Who are you?

I asked without thinking, eyes on the burly man charging in like a storm rolling over stone.

I am General Getuya Bodo of the Twentieth Legion of the Ice Rock Empire. I heard a thunderous crash and felt a crushing pressure, so I rushed here. Who are you, and why make trouble in Moonhundred City?

He had clearly sensed Lanxia’s bite behind her smile. He kept his blade-sharp gaze on her, speaking as if walking a line of frost.

We’re not making trouble. We’re sightseeing, but those stares were like gnats, and a few idiots tried to hit on us. So Lanxia released her Dragon Aura to drive them off.

Just for that?! Well, it tracks. With looks like yours, avoiding those idle noble brats is tough. Even my daughter got pestered last time she went out alone.

His guard thinned like fog in sun. He obviously didn’t think much of Moonhundred’s noble sons. Then his face snapped tight. Wait! You said Dragon Aura? Don’t tell me…

That’s right. This dragon is Dragon Kin. You ants, kneel and be quick!

Lanxia puffed her chest like a proud phoenix, wearing the world’s crown in her eyes.

We failed to recognize greatness. If we’ve offended, please forgive us!

Getuya and his soldiers went pale as chalk. They dropped to one knee, heads bowed, crushed under the full weight of her aura.

She was pressing them, and I got the point. Getuya wasn’t god-tier. My Sword Intent brushed his strength—high-tier saint level at best.

Offending this dragon is nothing. Offending Mizumi’s people? That turns grave fast. Got it?!

I understand… Wait. Did you just say Mizumi?

Yes! This is Mizumi—my master!

Lanxia hugged my arm like ivy clinging to a pillar, even more pleased with herself.

Hey, you silly dragon! Don’t seize the moment to cling to dear big brother!

Such sly behavior is not allowed.

Mmph… Let this dragon hold on a little longer…

Lingsaki and Lingxiao pried her off, and she looked as reluctant as a child losing candy.

People of the Mizumi Clan… it seems we must die to atone!

Getuya snatched his spear and angled it at his own throat, resolve cold as steel.

No need for that!

I stopped him fast. If he actually did it, I’d have to find another stage to reveal our identity.

If you want to make amends, Getuya, make sure those noble brats stop harassing us. Keeping Lanxia’s Dragon Aura up isn’t a game.

True. That would draw trouble everywhere and waste time.

Getuya lowered the spear, troubled breath clouding his words. To be honest, a lot of those noble sons are bold to the point of rotten. Their fathers and kin hold power in the Empire. It’s hard to offend them over “small” matters. Of course, to you, my lord, the entire Ice Rock Empire might be no more than a speck of dust.

General, should we report this to His Majesty?

Right! If His Majesty speaks, it’s solved cleanly.

Getuya’s eyes lit. If you don’t mind the hassle, please come to the palace with me. His Majesty will be delighted to hear you’re visiting the Ice Rock Empire.

Mizumi, let’s follow General Getuya. It’ll take a bit of time.

Lingxiao, Lingsaki, can you move us and Getuya to the palace?

Dear big brother’s request—if it’s not possible, we make it possible. Right, Lingsaki?

Right. Please tell us the precise location of the palace—no, His Majesty of the Ice Rock Empire’s exact whereabouts.

O-okay! The palace sits beside the Moonhundred Tower. His Majesty usually stays within the palace’s—

Before he finished, the sisters raised the Book of Day and the Book of Night. Pages flashed like wings catching dawn.

Spatial transfer!

In a blink, the street of Moonhundred City fell away. We stood in a grand hall dressed in gold and shadow, crystal light dripping from chandeliers. At the far end, a throne studded with magic crystals gleamed like a frozen constellation. A broad-shouldered man in a golden warplate sat crowned, looking no older than thirty or forty.

Our arrival startled him like thunder under clear skies. He relaxed a touch when he saw Getuya.

General Getuya, how did you appear from thin air? And who are they?

He rose from the throne, voice edged with authority like winter steel.

My lord Mizumi, allow me to introduce His Majesty—Colton Binsail, Emperor of the Ice Rock Empire. Then he introduced us and our purpose to Colton, step by step like laying stones.

So that’s how it is. Lord Mizumi and company wish to travel quietly, so I brought them—no, they used unbelievable spatial magic to bring me before His Majesty.

Oh, so this is the palace interior? Feels kind of ordinary.

Lanxia glanced around with a bored hum, disappointment fluttering like a weak flag.

Lanxia, that’s rude to say right to someone’s face.

I flicked her nose lightly. She pouted like a cat denied cream.

I’m just stating the truth.

…

Your Majesty, are you alright?

We waited, but Colton stayed silent, eyes wide as if he’d seen a dragon swallow the moon. Getuya stepped closer, worried.

Forgive me, everyone. I… was too shocked.

He came to himself and walked before us, disbelief lingering like frost. Please allow me to ask again. Are you truly from the Mizumi Clan?

I’m not.

Me neither.

Lixue and Nalu answered plain as clean water.

Then you are…

Tianyu Lixue, a friend of Emperor.

Nalu Geyas, their guide.

I see. Then the remaining four are members of the Mizumi Clan?

He nodded, realization settling like dust, and looked to me, my sisters, and Lanxia.

I’m Mizumi Emperor.

Mizumi Lingxiao, dear big brother’s little sister!

Mizumi Lingsaki, same.

We kept it simple. No need for more.

Please forgive my earlier discourtesy! It’s not that I doubted your identity. It’s just… unbelievable. And it’s our highest honor that the Mizumi Clan has come to the Ice Rock Empire.

Colton bowed his head, imperial weight dissolving like snow in spring.

It’s fine. People react like that.

Thank you for understanding. I’m grateful. Also, young lady with the blue hair—who might you be?

This dragon is Lanxia, noble Dragon Kin, mount of Mizumi!

How does a mount sound that proud?

A Dragon Kin mount?! As expected of the Mizumi Clan! Though… a mount isn’t counted as a member of the Mizumi Clan, right?

How not? I’m Mizumi’s mount! Calling me part of the Mizumi Clan is absolutely fine!

…

Everyone went silent, their expressions flat as a still lake.