Chapter: 116
One Thousand and One Nights.
Commonly known as “Arabian Nights,” this collection of tales is closer to myth than mere fairy tales. In Korea, stories like Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and Sinbad’s Seven Voyages are famous, but in reality, there are hundreds of interconnected stories that can make the whole thing rather confusing when you actually read it.
Taking a moment to forget that confusion, let me summarize the essence of One Thousand and One Nights.
It’s a story about a woman with storytelling talent who, to survive, cuts off her tale every night, threatening to end her stories for good if she’s not kept alive until the next night.
Now, that’s one terrifying threat!
In the era of oral storytelling, killing off a single storyteller would be akin to burning hundreds of books.
—
“Isn’t your summary a bit off?”
“Huh?”
“…Never mind.”
Regardless, One Thousand and One Nights is a treasure trove of exotic and mysterious tales. From both Eastern and Western perspectives, the ancient adventures of the Middle East are astonishing and mesmerising. (Ironically, some stories in One Thousand and One Nights are set in a fantastical ‘China’ filled with Oriental fantasy.)
That being said, various tales from One Thousand and One Nights—especially the adventures—have been particularly beloved.
—
“So, it seems there’s no better story to use as a theme for a theme park. It’s so distinct from reality that it creates a world of its own, with adventures directly tied to attractions and a clear cultural identity.”
“Young master, you seem to really adore children.”
“Huh?”
“Well, with both the foundation’s work and creating such a wonderful theme park to entertain kids…”
Is it just me, or does Zion’s smile resemble that of a parent looking fondly at their child?
“Anyway, since it’s come to this, I’ll leave the expansion of the theme park in your capable hands.”
“I will perfectly implement your ideals in this land.”
Zion organized the plans for attractions and themes designed specifically for the theme park. With the publication of One Thousand and One Nights, the Arabian Nights theme area of the park would also open.
At that moment, it would truly become a realm worthy of the catchphrase ‘the land of dreams and fantasies.’
—
And soon, One Thousand and One Nights was published across every bookstore and library in the empire.
“What is this… a legend? A tale? It feels… like a mystifying story from another world!”
“With so many tales and stories within stories, it can be slightly confusing… but it’s cleverly written. It makes sense that she had to drag out the stories to survive with the sultan.”
The stories of One Thousand and One Nights are much closer to legend than to a novel. A world with a completely different culture, full of sorcery or capricious deities causing trouble, adventures beyond imagination, and stories that intertwine endlessly.
And by the way…
The last page of One Thousand and One Nights had an advertisement for the theme park Neverland instead of a foreword from the author.
—
[Experience the exotic and mysterious world of One Thousand and One Nights in the land of dreams and fantasies, Neverland!]
[Embark on Sinbad’s adventures, ride a flying carpet, and soar through the air upon a genie’s hand.]
[At Neverland, you’ll get to try it all!]
Of course, not many could ignore such an advertisement.
—
“Son!”
“Yes?”
“Ahem, would you want to visit Neverland?”
“I want to go!”
“Then, there’s no choice. Since my son wants to go, I have to take him there—.”
And so…
The Arabian Nights theme area opened!
—
There’s one person you can’t miss when there are enjoyable activities.
“Tch, as expected, there are too many people flocking to the new theme.”
“I shall prepare some foldable chairs and parasols for resting, my lord.”
“Done. The time spent standing in line is part of the charm of this ‘theme park,’ too. Just look at the kids up front—they’re smiling with excitement!”
—
The Lazy King.
Known as the “Eternal King” among the Haren, he dressed so casually that he hardly looked like a king, suddenly chuckling to himself as he looked around.
“It seems even the true rulers of this empire are waiting in line with me.”
“Huh?”
“How unfortunate it must be to bear such a fate…”
The Lazy King, a descendant of dragons born with the strongest bloodline, saw through the essence of everything in this world. He can discern truth from falsehood and black from white, revealing the hidden wisdom concealed behind the curtain.
And sometimes, he could glimpse into a person’s fate.
He was truly a wise man.
The Lazy King approached a man bound in chilling chains, bowing his head with exaggerated courtesy, but with a foolish grin mixed in.
“Long time no see, oh esteemed lord of the empire.”
“…I haven’t heard that the King of Haren visited the Empire. Did you sneak in?”
“I came for a little sightseeing.”
The Emperor of all people, the Fortunate King, looked at the Lazy King as if he couldn’t believe it.
The Lazy King just smiled as he enjoyed the attention.
Eventually, the Fortunate King sighed in exasperation.
“You know that’s a politically questionable issue, right?”
“Isn’t it just visiting an old friend’s business?”
“Friend?”
“Ah, I’m talking about the author Homeros.”
“…You really have no shame.”
The Fortunate King let out a slight chuckle and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket.
He scribbled something down on it with a pen, then handed it to a man who merely appeared to be a nearby tourist.
The man bowed and vanished somewhere with the paper.
“Make sure to get a proper entry stamp next time. Don’t sneak in like a rat.”
“Still, I am called the Emperor of the East, you shouldn’t be harsh.”
“You claim you’re just a tourist. But I’m the lord of this empire. Here, I can talk as harshly as I want to.”
“That’s a fair point.”
“So, are you enjoying your sightseeing?”
“I was just about to start enjoying it. I wanted to check out the newly opened Arabian Nights, but there were too many people.”
“What a coincidence. I felt the same way.”
“Since it’s fate, shall we go together?”
“Huh?”
—
The Lazy King’s playful suggestion made the Fortunate King frown in irritation, glaring at him.
The Lazy King ignored the Fortunate King’s glare and casually asked.
“So, what brings you to ‘Neverland’ today, King Fortunate?”
“My daughter wanted to come here, so I wanted to check it out before sending her.”
“Oh? I didn’t know you had the fatherly instincts.”
“…Tch, is it reasonable for a king to still be single without an heir?”
“You don’t know how hard I’ve tried to avoid that predicament.”
“……”
The Lazy King shrugged playfully but suddenly fixed his expression and looked at the Fortunate King.
Then, more seriously than before, he bowed his head in apology.
“Oh, I’m sorry. It seems you’re also making a similar effort.”
“…Those eyes. I’ll have to poke them out. They’re making me feel uncomfortable.”
“I still have plenty of uses for them. My people are weaker than yours, after all.”
“Sigh…”
The Fortunate King placed a hand on his forehead, as if his head were pounding, shut his eyes tightly, and sighed.
Then he nodded, resigned.
“Fine, let’s stick together. It’s better than parading around with escorts.”
“Thank you.”
—
[“Oh, God! How is it that the wealthy trader Sinbad’s life is so different from the poor porter Sinbad’s? Every day, I endure countless hardships and misfortunes, struggling for a mere loaf of barley bread to save my family. Yet the fortunate trader Sinbad squanders money and indulges in lavish meals! What on Earth did he do to deserve such a joyous life while I, what have I done to deserve such a harsh fate?”]
[Hearing that lament by chance, the trader Sinbad invited the porter Sinbad to join him at a feast.]
[“I heard your complaints. Would you mind repeating that prayer you recited at the door?”]
[As the porter awkwardly apologized for his rudeness, the trader smiled and said he was quite pleased with the prayer and asked to hear it once more.]
[So, the porter repeated the prayer again, bringing joy to the trader Sinbad.]
[“I wish to tell you the story of the trials that I faced. You think I acquired all this good fortune without hardship, but that’s not true. I endured all imaginable adversity and danger for years before I reached this happiness.”]