Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Off to England
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"Princess."
"Yes?"
"Were you perhaps disappointed not to decorate a Christmas tree this Christmas?"
"Whine. No? I'm fine without it."
Orphans from Christian-affiliated orphanages have tons of experience making Christmas trees. If it was a decent size, they'd probably decorated two or more every year?
They'd hand over these tiny sets of five or six colored pencils as "gifts" (and later even say to share them with the other kids), make everyone do a massive Christmas cleaning, and when local officials came to take photos, they'd pressure everyone to smile.
Just lying on the bed and relaxing leisurely is the best. I just got back from Busan, so I'm not bummed out at all.
"I see."
"I'm an adult, so stuff like that is fine without me."
For a split second, I realized I was holding a Nintendo Switch that I'd gotten as a Christmas gift, and using the giant teddy bear from Chae-ah unnie as a cushion behind my back, so there were a lot of points that hit a little too close to home...
Like I said before, this Switch is basically a prize I won myself, right...? And the teddy bear is just a gift, so I'm using it...?
Still, it felt kinda weird, so I turned off the Switch and set it aside.
"Hmm... It's the end of the year, so let's see what the Awakening Bros are up to."
"Whoa... An A+ rank."
Liam Coleman is the American Hunter ranked #2 in the world Hunter rankings. The "Ironworks" attached to him refers to Iron Sphere, a Hunter subsidiary of Lockheed Martin—one of the mega Hunter companies that divvy up America into five slices.
Even Nova Guild, called our country's top guild, would feel a bit outclassed against America's top five guilds. Those guys each have three or more S-rank Hunters.
Excluding the magic power energy-based Hunter gear made by Quantum Harbor—Tesla's Hunter subsidiary that even has Huntweets—physical gear from Iron Sphere is pretty much the world's best quality.
Quantum Harbor has a lot of prototypes and experimental vibes, while Iron Sphere mass-produces proven physical power-based equipment.
If an A+ grade Open-type Gate appeared in Seoul... it'd basically be a national emergency. They'd probably have to round up every Hunter from the provinces.
You can get a sense from the Desert Mausoleum that Korea's dream team cleared—it started as B-rank, then got upgraded to B+ after proper assessment. The gap widens hugely as you add a plus or bump the letter up.
"Haaaah, when will I get stronger?"
"Princess, do you wish to grow stronger?"
"Ah, no. That's not what I—"
What I meant by getting stronger was the golems getting stronger, not me. It wasn't about wanting to shoot straight with the pistol stored safely in Ophelia's room.
"Can Minium get any stronger from here...?"
Minium, who'd been listening from the side, stopped meditating and gave a thumbs-up, but somehow I just couldn't picture it getting stronger from this point.
What would it take to make it stronger? Most top-tier Hunters use magic-like attacks, strictly speaking. My golems are mostly physical-based too.
Stuff like Chae-rin unnie's wide-area battlefield control would be tough.
"There is plenty of room to grow stronger. We're holding back a bit right now so as not to burden you, Princess, with a slight time lag."
"That's how it is? Hmm."
I couldn't imagine myself getting insanely strong. Minium x500...? That sounds complicated. Even then, could it take on the #1 Hunter?
Or turn Mecha-Doggo into Godzilla for real? Make it shoot destruction beams from its mouth?
"Mrrh, that'd be hilarious."
—Pipit?
"Nah, you're cutest like this, Mecha-Doggo."
Or make Suri a dragon. Then it'd have to breathe fire from its mouth too. My imagination tops out there. Even with an EX-rank skill, I don't feel like I'd become some jaw-dropping super Hunter.
Ophelia is super capable, but could she beat S-rank Hunters? Probably not.
"Ophelia, if we get stronger, can we take on S-ranks?"
"More than possible."
"Really? Hmm."
Honestly, with 10 Miniums, S-rank seems doable. But the problem is I'm not as strong as I thought. Not talking combat power—my magic power feels way less than expected.
Cheering on Minium made my magic power drain super fast all of a sudden. Same when I made Ophelia... She's basically an S-rank super maid, but it wiped me out so bad I crashed right after.
"We're restraining growth as much as possible right now."
"Whine, why?"
"It might be a bit hard for you to understand, Princess, but would you like to hear?"
"I'm an adult, you know? I can get it all."
Ophelia closed her eyes briefly, then nodded.
"Have you heard of the Dark Forest Hypothesis?"
"Dark Forest? What's that?"
"Simply put, it's to avoid drawing attention from others."
The Dark Forest Hypothesis started from the question of why we haven't met alien civilizations. The idea is they're staying quiet so they don't get detected and wiped out.
Exposing my explosively growing power through my abilities in real-time could lead places fearing my growth to impose restrictions.
"But... haven't we shown it already?"
"Mecha-Doggo's live stream was a fluke. That's the same reason I don't publicize combat footage even at your urging, Princess."
"Hmm..."
Honestly, my take right now is it's a bit... self-conscious? Like I'm strong enough for mega-guilds in other countries to check me? Not sure.
Anyway, Ophelia's reason for only showing my face to boost Instagram followers is mostly to prove I'm harmless and avoid scrutiny from Hunter industry leaders.
Doing kid fashion modeling instead of Hunter-related ads like Mayfair Kids is all calculated too.
"That's complicated."
"Yes."
Not joining Nova Guild is similar. Even if I did, I'd get swept into their scrutiny zone, and Nova could face unnecessary heat because of me.
"Everyone getting stronger would be great, so why the scrutiny? It's weird, right Mecha-Doggo?"
—Pipit?
"Must be nice being carefree."
"Princess, are you all packed?"
"Ah, yes! I think that's everything."
Passport's good, suitcase packed by Ophelia—nothing else to do. Two hours before departure, Ophelia handled all the check-in counter stuff.
Heading to security, one question popped up.
"But... is Ophelia okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Um... Airports use metal detectors."
"It's fine."
"Whine..."
I had no idea how it'd be fine, but since Ophelia said so, it probably was. She looks human enough, but is she really okay? Her body's made of metal, right?
Half-worried, half-trusting, I watched Ophelia's airport security montage. And sure enough, nothing triggered.
—Pipit!?
"Mecha-Doggo, lie down in the tray! If you go through with me, it'll beep."
Mecha-Doggo playing dead in the belongings bin, and Minium and Suri had to stay home—they're too big to do anything about. I can just Summon them later, right?
Straight flight from Incheon International to London. My passport has a front-face photo I don't remember taking—probably Ophelia snapped it sometime.
Funny part: my name's stamped as EVE in English. Is that okay? Feels off somehow.
I leave the hard stuff to Ophelia and explore Incheon Airport with Mecha-Doggo. Super crowded 'cause it's year-end, kinda dizzying, but fun to watch.
And way more foreigners than I thought. Even I got mistaken for one!!
"Princess."
"Ah, Ophelia. All done?"
"Yes. We'll arrive at Heathrow in the UK. About 12 hours flight time."
"12 hours! That's crazy far!"
"Booked business class, so you won't be too uncomfortable."
"Whoa..."
First flight ever, and business class. Suddenly all excited. Apparently the no-line security was business-only perks too.
First time in a business lounge too—I eyed the snacks forever wondering if I could eat them.
Did my business, played some Switch, checked Awakening Gallery on my phone a bit. Before I knew it, boarding time.
"Phew, a little nervous. Mecha-Doggo, you sure you won't cause trouble?"
—Pipit!
"If you do, cargo hold for you. No snacks there. Scary, huh?"
—Pipipit!!
"Mhahaha, kidding. When foreigners talk in England, you'll translate it all for me?? Got it?"
—Pipit! Pipipit!!!
"Good pup! Reliable!"
England-bound flight departing.