I had the distinct pleasure of learning about the quality of fabrics used in the wardrobe of a princess. I also got to learn how the addition of foreign substances, such as wine, can greatly affect the wearability of said fabrics. This lecture lasted for two thirds of the remaining two hours to our destination.

The Princess was only calmed when Priss and Marybell were able to fashion a curtain to divide the cabin. There was a small restroom on board but it wouldn’t be nearly enough space to facilitate changing her from one big, poofy dress into another. I couldn’t fathom how she would have been expected to use the small washroom if she had a biological need for it though.

Where did the waste go? Was there just a hole in the bottom of the cabin? They probably just magic’d it away somewhere into a [Storage] system. Best to not devote too much RAM to it.

When we crossed over the border from the Empire of Fangwell into the Theocrasy of Maxoria a squad of four of large amphipteres enclosed our dragon in their formation. The creatures resembled snakes by way of their general body shape. They were covered in a mixture of iridescent, rainbow scales and golden feathers with massive, shimmering bird wings. Their heads looked less like snakes though, and more like scaly wolves but with cobra-like fangs.

Each one had an elaborately armored rider that led me to believe this was an honor guard escort now that we were in a foreign country. The winged snakes undulated and slithered through the air in a way that made me wonder how the riders didn’t throw up in their full plate helmets.

As Lena was no longer berating me, I took the opportunity to observe the country as we passed overhead. We passed over rich fields and farmland, small villages, and a few bustling cities. So far, it didn’t look any different from what we’d crossed in Fangwell. Huh, rice paddies. I wondered if folks that got abducted from their homeworlds to be “heroes” in this one would go nuts if they saw them.

Was there anything from my old world that I’d go nuts to find here? When I was recreated here, all of my base instinct type of desires evaporated. I had absolutely zero interest in any food here beyond a passing curiosity on the same level as what sort of fabrics people made their clothes out of. Scratch that. I actually had more interest in the fabrics since I could make clothes for my proxies.

Ah. Toys. I’d probably freak out if I found action figures somewhere.

I poked my head out of the window to see if I could spot our destination. In the distance, we were running out of land. Glistening and sparkling ocean spread out stretching across the horizon, dotted with tiny ships. Buildings of beige and coral clustered, piled on top of each other like haphazard children’s blocks dumped on the floor.

The dragon and her escorts flew low over the city as we neared a larger stack of blocks than the others. Beyond the blocks, a small field gave way to sandy beaches and rolling waves. We circled back around to behind the large block stack where an open pen with large stables was waiting.

All of the passengers had been returned to their seats and instructed to strap in. The landing procedure was considerably rougher than the take off as the dragon hovered in place and slowly lowered herself onto the launch pad. With every beat of her wings, the whole cabin was violently jerked up and down. Once again, I was grateful to not have a stomach or contents that could be expelled. I also understood why Captain Wendy and Corporal Dash insisted on being sedated.

In many ways, jumping from the cabin mid flight might be preferable.

I was expecting to see some fanfare for the arrival of the Imperial Princess but what greeted us was a handful of soldiers and an old looking minister-type person. The official looked like a cross between a lizard and a frog while having catfish-like whiskers that hung past his collar.

Before stepping from the dragon coach, I donned my leather breastplate, cape, and sword belt. I engaged my [Cloak] system to be on the safe side. We didn’t know what sort of reception we’d get after all. I opted for the dolphin-ish skin with vaguely orca markings in the hope that I might look a bit more local.

“Your imperial highness, welcome to the city of Venritk, capitol of the great nation of Maxoria,” the catfish guy said, bowing slightly.

Should he have bowed deeper? I felt like it should have been deeper. He also had a tone that suggested that he’d rather be doing literally anything else.

“I am Minister Nianyu. I have been appointed by his eminence to look after you during your conference,” he rattled off.

“Minister. I am Relena Peacecraft DuFangwell, Third Princess of the Fangwell Empire. Greetings on behalf of his Majesty, Milliardo Peacecraft DuFangwell, Emperor Apparent,” Lena recited in a manner that suggested she’d had a lot of training in how to deliver such lines.

The Minister just nodded a bit and turned to walk off, waving a finger over his shoulder.

“If you’ll follow me, your highness, I shall bring you to the temple.”

Dutifully, we followed after him to the big pile of blocks that we’d passed over. It was considerably smaller than the imperial palace and lacked any of the sort of “royal trappings” that I’d come to expect. On the surface, it was rather spartan and simple.

Once inside, we were passed off to a small team of servants of similar species. I noticed Remi’s optics lingering on one of the female maids. Maybe his previous species was a catfish guy. The maid, for her part, paid zero attention to the Automata.

Within the temple structure there were inner courtyards, each with their own buildings. We would have a courtyard to ourselves complete with a residence for the Princess’s use as well as servant quarters for her royal guard.

Priss set about unpacking Lena’s wardrobe while the Princess lazily considered different dresses.

“Are you changing again? Didn’t you just put that dress on in the coach?” I asked.

Lena shot me a glare.

“Somebody ruined my traveling dress so I had to change for the emergency,” she chastised. “This dress is my backup travel costume. It’s not fitting to greet his eminence, Yu Fan, the head priest.”

“I see,” I said, failing to see.

“Priss, let us go with the pink one. No, the other pink one with the open chest. Prime, you may leave. Go find something to do outside,” she ordered.

I stared for a bit until she made an embarrassed expression and a shooing motion. I shook my head slightly and chuckled, finding the way out. Outside of the residence, the courtyard was decorated with an ornamental pond teaming with small fish and a pointless bridge crossing it. There was also some sort of tree that passed through the four seasons within spans of minutes. None of the leaves that fell seemed to actually collect and just dissolved when they hit the ground.

I decided to wander around a bit and spotted several more fishy people going about their business around the temple. Their fashion consisted of lots of bright colors and flowing fabrics. Tunics and pants were baggy, but their forearms and shins were wrapped tightly with sashes cinching in their waists. It all had a very martial artsy sorta vibe.

I even saw a kid sweeping and couldn’t help but wonder if he was training to use the broom as a weapon. Did he get punished with tea cups on his arms and thighs if he slacked off? When he spotted me, the broom spun around and slapped across his back as he gave me a bow.

“Honored guest,” he said, looking up at me.

“Please, don’t mind me,” I answered, cupping one hand over the other.

“Is the honored guest a practitioner?” he asked, looking slightly surprised.

“I dabble. Though I’m lacking in training. You?”

“I’m in the orange coral stage,” he said proudly.

“That sounds impressive,” I answered, giving him a simulated grin.

“Once I get to the calcite stage I can start pill refinement. Until then I’m only allowed to look at the fundamentals manuscript.”

He pulled out a small booklet to emphasize his point. It looked well worn and tattered.

“May I see that?” I asked, curious.

“Only members of the temple are allowed,” he said nervously, and hid the book behind his back.

“What could it hurt? It’s not like some deeplander orcan brat is going to even be able to understand it,” a voice taunted.

I turned to see another kid sneering at me. He looked pretty full of himself and had a small group of toadies riding his shadow.

“Here orcan, you can even look at mine. Not that I need it anymore,” he laughed, holding out a higher quality copy of the book.

Orcan? So my illusion skin was a real species? Well that was a relief. I properly stunk at doing my research when it came to my disguises. The snotty kid dropped the book at his feet and looked expectantly. These kids were all slightly taller than me. Did they think I was an orcan child?

“Gross,” I mumbled. “I don’t expect you to know who I am, but you know who I’m with, right?“

The arrogant kid’s eyes widened slightly and he sucked his teeth before turning walking off as if nothing had happened. The shadow I cast got considerably larger as something big came up behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see Captain Wendy giving me an odd smile.

“Her highness is looking for you. She wants you with her when she goes to see the head priest,” she informed me.

“Got it,” I said, bending over and picking up the manuscript.

I opened up the book to take a quick look and something in my HUD snapped onto the illustrations of a fish person doing various poses and martial arts forms. The whole page highlighted and I flipped the next and the next to have the process repeated.

Scanning...

Scan complete.

Chongjibo zhi quan level 1 has been acquired

“Oh... Oh my. That’s awesome,” I said, slightly awed with my own systems.

“What is it?” Wendy asked, looking like something smelled bad.

“I... I know kung fu,” I answered.

“Is that the author of that book or something? Come on, don’t keep Princess Relena waiting,” she grumbled, giving me a shove.

“Hey kid! Are there more of these? I need level 2 now!” I called over my shoulder.

The kid just stared at me as Wendy shoved me along. I tossed the manuscript in his direction. I figured it would get back to the arrogant kid eventually.

Back at the residence, Lena had gotten changed into a fancy, poofy, pink dress with white ruffles and trim. I was reminded of strawberry ice cream with whipped cream and her crimson face with the slit down the front forming a cherry on top; but I kept that to myself.

“Where have you been, you need to get changed too,” she interrogated.

“Definitely not getting into trouble,” I answered.

She rolled her eyes and directed me over to a table with some tea and a bundle of fabric. Priss removed my cape and armor, folding them neatly, and setting them aside. The new clothes I was to change into were more or less the same sort of thing that I’d seen the locals wearing but in pink to match Lena’s dress.

“I feel like Dan from Street Fighter,” I moaned as Priss tied the white sash around my waist.

“Who is Dan, Sir Prime? A friend of yours?” she asked casually.

“An inept warrior known for wearing this color,” I complained. “This is payback for the wine, isn’t it?”

“Her Highness selected this for you, herself,” Priss confirmed.

“Joy,” I grumbled.