Lixue and I spent over two hours prepping every dish. Steam curled like silken scarves, colors bloomed like a garden across the table. I wiped the sweat from my brow, satisfied.

Phew—finally done. Next, we deliver in style.

I shaped my Sword Aura into a gentle breeze. It cradled every plate and cup, then bore them away like a flock of swallows toward Xinuo and the others.

“Lixue, let’s go too.”

“Mm. So Sword Aura can do that, huh.”

We traded a grin, packed up the tools, and followed the wind carrying that banquet of dishes. We strolled out of the kitchen.

“So many tasty things… flying in the sky…”

We had just stepped out when we spotted Hill crouched by the door, a little drool glistening at her lip. Her small head turned, tracking the breeze of Sword Aura like a flower following sunlight.

Soft, adorable—my arms moved before thought. I scooped her up. Hill was warm and springy, sweet as fruit blossom, and ridiculously comfortable to hold.

“Hill, what are you doing here?”

I wiped the drool from her mouth, smiling.

“Boss!”

She burrowed her face into my chest and nuzzled for a long moment. Then she looked up, bright-eyed. “My mistress and the others were talking about boring stuff, so this little one went off to play. Then a delicious smell dragged me to the kitchen. But I tried really hard to resist! I couldn’t bother you while you were cooking~”

“I see. For your iron will, here’s your reward.”

Too cute to resist. I poked her velvety cheeks, then popped a candy into her mouth.

“Mmm—so sweet!”

Hill squinted in bliss, savoring the sugar like a sunlit secret.

…

A few minutes later, with Hill in my arms, Lixue and I returned to Xinuo’s side. The food and drinks were already lined up in perfect order, a tide of aromas riding the cool breeze.

“Hill, did you wash your hands?”

“I’ll do it now!”

She gathered mana; a sphere of clear water bloomed in her palm. In a heartbeat, her pale hands were spotless, sparkling like jade.

“Good to go. Hill, you can eat.”

“Okay!!”

Her eyes lit up. She dashed to sit beside Celia Maya, joy humming like a song.

Lixue and I chatted briefly with Xinuo and the others, then took our seats. Lunch officially began.

…

“Servant, I’ve heard from Celia Maya and Lingxiao about what you ran into on the Northern Abyss Continent.”

Midway through the meal, Xinuo spoke.

“Your growth isn’t slow. But with peace shaken, danger keeps cropping up. Not everyone in this world fears the Mizumi Clan.”

“That’s true. People slipped in from the Inner World and kept stirring trouble on the Northern Abyss Continent lately—though they never made big waves,” FrostyLily Dream said, sipping clear broth.

“So next, we plan to really train.”

I took the thread from FrostyLily Dream and laid out our plan to Xinuo.

Celia Maya looked apologetic. “Because Sir Xino and FrostyLily Dream weren’t around earlier, I arranged some training for Mizumi-kun and the others on my own. I’m truly sorry! Now that you’re back—”

“It’s fine,” Xinuo cut in with a slight shake of her head. “Given Crimson Dragon Heart’s current strength, teaching Servant and Lixue is more than enough. Besides, FrostyLily Dream and I will head to the Central Continent in a few days to look for some things. We won’t have much free time. Let Servant and Lixue train under Crimson Dragon Heart for now.”

“If Sir Xino says so, I’m relieved.”

Celia Maya finally exhaled, though Xinuo had told her not to be so formal.

“Eh? Little Emperor, you’re heading back to the Dragon Realm to train?! When do you leave?” Serenemoon blurted.

“Serenemoon, we came home with dear big brother to prepare some spirit herbs. We’ll likely return to the Dragon Realm the day after tomorrow,” Lingxiao answered for me.

“The day after tomorrow? You finally came back, and you’ll stay only two days?”

Her mood dipped. With Lei Hua and the others out of town yesterday, once we leave the day after tomorrow, Serenemoon will be alone again, idling in the main house.

“How about you come with us, Serenemoon?” Lingsaki suggested. “If staying alone at home bores you.”

“But if I go too, the main house becomes completely empty.”

“That’s… yeah, leaving the main house empty doesn’t feel great.”

I could understand. Any family would feel sad if the ancestral seat sat lifeless for long.

“You’re right… The main house is where our forebears lived, the birthplace of the Mizumi Clan. If everyone leaves, it doesn’t sit well,” Lingxiao sighed softly.

“I don’t get what you’re hung up on.”

Xinuo set down her teacup, looking at us like we’d grown extra heads. “A house isn’t a prison. Go wherever you want. Who cares if someone’s living there or not.”

“She’s right. A home’s a place you return to, not a cage,” FrostyLily Dream added, nodding. “You keep fretting over occupancy and turn it into shackles. What’s the point?”

“This little one agrees with Mistress!” Hill swallowed a mouthful and blinked at us. “Boss, it’s not like you’re leaving forever. Why worry if the house is occupied?”

“…Put that way, it makes sense.”

Lingxiao paused, then smiled. “Serenemoon, we’ve been overthinking. If you feel uneasy, come play in the Dragon Realm for a while and then head back.”

“Mm… alright! It’s no different from my usual trips across the Central Continent, just swapping destinations.”

Serenemoon nodded, relieved. The heavy topic finally landed.

…

After stuffing ourselves and cleaning up, we set our afternoon plans. I’m going herb-gathering with Serenemoon, Lingxiao, Lingsaki, and Hill. Xinuo’s going to take a lazy nap—she claims she hasn’t slept since the Worldgate incident. Lixue will catch up with FrostyLily Dream and pick her brain about training.

As for Celia Maya, she’ll split off from us and search for the herbs she needs. Different types, different soils—different places to grow.