CHAPTER 84 - ES-GRAPE TO THE EMERALD COVE
🙞❤︎🙜
Less than twenty-four hours later, we were on our way to the Emerald Cove.
“Please stop opening the windows,” I said to Lari.
“Teacher, I just want to see outside,” he said.
“When you open the window, it negates the carriage’s stability settings,” I said as the entire vehicle rattled and the wind rushed in.
Kharli slapped his hand away from the window and closed it. “Don’t be a pain.”
“If you want to see outside, you can go ride in the cart with the others next time,” I said. Fengying, Deming, and the kitchen staff were following behind us in two flying ox carts.
“I’d like that,” said Lari.
Kids!
I guess a cart was more exciting, but the girls and I definitely preferred the carriage’s smooth and easy flight. For one thing, it didn’t mess up our hair.
Today I was dressed in a lovely deep violet set of robes with gold and silver embroidery. My hair had been piled on top of my head in a loose bun decorated with a Hibiscus flower. The maids had even offered to do my makeup, all because I was meeting with the prince today.
My apprentices were also dressed in their holiday best, elegantly embroidered silk robes and fine leather boots.
All of us had brought gloves, hooded capes, and warm vests since the weather had turned quite chilly.
“I think we’re about to land!” Kharli was extremely excited, probably because Mo had told her a lot about the amazing time we had at the hotel.
“I think you’re right. Traveling in the carriage is almost too good. I can barely feel anything,” I said.
Around fifteen minutes later, we felt a jolt as the carriage landed. The moment I opened the door, I was met with a strong gust of cold wind from the sea.
Kharli took a deep breath and smiled. “That’s what they call the scent of the ocean, right?”
We emerged from the carriage to step onto fine white sand. Behind this was a cliff covered with lush vegetation, while in front of us was the beach and a wide expanse of crystal clear waters. Like Kharli, I took deep breaths to enjoy the fresh air. Life at the grasslands was satisfying because we were doing something important, but it was so hot and dusty that it was a trial when we had to work outdoors.
“Now, this is the life!” I said. “Let’s walk up the cliff a little, I want to place the hotel before they arrive.”
The others obediently got their luggage from the carriage, with some help from the driver, and we all climbed up a winding path that led to a flat area where I immediately placed the [Sunset Radiance Resort], choosing the “simple” option.
In Adventure Incarnate, these Cash Shop resorts were simply items that one could buy to receive a special beach outfit. The animation when opening a simple [Sunset Radiance Resort] loot box showed a small, seaside cottage.
What appeared in front of me after the magic circle on the ground flash then disappeared was a picturesque wooden bungalow with white walls and red roof.
“That’s it? It’s a lot smaller than you said,” said Lari.
“Hush, this is just the first of many. Wait here.” I entered the tiny house and quickly checked if there was anything inside the bedroom closet, which I thought was the most logical place where I could get the beach outfit. Sure enough, I found a simple white cotton eyelet sundress there. I put it in my inventory and exited the house.
“Teacher, can we go in now?” asked Lari.
“No, this one is just a house. There’s nothing to see in there,” I said. “Just wait. I’ll tell you when I’m done.”
I choose the [Demolish] option in the [Build] tab then built the [Paradise Palms Resort] in the same place. This one had the look of a budget hotel, with a boxy rectangular shape, light-colored stucco walls, and a flat, low-pitched asphalt roof. I went inside and retrieved a rather risque-looking Rio Carnival costume. What this has to do with the beach, I had no idea.
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In quick succession, I built the [Seaside Haven Resort], [Sandy Bay Resort], [Beachcomber's Hideaway], [Mermaid Hotel], and [Coastal Escape Cottage]. None of them appealed to me much. Thankfully, I hit the jackpot when I built the [Starlight Beach Resort].
It was a magnificent single story building that looked more like a wealthy family’s vacation home rather than a resort that was open to the public. The building’s exterior reminded me of Italian architecture with its use of marble and the symmetrical lines, clean shapes, and intricate detailing. Made of white stone, it had a terracotta-tiled roof interspersed with chimneys. It was a very stylish place that looked like it was the type that old money people frequented.
I turned to my disciples and asked them, “What do you think?”
“It’s okay,” said Kharli.
The other two shrugged though they didn’t look enthused.
“Let’s decide after we look at the interior, okay?” I said.
“Yes, I would also like to get out of the cold,” said Lari.
The grand arched doorway led into a stunning atrium that had a vaulted ceiling, marble columns, and intricate stucco work. The interior of the villa was lavishly furnished with the sort of timeless elegance and sophistication that only the best and most expensive resorts had. If it had been on earth, I figured that it was the kind of resort where one chair was worth thousands of dollars.
“I like it a lot!” I said. “Why don’t you guys look around while I check the bedrooms?”
Without waiting for their reply, I headed straight to the back of the building where I found eight bedrooms, all of them tastefully decorated. The main bedroom’s closet held a single white dress. And what a dress it was! It looked like something a Hollywood star from the 1950s would wear. The neckline was high and demure, and it had a fitted bodice and flowing skirt that had layers of fabric falling in soft, rippling folds. I locked the door and tried it on immediately.
Woohoo! I looked like Marilyn Monroe, except younger!
I twirled in front of the full length mirror in the dressing room, admiring the way the white dress floated around my body. Of course, it was far too daring for the people of this world. They would probably think it was a nightgown. I took it off and changed back into my old clothes, wondering if I would ever find an occasion to wear it.
I went back to the atrium where my three apprentices were waiting for me. “Do you like this one?”
The three of them exchanged glances. Kharli said, “Any place you choose would be fine, Teacher.”
“Okay, let’s try again,” I said.
We exited the resort, and I tried out a few more Cash Shop items until I found a place that all of us liked.
The [Majestic Oceanfront Sanctuary] was a large, three-story hotel with a cerulean façade accented with rich gold and bronze details. Inside, it had a grand lobby with marble floors, stunning gold and crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a roaring fireplace.
However, none of that was worth looking at compared to my absolutely thrilling discovery. I don’t know why it was there since the [Majestic Oceanfront Sanctuary] looked too high class for it, but it was there nonetheless.
“Yes!” I screamed out loud like an excited little girl and hugged the vending machine that I found in the corridor door leading to the bedrooms. “Guys, come quick! I found something!”
“What is it?” Lari peered at the inside of the machine. “What are those things inside?”
“Chips. Popcorn. Pretzels. Candy bars. Cookies. Instant noodles. Oh my gosh, it has sodas!” Ever since I had transmigrated into this world, I hadn’t been able to eat much junk food, and now that I saw the vending machine, I developed a real craving for it.
When I touched the coin slot, a System pop-up appeared asking if I wanted to buy vending machine coins. I selected the maximum amount.
“Okay, kids. Let me show you how to use this. Take a coin and put it inside this slot.” I demonstrated how to do it. “Then you’ll just have to press the button that’s under the item that you want to get. It will fall down to the bottom of the machine here.”
I put my hand inside the slot at the bottom of the machine and retrieved the bottle of soda that had an old-fashioned cork instead of a metal cap.
[Grimoire Grape
Grape-flavored soda.]
“Ah, it’s not cold. I’ll drink it later with some ice. Now you guys try.” I put the soda in my inventory.
“Me first,” said Lari. He fumbled with the coin slot for a bit before he got the hang of it, then he spent so much time deciding what to choose that Kharli got impatient and pressed the button for him.
“Stop pretending like you’re not going to choose the gold one!” She said as she chose the chocolate candy bar that was wrapped in white and gold paper.
Back on Earth, it would have been wrapped in foil and plastic, but here everything was wrapped in paper except for the soda bottles.
“Open it,” I said.
“Maybe I should keep it and sell it…” said Lari.
“Open it,” I said again.
This time, he tore the paper open and bit into the chocolate bar. “Delicious!”
“Madam Fengying said not to talk with your mouth full,” said Kharli.
“I’m next!” said Mo. She chose the largest item, the popcorn, and was very satisfied with the crunchy, salty snack when she poured a handful of it in her mouth. “So good.”
Kharli chose a soda bottle.
[Mermaid Mist
Soda with a citrus flavor and a hint of seawater.]
“Let’s go to the kitchen and find some ice after we empty this machine,” I suggested.
“We’re going to get all of the items?” asked Lari.
“Of course,” I said. “We’ll each take one of each type, then I’ll keep the rest.”
“Can I press all the buttons, please?” asked Mo.
“I want to put in all the coins,” said Lari.
“And I’ll take the items from the device!” said Kharli.
I gave them all of the coins, and left to check if the others had arrived yet. When I opened the door to the outside, I saw Prince Baiyu approaching from the air. In a few moments, he landed in front of me and embraced me.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” he said into my ear.