Starting to Eat Clone Soft Rice from Jujutsu Kaisen, Chapter 45

Chapter 96: Banana Sister: The Kinsman She Admired Turned Out to Be This Kind of Person Behind the Scenes!

Meanwhile, outside the palace.

A pair of Drac sisters sharing the same bloodline as Talulah stood before the palace, awaiting summons.

"Sister, why must we come to pay homage to that Emperor Talulah?"

The younger of the two, a girl with long golden hair, asked the woman beside her, whose features resembled her own but whose hair was more white, and whose bearing was more mature and alluring.

"If we don't want to leave Victoria for good, then this is something we must do—something we have no choice but to do."

Ablana explained to her sister Weed, or rather Lafcini, beside her.

Regarding that Emperor Talulah, Ablana had already been monitoring and investigating her intelligence ever since she rose to power in the frigid Ursus. In fact, she could be considered one of the people on this land who paid the closest attention to Talulah's information.

Compared to the two sisters, Talulah was undoubtedly far more capable and had succeeded by countless times more.

Both were adopted by nobles, yet Talulah had inherited the legacy of that undying Ursus Black Serpent, becoming a new Ursus Grand Duke and seizing control of the Third Army Group. This single point alone was enough for Ablana to look up to her.

One had to know that was the position of a Grand Duke in Ursus, a top-tier superpower on Terra rivaling Victoria. Not to mention controlling an entire army group. In comparison, the Deep Pool that Ablana and her sister had managed over the years was nothing more than small-time play, utterly unworthy of mention before her.

Yet even these achievements, which were beyond the reach of both sisters, were merely a beginning for her. In the following months, Talulah first mobilized her army and secretly formed a terrifying Wendigo Legion. In less than ten days, she marched her forces to Holy Steed Castle, seized the Ursus imperial throne, and shocked every nation on Terra.

She held a coronation ceremony and military parade at Holy Steed Castle, officially becoming Ursus's new emperor before the eyes of the world. Then, without pause, she waged war on Kazimierz, conquering it in just a few days.

After seizing these lands, this ambitious, power-hungry Red Dragon still wasn't satisfied. She turned her greedy gaze toward Victoria, forcibly invaded this top Terra power, and while Victoria's capital Londinium was vulnerable due to Sarkaz raids, she brazenly occupied the capital and sat herself on Victoria's throne.

One could say that compared to this Emperor Talulah, Ablana felt that her and her sister's dream of reviving the Tara Dynasty was mere child's play. Everything she had ever yearned for was something that Emperor Talulah could obtain with ease—perhaps even things she disdained to scheme for.

Though they flowed with the same blood, the gap between Ablana and her sister and Talulah was as vast as that between two different worlds.

Now, the reason Ablana had come here on the eve of Talulah's war with Victoria's dukes was twofold: first, out of curiosity about this kinsman who had defied fate through her own effort, sweat, and talent; second, for self-preservation and surrender.

Although from the surface, Talulah—having only brought two army groups deep into Victoria and facing encirclement by the allied dukes—seemed to be at a disadvantage, Ablana believed that someone of her caliber couldn't have overlooked this. Since she dared to forcibly occupy Londinium under these circumstances, it meant she was confident she could resist, or even defeat, the duke alliance.

Judging from Emperor Talulah's past experiences, she wasn't the type to act without certainty.

One had to know that to this day, Emperor Talulah had never failed. Anything she set her sights on always ended up in her hands.

In other words, Talulah had arrived, and another nation was about to fall.

And considering the scenario where Talulah would conquer Victoria and rule it as emperor, Ablana and her sister Lafcini—who also carried Drac blood and thus held a certain degree of inheritance rights to Victoria's throne—if they didn't come to surrender now, how would Emperor Talulah view them afterward?

Ablana put herself in Talulah's shoes. If she didn't show submission in time and proactively, then to eliminate any other Drac bloodline as a threat to her rule, she and her sister Lafcini would likely be physically erased from this land by Emperor Talulah's will.

It was precisely because of this consideration that Ablana, upon learning that Talulah had led her army group to occupy Londinium, immediately rushed here at top speed, just to pay homage.

Thus, after the two Red Dragon sisters waited for an unknown period, the guard who had gone to announce them finally returned and led them into the palace.

And Ablana finally got her wish to see the Red Dragon emperor seated upon the throne, exuding an aura of immense pressure that even she could feel—a woman who, despite her gender, was full of heroic spirit, noble, beautiful, and majestic.

And also An Xiu, who had somehow dragged another chair over and placed it beside the throne, sitting on it.

Wait, who is this guy?

In truth, Ablana did recognize An Xiu. Since she closely followed Talulah's intelligence, and he had been beside Talulah on the high platform during the coronation, she remembered his face.

But beyond that, she could find nothing else. She couldn't see any outstanding ability; he held no important post. Though he had been enfeoffed as a new Ursus Grand Duke, he had no army group or personal troops under his command. The only feat she knew of was leading some Wendigo Legion members to wipe out a large number of Ursus nobles.

To put it bluntly, anyone could do that. Even tying a dog to the job wouldn't cause any mishaps.

Yet someone like this could sit directly beside Talulah while she was on the throne?

Even more astonishing was that Emperor Talulah didn't seem angry but instead tacitly allowed his behavior?

Before she could think further, Ablana and her sister Lafcini were brought before Talulah. To express their sincerity, the two sisters knelt directly on the ground.

"Ablana Dublin, together with my younger sister Lafcini Dublin, pay respects to the great Red Dragon, Your Majesty Talulah."

"You are also Dracs?"

Seeing the unmistakable racial traits on the two sisters before her, Talulah showed an interested expression.

She had thought she was the last Drac on this land, but it turned out she still had kinsmen.

At this, Talulah felt very pleased.

As for Ablana's earlier worry that Talulah might see their shared bloodline as a threat to her rule? Clearly, Talulah had no such thoughts and hadn't even considered it.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Our race is Drac."

Ablana nodded in confirmation.

"What purpose brings you here?"

Talulah asked.

"We wish to offer our loyalty to Your Majesty and hope to pledge ourselves to your service."

"Pledge yourselves to me?"

"That's right. We are willing to follow any arrangement Your Majesty makes, as long as you accept us two sisters."

"I see..."

Completely missing Ablana's underlying motives and subtext, Talulah turned to look at An Xiu beside her.

"An Xiu, what do you think?"

An Xiu spoke nonchalantly.

"Since they want to pledge loyalty, just accept them. Two Dracs, after all—their strength definitely won't disappoint."

"Makes sense. Could I trouble you to arrange their placements, An Xiu?"

"Sure."

Having nothing else to do for now, An Xiu simply nodded, then rose and looked down at the two sisters.

"You two, follow me."

Ablana, still kneeling, glanced at her sister beside her, then nodded.

"As you command, my lord."

Following behind An Xiu as they left the Throne Hall, Ablana's mind had already begun racing wildly.

From the brief exchange between Talulah and An Xiu just now, she had sensed something off.

This man's attitude toward Talulah, the Emperor, was far too casual—and Talulah, far from being angered, seemed to indulge him completely...

Putting herself in Talulah's shoes, Ablana thought: if anyone under her command dared speak to her like that, their grave would already be overgrown with weeds three meters tall.

Unless his identity was far from what it seemed.

In that moment, countless possibilities flashed through Ablana's mind.

Could it be that this man was... a favored consort of Her Majesty Talulah? That would explain the indulgence.

Yes, even in this situation, Ablana never considered the possibility that Talulah was a puppet.

After all, based on the intelligence gathered, including the Wendigo Legion, all of Talulah's armies were still firmly in her grasp. In all of Terra, what puppet had that much power? And what kind of behind-the-scenes ruler would dare raise a puppet like that?

If someone really raised a puppet that way, they shouldn't be called a behind-the-scenes ruler—they'd be an angel investor.

So, after discarding the only correct answer, the only possibility Ablana could think of was that he was a consort.

And probably one with exceptional skills, the kind who could tame the domineering Emperor Talulah in bed—because from his attitude, this man had clearly started to act like he was in charge in front of her.

Tsk... She never imagined Emperor Talulah had such a side in private. But then again, as a woman, having those needs was normal. Yet letting herself be dominated by a man because of it—that, Ablana couldn't quite understand.

Still, if Emperor Talulah's attitude remained unchanged, following this man might actually be surprisingly promising?

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Chapter 97: Ablana's Schemes, the Duke's Coalition Arrives

Inside the palace, along a winding side path.

An Xiu led Ablana and Weed to a Side Hall and arranged their lodgings there.

"The conditions are a bit crude, since the Sarkaz army just ransacked the place not long ago, but basic furniture and daily necessities have been restocked. I trust you won't mind?"

"Of course not. We're grateful to you, my lord, for personally escorting us sisters here."

Ablana spoke respectfully.

"May I ask what positions you plan to assign us under His Majesty's command?"

"That depends on what you want. If you seek glory, I can arrange officer posts in the army. You must know something of Ata's experiences—there'll be no shortage of chances to make your mark there."

"If you'd rather avoid battle and prefer a quieter life, I can assign you to some leisurely posts in the rear. Given your Drac identities and abilities, your starting rank won't be too low either."

"So, tell me your intentions."

An Xiu asked.

Hearing this, a gleam flashed in Ablana's eyes.

"We sisters seek no high positions—only to serve by Your Majesty's or Lord An Xiu's side."

"You want to follow Ata and me? In that case, I can arrange for you to be Ata's Attendants or Guards."

An Xiu nodded in reply.

Even positions like Attendant and Guard—roles practically synonymous with trusted confidants—could be assigned at will?

Ablana pondered.

Normally, positions like the Emperor's Attendants and Guards, which offered frequent contact with the sovereign, were personally selected and appointed by the Emperor himself. Anyone who dared meddle in such appointments would be signing their own death warrant.

After all, the choice of Attendants and Guards concerned the Emperor's personal safety. If you meddled in even these trusted roles, what were you planning? To monitor the Emperor? Or plant an assassin?

Doing something like that marked you as no ordinary minister—you were openly declaring your ambition. The Emperor, if only to maintain his authority, would have no choice but to crush you with all his might.

Yet this man named An Xiu not only did so but acted as if it were only natural, as if he had no fear that Emperor Talulah would take offense. He was so casual it was as if he saw himself as the Emperor.

Just what level of favor could grant someone such an audacious attitude? Was Emperor Talulah truly so indulgent with her man?

Despite the turmoil in her mind, Ablana's outward response was swift. She pulled her sister along and bowed in gratitude to the man before her.

"Thank you for your trust, my lord. From now on, we sisters will serve at Your Majesty's and your command."

"Mm. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask someone, or come find me directly. I usually have plenty of free time, and I don't mind chatting occasionally."

"Oh? May I ask what position you hold, my lord, and when would be a good time for us sisters to visit without disturbing you?"

Hearing that there would be further opportunities to interact with An Xiu, Ablana's eyes brightened, and she quickly inquired.

"As long as you don't come too late, it's fine. Ata hasn't assigned me any specific position—I do whatever I want on a normal day. But generally speaking, I can't be bothered to take on any work, so you can think of me as spending most of my time eating, drinking, and having fun. When the mood strikes, I'll lead some troops out to toy with a few nobles or capitalists."

"Speaking of which, I'm actually quite interested in Victoria's specialty—cat-eared maids. Once Ata takes Victoria, I plan to have her form a Feline Maid Corps in the palace, so I can properly experience that life of decadent pleasure."

Ablana: "..."

I see. That certainly sounds like a life, doesn't it.

The Emperor's personal guards could be placed wherever he pleased; the army could be mobilized at will without needing to request permission; he could kill whoever he wanted whenever he was in a good mood; and his attitude toward the Emperor showed not a shred of respect. The Emperor had just conquered a nation, and before the meritorious officers could even be rewarded, this man dared to demand the Emperor first assemble him a Feline Maid Corps.

The scope of his power was so absurd it defied belief. Aside from having an Emperor above him, he could do whatever he pleased—and yet, every word he spoke carried the implication that Her Majesty Talulah would grant him anything he asked.

If Ablana hadn't already thoroughly verified during her initial investigation into Talulah's intelligence that this Emperor Talulah truly held all power in her own hands—that she was an undisputed Empress who had forged an entire vast empire into her own personal domain, slaughtering every opponent who dared speak against her—she might have genuinely believed that the man before her was the true ruler of this nation.

"If the opportunity arises, my sister and I will certainly come to visit you, milord. We only hope you won't find our presence a bother when we do."

After another round of polite pleasantries, Ablana watched An Xiu's retreating figure. Only after a long moment did she lead her sister into the Side Hall's chambers.

And so, the two sisters Ablana and Weed remained as Attendants, tasked with following Talulah's orders and attending to her daily needs—meals, lodging, and the like.

An Xiu wasn't worried about the sisters harboring any ulterior motives. After all, given Talulah's current strength, even if they dared to cause trouble, the two Red Dragons together would amount to nothing more than one person, one sword.

Time passed slowly, and in the blink of an eye, several days had gone by.

On this day, the city's outer guards reported that after days of waiting, the coalition army assembled by several Victoria Dukes had finally arrived at Londinium.

Twenty or thirty kilometers outside the city, an extraordinarily vast and imposing army was now encamped.

"Your Grace, the High-Speed Warships and all logistical supplies have arrived. We can launch an attack at any time."

Hearing their subordinate's report, the assembled Victoria Dukes nodded slowly.

"Londinium still only has two Ursus Group Armies? Confirmed that there are no other reinforcements?"