Cub 028: Why Do You Keep Suffering the Same Way?

Zao Zao ate my ‘brain’…

Aaaaaaaah!!!!!!

Though among the Crown Clan, not all types of mental force are considered ‘brains,’ for example, the mental force weapons that are an extension of Crown Clan power merely show their formidable spirit; they are different from the crown halo, otherwise every time Meilun attacked, it would be as if he were throwing his own ‘brain.’

If Amos fought, it’d mean he was hacking at people with his ‘brain’—which clearly isn’t the case.

But mental force, for both Crown Clan and anyone else, is keenly important.

It’s just that the Crown Clan’s mental force is strong enough to recover and replenish quickly, to create unique weapons suited to themselves. Not to mention, this piece of mental force was under Meilun’s special attention.

In fact, at this moment, this piece of mental force was not much different to him than his halo.

That’s why Meilun clearly felt Chu Zao’s little sharp teeth biting into his mental force weapon, biting down hard—then, a small corner went missing, and even that tiny bit of mental force could no longer respond to him.

That instant is a bit horrifying for a Crown Clan member.

Especially because, from this angle, only Meilun saw what the little cub hiding under Amos’s wing was doing. And eating mental force—doesn’t that cause a problem????

His scalp tingled, and he hugged his head in terror, and amidst everyone’s confused stares, he rushed over—reaching out to start pawing at Amos’s wings.

Frey: ?

Anya: ?

Amos, whose wing was being pawed: ?

Amos hesitated for a moment, then reached out and firmly pressed the stunned and speechless Meilun back by the shoulder, uncompromisingly shoving Meilun away.

“Uncle Meilun, do you feel you’re missing some sense of boundaries right now?”

A Crown Clan’s wings are extremely sensitive. Not just anyone can touch them.

Let alone pawing directly—Amos’s bone-deep, gradually awakened cub-guarding instinct led him to subconsciously avoid the suggestion of separating Little Chu Zao from him, and to shelter the cub with his wings.

But only Little Chu Zao could squeeze into his wings.

You reach your hand in to paw?

Do you even know what you’re pawing??

A few more times, and Amos was certain—even as an elder, Meilun would get thumped.

Frey and Anya were both dumbfounded.

Although Crown Clan cubs are rare—usually only one per household—the royal lineage, the Dwight family, was different. Their mental force meant they could have more cubs than usual. Even so, five royals in Amos’s generation was extremely rare.

Frey had watched Amos grow up.

Especially after Amos’s birth, not long after Anya, the pollution struck.

All the Crown Clan entered emergency mode, cubs started early training.

Frey could say outright, Amos was a born strong, perceptive king—these traits showed young, and all along, no one ever dared touch his wings.

He really would hit you. And when Amos was younger and prouder, he hit without holding back—it genuinely hurt.

What was Uncle Meilun thinking? Uncle Meilun, that’s brave!

After taking a crisp, deliciously sweet bite of Meilun’s mental force weapon and swallowing it, realizing he’d done something wrong, Little Chu Zao instinctively shrank deeper under Amos’s wing, clutching the weapon, wide-eyed, glancing left and right before instinctively hiding Meilun’s weapon under his own bottom.

“No, it’s not—Zao Zao, he took a bite of my mental force weapon!!!”

Meilun finally caught his breath after the shock, but even as Amos pushed him back, he still struggled, trying to reach.

His silver-white hair got a bit messy after clutching his head from phantom pain, some strands slipping from his hair tie—a sign of this once-elegant gentleman’s shock.

“Hiss—”

Meilun heard the sound of people sucking in breath.

Clearly, someone else had the same thoughts and feelings.

“No way, right?”

Anya stared at Amos’s wings.

An adult Crown Clan’s wings could almost cover themselves, let alone a five-year-old cub.

Little Chu Zao was now completely hidden in Amos’s white wings, nothing showing.

“Maybe you imagined it? Or…” Frey, stunned as well, his always-stoic expression unchanged, replied coolly and sharply, “maybe Zao Zao just nipped at it, testing…”

He’d heard cubs sometimes need to chew?

Frey wasn’t sure; he had little experience with this, and none of them had ever raised a clan cub.

And since the kid could just freely yank off his halo, even use the halo as a weapon—things the rest of them held in awe and didn’t dare—what was easy for the child seemed inconceivable to others.

Maybe because it was so easy, the cub didn’t understand why, every time he plucked it off, Anya’s teeth ached.

Which led to a vicious cycle: Anya wants to talk, the cub gets wary, the cub takes off the halo and scares Anya away.

So it was possible—

“No, no, he definitely bit it off! And swallowed it!”

Meilun’s fingers trembled.

There was no sound from Little Chu Zao still under Amos’s wing.

Amos was about to speak when he suddenly noticed two equally shocked and confused looks at his side.

Amos turned to see—

—two more hands reaching for his wings.

Amos: …

Didn’t I just say not to?

Amos’s terrifying mental force instantly lashed out, easily blocking Anya and Frey’s hands while tossing them aside—clear to the far end.

He folded his wings in, moving the startled little cub from under his wings into his arms before the child could even react.

A five-year-old cub fit perfectly against his parent’s chest.

Amos lifted the cub’s face, frowning, gently prying open Chu Zao’s mouth to look inside.

But there was nothing to see—Chu Zao had already swallowed that crisp bite of mental force.

After the strong reactions and scolding, Chu Zao started to panic.

His little wings drooped unconsciously.

Did he do something wrong?

“Baba…”

The cub’s soft voice was tiny and weak, muffled by Amos’s hand holding his mouth, even more indistinct.

Zao Zao hadn’t meant to eat it—he just thought it smelled so good and wanted a small nibble…

“I couldn’t see anything wrong.”

Amos patted the cub’s back, a bit awkwardly, but trying to comfort him.

Then, Chu Zao took out from under himself the piece of Meilun’s mental weapon.

“Zao Zao… did take a bite.”

Amos paused as well—

He saw, in the cub’s hands, a little psychic knife with a new, neat bite mark—a small chunk missing.

Well, Zao Zao’s teeth were nice and neat…

Amos: …

“Call the medical department again.”

The cub hung his head, the weapon taken away by Meilun, Amos holding him, his little wings drooping, waiting for a further check-up.

Amos frowned, anxious about the cub eating mental force, not knowing what it meant for him. Moreover, Meilun had lost all sensation of the piece the cub had eaten.

Just hours before departure, such a variable made the whole atmosphere tense.

“Your Majesty, all tests come back normal.”

Half an hour before leaving, all detailed checks were done.

“Overall, there’s no change. Gastrointestinal scan found nothing abnormal; all values much the same as before. Visually, the halo seems a bit brighter, but the dark gold part remains unchanged, and upon asking, the little prince has no more desire to eat Lord Meilun’s mental force—our conclusion is, there’s no real issue. Plus, we’ve never heard of Crown Clan mental force harming a clan cub; our recommendation is to continue observation.”

“But he ate my ‘brain’…”

Meilun still crouched, staring in disbelief at his weapon.

“It shouldn’t be so brittle, should it? Or are Zao Zao’s teeth made of something special?”

He bit it, he bit it, he bit it—

It’s done!

Meilun reached a conclusion.

If even Zao Zao could bite into his weapon, he’d grown weak!

But—

That little bite mark was so cute…?

“He doesn’t want to eat it now?”

Amos followed up.

“That’s right—the little prince said that before, he never knew what he wanted to eat; even if he was full, something always felt missing. After a bite of Meilun’s weapon, that feeling vanished. Maybe it has to do with him repairing Lord Meilun’s halo?”

They couldn’t figure it out—Meilun’s mental force entered Chu Zao’s stomach, and then just disappeared.

Mental force remains the hottest and most mysterious topic in the stars, and even now, too little is known about it. Since this was the cub’s first time, they could only continue to observe his future reactions.

“For example, the little prince’s mental force repaired Lord Meilun’s halo; afterwards he was left with a deficit, and instinctively wanted to replenish it by eating Meilun’s force? We’ll have to keep an eye on that.”

That, of course, was hypothesis.

Since no one thought it could really happen—after all, the psychic weapon and the crown halo were not the same for the Crown Clan.

A psychic weapon can be created again and again by their force, but the crown halo is a special form—their true vitality; they are not interchangeable.

“So there’s no problem now?”

Amos asked.

“But he doesn’t look comfortable.”

“Exams show nothing wrong, Your Majesty.”

The examiner clearly knew Amos intended to take the cub along.

He hesitated.

“The little prince’s discomfort is—more like unhappiness.”

“Your Majesty, it’s time. The Falcon group’s banquet is underway, our infiltrators are ready and waiting for us to arrive.”

“Let’s go.”

Amos nodded, striding into the room to find the cub sitting on the bed. He bent down, reaching out to scoop him up.

“Baba…”

Little Chu Zao’s wings drooped, and he instinctively hugged Amos’s neck.

“Zao Zao ate Grandpa Meilun’s mental force… was that bad? Zao Zao just wanted to try a bite, not really…”

He didn’t feel any different now, except for a moment of satisfaction after swallowing.

The little one hugged Amos’s neck, a tiny, warm fluffy ball, nervous childish voice—

“Grandpa Meilun won’t be hurt, right?”

As Amos carried the cub out, he realized the reason for the cub’s mood—he had thought it was the act of eating Meilun’s force that made him uncomfortable.

“Eating someone’s mental force at will isn’t good.”

Amos looked down, meeting the little one’s eyes.

Chu Zao’s clear, moist amber gaze hadn’t yet gained the madness of crown-broken Crown Clan, his face soft and anxious, clearly feeling he’d done wrong—such an expression shouldn’t exist among Crown Clan.

But Amos thought he’d seen this before, the little one apologizing for being curious, promising not to mess around again…

He always seemed to think any accident was his fault and, right or wrong, his first reaction was to apologize, to keep what he valued most. That wasn’t right.

Amos hadn’t realized this before—as, after all, the Crown Clan were mythic kings of the stars, born powerful, never cruel, but always proud.

Not just Amos, even other adults who’d raised clan cubs probably couldn’t imagine what went on in this little fellow’s head.

This time, Amos didn’t wait for the cub to speak.

“This could make you uncomfortable. If you want to try it, you should discuss it with me first. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

Chu Zao blinked.

Amos said it straight: “Papa will worry about you.”

Papa…will worry about you.

Because he cares for Zao Zao.

The cub paused, reaching out to hug tighter, his soft small face pressed against his parent’s cheek.

His warm, gentle little breath brushed Amos’s ear.

For Amos, that fragile and yet strong sound was something that moved his heart in a way nothing else ever had.

“All in place, Your Majesty!”

Frey and Anya hurried over.

Looking at Amos carrying the cub.

“Is Zao Zao okay now? Can he come with us?”

“Of course.”

Amos replied flatly, still cradling who to him was such a delicate cub.

“I’ll go say goodbye to Uncle Meilun.”

Frey turned into the infirmary nearby.

Meilun was resting by the bed, fixing his gaze on that psychic weapon.

Frey was about to speak when Meilun suddenly smiled.

Meilun carefully put the weapon away, the little bite mark clearly to be cherished.

He looked up to meet Frey’s eye.

“Though I feel a headache—look at it closely, isn’t that mark adorable?”

“…We’re about to go. Rest well.”

Frey turned away.

He still felt Meilun’s generation’s obsession with cubs was on another level.

Then he turned to see the little one clinging to Amos’s shoulder.

The golden crown halo was gleaming, bouncing as if excited, though from here his wings couldn’t be seen; but Amos’s were out—for the Crown Clan, both wings and halo usually stayed hidden unless in use, unlike with the cubs.

Right now, the cub clung to Amos’s shoulder, apparently noticing a few rebellious feathers in Amos’s wings, and, eyes wide, reached out, gently smoothing each one patiently—he’d never been so patient with his own feathers.

Frey watched, unconsciously mesmerized—a faint itch on his own back.

*

Kaman had already sensed that something was wrong.

He had arrived at the Falcon group’s banquet.

Here were all high-level Falcon members and some notably skilled new recruits.

The event, on this remote drifter planet, was low-key.

Originally it was just for networking, but since they’d recently seen the Empire’s Ninth Army ships withdraw, believing they’d won again against Holy Cas, there was some celebration.

“This is the new guy we just picked up—Manka.”

The man introduced Kaman, who’d only lazily swapped his name’s syllables.

Kaman wore casual clothes, holding a wine glass.

Blood-red liquid swirled in the crystal; he’d been watching the room, but at that, he curled his lip and glanced forward.

The Falcon leader, ‘Falcon’, looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, but burly, with a sense of threat behind his smile.

Kaman raised his glass, barely bothering to smile—this guy?

Falcon looked Kaman up and down, finding him hard to fathom.

“Manka?”

“Yes, he was part of that new star pirate gang nearby, but when they raided a lab, everyone else died—the scientists and other pirates. He was the only survivor, quite tough, just happened to be picked up by us—”

“Oh.”

Hawk suddenly stuck out a hand.

“We don’t allow weapons or gear here. What’s that in your pocket?”

Kaman backed up a step, took his hand from his pocket, holding two small cans of nutrient drink.

“Nutrient drink, is that a problem?”

“Come on, who brings nutrient drink to a banquet?”

Kaman’s recommender hesitated, forced a laugh, smoothed things over.

“He used to starve as a pirate, that’s why he acts out, but the guy’s really strong, just the talent you need, boss.”

Falcon’s suspicion faded: “Fine, just do a good job!”

“All right, everyone, our top objective—eat well! So bring all those mineral ores from the mining planets! And I want luxury all my life—except Holy Cas gives me trouble, so get back at them! Give me a way to hit them hard! As long as you can hit Holy Cas, any resources you want you’ll get! We’re all brothers; if I have a bite, so will you!”

But behind the cheers, the murmuring grew.

“You’re worried about the Crown Clan? Ha, remember, this time those Crown bastards can’t even find us!”

Falcon laughed wildly.

“Mythic species? More like idiots, losers, useless trash! Not worth mentioning! We raid them, run off, they can’t do anything!”

“Yeah! This time, the famed Ninth Army only caught one exposed little team, never found us, just went home and checked the box! I say Holy Cas’s nothing special—no different from other alliances or states!”

Kaman quietly slipped out of the banquet hall.

He was cursing in his heart.

Can’t find you?

Where did a drifter planet get so many well-trained waiters?—Clearly, Holy Cas hadn’t taken this seriously before, but what’s up this time, deploying so much force for a useless Falcon group?

Was Amos deranged?

Once they saw him, and knew he was here, they should know what was coming!

The Falcon group would vanish in fire and explosion today.

But now?

Holy Cas forces must have infiltrated.

If things spun out of control—

Kaman, normally walking steady, suddenly stumbled, bracing himself against a wall, eyes squeezed shut, his crown, about to break, became faintly visible in the deserted corner.

—He couldn’t last.

If he let go a little, his crown would shatter at once.

But now was not the time—

Who knew how many Holy Cas troops lay in ambush.

In that instant, countless vivid memories flashed before his eyes.

Those scenes were brilliantly warm, sometimes with a gentle woman’s voice softly speaking his nickname, but in the end, all turned to the black clouds over Holy Cas as he fled in his warship.

Since then, everything was black and gray, not even a peaceful death.

He was sick of it—utterly desperate—

Damn.

Expression dark as the abyss, Kaman suddenly snapped his eyes open.

*

A long corridor.

Amos walked single-handed, carrying the cub.

Anya and Frey followed behind.

Little Chu Zao curiously observed everything.

Amos strolled unhurried, as if taking the cub out for a walk.

When they passed something uncommon, he paused to let Chu Zao look.

Though it was a drifter planet, the occupied buildings made the area lavish; a favorite for outlaw groups with some power.

The flowers in the beds were varied and beautiful, blooming on single stems, pastel like candy, as if each a little lantern.

These were special star-bred varieties.

Little Chu Zao watched eagerly.

He’d never seen them; at his age, he was very curious.

Amos stopped, turned to look.

“Like those?”

“Zao Zao’s never seen them, so wants to look.”

The cub, cuddled in Amos’s arms, spoke softly.

“No rush.”

Amos quickly judged the flowers non-toxic, then bent to set the cub down.

“You can pick a blossom to look at closer.”

“Really?”

Would it delay things?

Little Chu Zao hadn’t figured out where exactly he ranked in Amos’s heart.

So small, soft dark curls and big curious eyes.

“It’s fine, you can.”

Frey spoke up behind.

“There’s plenty of time, and these are for flower arrangements anyway. Here, they’ll be picked soon regardless. It’s allowed, you just pay when you leave.”

Only such an arrogant clan would say these things in the enemy lair—even pay for them.

And yet, the cub trusted his parent completely, his eyes turning to crescents. Trotting to the flower bed, he crouched, surveying, and chose carefully.

Amos didn’t move, but Frey and Anya followed the cub.

Watching Chu Zao’s earnest profile, Anya squatted too—not looking at flowers, but at the cub.

He pondered: what was so special about the cub? Just because he was little?

But Anya’s real purpose for chasing the cub all day hadn’t been achieved; he felt guilty for being over the top and wanted to make proper amends.

But the little face—so soft and tempting to touch, fair and tender with baby fat, tinged pink—a truly adorable and beautiful face.

If only—

Anya seemed tempted, and couldn’t help reaching out, poking the cub’s cheek.

Zao Zao, picking his flower and suddenly poked: ?

Anya, realizing too late what he’d done: !

For a cub, he wasn’t gentle enough; Anya hadn’t learned to adjust. Little Chu Zao’s eyes widened, fear flashing, before Anya could explain, the halo came off with a flash, pushed to Anya’s cheek, shoving him back, and then the cub clutched his flower and ran to hide behind Amos.

Anya’s scalp tingled; he reached out in defeat: “…No, I didn’t mean…”

Behind Amos’s back, the cub’s muffled voice—completely hidden—not showing at all: “Bad guy, hateful.”

Anya: …He just bashed me with his ‘brain’ again.

Frey watched Anya’s aura turn dull, paused thoughtfully.

“What were you thinking? Why do you keep suffering the same way?”

Anya: ………………