Journey

Clo wandered through the corridors of the Royal Court’s palace. Although she frequently visited the halls where Li Yue received the nobles, her sense of direction was not particularly good. Even after walking these paths so many times, she still inevitably took many wrong turns. Fortunately, there were many attendants along the way to guide her, so she did not actually get lost within the Great Hall.

Clo did not have a defined official status within the Royal Court, yet her position seemed exceptionally high despite having no urgent duties to attend to. Whenever high nobles had pressing matters they wished to discuss with the Divine Lord, many would find ways to “accidentally” encounter Clo and strike up a conversation. Clo felt that her role was much like the imperial consorts in the isekai light novels she often read. Although she tried her best not to think of it that way, she couldn't help but feel that way every time she saw Li Yue.

Even though she was the one who held the initiative just a few months ago...

She held quite a few scrolls in her arms, all of which had been given to her by that somewhat easygoing Scholar. Apparently, a professor who lived with the Scholar had once aided Li Yue with a magic book during her time of hardship. During their conversation, the professor had jokingly mentioned that he was merely fulfilling the duties of an ally at the time, without any formal obligation, and wondered if the artifact he sent had been of any help to Li Yue.

Clo felt a surge of emotion, realizing that Li Yue’s social circle was much larger than she had imagined. But then again, it made sense; Li Yue had traveled so far, how could she still be alone?

Only her past self had been trapped in a high tower by mundane affairs, with no significant friends or partners other than a few professors she was required to maintain contact with.

If a wedding were to be held one day in the future, it seemed she wouldn't have many people to invite...

As Clo thought this, she freed a hand to pat her own cheeks. She felt as if everything had taken on a dreamlike quality. A Yue was no longer that ordinary trainee; she was the Divine Lord of the Royal Court, and the entire world was her territory.

She recalled the way Li Yue had looked at her that day. Even though she had just announced the command to annex the world a moment prior, Clo had not seen a single trace of emotion within those blood red vertical pupils.

She wondered if the current A Yue still remembered the promises made during those nights. Li Yue was constantly facing that terrifying existence within the astral realm, and she seemed to have long since stopped caring about such secular matters of the heart.

In the end... she’s still a big liar...

Clo let out a soft, melancholy sigh. With a trace of trepidation, she pushed open the heavy, dark doors. Inside the Great Hall, countless nobles and lords seemed to be waiting for her arrival. No one dared to utter a word. The Blood Crystal Throne in the center was empty; the cold and majestic Li Yue was nowhere to be seen.

“Hmm? Where is everyone?” Clo murmured in confusion. A grey robed attendant walked up to her side and whispered a few words into her ear.

“What do you mean, I’m to act as proxy for the Royal Court’s affairs for a day, and while I’m at it, think of a way to suppress the various rebellions in the regions?” Clo arched an eyebrow, her expression one of shock as she took a slip of paper from an Inquisitor’s hand. It looked like a page torn haphazardly from a diary, folded simply without even a trace of sealing magic.

Even so, no one dared to peek at it.

Clo unfolded the paper. The first thing she saw was a little hand drawn figure with an apologetic smile. It was a pen sketch that somewhat imitated the emojis she used to draw in her letters. She didn't know what expression Li Yue had worn while drawing these little figures, but her mood certainly improved significantly.

“Government affairs are such a bore... I really want to slaughter all those unruly subjects. I’m heading out for two days. I’ll leave the Royal Court’s internal affairs to you. Love you.” At the end of the note was a chibi Li Yue making a finger heart. It seemed Li Yue’s drawing skills had improved quite a bit; she was a remarkably fast learner in everything.

Li Yue still knew how to please Clo. In her recent diary entries, she had even sketched several self portraits while looking in the mirror. Although her face remained stiff and she couldn't quite capture distinct emotions of joy or sorrow, the effect was much better when she added certain poses.

All of Clo's irritation and frustration vanished... She let out a faint smile.

“Her drawing has actually improved. She must have practiced quite a bit, though I wonder where she finds the time.” Clo sighed softly, the grey fog in her heart dissipating.

I really am easy to appease... Fine, I’ll let her have her way.

Clo looked at the nobles gathered below the hall, and she suddenly felt a massive headache coming on.

I’m doomed. I’ve only ever read about how isekai kings handle court affairs in novels... This is a disaster. The nation Li Yue built is going to perish at my hands...

...

On a field overgrown with wild grass, Li Yue watched Clo through a blood shadow. A faint smile touched her lips as she stretched her limbs and exhaled a long, relaxed breath.

“You need to get used to handling these affairs in the future. I am not a qualified monarch, especially for the peaceful era to come.” Li Yue thought to herself. With a deity watching over it, a stable and prosperous nation was already beginning to take shape. Without internal strife or external threats, and with a wise ruler, everything in the future would slowly improve.

As for the Great Unity society she dreamed of, perhaps Clo would have her own ideas one day. She just didn't know if she would be there to witness it.

Li Yue let out a shallow sigh and flicked away the pitch black filth from her blood crystal longsword. Behind her was a field of wild grass, but before her lay a massive chasm. A blood red crack hung in the sky, and the earth was covered in crisscrossing slash marks. Blood red mist swirled around this wasteland under the moonlight, and distorted black figures vanished into the air, turning into piles of dust.

There was a tiny scratch on Li Yue’s arm, which had only produced a few beads of blood. In just a few moments, the wound had completely healed.

“Another time... It’s becoming more frequent. That deity has begun to interfere with reality. There’s no more time for you to grow, Clo...” Li Yue narrowed her eyes and shook out her wrists, appearing fully prepared.

“It seems I still have... one last necessary journey to make...” Li Yue sighed softly, her body tensing as she finalized her plans.