In an instant, the entire Seat of Divine Foresight fell into dead silence.
It was obvious that not only Jing Yuan, but Fu Xuan and Yukong as well, had been stunned by Mobius's answer.
Three years old?
That made her a hatchling.
This Dragon Sovereign of the Vidyadhara, who could summon a great dragon, overwhelm Jing Yuan by sheer presence, and dismiss the divine general's spirit as pitifully weak—was only three years old?
"…Three?" Jing Yuan's voice came out a little unsteady.
"Miss Mobius, did you just say you are three years old this year?"
Mobius tilted her head, seeming puzzled by their reaction.
"What's wrong? Is it really that surprising for me to be three?"
There was a problem here—and a very big one.
Jing Yuan muttered inwardly.
Xianzhou people did often look younger than their true age, but that was just appearance. This was the reverse. Even Dan Heng, even Dan Feng, had never been like this.
Three years old.
Jing Yuan silently chewed the words over again, then overturned every earlier assumption he had made about her "not liking to study history."
It was not that she disliked studying. She simply had not lived long enough to study.
Aside from the geniuses of the Genius Society, who in the world raised a three-year-old hatchling like this?
Still, if that was the case, then their assessment of Yuanqiao would need to change yet again.
Alas. An entire Xianzhou reduced in the end to a single three-year-old child. The thought was enough to make one sigh.
After steadying himself, Jing Yuan forced a smile and continued, "Ahem. In that case, Miss Mobius truly is… precociously accomplished."
Mobius frowned at him suspiciously.
"What? Do you think it strange for a Dragon Sovereign to be three years old?"
"Not at all, not at all." Jing Yuan waved his hands at once, the smile on his face so stiff that even he could feel it. "The succession of a Vidyadhara Dragon Sovereign has always been extraordinary. If anything, it was my earlier question that was presumptuous."
Then he carefully steered the conversation onward. "That said, Miss Mobius, what are your plans from here?"
The moment the question left his mouth, Jing Yuan himself found it faintly absurd.
He was the General of the Luofu, master of the Seat of Divine Foresight for centuries. Since when had he ever spoken to someone in the tone one used to coax a child?
But he had no choice.
This little Dragon Sovereign was undeniably at the height of her strength. She was fully capable of pinning him to the ground and beating him to death. And yet she was only three.
That made things extremely awkward.
Jing Yuan could not scold her the way he scolded Yanqing, nor could he indulge her the way one indulged Bailu.
Mobius did not answer right away.
Though she had already decided what she intended to do, she was still playing the role of a three-year-old newly awakened from an age long gone. Naturally, she had to act the part a little.
"If that's the case, then I'll stay on the Luofu for now. General Jing Yuan, you did just say that the Alliance would help me find Yuanqiao, didn't you?"
Jing Yuan met her gaze and nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Only a single word, but it carried great weight.
Mobius did not press any further. She merely set down her teacup with a light clink.
"Then thank you."
Looking at how unexpectedly obedient she seemed, Jing Yuan found himself feeling strangely heavy-hearted.
He thought back to the image he had seen that day in the Matrix of Prescience. The figure of the Crimson Kite General had long since been blurred by time, but the words she had spoken seemed carved into stone.
"For Yuanqiao's final spark."
Now Jing Yuan felt he finally understood a little of what that meant.
It had not been some strategic withdrawal. It had not been temporary refuge.
It had been a farewell.
Yuanqiao, as a whole, had spent its last strength sending out its only remaining hope.
And that child—she did not even know that she could never return.
Perhaps because he now knew her true age, Jing Yuan felt compelled to say a little more.
"Miss Mobius, though the Luofu may still feel unfamiliar to you, since you are willing to remain here, I will give you my word—on the Luofu, you will be treated as one of our own."
Mobius let out a small laugh.
"…General Jing Yuan, you're actually kind of nice."
…
Very soon, Mobius left, and Jing Yuan arranged for someone to prepare living quarters for her.
Now only the Luofu's familiar trio remained in the Seat of Divine Foresight.
The teacup tapped lightly against the wooden table.
"Well then, the two of you—what are your impressions of this Dragon Sovereign of Yuanqiao?"
Jing Yuan's voice had recovered some of its usual laziness, but those who knew him well could hear the deep calculation hidden beneath it.
Fu Xuan was the first to speak.
She had clearly been holding back for some time, and now that she finally had the chance, she nearly sprang up from her seat.
"General, don't you think the way you spoke to that Dragon Sovereign was far too improper?"
"Oh?" Jing Yuan raised his brows, half amused. "In what way?"
"In all of it." Fu Xuan bit her lip. "Promising that the Alliance would help her recover Yuanqiao. Telling her we'd treat her as one of our own. Your words were far too sweeping."
Her concern was not unreasonable.
After all, they had only exchanged words. Nothing had been proven.
By the standards of Alliance protocol, Jing Yuan's conduct had indeed been overly partial.
Yet Jing Yuan did not deny it. He only asked in return, "Then what do you think I ought to have said?"
"At the very least…" Fu Xuan chose her words with care. "At the very least, we should have verified her identity first, confirmed whether she was telling the truth, and only then discussed arrangements afterward. Not—"
"Not let ourselves be led around by the nose by a three-year-old child?"
Fu Xuan did not answer.
But her silence was answer enough.
Jing Yuan chuckled.
"…Fu Xuan, you are still too young."
The moment he challenged her experience again, Fu Xuan bristled—but Jing Yuan continued before she could cut in.
"Fu Xuan, tell me. How strong do you think Miss Mobius is?"
Fu Xuan paused, then answered honestly, "Very strong. Far stronger than the Imbibitor Lunae aboard the Astral Express."
Then, perhaps still annoyed from earlier, she added flatly, "I think she could kick you to death with one foot."
Jing Yuan: "…"
His mouth twitched, but in the end he said nothing in rebuttal.
"She is indeed very strong," he admitted, lifting his fresh cup of tea as steam curled between them. "And that is precisely why I had to speak the way I did."
"What do you mean?" Fu Xuan frowned.
Jing Yuan explained, "Think about it. This is someone with strength enough to crush an Emanator, and she is very likely one of our own people."
"She may even be Yuanqiao's only surviving heir—the very spark the Crimson Kite General entrusted everything to."
"With all that in mind, should we not show her at least a little compassion?"
Fu Xuan fell silent.
Though she was rigid by nature, she could not deny that Jing Yuan had a point.
Seeing her reaction, Jing Yuan sighed inwardly.
This Fu Xuan of his—she excelled in every respect, save one. She was too upright, too uncompromising.
A Dragon Sovereign of such overwhelming strength, with so many clues already pointing toward the truth of her origins—and Fu Xuan's first instinct had not been to put her at ease, but to demand airtight proof.
That was fairness, certainly. It was just procedure, certainly.
But it lacked human warmth.
And would that not chill the heart of the other party?
This, perhaps more than anything else, was why Jing Yuan had always kept her just short of the final step.
Otherwise, at his age, he could have retired long ago.
He set down his teacup and continued, "This matter has already been reported to the Marshal. And before long, the next Wardance ceremony will be held. As it happens, two old acquaintances are currently on the Luofu as well."
"Per the Marshal's wishes, the matter of Miss Mobius will likely be investigated by the few of us first."
"And now that this Dragon Sovereign is willing to remain on the Luofu and place her trust in us—even if that trust is born merely from youthful innocence—it is still an excellent thing for us."
Then, as if worried Fu Xuan still did not understand, Jing Yuan added one last thing.
"Fu Xuan, this Miss Mobius is the last survivor of Yuanqiao. She is the spark the Crimson Kite General sent out at the cost of her life."
"Tell me—does the Xianzhou Alliance not owe her something?"
Fu Xuan said nothing.
Of course she understood. If Mobius was telling the truth, then she did not merely represent a Dragon Sovereign's identity—she embodied the final will of Yuanqiao itself.
"And besides," Jing Yuan went on, "even if she is lying, what sort of trouble can a three-year-old child really stir up on the Luofu?"
"A three-year-old child who can kick you to death in one move," Fu Xuan corrected expressionlessly.
Jing Yuan: "…"
Jing Yuan took a slow breath and decided to move on.
"In any case, arrange for her to settle down first. Pass word to Lingsha as well and have her keep Miss Mobius company. Since they are both Vidyadhara, they should be able to get along."
Yukong spoke up at that point. "And what of the Vidyadhara elders?"
"If they learn that Miss Mobius is here…"
Jing Yuan's smile dimmed slightly.
"Keep a close eye on them," he said, his tone finally edged with something colder. "Those old fossils have already been stirring lately. If they discover an outsider Dragon Sovereign with no backing and no support has arrived on the Luofu, who knows what ideas they'll get."
"You believe the elders would harm her?" Fu Xuan asked.
"Not harm, perhaps. But use? Certainly." Jing Yuan sighed. "A powerful Dragon Sovereign, rootless, young, and ignorant of the world—what do you think those old men would see?"
After all, he knew more or less how Bailu had lived all these years.
And truth be told, it was only because those Dragon Elders had not crossed the final line yet that Jing Yuan had tolerated them this long. Otherwise, even if it meant violating the Luofu's agreement with the Vidyadhara, he would already have made them pay.
"That's enough for now." Jing Yuan waved a hand. "Yukong, arrange Miss Mobius's residence. It needn't be ostentatious, but she must not be made to feel neglected."
…
Soon, a week had passed.
Under Jing Yuan's arrangements, Mobius had taken up residence in a small courtyard near the Alchemy Commission, with Lingsha—who had yet to officially assume her post there—temporarily assigned to look after her.
The reason was simple.
Given Mobius's身份, someone of Vidyadhara blood ought to be the one tending to her. That would better convey the Luofu's goodwill.
And in the current state of the Luofu's Vidyadhara, if they appointed just any ordinary member to the task, the entire race would know about Yuanqiao's Dragon Sovereign by the next day.
In contrast, Lingsha—this "returned scholar" newly arrived from the Zhuming—was perfect.
She had the qualifications. She had already met Mobius. And she was politically detached enough.
Who could be more suitable?
So the yet-to-be-formally-appointed Lingsha found herself entrusted by Jing Yuan with the weighty task of caring for a Dragon Sovereign.
Naturally, she did not refuse.
Only, after a week of contact, Mobius's initial image as a lofty and awe-inspiring Dragon Sovereign had undergone… certain changes.
"I said I want grilled meat skewers. Lots and lots of meat skewers. Are you planning to defy the will of this Dragon Sovereign, you reckless Dan Zhu?!"
At that very moment, within Mobius's residence, a war over food was underway.
Lingsha stood at the doorway holding a steaming bowl of medicinal porridge, her expression one of utter helplessness.
"Little Dragon Sovereign, your body has only just recovered. You really shouldn't be eating food that greasy. And besides—"
She took a deep breath, trying to keep her tone respectful.
"My name is not Dan Zhu. That was a name I used a very long time ago. I am called Lingsha now."
Indeed, ever since Mobius had learned by chance what her old name had once been, she had stubbornly insisted on calling her that instead.
And for some reason, when that girl used the name Dan Zhu in that utterly matter-of-fact way, with that peculiar expression of hers, Lingsha always found herself strangely unable to refuse.
Still, after a week, she had developed at least some resistance.
And as for Miss Mobius—though her tone was tyrannical and overbearing, no matter how firm Lingsha was, she never actually used her rank to bully her.
On that point alone, Lingsha found her rather adorable.
"Dan Zhu is Dan Zhu. Why bother changing names?" Mobius retorted grandly, sitting cross-legged on the bed with her arms folded, dragon horns glimmering softly in the candlelight.
"And my body is perfectly fine. I do not need porridge. I want meat."
"But last night you said your stomach hurt—"
"That was hunger!"
Lingsha: "…"
By now, Lingsha had figured her out completely. This Miss Mobius might possess overwhelming strength, but at heart she was still just a stubborn three-year-old child.
And the problem was, Lingsha could not even really argue with her.
Because every time Mobius looked over with that expression of "Do you dare question this Dragon Sovereign?", Lingsha got the distinct feeling that she was somehow bullying a child.
Well. It probably wasn't just a feeling.
"Little Dragon Sovereign, you've already eaten three meals," Lingsha said, sounding a little desperate.
"As a physician, I must remind you—"
"I'm not one of the Luofu's Vidyadhara. What I eat is none of your concern."
Mobius cut her off righteously, then leaned half-back onto the soft couch in the courtyard.
She still held a bamboo skewer in her hand, the last cube of meat clenched between her teeth, cheeks puffed out.
Lingsha took a deep breath and silently recited three times to herself: She is a Dragon Sovereign. I must not get angry.
In this past week she had seen through the full truth of this Yuanqiao Dragon Sovereign.
Day one: overwhelming pressure, supreme poise, a single sentence enough to silence the entire Alchemy Commission.
Day two: discovered the Luofu had food delivery services, ordered a full platter of grilled meats, and her eyes lit up.
Day three until now: Lingsha had memorized the numbers of every grilled meat shop on the Luofu.
Truly, at times Lingsha felt this Dragon Sovereign had become little more than a useless glutton-dragon.
Eating was one thing. But why did she have to eat nothing but meat? Her nutrition was completely unbalanced!
After all, Jing Yuan himself had told her: Miss Mobius was only three, still growing.
Eating more meat did help one grow—but she couldn't live on only that, could she?
Still, if she was being honest, Lingsha understood her. More than that, she pitied her a little.
Because, due to her role in caring for this little Dragon Sovereign, Jing Yuan had broken precedent and told Lingsha about the Enigmata, about Yuanqiao, about everything.
And after learning the truth, Lingsha could more or less understand why this Dragon Sovereign was so ravenous.
If Yuanqiao had truly been self-sealed and cut off from the outside world for six hundred years, then even if it had managed to remain self-sufficient, life there must have been extremely frugal.
"How about this," Lingsha said, trying to negotiate. "I'll go grill some for you. But only three skewers. Then you drink the porridge, all right?"
"Ten skewers."
"Four."
"Eight."
"Five. Not one more." Lingsha raised her hand, expression firm.
Mobius stared at her for three full seconds, then turned her head away.
"…Fine. Five, then. But I want them spicy."
"No spice."
"Dan Zhu!" Mobius shouted again.
"…A little spice," Lingsha compromised.
She turned toward the kitchen, took two steps, then paused and glanced back.
Mobius was now sitting on the edge of the bed, legs swinging in the air. Her pale green hair spilled over her shoulders, and the skirt of her white dress swayed softly with the motion.
Her eyes were following Lingsha's back, as though making sure she wasn't about to escape.
Lingsha couldn't help but smile.
In the end, she really was just a child.
And just as Lingsha turned to go, a knock sounded from outside the door.
It seemed… someone had arrived.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 165)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter220)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter125)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter250)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 220
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 185
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 248
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 230
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 125
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 145
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 120
I Can Copy Unique Skills 115
Summoning an Evil God, but the 75
Supernatural Multiverse 110
My Harem Is Indescribable 100
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 105
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 67
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
Still playing traditional Honk 80
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 85
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 78
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 80
Checking In in Demon Slayer 85
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 100
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 85
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 80
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 90
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 75
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 80
Why did they assign me to Uma 75
MYGO Beauties 70
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 70
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 80
Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 80
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 57
The Uma Musume Who Became 55
I'm Definitely Not the King of 60
After Maxing Out Every Class 45
Naruto: I'm Konoha's Local Men 35
Honkai: World Modulation Mode 34
I, the Elden Sword Saint 27
Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 24
No One Knows Pokémon Better 18
I, Sakazuki, Won't Go Down Tha 20
My patreon : patreon.com/queen_sin
My patreon : patreon.com/queen_sin