Days slipped by quietly.

Mulan stayed holed up in her room, absorbing knowledge from this other world—determined to surpass Mirophiel in record time.

Only by surpassing that woman could she repay the disrespect shown to her.

First, she needed to grasp Mirophiel’s true background.

She was a genuine Sunshatter Rank powerhouse.

With a casual flick, she could unleash devastation rivaling a nuclear strike.

Right now, she even managed most members of the Starplucking Court in place of the Starplucking Princess—Mulan herself.

The Court had nine administrators.

At the top sat the Starplucking Princess.

Beneath her stood the strongest: the Plunder Witch.

Then came several other elites, all officially Solarcrown Rank—but capable of unleashing Sunshatter-level power in battle.

Historically, the Starplucking Court had thrived for centuries.

After the previous Princess vanished, the Plunder Witch took command.

Mirophiel’s style? Ruthless plunder.

Wherever she went, nothing was left standing.

Her actions offended countless powerful factions—each itching to tear the Plunder Witch limb from limb.

With the other seven leaders inactive for ages, rumors claimed they’d abandoned the Court.

Many factions had even plotted to gather multiple Sunshatter experts and wipe the Court out entirely.

No wonder the Starplucking Court was so deeply hated.

But Mulan’s focus drifted elsewhere.

“Hiss— The Court’s been around for *hundreds* of years? So *she’s* hundreds of years old?! Her looks are a total lie! So young and pretty on the outside… but an old hag underneath!”

A sharp sting of betrayal twisted in her chest.

*Click.*

The door swung open.

“Hm?”

Mirophiel stepped in with a gentle smile.

Her slender calves, sheathed in faintly sheer white stockings, crossed with each step.

Booted feet seemed to tread straight onto Mulan’s soul.

Every movement flowed with catwalk elegance.

An invisible pressure thickened the air—a clear sign of Mirophiel’s foul mood.

“Oh my~ Did I just overhear something… *interesting*? Care to share, my dear Starplucking Princess~?”

“Eeek!!!”

Mulan’s heart jolted. Her hair bristled slightly.

Like a startled little beast, she scrambled backward from footboard to headboard.

“I—I didn’t say *anything*!”

*When under another’s roof, you bow your head.*

Mirophiel was a notorious Sunshatter Rank powerhouse—and a disobedient subordinate.

Only a fool would provoke her after a full meal.

Mirophiel tilted her head in an endearing, almost innocent gesture—nothing like what you’d expect from an ageless immortal.

“But… I *did* hear ‘old hag.’ Could that possibly be about *me*?”

*Blink.*

Mirophiel flickered—appearing inches from Mulan’s face.

*Such was the terror of a Sunshatter Rank expert.*

“My dear Princess, let me educate you: for ageless beings, a youthful heart never withers. Even after centuries, I remain forever seventeen. Understood?”

She gently stroked Mulan’s head, then pulled her into a tender embrace—as if cradling something fragile, easily broken.

“I’ll overlook it this time. But if it happens again? Even as Starplucking Princess… I’ll spank you *hard*.”

Mulan squeaked in a tiny, trembling voice, “I understand.”

“Mm~ Good girl.”

Satisfied, Mirophiel took Mulan’s delicate hand and led her out.

“Dinnertime~ Care to join me?”

“Dinner?”

Mulan’s mood instantly lifted.

*Heaven and earth bow to hunger!*

As long as Mirophiel served delicious food, even the shame of nearly wetting herself in fear could be forgotten.

If Mulan’s appetite were a cat? She’d be deep in the Halfstep Tangerine Cat Realm!

—Scene shift—

The spacious living room welcomed them.

Mulan scanned the surroundings again.

The decor radiated otherworldly elegance—architecture and furniture steeped in aristocratic artistry.

Outside the window stretched a vast estate.

Scenery so breathtaking it intoxicated the soul.

Vibrant, natural energy hummed in the air.

Hard to believe the infamous Plunder Witch lived in such sunlit serenity—more noble lady than villainess.

*This* was the Starplucking Court’s true dread.

If only she could fully command it…

But first, she had a mountain to climb.

Surpassing Mirophiel would take time.

Still—Mulan wouldn’t quit.

The mission from the mysterious girl who sent her here remained unfinished.

Once done? She’d finally savor this world’s wonders.

“How was dinner?” Mirophiel rested her chin on her palm, watching the pink-haired creature devour her meal.

Monitoring the Princess’s appetite was part of the job.

“So fresh! So delicious!” Mulan beamed.

Before primal hunger—one of life’s three great desires—all worries faded.

*Eat first. Panic later.*

After dinner, Mirophiel led her on a stroll through the estate.

Dusk painted the landscape in blood-red hues, deepening its charm.

Soul-soothing. Breathtaking.

Days of care from a powerful witch meant zero daily worries.

But Mulan hadn’t grown soft.

She was biding her time.

*Reclaim my authority. Soon.*

“Mirophiel… how will you help me grow stronger?”

The ability gifted by the mysterious girl felt developmental.

Mulan sensed formidable energy within—but it was confusing.

Surely a Sunshatter expert like Mirophiel could unlock it.

“Call me *Sister* Mirophiel.”

Mulan’s mind raced. *Swallow pride. Just this once.*

“Sister Mirophiel.”

“Mm-hmm~ Better. As leader of the Starplucking Court, I won’t let our Princess stay weak. If people think you’re just a mascot? *I’d* be embarrassed.”

A spine-chilling smile curved Mirophiel’s lips.

*Gulp.*

Mulan swallowed hard.

*This witch is terrifying.*

Dread coiled in her chest.

“No rush. I’m researching it.”

“When will it be ready?”

“Mm~ A few years, perhaps.”

Mulan’s soul incantations were overwhelmingly vast.

Mirophiel wouldn’t waste all her time deciphering them—not when the Court was about to “borrow” a sacred relic from another race.

Let the research wait.

Too time-consuming. Too stressful.

And right now? This pink-haired girl lacked the strength to help her unwind.

Mulan’s vision dimmed.

*This is really… hopeless!*