Free Web NovelChapter 799: Chapter 1: Seventeen Years Old, with Three Marriage Prospects
The Boli Shrine sits on the boundary between the Outside World and Fantasy Land, surrounded by many cherry blossom trees, making it a famous spot in Fantasy Land for cherry blossom viewing.
Typically, when the cherry blossoms bloom in spring, many people are drawn to it.
However, it’s already midsummer now, so such a spectacle is naturally absent.
Furthermore, the Witch is not home, so there’s no reason to stay. Gu Mo thoughtfully followed Miss Alice down the slope outside the Bird House, walking back on the path they came from. As night fell, the Human World was also plunged into silence.
But there were still scattered lights illuminating certain areas of the town.
These were shops that stayed open at night, and small groups of demons were coming and going, giving it a bit of a night market vibe.
"It’s still a bit lively..."
Gu Mo glanced at the night scene of the Human World from the mountain and casually said.
"It’s not as lively as before. In the past, there were more people who kept their shops open at night." The blond maiden held her Magic Guidebook and shook her head, "But now many people prefer shopping online in the Fantasy Network, and the tengus’ delivery is very fast, so some shops inevitably face challenges..."
"Uh..."
Gu Mo tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh, you still don’t know, the Fantasy Network is a magical network in the Veil World, created by a very old spell, yet it’s still very advanced and convenient..." The blond maiden took out a delicate Spell Scroll and explained as thoroughly as possible.
No one knows who crafted the spell for the Fantasy Network, the techniques used are very mysterious and rigorous, yet it’s indeed a combination of incredible foresight and advanced technology, hard to believe it was invented so long ago.
The operator behind it is unknown, but Tengu and Kappa are apparently involved, the former handling logistics, the latter manufacturing the main products, many believe Demon Mountain houses the main servers of the Fantasy Network, although no one has proven this.
Even the Moon is said to be connected to this network, a result of the Moon Surface War agreement.
It’s certainly correct to say it’s a major communication technology in the Veil World. Based on its advanced nature, many unique uses have been developed, such as online shopping being a major invention. Especially within Fantasy Land, with Crow Tengu as the main couriers, the speed of logistics is beyond mere assurance.
One second you confirm your purchase, the next second, the delivery is at your door—
This happens frequently.
For the Moon, Netherworld, Beyond, Egret Paradise, Demon Realm... and other worlds or unusual domains, one-day or next-day delivery is nearly guaranteed, an irresistible convenience, hence quickly spreading.
The rise of online shopping inevitably impacts the physical economy, though in Fantasy Land the effect is minor, as demon-exclusive shops were never numerous, so the impact on demon or human economies is naturally limited.
But reportedly, in the Beyond, on the Moon, in the Demon Realm, etc., this phenomenon is genuinely troublesome.
"If you’re planning to stay in Fantasy Land, it’s best to buy a Terminal Scroll, since you have a bit of special power, you should be able to use it, which will be very convenient." Miss Alice imparted her knowledge earnestly.
The Spell Scroll-type terminal for the Fantasy Network is not difficult to obtain, even regular people can get one. However, being a spell-driven magical device, ordinary people without mana can’t use it effectively... though the kappas are lately trying to manufacture terminals usable by ordinary people.
So perhaps a civilian version could be released soon.
But that’s something for the future, Miss Alice wasn’t considering it.
Besides, this person has some power, so can use the Spell Scroll for the Fantasy Network directly, thus her advice is indeed correct.
"Thank you..."
Gu Mo sincerely nodded and thanked, his expression somewhat peculiar.
The blond maiden didn’t find it strange, every newcomer to Fantasy Land tends to react this way, probably always assuming such a secluded haven must be ancient and lagging. But it’s not true, ancient yes, but not backward.
Gu Mo, however, was thinking of something else, pondering that perhaps this development makes sense.
After all, he had laid the groundwork back then, though his ideas were too advanced to be realized at the time, so they were temporarily shelved. But just because there wasn’t fertile soil back then doesn’t mean future conditions won’t arise to nurture them.
When the environment is right and conditions are met, bringing forth new things isn’t surprising.
The tengus and kappas always have wild imaginations, so Gu Mo has no doubt in their creative abilities.
The night grew deeper, like ink that wouldn’t dissolve, yet the Beast Dao felt more spirited... no, rather it gained a touch of vitality.
Dense woods lined both sides of the path leading to the Human World, a mobile stall with a red lantern was parked by the roadside, a Night Sparrow Little Demon was happily busy behind the barbeque stall, the scent of grilled eel alluring, many demons sat at tables and chairs near the stall, eating barbeque and chatting away.
The scene was entirely that of a late-night street food stall.
Lively, with a great atmosphere, groups of three or five friends gathered to eat, drink, talk, and laugh.
There was even a girl nearby wearing peculiar clothes, shaking her hair while singing loudly—as much as the noisy blast sound could count as music—this style of music had a punk rock vibe.
The loud volume echoed, its astonishing noise spreading far and wide, lively indeed, but also quite disrupting.
Alice couldn’t quite handle such blasting sounds, speeding up her pace down the Beast Dao, and Gu Mo followed her without any incidents.
The two returned to the Human World and went straight to the Temple School.
The Temple School is the name of a school in the Human World, mainly enrolling children from the village to provide educational services. Occasionally, demons would attend to further their studies and try to learn some knowledge. The founder is Teacher Kamishirasawa Keine, whose true form as a Kamishirasawa resides and teaches at the Temple School, while also compiling history here.
In the courtyard on one side of the longhouse, Kamishirasawa Keine was sitting at her desk, exuding an elegant and gentle aura.
"Teacher Keine, are you home?"
A clear and melodious voice came from outside. Kamishirasawa Keine quickly stood up, pushed the door open, and walked out into the yard, finding two figures standing outside.
One was a golden-haired silhouette, none other than Miss Alice Margatroid, one of the two magicians residing in the Magic Forest, also known as the Seven-colored Puppet Master. She would often perform puppet plays in the Human World during festivals, so Kamishirasawa Keine was naturally not unfamiliar with her.
The other figure stood behind the maiden, a young man in white with black hair, who was thoughtfully observing the outline of the Temple School. Upon seeing Keine come out, he shifted his gaze onto her.
Kamishirasawa Keine was momentarily taken aback, experiencing a fleeting sense of strange illusion, but quickly regained her composure, as if what just happened was merely an illusion.
The man across from her also gave a bright smile, ordinary-looking, seemingly nothing special.
"Miss Alice, and this is...?"
"Teacher Keine, this is a newcomer who just entered Fantasy Land today... Um, what was your name again?" The golden-haired maiden was about to introduce him when she suddenly realized she had forgotten to ask for his name, and turned to ask, frowning.
In fact, forgetting to ask was normal...
She usually wouldn’t speak much with wanderers, just guiding them safely out of the Magic Forest to the Human World was enough...
But this time was different, inexplicably concerned about this person, subconsciously unable to let go. Each time she intended to harden her heart and ignore it, she would always think that the next thing the person did might be dangerous, and she couldn’t sit idly by. Not to mention, it wasn’t much trouble to walk a few more steps —
With such reasoning, she convinced herself, resulting in her leading this person out of the Magic Forest, to the Boli Shrine, and now back to the Human World.
Afraid he might not find the Temple School or the Hieda Family, she brought him directly here.
All these were unprecedented events, so even Kamishirasawa Keine was somewhat surprised, examining both the Seven-colored Puppet Master and the unfamiliar young man, speculating about the situation between them.
"My name is Gu Mo."
The young man in white with black hair blinked, abandoning the idea of temporarily concocting a fake name.
It didn’t really matter since not many people knew this name. During the final stages of his active period in this Dungeon World, it was about a thousand three hundred years ago. After that, not to say he vanished, but he greatly reduced his appearances. Ordinary people wouldn’t recognize it.
Of course, Miss Alice might not be included in this...
When he stated his name, Gu Mo also observed the expression of the golden-haired maiden, noticing that she merely nodded gently, showing no unusual expression.
"Gu Mo, I know now..."
Alice turned her attention back to the serene woman across from them, with her long silver hair and blue skirt, and said, "He just entered Fantasy Land today and needs a place to stay for the time being, so I need to trouble you, Teacher Keine..."
"I see, that’s no problem."
Kamishirasawa Keine agreed immediately, very straightforwardly.
"Planning to settle down in the Human World? Please wait a moment, I need to record some information first..."
The Human World welcomes outsiders, and if they can bring new knowledge and new technology from outside, all the better. However, registration and record-keeping are also necessary for better management and arrangement, so Kamishirasawa Keine’s request is quite reasonable.
Being responsible for compiling history, it makes sense for her to handle this task directly.
Everyone in the Human World trusts this demon teacher very much.
"Just a basic record registration..." Kamishirasawa Keine took out a notebook and began writing, "But if you plan to develop in the Human World later on, this information can be influential too, for example, what skills you excel in. If opportunities arise in those areas, you’d be given priority consideration..."
"First is the name, oh, that’s already been mentioned..."
Kamishirasawa Keine quickly wrote Gu Mo’s name in the register and looked up at him again.
"You haven’t married yet, have you?"
"I have three marriage prospects." Gu Mo answered earnestly.
"Eh?" Kamishirasawa Keine stared with wide-eyed astonishment, while Miss Alice showed a face full of surprise.
"W-wait, how old are you?" Instinctively thinking he already had the experience of being married three times, Kamishirasawa Keine quickly asked.
"Seventeen." Gu Mo replied without hesitation.
"..."
"..."
