This Chat Group's Vibe is a Bit Off

Under Koschei's arrangement, Qianyi and the Reunion cadres reached Saint-Junburg in the shortest time possible and smoothly took over all of Fyodor's assets, including the Imperial Trio.

The Crown, the Scepter, and the Coronation Robe.

When they arrived at Saint-Junburg, the symbols of imperial authority were all sitting on the throne, untouched.

"This Fyodor guy's pretty decent—makes me almost reluctant to dig him up from wherever he's hiding and give him a beating." Qianyi pressed the Crown onto Talulah's head, but it didn't fit at all—her horns got in the way. Instead, it suited someone like him, whose head had no weird protrusions.

Watching Qianyi sit on the throne with the Crown on, Talulah couldn't help asking, "How does it feel?"

Qianyi shook his head and gave his verdict: "A shabby hut in the dead of night can lull you to sleep easily, but a comfortable palace is like a ship's rudder in a storm. The king, like a sailor, is watched by Death amid thunder and lightning, unable to rest—because a head that wears the Crown can never find peace on a pillow."

He stood up, took off the Crown, and casually tossed it to FrostNova beside him, gesturing for her to take a seat too. And so it went—Koschei, the long-lived Ursus Grand Duke, watched for the first time as the Ursus throne became a photo-op hotspot, passed around by a whole group of people in turn.

She could barely hold it together, thinking, how did Ursus end up like this?

After everyone—even the Sarkaz mercenaries like Frost, Ines, W, and Mudrock—had taken a turn sitting on it and experiencing what it felt like to be emperor, Koschei finally, with a complicated expression, gestured for Talulah to put on the robe, wear the Crown, and take up the Scepter, entering the formal coronation phase: "Allow me to ring the Tsar Bell for you, so that the Grand Dukes and nobles may come to pay homage."

A new emperor's ascension meant the nobles were obligated to come pay their respects.

Yet, after Koschei rang the Tsar Bell, everyone waited in silence for a full five hours—from dawn until the sun blazed high at noon—and still not a single noble arrived.

With an awkward expression, she immediately sent the Snake Scale to investigate, only to find that all the nobles had come—they just saw that someone had already beaten them into Saint-Junburg's palace, so most were now watching from outside the city walls. Some had even started mobilizing their troops.

"What the hell are these Grand Dukes and Marquises trying to do?" Koschei rarely showed anger.

Couldn't these brainless nobles read the situation?!

Anyone—could someone with a shred of sense just show up already?!

Just as Koschei's heart was sinking to rock bottom, and she was even considering going out to find some commoners to play nobles, then killing off all those idiots afterward, a joyful report finally came from the palace gates of Saint-Junburg.

"Report! A noble has come to pay homage."

Koschei brightened.

Was it Imperial Finance Minister Islam Witt? No, that guy was too shrewd—he'd probably still be lying low, weighing the situation.

Grand Duke Vanya was a possibility. If he came, he'd carry some weight.

Marquis Boris wouldn't be bad either. If it was him, she'd consider bumping up his rank later. Viscount Kerk was too low in status—if he came, he wouldn't have enough clout. She'd have to promote him on the spot, two ranks up from Viscount to Marquis.

But when she heard her subordinate's report, her face darkened.

What the hell?! The "Leader" of Originium Pool—what kind of bullshit is that?!

Chapter 80: Koschei, You Insignificant Woman

Koschei was stunned.

Wait, sister, does Ursus even have a place called Originium Pool? And what the hell is the Leader of Originium Pool? What, some leftover from the Tara Dynasty that Victoria kicked out?

A stray dog from the countryside, coming to Ursus to beg? Beat them out with a stick!

These days, every Tom, Dick, and Harry dared to come mooch off Ursus.

Though that was what she thought, seeing Qianyi and the others who had been standing below for five full hours, their expressions clearly turning sour, Koschei had no choice but to accept it.

A stray dog was better than nothing.

Just then, a carriage rolled into the palace—its body made of pitch-black ebony, the surface smooth as a mirror, inlaid with exquisite metal carvings, gold trim outlining elegant curves, as if it had just drifted out of a royal court.

This was Koschei's careful arrangement, because having only two nobles walk in on foot would look shabby. The driver bent down to open the door, shielding the top edge with his hand so the honored guest wouldn't accidentally bump their head.

A purple high heel lightly pressed against the ground. A slender calf carried a breathtaking beauty that defied the aristocratic impression the heels gave. The young girl who emerged from the carriage wore a purple Victoria gauze dress, tight-fitting, hugging her firm chest, narrow waist, and curvy hips. The skirt was long, but the side slit went all the way up to her hip—every movement would reveal her shapely rear and pale, slender legs. The long tail behind her made her sway as she walked, exuding a noble queenly air.

Following behind her was a blonde "Wyvern," head lowered, with similar looks and attire—a deliberate distinction.

Wildfire.jpg

Under normal circumstances, Aibrana wouldn't let her sister, who served as her Kagemusha, show herself in public. But this time was special—the sisters' unique dynamic might be an extra bonus. To defeat Talulah and take the throne, she had to use every trick.

Hehe, I have to win!

I will seize Victoria's government! I will revive the Tara Dynasty!!! I will reclaim everything that belongs to the Drac!!!!

"Aibrana, along with my foolish sister Lavhini, pays respects to you, great Red Dragon Your Majesty." Aibrana bowed to Talulah on the throne, making no effort to hide her Drac traits, while her eyes kept scanning the people around her with sidelong glances.

"You're Dracs?" Talulah recognized the sisters' race at a glance.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Aibrana studied Talulah—her heroic features paired with a male-style Coronation Robe, plus that masculine aura, made her a top-tier lady-killer.

So who was the real emperor? She swept her gaze over the crowd.

Soon, her eyes locked onto Qianyi... and the Koschei beside him.

As the leader of Originium Pool, she could tell at a glance that this woman exuded an extraordinary aura—the kind that belonged to a high-ranking figure accustomed to absolute dominance. So this was the mastermind behind Talulah?

Trouble. She'd thought it would be a man, but it turned out to be a woman.

Looking at Koschei, who oozed femininity, then back at Talulah, who was like a blend of a fairy-tale white knight and a warrior, Aibrana started sweating.

Damn, I've been putting my effort in the wrong direction!

Is it too late to ditch the sexy route and go for the lady-killer angle?

"Come forward."

Talulah beckoned the Aibrana sisters to step closer so she could get a better look. After a careful examination, she was overjoyed—she hadn't expected to meet her own kin. She'd thought the Drac race had been whittled down to just her, the last one standing.

If there were other Dracs still alive, then she really had no need to go through with a marriage alliance with Qianyi. It was sad to admit, but she simply lacked any feminine charm—she couldn't let someone like her ruin her good brother's first marriage. And those Drac sisters were both stunning; even if it was just a political union, it would be far from a loss.

The thought of soon arranging a fine match for her good brother made Talulah hum inwardly. She then looked at Qianyi, seeking his opinion with her eyes.

"Why's Ata looking at me?"

Qianyi, catching Talulah's gaze, looked puzzled. After staring back for a while, he finally read the plea in her eyes.

Was Ata trying to catch up with Banana Sister and Wildfire, those two Dracs, up close? Then why not just pull them over to the throne? Eh, at times like this, a smile and a nod would do.

He smiled back. Talulah nodded in return, understanding her friend's thoughts.

Got it. Qianyi had taken a liking to the sisters. She'd find a way to send them to his bed later.

Down below, Aibrana caught Talulah exchanging glances with someone from the corner of her eye, further cementing her suspicions.

Talulah was consulting that white-haired woman—she must be the puppet master behind Talulah's seizure of the Ursus Emperor's throne!

"Qianyi, why was Talulah staring at you?" Kiana whispered. After standing for five hours, she was bored to death.

"Maybe she wants to catch up with the Wildfire sisters," Qianyi guessed.

"You've met those two sisters too?" Kiana was startled. "How do you know everyone, Qianyi? Next, are you going to quiz them on their education?"

"Met them, but not well. And why does that sound so weird coming from you?"

"Must be your imagination. I'm a pure, innocent child." Kiana nodded, as if affirming something.

"..." Qianyi suddenly wanted to punch Kiana, but with so many people around, he couldn't act on it. He found an excuse instead. "Bored? If you are, let's take a spin around Saint-Junburg."

"Sure, sure." Kiana agreed without a second thought.

She'd been dying to get off her feet.

While no one was watching, she quietly slipped behind Patriot and opened a Space Gate. Qianyi took the chance to move behind Koschei, muscles tensed, entering combat mode—planning to kick Kiana right in the face later.

"What are you doing, don't stand there... Aaah!!!" Koschei, startled by someone sneaking up behind her, instinctively clamped her legs together, stiffened her body, and let out a shriek like a startled Haji Snake, shattering the palace's harmonious atmosphere.

Her scream jolted Talulah, making her flinch. The ill-fitting Crown wobbled and clattered off the throne, bouncing on the floor.

Patriot, FrostNova, Mudrock, and the others, thinking an enemy had invaded, immediately drew their weapons and...

Formed a tight circle around Qianyi, glaring at their surroundings.

Aibrana also put on a show of defending the throne, snatching up the fallen Crown and blending in with the crowd. But her motives weren't loyal—driven by ambition to claim the world, she wanted to touch the symbol of Ursus's supreme authority.

But whether the Crown had triggered some mechanism from the fall or carried some Origin Stone Arts, the moment she gripped it, a suffocating gravity surged into her, as if the weight of the entire world pressed down on her shoulders. Her chest tightened, her body crushed by an irresistible force, limbs nearly immobile.

After a few seconds, a metallic taste rose in her throat. She swallowed it down, silent, but the violent sense of weightlessness forced her to her knees with a thud. The Crown slipped from her hand, clattering against the floor.

But everyone's attention was elsewhere, so only her sister Lavhini noticed her little blunder.

"???"

Qianyi, baffled by how the atmosphere had suddenly turned so tense, looked silently at Koschei, the culprit behind it all. "Koschei, what's wrong with you?"

Why are you screaming like a girl?

"Don't... don't stand behind me..." A faint blush crept across Koschei's face, clearly recalling something unspeakable. Her voice was low, tinged with panic, as she made her plea.

Are you Madara Uchiha? Can't pee with someone behind you?

In truth, Koschei didn't want to react this way, but Talulah's dual blades—Fire's Joy and Frost of Sorrow—had shattered her pride and dignity, leaving an indelible scar on her soul. Now, whenever someone stood behind her, she froze like a snake pinned by its weak spot, body writhing in reflex.

Chapter 81: Hey, Wait, How Are You All Dead?

Misunderstanding resolved.

No enemy attack, no assassination attempt on Qianyi—just Haji Snake having a freak-out.

But after that, the atmosphere turned painfully awkward.

The Aibrana sisters stood there, mortified and unsure what to do (actually just afraid their little stunt would be discovered).

Qianyi, who'd been planning to bolt, picked up the fallen Crown instead, intending to place it back on Talulah. Since her clothes didn't fit, she'd have to stay seated like an old relic or they'd slip off.

The moment he picked up the Crown, a wave of gravity slammed into him. It felt like the weight of the Thirteen Territories of Ursus had been laid on his shoulders.

Noticing this, Koschei warned, "The Crown of Ursus carries an Origin Stone Art called Regal Authority. To wear the crown is to bear its weight. Without sufficient stature to uphold the emperor's name, you'll be crushed. But if the bearer is an emperor who can lead Ursus to greatness, that weight will crush every enemy standing in Ursus's way."

"Interesting ability. Why didn't I feel it before?" Qianyi thought of the Star of Eden, that Divine Key that could manipulate gravity. He'd love to get his hands on it, but it was too shattered—only the Herrscher of Reason could repair it quickly. Unfortunately, Welt had run off, Seele was still learning, so it was left to Heavenly Mandate's tech department to slowly fix it.

"Because it kills," Koschei said. If one lacked the emperor's mettle, they'd die before crushing any enemy.

Not every emperor had the ambition to claim the world. Most of the time, the throne was inherited by blood, not ability. So throughout history, most emperors had such low standards you'd wonder if they were even human.

Should I turn it off?

Just as Koschei was about to suggest it, Qianyi had already placed the Crown on his head, ready to test it out.

In that instant, the mountains fell silent, ancient bells tolled, and a great, ageless voice echoed across the skies of Saint-Junburg.

Koschei's eyes widened. In her thousand-year memory, even Ursus's most brilliant sovereigns had only covered the Saint-Junburg palace grounds. More often, the moment they heard it could crush them, they'd summon sorcerers to seal it away like the pigs they were.

But this "Regal Authority," covering the entire Saint-Junburg, was unprecedented. She dared not blink, vowing to etch this grand moment into her soul.

Ursus's sacred emperor would unleash his sacred Origin Stone Arts.

A massive spiritual pressure descended from the heavens, crashing down on the nobles gathered outside Saint-Junburg. They all felt an irresistible force, a power that nearly tore their consciousness apart. Their backs bent involuntarily, knees nailed to the ground, unable to move. Every living thing had to bow, submit, kneel. If they didn't kneel, their leg bones would shatter. If they didn't prostrate, their spines would snap. If they didn't lower their heads, black blood would seep from their eyes, noses, and mouths.

But the aggressive side of the Regal Authority was only aimed at enemies. Subjects loyal to the emperor had no need to suffer oppression from power and force. Only enemies and traitors would have their spines and knees shattered by the hammer of authority and strength, reduced to homeless dogs.

After wearing it for a while, Qianyi gave a sharp critique: "Feels... not as good as a ten-thousand-fold gravity."

"Do you need me to turn it off?" Koschei asked cautiously.

"No need. This thing seems to have voice recognition." Qianyi took off the Crown and shouted at it: "Hey Xiao Ai, turn off."

The invisible pressure vanished, and that distant, majestic voice faded along with it, returning to silence.

Koschei: "???"

What the hell?!

"Not much use, but it's fun to play with as a toy." Qianyi walked step by step up to the throne and placed the Crown on the head of Talulah, who was sitting there stiffly, afraid to move because her clothes would fall off if she did.

But no matter which direction he tried, those horns were always in the way. In the end, with no other option, Qianyi simply hung the Crown sideways on one of Talulah's horns.

Looking at Talulah, who was clearly uncomfortable, Qianyi glanced around and noticed that aside from Aibrana's sisters, everyone else was one of their own. He said bluntly: "Looks like no other nobles are coming. All friends here, make yourselves at ease."

Talulah breathed a sigh of relief and asked: "Can I take this coat off? I've been holding it up for five hours, it's really uncomfortable."

Without waiting for anyone's approval, Talulah lifted the Coronation Robe, folded it, and tossed it to the ground. She got up from the throne, plopped down on the steps beside it, then kicked off the golden high heels Koschei had prepared with her left and right feet, and started rubbing her sore ankles. Qianyi, who had long been tired of standing, took the opportunity to sit down on the now-empty throne, like someone grabbing a seat the moment it opens up on a crowded subway.

Seeing this, the others also loosened up, sitting directly on the floor and launching into a fierce critique of the evils of feudalism—how could they not even provide a stool to sit on? Koschei, sweating profusely, quickly ordered someone to bring chairs.

This scene nearly made Aibrana spit out a mouthful of blood. She felt that this group had none of that solemn, glorious sense of destiny like "passing the imperial exams and rising to the top overnight." Instead, they were more like "bandits taking over Goose City," exuding the same sneaky vibe as a phantom thief crew.

But what pissed her off the most was Talulah.

Damn it! They're both Dracs, why is this tomboy so lucky!

You get to meet a father who lets you sit on the throne instead of reducing you to the same state as us—nearly wiped out by the Aslan Clan's persecution—and instead of being grateful and contributing your worth, you're this spoiled, complaining about sitting on the throne for five hours like you can't handle it, with none of the awareness a puppet emperor should have.