The little cub ran pretty fast this time, “caching” his “achievement” at high speed. The little guy felt both proud and a bit confused—normally, he would ask Teacher Hel, but this time Amos was right beside him.
The cub didn’t hesitate; he wanted to show Amos.
Thus, this was the result.
All the Crown Clan: ???
Including Lien, hiding in the shadows: ……
He had just been watching the cub coldly from the darkness, and then suddenly saw the cub rushing over with “flashlights” on.
Lien: ??????
What is this???
What the Crown Clan were all thinking was—Cub, why are your eyes glowing???
Feeney, scrambling away from the “battlefield,” looked dazedly at the little cub running over.
Amos caught the little guy, holding him up higher and looking at his big eyes.
“Baba, Zao Zao learned it… Baba, why is your face glowing?”
Amos was temporarily at a loss for words, “blinded” by the cub’s radiance.
A moment later, the little cub realized it was his own eyes glowing: …?
The cub’s eyes grew round.
“Zao Zao, it’s even brighter.”
Frey quietly reminded him on the side.
Not having yet learned how to “switch off the headlights,” the cub was momentarily stunned and covered one eye with a little hand, leaving just one “flashlight.” He blinked.
—Did he get it?
Went the wrong way.
With plenty of parenting experience, the adults didn’t hurry to send the cub to the medical center this time.
This was probably part of the little one’s spiritual power development? Amos guessed.
Hel followed behind, just as shocked.
Still, it wasn’t as jaw-dropping as when the little guy took off his halo and reassembled it for them.
“If that’s the case, Zao Zao doesn’t need streetlights when he goes out at night.”
Feeney marveled.
Lien, still stunned in the shadows: ?
“Wait, that’s what you’re focusing on?”
That was Anya’s voice.
Lien agreed completely—how could Feeney miss the point in a situation this odd?
Anya: “This is an extraordinary power. When fighting beasts, Zao Zao’s glowing eyes could scare them away.”
Lien: …What nonsense is this?
While he was away from Holy Cas Imperial Star, what on earth had become of the Dwight family?
Had none of them inherited Clansis’ calm or Solan’s wisdom? Why did they all seem so unhinged?
Frey looked at his two brothers and marveled deadpan, “You two are seriously sick.”
Amos ignored them, instead lowering his head to ask the cub what the world looked like through these eyes.
Hel and Feiman squeezed over, too.
Little Chu Zao looked around again.
“It’s a bit different than usual.”
There was hesitation in the cub’s voice.
“Didn’t Zao Zao say before that I could see Teacher Hel’s strands of spiritual power? Now it’s even clearer. And I can see a different feeling on each person—”
The little guy couldn’t quite describe the spiritual energy that clung to people like smoke.
“If I touch it—”
The cub tentatively touched Feiman’s rapidly approaching spiritual power with his own.
Feiman paused, noticing the cub’s eyes glowing more and more—oh, not literally glowing like Little Chu Zao’s.
Little Chu Zao was already getting used to the feeling—
The cub shrank into Amos’s arms, stretching out a tiny helpless hand, but it didn’t stop his aunt from going in for kisses.
Got kissed several times in a row.
Feiman, quick on the draw, stood up looking satisfied and finally explained: “Zao Zao seemed to be able to guide others’ emotions just now. I really wanted to kiss Zao Zao, and when he guided me, I tried not to resist and just followed my heart naturally.”
“Now that I think of it—”
Feeney, tussling with Anya, suddenly recalled something.
“On the way to pick up Uncle Morlo, teacher couldn’t speak or comfort us; we were so anxious, and then we felt Zao Zao’s spiritual power. It was only a moment, but later, teacher started talking, and it turned my face red just hearing it.”
Hel: …?
“If your face turns red, you shouldn’t listen!!! Prince Feeney, eavesdropping isn’t something to brag about!”
“Guess his spiritual power is special.”
With his arrows, he could completely affect someone’s spiritual state and emotions based on his own will. And even without the arrows, his sensitivity seemed to let him influence a person’s feelings—a resistance was possible, it wasn’t all-powerful, but more like a reaction amplifier.
Feiman felt it over carefully; several Crown Clan members arrived at similar conclusions and exchanged subtle glances.
The Crown Clan, a born warrior race, were highly attuned to dangerous abilities.
As Amos’s cub and the only young Crown Clan member of the next generation, a little Dwight at that, Little Chu Zao’s mind was swiftly growing, and his unusual skills at first seemed like social awkwardness—almost the ultimate support.
But now—who could say, as he grew, what destruction his black arrows could wreak against beasts; for now, just his special spiritual abilities—
The soft little cub still lay in Amos’s embrace, tugging at Amos’s coat in wonder, hiding his head for extra darkness, making awed baby sounds.
If Little Chu Zao’s powers evolved, they’d differ greatly from the “dark tyrant” title of his dad Amos—like the budding shape of a “demon king” who could control people’s joys and sorrows.
Would it happen?
The Crown Clan all eyed this future “demon king”—for now, the “little demon king’s” head was hidden in Amos’s coat, face pressed tight against the fabric, and when he opened his eyes, only two faint glows shone through the heavy dark uniform.
The image of a “demon king” casually controlling others’ emotions… changed into—
—Zao Zao, what are you doing?!
Still muffled in Amos’s arms, the cub asked, “How bright are Zao Zao’s eyes? Can I still see like this?”
Amos quietly pulled the cub’s head out.
“Can you see everyone’s spiritual power?”
Hmm…
With luminous eyes, the cub in his arms looked up and pointed for Amos—
“That’s Teacher Hel’s, that’s Baba’s, that’s…”
He pointed around, then paused.
“Eh? This spiritual power, Zao Zao doesn’t know—over there—”
Zao Zao locator, activated—
The cub’s glowing eyes and small hand traced after that spiritual power.
Lien, still shaking in the corner, watched those glowing eyes turn his way.
Lien: …
Seriously, after battling everywhere for years, this was the first time he felt spooked.
What’s up with your kid???
How scary is this?! Isn’t he supposed to be the best at hiding? What did this cub spot, why is he staring here???
Lien didn’t dare come closer for fear Amos would notice. He could only try to read some lip movements at a distance, so the info came in haltingly.
From his view, just as everyone was discussing, the cub suddenly looked up and turned, staring his way with eyes like two flashlights—making even the ever-confident Lien freeze.
And what’s up with everyone else?
Everyone acted like it was normal, casually discussing things, making his long wait seem utterly foolish.
He might be older, but not that out of touch, right? That outdated???
With the little cub’s guidance, a group of Crown Clan people looked over.
Not yet ready to meet the Dwights, Lien staggered and beat a hasty retreat.
The cub blinked, and over time his focus waned, a big yawn escaping him as he grew tired, the glow in his eyes flickering out and finally vanishing.
Headlights off.jpg
The little cub blinked his honey-colored eyes, slumping in Amos’s arms.
His little wings flapped once: “Baba, it’s gone—that unfamiliar spiritual power.”
Amos replied, still looking at the direction the cub pointed—he’d just sensed it.
A familiar person, but Amos had no time to catch that uncle who loved hiding in dark corners, avoiding people and attention at all costs.
Amos looked down.
He noticed the cub yawning again and again, instinctively reaching for his ghost bear—as of late, he only needed it at bedtime.
Still, it was just after dinner.
Amos patted his little head, figuring that viewing spiritual power so intensely drained the cub’s focus, making him drowsy.
“Sleepy?”
The cub blinked, his reactions obviously sluggish with sleep.
“Ooh?”
Apparently so.
“You can’t sleep yet. You ate a lot tonight.”
Amos reached out, pressing the cub’s tummy. The little guy squeaked, curled up, hugged Amos’s hand, and tried to fold his wings over himself—like a sleepy cub “kept awake” by his parent, so he started acting spoiled.
Amos could clearly feel his bulging tummy.
Tonight, Little Chu Zao had chugged half a bottle of cub milk, eaten a big bowl of steamed egg, a little meat patty, plus plenty of after-dinner fruit. Except for a few sour fruits he didn’t like, it all went in his belly.
No way he’d digested yet.
Amos sent Anya to fetch two digestion tablets, but that wouldn’t be enough.
He set Little Chu Zao down.
Even in these few minutes, the cub was getting groggy.
At this age, cubs were hyper while playing and just collapsed into a nap once done.
The little guy was already woozy with drowsiness, yawning over and over, standing on the floor with his head tilted up, wings flicking, his sleepy baby voice more and more muffled: “Baba—”
A crowd of Crown Clan watched the little thing.
Even Hel’s eyes softened as he looked on.
Yet His Majesty Amos was firm.
“Eat the tablets, then take another walk.”
Geez—what a mean dad, not letting the cub sleep.
The Crown Clan, knowing Amos was sensible and not just being stubborn, all glared at him in protest.
Though—Amos was, after all, number one in the cub’s heart.
Anya peeked in, having returned with the tablets.
With his experience as the least favored uncle, he knew—do this and the cub will hate you!
Accumulated tiny grievances become a flood…
The cub just looked at Amos, cheeks puffed, wings stretching—
Crown Clan all thought—see, he’s gonna get upset, right?
But the cub opened both arms and toppled onto Amos, hugging his leg.
Looked down from above, his fluffy hair was a mess. Baby voice: “Baba, Zao Zao wants to sleep—”
Crown Clan: …
Oh my god—
Wide-eyed.
Even Amos almost slipped his composure for a moment.
He popped the tablets in the cub’s mouth, then led the dragging, droopy cub to walk laps around the palace.
Wings and head hanging, holding Amos’s hand, cheeks puffed out, occasionally yawning, shuffling sleepily forward step by step, almost falling asleep while walking.
Crown Clan all felt their hearts ache.
“Second brother really goes through with it.”
“That’s why he’s my bro.”
Frey: …”Don’t look at me, I couldn’t do it either.”
Seriously, with that look, those eyes, throwing himself into your arms for cuddles and to sleep—who could stand firm? The protectiveness was going berserk! Couldn’t resist at all.
Butler Mori smiled gently at the side.
“Because His Majesty Amos really loves the little highness.”
Enough to go against some Crown Clan instincts, all for the little highness’s healthy growth.
A while later, Amos carried the sleeping cub back.
“How’d it go?”
“Did he give you trouble?”
Amos lowered his voice: “Quieter, he’s asleep.”
The Crown Clan fell silent, all eyes on Amos’s arms.
The five-year-old cub, clinging to Amos’s neck, snuggled in his arms, cheeks pillowed on Amos’s shoulder so his baby fat squished up, big eyes shut, little curls shivering in the breeze, halo dim, sleeping soundly.
The evening breeze was gentle and peaceful, under this endless night and the glow of streetlights.
All the Crown Clan were utterly calm.
Hel’s eyes were much softer; the pain of losing his wings lingered, but was long past being unbearable: “Seems that’s all for tonight, Majesty. I’ll be here again tomorrow.”
“Alright, I’ll carry him up.”
Amos replied softly.
To the little guy who brought peace to so many—sleep well.
And Lien, who’d walked far off, only came to his senses after turning down a remote path, pressing his hand to his brow.
“What on earth is with that little cub?”
He still felt dazed.
So why did his eyes glow?
And he could spot Lien, too.
Too strange—truly bizarre.
“I’ll have to observe him some more—”
Lien whispered, leaning against the wall.
His face was serious.
The little cub seriously challenged his hiding abilities.
No way—would that cub really spot him again next time?
“Of course, this isn’t about liking the cub…”
Lien muttered.
“Your Highness?”
His subordinates waiting nearby saw him, just as he looked up and spoke.
“I’m observing him. I have my own plans and arrangements; it’s part of my return schedule, that’s all.”
Lien looked at his group with gravity.
Holy Cas’s soldiers: …?
What’s he talking about?
But that wasn’t their main point.
“Just got word—the Holy Chalice Clan has arrived for Holy Cas’s National Day celebrations.”
With only a few days left until the event, visiting guests were arriving by the day.
Lien responded.
“Who knows what future the Holy Chalice Clan thinks it’s seen, but lately they seem to be moving many members out of their refuge.”
But Lien didn’t know them well and had no intention of putting on a show for them.
He simply said, “Go check which side Speaker Cheng Xuan’s gotten close to lately.”
“Yes!”
Orders given, Lien looked up at the sky.
Old friend—
I don’t know if you should keep pushing those plans of yours, I just hope your fanatical followers don’t really lose the plot. Amos’s anger, your plans—looks like, just like the Hymn Organization, neither could handle it.
*
Meanwhile, in another star system.
“Boss, ever since the Holy Cas Empire’s army left, it’s been a lot quieter here.”
A radiant young man grinned at the slim girl beside him.
“It’s been easier to grow too, but the new recruits are hit or miss. Looks like we need to vet them better.”
The girl was about fifteen or sixteen, still a bit green, awkwardly typing up a list.
“You think everyone in Holy Cas except the Crown Clan just sits around doing nothing?”
Shenghua shot him a look.
“The Holy Cas Empire only needed a few days—under the Crown Clan’s command, nearly leveled an entire planetoid and quickly took the Holy Cas people home. Everyone else either got released or, if they were from a nation, the authorities were told. During real war, they’re terrifying.”
“Hiss… You’re right, boss. Should we stay far away from the Crown Clan?”
Scary stuff.
“You know nothing.”
Shenghua slapped the table.
“If you don’t stay close, how do you pressure the boss? How do you ask for funding?”
—How else to keep growing stronger?
—How else to give those self-important jerks who think they run the show a hard time?
Plus—
Shenghua closed her eyes, tapping the desk, lost in thought. When she opened them, her eyes shone fiercely.
“We have to keep growing. Within a year, we have to take the place that Jiang Chao once held.”
“What? That’s asking a lot, boss.”
“No, it’s not high at all.”
She handed her completed resource spreadsheet to her companion.
“Take this to the boss and show our ambition—move the boss, get our dreams greenlit faster.”
Yes—thanks to resources from the Hymn Organization, their group had grown fast. In Shenghua’s words, the self-important group was now mockingly called “boss.”
“Will it really work?”
Her companion muttered.
Shenghua patted his shoulder: “Remember, as long as you draw a big enough, grand enough pie, as long as the boss can’t tell what’s real, you can ride the boss to work every day.”
*
Only two days left until Holy Cas’s National Day.
The little cub had been busy lately.
As this generation’s only Crown Clan, and Amos’s only cub, this would be his first public appearance. The star network was in an uproar, and the Holy Cas royal court was too.
Finished little formal suits lined up for the cub to choose from.
And all sorts of preparations.
Of course, the busiest was Amos; the little cub mainly needed to stick close to him.
As the pillar of Holy Cas, Amos had speeches and events to prepare for.
Visiting guests had all arrived, though none stayed in the royal court.
They lived in the adjacent area, while the Ninth and Tenth Armies maintained strict security everywhere to ensure absolute safety on National Day.
Lately, Little Chu Zao kept feeling watched, and whenever he looked closely, he’d spot a strange spiritual power—only for it to vanish the moment he tried to approach.
He asked Amos about it several times, whose answer was not to worry—that was a not-so-sociable recently returned Crown Clan grandpa. Back when Amos was a child, Lien had also secretly observed Amos for a long time, just to see if Amos was really so reliable even as a kid.
After Amos had caught a careless Lien, he’d been speechless for a long time.
Obviously, Uncle Lien was at it again, only this time he’d run into Zao Zao, who seemed to be a locator for the Crown Clan.
If only he’d talked with Hel, he’d know that Hel once jumped star systems in a starship and Zao Zao still found him.
The cub responded dully, blinking his big eyes, and let Amos lead him to nap.
When he woke, Amos was still busy elsewhere. The cub, still watched over by Crown Clan, did his usual exercises. After dinner, Amos still hadn’t come back.
Frey was busy too. Feeney—too unreliable—was kept close by Frey to prevent any trouble during National Day.
The cub finished dinner and had digested well. He sat on the couch, with Feiman and Anya beside him.
He hugged his ghost bear, watching a big projected screen showing all kinds of National Day preparations.
He’d never seen such a joyous festival, nor sparked so much public discussion about himself.
He blinked his big eyes.
At last, the little guy let out a long breath—a strange, unreal feeling.
His aunt and uncle, always alert, instantly turned.
“Zao Zao?”
“Why sigh?”
The cub only reacted after a moment.
“It’s just that Zao Zao never had all this before. It feels a little unreal—” The Angel Realm seemed to have celebrations too, but they had never been for Chu Zao to join; he never saw them.
So many people hating Zao Zao was barely in the past.
“What’s so unreal?”
Anya said.
“After the day after tomorrow, you’ll know from morning to night—nothing could be more real.”
“Anya’s right.”
Feiman added.
Anya scoffed gently, glancing away—Mori was busy, no one paying attention to them.
“Hey, Zao Zao, let’s think happy thoughts. Want some candy?”
“But Zao Zao already ate all his candy today.”
Feiman looked over too.
“I know where second brother put that stash of candy bags.”
Anya whispered.
He stood up, motioning to Feiman and Little Chu Zao.
Everyone knew—the Dwight palace had three Dwights on a candy quota.
Little Chu Zao, plus Feiman and Anya, who would endlessly supply and even compete over giving candy to the little cub.
So when Amos returned and didn’t see them, he glanced at Mori instinctively.
Mori was stumped, too: “Your Majesty, the little highness and the two princes were just here.”
Amos closed his eyes to sense, then opened them.
“It’s fine, I know.”
He went upstairs.
He stopped at the door of a dark room.
“Hurry, eat up, stuff your mouths, remember to ditch the wrappers—we got too many last time, so finish the bag neatly and second brother won’t notice.”
That was Anya’s muffled voice.
“Second brother probably won’t be back for a bit. When you finish, make sure to air out.”
That was Feiman, cold and muffled.
“Mm-hm—”
That was the little cub’s muffled response.
Standing at the door, Amos pushed it open, flicking on the light with a blank look.
Two big, one small—huddled around a bag of candy, cheeks bulging, staring up at Amos in identical, dazed expressions.
As if their foreheads read—
—The three of us.