It seemed Amos’s lip quirked a little.
Very good.
In that instant, Feeney’s scalp tingled.
Ever since the last beast cleanup mission, he’d been on edge, nerves taut, but now—everything was up in smoke!
Amidst the silence, Little Chu Zao slowly got up from the ground. He glanced back—he was looking at his own little wings.
The pair of new wings were gently moving alongside his old ones, making the fluff behind him look even fluffier. Since these new wings had only recently appeared, the cub himself didn’t really know how to use them.
That sudden burst of speed just now had even surprised him.
Amos was already in front of Feeney.
He glanced at his own cub sitting on the ground; His Majesty didn’t hesitate.
Amos first pulled the dazed cub to his feet.
The little one blinked big eyes and obediently looked up at Amos.
He patted some dust off himself, then, all sweetness and innocence, looked up and spoke.
“Baba.”
Cozy, baby-voiced.
“Zao Zao is fine.”
Amos nodded.
Yes—Feeney was not.
“It’s just that Zao Zao doesn’t really know how to use his little wings.”
Little Chu Zao continued.
Amos nodded again.
Yes—Feeney’s wings were really in the way too.
“So…” The cub, who’d been upset, was now calm, and, after a moment’s thought, reflected very sincerely, “Zao Zao wasn’t ready, I didn’t even react myself, so it’s Zao Zao’s problem too.”
Amos finally looked at Feeney.
Indeed, no matter how you looked at it, Feeney’s problem was bigger.
For Amos, who’d seen the “future,” this rage finally found a target.
Now—he had a perfectly valid reason.
He was sure he was a good brother.
Feeney: …
Feeney’s eyes slowly went wide.
“Zao Zao… Zao Zao…”
He tried, in a small voice, to interrupt the cub—
Yes, Zao Zao, Third Uncle knows you mean well, but wait, don’t go any further, your dear old dad doesn’t look good, the more innocent and serious you sound, the more you’re just pouring oil on the fire!!!
“Zao Zao said it well.”
Amos praised.
He watched the cub’s eyes light up, his little chest puffing out.
Amos continued,
“And I think, what Feeney just added, that’s very true as well.”
Feeney: …
“No no no no—”
Bro, I’m wrong about everything!
Amos picked up the little cub, set him down, and reached out to catch the fleeing Feeney.
“In training, bumps and knocks are quite normal, aren’t they, Third Brother?”
Feeney: …
Finished!!!
Little Chu Zao stood with Teacher Hel, blankly gazing at the training grounds.
After a few moves, Feeney was hammered by Amos, fleeing with his head in his hands.
It should… it should not be Zao Zao’s fault, right?
The cub blinked his big eyes.
He turned his head to Teacher Hel.
“Teacher, is Third Uncle okay?”
Hel smiled.
“He’ll be fine.”
Since teacher said so—then it must be alright.
The cub nodded his little head, seeming to understand.
Then he turned and saw Ayala, standing off to the side, staring at him.
Ayala had followed Amos in.
Expression grim, his dark skin accentuating those glowing crimson eyes; along with his mental power, he looked like a pair of eyes shining in a black mist, deep and unblinking, like a cold-blooded animal staring him down.
The cub froze.
Little Chu Zao was a sensitive cub—especially as his mental power grew. Though he didn’t always notice it himself, sometimes he’d unconsciously start to shift the emotions of those around him; the weaker their mental powers, the more easily Zao Zao influenced them.
But in his eyes, Ayala was truly frightening.
No exaggeration—he really looked like someone who could eat children.
Ayala had no noble airs at all, not the princely demeanor most Crown Clan had. He looked more like a tough bandit, muscle bulging under his uniform, fierce as anything.
Ayala had been frowning, watching the cub and thinking how to speak—
His crown wasn’t in great shape either; headaches were more frequent, but compared to the previous generation of Crown Clan, he was still not too bad.
He wasn’t anxious, but after hearing about the cub, he thought it best to be safe before heading out.
By the time he realized, though, all four pairs of Chu Zao’s wings were bristling straight up.
Ayala paused, then instinctively stepped forward.
The cub quickly stepped back, hiding behind Hel.
Hel looked up and met Ayala’s gaze.
There was a chill to Hel’s look and his tone came out stern.
“Ayala, you’re scaring Zao Zao.”
Even knowing Ayala’s past, it was no excuse for how he looked at the cub.
The protective instinct for cubs was in the Crown Clan’s bones.
Some of Ayala’s generation hadn’t yet awakened to it, but others, like Hel, doted chronically.
Had Amos not treated the cub well, they’d have been ready to fight him for custody.
To cherish and to care for cubs—this had become their norm. In the darkness, it was their one comfort.
Ayala paused as if to speak.
“Ayala.”
Hel sighed first.
“Those who live in the past cannot move forward; you know this better than anyone.”
Ayala fell silent for a moment, then turned to leave.
He paused at the door.
He spoke coldly: “…I haven’t stopped in the past. I keep moving forward.”
Hel: “If that’s what you think—”
Then why the hesitation and doubt?
Hel watched him leave alone, exhaling.
“Teacher—”
The cub hid behind Hel, so very small, barely six, barely any taller than before, clutching Hel’s coat.
Peeking towards Ayala, he asked softly, “That uncle—what did he want to do?”
The cub didn’t fully understand, but every time he saw Ayala, he was scared. Ayala’s stare had no warmth, something the cub struggled with. Zao Zao wasn’t someone who naturally got close to others—in most cases, he’d stay hidden and be cautious.
“That’s your cousin-uncle, Zao Zao.”
Hel considered.
Ayala was very averse to “close relationships.”
He wasn’t gloomy and reclusive like Lien. His old self had resembled Feeney’s outward energy, only with loss after loss he’d turned even colder and refused to start any serious “close relationships.”
He wanted to exist outside all groups.
Who knew for how many years.
Clearly, this was not a good sign.
The cub cocked his little head.
“Cousin-uncle?”
“Yes.”
Hel lowered his head, thinking—if Ayala wanted his crown repaired, Amos likely wouldn’t send him out against beast legions until then.
And Ayala needed to know—having Zao Zao fix crowns wasn’t an obligation, but because Zao Zao was part of the group; they cared for him and he wanted the same for them.
Just wanting to stay on the outside, with that grim face and temper—just wouldn’t work—
Even if Zao Zao was willing, as elders, it made them angry.
“Cousin-uncle’s mental power seems really scary—”
And his face too; plus, he’d once given Zao Zao an injection.
Also—cousin-uncle’s presence made him sad.
The cub clung to the teacher’s leg, whispering.
Was it wrong that he’d avoided him before?
Was Zao Zao impolite?
“Was cousin-uncle looking for Zao Zao just now?”
Hel patted the cub’s head.
“It’s fine. Maybe he was thinking about his friends who died in this month. One of his friends used to teach here at the academy—” Hel seemed to recall something nostalgic, then whispered to Chu Zao, “If he needs you, he’ll come find you, but if he’s ever rude, you don’t have to bother with him.”
With Feeney howling in the background, the cub nodded his little head, half-understanding.
Meanwhile, Ayala had already left the Dwight palace.
On the broad royal roads, he walked quietly, step by step, all alone, face unchanged.
His silhouette solitary.
Ayala lowered his eyes.
For a moment, it seemed as if someone laughed in his ear—
‘Your Highness, you just lack the courage to go to others.’
‘Ayala, what are you doing lingering over there? Hurry up and come!’
But now, there was no one.
Did he dwell on the past? Hadn’t moved forward?
Impossible.
He was always moving forward.
He just didn’t need those confusing relationships and preferred simplicity. For him, that was the most comfortable status.
Besides, even if some of those voices from the past hadn’t died, the gap between the immortal and ordinary peoples was too great; it all ended in parting with nothing left.
Since nothing would last, better not to give or take from the start.
He wanted no unnecessary contact—with kin or anyone else.
Yes, he did not need it.
Ayala kept walking; maybe it was just the pain from a cracked crown blurring his thoughts.
He gazed ahead, paused, and murmured again—
“I don’t need it.”
*
After the previous mutant beast chaos had been quelled, the whole galaxy returned to routine.
Order slowly returned.
But with the cub’s arrival, a chain of events had begun; their research on pollution continued advancing.
Many beasts emerged from pollution, each stronger than the last.
This time the research fleet was protected and assisted by Feiman and her Fourth Army.
This was the sixty-seventh day of interstellar pollution exploration.
A mutant’s head soared out, blood drifting in the void; Feiman’s eyes were cold, and her snowy wings were tipped with red. Her psychic spear swept out, then stood suspended as she made sure no more beasts lurked nearby before flying back to the army ship.
Boots hit the deck with a faint click.
Her psychic spear vanished, halo and wings hidden; ponytailed, the Crown Clanner strode forward coldly.
Something about the sight of pollution stirred dark memories. Feiman’s gaze toward the contamination was always shadowed.
That tongue-in-cheek, kiss-happy aunt was clearly a version reserved only for the cub.
“It shouldn’t just be my imagination.”
Feiman’s adjutant saluted.
“Your Highness, every beast is getting stronger.”
“Mm.”
Feiman nodded.
“The pollution zone’s too big for tight defense. Report any situation immediately—”
Holy Cas had made breakthroughs in pollution study, but any big step would take months, even years.
Feiman suddenly turned, frowning slightly.
The Fourth Army and science fleet’s base was positioned in a danger zone by the contamination.
From daring not approach, to challenging the pollution and making progress, Holy Cas had moved fast.
Now, they’d reached the area where Morlo had once been. Efforts were underway to push further.
All the Crown Clan were tense—after all, if there had been one mutant like Storm, there’d be a second, a third, a fourth…
Clearly, in this sector, only the Crown and a few immortals could stand against these beasts.
At that moment, a roar sounded—a violent but strangely weary roar, half audible.
Very odd.
Feiman’s heart thought so.
It was a very odd feeling.
She stared at the filth, eyes heavy.
Deep within the pollution, a mass of living black sludge squirmed and twisted, forcing its way out.
Its body writhed, eyes shifting ahead.
The beast’s evolving body found new territory, advancing slowly, then vanishing in camouflage, muttering in a blurred, twisted voice—flesh and blood, it wanted to eat endless flesh and blood.
*
Holy Cas Imperial Star.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly, steady manner; the last mutant beast crisis had little effect on Holy Cas.
After the cub checked in at the academy, aside from meeting the other three to play, classes hadn’t started, nor had he seen Ayala.
Today was his first class at the academy.
Outdoor team training.
This elite class had been personally selected by the royal court; before the Future Plan fell through, it was another kind of talent reserve for the Crown Emperor and princes.
Their ages varied, the youngest like Little Chu Zao just having turned six, the oldest like Chao Huangmu and company just breaking into double digits.
Together with the little cub: twenty-one, all hand-picked elites.
Every few years a new class formed, ages six to ten; later, in the military, the worst of them would be corps commanders.
More than a few had become direct generals to the emperor and princes.
Today Amos brought Chu Zao to school.
The six-year-old Crown prince, so soft and coddled, had zero objections—well-behaved and cute.
He could melt any Crown Clan heart.
Chao Huangmu, Peng Liang and Yun Songquan were at his side.
The cub had never seen so many peers, and listened, hesitant, as the trio talked about the elite class.
He blinked, a bit nervous.
“Is everyone easy to get along with?”
His voice was soft as he looked up.
The cub had grown, but still didn’t measure up to them.
Shuffling alongside them in tiny steps with only one pair of wings out behind and halo flickering nervously.
Off-the-charts cuteness.
“Yes, very easy to get along with.”
Chao Huangmu beamed.
“Don’t worry.”
Peng Liang and Yun Songquan glanced over, watching Chao clenching his fist with a face that silently said—if anyone’s rude, my fists will teach them “friendliness.”
A moment of silence.
“Zao Zao doesn’t have much experience with friends.”
The cub thought aloud, head down.
The angels in the Angel Realm hadn’t liked him.
He really didn’t know how to interact.
In this respect, the cub was clueless.
“No worries.”
Chao Huangmu grinned.
“You don’t need to treat us as friends.”
The cub looked up, confused.
Chao continued, “Just use us as tools. It’s no problem, Your Highness—”
He’d love it!
Chao’s eager, heartfelt smile was even brighter than before.
Little Chu Zao froze: …Is that so?
Chao: That’s right.
Smile.JPG
Peng Liang and Yun Songquan, who hadn’t managed a word, turned their heads in disbelief: …?
What nonsense are you feeding the prince, you beast???
Did calling yourself a tool hit your sweet spot???
To be so happy about it.
Nutcase!!
Chu Zao finally looked away.
He was smart.
Very smart.
And rare among those able to read Chao Huangmu’s true feelings.
He quickly concluded—“he’s not normal.” As Chao’s friend and his loyal subject, Zao Zao ought to be tolerant and embrace him.
In the distance, the elite class was already gathering, noisy.
On another field, another class looked nervously their way, some sneaking glances.
This was the first-year high division, with their own outdoor practice that period.
Chu Zao stared big-eyed at them.
The elite class, who’d been loudly debating what the prince would really be like, fell silent as he approached.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at the little figure flanking Chao Huangmu.
Staring as he walked right up.
The cub looked up at the boy in front, paused a moment, unsure how to interact, then tried, in a soft voice, “Nihi hao?”
The boy stared at Chu Zao, then took a sharp breath—as if he’d swooned.
“P-prince, Your Highness, hello.”
He covered his face, inwardly wailing—videos hadn’t shown it, but, but, the prince was so SMALL??
Way too cute—wuaaah, so tiny, must protect. He would have to work harder to protect the prince!!!
After him, Chu Zao looked up at the next eagerly awaiting classmate.
Zao Zao paused: “Nihi hao?”
“Aw!!! Your Highness, hello!!”
So the cub who’d been worried about how to interact hadn’t expected this outcome. As he wove through the crowd, one after another gathered close in excitement, then twisted away, giddy.
The cub muttered as he went—Nihi hao, Nihi hao, Nihi also hao.
The replies were all positive, everyone delighted.
The cub, growing more confident, was confused—so this was how to interact?
Off in the distance, since class hadn’t started, the elite class instructor and the first-year high division instructor stood together.
Elite class instructor Xue Yifan squinted, clicking his tongue: “No matter how many times, the prince is just adorable.”
“You lucked out.”
First-year instructor Pei Bing glanced at him.
“But the princes rarely show up for academy activities; let alone His Majesty or the future monarch. How to proceed takes real thought.”
“Yeah, didn’t you notice the principal’s hair’s even thinner than before?”
Xue Yifan chuckled.
Suddenly, a few bangs—they turned to look at the high division field.
Many there watched Chu Zao eagerly; only Teng Kelin kept training, his gun rapid and accurate, the high score broadcast echoing out.
Teng Kelin put down his weapon and lowered his gaze, not glancing that way.
Already evolving into someone who greeted everyone with “nihi hao” and shaking hands, the cub’s attention was drawn by the sudden sound—what was that?
It was like, just as you grew numb from repeating an action, some shock would snap you awake. The snow-white wings behind Chu Zao sprang open, and in babyish but more confident tones: “Nihi hao all!”
Though—going down the row, feeling a little more practiced, Zao Zao still sensed something was a bit off.
T/N: Sorry, this is just too cute. Zao Zao wanted to say hello as in 你好 (nǐ