Starting Earth's Cultural Revolution! [01]
Starting Earth's Cultural Revolution! [01]
The long yet short journey on Earth has ended.
The Princess said she was tired and already went into her bedroom. She really is impossible.
Looks like I'm going alone this time too.
I moved my legs to go see the Dragon King.
Only the sound of my footsteps lay quietly in the hallway.
I matched my steps to that sound while organizing the things that came to mind. Everything Princess Yeonbi did on Earth, without missing a single thing.
For starters, there's a mountain of things to report.
Yet, the reason my steps feel heavier than usual is probably for another reason. A strictly personal matter.
In a way, it's not even a big deal.
Every time I see the Princess, I can't help but be startled.
The more she grows, the more she resembles Princess Wang Seoyun. I guess you really can't fool bloodlines.
Genetics are truly fascinating.
Pink hair and eyes.
Preferring to play rather than study, a bright and energetic personality, and the charm that captivates countless people. Everything from one to ten was the same.
I still can't forget what happened back then.
Only the direction was different; I walked down this hallway that day too. Carrying a full bundle of snacks that my big sister (Eonni) liked. I imagined the upcoming tea party.
When I walk, thoughts naturally follow.
There's no way to stop the nostalgic and sweet memories.
The days that were difficult, but the happiest.
During the height of the Galactic War.
The Great Goryeo Empire was volunteering to act as a shield in the middle of that chaos, and His Majesty the Dragon King was suffering from meetings day after day.
They were days when news from the battlefield never ceased.
During that time, my big sister returned.
While pregnant. And with a full-term belly at that.
When I first heard the news...
I couldn't understand it properly.
It was closer to not wanting to understand.
Did I mishear it?
There's no way Eonni would do that.
Because the big sister who even put off marriage because it was a hassle had returned while carrying a child. At first, I even considered it a bad joke.
The Dragon King was furious when he heard that.
The atmosphere twisted, and lightning struck the distant mountains one after another. The memory of staring blankly at that sight through the window is still vivid.
It was the first time in my memory that he reacted so violently. Since the Dragon King cherished my big sister terribly, it seems his sense of betrayal and loss was also enormous.
When asked who the child's father was, my big sister never opened her mouth until the end. She just repeated the same incomprehensible words.
"It's a precious child of a wonderful person."
The Dragon King eventually locked my big sister in the detached palace. Only a very few were allowed entry, and fortunately, I was among them.
My big sister was generally calm.
There was no sign that she was imprisoned.
But is she really okay?
She loved going out and playing so much.
Wouldn't she feel stifled?
That His Majesty was angry, that the world was whispering. At least on the surface, she seemed completely unaffected.
That made it even more pitiful.
The image of my big sister that I like is...
It wasn't like this. She always smiled.
I felt resentful toward the child in her belly for no reason.
One day, my big sister said she wanted to get some fresh air, so we walked together to the stream flowing next to the detached palace. There was almost no wind.
My big sister lifted the hem of her skirt and dipped her ankles into the water. Then she placed her hand on her belly and talked to the child.
"My baby. Just be born healthy."
I watched that scene from a few steps behind, feeling anxious. To prepare for any possible situation, I didn't leave her side, ever.
My big sister's heart has been smaller than other dragons since birth. Because of that, her body was weak, and fainting often was a daily occurrence.
Such a big sister was carrying a child.
I couldn't even guarantee if her body would hold up.
I couldn't help but worry.
"Soyeon-ah."
My big sister called me.
I approached, and she pointed to her belly with her eyes.
"Put your ear here."
I hesitated. Because of my big sister's characteristic subtle gaze, I eventually bent my knees and brought my ear to it.
I heard a sound.
It was very small. Even the word faint wasn't enough. A thin heartbeat, as if it might stop at any moment, was transmitted to the inside of my ear.
While listening to it, I held my breath.
Because if I breathed, it felt like that sound would cut off.
I was suddenly struck with fear.
"...It's alive."
When I lifted my head, my big sister was smiling.
Without putting strength into her eyes, comfortably.
"It will be okay. Both me and the child."
I thought to myself that it wouldn't be okay.
In front of that smile, taking out something felt strangely rude. Why is that? Today, Eonni looks much stronger than anyone else.
"Can you grant Eonni a wish?"
"...Tell me anything. I'll grant it."
"Please take care of the child while I'm gone. I probably won't be able to be by the child's side. I'll be asleep for a long time to recover my body. I can trust you to take care of it."
I hesitated for a long time before just nodding.
I couldn't answer with words. If I brought anything up, I felt like I would cry. My chest hurts as if it's being gouged out.
When will we meet again next time?
A hundred years later? Two hundred years later? I don't know.
Right now, I just hated the coming farewell.
The next evening, labor began.
His Majesty waited in the conference room.
Casting aside all work.
While doing nothing.
A person who has been called cold-hearted all his life...
That was the first and last time he looked so anxious. I didn't know where to look, so I stood in the hallway for a long time too.
The labor lasted over a day.
Two days passed.
Only Eonni's terrible screams were heard.
Please, let it pass safely.
I prayed and prayed again.
The evening of the third day.
Finally, the physician came out.
Both the mother and child were safe.
However, the mother's condition was not good.
She was in a state that required rapid transport.
In the end, everything...
Went as my big sister had expected.
So I couldn't even see her off.
For a while, that fact weighed on my heart.
When I passed the hallway and stood in front of the room at the end of the detached palace.
Beyond the door, it was quiet.
Is Eonni's child here?
Is the child healthy?
I grabbed the handle, paused for a moment, and opened it.
A pink, fluffy creature was visible.
A tiny baby dragon, very small, covered in soft fur, curled up on the blanket.
Opening its eyes at the sound of me entering.
It crawled over, pushing the floor with its small feet.
And grabbed my hand.
"Gya-u, gya-u."
I don't know where that strength came from, but its grip was stronger than I thought. I slowly sat down on the spot and looked down at the little thing for a while.
When our eyes met, it cried again.
"Do you like me that much?"
I realized I was smiling.
For the first time in my life, a proper smile.
That was my first meeting with Wang Yeon-bi.
My vision returned to the hallway.
Even while lost in thought, my steps continued. To think I already arrived right in front of it.
The closer I got to the door, the more I straightened my posture.
When I reached the Dragon King's office, the attendant bowed deeply and opened the door.
The Dragon King was standing by the window.
Showing his back.
I greeted him with proper etiquette.
The Dragon King turned his head.
He didn't say anything, but the meaning was clear.
I sat in my seat and calmly opened my mouth.
"I am reporting on what the Princess did on Earth. First, in a country called America..."
That's how the work began.
✦✦✦
"P-Princess, please be careful!"
"You must not run around!"
"Your skirt is riding up, so please mind your posture..."
Running down the hallway, I let the voices coming from behind slide past me. Everyone worries too much.
There's no way I'd get hurt from this much.
The stairs leading to the basement were very steep.
A section lit only by magic instead of torches continued for a while. The walls were cold, and the air was mixed with the smell of chemicals.
When this smell starts, it's a sign that I'm almost there. When I first smelled it, it was dizzying, but now it's actually familiar.
I caught my breath in front of the door and knocked.
Knock once. Knock twice. Knock, knock, knock three times.
There was no answer.
Strange. There's no way she wouldn't be here.
Is she taking a nap?
When I grabbed the doorknob and turned it to the side, it opened naturally. I was dumbfounded. Just because the palace is safe, isn't the security too lax?
The inside was as expected.
Every shelf was packed with bottles.
On the table, ingredients were left piled up in a mess. And in the middle of it, a slender young girl was sitting still.
A cloth wrapping her overflowing golden hair.
Half-lowered golden eyes.
With a slightly dazed and dreamy face...
She was just staring blankly at a glass bottle.
Although the surroundings were already a mess.
She didn't seem to care at all.
Another royal family member of the Great Goryeo Empire.
Wang Narae. My aunt, and...
The best alchemist in the universe.
"Aunt Narae. I'm here."
There was no reaction. So I called her again.
Her eyes lifted a beat late.
"...Hm?"
It seemed like her concentration was broken.
Aunt lifted her head and looked at me.
Scanned me up and down, and as if it were nothing.
Lowered her gaze back to the glass bottle.
"Aga has come. Do you have business?"
At first, it bothered me, but now I just let it be. I had a feeling that to my aunt, I would be 'Aga' forever.
"Aunt, I need alchemy right now."
"Alchemy? Do you want a toy or something?"
"No! It's a much more important matter than that!"
I grabbed my aunt's shoulders with both hands.
After making her put down the glass bottle, I made eye contact. Aunt stayed still while being held. She looked straight at my face and calmly opened my mouth.
"Tell me what it is first."
"I started exchanges with Earth. I can't just give them Imperial technology as is. It needs to be adjusted to their standards. You're the only one who can do that, Aunt."
I have to persuade her somehow here.
She would definitely listen if I asked.
But doing it half-heartedly and doing it with sincerity are different stories. I want my aunt's sincerity.
Only then will it be helpful to Earth.
Aunt listened silently. After hearing everything to the end, she blinked slowly. Perhaps because it was hard to believe my words, she was speechless for a long time.
"...Earth?"
"Yes. That's right, I went there recently."
"...Really that barbarian planet?"
"Barbarian is a bit harsh."
Aunt didn't say anything for a while.
She looked up at the ceiling and then looked at me again.
It seemed like she was judging something.
It also seemed like she was dumbfounded.
When Aunt makes that expression, it's usually both, but just getting her interest is already a big harvest.
"Our Aga has done something big."
"Aunt, that's not what's important right now..."
"Forget it. I don't have anything to do right now, so I'll help you."
Aunt stood up from her seat.
She walked over to the shelf, scanned it, took out a thick bundle of parchment, and placed it on the table. Dust scattered into the air and then settled.
Aunt Narae spread out the parchment and started writing something. It was small, fast handwriting. She said without stopping her hand.
"Won't there be problems when Earthlings receive that technology? They won't know how to handle it. It would be useless even if they received it."
"That's why I'm asking you, Aunt. Because you need to adjust it so they can use it. It hasn't even been 10 years since they accepted magic power."
"In the end, aren't you saying you'll leave it all to me?"
"It means I trust you that much, Aunt."
Aunt let out a snicker.
It was ambiguous whether it was a laugh, but her gaze toward me was strangely gentle. Just like a mother looking at her child.
She is the person who raised me with that small body in place of my sickly mother. It wouldn't be wrong to call her mother. Although Aunt dislikes that expression.
"It's because it's Aga's request that I'm listening."
"Yes! Aunt is the best, as expected."
"Praise is unnecessary."
I saw the tips of her ears turn slightly red, but I pretended not to see. Aunt is weak in this area. While saying she doesn't need it, she reveals everything on her face.
Sometimes she is more like a child than me.
I pulled a chair across from the table and sat down.
I watched from the side as Aunt wrote on the parchment. It's neat handwriting, no matter when I see it.
"Aga enjoyed yourself well on Earth."
"It was incredibly fun. I'll show you once too, Aunt. There will definitely be items that fit your taste. I brought back a ton."
"Yes. Yes. I'll enjoy it at my leisure."
The thought of the comic books I brought from Earth briefly passed by. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' review is also finished, and I'll be able to watch them safely at any time.
A world changing into entertainment.
I spoke confidently in the speech, but...
Now that I'm back, there are one or two things to solve. Coming to ask Aunt for alchemy is one of them. Did I make things too big for no reason?
There will be many more things like this in the future, right?
Just when thoughts started to tail one another.
Aunt spoke to me first.
"Aga. Don't think about it too hard."
"Ah, I wasn't thinking about anything."
"You don't have to be shy. I'm saying this because you haven't been like Aga for a while. It's good to worry, but you don't need to dive too deep."
Aunt raised the corners of her mouth slightly.
"Try to remember what Aga's specialty is."
"...Trying it first?"
I thought for a moment and added.
"And fixing it if it's wrong."
"That's right. That's all you have to do."
There was no more talk.
Aunt started moving her pen again.
There was no need to struggle and worry alone.
There is reliable Soyeon Eonni, and Aunt Narae and Grandfather too. There are so many people who will reach out their hands if I fall.
I quietly closed my eyes.
How much will Earth have changed when I go next time?
After the speech, the global entertainment industry moved. At an enormous speed.
I was already looking forward to the next visit.
First, I have to make the trade goods well, right?
At that moment, Aunt Narae's hand movement stopped.
Light flashed and flowed down from the parchment, and something dropped in front of me.
It was a simple brown backpack.
"I heard that Earth's logistics system is quite outdated. I think this will be a sufficiently good item."
"Yes! Everyone will like this."
The first thing to showcase is...
An inventory bag.