Caressing her imperial cross to calm herself, Da Min gently pushed open the wooden door.
She was a veteran of countless battlefields, accustomed to the horrors of war, and she was not afraid of death. Despite this, facing this seemingly simple tea shop, she felt a long-forgotten nervousness rise up, akin to that time she had been waiting for an imperial audience.
This eerie and mysterious house was proof that creatures with unimaginable abilities were toying with her life and the fate of the empire. She had wanted to warn others about it, to put it under constant surveillance, but every time she tried, she would somehow be distracted, and end the conversation only to realize afterwards she had said nothing about it at all.
Hundreds of unsettling coincidences had left her alone in her knowledge of its existence. She had ended up researching it herself, but had found nothing. As far as the empire was concerned, this shop did not exist, and it did not have the space to exist.
What was this place? Why was it here, what powers did it hold and what did the strange man inhabiting it want? It seemed that if she wanted answers, she would have to face the shopkeeper once more.
Stepping through the door, she took a moment to adjust to the pressure, fighting against her claustrophobia and the irrational belief that she was being squashed into a space too small to contain her. Forcefully repressing her fear, she glanced around the dimly lit building, knowing she was on a time limit.
The shopkeeper has not changed, hunched over in his chair, his eyes glued to the bloody knife she had given him. What did he find so interesting about it that he still studied it so intently months later?
“It’s nice to see some people appreciate my gifts properly.”
She knew he hadn’t done anything to harm her with it, she would have felt it if he had. Her appointment as general had tied her fate to that of the dynasty she served, so anyone stupid enough to use her blood in magic rituals would have to face off against the luck of the entire nation.
Since nothing like that had happened, he probably didn’t have ill intentions, but now she was curious about why he had wanted it in the first place.
“Esteemed guest! You startled me, I was not expecting you to be back so soon.”
So soon? What made him so reticent to her coming, to find their time apart too short even after almost a year? Did he have something to hide, or did he simply dislike her? Why would an entity capable of subtle mind control fear discovery? She hoped this was a sign his powers were limited in some capacity.
“I am sorry, am I disturbing?”
As usual, it took him a second or two two respond, as if he needed to think carefully before each sentence he spoke.
“Oh, not at all. I was simply lost in thought, but I can always make time for a chat with a fellow truth-seeker.”
Rather than dance around the issue, she decided that this time a straightforward question would be best.
“Sir, I must ask, are you a cultivator? The empire is backed by the Gushanhui sect, and for safety reasons, it is required for roaming cultivators to identify themselves settling down.”
This was quite the exaggeration, but it was important to make a show of strength, and to hide the empire's helplessness when facing supernatural enemies. Still, she made sure not to tell any outright lies, because when revealed, a paper tiger was worse of a defense than a real-life mouse.
“No, I am not a cultivator. There was a time I dreamt about it, but no longer. Though, to answer the spirit of your question rather than playing around with specific terms, I am a little skilled in the arcane arts.”
Was it possible to wield magic without being a cultivator? Was this why he sounded so unconcerned by the threat of the Gushanhui sect? And why, oh why couldn't she be facing off against a proper threat, like meeting an enemy army on a battlefield, instead of being here walking on eggshells, asking about things she knew nothing about, worried that the slightest mistake could herald the collapse of her country?
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Having confirmed she was dealing with powers beyond her comprehension, she meant to be polite, but the idea of being mind controlled was so appalling, a faint accusatory tone leaked out.
“So, you really are the one messing with my head!”
“Messing with your head? What are you talking about?”
There was no way she was going to believe that he had nothing to do with her repeated amnesia, especially with how targeted they had been.
“You know what, that thing that prevents me from talking about you or your shop to anybody!”
Only the fear of her impertinence harming the empire kept her from shouting, as she wished nothing more than to take all of her frustrations on this terrifying man. It could not be understated how hard it was to conduct a difficult military campaign while wrestling with the idea that someone was controlling your thoughts from halfway across the mainland.
“Most curious. How exactly are you “prevented” from speaking? Is it a physical restriction? An invisible gag? Do the words come out garbled, or do people simply not hear you? Have you tried writing a letter?”
“So you claim to have nothing to do with it? It is only a coincidence that I lose my train of thought every time I want to disclose your existence to anyone?”
“Oh no, it is probably my fault. Or, more precisely, this shop’s fault. You see, it is a rather powerful treasure, and one of its functions is to hide itself and any of its occupants from the outside world. I just had no idea it extended to memory manipulation. Most curious indeed.”
Da Min didn’t know what to say. She had been expecting smug satisfaction, malicious delight or annoyance at being questioned. She might have accepted confusion or righteous anger at being wrongly accused, feigned or real. What she found intolerable was his carless nonchalance. He wasn’t defending himself, speaking as if the fact he had controlled her mind was insignificant, only interested in the mechanics of it.
“How could you not know? Isn’t it your shop?”
“Ah yes, but as I have said, we are dealing with a high-level treasure here. I told it to hide me, and so I was hidden. I didn’t really consider how that would happen.”
“Anyways, enough about that. With your fancy armor and medals, you must have a high rank in the army, correct? Then I would like to ask for some advice.”
She wasn’t ready to move on, but thought it wise to follow his lead for now, to bring back the subject later, after she had time to think. Accepting his invitation to sit down, she was presented with a steaming cup of tea, which he motioned for her to drink.
“I have… a protege, who has dragon blood flowing through her veins. Ruling is her destiny, and I wish to help her to grow into a true empress, to establish an eternal dynasty, unifying the world.”
Da Min jumped to her feet, her hand on her sword and a scowl on her face.
“Sir, what are you saying? I serve the empire, and will do so until the day of my death. There is only one true dragon fated to rule, and it is his Imperial Highness.”
“No, no, I don't want you to change masters and enter her service or anything like that. Since you believe in civilization, and have experience in leadership, I just thought you could give me some advice on how I could teach her, and unearth her potential.”
“I say again, I am general Da Min of the Ohilia Empire, and will have no part in the creation of a rebellion! If your protege truly has dragon blood, then you should present her to the court, and I can guarantee that she will be given the opportunity to thrive. But if you wish to establish a “new dynasty” to “unify the world” as you say, then you will have to face my sword!”
Strangely, the shopkeeper's face, which had always worn a peaceful and relaxed expression, radiating warmth, suddenly became completely emotionless. Contrastingly, for the first time, she could hear a trace of panic and embarrassment in his voice.
“No, no, you misunderstand me! I don’t wish to harm your empire at all! It won’t have any impact on you at all! She doesn’t even live in your world. Don’t take it so seriously, it's just part of a hide and seek game I am playing with the Elder…”
Most of his hasty explanations flew over her head, but they sounded sincere, and plausible. Provided she believed the shopkeeper was capable of communicating with someone from another world. It did sound far-fetched, but then again, that was on brand for this mysterious non-cultivator.
Finally, she sighed and sat back down, defeated. The shopkeeper could get his way, whether she was willing to help or not, and it seemed best to make a token effort, and infiltrate this possible rebellion she couldn't defeat.
This way at least, she would know what signs to look out for to see if this draconic empress ever became a threat. What better way to know your enemy than to teach them yourself?
She started mentally sorting out what advice she could give, that would satisfy this monstrous man while minimizing the potential threat it would bring. To buy herself some time, she raised the teacup to her mouth, taking a sip, and the world exploded in color.