked Suhyun's interests meticulously. He clearly eyed Eira: golden ringlet buns, ample bosom, porcelain skin—male catnip, even to her.
"That's why we turn Aldamina's girl into our Hasina. Balances Aurelia's side."
Beat the imperials outright? No. Total defeat? Worse.
"Sigh, does Suhyun even know how hard I'm grinding?"
"Haha, he'll appreciate it."
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Suhyun and Hasina's date fell into place smoothly.
Having set the date, Suhyun prepped windsurf boards and waited at the empty harbor. Strong winds made ideal conditions; Hasina eagerly accepted, dashing to the spot board-in-hand with a grin.
Barefoot on the sandstone pier, she wore her favorite outfit, left hand clutching a homemade bento.
After consulting other women post-invite, Hasina approached brimming with confidence.
"Wait long?"
"Nah, not really."
Suhyun, reading on the dock, bookmarked and closed at her arrival. Hasina eyed it curiously.
"Whatcha reading?"
"Golden Sand Tower paper: Methodology for Enhancing Mana Absorption Efficiency Using Desert Mana."
Hasina's bronze cheeks flushed crimson—even through her dark skin, it showed. Her own master's thesis, not even doctoral.
Suhyun chuckled. "Why blush? It's better than I expected."
"Better? It's full of holes and ego now."
"Holes aside, direction's solid. Ego's par for mage papers, right?"
Indeed, her work fueled her mystery manifestation; later papers followed suit.
"You read my thesis and say that?"
"That was doctoral."
"Comparing to your own PhD."
Hasina realized Suhyun's doctorate was recent—the date was just last year. Normally, he'd be post-grad research; instead, he exuded grand mage aura. And as a crafting mage, not combat? Mind-blowing.
"So, your verdict?"
Embarrassing, sure—but curiosity won, especially from someone vastly superior in magic, combat, and whom she fancied.
"Good. Morian'd kill for this level."
"Morian?"
"Kinda-apprentice. Shadow mystery kid."
They dropped boards onto the dunes; sand puffed softly on landing. Hoisting sails and kicking off, wind billowed canvas powerfully.
"Hmm, so which step's she at?"
"Student with mystery, but knowledge gaps, so training."
"Gotta be talented."
"Mystery talent, yeah—but hates studying. Headache."
"Ahaha! Every kid's like that!"
Their windsurfing was a blast. Barren dunes? Perfect for speed.
"That way!"
"Got it!"
Harpoon speared a fleeing desert lizard's neck; it flopped into sand.
"Hunt done—break time?"
Hasina drew a small dagger from her waist, using lizard blood as catalyst to erect an igloo-like sand hut, shielding from noon sun.
Inside, she unpacked bento: monster meats from nearby—marinated, grilled variably—with salads from desert-hardy greens. Exotic flavors.
"Thanks, delicious."
"Good, glad? So, how 'bout me—do I click?"
Hasina bared her true self today: likes, personality, cooking. Advice urged pretense, ladylike airs—but she wouldn't deceive Suhyun for affection. Feigned charm was easy, but not for true love.
"Yeah."
"What, that easy?"
"No lie—without Daiyen, I'd have chased you first."
"Say that with other girls around?"
Hasina pouted; Suhyun laughed, taking her hand.
"You showed me the real you unfiltered, so I'll do the same. I'm not as great as you think."
"Cocky much?"
"Not skill—mentally. I don't think I'm hot stuff."
Hasina studied his face. The ever-smiling, confident Suhyun bore subtle self-doubt, worry.
"More complex than I figured."
"And clingier than you think. Run now if you wanna."
Suhyun grinned; Hasina grabbed his cheeks, kissed him, and whispered, "I'm the hunter who never misses her mark. Running's pointless."