"Sui? That deity said to be the mightiest in Yan."
"A god who betrayed their own kin, hunted their own kind—just to serve the True Lung like a hound?"
"Heh… and in the end, it was all for the so-called sake of terranity, only to be shattered into twelve fragments."
"And now, their resurrection is hindered by the short-lived ones."
"Is that what it means to love? To betray your own people?"
"Why not become emperor of the short-lived races yourself? Rule them directly?"
"They despise divine interference, yet never cease begging for divine power…"
"I still cannot understand why Sui chose to aid the True Lung."
"…But their power, it is overwhelming."
"Even a single fragment is enough to suppress this vessel of mine, a body already formidable in its own right."
"When all twelve fragments reunite, Sui will awaken."
"Reunite… merge…"
"…Possess."
"..."
"Forget it. The difficulty is too great. It may well end up the same as my venture into the ocean—that futile endeavor."
"Better to plan carefully, and bide my time."
---
Mobius and Kjera strolled down the bustling, lively streets.
As for Enya, she had long since excused herself.
"I won't disturb Lord Kjeragandr and… Lord Mobius while you discuss matters. I'll return to the inn first."
She bowed respectfully to Mobius, who had only just arrived, then carried off the bundles she and Kjeragandr had bought.
To endure the Saintess Selection trials—which tested both body and spirit—meant Enya's stamina was extraordinary. At the very least, she darted away with arms full of packages at a remarkable pace.
"…Is it just me," Mobius mused aloud, "or did your Saintess look like she was fleeing?"
"Perhaps it's simply her first real taste of the outside world," Kjera replied. "It's natural she might get a little too excited, and act strangely."
"If you say so… then it must be so. But tell me, Kjera, isn't this land of mine flourishing?"
Mobius spread her arms wide, proudly displaying her domain.
"Look around—my people live in peace, their standard of living is high, and even the Infected are guaranteed the essentials of life."
Kjera gave a small nod.
Indeed, the duchy of Kashchey left her with the impression of a place far ahead of its time.
Even the Originium stoves so scarce in Kjerag were nothing more than ordinary household goods here—cheap ones, at that.
"Kjera, you are too indulgent with your children. They need proper guidance."
Mobius's words were deliberate, coaxing.
She wanted Kjera to govern Kjerag in truth, to become its rightful ruler.
Whether as a duke of Ursus or as Kjera's friend, the Black Snake desired nothing more.
If Kjeragandr rose to power, then Ursus would gain a valuable international partner.
And if that partner was backward? No matter. With Ursus's support, elevating them would be no challenge at all.
Moreover, the friendship between two long-lived beings would ensure stability—an enduring bond that guaranteed Ursus's efforts would never be squandered.
If Kjeragandr became ruler of Kjerag, then the Black Snake would no longer have to fear that his friend might be persecuted, time and again.
He would teach her how to secure her own authority in the hearts of the short-lived races—without relying on useless institutions like the Vine-Bear Court, which only twisted Kjeragandr's intentions.
Because this time, a god would take the stage personally.
And if some resented it, if rebellion began to stir in their hearts…
Then it only meant those same people would one day raise the banner of god-slaying.
Better to snuff out such sparks now, while the Black Snake had the power to do so, than to be caught unprepared when those sparks grew into a wildfire.
Truly, I am such a caring friend, Mobius thought smugly, watching hesitation flicker across Kjera's face.
She pressed further, her tone coaxing, almost honeyed:
"Since you care for these children, then all the more reason not to let them wander blindly down the wrong path."
Kjera halted her steps.
Mobius stopped as well, knowing what that pause meant.
She was about to speak her mind.
Though she could not read her thoughts directly, Mobius was convinced there was a high chance Kjeragandr would be persuaded. After all, in her heart, her proposal was flawless.
The two of them stood in the middle of the street—yet not a single passerby noticed.
Mobius had long since cloaked them in illusion, erasing their presence from mortal eyes. People simply drifted around them without realizing anything amiss. In the duchy of Kashchey, such spells were doubly potent.
---
"You know, Black Snake," Kjera finally spoke, her voice steady.
"Before I came here, I still wondered if I had been spoiling those children too much."
Her gaze met her. The smile on her lips remained as unfathomable as ever.
Kjera gave a soft chuckle.
"But once I stepped into your domain, I realized I was wrong."
For the first time, Mobius's smile faltered, replaced by a look of puzzlement.
Kjeragandr's flaw is that she indulges her people too much, isn't it?
She stared at her in confusion.
"Black Snake… the one who spoils their children is you."
"..."
"I sensed countless serpents working tirelessly to keep the duchy of Kashchey running. Especially those investigators in gray uniforms, your so-called 'Committee of Wellbeing and Reassurance'… through them, I felt your weariness."
"..."
"If I had not discovered that child of promise, perhaps I might truly have been swayed by you. But I would rather see the children find their own path beyond my protection."
"..."
"Without you, Black Snake, your duchy cannot even function. You do care for them deeply, don't you?"
"…Ah, yes, yes, of course."
Kjeragandr caught the perfunctory tone in her reply, but chose not to press further.
Mobius, however, had already understood the unspoken truth behind her words.
Kjeragandr truly does trust the short-lived ones.
Kashchey himself did not believe he spoiled them.
He knew perfectly well that the reason he poured such effort into the duchy's governance was ultimately for his own sake.
The Black Snake needed a stable, comfortable nest. He needed safe territory to protect himself, and political capital to secure his standing within Ursus.
---
"Well, enough of that. Let's change the subject." Kjeragandr's smile returned, smooth as ever. "I intend to give you a gift."
"What kind of gift?"
"Before I hand it over, I'd like to ask you a question."
"…What question?"
"Do you prefer a female body—or a male one?"
"…Kjera, if you wish to stir trouble in my domain, then say it plainly. No need for such roundabout nonsense."
Mobius's expression hardened as she fixed her gaze on her.
First she had accused her of coddling mortals, and now she posed this absurd question…
It seemed it was time to remind her what it meant to challenge her on her own ground.