Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Nowhere Left to Retreat
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“Mmmph...!!!”
Waking up early had become a familiar routine. As soon as I was up, Ophelia would take the scrunchie she’d bought and tie my hair up tightly. It used to bother me sometimes when my hair fell into my face, but having it tied back was so much more comfortable.
“Ugh, euh...”
“Princess, please turn over.”
“Nnngh...”
Without getting out of bed, I simply rolled over onto my stomach, and Ophelia would tie my hair for me.
After rubbing my eyes for a moment, my vision cleared, and something distracting floated before me.
“Oh. It went up.”
The rank of Issue Command had increased. But when? I’d just been sleeping soundly. I couldn't imagine when I would have had the chance to regain my dignity as a princess.
“The rank of your Issue Command has risen.”
“Can you see it too, Ophelia?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, I see.”
It seemed Ophelia could see this status window as well. Issue Command had already leveled up twice, even changing its letter grade. Could it be that hunting all those monsters yesterday had an effect?
I wasn't sure, but it was a good thing regardless! With this, I should be able to swap some parts between Minium and Ophelia.
“Shall we give it a try now?”
“Will you attempt it?”
“Yes! I think I can do it!”
I didn't know much about growth-type skills, but I was pretty sure they weren't supposed to level up this quickly. I'd heard it could take years of effort just to raise a skill by a single letter grade. Maybe this was all because of my EX-rank skill?
“Minium, could you come here?”
Clank!
The moment I called its name, Minium scurried over and stood before me. It was getting so big that it might soon be taller than me. I guess I wouldn't be seeing the cute little Minium from before anymore.
But that was fine! When it comes to robots, the bigger, the better. It’s all about sheer scale.
“Ophelia, are you ready?”
“Yes, whenever you are.”
“You too, Minium?”
Clank!
At some point, Suri had also trundled over and was now watching me, waiting for me to use my ability. The Mecha-Doggo, on the other hand, was blissfully rolling around on its back on the blanket.
“Hey you, watch the princess work.”
Beep?
“Now, sit!”
After getting the doggo to sit properly beside me, I placed one hand on the shoulder of Minium, who was kneeling reverently, and held one of Ophelia’s hands.
“Ophelia, your hands are big.”
“Princess, you are slightly smaller than average.”
“...What’s my height?”
“Approximately 128cm.”
“N-No way!!”
How can a person be that short?! You could double an average person's height and they'd be three meters tall! Am I a dwarf? Do I have to go find Snow White??
“Hah... F-First things first...”
I shouldn't have asked. I needed to concentrate to use my skill. This was a battle of willpower; I had to ignore it. Besides, I was going to grow to be 500 meters tall eventually...
“Swap one kilogram of Ophelia’s rare metal with... Minium’s hairdryer!”
This was an unprecedentedly complex command. It was practically as complicated as a college entrance exam question.
Wooooong...
Soon, I felt magical energy flowing toward my fingertips, and a bright light swept over Ophelia and Minium.
Minium... did it get a little smaller? The hairdryer was probably a bit bulkier than one kilogram of rare metal. But in terms of performance, having the rare metal was far better.
I’ll get it a proper booster made from a real machine later.
“How is it, Minium?”
With the black hairdryer component gone, Minium was now completely white.
Clank!
“Mm! It suits you! The white gives you a better feel!”
The shoddy, plastic-looking parts had vanished. It might have gotten a little smaller, but its durability must have increased significantly.
“Ophelia... Hmm, you don't look any different.”
“That is correct.”
Come to think of it, Ophelia hadn't shown any major changes when she detached Suri from her body either. Instead, she had gained the incredible ability to produce a hairdryer from her hand.
Whoosh...
It was quieter than the one Minium used to have, and the warmth felt somehow gentler.
“It’s warm.”
“Is that so.”
To think that my ability could do something like this as it developed... what incredible things would I be able to do in the future? My own growth is terrifying. I’m really going to become an S-rank Hunter.
“Ahem! The princess’s level went up because we caught monsters! Right?!”
“Incorrect.”
“Aww.”
Then why on earth did the rank of Issue Command go up overnight?
It was strange that it happened in the early morning, too. If the princess's rank was going to increase from monster subjugation, shouldn't it have happened the moment I defeated them?
“It is because a photo of you was posted on Kim Chae-ah’s social media account last night.”
“Hmm... Oh...”
Now I remembered. I had taken a picture with Kim Chae-ah yesterday, and she posted it on Instagram. I hadn't posted it myself, but she had tagged me, so my profile was linked.
When you tag someone, it shows up as "with Kim Chae-ah and others," making it a joint post. But why would that...?
“As I have mentioned, extensive preparation is required to enhance the abilities you possess, Princess.”
“Ah... you mean, like acting like a princess...?”
“Correct.”
So, I had to act like a princess. The thought itself was incredibly embarrassing, but okay, fine. I understood what "acting like a princess" meant.
That's why I wore the clothes Ophelia told me to wear, right? But how was having my picture posted on the internet an act befitting a princess?
“Kim Chae-ah has 24,176 followers on Instagram. For a non-celebrity, that is not an insignificant number.”
“Hmm... I see.”
“It was a suitable method for exposing the princess’s existence to many potential subjects.”
“Huh...?”
I had no idea what Ophelia was talking about. What did she mean by "potential subjects"...?
“For a person in power, a base of support among the citizens is crucial. This means you can enhance your ‘Issue Command’ skill by exposing your existence to the media and gaining the support of many subjects.”
“R-Really...?”
I had never considered anything like that. I thought I just had to act like a princess. Did I really have to gain people's support?
Can’t a princess just relax at home? The princesses I read about in comics always seemed to be having fun with nobles, giggling all the time.
“Do you know what the most suitable method for this is?”
“Hmm... Entering politics?”
“That is not a bad choice.”
No, please, I was joking, Ophelia.
“From my analysis, the medium known as the internet is an excellent tool for elevating your renown. You can imprint your existence upon others through various social networks, social media, or video platforms.”
“I-I see... Are you telling me to start streaming or something...?”
“Streaming could be one method. However, your ability to lead a broadcast with witty conversation is somewhat lacking, so I believe we should opt for a different approach.”
“A d-different approach...?”
Ophelia sent me a link to Kim Chae-ah’s Instagram through my phone.
“You will post photographs.”
“U-Uhm...”
“Appearance is a powerful weapon. Objectively, your appearance possesses a cuteness that falls within the top 0.00001 percent. Therefore, you should be able to garner a substantial base of support.”
“Is this for real...? You're kidding, right...?”
Ophelia remained silent in response to my question. Was she actually planning to go through with this? I had to sell my face as a princess to gather subjects who would support me...?
“Indeed, a hasty decision could be detrimental. I have prepared an alternative that you may find more approachable.”
“What is it...?”
“...”
What's wrong with this guy today
This ID has been blocked by an Awakening Gallery moderator.
[Block Duration: 1 hour] / [Reason: Get out, life-is-ruined princess lol] / [Accessible From: 2045/11/16 11:32:53]
“...”
“Princess, the hot water is ready. Please come for your bath.”
“Ophelia. What if this doesn’t work...?”
“It is fine. I have approximately 840 different clothing designs to increase your recognition. Even if you fail, there are other methods.”
“Ah.”
This couldn't happen. If this continued, I would really end up becoming an Instagram princess, gathering followers by posting cosplay pictures.
“U-Ugh...! Ophelia! Can I spend some money right now?!”
“Based on your recorded monthly consumption patterns, you have spent an average of 1,178,000 won per month on mobile and desktop entertainment purchases, subculture-related merchandise, donations to internet streamers, unnecessary food delivery, online courses viewed less than once, and excessive purchases of snacks and preferred foods.”
“Gak.”
“Excluding funds necessary for or planned to be used in the future reconstruction of the royal household, your personal spending has been limited to 250,000 won per month to establish a proper sense of financial responsibility.”
“Hwaaah.”
I was twenty-seven. Shouldn't they at least let me spend an amount equal to my age...? Okay, so I might have been a little careless with my money, but still!
“S-So that means I can spend 250,000 won, right?!”
“That is correct.”
“Hee, heehee...!”
Isn't this the guy who just got banned?