Starting Earth's Cultural Revolution! [03]
Starting Earth's Cultural Revolution! [03]
Everything was prepared.
I had also prepared plenty of goods to trade with humanity on Earth. Then, as I explained the situation to Soyeon-eonni... her expression changed immediately.
"Imo-nim must have gone through quite a lot of trouble."
"I, I'll definitely pay her back later."
It wasn't wrong.
There wasn't really anything to refute, either. Before departing.
I checked the contents meticulously, over and over again.
And then, I stepped into the warp heading to Earth.
The moment the sensation of floating enveloped my body...
The scenery before my eyes changed.
I took a deep breath and let it out.
Air with thin magic power. Perhaps it was because I had lived longer as a dragon than as a human.
What used to be natural now just feels unfamiliar.
First, I pondered where I should go.
Should I visit that place first?
There were things I hadn't managed to pack, too.
I was just about to turn toward the hotel.
Light leaked from inside my pocket.
Along with cheerful music.
I stopped without realizing it at the sound of the alarm.
The smartphone I had turned off was flashing.
Messages filled the lock screen.
They were all numbers I didn't recognize.
They piled up this much while I wasn't looking.
I can check them later.
If it was urgent, they'd come find me in person.
That thought hadn't even finished crossing my mind.
Perhaps Soyeon-eonni noticed too...
She turned around a little late and looked this way.
I heard footsteps behind me.
A man in a black suit walked over quietly. He didn't look that old. Around thirty, perhaps. He was tall and had a neat impression.
The man stopped and bowed his head.
"I have been waiting for you, Princess."
"First, introduce yourself."
"...Ah, my apologies."
Soyeon-eonni stepped forward.
The man didn't waver even after seeing that.
Instead, he smiled relaxedly. As if he were used to it.
To think he wouldn't back down even after seeing Eonni.
That courage alone is worth praising.
"My name is Oliver. I have been tasked with supporting everything for the Princess and Wang So-yeon-nim. I am lacking, but I look forward to working with you."
Supporting everything.
I looked at Oliver, repeating those words in my head.
Many things could be read in his eyes.
"Who sent you?"
"President Joshua prepared this for the Princess's comfortable life. The warp coordinates were identified by the Presidential Office in advance. I will explain the details while we are on the move."
Soyeon-eonni looked at me.
I nodded first.
I knew it would turn out like this, but...
To think they'd make contact as soon as I arrived.
Oliver guided us to the vehicle.
Perhaps because I had ridden in one a few times before.
There was no discomfort at all.
Oliver sat in the front seat and explained various things. Movement routes. Personnel deployment. Communication methods. Calmly and neatly, without leaving anything out.
Soyeon-eonni interjected with questions from time to time.
"How many guards are there? What is the rotation cycle?"
"There are twelve in total, rotating every six hours. All of them are elite agents."
"What if the movement route is exposed to the outside?"
"It is not disclosed without prior approval. Only the minimum number of personnel shared the movement."
"What is the minimum?"
"...Three."
"That's four. Including me."
They must have been preparing for quite a while.
He doesn't back down even against Soyeon-eonni.
I admired him for a moment before turning my gaze away.
The scenery flowed past the window.
As we left the main road and turned into a quiet area.
Buildings decreased and trees increased.
A large mansion was in front of us.
As the iron gate opened, a garden unfolded inside.
A large fountain and trimmed trees.
Flowers were separated by color.
I got out of the vehicle and slowly looked around the garden and the mansion. It's a building that looks like it would come out of a cartoon.
To think they prepared something like this as a gift.
I liked it. Quite a lot.
"From now on, you can stay here comfortably. We have prepared all necessary items, so you will be able to live without any inconvenience."
Oliver continued his explanation from the side.
"Inside the mansion, personnel have been deployed for the Princess and Wang So-yeon-nim. If you need anything, please let us know at any time."
Women came out from the entrance.
Figures in maid outfits were lined up in an orderly posture. My eyes widened at the magnificent sight without me realizing it.
To see something I only saw in comic books in person.
It looks much better in real life than I thought.
Did they figure out what I like?
"First, let's go inside."
"I'll look around slowly later."
As I entered the mansion, the high ceiling caught my eye. The stairs were split on both sides.
Oliver passed through the hallway and opened one of the doors.
"This is a private room. It is a suitable space for talking quietly. I would appreciate it if you could check the items you brought here."
I went in and took a seat.
Soyeon-eonni sat across from me.
Oliver also took a seat and waited.
And I put the bag on the table.
Oliver looked down at the bag.
The ordinary-looking black bag.
After hesitating for a moment, I opened the bag's zipper.
A space whose depth couldn't even be gauged.
Spiral light spun around and around.
Oliver froze when he saw that.
The face of the man who had maintained his composure until just a moment ago crumbled instantly. As if he felt fear at the unknown object...
I pushed the bag forward.
"Try putting your hand inside."
"Th-this? Is it safe..."
"There is no problem with safety. Don't worry."
"I-is that so."
Oliver looked at me and then shifted his gaze to the bag. After swallowing hard, he pushed his fingertips inside. Up to his elbow. Then, it went in up to near his shoulder before he pulled it out.
The composure disappeared from Oliver's face.
He moved his hand around. He shook it once, twice, before looking back down at the bag.
It took quite a while for him to open his mouth.
"By any chance, is this sub-space?"
Oliver said quietly.
As if he couldn't believe the reality in front of him.
He looked back and forth between me and the bag.
To be surprised by just this. I'll be bringing things much more surprising than this in the future. I barely swallowed the laughter welling up inside.
"If you aren't a registered user, you can't take anything out. And destroying the bag itself would be impossible with Earthlings' magic power. Doesn't it look convenient?"
"May I put an item inside?"
"As much as you like. Feel free to experiment to your heart's content."
Oliver stood up from his seat.
He picked up a small ornament from one side of the room.
A ceramic doll the size of a palm.
He put it into the bag's opening.
He reached out to take it out immediately, but.
It was useless. Nothing could be grasped.
He tried one more time, but the result was the same.
It's natural since he's an unregistered person.
It took a couple more times for Oliver to realize that fact. He pulled his hand out and looked at me. It seems he realized my words weren't a lie.
"It really cannot be taken out."
"Would I ever lie?"
"I apologize. I just wanted to verify it myself."
Soyeon-eonni took the bag and took it out herself, placing it on the table. The ceramic doll came out perfectly fine. Without a single scratch.
"Now, please check again."
"Unbelievable. This is truly amazing."
Oliver looked down at it for a while.
"Humanity's logistics structure will change."
"You've noticed. That is the goal."
"...I think I've been deceived by President Joshua. He definitely said it was a small trade, but this is a contract on which the future of humanity hangs. I finally understand why everyone is refusing."
He put his hands down on the table.
There was no movement. He raised his eyes and looked at me.
It seemed like his composure had completely disappeared for the first time. Shaking pupils. Sweat dripping down. The contract in his hand was trembling.
"We have prepared it in advance, but I don't know if you will be satisfied. I would appreciate it if you could read it and give us your opinion."
It was thick. There was a lot of content, too.
Soyeon-eonni picked it up first.
She pointed down line by line.
"The quantity limit is not specified."
"We plan to adjust it through future consultations."
"No. We must do it right here, right now."
Oliver paused for a moment.
Soyeon-eonni pointed to a corner of the contract with her finger.
"The distribution range, too. The expression 'international distribution' is too broad. Please specify the regions and channels."
"...Understood. I will revise it."
"Profit distribution clause, Article 4, Section 2. You need to rewrite this. This part and that part are the problem."
Oliver took the document and picked up a pen.
The way he revised it without expression was rather firm. They were aiming at each other like transparent blades.
I know it's an important matter, but...
Honestly, I'm not very interested.
Whatever they do, what I want is entertainment.
Wouldn't they handle the difficult stuff on their own?
When the revisions were finished, Soyeon-eonni took it again. Just like the first time, she pointed down line by line. Without missing a single character...
This time, she didn't say anything.
Only after reading to the very end.
She slowly placed it on the table.
"Now it's fine."
Soyeon-eonni looked at me.
"Let's start with a small amount for now. We can adjust it after seeing how the market moves."
Oliver nodded.
"That direction is wise. Since the value of the goods is high, if they are released on a large scale from the beginning, unexpected chaos could occur."
It was the right thing to say.
It's an item that will overturn the existing logistics system entirely. Going step by step is correct. Imo-nim must have calculated that much when she made it.
I signed the contract.
Oliver reached out his hand.
A hard and firm hand.
While holding it, I spoke first.
"I look forward to working with you."
I could see the garden outside the window.
Water splashed up from the fountain. Under the clear sky, the sunlight rippled on the water's surface.
I had finally taken a step forward.
The moment I thought that...
Oliver opened his mouth.
"Princess, would you like to take a walk on the streets of America today? There have been many requests from citizens saying they want to see the Princess again."
Soyeon-eonni's eyes changed immediately.
"Wouldn't that be too conspicuous?"
I laughed first.
"That must be your intention, right? Isn't it?"
Oliver let out a chuckle.
He raised his hands high above his head.
"I surrender. I've already been caught. I can't even lie in front of the Princess's insight. However, the citizens' requests are true. Various products modeled after the Princess are already being sold in the market."
As long as it's not something weird, I don't mind.
Rather, it's welcome. Because it means my influence is that great. I should buy some merchandise secretly later. I'm curious about what there is, too.
"I will play along with that act. Wouldn't it be boring if I just stayed inside the mansion anyway? I want to see things I don't know about with my own eyes."
"I have no choice."
Soyeon-eonni looked at me.
A face that looked like she had given up, sighing.
I knew that expression all too well.
Sorry. But wouldn't it be fun?
✦✦✦
When we came out to the street, a crowd gathered.
Much faster than I thought.
Bodyguards surrounded us on all sides.
Soyeon-eonni and I walked inside that circle.
Oliver watched the situation from afar.
People gathered.
People waving their hands toward us.
People calling my name loudly.
People holding up cameras while tearing up.
It was truly a commotion.
Anyone would think a war had broken out.
"Princess Yeonbi! Look this way!"
"Just one photo! Please!"
"Princess, is your tail real?!"
Various races, various languages.
I couldn't tell where the people came from.
They just came to see me, that's all.
The atmosphere is definitely different from the Empire.
Because that was a place where everyone was busy worshipping when royalty moved. On the other hand, Earthlings have no hesitation in approaching.
"Can I touch those horns!"
"Princess, look at me, over here!"
"Please marry meeee!"
I laughed at the last remark.
Thanks to the bodyguards, no one approached recklessly. Still, the noise couldn't be blocked. It was noisy enough to make my ears feel slightly muffled.
Soyeon-eonni said quietly.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. This much is fine."
It was true. It wasn't uncomfortable at all.
The gazes pouring in from all sides were neither sharp nor cold. They came out of curiosity, or simply because they wanted to see me. I didn't feel any intention to harm me at all. It's fascinating.
Entirely of their own will...
To be here.
That felt strangely good.
My head turned at the smell of something grilling.
A street stall with hot dogs lined up.
Next to it, they were also selling chicken skewers.
I want to eat it. I want to eat it. Right now!
If I eat it later, I'll regret it.
I cast a glance at Soyeon-eonni.
Whether she noticed, she sighed shortly and signaled the bodyguard. One man ran quickly and returned holding a bunch of hot dogs and chicken skewers.
And held them out in front of us as if it were nothing.
"This is delicious. Eonni, try some too."
"The meat doesn't taste like much, but the sauce is okay."
I took it and took a bite.
It was hot and sweet. I didn't know the name, but I knew the taste. Soyeon-eonni also took one.
People were filming that scene too.
"The Princess seems to be in a good mood."
"Her tail is wagging like crazy, isn't it?"
"Should I go and buy one to eat too?"
Playing along moderately is also a job.
I raised my hand. I smiled toward the gathered people and posed appropriately.
The people who saw that were enthusiastic, and they tried to push forward to see even a little more.
"Everyone, please calm down! It's dangerous."
"If not now, when else will we see her!"
"We will somehow find another opportunity..."
The sight of the bodyguards sweating and trying to manage the scene somehow was ridiculous.
I've enjoyed it enough. Let's stop here.
Because if the prank goes too far, something big will happen.
Soyeon-eonni asked quietly.
With a face that couldn't understand at all.
"Princess, do you enjoy things like this?"
"...This is all for entertainment, too."
A moment of silence passed.
Soyeon-eonni's eyes narrowed slightly.
She seems suspicious.
"I don't think that's the only reason."
We walked a little more.
The people's cheers continued.
"What will you do next time?"
"I'll show you when we come next time."
"Princess."
I glanced toward the people.
The hand holding the hot dog was still warm.
I felt the tip of my tail move slightly.
The people's voices grew distant.
The laughter, the sound of them calling my name, too.
Everything flowed past like waves.
My tail wagged once more.
Lightly, without any thoughts.
...Truly, without any thoughts.
Heheheung♬