"Ah, I see. What a pitiful little kitten," the three Generals remarked, accepting Lumina's explanation without the slightest hint of skepticism. They withdrew their gazes from the Phantylia Kitten, fully convinced.
Of course, even if they had noticed something amiss, they wouldn't voice it.
Though, truth be told, they had indeed observed nothing beyond what met the eye.
"Despite its sad past, now that you've adopted her, Sister Lumina, this little kitten has finally turned a corner," Feixiao said with a smile. "She's about to embrace a wonderful new life."
Watching the Phantylia Kitten snuggle against Sister Lumina's chest, Feixiao felt a sudden pang of envy for reasons she couldn't quite understand. It wasn't just envy that the Little Kitten had been adopted by Sister Lumina, but envy that it could lie so freely in her arms, basking in the gentle warmth radiating from her embrace.
Though all Feixiao had to do was speak up and express her desire to lie in Sister Lumina's arms, Lumina would undoubtedly have welcomed her—perhaps even with special delight (strike that)—or rather, she would have generously opened her embrace to Feixiao permanently.
Sadly, Feixiao didn't realize this.
Lumina, too, remained regrettably unaware of this truth.
Meow~ Meow~ Meow~ Meow~ Meow... (Ah, this 'wonderful life.' This so-called wonderful life is nothing more than being played with like a pet by that wretched woman, Lumina...)
The Phantylia Kitten's eyes flashed with disdain upon hearing Feixiao's words, clearly disagreeing with her sentiment.
Wonderful life? This existence is worse than before!
"Heh," Lumina chuckled, having read the Phantylia Kitten's thoughts. She reached out and gently stroked the kitten's crown.
Instantly, a bone-chilling cold permeated the creature's body, reaching deep into its marrow.
Sensing this warning, the Phantylia Kitten snapped its mouth shut.
But before closing its lips, the kitten couldn't resist one last, heartfelt remark:
"Meow, meow, meow-meow! Meow, meow... Meow, meow-meow! (Happiness, happiness! So much happiness! Being by Lady Lumina's side is truly a blessing I've earned over three lifetimes... no, ten lifetimes!)"
Hearing these words, Lumina nodded in satisfaction, deeply pleased with the Phantylia Kitten's behavior.
I truly don't understand, Lumina mused. Why do you keep attacking me and prolonging your own suffering when you could find comfort and happiness by simply obeying me?
Lumina's mind swirled with confusion, utterly perplexed by the Phantylia Kitten's erratic actions.
Still, she shrugged it off. Maybe the Phantylia Kitten just has a peculiar fondness for being tormented.
No, a fondness for being tormented specifically by an peerlessly beautiful and invincible girl like me~
"Sister Lumina and this Little Kitten have such a close bond," Feixiao remarked, watching their interaction with growing envy.
Lumina responded with a simple, enigmatic smile.
Seeing this, the conversation between Lumina and the Phantylia Kitten ended. The three Generals resumed their discussion without making any attempt to conceal their conversation from Lumina's presence.
It seemed that Huaiyan's earlier words were true.
The Xianzhou Alliance would indeed treat Lumina as an honored guest, grateful for her contributions to the Xianzhou. They showed no concern about her overhearing even sensitive topics like this one.
Though to be fair, the Generals' current discussion wasn't exactly top-secret.
"Given Phantylia's past actions," Jing Yuan began, "she prefers to destroy her targets from within rather than through brute force. She seeks to create fissures in even the most steadfast alliances, sowing seeds of chaos."
"If the Alliance fails to mend these rifts, its ultimate fate will be to crumble into a pile of loose sand..."
As a General, Jing Yuan was naturally aware of Phantylia's actions, both overt and clandestine.
Phantylia Kitten: Meow, meow, meow!
Perched in Lumina's arms, the Phantylia Kitten nodded emphatically in agreement with Jing Yuan's assessment, purring its approval.
Phantylia was no mere brute. What meaning could there be in mere physical death?
To shatter an unbreakable alliance from within, to watch allies turn into enemies, and finally reveal the root of their conflict, driving them to ruin in their regret...
This was her Aesthetics of Destruction.
A pity this art would likely be lost to time.
After all, she had become the wretched woman Lumina's little kitten, her days stretching into an endless darkness.
Where was the time to pursue her so-called Aesthetics of Destruction?
"For millennia, the Xianzhou Alliance's goals have remained unchanged. The arrowhead we grip tightly in our hands must now shift with the winds, pointing toward a new enemy..."
The subtle shift in Phantylia Kitten's expression went unnoticed by the three Generals, who continued their conversation.
As Jing Yuan's words hung in the air, Huaiyan's grave, solemn, earnest, and resolute voice slowly echoed throughout the Seat of Divine Foresight.
"Once the Wardance Ceremony concludes, I will formally report this matter to the Marshal."
Hmm? Phantylia Kitten's heart stirred at Huaiyan's words, as if she had already guessed what the Xianzhou Alliance was planning.
"In your opinion, Elder Huaiyan, how will the Marshal respond?" Jing Yuan asked.
Hearing Jing Yuan's question, Huaiyan continued slowly, her tone neither urgent nor slow. "At this stage, even the chess players themselves will become pawns sent to the battlefield."
"The outcome of this conflict will determine the rise and fall of countless stars."
"I cannot predict what decision the Marshal will make."
Huaiyan shook her head. Before Jing Yuan or Feixiao could speak again, she added, "But the Marshal has already foreseen all our concerns."
"She has long ordered General Yao Guang to perform divination day and night, probing the unknown."
"If the Marshal approves, I will personally lead the Yaoqing Xianzhou into battle upon my return, vowing to strike down a Lord Ravager and teach the Antimatter Legion the true meaning of The Hunt." Feixiao stepped forward, declaring her intentions upon returning to Yaoqing.
No one present spoke in response to Feixiao's decision.
Indeed, no one spoke at all.
But among those present was one who was not human—the Little Kitten.
When Phantylia Kitten heard Feixiao's words, her heart jolted.
Wait, what the hell does this have to do with me?
I only wreaked havoc on the Luofu once! How is that even remotely related to Borisin's invasion now?
Are you all dogs? I barely scratched you, and now you're chasing me to bite, determined to tear me apart?
This is utter madness!
If you want revenge, go after Lumina! She happens to be my mistress now, after all.
You don't attack a dog... no, a cat without facing its owner first.
If you want to hunt me down, deal with Lumina first.
Hmph... never mind. These members of the "Coward Alliance" would never dare to confront Lumina.
Phantylia Kitten continued to grumble inwardly, her impression of the Xianzhou Alliance souring further with each thought.
She also began to regret her initial decision.
At first, Phantylia Kitten had believed that destroying a colossal entity like the Xianzhou Alliance would be particularly satisfying, especially gratifying.
But now, she decided to retract that statement.
This "Coward Alliance" wasn't even worth her personally bestowing upon them her "Aesthetics of Destruction."
As for Feixiao personally leading the Xianzhou Yaoqing to hunt her down, Phantylia Kitten had nothing to say, merely responding with a disdainful glance.
What a joke! I'm the First Great General under Lumina now. Do you think I'd fear a mere Yaoqing?
Besides, try finding me first.
Phantylia Kitten's heart overflowed with scorn for Feixiao.
However, Feixiao had sworn to shoot down a Lord Ravager, not specifying which one.
This meant Phantylia herself might remain unharmed, but the other Lord Ravagers were in for a rough time.
How bewildering it must be to suddenly be targeted by a mad dog like the Yaoqing for no apparent reason.
Though Phantylia Kitten doubted Feixiao and the Xianzhou Yaoqing could actually bring down a Lord Ravager, she couldn't care less.
What does it have to do with me?
I'm not even a Lord Ravager anymore. I'm just a Little Kitten under Lady Lumina now. Whether the Antimatter Legion gets shot down or hunted—None of My Business!
Let the Xianzhou Alliance and the Lord Ravager do whatever they want. I'll just lie here in Lumina's arms and slack off.
Meow~
To be fair, there's one thing Phantylia Kitten can't criticize about Lumina.
That is, this wretched woman's embrace seems to possess some kind of magical power. If you lie there for even a short time, you become utterly addicted to it.
From that moment on, nothing else in the world seems appealing.
Though Phantylia Kitten might be exaggerating a bit, the truth is undeniable.
No matter how stubbornly she denies it or how unwilling she is to admit it, the facts are right in front of her. What else can she do?
Hmm... Since things have come to this, I might as well stay here a little longer.
After mulling over all this in her mind, Phantylia Kitten felt a twinge of fatigue.
She raised a tiny paw to her mouth, yawned, then went limp, slowly settling down with her eyes half-closed, thoroughly enjoying Lumina's embrace.
So comfy, meow~
At this moment, Phantylia Kitten had completely forgotten.
That she had once been...
A Lord Ravager who struck terror throughout the Cosmos...
-
"We've gathered you all here today not merely to discuss the challenges facing the Luofu."
"There's another matter that requires the presence of all three Generals."
At the Seat of Divine Foresight, Huaiyan glanced at Lumina but said nothing more. It seemed the upcoming confidential discussion would also be open to her.
"Oh? In that case, perhaps I should..."
"Miss Lumina, what follows may concern both you and me."
Having said so much, Lumina naturally had no intention of lingering. After all, she already knew the substance of their subsequent conversation.
But just as Lumina was about to leave, General Huaiyan suddenly spoke, asking her to stay.
"Hmm?"
Facing Lumina's slightly suspicious gaze, Huaiyan slowly explained, "This concerns matters between the Aeons."
"Oh?" Despite already knowing the details, Lumina deliberately feigned ignorance, arching her brow in mock surprise.
"Meow?" The Phantylia Kitten in Lumina's arms, hearing Huaiyan's words, instantly snapped out of its lazy stupor.
When it came to matters concerning the Aeons, the Phantylia Kitten had to stand up and listen.
But being cradled in Lumina's arms, standing up wasn't an option, so it settled for listening while still sprawled out.
"In that case, I'll stay a bit longer. I hope the three Generals will forgive my imposition." Though she had no real interest in the rest of the proceedings, Lumina couldn't refuse after Old General Huaiyan's request.
Hmm... and wasn't Ruan Mei supposed to arrive soon?
Then it's settled. Staying is necessary.
As Lumina pondered how to orchestrate another meeting with Ruan Mei, Huaiyan continued speaking.
"Yao Guang has sent a transmission from the Xianzhou Yuque, sharing the results calculated from within the Internal Matrix."
"Jing Yuan, may I borrow the Seat of Divine Foresight's chessboard?"
With that, Huaiyan turned his gaze toward the massive holographic chessboard in the center of the Seat of Divine Foresight.
Moments later, radiant light surged from the chessboard's grid, weaving into a seal representing the General of the Yuque.
"Greetings, everyone. Long time no see. And... Miss Lumina, allow me to introduce myself. I am General of the Yuque, Yao Guang." A voice emanated from the seal.
"Greetings, General Yao Guang," Lumina responded politely with a smile.
Yao Guang... another friend worth getting to know better.
"Hello, hello! If I weren't currently stretched thin with my avatars, I would have loved to meet you in person," Yao Guang replied, seemingly enthusiastic about Lumina.
"But I must ask for your understanding, Miss Lumina. The Huangzhong System can only be maintained for a very limited time, leaving us no time for proper introductions."
Though Yao Guang's voice retained its childlike energy, Lumina detected a hint of regret beneath the surface.
"It's quite alright, General Yao Guang. If I have the opportunity another day, I would be delighted to travel to the Xianzhou Yuque," Lumina said with a smile.
"Really? That's wonderful! Before you visit the Yuque, Miss Lumina, please notify me in advance. I'll arrange the highest honors for you!" Yao Guang's voice brimmed with delight at Lumina's words.
But these "honors"...
Hmm, I hope it won't be The Arbiter's Arrow?