Starting Earth's Cultural Revolution! [02]
Starting Earth's Cultural Revolution! [02]
Bags were lined up on the table.
They varied in size and appearance. Diverse.
From a shabby brown backpack to a trunk-style one that reached the waist. Some had metal locks, while others had no keyholes.
A silver leather bag, prioritizing style over function, also twinkled lonely in one corner.
The bags before my eyes were things Auntie had created overnight. To make these in such a short time, the universe's greatest alchemist...
Auntie's moniker was the real deal.
I had only described the designs of bags on Earth, yet she had realized them into physical forms like this. Her craftsmanship was, once again, marvelous.
I picked them up one by one.
Light. Like a feather. What kind of materials and magic did she use? I wanted to ask, but held it in.
That's not what's important right now.
"Do they all contain subspace?"
"That's right."
She answered without taking her eyes off the parchment.
She'd been like that for a while. The pen kept moving. Perhaps she wasn't satisfied even after finishing the bags; she had already started on the next design.
I picked up a white bag the size of my palm.
It was thin and flat, small enough that I wondered if it could even hold a few postcards.
Not that I doubted Auntie's ability.
I stared at it, curious about its performance.
"What's the capacity of this small one?"
"It could easily fit a whole house."
"Really? Subspace magic is amazing."
Auntie put her pen down with a clack.
She pointed at the bag as if telling me to try it myself.
I stuck my finger into the bag's opening. It went right in. Up to my elbow. Up to my shoulder. It felt like my whole body was about to go in, so I quickly pulled it out.
"Awesome. It feels endless."
"Aga will learn it soon, too."
"I want to grow up fast. Dragons are too slow."
Auntie chuckled. Very softly.
I put the bag back and examined the others one by one. The brown backpack had several pockets on the outside. They were the perfect size for small potion bottles.
Just like Auntie to prefer practical items.
She must have designed it for Hunters to use easily.
The shoulder strap length was adjustable, and it even had a compass to signal location in emergencies. It was equipped with various other convenient features, too.
The silver leather bag was different.
It was simple and free of frills, but for some reason, that actually drew the eye. It seemed like it would get a better reaction from regular people than Hunters.
It would definitely be hugely popular.
The trunk-style one needed no explanation.
Its appearance alone was overwhelming. Thick metal locks and a heavy leather handle. Its capacity was also several times larger than the other bags.
Logistics companies would likely prefer it.
"Did you solve the security issue?"
The pen paused for a moment.
"At first, a drop of blood is enough. After that, only registered people can take things out. If that's not enough... you can bind it to a unique magical power pattern. Tell me if there are any problems after using it."
"What if someone tries to force it open? There's magic power, too."
"Even if Earthlings poured all their magic power into it, they wouldn't be able to scratch this bag. You'd need at least asteroid-collision-level energy."
Perfect. I thought about it from an Earthling's perspective.
No need to worry about size or weight, and even if you lose it, the contents are safe.
If you're a Hunter, you could carry all your equipment without a hitch. Regular people could travel without worrying about luggage. What kind of changes would that bring?
She made various designs, too.
You can choose according to taste or purpose. There are many colors prepared as well.
If it were me, which one would I pick?
The fact that there are many types to suit Earthlings' preferences is a huge strength. For someone who said she wasn't interested in Earth, it was obvious she had researched it thoroughly.
Is this the experience of an adult?
Truly amazing. I'm glad I asked her.
I picked up the bag again and turned it this way and that.
There was nothing on the outside.
No magic circles, no glowing runes.
To the eye, it's just a normal bag.
It doesn't look suspicious to anyone. Who would imagine that subspace is inside this? Everyone will be so surprised, right?
I'll have to check their reactions later.
If something weird was attached, it might actually cause aversion. Unobtrusive, yet with perfect functionality. Auntie must have designed it while calculating all that.
Narae Auntie is the best, as expected.
To make something like this without any compensation.
I must not forget to repay her later.
I pulled up a chair opposite the table and sat down.
I just watched her silently as she wrote on the parchment. The scene where letters and drawings mixed and appeared in reality.
Materialization magic is fascinating no matter how many times I see it.
Should I become an alchemist like Auntie in the future? If I made manga or animation with this, something fun would definitely come out.
"What do you think Earthlings will do with this first, Auntie?"
"First, I'm curious about Aga's thoughts."
"Packing luggage? Or maybe Hunters using it to carry all their equipment. But the biggest change... I think it would be in delivery."
"Once storage is solved, greed is bound to arise. People want to put in more, want to buy more. I heard Earthlings have endless desire for collecting, isn't that right?"
That was spot on.
Once you get a taste, it will be a hole you can't escape from. Because it's that attractive an item.
The economy, the market, everything will fall into my hands. But I didn't care about that.
All I want is high-quality entertainment.
And I plan to dominate the market for that.
Whether it takes 10 years or 100 years...
I have time to spare, so it doesn't matter.
"I'm glad Auntie helped me."
"I'm doing it because it's Aga's request."
The pen stopped.
She raised her head and looked at me.
Without a word. Blushing slightly.
Narae Auntie is incredibly cute today.
I already threw my body toward Auntie.
My small body clung to her at once.
I wrapped my arms tightly around her shoulders in case I fell off. It's amazing that she's so much older than me despite being so slender.
"You're a nuisance. Move away a little. It's dangerous."
"Just a little. Auntie likes this too, right?"
"You're still such a handful, Aga."
Her hand paused in the air for a moment before slowly coming up to my back. She patted it lightly.
But that was enough. Because I could feel the warmth. Those feelings of caring for me even while acting blunt.
But it's uncomfortable to stay like this.
I tried to change my posture, but my balance shifted.
We both must have sensed it, but it was already too late to fix it. By hugging Auntie tightly, everything went wrong.
Bang. Crash.
As we fell at the same time, the floor shook.
The whole shelf swayed violently.
Bottles poured down in a row.
The pile of parchment stacked on top flew into the air and scattered everywhere.
The room was instantly covered in white.
It was hard to even open my eyes. My nose was blocked, too.
Only after a long while did the powder start to settle. Cough, cough. As I exhaled a cough and stared ahead, I saw Auntie's face.
Her golden hair was covered in white powder and had collapsed. Her clothes were the same.
The smell of chemicals rose strongly.
As for what I looked like...
It was obvious without needing to check.
"......."
Silence flowed.
She looked down at her clothes.
Then she looked at me.
"Since it's come to this, let's take a bath. Leaving the powder on isn't good for your skin. And it's been a long time since I've bathed with Aga."
As soon as those words finished, my wrist was grabbed.
I tried to run away, but her strength was so great I couldn't move an inch. Besides, it was my fault first.
I had no choice but to follow quietly...
✦✦✦
When I opened the door, heat rushed in.
It's been a long time since I bathed with someone.
I wrapped my body tightly with a towel and stepped forward.
The heat rose up through the soles of my feet.
The alchemist's bathhouse had a different atmosphere from a normal place. The water surface shimmered minutely, and the chemical smell I had smelled in the basement remained faintly. It'll be fine to go in, right?
Auntie was already inside the tub.
Her soaked golden hair spread softly over the water's surface, and her two cheeks and snow-white skin were faintly flushed as if dyed by the heat.
I held my breath at that beauty, which for some reason felt hard to approach. Just from that appearance, the fact that Auntie was royalty felt real again.
It's a waste that she's been stuck in the basement.
If she dressed up just a little, her impression would change completely.
Though Auntie doesn't seem interested in such things.
"Aga. Come here."
Narae Auntie smiled and gestured.
For some reason, I felt unnecessarily shy.
I held the end of the towel and dipped my toes into the water first.
It was hot. Extremely.
Even with a dragon's body, it's like this?
What on earth did she do?
"Huh? Isn't this a bit hot?"
"It might be hot for Aga."
She moved to my side.
Holding something like soap in her hand, she took off my towel and placed her hand on my back. Her small palm started touching my body carefully. Wait, I have to endure this.
"Auntie. It, it tickles."
"It's dangerous, so stay still."
"I can do it by myself..."
It started from my head.
Her meticulous and careful touch continued calmly without rushing. She washed every nook and cranny, not missing even the area around my horns.
She used to do this often when I was young.
Memories surfaced hazily.
My body flinched.
Because her hand moved from my back to my stomach and chest area. I tried to say I could wash the front myself, but it was already useless.
Let's just let her do what she wants.
Even if I resist, I'm the one who ends up losing.
But keeping silent is also awkward.
Shall I change the subject?
"I also brought games. The screen is a bit small so it's uncomfortable, but it's pretty good. There are ones you play with many people, and ones you play alone. Let's play together later. Auntie will definitely like it too."
There was no answer.
But I knew she was listening.
Because her touch didn't stop. I didn't stop and kept talking.
Meanwhile, the touch rinsing off the foam gradually slowed down. In sync with that, the strength in my body loosened on its own. It seems she's already tired.
Cold sweat was flowing down her face.
Her soap-covered hand was trembling.
I worried she might collapse.
I grabbed her hand out of concern.
"It's okay to stop here."
"...Yes. Tell me whenever you need anything."
After finishing washing alone, I sat quietly by her side.
Perhaps because the warm water was wrapping around my body.
Even though I was just staring blankly at the ceiling...
Strangely, I didn't feel bad.
I'm glad I bathed with Auntie.
The fatigue that had accumulated in my body was released all at once.
Since I checked the bag prototypes too...
Today is enough.
"Is there anything among Earth's items that Auntie might be interested in? Games? Manga? Movies? I don't know since I haven't watched them properly yet. That's a shame."
"If Aga says it's fun, I am curious about what it is. I'll take a look."
It was the same words, but it sounded a bit different.
She means she wants to see it because of me.
It felt ticklish. I tried to ignore her gaze, which was staring straight at me.
"Then I'll show you everything, Auntie. Once the version processed for the Empire comes out."
"I'll wait patiently."
We stayed like that for a while longer.
Auntie didn't speak, and I didn't speak either.
Steam kept rising above the water surface.
My body had been languid for a while.
I almost closed my eyes for a moment.
Thinking I should get out soon, I stood up.
I tried to put my hand against the wall.
At that moment, the ceiling spun.
My feet wouldn't stand properly.
My body tilted to one side.
I sat down on the floor just like that.
Huh? What happened?
Everything is blurry.
My head felt like it was empty.
"Aga, are you hurt anywhere?"
Auntie approached.
"I'm okay. Just dizzy."
"I suppose so."
She sat next to me. She didn't say anything for a moment, then reached out and touched my forehead. Then she slowly opened her mouth.
"It seems 6,000-degree hot spring water was too much for Aga after all."
"......What?"
"I'll leave the door open, so it would be good to cool off before coming out. You still have a lot of heat in your body. Don't move in a hurry. I remembered some business, so I'll go first. Contact me anytime if something comes up."
Leaving only those words, she stood up quietly.
Her footsteps faded, and the bathroom door closed.
I sat there for a while.
6,000 degrees.
Was I... soaking in 6,000-degree water until just now?
And doing it nonchalantly, comfortably.
I did think it was excessively hot.
As expected, it wasn't normal water.
It was natural to be dizzy.
No, it would be stranger to be fine.
If I weren't a dragon, I would have died long ago.
I let out a laugh for a moment.
A hollow laugh.
Auntie is also a strange dragon, as expected.
Still, if I get through today.
I can go back to Earth.
Let's just let it slide nicely.
As the dizziness faded, I stood up by leaning on the wall.
I should go back to my room now, too.
There's a lot to tell Soyeon-eonni.
The meeting should be over by now, right?
The bags lined up came to mind.
Thinking about the future to come...
My heart was already pounding.