The welcome party didn’t last long; beyond sampling little fireworks of delicacies and chatting with Colton, there wasn’t much to do.

Normally you’d trade words with princesses and noble ladies, maybe dance under chandelier constellations; with that, a party could flow till night like a slow river.

But Lingxiao and Lingsaki wouldn’t let the princesses or noble ladies drift too close to me, so the hall felt dull, like a lake with no wind. I didn’t mind; honestly, my feet itched to roam outside.

Getuya had said the young nobles on the streets were all sent home, leaving us a quiet city to wander, like snowfall after a storm.

So after about an hour and a half, the party wrapped up. The princesses and noble ladies never got a word in, and they filed out with faces wilted like evening blossoms.

“Lord Mizumi, if you don’t mind, would you stay at the Imperial Palace during your time in Moonhundred City?” Colton proposed as we were about to leave, his tone earnest as rain on stone.

“Emperor, just say yes. Saves us the trouble of hunting an inn,” Lixue chimed in, quick as a sparrow.

“That was my thought. I’ll trouble you then, Colton.”

Of course I agreed with a light heart; having someone prepare lodging is smoother than combing streets ourselves, like taking a ferry instead of swimming.

“Not a trouble! If the late Emperor who built the Binsair Imperial Palace knew you’d reside here today, he’d weep with joy,” Colton said, voice trembling like a bowstring. Honestly, I’d told him not to be so formal not long ago.

“I’ll go order the best suite in the palace prepared at once!”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Before we leave, I should give Colton something in return. Taking so much for free sits heavy, like a stone in the pocket, I thought.

…

“I never dreamed I’d set foot to live in the Binsair Imperial Palace. I’m only basking in your light, Mizumi,” Nalu said as we stepped through the ornate gates, her expression a tangle like threads in twilight.

“Nalu, you’re our friend. No basking, no debt,” Lingxiao said, voice calm as bamboo.

“It’s just a palace. Don’t fuss,” Lingsaki added, as cool as moonlight.

They spent years in the Daynight Sanctuary; after mountains and temples, a normal palace stirs little, like a ripple dying on a pond.

“For you, the Binsair Imperial Palace might be nothing. For residents of the Ice Rock Empire like me, it’s a place out of reach, like a star past the clouds.”

Nalu shook her head; our views really were different, like two rivers split by rock.

“You’re overthinking it,” Lanxia laughed, patting Nalu’s back like brushing dust. “If Mizumi went to the Dragon Realm, they’d be invited into the Dragon God’s Hall! A normal palace doesn’t even enter the conversation.”

“In short, wherever someone of the Mizumi Clan goes, they’re treated with utmost respect. That much never misses,” Lixue concluded, clean as a blade.

“…True enough.”

Honestly, my mood twisted like smoke—people honor us for the Mizumi name, not for us. Is that joy or gloom? No—being treated so respectfully shows their reverence for the Mizumi Clan. As the young head, I should feel pride like a banner in wind.

Yes. Outside these walls, Lingxiao, Lingsaki, and I stand for the Mizumi Clan. In others’ eyes, the Clan is us; that’s the shape of things.

With that thought, the knot loosened, like rain clearing. Nothing to fret. Still, a small question flickered: is this truly alright?

…

Back on the street, we found far fewer pedestrians; the young nobles were gone. The earlier bustle had drained away, leaving the avenue cool and bare, like a riverbed after festival.

We saw only shop workers and a few noble ladies in silk that shimmered like fish scales.

I do like lively streets, but I’ll choose quiet over being accosted or stared at; peace lets you play, like shade under a pine.

So where do we wander next? I glanced around. Plenty of shops, but they felt dull—nothing we wanted to buy, just shells with no pearl.

“Nalu, where are we playing next?” I’d almost forgotten we had a guide.

“Fun spots… honestly, the center of Moonhundred City differs from elsewhere in that there are several major auction houses, plus famous gear emporiums and potion shops. Those are the main places,” Nalu said, with a wry smile like dusk. “But for you, Mizumi, I doubt anything there would catch your eye.”

“No kidding!” Lanxia lifted her chin, bright as a flame. “What good stuff could they have? Even if they do, it’s probably low-tier junk.”

“Exactly…” Nalu’s smile grew more rueful. “Leaving those aside, the most popular place in Moonhundred City is the Fengyue Pavilion.”

“Fengyue Pavilion—what is that?” Lixue asked, eyebrow arched like a willow.

“Uh, simply put, it’s a place for wine and romance, frequently visited by noble young masters…”

“Stop!” Lingxiao cut in, sharp as thunder. “It’s basically a brothel, isn’t it? How could we bring dear brother to something so filthy! Absolutely not!”

“Mm. Going there would be a profanation of our dear brother,” Lingsaki nodded, eyes cold as frost.

“I’m sorry! I was just giving examples. I would never take you to a place like that, Mizumi!” Nalu bowed, quick as a swallow.

“…It’s fine. And Lingxiao, Lingsaki, no need to get so worked up. Like I’d ever go there,” I soothed, steadying their tempers like laying a hand on restive horses.

“Forget it; let’s stroll through an auction house or a gear emporium. I haven’t been to one,” I said after a moment, curiosity rustling like leaves.

“No objections. We don’t need to buy anything, but looking might be nice,” Lixue agreed, smooth as silk. The sisters and Lanxia nodded as well.

“Alright. I hope it won’t disappoint,” Nalu said, smile returning like sun after cloud.

She pointed at a nearby gear store dressed in ornate wood and brass. “Let’s start there. It’s one of Moonhundred City’s four big gear markets; they say you can find any kind of equipment.”

“Do they sell divine artifacts?” I asked, a touch naïve, like tossing a pebble into a deep pool.

“Uh… I don’t think so.”

“…”