Being too reckless isn’t good, but those eyes are needles. Lixue murmured, then suggested: "Lanxia, press your Dragon Aura to the minimum. Make nearby gazes shy away from us."
"This dragon understands!"
At her words, Lanxia’s Dragon Aura thinned like mist. Even so, it still cowed the weak and ordinary like a storm shadow.
"This level is perfect! Good job, Lanxia."
"Yeah, at least it’s not flaunting like before."
As a reward, the sisters stroked Lanxia’s head, smoothing proud scales. Though they looked about the same age, the scene felt natural, like water finding its level.
"Nalu, there’s something I want to ask."
"Mizumi, ask anything. If I know it, I’ll answer straight."
Unease pricked me like thorns. "Why are those nobles’ deeds so terrifying?"
Not all of them, but the rotten ones were more than I thought. Just like the dusty novels I used to read at home.
"Terrifying?"
Nalu looked puzzled, head tilted like a curious cat.
"Yes. Their sons do every evil, grind common folk daily, never do honest work. Is that what power is for?"
"So that’s what you meant, Mizumi..." She hadn’t expected it; Nalu blinked, then said, "Most noble brats are spoiled by their parents."
"Spoiled?"
Confusion swirled like fog; I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
"Yes. Doted on at home, tempted outside, dragged by bad company. They swell with swagger and throw their weight around. It’s almost inevitable."
"Nonsense!"
No sooner had Nalu finished than Lingxiao cut in. "Our parents dote on our dear Brother and us—no doubt. He hasn’t turned bad. He’s only grown more perfect!"
"Lingxiao, comparing Brother to those so-called nobles is too rude!"
Rarely seen, Lingsaki, whose face is calm as winter water, actually scolded Lingxiao.
"I’m sorry, dear Brother!"
She bowed her head at once. I lifted Lingxiao’s beautiful face gently and smiled. "It’s fine. I’m happy I stand so high in your heart."
"Dear Brother has always ranked highest in my heart!"
She hugged me tight, her smile bright as spring light.
...
Our sibling talk left Nalu staring; then she sighed, helpless. "There’s no comparing. No noble beats the Mizumi Clan."
"Birth can’t be chosen, but conduct can," Lixue said, disappointment falling like cold drizzle. "They don’t deserve the word ‘noble.’"
"Miss Lixue is right. But expecting nobles to be as gentle as Mizumi is unrealistic." Nalu sighed, her look tangled like river reeds. "Mizumi, yesterday you said only the Mizumi Clan’s hundred or so live on the Central Continent, right?"
"Yeah. It’s eerily quiet."
"Exactly. Few people, more resources than anyone could use, so everyone lives at ease, happy as sun-warmed stones. In that soil, nature won’t twist too far.
Outside? Wealth pools with the imperial aristocracy and a few peerless powerhouses. Those royals indulge their children. Countless commoners fight just to survive. They swallow it even when noble brats bully them to death, because they can’t avenge. In that rotting backdrop, how many keep high virtue? Much less nobles with power reining themselves in."
Nalu sighed again. "Sorry. I drifted into a rant."
Guilt sat heavy like a stone. "It’s fine... I shouldn’t have asked."
Environment shapes character—deeply. A faint understanding settled in me of why our ancestors barred anyone but the Mizumi Clan from the Central Continent. Too many people, and it would turn messy like the outside.
"Hold it, hold it!"
Feeling the air sink, Lanxia shouted in her bright voice, "Don’t let pointless stuff sour your mood, Mizumi! Those ant-like nobles’ low conduct is their problem. As long as they don’t cross this dragon—hmph!"
Earlier, to keep street noise from muddying our talk, Lingxiao had casually set a soundproof ward. Wise move. If Lanxia’s words leaked, they’d stir big trouble. She had just mocked every noble.
"I agree with Lanxia. We came out to play, not to collect gloom," Lixue said.
"Sorry for souring the mood." Nalu snapped back to her usual cheer and gave her cheeks a brisk pat. "No time like the present. Let me guide you through Moonhundred City!"
...
