In a burst of hot, steaming white mist, Arlecchino began to shrink — smaller and smaller — until she had become a tiny, ferociously adorable little blue cat.
That's right.
Not a cat-eared girl. An actual, genuine cat.
Ash-grey fur, impossibly cute.
Everyone present was completely stunned.
"Wha——!?"
Nabelin's beautiful eyes went wide with shock.
She never imagined that a living, breathing person could be transformed into a harmless-looking little kitten.
Enjou couldn't help but gasp in admiration. "This... My Lord's methods truly are extraordinary!"
Ye Xi said with a smile, "Don't worry. All of her power has been sealed away."
"She's just an ordinary cat right now. Completely harmless."
Hearing that, Nabelin sheathed her longsword and crouched down in front of the cat, unable to resist the urge to reach out and pet it.
"Mrrrow——!"
The cat let out a threatening hiss.
Arlecchino was in a daze.
She stared at her own paws. At her own body. Her thoughts had ground to a complete halt.
She simply could not believe that she had been turned into an unremarkable little cat.
When the reality of it finally sank in, the look she turned on Ye Xi was filled with pure, undisguised terror.
This was beyond comprehension.
The man in front of her could actually change a person's species. What kind of existence was he?!
She tried to channel her elemental power. Tried to call upon her strength and unleash it on Ye Xi in a furious assault.
But those once-fearsome iron fists had been reduced to tiny, feeble little paw-swipes — batting against Ye Xi's body like he was being tickled.
[What did you do to me!]
She screamed it — but every word that came out of her mouth was nothing but meowing.
Ye Xi laughed. "I can hear what you're saying."
"Didn't you want to stay by my side?"
"Then come home with me like this."
"When I feel like visiting Fontaine someday, I'll change you back then."
"Satisfied?"
[Are you joking?! Change me back right now!]
Arlecchino felt like an absolute fool. She had walked right into his trap — delivered herself to his doorstep on a silver platter.
And now look what had happened. She'd completely overplayed her hand.
Without fully understanding the extent of Ye Xi's abilities, she had confidently assumed he wouldn't do anything drastic to her.
She hadn't expected him to have a trick like this up his sleeve.
Ye Xi, of course, had no intention of listening to Arlecchino.
"Seems like even as a cat you're still a threat. In that case..."
He grabbed Arlecchino by the scruff of her neck and lifted the small cat into the air.
While Arlecchino struggled, he activated a new skill.
[Taming]
In the next instant, a glowing magic circle appeared in the palm of his hand.
A matching contract circle appeared above Arlecchino's head.
That's right.
A master-servant contract had been forged.
This was a new combination technique he had just discovered.
Use [Transformation] to turn the target into a small animal, sealing away all their power. Then use [Taming] to form a contract and become their master.
As long as the target remained in animal form, they would be under his control. Only by returning to their human form could the contract be temporarily released.
Of course, he could simply use the skill again — the moment they reverted to animal form, the contract would snap back into effect.
This combination could control anyone.
[You! What did you do to me now!]
Arlecchino had no idea what had just happened.
Ye Xi smiled and issued a command. "Arlecchino, from now on, you are forbidden from entertaining any thoughts of harming me."
Those words sank into her like something written into her very DNA — and in an instant, every shred of hostility she felt toward Ye Xi simply vanished.
She was furious. But she was completely incapable of forming any intention to harm him.
At that moment, she fell into utter despair.
This meant she would have no choice but to behave herself from now on.
Because if she didn't — if Ye Xi refused to change her back — she would spend the rest of her life as a cat.
"Arlecchino, stay close to me and behave. No running off."
Another command was issued, and Arlecchino obediently settled herself onto Ye Xi's shoulder.
Not because she wanted to comply — her body simply wouldn't let her resist.
Terrifying.
She found Ye Xi utterly terrifying.
With this many hidden abilities, it wouldn't just be her — even if Pierro himself showed up, he'd be forced to roll over and play dead.
Ye Xi paid no further attention to the cat that Arlecchino had become.
Instead he gave an order. "Nabelin, go through every room and gather up all the bedding and daily necessities."
"I'm taking them with me."
"Yes, my Lord!"
Nabelin didn't know why, but she moved immediately.
Enjou, standing to the side, began to heap on the praise. "Truly worthy of my Lord — what foresight! To think you could use such a unique method to capture the Fourth Seat of the Fatui Harbingers!"
"All right, all right, you can save the flattery."
Ye Xi waved him off and got straight to the point. "There's something I need to tell you both — we're moving."
The moment he said it, Enjou was visibly startled.
Moving?
This was the first he'd heard of it!
Ye Xi gave Enjou a brief rundown — the Serenitea Pot, and the Space Portals.
By the time Enjou heard about how the Adepti had obtained the Serenitea Pot, and how the portals could connect every nation in an instant, he went completely numb.
His mind was already reeling with shock.
He'd never imagined things could go this far.
He'd thought the Train was already the pinnacle of transportation — fast, extraordinary, revolutionary.
And then Ye Xi pulled out an even faster Space Portal.
Liyue to Sumeru in under a minute.
What did that even mean?!
Struck by the realization, he immediately prostrated himself before Ye Xi. "My King's greatness shall surely restore the glory of Khaenri'ah!"
"We, your servants, shall remain by my King's side for eternity!"
Hearing Enjou's words, the cat perched on Ye Xi's shoulder gave a start.
My King?!
That title — did that mean Ye Xi was the King of Khaenri'ah?!
Arlecchino's heart flooded with shock.
No wonder the Abyss answered to Ye Xi's commands.
She had been facing the newly chosen Emperor of that ancient kingdom all along.
And on top of that —
What Ye Xi had just said about the Liyue Adepti, and the Space Portal technique — that stunned her too.
The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to know just how many cards Ye Xi was holding.
[Time Authority], [Transformation], and now [Space Portals]!
What else was there?!
Ye Xi reached into his sleeve and produced a violet crystal. "This is a portal connected to my study."
"Take it back to your homeland and place it somewhere you think is suitable."
"So we can stay in contact easily."
"Yes, my King!"
Enjou cupped both hands together and raised them above his head.
After receiving the portal crystal, he tucked it away with the utmost care — as though terrified of losing it.
Before long, Nabelin returned to Ye Xi's side.
"Master Ye Xi, all the young ladies' belongings have been packed up!"
"Mm."
Ye Xi looked them over — every bundle neatly and precisely packed.
As expected of a woman. Such attention to detail.
These were just the everyday necessities. The rest of their things could wait until tomorrow — the girls could come back to collect them themselves.
Ye Xi stored all the bundles in his portable space.
Then he reached out and gently touched Nabelin's cheek.
"Wh—!?"
Nabelin flinched in surprise, and a flush of red bloomed across her face at once. "M-My Lord..."
"Don't be alarmed."
Ye Xi offered a word of reassurance, then used his healing technique — and the small cut on Nabelin's cheek closed in an instant.
He lowered his hand and said, "It was just a little scratch. It won't leave a mark on your face, Nabelin."
Hearing those words, Nabelin pressed her knees together and quickly nodded. "I-I understand, Master Ye Xi!"
"All right, you two head back. I still have things to take care of."
With that, Ye Xi left the courtyard on his own and set off toward the Akademiya.
He was going to pick up Ayexia and Setaria, and then head to the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
Nabelin watched the figure of man and cat grow smaller in the distance, then collapsed onto the ground, covering her face as she panted rapidly.
"My Lord actually healed my wound — and he touched my face!"
"Master Ye Xi~!"
Enjou, standing nearby, couldn't stop singing his praises. "What a benevolent King! What a magnificent King! How can he possibly be this powerful!"
"Nabelin, I've estimated my Lord's strength over and over in my head, and every single time I've thought I'd arrived at some incomprehensibly high number!"
"And every single time, I've still underestimated him."
"Again and again!"
"That man will one day stand at the very pinnacle of this world——!"
"Don't you think so?"
...
The last trace of sunset lingered on the distant horizon.
Night was falling.
Shops throughout Sumeru City were shutting their doors one by one.
At this hour, who besides restaurants and inns would still be drawing customers?
The streets were full of people heading home after a long day.
Ye Xi followed Treasures Street, making his way toward the Akademiya.
Every person he passed along the way greeted him with a bow.
"Master Ye Xi!"
"Master, you're out alone this late?"
"Master, please try some of our fruit — no charge!"
Ye Xi smiled and responded to each of them in turn.
In the eyes of Sumeru's people, he was gentle and kind — and he had every intention of keeping it that way.
Along the way, he spotted a familiar face he hadn't seen in a while.
"Sheikh Zubayr."
"Master Ye Xi!"
Sheikh Zubayr hurried to bow. "Master, it's been so long since you've visited the theater!"
"Nilou misses you terribly — please do come and see her more often!"
This was no idle pleasantry.
As the manager of the Zubayr Theater, it was his duty to keep a close eye on the wellbeing of those in his care.
Lately, Nilou's condition had been declining noticeably. Her dance performances were still drawing enormous crowds, but there was a visible lack of spark in her.
According to Nilou's teacher, she had been murmuring Ye Xi's name every day, listless and downcast.
It worried him greatly.
Now that he had run into Ye Xi by chance, he couldn't afford to waste the opportunity.
Ye Xi nodded. "Now that you mention it, I haven't been to see her in quite a while."
"Understood — I'll find time to go visit her."
"Wonderful! I'll go back right now and give Nilou the good news! She'll be overjoyed!"
Sheikh Zubayr smiled and waved his farewell to Ye Xi, then hurried off in the direction of the Grand Bazaar.
Arlecchino let out a cold scoff. [That Nilou — she's some girl you've been stringing along on the side, isn't she?]
"What do you mean 'stringing along?' She's just a good friend."
[Ha. How nicely put. A man with not a shred of elegance about him, yet full of pretty words and lies.]
Arlecchino's disdain was complete. She could find no trace of the aristocratic bearing she expected in Ye Xi.
He was the King of Khaenri'ah — and he had absolutely no sense of propriety.
For someone of her noble upbringing, that was the one thing she could not abide.
What she couldn't understand, though, was why the people of Sumeru adored and revered him the way they did.
Ye Xi couldn't be bothered to engage with her.
He made his way to the Akademiya gates, where scholars were streaming out on their way home. Many were the obsessive type who could lose themselves in research for days — but most were perfectly content to clock out on time and go enjoy their evenings.
The scholars who came through the gates and spotted Ye Xi waiting outside were startled.
"I-Isn't that Master Ye Xi?!"
"It really is! What brings him here?"
"Could he be here to see one of the Sages?"
"Don't make me laugh. If Master Ye Xi wanted to see a Sage, one word from him and those Sages would come sprinting over on their own."
"If you ask me, he's here to pick up his concubines. Don't forget — that Herbad from Spantamad, Ayexia? She's Master Ye Xi's consort."
"How lucky! Getting picked up by Master Ye Xi himself — I want to be his concubine too!"
"Forget it. Master Ye Xi already cancelled his commission at the Adventurers' Guild. That ship has sailed!"
"....."
Just then, three figures appeared in the Akademiya doorway.
"Ayexia, how did today's research go?"
"Ugh... don't ask. Zero progress. I envy Setaria — being a teacher must be so easy, right?"
"You think children in the desert are well-behaved? Easy? And Layla, how's your thesis coming along?"
"Uwaaah... I can't finish it, I'll never finish it!"
The three of them were deep in conversation when they suddenly noticed Ye Xi in the distance.
"Huh! My Lord!?"
"What are you doing here?"
Ayexia excitedly threw herself into Ye Xi's arms, then snuck a glance at everyone watching and beamed with pride.
She had been daydreaming about exactly this scene — throwing herself into the arms of Sumeru's great hero in front of everyone. How dazzling!
Sure enough, the crowd around them was radiating envy.
"Uwaaah — that's too lucky!"
"Unfair, let go of Master Ye Xi — let me try!"
"I wish I could be Master Ye Xi's concubine too!"
"So jealous!"
"....."
Ye Xi patted Ayexia on the head and explained, "We moved into a new home today. I came to take you both back."
"Eh?! A new home!"
Both girls lit up with excitement.
Layla, standing to the side, quickly said, "Then, I'll head back to the dormitory first! See you... see you tomorrow!"
With that, Layla vanished in a flash.
Ayexia let out a quiet sigh. She was a little worried — Layla was already so frail. Would she keel over on the side of the road?
She'd been meaning to bring Layla home for a while now, but ever since Ye Xi cancelled his commission at the Adventurers' Guild, Layla hadn't dared to come over.
Apparently she was afraid of being rejected by Ye Xi — said it would be too embarrassing.
Ayexia made up her mind to ask Ye Xi about taking on a new consort on her good friend's behalf.
"My Lord, so where is our new home?"
Setaria was full of anticipation.
Ye Xi smiled. "Come with me to the Sanctuary of Surasthana first. We're going to see Nahida and the others."
Opening a portal at the Sanctuary of Surasthana would be very convenient.
Up until now, Nahida and the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had always waited for the dead of night to sneak out of the Sanctuary and quietly make their way to the Ye Family Compound.
After all, it wouldn't look good if people noticed the Dendro Archon frequently visiting the Ye Family Compound.
But with a portal at the Sanctuary, that concern would be gone forever.
They followed the winding path upward, and before long arrived at the gates of the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
The Matra and Corps of Thirty standing guard outside spotted Ye Xi and immediately bowed.
Ye Xi led the girls through and pushed open the doors of the Sanctuary.
From inside came the sound of a mild scolding.
"Bongo-Head! You can't let your mind wander during meditation!"
Nahida stood with her arms crossed, lecturing The Balladeer.
The Balladeer ground his teeth. "You're so annoying! Can you please stop calling me that name!"
Ever since The Balladeer had been defeated by Ye Xi, he had been staying at Nahida's side.
He had gone to the World Tree, witnessed the truth of the past, and then completely renounced the Fatui — swearing to one day have his revenge on Dottore.
However, he had caused tremendous chaos in Sumeru, and he had to atone for that first.
The method of atonement: train under Nahida's guidance.
Which was how he had ended up with this absurd name — reportedly given by Ye Xi, and a source of endless, teeth-grinding fury ever since.
At that moment, Ye Xi walked in with the girls.
"Ye Xi? What brings you here?"
Nahida seemed surprised.
The Balladeer heard the name and immediately prepared to open his mouth and fire off a few choice remarks.
But his gaze was suddenly caught by the cat perched on Ye Xi's shoulder.
A familiar aura triggered instant recognition.
This was unmistakably the Fourth Seat of the Fatui Harbingers.
A cold smirk crossed his face. "Well, well — if it isn't the Fourth Seat. Haven't seen you in a few days. Has your game really fallen this far? How'd you end up as a smelly little cat?"
Arlecchino hadn't expected The Balladeer to be here.
She had been about to acknowledge him — but after that taunt, every last hair on her body stood on end.
[You're the one called Bongo-Head?!]
The Balladeer's expression immediately darkened.
____
________________________________________
If you want more chapters, please consider supporting my page on (P). with 50 advanced chapters available on (P)
👻 Join the crew by searching Leanzin on (P). You know the spot! 😉