Volume 2, Chapter 73 – How to Become Even Cuter

Building a territory within the Graveyard’s domain. No matter how one looked at it, it seemed impossible.

Leaving aside how unrealistic Xingyu Muxi’s plan was, just the fact that she wanted to establish an independent territory within the Graveyard’s lands looked, in every way, like she was provoking… the Graveyard itself.

It was true that the Graveyard had agreed not to attack Tianyin and the others. However, if they went too far and tried to carve out a new territory on its land, wouldn’t that be the same as openly taunting the Graveyard?

One had to remember, the Graveyard belonged to the chaotic side among the factions. And even putting that aside, the Graveyard was one of the Eight Great Factions. If outsiders were to establish a territory within its land, it would be no different than slapping the currently flourishing Graveyard hard across the face.

So, no matter how one viewed it, Xingyu Muxi’s plan didn’t seem possible at all.

“Sister Xiaomu, is something like this… really okay?”

Even Tianyin couldn’t help but worry, asking Xingyu Muxi with some concern.

“Of course I’ve thought it through, Xiaoyin. You have to know, before I came up with this idea, I wasn’t really sure either. But after asking you, I became completely certain about it~”

“Eh? Really?”

Tianyin looked puzzled.

“Well, we can talk about the details later when there’s time. For now, we just need to find a place that’s both strategically defensible and rich in water resources.”

Although Tianyin didn’t understand why Sister Xiaomu was so confident, her trust in her never wavered. She knew that Sister Xiaomu would never do anything to harm her.

“Mm, alright then. I’ll believe in Sister Xiaomu this time~”

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Once Tianyin decided to trust her, she immediately called back Sharl and Orgum, who had just left.

She relayed the order to “look for a nearby location that’s strategically defensible and rich in water resources.”

But when Tianyin saw the completely dumbfounded expressions on Sharl and Orgum’s faces after hearing the order, she couldn’t help but feel like laughing.

Watching the two of them leave to carry out her command, Tianyin let out a long breath.

『Phew, I’m exhausted. Being a lord is really this tiring? Just one decision drains half my energy. Samael, I feel like I’m about to collapse…』

Tianyin sighed lightly and complained to Samael, who had been silent in her mind all this time.

「Pfft—」

A soft chuckle echoed in her mind.

「Xiaoyin, did you really spend that much energy worrying about this?」

『Eh? Isn’t that what happened?』

For some reason, whenever Samael spoke in that teasing tone, Tianyin would instinctively get a bad feeling.

「Xiaoyin, I think the truth is that you’ve just experienced too many shocking things all at once, and that’s what’s really making you tired~」

Honestly, she was right.

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From her conversation with Sister Xiaomu just now, whether it was the sudden appearance of the Lord Token, the System secretly manipulating the world’s progress from the shadows, or Xingyu Muxi’s series of unbelievable moves… there was no denying that Tianyin had spent the entire day in a constant state of shock.

You could even say that today, Tianyin had only been doing one of two things, either saying “Eh? Eh?” in surprise, or walking straight into yet another moment that made her say “Eh? Eh?” again.

Realizing this, Tianyin’s little face flushed red.

『I… I wasn’t like that, okay? Don’t just make stuff up, Samael…』

「Yes, yes, I made it up~ But Xiaoyin, even though I can’t read your thoughts directly, since I’m connected to your mind, I can clearly feel your emotional fluctuations~」

To be fair, Tianyin really had forgotten that Samael could sense her emotions.

So yes, Samael could feel her flustered embarrassment very clearly.

『You’re just bullying me again…』

Tianyin grumbled softly with resentment.

「Pfft, that’s because when I tease you, Xiaoyin, you’re so cute that it’s enough to make someone’s nose bleed. Don’t you think that’s one of your charms?」

『What do you mean, I get cuter when you bully me?! That kind of thinking is way too dangerous! If you keep saying weird things like that, I’ll stop talking to you forever!』

Tianyin sounded utterly helpless. After all, who would enjoy being endlessly “bullied” for such a ridiculous reason?

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『Besides, I’m at least a Master now, and a lord too. Can’t you give me a little dignity, Samael?』

「Alright, alright~ I get it~ I take back what I said, my bad~」

Even though Samael’s tone still sounded half teasing, Tianyin was satisfied enough with that response.

「But still, Xiaoyin, even if you’re a lord now, I think you’re not quite perfect yet~」

Samael’s tone shifted as she began to evaluate Tianyin’s performance as a ruler.

And “not quite perfect” was her chosen verdict.

『Of course I know I’m not perfect. Do you really need to point that out, Samael?』

Tianyin knew she wasn’t exactly qualified to be a proper lord yet, so she didn’t react much to the comment.

『I already know I’m not good at it. But the word ‘perfect’… I think I’m still far from that.』

What puzzled her, though, was why Samael, who usually enjoyed teasing her, was suddenly using such a gentle phrase like “not quite perfect.”

「Pfft, what do you mean ‘far from’? Xiaoyin, you’re just not quite perfect yet. Honestly, very few rulers could ever manage what you’ve done so far~」

Samael’s words stunned Tianyin.

『Eh? So lords like me are really that rare?』

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「Yes~ But even so, in my eyes, you’re still not perfect yet. Which means there’s room for improvement~」

『Improvement? How am I supposed to improve?』

Tianyin asked curiously.

「Don’t worry, I already came up with a detailed plan just now, Xiaoyin.」

Samael’s tone was calm and confident.

『Eh? What kind of plan? And which of my abilities are you planning to improve?』

Tianyin’s curiosity grew stronger.

「Of course~」

Samael’s voice slowed down teasingly.

「How to become a cute, perfect mascot~」

Tianyin: “…”