Avatar - Conquering the Elements-Chapter 97. Miscellaneous

While Roku mastered new abilities, equally intriguing events were unfolding elsewhere...

Bumi and Toph were up to something, with a visibly nervous Lao lurking nearby.

At the highest level of the postal service, a peculiar scene was taking place—one that no longer surprised the employees working there.

"Just once! Come on!" Toph pleaded with her beloved honorary grandfather, making the most pitiful face she could muster.

"Your parents will give me disapproving looks again," Bumi shook his head, though it was clear this was a well-rehearsed act between the two. All to ensure onlookers would say, "Our King resisted until the very end! He's not to blame!"

"No one will find out, right?" Toph glanced at the two male handlers and the female worker. They nodded quickly. Who would dare speak against the ruler and the daughter of the most influential person on the continent? Look elsewhere for fools!

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"Fine, fine, you've convinced me, you silver-tongued girl!" Bumi relented, or rather, let himself be persuaded. Turning their backs to the others, Toph and Bumi exchanged mischievous winks. Of course, all their movements were plainly visible to everyone...

"Launch us!" Bumi commanded, already seated in the cargo crate. As Bumi himself put it, "When someone else launches you, the fun doubles!"

"Give it your strongest push!" Toph eagerly added, addressing the pale-faced earthbenders, each hesitating to be the one to do it. After all, none of them wanted to be accomplices in this situation. They knew full well that Lord Lao did not approve of his daughter's antics.

"Alright, alright!" The younger handler resigned himself to his fate, closing his eyes as he pushed them forward.

"Yee-haw!" Toph squealed joyfully, throwing her arms up.

"Toph! Bumi!" Barely a second later, Toph's enraged father appeared in the postal office, his expression promising nothing good.

"Yes! We got away with it!" The two troublemakers high-fived each other.

"Do you think we'll get another ride, my old friend?" Bumi mused, believing the best descent had been with Aang, whose airbending could significantly boost their speed.

*

Later that day, two hours later.

Near one of the inner walls, someone was giving full rein to their muse. Toph stood with her tongue sticking out, her face intensely focused. In her hands was a large brush, from which black paint dripped slowly onto the ground. Nearby, on the wall, the words "TOUGH GIRL WAS HERE..." were already written in large letters.

Not far from her, a man in a dark cloak stood nervously...

Their choice of disguise seemed to bother them not at all. The few passersby pretended not to notice. Even the seasoned city guards seemed to deliberately look the other way.

"Hey, what are you doing there?!" A young guard, looking far younger than his uniform suggested, shouted angrily at what he perceived as malicious vandals. "This is city property! Defacing it is punishable!"

"Let's bail!" The cloaked man shouted—in a voice all too familiar. "We've been spotted!"

"You'll never catch us! Art will live on!" Toph yelled defiantly, until her accomplice scooped her up, immediately picking up speed, practically gliding across the ground.

"Hey! What are you standing there for? Catch them!" The young guard said, noticing his colleagues nearby, who for some reason were doing nothing.

Behind him, interesting conversations were taking place among the passersby, explaining the situation perfectly.

"It's heartwarming to see our King so energetic!" A fruit vendor said, nearly wiping away tears.

"Only with Lady Toph does he seem to come alive again," his companion agreed just as warmly.

"At least this time, he's wearing something other than his usual outfit," a guard who had been there the whole time chuckled.

"Yeah, last time he was in his purple robe, which almost the entire city recognizes," his partner replied with a crooked smile. "This guy must be new on the job," he added, watching the soldier who was still chasing Toph and Bumi.

"He'll figure it out soon enough," the first guard replied with a sly smile. In their line of work, this was a rite of passage for newcomers.

*

That evening, at Flopsy's large enclosure.

"Flopsy! I've bet on you! Toph loves using chokeholds! Don't let her get too close!" Bumi excitedly waved his hands, enthusiastically commenting on his pet's ongoing battle with the humanoid stone figures Toph was controlling.

"Hey, no coaching!" Toph protested, directing the stone figures. Her creation perfectly mirrored her movements.

"Quiet, quiet," Bumi raised his hands. "You've got this, Flopsy!"

The massive, muscular paws of the local gorilla-goat hybrid tightly gripped the stone figure's arms. Flopsy's small tail wagged furiously, showing his excited mood.

A minute later, the winner was decided. The element won! But there was no sadness, as the loser received a consolation prize.

"Who's such a good boy! Who loves cuddles so much!" Toph cooed, practically burying herself in his soft belly fur.

"Finally, I've found you!" Lao exclaimed, catching his breath. "Young lady, we need to have a serious talk!"

"He always says 'young lady' when he's really mad, so we should retreat now!" Bumi quickly whispered in Toph's ear. She nodded wisely, absorbing her old friend's wisdom.

"Okay, Dad, I get it, I behaved badly," Toph said in an angelic voice.

"...Alright, let's go eat, the table's set," Lao sighed wearily. "Same thing every time."

*

It seems they've kept themselves busy while I was away. Looking at Bumi and Toph's satisfied faces, and Lao's slightly strained smile, I can guess what's been happening within these city walls.

"Your fame matches your strength. Honestly, I didn't expect you to master this technique so quickly!" Bumi seemed genuinely impressed.

"I want a super-cool technique too!" Toph raised her hand.

"We'll teach you everything in time," Bumi said, waving his food around as usual. "But you're still at the beginning. Try using vibrations for something other than destruction in your free time. I've already encountered this issue. These waves from the ground seem made only for destruction, and redirecting them is incredibly difficult. I haven't managed it yet."

"Lao, Roku, there are a few rough edges in your plan," King Bumi said once he finished his salad.

Lao and I perked up. This was largely why we'd come to see him. With his experience, he could undoubtedly offer valuable advice. Lao and Bumi had already discussed many points, making corrections and additions here and there.

"Lao is already in the hearts of our citizens, but they still see Roku as just a soldier who can only bend earth," Bumi said bluntly.

"Hmph, they don't know anything," Toph snorted. "Roku can do anything!" Ah, her words will warm my heart for a long time.

"No doubt! But," he raised a finger, "they need to know that too."

"Do you already have a plan?"

"We'll make Roku the King of Omashu!" He slammed the table, nearly falling off his throne. Adjusting his strange headpiece, he continued as if nothing had happened, "I've been looking for a successor for a long time, and I think this will prove he's got brains too!"

Even Toph was silent. The same question popped into all three of our heads: "Is it really that simple?"

"I'll handle everything. You'll see tomorrow."

I decided not to comment. If Bumi said it, something would definitely work out. Besides, it would indeed lay a good foundation for my future ascension to the throne. The King of Omashu is the highest aristocrat who, after the death of the entire royal family of Ba Sing Se, could claim leadership of the nation.

The next day, Bumi led me and Toph straight to the central square, where nearly half of all the merchants had gathered. While there was still time, I suggested creating several experimental transport lines for quick travel.

"I didn't know you were one of us!" Bumi slapped his knee. "We need to show everyone the joys of riding!"

"That's Roku for you!" Toph chimed in. It felt like I'd been misunderstood...

Soon, we found ourselves in the heart of the city, its busiest part. Bumi, standing still, created a platform of earth beneath us that began to rise, stopping only when it reached three meters high. As the earth grew, the crowd started to notice us.

"People, I've found a successor! It's your beloved Roku! The bane of bandits! The doom of firebenders! The breaker of hearts!" The more Bumi spoke, the redder my ears became. And the worst part was, all these nicknames were widely known among the people of the Earth Kingdom. I'd like to give those inventors a piece of my mind!

Somewhere in the western part of the country, Chong—founder of the bard group "The Singing Nomads"—sneezed.

The listeners were conflicted. No one likes change. King Bumi was loved and respected by all, but they also understood he wasn't immortal. So, if someone else was going to take power, why not Roku? Maybe he's not just strong in bending? Such questions swirled in their minds.

"He's always been my student!" Huh? "But you know how strict and wise I can be... I told him, until your name is on every lip in our Kingdom, don't come back!" The people immediately looked at me with even greater respect. "That's all from me!"

The crowd began whispering among themselves. This topic would be discussed for another month, and I still didn't know it would grow into such details that I'd want to bury myself underground...

"Don't worry, I've got everything arranged—paperwork, knowledgeable people filling it out," he patted me on the shoulder. "You'll sit in my seat for a couple of years, find a replacement, and take on even greater responsibilities," he chuckled, already imagining the problems Lao and I would have to clean up after Long Feng.

Later, Bumi told me how they kept overconfident officials in check in their city. Traditionally, these positions were held by ordinary people without bending abilities. In the past, it was common for them to... exceed their authority somewhat. The first time, they were generously forgiven, given a second chance to correct themselves, while being added to a list. The second time... they died alive in creeping crystal or jennomites.

They were forcibly fitted with jennomite rings that grew, covering their entire bodies and cutting off their oxygen supply. They could prolong their agony by, say, licking their way to air, but it didn't save their lives. Horror movies, basically. The close relatives of the offenders became pariahs, forced to regain their former status over generations.

The law is written for everyone, and it reserves equally harsh punishments for the gifted. Moreover, Omashu, despite its size and large population, has long been simmering in its own juice, and the residents know each other well.

The system works flawlessly to this day. That's why Bumi can afford to continue his mischief with Toph. Another reason for creating such strict punishments is to provide enough time for the King to develop his own strengths.

Only now did I understand why Omashu is considered a state within a state. And it seems I've already become part of this world, as I didn't even think to criticize such a state of affairs...