(MC POV)
I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "Prime minister?"
Muon nodded her head, "It was the best position for me to gather information while not being overly tied down by my duties, as ironic as it sounds."
Well, that's the bomb I was hit with when I went to talk to Muon in her mansion's study room the next morning. Apparently she's the prime minister of this country, second in authority only to the Matriarch herself.
"Well, thinking about it, you manipulated fate to end up in that position, didn't you?"
Muon smiled cheekily, "It 'just so happens' that the other candidates couldn't be appointed and it was 'pure luck' that there was a suitable person for the job around."
That Star Power really is useful huh? I probably need to start learning how to properly utilise mine.
Since mine should be focused on the aspect of 'Space', there should be a lot of things I can do with it, right? Like going back to my Plane for one...
"I would really like to practice my Sta… I mean, my Origin power, but how do you prevent that massive energy leak?"
"Unnn… At first I thought Senpai's energy leak was because of your powers going out of control. But now I think it's just because Senpai has too huge of an energy reserve and your memory loss means you forgot how to effectively contain it."
"Great, I can't even practice it without sending a giant beacon out to everyone within a five hundred mile radius then."
"As much as I wish to help Senpai, I'm afraid my power is not enough either. Even if I utilise my Origin, I doubt I can create a barrier strong enough to mask Senpai's powers."
I shook my head, "It doesn't really matter, I'm just here to find a way back to the Earthen Plane. It should be a two way portal so I'm searching for the other entrance right now. The last I checked, the person whom I was chasing ended up in this city so I thought I'd begin my search here."
A maid came into the room with a tea set, both of us instantly clamming up at her arrival. The mai set about her task of pouring out a cup of tea for Muon, both of us waiting for her to be done before continuing our conversation.
The fact that there was no tea for me and that the maid sent several glares in my direction was not lost on me. It was as though she couldn't believe I had the audacity to breathe the same air as her.
Muon waited for the maid to leave before she gave me an apologetic look, "I'm sorry. It's ingrained into the people of this Plane that men are inferior…"
I shook my head, "Oh no, I don't blame them, really. I can understand. You don't need to worry about me that much, even in this life I've suffered much worse treatment than what I've got so far."
Her gaze turned into one of concern, "I see… The Earthen Plane must really be a harsh place for Senpai to suffer that much."
No, no. It's actually this Plane that I suffered more in but since that answer would just invite more questions, I didn't bother to correct her.
"So what are Senpai's plans?"
"I was thinking of just following the trail to find my quarry. With Xun Guan's help I should be able to track her down."
Muon shifted her gaze to my shirt, "I see, is there anything I can do to help?"
I shook my head, "You've done more than enough for me, I shouldn't impose on you any more than this."
"Unn… I would like to say that it's not a bother at all, but even I still have duties to fulfill to keep up my appearances. If Senpai needs my help, please do not hesitate to find me again. In the meantime, please take this coin pouch, there should be enough for Senpai to use freely."
"No, I have enough on me already. If I need more, I'll figure out a way. Take it as my pride as a man."
"Fufufu, that manly kind of thinking doesn't exist here though. Understood, please rely on me whenever Senpai needs to."
"Well, if everything goes well, I probably wouldn't see you around either."
"In that case, please allow me to wish Senpai well on your journey and a swift recovery for your memories."
"And I thank you for your guidance for these past few days. I have learnt a lot."
With those parting words, I saw myself out of Muon's mansion, ignoring the glares from the female servants on the way.
I sucked in a lungful of air once I went past the gates, "Guess it's just us two again eh?"
"It seems so, Master. Though we could have just used Muon's resources to find our way back, can't we?"
I shook my head, "Nah, I already feel bad for imposing on her, no matter how many times she insists it's not a problem. Besides, I'm not planning to stay here longer than I have to. If I get too comfortable, that might delay my plans to go back home."
"Understood. Then, shall we initiate the plan?"
"Umu, do it."
My clothes shimmered slightly and a blob of slime separated itself to drop onto the ground.
The ball of slime gathered together before slowly forming into Xun Guan's human form, dressed in a noble Practitioner's clothing.
She did a spin on the spot and gave me a charming smile, "How do I look, Master?"
"Cute enough," I told her, fully knowing what effects compliments had on her.
As expected, the slime girl blushed all the way to her ears and started stammering, "Wha-wha-wha-wha…"
Yep, she's really cute. I'm glad I have her here with me this time instead of being by myself.
Still… Seeing her like this makes me miss my disciples a lot more. I hope they are eating well and living comfortably. I want to go back and pamper them so much.
I gave the slime girl a head pat, "Now, I believe I already gave that girl's Quark Signature to you so you should be able to track her down, right?"
Xun Guan nodded her head quickly, turning around to start sniffing the air. What is she, a tracking hound now?
"Unnn… She should be this way," Xun Guan pointed, leading the way.
Xun Guan led me through the streets of the city, the roads still relatively empty since it was still early in the day. She didn't need to check that I was following her since my clothes were still part of her.
If I started lagging behind to look at something, she would automatically slow down and wait for me to catch up.
It took me a while to realise that we were actually heading up towards the palace district, I was praying so hard that it wouldn't actually be within the palace until Xun Guan stopped abruptly in front of a large building no smaller than Muon's mansion.
"She's here," Xun Guan stated confidently.
The Royal Archives… The place where I had gained most of my cultivation and alchemy knowledge that helped me cheat my way up here. Fate really has a sense of humour it seems…
What else are they going to throw at me next?