[Year 460 of the Lion's Power, 6 years after the Evil Dragon Subjugation]
Time had passed, and Princess Baek-ryeom had grown into a mature woman with exceptional beauty and intelligence. As she had grown in many ways, her responsibilities had also increased.
After graduating from the Academy, she was receiving successor training from her father, the Duke Baek-ryeom, to inherit the title of Duchess of Rose. The content was practical techniques for managing a duchy.
"Why don't you try setting the tax rate yourself this time?"
"Dad, isn't that... too important a task?"
"Because it's important, you should learn it while there's an adult who can correct your mistakes. My beloved daughter. Don't worry and give it a try since I'm here."
The wise Duke Baek-ryeom knew that practical experience was the best textbook for learning. That's why he granted most of his authority to his daughter and taught her how to care for the territory from the same perspective as his own.
He even went so far as to say this publicly in front of his retainers:
"My daughter. Those who stand above the crowd must have broader and farther-reaching intentions than them. How should you lead the territory? The moment you establish the foundation of that blueprint, I will gladly pass the title of Duke to you."
"...It's difficult."
"You're right, it is difficult. I'm still constantly pondering it myself. If it feels too vague, it might be good to narrow your scope. Like, how can we surpass 'Port Estate'?"
"...That made it even harder!"
At this rate, she had essentially inherited about half of the responsibilities already. She had obtained enormous power in her early to mid-twenties.
Her external reputation was also excellent. Despite Princess Baek-ryeom not particularly enjoying making appearances in social circles, and no longer being in the position of a noble young lady, spending her days secluded in the duchyâ
She was consistently included in the "Continent's Top 10 Beauties" ranking every year, started by who knows who.
Suddenly, articles would appear saying "Princess Baek-ryeom has performed another good deed" when she clearly hadn't done anything.
Random territories would regularly hold "Princess Baek-ryeom's 100-Day Birthday Celebration Festival."
It was as if an unspecified multitude of people who adored her were continuously producing positive stories about her on their own. Her fame had become self-sustaining.
"...I thought it would end after graduation. I thought it was over!"
Yes.
The group of Princess Baek-ryeom's followers that had formed during her Academy days continued to serve her with fervent loyalty even now that they had grown up and returned to their own territories.
Why? Why did they continue without getting tired of it? Were those countless fanboys and exaggerations not just the romance or impulse of student days...?
Moreover, that fame had snowballed into something enormous.
Currently, without a doubt, "Port Estate" was emerging as a hot potato for all lords. This was because that... bizarre territory touched by the Mad Magician was completely shattering traditional values.
A strange space where things like media, radio, games, and currency appeared and were regulated repeatedly, as if it were running about 100 years ahead on its own.
Emperor Irid had exclaimed, "If you unleash all of this at once, are you trying to destroy the Empire, you Mad Magician!" and was controlling the pace through regulations to prevent too rapid changes and collapse.
Nevertheless, those with good instincts had already caught the scent. There was a terrifying power in this wave of change.
New nobles who sensed this gathered around Port Estate to promote "Port-ification," while the existing noble forces, who perceived this movement as threatening, also felt the need for a focal point.
The confrontation between old and new. Then who should stand at the center of the old-generation nobles who rejected change? There happened to be a perfectly suitable candidate.
Someone who had mastered human resource management since her Academy days.
Someone who could still exert strong influence over her subordinates even after graduation - effectively reducing internal noise when forming alliances.
Someone whose own status was also high, and who was virtually confirmed to inherit the next ducal title.
Someone who even had a decent face and many positive stories circulating about her, a woman suspiciously perfect for the role!
"......"
Princess Baek-ryeom closed her eyes tightly as she looked at the mountain of letters piled on her table. Once again, she had unintentionally ended up taking the role of leader for the traditional noble faction.
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Scribble, scribble.
Princess Baek-ryeom put down her fountain pen. With a period, the letter was complete.
'...For these reasons, I'm finding things very difficult lately. Why do burdens keep piling up on my shoulders? Is it the hand of fate, the grand will of the Goddess pushing me forward? How did you, [WillRetireSomeday], deal with such situations?
I await your reply. Sincerely, [StopBeingTheLeader].'
The princess neatly packaged the letter in an inexpensive envelope and handed it to her attendant to send anonymously. The recipient was someone with the nickname [WillRetireSomeday].
This was one of Princess Baek-ryeom's stress-relief methods: pen pals.
It had started by chance. One day, Princess Baek-ryeom, feeling frustrated, frantically wrote down her feelings on a piece of stationery. She hadn't intended to show it to anyone. She just wanted to express something, and the paper next to her happened to be stationery.
She folded it neatly, left it on the table, and went out for lunch. She planned to throw the letter into a bonfire later.
However, the attendant who came in to clean the room mistook it for "a letter to be sent" and handed it to a courier. That letter with an unknown sender flowed and flowed... and by coincidence upon coincidence, reached someone.
That someone, perhaps feeling a kindred spirit, wrote back a detailed reply to Princess Baek-ryeom.
(She wondered how someone could reply to a letter with no return address, but later heard that they had asked a high-ranking priest for a blessing that would naturally deliver the letter to its intended recipient.)
That's how their connection began.
[WillRetireSomeday].
Male, presumably someone involved in religious service, and like Princess Baek-ryeom, a person suffering from being forced to take on an excessive position.
A few days later, a reply came.
'Hello, [StopBeingTheLeader]. You seem to be under a lot of stress. I think you need a rest. I know someone. A very talented illusion magician who might be able to do something for you.
He regularly owes debts to the one I serve. So he will probably listen to my request. I will write to you again with good news. Sent by [WillRetireSomeday].'
"...?"
Suspicious.
Somehow, the image of the black-haired professor flashed through Princess Baek-ryeom's mind. Along with all the "Trials" he had created.
No, it couldn't be. What are the chances that the illusion magician [WillRetireSomeday] knows is him? The Mad Magician was now one of the Emperor's close associates. He wasn't someone who could be easily met. It couldn't be him.
Or so she thought.
wo weeks later, a letter arrived with a package enclosed. When she opened the well-packaged box, inside was a helmet with a strange design that looked like something sold in Port Estate.
[Exciting Rural Life Experience VR Kit ~ Enjoy a peaceful, slow life in a tranquil world ~ : One hour of use allows for a day of rest in the virtual world!]
"......"
No matter who looked at it, from where, or how, it was clearly a product of the Mad Magician.
Wait a minute.
It occurred to her that [WillRetireSomeday] might be someone she knew. A man involved in religious service who knows the Mad Magician... Benett? Could it be Benett?
No, while she wasn't close with Benett, she knew he wasn't the type to write in such a style. Besides, from what she'd heard, he was living happily with his two wives in a remote area, hardly someone who would feel burdened by his position...
Anyway.
Princess Baek-ryeom picked up the helmet and stared at it for a long time with curious eyes.
Not knowing the kind-hearted Mad Magician, she didn't know that he was originally a master of entertainment. Therefore, she couldn't tell how much to trust this helmet.
What if she put it on and fell into the middle of a trial with insane difficulty, like a great labyrinth? What would happen to her then?
"...No, I can't trust it."
Princess Baek-ryeom closed her eyes tightly and closed the box again. Then she sealed it thoroughly. She wouldn't be crazy enough to touch such a dangerous object. No matter how exhausted she was with reality and how hungry for rest.
The next day after making that decision.
"Princess! Princess! Baron Port has sent a letter! He wants you to give the opening address at next month's conference on the Empire's political situation, stability, and future development..."
"Why is that coming to me?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm asking why that's coming to me?!"
Could it be that there were her followers even in Port Estate? Had they somehow managed to persuade the Baron to put her on stage?!
Princess Baek-ryeom felt another weight settle on her shoulders. Her head was spinning, and her vision was about to turn completely white. This was her limit. Her limit!
She had no plausible ideas about the Empire's political situation and future development. All she had was a childish thought that everyone should just get along well!
If she were to present such a thing on such a grand stage, it would be nothing short of a public social execution-!!
Snap.
Something broke inside. An internal string snapped.
She instinctively sprinted at full speed to the room where the box was stored.
===============================================================
She had lived diligently.
To live up to the attention that had started pouring in at some point, she had worked hard. She had no idea how to be the princess with the crazy charisma who controlled the noble faction at the Academy... but she did it anyway.
As she did it, luckily, no one found out. That in reality, she didn't have the ability to lead everyone forward, that frankly, she was just a girl with a large chest.
But how long could she keep that up?
Could she become the splendid and wise lord who satisfies her dad's, her father's, Duke Baek-ryeom's expectations? Could she become the kind of noble that everyone in the Rose ducal family could trust and follow?
Could she demonstrate abilities worthy of representing the old noble faction? Could she fulfill the role of an icon that could stand against the formidable Baron Port? What other abilities did she need to acquire?
Until when?
She became anxious. She worked so hard that she frequently got nosebleeds, but even so, it was far from enough to meet expectations. She wasn't a genius who could easily accomplish all those things.
"Aaaaargh-!"
Rip. Riiip.
Princess Baek-ryeom screamed as she tore off the wax seal on the surface and opened the box. The Mad Magician's helmet was still there. An ominous device that could send her who knows where.
With tears hanging from her beautiful eyes, only one thought filled her mind. She wanted to escape.
Anywhere. To a place where she wasn't Princess Baek-ryeom. To a place where she didn't have to shoulder so many burdens!
Grab.
She put on the helmet without hesitation.
A humming sound could be heard. Her mind became foggy, and her vision began to fade. It was getting dark. Blackout. Down. Deeper down.
......
[Exciting Rural Life (abbreviated) ââ Start.]
===============================================================
......
In this world, you see, there are various ways to wake up.
You know from experience. Your sleep-wake patterns so far have been as follows: Being woken by a maid. Being woken by a follower. Waking up to the sound of birds tapping on the window.
But this time was different. An unfamiliar sound stimulates your hearing.
Rattle-rattle-rattle...
You've heard similar sounds before. Something like this noise was made when Gordius demonstrated things called engines, but this is much more crude.
Rustle. Swoosh.
You, you rose by removing the cotton blanket that was covering your body. Somehow, your field of vision feels off. Not only is the ceiling unfamiliar, but the height seems strange.
"...Okay, let's sort this out. I put on the Mad Professor's helmet, and it seems I've been transported somewhere. Or fallen into an illusion. And this house is huge, like it's inhabited by giants. Plus, if I can hear suspicious rattling sounds..."
This is 100% a mechanical giant invasion scenario.
Swish!
You moved nimbly. Since strange tin cans might target your life at any moment, identifying the source of that noise was the priority.
After running through the corridors this way and that, you soon reached an open space with a clear view outside. What we call a wooden veranda.
Now. There's the scent of pine. The phytoncide aroma from that deep green, and the exotic atmosphere of a small village. And.
Rattle-rattle-rattle...
A tractor.
Swish-swish-swish!
You hid around the corner and peeked out to scout. That machine appeared to be a vehicle, and, um... an old man wearing a straw hat with a piece of straw in his mouth was riding it.
The old man wore a stretched-out white tank top and floral-patterned baggy pants.
"......"
He didn't look... dangerous. What could this be?
Right, it said something about "Exciting Rural" whatever. While not the typical image of "an old man with a plow," that old man driving the strange rattling machine did give off a farmer's vibe.
You ran back into the house, pitter-patter. You needed to explore more. Where was this place, what were you supposed to do?
"...!!!"
Gasp.
And then, in the bathroom you popped into. You received quite a shock.
Your reflection in the mirror looked strange. Your hair was dyed black, and your eyes were black too. But that's not the important part. Above allâyour height had been cut in half.
You were young. The figure looking back at you from beyond the mirror was a child with wide-open eyes, looking like they would make pitter-patter sounds when walking. The features seem identical to your childhood appearance, but.
Your eyes naturally go to the nameplate on your chest.
"Elementary School 5th Grade, Sunshine Class: Kim Gong-nyeo."
That's right.
The only daughter of the Rose ducal family who had been displaying the charms of a mature adult, now preparing to inherit the ducal title, Princess Baek-ryeomâthat is, you.
By wearing the helmet of the evil magician, you had become an 11-year-old little kid in some rural village.