Starting Earth's Cultural Revolution! [06]
Starting Earth's Cultural Revolution! [06]
"Princess-nim, shall we depart immediately?"
"The sooner, the better. Let's go right now."
"......I see. Understood."
I was curious about what kind of creature it would be. It was a formidable opponent that had given Earth's hunters a hard time.
I wondered what its skill level was truly like.
I hope it's an opponent worth playing with.
It's useless to try and hide it desperately.
I am a dragon, after all. It's unavoidable that the dragon's blood boils from time to time. Because I haven't been able to fight properly, my thirst for battle seems to have deepened.
"O God. Grant us salvation."
Lucia, the founder and saint of the Salvation Church.
She was bowing her head with fervent eyes, even panting for breath.
I'll have to ask Soyeon-eonni in private later about what they talked about. For now, let's hurry.
I moved my body toward the exit.
A voice was heard from behind.
It held me back for a moment.
"Do you have a moment?"
I turned around. Was he in his mid-forties?
A man with a sturdy build and short hair.
He was wearing a suit, but his posture was as rigid as a soldier's.
He had an unusual impression at first glance.
His face was full of fatigue.
The signs of sleep deprivation were evident under his eyes.
A high-ranking hunter? Or an official?
Who is he? I stared at the man for a while.
"We don't have time. Speak quickly."
Soyeon-eonni stepped forward.
The man bowed his head deeply.
Even so, he continued to speak without hesitation.
"I am the Hunter Association President. I have something to tell you. Could we move to a different spot to talk? It will be over quickly."
Soyeon-eonni looked at me.
The schedule to head to the Atlantic would be delayed a little, but that wasn't a bad thing. The gate wasn't going to disappear right away, anyway. If there was an urgent matter, it was enough to hear it first before departing.
"Very well. Lead the way."
The Association President's office was inside the building.
It was a space that was neither wide nor narrow. Several hologram screens were floating on the desk.
The coordinates of the Atlantic were blinking in real-time.
On one side of the screen, the casualty count was rising in numbers. It was fortunate that the speed was slow. Was it thanks to the hunters holding on desperately?
I took a seat, and the President faced me.
He organized something for a moment and then opened his mouth.
"This might be a shameless request. I will ask you directly. Can you provide assistance with this Atlantic Gate?"
"I was planning to go watch anyway."
The President paused for a beat.
He had the face of someone who had just heard a bad joke.
His eyes widened.
"...Watch? The Atlantic Gate?"
"That is correct. I thought it was a good opportunity since I was bored. Is there a problem with that?"
The President was speechless for a moment. His gaze lingered in the air for a while before turning toward Soyeon-eonni.
Soyeon-eonni didn't say anything.
She just sat quietly and looked at me.
"Then, I will share the monster information before you leave. I can certainly serve as a guide. Besides that, if you need anything else..."
"A guide is always welcome."
The President pulled the hologram screen with his hand. A video of the Atlantic waters unfolded before my eyes.
A magnificent figure was revealed above the sea.
A purple body, with dozens of tentacles moving slowly between the waves. Magic power covered the entire sea area like mist.
"It is a giant Sea King-type monster. A magic barrier is wrapping around its entire body."
The video changed.
It was a scene where someone was condensing magic power to launch an attack. A shockwave erupted in all directions, but the monster didn't even flinch. The faces of the hunters in the video were cold. Tsk tsk, their will had been broken.
The attack bounced off the moment it touched the surface of the barrier. The hunter was pushed back significantly. One, two, three. By now, the twelfth video had ended.
"Twelve S-rank hunters were deployed in shifts, but all had the same result. It recovers quickly, so even if we deal damage, it returns to normal immediately."
It was quite large. The length of a single tentacle seemed to be tens of meters. The magic power surrounding its entire body was also tightly woven. It was sturdier than I thought to just smash it blindly.
They tried to deploy Transcendental-rank hunters, but it seemed like countries were reluctant to step forward. They must be saving them as the top assets carrying the nation.
The situation in the United States was the same.
Even if the President stepped in, it wasn't easy to get congressional approval, and in the end, it reached the point where the Hunter Bureau had to handle it on its own.
Calculating profit and loss even in this situation.
They are dirty and pathetic people.
"I will make it into octopus skewers, so do not worry. Do you have any preferences? Heat control might be difficult, but I will make it somehow."
The President froze. He stared at me and then immediately cast his gaze toward Soyeon-eonni. He looked like he was doubting whether his ears were working correctly.
"......Octopus? That is a terrible joke."
"Would I, this body, tell such a lie?"
"We don't need skewers. It's a bit gross."
Soyeon-eonni sighed shortly from the side.
"Princess-nim, please stop the jokes there."
"Is it not good for eating because it's a giant octopus?"
"That is not the problem. Let's go."
It was the moment I got up to leave.
Soyeon-eonni stopped me again.
Did she still have something to say?
"How about utilizing this situation to produce a documentary video yourself? If you are going to fight anyway, it would be meaningful to record and share the process."
It was an unexpected proposal.
I nodded without a second thought.
Thinking about it, it's not bad.
If it's a video, it can be recorded and it's good to show to the people of Earth. Maybe someone who sees it will be inspired to make a game or animation. I must do this right away.
But.
"Will it be okay like this?"
What I was wearing now was casual clothes.
If I capture this in a video, the impression will be weak.
Should I borrow a costume to wear?
While I was agonizing over it, Soyeon-eonni rummaged through the subspace pocket inside her sleeve and pulled something out.
It was a square gift box.
"Narae-imo-nim made this after being inspired by Earth's entertainment. She said it is a special combat suit for you, Princess-nim."
My eyes sparkled.
"Imo made this herself?"
"That is correct."
She was someone who said she wasn't interested.
Inspired by Earth's entertainment?
When on earth did she watch that?
I'll have to ask her someday.
I took the box and ran into the changing room.
I opened the lid, which was full of flashy decorations.
I hesitated while trying to take out what was inside.
I blinked once and looked again.
It was a bunny girl outfit. And it was pitch black, too.
I'll have to scold her as soon as I return to the Empire.
What did she use as a reference?
I don't know if it was a manga, a game, or an animation. Anyway, she prepared this as a combat suit. She must have had something in mind, but...
Really. Really!
I didn't want to wear it, but I couldn't bring myself to refuse.
It's a gift from Imo. She made it thinking of me, so it would be rude not to wear it.
Did I say I would step up for no reason?
Was it a mistake to show her Earth's items?
Maybe everything from start to finish was a problem.
Let's give up and accept it.
I did like bunny girl characters. They often appeared in the manga and games I enjoyed in my previous life. I had even thought they were cute.
I just didn't know it would become my own business.
I guess days like this happen in life.
Next time I see her, I'll definitely have to ask what she watched. It seems like she'll turn away with her ear tips red, but I won't back down this time.
I will definitely get an answer.
I sighed once and put it on.
✦✦✦
"How is Earth's ocean? Quite different, right?"
"It is clean because there are no magic storms."
"Right? You can see the ocean so well here."
The planet Artemis is excessively rich in magic power. Especially the ocean side, the influence is much stronger. Because of the magic residue accumulated in the deep sea, storms always rage in the sea area.
An environment where I can't see a calm ocean even if I want to. That's why I've missed Earth's calm and blue ocean so much.
When I return to the Empire, I'll have to mention this to Imo. She'll definitely do it even if she acts like she's not interested. It might be nice to wear swimsuits together, too.
"The target is right in front of us, Princess-nim."
Waves continued to the end of the horizon.
The wind was strong. Heavy air mixed with magic power.
There must be a gate nearby.
The suit Imo made fluttered in the wind.
I couldn't believe the fact that I was flying while wearing this. I'm wrapping my body in magic power, but there's too much exposed skin.
I was even recording this in real-time. For the documentary production. If I had known this, I would have given up. It's already too late.
Someday, people all over the world will see this, right?
I looked down.
Ships were scattered on the sea.
People were looking up at us from the hulls. Almost no ordinary people were visible.
Most of them were hunters.
"Look there! It's the Princess-nim!"
"Is it real? Did she come all the way to the Atlantic?"
"We're saved! We're saved now!"
"Who contacted her? How did she get here?"
"Does that matter? She's here!"
The cheers were louder than the sound of the waves.
I waved my hand once.
The sound grew even louder.
Some people were wiping away tears.
I faced forward again.
I could see it even from afar.
A massive body rising above the sea.
It became clearer as I got closer.
A dark red body floating above the waves.
Countless tentacles extending in all directions.
Layers of magic barriers were protecting its body like a shell. I didn't know when I saw it in the video. Seeing it in reality, the scale was different.
So this is what Earthlings couldn't stop.
Soyeon-eonni said from the side.
"It is certainly a creature that the people of this planet cannot handle. For an octopus, its magic barrier is excellent. I could even give it a passing grade."
"By Empire standards, it's just a regular soldier level. It must be overwhelming for Earth, though. Still, if all the Transcendental-rank hunters in the world gathered, they might be able to manage somehow."
"Princess-nim. The octopus's condition is a bit strange."
"Strange? Wait. Uh, huh? What is this?"
I looked closely near its forehead.
Traces of other colors were mixed within the black magic power. An unnaturally tangled magic pattern.
It looked like someone had forcibly injected it.
Soyeon-eonni must have noticed too, as she spoke first.
"It seems to be brainwashed. It is a trace of someone injecting magic from the outside."
It would be better to capture it than to destroy it.
It might be related to Earth's gate incident. It might be an opportunity that won't come again.
I wanted to make octopus sashimi, but it's a waste.
"We should capture it and hear the story, right?"
Soyeon-eonni nodded.
I leaned my body forward to rush in.
At that moment, Soyeon-eonni skillfully took out a camera. It was amazing. It was only a few days ago that she looked down on it as barbarian culture...
When did she learn to do that?
She was posing like an expert.
Click. Click.
Click. Click.
"The outfit suits you well, Princess-nim."
"......"
My face burned hot. Even though it was a cold sea breeze, the heat wouldn't fade.
Ugh, I want to run away.
Just you wait. I will definitely get revenge later.
I said nothing and looked ahead.
For now, let's finish that octopus and get out of here.
As soon as possible. Every second is precious.
What would be the flashiest method?
While agonizing over it, I focused my magic power into my hands.
I could feel the magic circuit reacting inside the bunny girl suit. I guess it's because it's a circuit Imo crafted. It's definitely different.
I sent magic power toward the suit.
Light began to gather before my eyes.
A sword with red patterns engraved on a black material.
A tremendous greatsword was in front of me.
Imo made something fun.
A magic sword. It's cool. It's overflowing with style.
Did she make this by referencing Earth's stuff, too?
Even if I don't like the bunny girl...
I like this one thing.
I reached out and grabbed the hilt.
Red energy rose from my toes.
My hair fluttered without wind.
Light extended from my horns, and the sky...
Darkened all at once.
There was no big change in the magic power itself.
It was just that the effects were flashy.
But this alone is enough.
I heard sounds from the ship below.
"W-what, suddenly the sky!"
"What is that, a sword just appeared!"
"Everyone hold on! The ship is shaking!"
The monster lifted one of its tentacles.
The waves shook, and the air split.
"I hope you entertain me!"
I kicked off and rushed in with all my might.
The royal sword technique passed down from the Empire.
It cuts space with a single strike. If you aren't of the Dragon King's bloodline, you don't even have the qualification to touch it.
As I swung the sword, it cut through everything.
"Imperial Sword Technique! First Form: Circular Slash!"
Clang.
Clang.
Cracks appeared on the surface of the barrier.
The monster screamed.
It reacted violently.
Unlike magic, the sword definitely has a good feel to it. I think I understand why the Knight Commander of the Empire likes it so much. It's thrilling.
The remaining tentacles all flocked toward me.
While running, I dug between the tentacles.
I cut off the ones reaching out one by one.
Left, right, and the ones coming from above.
I kept cutting frantically.
Found it.
Is it right there?
I saw its forehead.
The place where the traces of brainwashing were gathered.
The magic power was concentrated most densely there.
"Imperial Sword Technique, Second Form."
"Sky Piercer!"
I stabbed the sword in at once.
The monster twisted its whole body.
The tentacles hit the air indiscriminately.
Waves rose like mountains.
The resistance was intense.
The concentrated magic power twisted and poured out intense vibrations. The impact spread over the sea, and the waves were pushed in all directions. The hunters watching the scene grabbed the ship and hung on.
It's useless to resist.
Because it would be a futile struggle in the end.
The sword pierced the monster's forehead.
Ah, I meant to capture it.
I got excited by the feel of it and stabbed it too deep.
Clang.
The concentrated magic power exploded all at once.
Light flashed. The sea brightened in an instant and then sank again.
The giant body split apart.
Before long, it began to scatter like fragments.
The pieces vanished, leaving behind light.
As the magic power cleared, the waves subsided.
It became quiet.
Magic residue scattered on the water's surface.
A purple light flickered briefly and then disappeared.
But something was floating on the water.
It was a person.
I couldn't understand that.
A person inside an octopus?
Did they faint, or were they injured?
I couldn't judge for now.
Sounds came from the ship.
"Is it over? Is it really over?"
"No response on the detector. The magic is gone."
"We're saved. We're saved!"
The sound spread over the waves.
Someone sat down on the deck.
Someone covered their face.
Soyeon-eonni approached me.
She lowered the camera and said briefly.
"It was captured well. The whole world will see it, Princess-nim. Including the bunny girl."
"......"
I didn't look that way.
I kept my gaze on the person floating on the water.
On the surface, they looked no different from an ordinary Earthling.
Except for the fact that they were unconscious while wrapped in tentacles.
However, I could feel the magic residue remaining inside their body. It was by no means a small amount.
Were they brainwashed by the monster?
Or were they inside from the beginning?
Question marks floated up in layers.
For now, the big task is over. Shall I go back?
I can leave the woman's identity to the hunters. I did enough.
I don't want to get involved in annoying things anymore.
Because there are still plenty of things to enjoy in the world.