He had already started to act cute and play shameless to move on.
Fortunately, not only did His Majesty Amos fall easily for Little Chu Zao’s tricks, His Majesty himself was in no hurry to recall the time when the little cub’s yelling made his head buzz.
Amos said nothing, just pulled the cub into his arms and began tidying up his four little wings.
“Teacher Hel is waiting for you downstairs.”
So, eager to move past everything and with wings straightened, Little Chu Zao followed behind Amos and trotted downstairs to find Hel.
Hel only looked up when he heard the sound.
“Your Highness.”
These days, Hel looked noticeably healthier—whether that was due to Dr. Morlo’s close care or because his lover was back at his side, who could say.
When the starship returned, Hel had already checked on the little cub, and now he pushed up his glasses, watching the cub run up.
“Good morning, Teacher Hel.”
“Good morning. You look full of energy,” Hel smiled, then glanced up at His Majesty Amos standing on the stairs before continuing to the cub, “Looks like you’re ready to catch up on missed lessons?”
A few days had gone by, and the cub had quite a backlog of lessons.
Little Chu Zao nodded: “Mmm, teacher, let’s start quickly. Zao Zao has to work even harder.”
The six-year-old cub said earnestly.
Very good, full of spirit.
Hel gave the cub a “teachable child” kind of look, then glanced at Amos behind him—as if to say, “You should learn from your cub, too.”
Yes, even though Amos was a hexagonal warrior for the Crown Clan, as children they’d not been so obedient, and the Crown Clan back then was a lot more repressed than now.
Amos thought a moment, then commented, “Sometimes, teacher, you do take an inch and ask for a mile.”
Amos’s original imperial tutor hadn’t been Hel. He just studied under him a while, but they were still fairly familiar.
The little cub didn’t really get it and just blinked at Amos.
Hel ignored it and pulled out a stack of books from his storage.
“Let’s begin, then. These are your goals for this period, Your Highness, together with the lessons you missed.”
Little Chu Zao turned around, unable to believe his eyes.
He instinctively measured with his hand—
The stack was almost half as tall as Zao Zao!
Baba! Baba!
…Baba, did you just secretly smile?!
*
After discussion, they didn’t throw a make-up party for Zao Zao’s sixth birthday.
Maybe next year, at seven, there’d be a big celebration.
The entire galaxy spent a month dealing with the mutant beast legions that had appeared.
Finally, a temporary victory was declared.
Of course, except for Holy Cas, other countries and planets suffered heavy casualties.
Normal beasts weren’t a huge problem for humanity, but when they assembled into armies, and especially after any evolved into command-class beasts, casualty rates skyrocketed and defenders would break down.
It could be said the Crown Clan deserved most of the credit for galactic stability now.
Even though their efforts were for Holy Cas, the overwhelming counteroffensive against the beast legions brought unintended benefits to other planets and nations that had long avoided pollution.
However, in the latter half of the month, things began to shift—especially for Holy Cas teams.
The cooperation between the Holy Chalice Clan and Holy Cas started to show results.
The Holy Chalice’s psychic powers weren’t strongly offensive, but thanks to their psychic chalice technology for picking the right research directions, much of their weapon development was super advanced. Being immortal, with unique psychic abilities and wild imaginations, and able to judge real dead ends, they saved Holy Cas’s weapon labs loads of trial and error.
So Holy Cas began arming joint-gear elite regiments, strengthening military power dramatically.
Facing the large, tough beasts—their tidy and united elite teams suffered fewer losses.
Spring in Holy Cas.
Temperatures rose; after a short break, the First Military Academy buzzed with life.
The campus net was also heating up.
‘Did you hear? The school just got news—the little prince is reporting in a few days. This is confirmed!’
‘Really? I kept hearing rumors and thought it was just gossip!’
‘The prince is actually coming to the First Army, not other academies! So jealous!’
‘Isn’t it mainly because the First Army is closest to the royal court? The prince’s guards were picked from the current top class.’
‘Will his guards become his own direct command army? Officers, right?’
‘Of course. Why else would he come for group activities if not? Not like any other princes—at his age, he needs peer interaction.’
‘Heads up—top class is all abuzz. Apparently, they got an invitation from the prince during training—’
‘Wuuu—so envious!!’
At the same time, Top Class, First Military Academy.
Chao Huangmu, Peng Liang, and Yun Songquan headed for the exit.
An instructor from the royal court was waiting.
“Ah Huang! Stop fiddling with your yellow gem—we all know it’s today’s lucky charm—”
Other classmates in the top class joked sourly with the trio.
Especially at always-sunny Chao Huangmu.
“Exactly—”
Others joined in immediately.
“So what if you got picked to plant potatoes with His Highness? I’ve planted potatoes with my grandparents! …So how did you divine this? Share your link next time?”
“Haha, you got it, next time I’ll organize the results and send them.”
Chao Huangmu grinned, letting friends shake him by the shoulder before they finally let go.
“Enough, hurry up, remember to tell us all about it when you get back! And next time, if you don’t share, you just wanna hog the experience! You workaholic monster, shoo, shoo!”
Peng Liang and Yun Songquan, dragged into hellish training by Chao lately, nodded in agreement—he IS a workaholic monster!
The three followed the instructor out the gate.
Meanwhile, among the first-year high division training outside, several watched.
“So smug for being so young.”
“Can’t help it, anyone chosen as prince’s guard would act the same.”
“Oh, in that case, I’d show off even more.”
They looked further away, eyes falling on a small group who didn’t quite fit—same year, same class, but obviously isolated.
Those had once been selected by the “Future Plan”—mostly belonging to the Ling family. After months of surveillance and officially severing their ties to Ling and other houses, they were still allowed to stay at the academy without further reprisal.
However, those whose minds really went astray, though only “selected talent,” were sent off to other military academies far from the prince.
Frankly, Holy Cas people weren’t exactly normal—they’d always been obsessive about the Crown Clan, verging on fanaticism. Some even so extreme, they’d follow their lord or prince into death.
Holy Cas characters were born unruly; they’d hit deep lows in history.
Once they latched onto something, they wouldn’t let go, especially their loyalty to the Crown Clan. Above all—the Crown Clan’s power and gentle leadership kept their wild genes in check.
The “Future Plan” under His Majesty Clansis, apart from shielding Amos from incomprehension or rejection within the clan, was to help members overcome the trauma of Crown Clan loss—especially once it was clear the old Crown Clan was doomed.
Thanks to Clansis, this had gone fairly well, but it did make for unavoidable distance from those “normal” classmates who clung tightly to the Crown Clan.
This class was outdoor firearms training for first-years.
“Ling Ye still hasn’t come?”
“Yeah—Lin bro, the top class kids are off to the royal court.”
Teng Kelin hefted his weapon, squinting down the range.
“They are tough, especially Chao Huangmu—”
“All done.”
Teng Kelin nailed the target. He glanced at his talking classmate, a bit impatient.
“I’m strong too, y’know. Except for Ling Ye, my comprehensive score—especially aiming—is number one.”
He spoke, then lifted his weapon again to aim into the distance.
*
Inside the royal court.
Frey held a ruler, tilting his head.
Before him, Little Chu Zao blinked big eyes, looking up: “Uncle, uncle, how is it?”
“Seems you’ve grown a bit taller.”
Frey checked, nodding.
Chu Zao looked at his uncle, little wings fluttering happily.
Zao Zao had grown again!
Zao Zao was stronger now!
“Is that whole patch to be planted?”
Outside, Meilun and Kaman could be heard.
“No duh, all the ground prepped. If we don’t plant, what’ll go there—cucumbers?”
“…Kaka, I’m telling you, talk like that one more time and I’ll have Zao Zao shoot you with arrows.”
“I told you, don’t call me Kaka!!”
The Dwight palace was bustling today.
The cub was soon heading to military school for more socializing. But first, the potatoes he brought back would finally get planted.
Countless matters were still ongoing across the galaxy.
Feiman and Anya led troops on assignments, Amos and Feeney were stuck in meetings, and Ayala wasn’t around. The rest of the Crown Clan, those who could make it, were here.
Hel and Morlo—one missing wings, one still weak from a shattered crown—sat sipping tea on the sofa, smiling, not joining the work.
Today, Frey had charge of Little Chu Zao—yes, among all the siblings, Amos now only really trusted Frey.
At least, Frey seemed reliable both inside and out.
Job and Joshua, rarely far from the medical center, were outside for a breath.
Job quietly tilled the earth, while not far away, Zhong Zhiyi, Peng Shengfei’s disciple, squatted beside a barrel, busily sterilizing the potatoes—she’d just returned with seed samples from some troubled drifter planet and was itching to start research.
She treated the potatoes like a major project.
Joshua craned over to watch Frey measure the cub’s height.
The little one had grown some, but by Crown Clan standards, he was still quite tiny.
Zao Zao stretched his neck, watching the ruler.
“Uncle, how much did I grow?”
Frey held up his pinky as a marker.
“It’s been a while since last time—means your nutrition’s catching up.”
Chu Zao followed suit, waving his wings.
“Zao Zao drinks his cub milk and eats every meal every day.”
“And always remembers to claim candy tokens on time.”
Hel piped up from the sofa.
Chu Zao blinked at his teacher, in all innocence: “Zao Zao likes candy, just like teacher likes Grandpa Morlo. Whenever teacher goes home, Zao Zao waves from the window—Zao Zao saw you kiss Grandpa Morlo!”
Hel: …???
Hel stared at the cub, who’d just blurted something huge.
Morlo: …
Morlo pinched Hel’s thigh hard, muttering, “Told you I didn’t need to come pick you up, could’ve gone home yourself, but no, you had to sneak a kiss. And now, look, Zao Zao saw you.”
Joshua snickered at the side.
“But don’t grow up too fast. One minute you’re a kid, next you’re so big, you can’t snuggle in our arms.”
The little cub paused. If he grew, would he not get cuddles as often?
Even the halo atop his head seemed to dim a bit. He turned to Joshua.
“Big kids still need cuddles?”
Joshua squatted, chin in hand, looking at the cub.
He instantly got the cub’s struggle—wanting to grow tall, but even more, wanting to be held.
Joshua teased: “It’s either: not easy to carry you if you’re tall, or you don’t grow up at all—pick one.”
Little Chu Zao thought hard, then eyes brightened, he reached up.
“Zao Zao picks ‘or.’”
Hard to carry if tall, or don’t grow, Zao Zao picks ‘or.’
Joshua: …
Huh?
Joshua was blank, staring at the “genius” cub.
“Haha, you’re something else…”
Before the cub could turn to see who laughed,
Mori called out: “Your Highness, your playmates are here.”
Frey let go.
“Go on now, have fun with your friends.”
The cub yelped joyfully and scampered off.
“Your Highness!”
“Your Highness.”
“Prince Zao Zao, your wings and halo are as cute as ever today.”
Chao Huangmu said, and the other two instinctively glared—hey, are you even trying to win favor?
“And today’s outfit is really nice—”
“And, um, Your Highness looks so energetic!”
The cub blinked, halo glowing briefly.
Before they could say more, he fished out three candies from his pocket, handing one to each of them.
“Zao Zao saved these up today—share with you.”
Chu Zao beamed, honey eyes curving.
“Brother Huang, your stone is so pretty today, thank you Brother Peng, you look great too, Brother Yun’s got lots of energy—come on, let’s water and plant potatoes, look how much space there is!”
The little one, all cute excitement, gestured eagerly.
For him, this really was something to be thrilled about.
All his earlier plantings had failed to grow.
Actually, the three only had a little time to spend here.
Place potatoes, cover with soil, water.
When it came to watering—
The Crown Clan adults left them to it.
They watched their small prince, wings fluttering, clumsily dragging a hose around.
Except Peng Liang, Yun Songquan and Chao Huangmu had never farmed before. Their training was heavy; both orphans, with no such childhood memories as Peng Liang.
Chao Huangmu’s face was smudged with dirt, but he was still grinning, watching the little cub drag over the hose.
“Need a hand?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Chu Zao nodded, handing over a hose.
As Chao Huangmu awkwardly started, the little prince fluttered up, holding the other hose, showering the earth below.
Till the last bit.
The cub landed to water in place.
But with the hose stretched out earlier, water dwindled, then stopped.
The cub looked down confused, head tilted.
“Eh?”
Chao Huangmu came over, glanced at the cub’s hands, then followed the hose back and realized—
“It’s bent here.”
He straightened the kink.
At once, water surged out.
—Soaking them both.
The cub froze.
Chao Huangmu froze too.
A rush of thoughts rushed through his mind.
His smile turned stiff—
Soaked the little prince—
Soaked the little prince—aaah, did he mess up again?
He stared wide-eyed at Chu Zao.
Drenched, the little cub blinked back at him.
“You okay? I really didn’t think—”
Chao Huangmu, all energy gone like a wet puppy, hurriedly searched for a cloth to wipe the prince’s head and face.
Drops dripped from his hair, plopping down.
Chu Zao seemed to pause, then looked around at the finished patch, then at Chao’s mud-splattered face, and suddenly burst out laughing.
Chao Huangmu paused, looked at Chu Zao, and smiled weakly—aaaa, was it all ruined, too nervous again? Damn, still not trained enough—
“Your Highness—”
“It’s okay not to laugh if you don’t want to.”
The cub blinked big eyes, soft voice to Chao Huangmu.
Chu Zao was very sensitive to emotion.
Chao Huangmu was special to him.
He could see mental traces; Chao Huangmu’s were different in his sight.
It was spring now, warm in Holy Cas. Being splashed was no big deal; the adults just glanced over and looked away.
The cub rubbed his own face, then looked down.
Chao Huangmu paused.
He saw Chu Zao reach into his pocket, finally taking out a candy.
The little cub just looked up at him, then glanced both ways, checking if anyone watched before shoving the candy into Chao Huangmu’s hand.
“But…didn’t I get one already?”
Chao Huangmu blurted.
“In Zao Zao’s eyes, you’re all different—Brother Peng is patient, Brother Yun is a bit proud. As for Brother Huang—”
Chu Zao blinked big eyes.
“Zao Zao can tell—Brother Huang is very envious, wants extra special care—” just like Zao Zao used to.
“I don’t really play favorites, but I do have another candy. Secret for Brother Huang—I don’t know why, but…don’t be sad.”
Chao Huangmu froze.
He had no past memories, just hollowness; all smiles and emotions were learned; he barely knew his own mind. For the prince—was this “sadness”?
It was the first time anyone had said that—a little cutie who could somehow hear his inner voice.
Chao Huangmu tried to keep his usual smile, about to respond, when he glimpsed the instructor coming—
But the drenched little cub’s thoughts drifted.
Zao Zao pondered—
Then had a revelation.
“Could it be, Brother Huang, you’re upset because of too much homework lately?”
Chao Huangmu: …?
What?
“Brother Huang’s instructor must give you lots of assignments and training, right?”
The prince looked at him with utter sincerity.
So empathetic!
“Not at all—that’s my beloved instructor—”
Though still in a daze from the candy, Chao Huangmu forced a grin to cover himself.
He happened to meet the instructor’s eyes.
“Zao Zao saw and heard everything.”
The cub, wings fluttering at his back, was full of sincerity.
“Eat the candy, sweetness makes things better!”
Chao Huangmu: …
Utterly disarmed by such honesty—he didn’t even know what face to make—the sunny puppy’s face was a muddle.
The instructor chuckled.
First time seeing this one stumped.
He gestured, alright kid, blame the instructor for too much homework? Complaining to the prince? Just wait!
Chao Huangmu had a question mark hovering over his head, but looked down at the new, unique candy in his hand—such special treatment, the unconscious desire for just a bit of favoritism beneath all the empty smiles and memories…