After boarding the large wooden gondola and taking our seats, I looked around at the other participants. Although there were quite a few people, the vessel was so vast and spacious that it didn't feel the least bit crowded.
Soon after, Camellia-san appeared at the front of the boat.
"Thank you for waiting. We will be departing shortly. To those who joined us midway, I am Camellia, and I will be serving as your guide today. It is a pleasure to be with you."
With a polite bow, Camellia-san produced a massive oar. It was an incredible sight, easily ten meters long. Even if it were made of light wood, the weight would have been substantial, yet she handled it effortlessly. Seeing her move so naturally reminded me once again that Camellia-san was truly a powerful individual.
"...No, well, this oar is actually just for show. It doesn’t actually propel the boat, but it helps set the atmosphere. Now then, we are off. It may sway a little, so please watch your step."
As she spoke calmly and readied her stance with the oar, the giant gondola began to drift forward. Simultaneously, the orchestra on board began to play. The melody had a rustic, folk-like quality—gentle, yet carrying a faint touch of melancholy. It was the perfect accompaniment for a voyage across a sea of grass, and the atmosphere was truly wonderful.
"This space is maintained by a special Barrier Magic that allows us to manifest creatures imagined by the caster. These are essentially illusions, so you won’t be able to touch them, but please enjoy them as part of the scenery."
Almost the moment Camellia-san finished her explanation, the great grasslands surged like waves, and a creature resembling a giant whale breached the surface. It made a magnificent leap, soaring over the side of the gondola.
It was incredible. Not only did the grass move exactly like water, but the whale-like creature had a large horn, giving it a majestic fantasy appearance that went beyond a normal animal. After that, dragons soared overhead and schools of fish shimmered in the air. It was perhaps the most intense "magic fantasy" experience I had ever had, and I found myself grinning with excitement.
Between the beautiful music, the pleasant breeze, and the theme of the grassy sea, the scenery was sublime. I felt my heart grow remarkably still and peaceful.
As we continued our pleasant journey, a giant wall appeared in our path. Curiously, there were words written on it: "It is physical."
Camellia-san stopped moving her oar and let out a weary, wry smile.
"...Ahaha, it seems my subordinates are determined to make me do this. Please excuse me for a moment. I have applied a Countermeasure Formula so the vessel shouldn't shake much, but please be careful just in case."
Camellia-san made the giant oar vanish. While I tilted my head, wondering what she was about to do, she pulled her right hand back into a focused stance.
"Eight percent."
A sound like a sudden explosion erupted, and the massive wall shattered into dust. Camellia-san remained there, her right hand extended after the follow-through of a punch. Wait... did she just destroy that wall using nothing but the air pressure from her swing?
"My apologies... I truly wonder about the necessity of rebuilding a giant wall every single time just to have it broken..."
She chuckled dryly, then made the oar reappear and resumed her rowing as if nothing had happened. I was stunned. Camellia-san was incredible. That blow was so powerful it was impossible to reconcile with her usual, quiet impression.
"As expected of Camellia-sama, the one hailed as the Strong Fist of the Earth. What a staggering display," Lilia-san remarked with admiration.
"Strong Fist of the Earth?" I asked.
"Yes. While the Spirit Race generally tends to excel in defense but lacks physical Attack Power, Camellia-sama is a rare exception. Her physical Attack Ability is extremely high, and that devastating punch of hers has earned her the title 'Strong Fist of the Earth.'"
Lilia-san provided a brief explanation. Apparently, in terms of raw Attack Power, Camellia-san was considered the strongest among all the World King's subordinates. Her combat style was famously "strong," essentially relying on a single, perfected right straight punch.
"...However, in my opinion, Camellia-sama’s true greatness isn't her Attack Power itself."
"What do you mean?"
"Just as she whispered '8%' earlier, I believe her most impressive trait is the delicate Technique required to adjust her output in 1% Increments. That level of control is simply beyond belief."
"I see..."
I nodded deeply at Lilia-san’s words. Being able to adjust power in 1% Increments meant she had achieved absolute mastery over her own body and strength.
Then again, Camellia-san didn't seem to think her ability was anything special. She wasn't the type to boast. In fact, she looked somewhat exasperated, as if she were only doing it to satisfy her subordinates' wishes. I suspected that because she was so humble, her subordinates went out of their way to create these performances so the world would recognize how truly amazing their captain was.
Machina: "Alright, let's start the lecture with the absolute basics. While it is an unshakeable fact that My Beloved Child is cute, his supreme beauty acquires even more diversity depending on the viewing angle. Regarding this '23.5 Degrees from the Lower Left' shot, the emphasis is heavily on 'cuteness.' If this were, say, 34.8 Degrees, the emphasis would shift toward 'sexiness,' changing the appropriate situations for the photo's use. You have to choose based on the context, you see? For today, I’ve prepared this 23.5 Degrees from the Lower Left shot because of its high healing effect. Oh, I know what you’re thinking. You're thinking that if we’re talking about cuteness, the angle at 42.1 Degrees from the Upper Right is more famous. Certainly, that angle is the gold standard for cuteness, but it’s actually too cute. The effect is so potent that it can cause abnormal heart rates in the uninitiated. That’s exactly why this specific angle is better for Serious-senpai in her current state of mental collapse. Furthermore, this photo was taken at 17:23 during the Second Month of Wind. If you look at the lighting, you’ll notice a slight reddish tint that highlights My Beloved Child’s innocence. However, Serious-senpai, I believe your level of understanding is still that of a beginner, so let me explain what you should be looking at. Where would you seek cuteness in this photo? The eyes? The lips? The forehead? Yes, those are standard points with a high Perority, and My Child’s charm is certainly overflowing there. But letting your eyes be drawn only to the obvious parts is, quite frankly, shallow. So, where does an expert focus? In this photo, it’s all about the angle of the cheek! Look at the shadows; it’s dark here and bright there, right? This contrast makes My Beloved Child’s cuteness stand out. Yes, there is a Peropero point here that exists only because of this specific time and angle, producing a tremendous healing effect. It’s easier to understand if we compare it. Look at this 34.8 Degrees photo from the same hour. See the cheek? Because the angle is different, the shadow has shifted. This one overflows with My Beloved Child’s allure and sexiness instead. Of course, sexy Kaito is also magnificent—I could eat a hundred bowls of rice just looking at this—but for healing, cute is superior. Coolness is great too, but it tends to cause excitement rather than peace. If you want solace, you want cute. Oh, I got sidetracked. Next, look at the line from the jaw to the neck. That flowing curve is incredible! Cuteness is practically gushing out. But be careful. An ultra-expert like me is fine, but if an ordinary person stares too long, they’ll be taken prisoner by My Beloved Child’s cuteness and won't be able to look away for days. Now, you understand the healing effect, but I know what you're thinking. You're thinking it's a tragedy that you can only see one image at a time, right? I understand. At my level, I can see trillions of images simultaneously and vividly, but that’s hard for a normal person. There is a technique to solve this: viewing two or more photos at once! I call this the 'Ultimate Pelority System'... or UPS for short. Just the name tells you how amazing it is. By viewing multiple photos, you can understand My Child’s charm on a multi-dimensional level. You could combine the 23.5-degree and 34.8-degree shots to experience cuteness and sexiness at once! The combinations are infinite—a true dream system—but there are precautions. Unless you're a super-expert Pelorist like me, a beginner like Serious-senpai should limit her UPS to three images. If you exceed that, you’ll get caught in a permanent loop of My Beloved Child’s charm and lose consciousness. It’s a double-edged sword. Since infinite combinations are hard for a beginner, I’ll give you my personal recommendations. First, try the combination of 23.6 Degrees from the Right Side and 23.5 Degrees from the Left Side. The key is that 0.1-degree shift. This is a combination specialized for 'coolness.' The sharp intensity of My Beloved Child from both sides hits you with everything he’s got. This pair is best used with photos from a winter sunrise. His face is illuminated by the morning sun, and the bravery in his eyes is just... it belongs in a museum. Next, try 31.4 Degrees from the Right Side and 18.3 Degrees from the Lower Right. This is a devilish combination of dignity and adorableness. They seem like opposites, but with My Beloved Child, they harmonize perfectly. Then there's the expert choice: 28.0 Degrees from the Back Lower Right and 11.3 Degrees from the Back Upper Right. This focuses on My Beloved Child’s back. Most people are too weak to resist the desire to see his face, so they overlook the back. But the profile you see from behind is so melancholy and sexy... it makes you realize just how vast and great My Beloved Child’s back truly is. I could go on forever, but you should try finding your own combos. The joy of discovering a new favorite is like nothing else. Now, you might wonder... angle isn't everything, right? Exactly! Time of day and season are vital. People think My Beloved Child is so perfect he isn't affected by his environment, but that’s wrong. The environment is what highlights My Beloved Child. In winter, his brilliance is like a diamond. I’m only comparing him to a gemstone because words don't exist for his true beauty. The way the cold air tightens his expression... an amateur might actually die if they saw it. I have a 'Photo of My Beloved Child's Coming-of-Age Ceremony' here that I saved from his past... he has that touch of youth mixed with winter's dignity. It's a national treasure. In spring, he’s all about warmth. His smile in the spring sunlight has a Peropero Coefficient that is off the charts. His 'Photo of My Beloved Child's University Entrance' is so gentle it can charm a person into staring at it for weeks. Summer brings out his energy; the sun is just a dull lightbulb compared to him. Autumn is for pathos—lonely Kaito is so precious I just want to hug him. And I should hug him, because a mother’s love is what he needs. Anyway, the healing effect happens because seeing his preciousness makes you subconsciously feel 'I must be perfect to stand before him.' It’s a biological duty. Your instincts force your body into its best possible state to be worthy of his presence, healing your wounds instantly. It’s the truth of the universe. Of course, photos can't capture his scent—that’s a major Peropero point—but we have CDs! His voice is a gospel. I recorded his beautiful voice during the birthday karaoke battle and I’ve listened to it millions of times. I hate that he had to show it to those talking meat slabs, but if it makes them realize his greatness, I’ll allow it. His everyday voice is a treasure too. The way he says my name... 'Eden'... it’s so exquisite. And his breathing! Hearing My Beloved Child’s breathing while he sleeps... it’s so defenseless and peaceful. It reminds me that protecting his sleep is my duty. Photos are just the visual side of the five senses, you see, and visual information is—"
Serious-senpai: "Akaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?!?!?!?!?!?"