"Deal."
The Moon Lord asked softly, "Your Excellency Luciel, what do you think of the Moon Lake Tribe?"
"The Moon Lake Tribe is fine. Plenty of people, good land," Luciel answered casually, listing a few surface-level advantages.
"Really? I want the truth, not perfunctory words." The Moon Lord straightened her back, her snowy-white bow resting at her side.
"The truth? Are you sure?" Luciel’s smile faded.
"Of course. You may speak freely." Her aqua-blue eyes shone with earnestness.
"In my opinion, the Moon Lake Tribe will perish sooner or later—and that ti isn’t far off." Luciel’s words landed like thunder.
"Luciel, what nonsense is that?!" Yue Feiyan burst out, red eyes blazing. How could he claim her ho was dood?
"Feiyan, don’t interrupt His Excellency." The Moon Lord’s voice rose slightly, silencing her daughter.
"...Oh." Yue Feiyan bit her lip and shrank back, eyes glistening with grievance.
"Forgive her, Mr. Luciel. Please continue." The Moon Lord inclined her head apologetically. Then she looked up, gaze firm. "Please speak openly. I want to hear what no one else dares to tell ."
"Since you insist, I won’t hold back."
When Luciel grew serious, he was terrifying in his frankness.
"Please." The Moon Lord’s eyes glimred with resolve.
"First of all—the Moon Lake Tribe survives on a single person. That’s unbelievable. If that one person is gone, the tribe is finished."
Luciel folded his arms. "You know this already. Tonight was proof."
He glanced at the red-haired girl and smirked. "Tonight, Yue Feiyan said it well: so people are nothing more than parasites."
"Hmph! That’s true." Feiyan lifted her chin proudly.
"Think about it. You were injured and collapsed, and instead of finding hope elsewhere, the tribe only clung to you—waiting for you to heal so they could keep draining your ’blood’ for survival."
Luciel’s black eyes flashed with sharpness. "That’s a disease. If nothing changes, you’ll die soon."
"Die? How could that be?" Yue Feiyan froze, her pride collapsing into fear.
"Don’t look at —ask your mother. She knows best." Luciel raised a finger, pointing straight at the elegant woman on the bed.
"Mother... is what he says true?" Feiyan’s red eyes trembled.
"It’s not that serious... but yes, I am exhausted." The Moon Lord narrowed her aqua eyes and forced a smile. "I won’t die so easily."
"I don’t believe you. You’ve fainted before—and more often each ti." Feiyan’s face went pale, her body trembling.
"Don’t worry. A few days of rest, and I’ll recover fully." The Moon Lord’s voice brimd with confidence, though her eyes betrayed a hidden bitterness.
"Hmph. I’ll be watching you," Feiyan muttered, voice hoarse with unshed tears. "You’re staying in bed, no excuses."
"Yes, yes, I’ll listen to you." The Moon Lord smiled helplessly.
She turned her gaze back to Luciel, her eyes soft with unspoken pleading. Her voice dropped weakly: "Your Excellency Luciel, how should I reform?"
"I don’t have a perfect solution," Luciel sighed. "I don’t know enough about your surroundings to offer a complete plan."
"Just give suggestions," the Moon Lord said quietly.
Luciel studied her weary expression. Then he spoke quickly:
"First, stop supporting idlers for free. At the very least, have them do simple handicrafts.
Second, identify the tribe’s unique products or technology.
Third, send caravans out to trade. Don’t shut yourselves in with nothing but water to live on.
Fourth, find a new water source.
And twelfth, reform the authority structure—too many people interfere with how water is distributed."
One suggestion after another flowed out, leaving everyone stunned.
"This... is just a little suggestion?" the Moon Lord murmured. Half of what he’d said had never even crossed her mind.
She faltered, doubt gnawing at her. Maybe I was wrong to take the role of Moon Lord. Maybe I was never suited to lead at all. The tribe deserves soone more capable.
"These are only my thoughts. You don’t have to follow them." Luciel softened his tone. "Every leader has their own way of ruling. Forcing yourself into another’s mold won’t work."
"No—you’re right."
The Moon Lord exhaled, her voice calm. "Even if we don’t do it all, the Moon Lake Tribe will be much better if we adopt even part of your advice."
"Don’t rush. Too much change at once will backfire," Luciel warned. "Your elders might see you as nothing more than a ’lucky water-bearer’ and strip you of power."
"I’m not a fool." She rolled her eyes playfully, her mature charm enough to make Luciel’s lips twitch.
Then her expression turned solemn. "Your Excellency Luciel, about the deal I ntioned earlier—I want to speak of it now."
"Go ahead."
She looked him straight in the eye, smiling elegantly. "Would you stay here... and beco the Moon Lord of the Moon Lake Tribe?"
"...Huh?"
Yue Feiyan, Liyue, and Mino all gasped in unison, eyes wide.
"Don’t joke with ." Luciel froze, then waved his hand with a bitter smile.
"I’m not joking." The Moon Lord’s lips curved faintly, but her smile was weary, her body trembling with fatigue. "I’m too tired. Soone must take this burden."
"I refuse." Luciel’s answer was imdiate. He wasn’t going to shoulder an entire tribe.
He knew himself well—he wasn’t that noble. He might lend a hand when convenient, but to tie himself down as a permanent water-supplier? Never. He’d rather wander alone.
"...I see." The Moon Lord lowered her gaze. She had expected rejection, but still, disappointnt stung.
Truthfully, from the mont she discovered Luciel was a Water Awakener, she had considered handing her position to him. All her teasing, her tests—it was her way of gauging him. Tonight, she simply ran out of ti to delay.
"Really won’t reconsider?" she asked softly.
Without waiting for an answer, she added slyly, "If you accepted, my foolish daughter would beco the wife of the next Moon Lord."
"Mother! Again?!" Yue Feiyan covered her flushed face, mortified.
"No need." Luciel shook his head. He could see the Moon Lord’s sincerity, but he had no reason to stay. He had a ho—the rock tortoise. He didn’t need a crumbling tribe.
"...Fine. Think about it if you wish." She sighed, her exhaustion finally breaking through.
"Then we’ll take our leave." Luciel nodded, turning for the door.
Liyue and Mino followed behind.
"Feiyan, bring Luciel the beast spars," the Moon Lord instructed weakly. Her eyelids drooped as sleepiness and pain overca her.
"Zzz..."
Within monts, she was fast asleep, soft snores slipping past her lips as her brows trembled faintly.
"Alright." Feiyan’s voice dropped to a whisper.
She gently covered her mother with a quilt before stepping out.
In the hall, she smiled apologetically. "Sorry. My mother can be... willful sotis."
"It’s fine. She’s... amusing," Luciel replied, holding back the word charming out of respect for Feiyan.
"She’s wicked," Feiyan muttered, pouting. "Wait here, I’ll fetch the beast spars."
After she left, the three remaining exchanged glances.
"Wicked?" Liyue tilted her head.
"Aunt has a bit of a dark personality," Mino added.
"She’s black-bellied," Luciel finished simply.
Monts later, Feiyan returned with a bulging bag.
"Here—one hundred mid-grade beast spars, a little extra," she said boldly.
"Thanks." Luciel accepted it. "Then we’ll return to the inn."
"I have a spare room here. Would you like to stay?" Feiyan asked hopefully, her red eyes shining.
"No. We’d just trouble you more." Luciel smiled faintly, but firmly.
"...Alright." Her eyes dimd, sadness flickering through them. She had just begun to see them as true friends.
"Tomorrow, you can co to us," Luciel said gently.
Feiyan brightened instantly. "Then it’s settled! I’ll also bring you news about the man in your portrait."
"Good." Luciel gave her a thumbs-up.
At the door, he paused. Without turning back, he left her with one final ssage:
"If your mother wakes up, tell her this—if she can’t hold on anymore, it’s okay to be selfish. Live for herself."
Feiyan froze at the doorway, his words echoing in her heart.
Selfish... and live for herself? Can’t hold on? Why not? Wouldn’t it be fine forever?
She stood dazed, watching their figures vanish into the night, a sudden urge rising to call out to them.
"...Forget it. I’ll ask again tomorrow."
She yawned, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Then she returned to her mother’s room and settled beside the bed—ready to be there if she woke needing help.
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