Eye of the Typhoon (3)
I offered Kkobong a bite of the Dragon Fragrance, but unfortunately, it fell through. He'd eaten everything else I'd given him without question, so the fact that he was rejecting only the Dragon Fragrance meant he must have sensed something. Did animals have some kind of special instinct?
Well, yeah. The texture's pretty gross even if it smells nice. It was sticky beyond just being soft. I thought about pushing a bit more, but even Ppareumbo seemed to be telling me to knock it off, so I decided not to force it.
For now, stash the Dragon Fragrance in the bag. I stored it in the subspatial pouch. Leaving it out in the open could attract ants and all sorts of bugs. Sure, there were repellents, but I couldn't rule out the chance of ants breaking through.
It didn't weigh much, so storage was easy, but there was a downside. At some point, the subspatial backpack started floating up into the sky. I was shocked at first, but I could guess the reason. The fish that ate the Dragon Fragrance had flown around like there was a glitch, so it wasn't weird for the pouch containing it to float too.
At least it's a subspatial backpack, so easy storage is a blessing. I tied down the gently bobbing backpack securely with rope. Losing the pouch itself—Dragon Fragrance aside—would be a massive loss. Wonmo sometimes batted at it curiously, but I'd anticipated that and tied it tight, so no worries.
Speaking of which, Flying Mage Tower... After fiddling with the Dragon Fragrance a bit, I checked the Gallery, where one topic was blowing up. Just 1-2 hours ago, the Iris Kingdom's symbol, the mage tower, had floated into the sky. A building levitating was unprecedented, so the Gallery was flooded with it.
Subject: No cap. Real deal. (Photo of mage tower floating in the sky) (Video of mage tower higher up and murmuring citizens below) (Video of knights pushing back the crowd) (Video of evacuated mages and scholars)
I'm from the Iris Kingdom capital. Thought it was an earthquake at first, but then the mage tower started rising. Seemed cool initially, but debris falling made it super dangerous. Lucky no other buildings nearby, or tons of people would've died or gotten hurt. Knights are handling it now, but folks are freaking out.
ㄴWhoa; what the hell? Isn't that the Four Seasons Forest?
ㄴNah, Iris Kingdom capital. That's the mage tower.
ㄴWhy's something straight out of the Four Seasons Forest happening here?
ㄴWorld's ending lol. El Dorado protests, now Iris mage tower floats lmao
ㄴMaybe a transparent giant yanked it out like a radish? lol
ㄴApplause for your imagination.
ㄴNo offense, but how old are you?
ㄴWhy age?
ㄴSounds like something my kid would say. He's 5 btw.
ㄴI'm 5 too. 35 lol
ㄴLmao just the first digit different rofl
ㄴMind blown lmao
Even from the featured posts, I couldn't guess what happened. No floating structures on Earth either. Unbelievable until you see it yourself.
But here, no compositing or editing possible. Earth has AI making wild stuff, but not this world. What you see and hear is it. If editing were possible, Gallery trust would tank. Still, hard to believe that mage tower existed.
Not my problem anyway. Feels like news from another country. Like an earthquake in Japan. Probably same for most nations except Iris. Hope it resolves without casualties.
Could Dragon Fragrance lift a building like that? Random thought. It floated my subspatial backpack. Size comparison made no sense, but focus on the fact it floated something.
Nah. If so, Olfather would've messaged me. If the tower was Dragon Fragrance-related? Olfather would've hit me up first. But radio silence from him. Probably busy with research. Let the mage tower handle itself; I'll do my thing.
Sky's darkening; time to pack up. Planned activity for tomorrow, so tidied up. Morning training, afternoon scouting. Near areas already visited. Not straight line anymore—check every corner. Might've missed spots; basically mapping. Appa Raccoon steadily brings herbs, so herb-rich areas exist. Find those, or scout more mysterious stuff like Dragon Fragrance. Cold control possible now, weather cleared—move while I can. But skip gorilla zone, obviously. Just watch kangaroo fights at best.
Maybe scout once? Kangaroo pit not far. Means they could invade anytime. Any beast entering fence without permission is enemy. Humans? Talk it out. Beasts? Prep fully tomorrow and go.
Done with tasks; now... Gallery time. Best for downtime. Logged in—flying mage tower posts pouring. Some El Dorado protests, but tower dominates. Preferred weird over politics anyway.
[Succession ceremony soon, right?] [Messiah Empire's next emperor: Who is Crown Prince Arnold?]
Other posts besides flying tower. Messiah Empire crown prince. Been simmering for days, buried by El Dorado. Saw Gallery buzzing, but busy with Kkobong etc.
Like a superpower prez change on Earth? Messiah's a powerhouse. Not just the title. No big tie to me, but curiosity from mentions led me in.
Subject: Messiah Empire's next emperor: Who is Crown Prince Arnold? (Summary: Emperor Robert steadily managed internals) ...So Arnold focuses on diplomacy. Elves acting up, El Dorado protesting. Good timing for Robert handoff; Arnold must behave for empire's direction.
ㄴArnold's personality? Playboys?
ㄴNo playboy. Pretty average?
ㄴzl4ever ArnoldBest) Fact: handsome and competent.
ㄴYou Arnold?
ㄴObvious self-post lol. No one else comments like that.
ㄴBut facts... he is hot af
ㄴAs noble, saw ladies swarm him—reality check lmao
ㄴHot aside, competent? Robert good at internals; ? for diplomacy.
ㄴExactly—must prove it. Robert called internal guy, but super competent.
ㄴRobert's best achievement? Sponsoring Swordmaster Ash lol
ㄴUndeniable lmao Gave broke Ash count title, political footing lol
ㄴWhat Ash up to? Vanished into seclusion?
ㄴHeard she married some guy?
ㄴBS. Saw her shopping with mom yesterday.
ㄴHow'd you see?
ㄴNot just me—lots saw? Mom drags her out often.
ㄴLol yeah seen that lmao At succession?
ㄴProbably. Emperor change.
ㄴYasaengGrill: Other nations attend?
ㄴ??? Wtf lol
ㄴWhy would they? Empire's vassals?
ㄴGrill. Unless vassal, no visits.
ㄴVisiting = pledging fealty lol
ㄴForeign nobles rarely unless personal. Like prez election—congrats calls, no visits.
Ming and Joseon...? Not sure. Anyway, unrelated to me. Unless nobles gossip my name.
Nobles avoid Gallery mentions—privacy. Commoners too. Hate "You... saw that?" nightmare. Bury embarrassing stuff.
"Kyuu. Kyu."
While scrolling, Wonmo pawed me. Cat-kneading pose—made me chuckle.
"Wonmo. What's up? Wanna play again?"
"Kyuu!"
Seemed hooked on levitation. But fragrance used up. Beg SunForever? Nah, try alternative.
"Up you go. There."
"Kyuuu!"
Tie to floating subspatial backpack. Like helium balloon—Wonmo bobbed happily, zipping around cave.
Thwack!
"Kyuuu!"
"Krek?!"
Minor accident, but cute—forgiven.
*****
While Grills enjoyed peaceful days, Messiah Empire buzzed with succession prep.
Era-changing throne handover. Citizens prepped to see next emperor: roads cleared, flowers set.
Nobles busiest—stock fashion for post-ceremony parties. Stamp eyes for future ease.
"Mom! Where's my uniform?"
"Why ask me? Where you hung it."
"You took it for laundry."
Swordmaster Ash no exception. Commoner talent spotted by Emperor Robert. Secluded now, but showing face helps: still Robert's side, Arnold's ally.
Honed politics from commoner days shine now.
"Mom. Can't find it."
"What if I do?"
"Love you?"
"Aigoo. Mouth sweet. Here."
Ash's eyes widened. Uniform gone moments ago, now in mom's hand. Brief annoyance, then lost in thought at pristine fabric.
Long time since wearing this. Memories fresh from first receipt. Count title and Guard Corps entry. Rivals everywhere then—Robert cleared. Later, 30s unmarried reality hit; vanished.
She examined, slowly donned. Perfect fit despite hiatus. Breathing-build body: peak without exercise.
Hm. Perfect.
Mirror showed no NEET—stalwart handsome knight. White pants highlighted thighs, top clean image. Tempted to snap for Gallery. Style and beauty coexist.
Most wearing this have great bodies anyway. No dress coat—retired. Inspected for flaws.
Conclusion: Ugh. Don't wanna go. Homebody urge. Must-go irony. Who knows suffering there. Some mention real name return. Handle quick, home.
"Wander in that, men line up... Nah. One decent guy enough..."
"..."
"Find husband there. Or don't come back."
"Mom."
To mom, Ash stayed jobless.
******
While Ash bantered with mom.
"Selena. Must go? Health still..."
"I'm fine. Chance to show I'm healthy."
"Father can explain. Mom agrees."
"No. And introduce Mary? Going no matter."
StarlightPrincess Selena geared for succession. Unlike typhoon-eye Four Seasons Forest, world shifted rapidly.