The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 98

Riding a cloud through the sky was truly an amazing feeling. Just experiencing something I’d probably never get to do again made the trip worthwhile.

I was looking around, trying to take it all in, when a magnificent building with red tiles on the roof came into view.

“Wow.”

“That’s the palace of Sun Island. It’s a work of art that showcases the flow of history all at once. Isn’t it wonderful?”

The palace was indeed unique, enough for Hwairan to be proud of.

It resembled what I remembered as ‘Eastern-style architecture’… but then, this part looked like it belonged to the Magic Empire, and that part was a style I’d never seen before.

Over the long years, there must have been many repairs to the palace. Some buildings might have been newly built.

That’s probably why various architectural styles were mixed together, and it was quite charming.

“But there’s no one around the palace. No houses either.”

“Ah, Sun Island is a sacred place. Only those who serve the king closely, priests, and monks are allowed here. Commoners are strictly forbidden from entering.”

Hwairan, for once, gave me a proper answer to my question.

I didn’t miss the chance and slyly threw in another question.

“Where do the commoners live, then?”

“The commoners’ residences are mostly on Fire Island and Water Island. Wood Island, where you landed earlier, is inhabited by all sorts of birds and beasts. There aren’t many people there.”

“That’s fascinating. I’m curious about the characteristics of each island. Would you tell me about them?”

I clasped my hands together and sparkled my eyes, and Hwairan scratched his cheek with a troubled look.

“Well, originally I shouldn’t, but… I mentioned before that there are Sun Island, Moon Island, Fire Island, Water Island, Wood Island, Metal Island, and Earth Island, right?”

“Yeah, seven islands.”

“Counting backward, first is Earth Island. You can think of it as the island of scholars. It’s where the civil officials reside. They handle all the administrative work for all the islands.”

*Tak.*

At the same time Hwairan started speaking, the cloud reached the top floor of the palace.

“Metal Island is the island of blacksmiths and architects. The entire island is a giant mine, and various minerals come out of it. It’s also the island where the most outstanding alchemists gather.”

“Ah, so each island has a representative occupation!”

“That’s right. Wood Island is a place where nature, such as birds, animals, and plants, is preserved to the fullest… It’s called an uninhabited island or a nature preservation island. New species are born there, and endangered beasts are protected.”

It was fascinating how each island had its distinct role.

I especially wanted to take a closer look at Wood Island later… Even if I’m not a princess, I wonder if I could ask them to let me take a peek.

“Ah, come to think of it, your Duke’s family has saber-toothed tigers as ancestors, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Primitive saber-toothed tigers are also on Wood Island. They still have their pre-human form. If you’re curious, I’ll ask Moki to show you sometime.”

“Hoo.”

Father shrugged with a curious expression and was the first to get off the cloud.

After that, Yuri jumped off, and both of them reached out their hands to me.

“It’s dangerous. Hold my hand.”

“Hold my hand too, Sister.”

Well, it’s not like I’m jumping from the third floor, so it’s a bit embarrassing.

But I didn’t dislike it, so I took Father’s hand with my left hand and Yuri’s hand with my right hand.

Then, suppressing my trembling heart, I took a step and entered the main hall.

“…….”

The interior, with its deep shadows, was desolate with no people and no sense of life. There were plenty of expensive-looking items, but… what should I say?

Living in a place like this seems very lonely.

“You’ll have to wait a bit, so I’ll tell you about Water Island next.”

Hwairan, who was the last to get off the cloud, released the spell with a wave of his hand and led us to the door.

Surprisingly, the door opened on its own with a creaking sound without anyone touching it.

“Water Island is the main residence of the commoners and the island of fishermen. But of course, there’s no sea in Arkalik, so they have to borrow it. They harvest seafood and catch fish from the seas of each country on the ground.”

“What? How is that possible from such a high place?”

“That’s a trade secret. Anyway, that’s why Arkalik sends envoys to the Empire. To ask them to share the sea a bit.”

Ah, so that’s why they kept sending diplomatic missions!

I was wondering why they were maintaining the missions without giving any information, but one question was answered.

‘But it’s so unexpected that I’m very surprised.’

How on earth do they fish?

“And Fire Island! This Hwairan, who rules Fire Island, is also the main residence of the commoners and a commercial area. It’s also called the island of merchants. Goods produced on each island are gathered and sold on Fire Island.”

“It must be bustling.”

“It’s lively and full of people. It’s the best place to live.”

Hwairan raised his chin with a proud face.

“Then what about Moon Island?”

“Ah, that’s a military stronghold. Soldiers and their families live there.”

“There are no enemies, so why do you need soldiers?”

I tilted my head.

That spirit said he only tormented the people on the ground. In fact, they are dominating this sky alone, so why would they need soldiers?

“You must always be prepared. It’s a saying in the scriptures. Even military power that may not be used will be needed someday, so Gaianos must have told you to prepare.”

It was certainly different from my way of thinking, so I didn’t understand it well, but I just nodded.

“Finally, this Sun Island is where the king resides and the center of religion. Arkalik is a country with a strong belief in and reverence for the king. Everyone lives by that belief.”

“It seems so…….”

“Come to think of it, it’s the first time in the king’s three thousand years of reign that a person from the ground has entered here. This is the waiting room. If you are granted an audience, the door in front will open.”

“Yeah, I see……. Huh?”

No, wait a minute.

I carelessly let my thoughts flow and suddenly raised my head.

“Three thousand years??? Then that person who might be my dad is three thousand years old?!”

“Yes? Yes. Everyone is incredibly young in front of the king. He is our living god.”

“Great-great-grandfather god!”

I was so surprised that my voice cracked.

If he’s three thousand years old, isn’t he the ancient ancestor of my grandfather’s grandfather?

‘Oh my god. I didn’t understand the theocracy [a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god] well, and I couldn’t accept worshiping a living king as a god… Now I understand.’

If he’s that old and still alive, he must be a god, um.

Then, in an instant, I understood why my birth father couldn’t come to pick me up.

“Hi, His joints must hurt a lot…….”

If I heal him with my divine power, wouldn’t it be easier for him to move around? If I were that old, I would have a hard time moving around.

“I didn’t know that and I was a little sad……. I’m sorry.”

“Pfft……. Jo, Joints……. Keuhahaha!”

But Hwairan suddenly burst into a strange laugh.

Judging from the look on his face, I must have said something funny, but why is he laughing so hard while trembling?

“Cough, cough. Please bear with the king even if he seems indifferent later. His reaction will change drastically once it’s confirmed that you’re his daughter.”

“Okay. He’s a three-thousand-year-old grandfather, so I understand…….”

I imagined a grandfather with a long white beard dragging on the floor and bulging eyes, and answered weakly.

Until now, whenever I thought of ‘Dad,’ ‘Father’s’ face was always there. That’s probably why I unknowingly assumed he would be incredibly strong.

‘Is this the harm of early education?!’

Come to think of it, there are no weak people among the adults around me!

“I know very well that adults can be weak too. I learned that you have to respect the elderly.”

I said quite seriously and puffed out my chest.

I’m quite proud of myself for being able to say these things.

“Ha, Grandfath……. Elderly, Keuhahahaha!”

But Hwairan trembled again. He covered his mouth and sobbed, but why is he so annoying?

I sighed deeply.

“I imagined someone like Father…….”