Succession Ceremony (1)
Thanks to the gallery experts, I managed to harvest a massive amount of honey. The empty elixir bottles weren't enough, so I bought a huge new barrel outright. It was so big I could barely hug it with both arms. The honeycomb itself was enormous, and the amount of honey inside was insane. Even the barrel couldn't hold it all, so I filled the leftover elixir bottles with the rest.
[YasaengGrill: Try some of this honey. It's seriously sweet.]
[Cheonma: My thanks. Thanks to you, I always get to taste such rarities.]
[YasaengGrill: Cheonma, you give me Wall Valley Pills. I'm always grateful.]
I gifted the overflowing honey to my high-nic buddies. Cheonma got it first, then SwordTasteStar. It wasn't some fancy elixir—just straight-up edible honey—so SwordTasteStar happily accepted.
[SwordTasteStar: Can I put this on my skin?]
[YasaengGrill: Uh... is honey good for your skin?]
[SwordTasteStar: Not sure, but it's honey from the Four Seasons Forest, right? Should be fine?]
[YasaengGrill: Beats me. But don't you already have perfect skin, SwordTasteStar? I heard super strong people age slower.]
[SwordTasteStar: True, but getting even prettier can't hurt, right? Good-looking people are happy just staring in the mirror lol.]
[YasaengGrill: Come visit, you could take a honey bath.]
[SwordTasteStar: Happiness isn't just about looks, though.]
[YasaengGrill: lol]
Next up was PassingDwarf.
[PassingDwarf: Gonna brew some honey liquor after ages. Got any honeycomb to spare?]
[YasaengGrill: I could, but you're pickling that in booze too?]
[PassingDwarf: Nah nah, gotta eat it as a side dish. You don't know how good stone honey or tree honey is for you?]
[YasaengGrill: Yeah, no clue.]
PassingDwarf explained: honeycomb on trees is tree honey, on rocks is stone honey. Honey's made from nutrients of countless flowers. So the comb holding it has all the Four Seasons Forest flowers' nutrients too.
[PassingDwarf: Problem is, we don't know what flowers. Could be poisonous.]
[YasaengGrill: Then isn't the honey dangerous too??]
[PassingDwarf: Nah, honey's fine from what I hear. Comb's the issue. So, can ya spare some?]
[YasaengGrill: Now that you say it, seems too risky.]
[PassingDwarf: Worst case, just diarrhea. And the deer gave it to you, right? Problems? Skin that bastard alive.]
PassingDwarf made a solid point. The deer gave me this honeycomb—if there's trouble, hunt the deer. Sure, it'd be a tough fight given the deer's strength, but I'd manage. Plus, I had elixirs and antidotes as backup.
[YasaengGrill: Alright, I'll try it first and let you know later. Safer that way.]
[PassingDwarf: ㅇㅋ But can I have more honey? Need extra for the brew...]
[YasaengGrill: Sigh lol]
I gave more since he begged. It wouldn't make a dent anyway. Then I shared with the rest. Most loved it. Except Olfather—I couldn't reach him since he was offline. His activity's been spotty lately; probably personal stuff.
With the honey all divvied up, I eyed the leftover comb.
Should I try it?
The comb, cut flat for honey extraction. Still oozing honey despite harvesting tons. Barrel was full, no room left.
No bugs, right?
I checked over and over. Spotless inside. I sliced it into bite-sized pieces. Never thought I'd eat honeycomb.
I shared with Ppareumbo and the animal pals too. If they ate fine, it'd be safe for me.
"Nom nom nom nom!"
"Tasty?"
"Nom nom nom!"
They chowed down. Even Ppareumbo slowly chewed it, despite being picky. No hesitation. Looked poison-free.
I examined a dripping piece and popped it in.
"Nom. Chew chew. Hm?"
One bite and my eyes went wide. Knew the honey was sweet, but the comb? Delicious. Unique texture—like chewy candy. Subtle bitterness balanced the intense sweetness perfectly.
Feels like a snack.
Taste approved. But no relaxing yet—effects might take time.
Hoping for no symptoms.
Store the comb... grab another barrel.
Bought one more for the chopped comb. Barrels were super useful; might need more.
Tomorrow's the succession ceremony?
I sucked honey off my fingers and logged into the gallery. With it tomorrow, posts were all about it. Useless to me, but envious anyway.
Wanna meet people.
Nearly a month in the Four Seasons Forest. Seen people from afar, but never met. No word from the giraffe-riding holy knight across the river. Was that my last chance?
They said he was super strong... dunno.
Checked the river sometimes—no sign of that meadow, just other hellscapes. Good thing I'm here.
"Hah!"
"Kyuu!"
"Hah!"
"Kyuu!"
Kkobong's grunts and Wonmo's mimicry. Training Kkobong, Wonmo flailing beside—bear cub on tiny legs, barely standing, waving cute paws. Smiled just watching.
Cause she's a baby? Copying family.
Wonmo just ate, slept, pooped till now. Martial arts imitation? Hilarious.
"Kyuuu..."
"Tired? Bath and bed."
Exhausted, she'd crash early. I barely washed the sleepy, stumbling cub. After a full day, she was nodding off—tough work. Dried her fur by fire, tucked in.
My turn to prep for bed.
Late night. Gallery time said sleep. Applied bug repellent to Kkobong, shooed outside. He went without complaint—used to outdoors.
Build a shed?
Pitiful camping, but later. He's survived it fine. Just avoid bugs.
No symptoms so far.
Time passed post-comb; felt energized even. Flower effects, maybe.
Why'd the deer give it?
Only help: winter campfire. If that's it... next winter too. Or ask raccoon family.
Deer was strong—befriend it. Heading to arena tomorrow; chat then.
Tell Kkobong to join.
I drifted off, wishing to meet people soon.
******
The time to symbolize generational change and welcome the empire's new sun had arrived: the succession ceremony. Arnold's symbolic ascension to emperor. Thus, the Messiah Empire—especially the capital—bustled with preparations. No mistakes allowed; everything was perfect.
Of course, that was for officials. Nobles networked; commoners chased money and perks. It was basically a festival.
And among participants, heavyweights lurked.
"Hey, what's in that honey from yesterday? My skin's totally different."
"It's Mom's cooking, not the honey, right?"
Aeshy, the ever-present swordmaster, continent's strongest. Her mother praised her crisp uniform but fixated on her skin.
"A cookie-munching kid like you? That honey must have amazing effects."
"No, just skin got better. Literally."
"Just skin? Look at your hands—turtle-shell rough, now perfect overnight."
Mom was right; Aeshy's skin transformed in a day. Her realm kept her 20s-fresh, but hands—core of civilization, abused by warriors—stayed rough despite care. Especially hers: prodigy, transcended young, abused since.
"Hm..."
Aeshy eyed her hands: now jade-like. Honey from Grills did that overnight.
Not thrilled, honestly.
Gloves hid them; calluses symbolized warriors. Easier grip too—palms shredded early on. But admitting? Mom's backhand smash. So she lied.
"But you got better too, Mom?"
"Hohoho. True."
Not just Aeshy—Mom too. Shared the honey. Her skin now youthful; wrinkles faded. Sisters from afar.
Didn't expect this much...
Aeshy played cool, but shook inside. Honey too potent. Her realm explained hers; Mom was commoner, hard life, age-appropriate till now—suddenly younger.
Good she doesn't gallery.
Wouldn't have shared. But Mom's joy eased her. Rare filial piety.
Aeshy smiled, walking on.
"Hey, look there."
"No way. House Mercedes?"
"Attending the ceremony."
En route, murmurs hit her ears. Used to her fame, but others? Turned.
Splendid carriage; someone descending.
House Mercedes? Makes sense for ceremony.
But numbers stood out: duke couple plus two women.
"Huh? That lady..."
"Mercedes lady? Wasn't she sick?"
"Beautiful..."
Snow-descending beauty, icy expression unhidden. Followed by plain brown-haired woman.
Aeshy raised a brow.
Incurable disease? Cured?
Even shut-in, she knew world news. Gallery fed rumors. Selena Mercedes should be secluded; public rare.
Complexion healthy. Skin too... huh?
Saw Selena's glow, checked own hand. Similar sheen from honey.
Selena spotted her, looked over.
"...?"
Selena tilted head. Aeshy eye-catching too, but skin drew eyes.
...Huh?
Selena eyed Aeshy's then own.
What is...
Something feels...
A weird vibe flowed between them.