Chu Zao truly treated it offhandedly.
Just like removing a piece of jewelry, he casually took the little coronet from his head and hugged it to his chest.
In fact, as he grew up, he rarely performed this gesture—after all, when he was younger, it was just to blend in. Once grown, as he began to realize things and decided to leave the Angel Realm, he understood that these so-called angels only wanted to bully him, making him their amusement.
After taking off his coronet in front of Uncle Feeney and apparently giving him quite a scare, Chu Zao hadn’t removed his little coronet in months.
The room fell silent in an instant.
A silence so deep one could hear a pin drop.
The Crown Clan all had distinct personalities—even in the battle-loving Dwight family, each Dwight had a very clear character. Yet at this moment, pairs of crimson eyes all fixed intently on Chu Zao.
Including Amos.
It was as if time itself had frozen for a second.
Then, the Crown Clan before him reacted as if cats suddenly turning to see a cucumber—almost springing to their feet in alarm, each one jumping up and retreating.
Even Amos shifted uncomfortably to the side.
Yet Chu Zao remained utterly confused.
“…What’s wrong?”
In the quiet of the room, only the little one’s voice could be heard.
It wasn’t really a big deal.
But, dear, it feels like you just plucked your “head” off—
But wait, was this thing supposed to be removable?
The Crown Clan couldn’t help but look up at their own coronets—a series of silver-black coronets with similar patterns appeared.
Chu Zao watched as they each reached up, tugged at their coronets a couple of times—
Clansis didn’t make a move; his coronet didn’t even materialize, holding himself most aloof. Solan’s coronet appeared on her head, but she didn’t try too hard to remove it, instead urging Anya, who sat next to her, to try.
Amos’s coronet appeared atop his head, and though Amos looked at it curiously, he didn’t attempt to remove it. As for the rest of the Dwights—
You could instantly tell which Dwight in the family was the most stubborn—
Frey was the first to give up. Feiman, tugging at hers, had a throbbing temple and finally gave in too. Only Anya, pushed on by her mother, tried again and again, finally giving up with a whine—
“So you’re the most stubborn after all—”
Solan surveyed everyone.
“Mother, wasn’t it you who made me do it?” Anya protested.
“If I kept pulling, I might actually faint—”
“Huh?”
Speaking of fainting, Chu Zao belatedly looked around at the others, holding his coronet.
“Do you mean you can’t take yours off?”
Wasn’t that obvious?
They looked at the little one.
Then heard him murmur—
“Speaking of which, after I gave Uncle Feeney a fright, he didn’t show up the next day. His adjutant said he slept all day—”
Back then, Chu Zao thought Uncle Feeney was admirable—so exhausted, and yet still supporting the Holy Cas.
But Solan gave a soft chuckle, patting Anya’s shoulder.
“No worries, your Third Brother’s even more stubborn than you.”
But of course—with Feeney’s nature, passing out and sleeping all day after pulling at himself, that was guaranteed!
Anya: …
“I’m not that comforted, Mother.”
“And what does this prove anyway? Zao Zao, stop giving us that kind of information—”
That embarrassing kind of information—
The door was pushed open from outside.
Feeney poked his head in, grumbling.
So earnest, so sincere, one never knew what to do with this little one.
You’d think he was aiming straight for your heart, but he really wasn’t—how could such a child exist!
Feeney’s face twisted.
Chu Zao paused, then suddenly jumped up, eyes sparkling with joy.
“Uncle Feeney? Didn’t Dad say you had to stay in the medical center?”
“That was the plan.”
Feeney glanced cautiously at Amos.
“But your father said while installing your medical pod, he’d set mine up too, and asked if I wanted to come back—he’d keep watch.”
Yes, as mentioned before, Feeney’s situation differed from Chu Zao’s.
If he returned, someone would have to keep an eye on him all night.
Yuan could, technically, but as an AI still developing, permissions were low for now.
“Dad, is that true?”
Chu Zao, overjoyed, turned at Feeney’s words, slipping into the address.
Then he froze.
He noticed Amos also froze for a second, and after a moment, his lips seemed to curve upward quickly.
He only nodded, reservedly. “Mm.”
Chu Zao blinked and sat back down, ducking his head, embarrassed, the corners of his mouth curving up.
Dad…
Dad—
Did he just smile?
Did this mean—Amos didn’t dislike the sudden child with his bloodline?
It was so much more than not dislike.
Clansis came back to his senses, then realized, belatedly—
From the beginning, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, everyone had been addressed by the little one, except him. “Grandpa” occasionally appeared in conversation, but when speaking directly, the child always used the formal “you.”
Clansis began to wonder—wait, aside from that one moment with the swing, since entering this house, had he ever heard the little one properly call him “Grandpa” like a family child should?
Was he really that scary?
Clearly, yes.
Solan realized it too, smiling as she elbowed Clansis.
The stern-faced Clansis dodged—Don’t mess around, the kids are watching, is this appropriate? Do that later, not now.
Clansis kept his stern look.
He didn’t pursue the matter for now.
He put away his mental exam report, then took out other recent Crown Clan reports on interstellar affairs.
“There’s another matter this time.”
Clansis spoke, looking at his children.
“About—the angels.”
Angels?
Chu Zao looked up sharply.
“Zao Zao, do you remember how you came from the Angel Realm to here?”
Clansis asked.
Chu Zao replied promptly.
“The Angel Realm is a region. When I was small, it seemed huge, but once I grew up and tried to leave—and with help from the Angel Spring stone—that’s how I arrived here.”
Chu Zao paused to think.
“Is something wrong with that place?”
He quickly added,
“The angels are very odd—their beliefs and actions are nothing like what I thought as a child. The only thing that matched was the Angel Spring stone inside the Angel Realm, though it’s rare for me to interact with it. I thought it protected me, but as I got older, it seemed forever suppressed by the archangel.”
“Those angels are indeed problematic.”
Clansis said.
“Recently, the Crown Clan out on patrol reported encounters with beings like those in angel rumors. They frequently show up where pollution is strong, seem tied to the contamination, and—appear to be looking for someone.”
Looking for someone?
Chu Zao blinked.
Looking for me?
Sitting beside Chu Zao, Amos sensed a faint shiver from him.
On the other side, Feeney fell suddenly silent, a faint crack from his fist suggested he broke whatever device he was holding.
“Oh, but it’s nothing to worry about.”
Before Chu Zao could speak, Clansis continued.
“After all, to the Crown Clan, those angels aren’t strong. They’re judged as no threat.”
Chu Zao looked up, stunned.
He saw Clansis thoroughly confident, watching him steadily.
For Chu Zao, the angels’ strength was a childhood shadow. Even now, he couldn’t really judge how strong they were.
“No need to fear. Grandpa is here.”
Clansis sat upright, reassuring the little one.
Before the nearly peak-strength Holy Cas Empire, there truly was nothing to fear.
Chu Zao finally realized, nodding instinctively.
Clansis looked over at him several times.
Waiting for the word “Grandpa,” a bit discouraged when it didn’t come.
In the end, he waved his hand.
Let the child go see the swing he thought about on the rooftop.
There really was no need to worry.
Not even for Zao Zao to lift a finger.
At this time, the cub would receive the full protection of the Crown Clan.
He only needed to study well, grow stronger slowly, and watch as his elders smashed those enemies outside.
“Feeney and Amos, stay for a bit.”
Clansis said.
Meanwhile.
On a certain Holy Cas Empire fleet, traversing the stars.
“Have you figured out what those creatures are, Ayala?”
“Uncle Lien.”
Ayala stood in the command room, quietly reviewing recent summary reports. He turned, looking at a Crown Clan member hidden in the shadows.
“They seem like the Aberrant Beasts, with a hierarchy. Most aren’t strong—single combat is no problem—but the leader-types might pose trouble.”
In the Holy Cas Empire now, there were so many Crown Clan present that all off-planet missions routinely had two Crown Clan for insurance.
“Report what should be reported.”
Lien nodded, his heavy black mist almost merging him into the darkness of the corner.
“Clansis will make arrangements.”
Clansis would make the right decision.
“I know, but they don’t seem to realize they’re facing us—the present Holy Cas.”
Thinking about the enemy’s moves in these days, Ayala gave a cold laugh.
The other side, wherever they got their information, was still moving as if only Feeney was there—preparing as if the Holy Cas army lacked any Crown Clan.
To sound out their true strength.
Ayala and Lien really hadn’t taken action yet.
And at this moment, he truly found it amusing.
“Makes no difference—either way, the result’s the same.”
Lien left these words as his figure faded into shadow.
Ayala didn’t even look back, just absently replied.
“Yes.”
Speaking of that—
Uncle Lien really was elusive.
Ayala finally turned, making sure that corner was empty, then lazily withdrew his gaze, his eyelid twitching.
“Now I get why everyone paired with Uncle Lien always says it feels like they’re on their own for every mission.”
Did he have absolutely no presence?!
Was he like this with cubs, too?
Though Ayala didn’t much care for cubs himself.
Still, Ayala had heard that the Dwight family now had the only next generation.
Although, in some ways, he was already an adult.
“Whatever—no big deal,” Ayala said. “I’ll just say hello some other time.”
This was what countless other Crown Clan members thought too.
In the Angel Realm, meanwhile.
The connection to the stars had been opened.
The archangel sat aloft on his “divine seat,” listening to angels reporting below.
“We still haven’t found any trace of the runaway angel.”
“We haven’t located the cause for the weakening of the Angel Spring’s power, either.”
“Archangel, should we expand the search?”
“Of course.”
Finally, the archangel spoke.
A look of sorrowful compassion on his face.
“Pay no heed to those outside—they’re merely low beings, powerless. The true god has delivered revelation. We need only continue, and reclaim from the defector what belongs to the Angel Realm.”
“Yes!”
The archangel surveyed all before him.
He was still as calm as if certain of victory.
As he should be.
Since they entered that star system, resistance had vanished.
They still didn’t realize that the flourishing Holy Cas of over a thousand years past was now coveting this place.
It only required a simple resolution, then bringing the little one back—
So the archangel thought.
Not having dealt with him as a child had been wise. Apparently, the power of the Angel Spring was indeed connected to him, but no matter. Find him, and use some other measures to contain him.
Just as they had always done.
And as they wished, this little one was a timid and cowering thing—neither he, nor any power he might muster in the stars, was worth fearing. That was all.
*
Holy Cas Imperial Star, Royal Court, Dwight Villa Conference Room.
Clansis and Amos learned more from Feeney.
“You mean your coronet almost hasn’t broken this past year?”
Clansis said.
“Yes, but I didn’t know Zao Zao could grab the coronet.”
Feeney said, eyes burning.
“And another thing—in recent years, during rest I sometimes see what seems like memories from Zao Zao’s childhood, scenes of him being bullied by those angels. Back then Zao Zao told me a bit, and the images flashed by—I thought they were illusions, so I never paid attention. But now, if spiritual power and coronets are tied to Zao Zao, maybe those images aren’t illusions after all?”
Feeney grinned fiercely.
“Those angels, really—they make one angry.”
But he soon restrained himself.
“Anyway, as Father said, you might see the same. Judge for yourself then.”
A shadow passed in Clansis’s eyes.
“All right, I understand.”
Amos hadn’t spoken this whole time, looking calm.
But Feeney glanced at Amos and said confidently,
“Brother Amos, if you see those scenes, you’ll blow up. I suggest you prepare yourself.”
If it was really all true.
Amos only glanced at him, then stood, expression unreadable, not responding.
“I’ll go check on Zao Zao. If you can’t hold out, go to the medical pod. I’ll check in later.”
“I mean it—”
Watching Amos head to the door, Feeney couldn’t help swinging around, hugging his chair and muttering.
But soon, he too stood, following Amos out.
“I’m coming too.”
The conference room was left to Clansis.
He gathered his thoughts for a moment, then stood—
Wait for me, count me in!
Thus, a whole group showed keen interest in watching Chu Zao visit the rooftop swing.
And in the rooftop star chamber—
Not only was there a swing, there were also some little hanging chairs woven from a new sturdy and breathable plant material.
Chu Zao had played with the swing for a while.
But after all, he was now a grown member of the Crown Clan.
He felt that playing on the swing the whole time wasn’t so appropriate, especially with everyone watching.
He was a little embarrassed and soon moved to sit in a hanging chair.
Looking at that beautiful swing.
Chu Zao had never had such treatment before.
Though still excited, a long day of events had left him exhausted.
He was supposed to be resting in the medical pod tonight.
So by now, he could hardly keep his eyes open.
He thought about the Crown Clan’s shattered coronets, leaning back into the hanging chair.
Before long, finding he wasn’t comfortable, he groggily shifted, shrinking into a fluffy white ball, lying on the chair, above him the pure starry sky of Holy Cas. This, the highest point of the Royal Court, offered a distant view—he could see the grand cityscape of Holy Cas he’d never seen before, everything bright and orderly, as if all chaos and pain were just illusions.
Zao Zao’s coronet won’t break. If only the family Zao Zao found were just like Zao Zao—if only Zao Zao could do something—
The little one’s spiritual coronet glowed with a soft, warm golden light.
Its reflection warm in the eyes of Solan and Feiman as they exchanged a smile.
Nearby, Frey and Anya stood not far off, recording the moment as Solan had requested.
“He’s tired.”
Solan smiled.
“What a small white bundle…”
“Want to cuddle.”
Before Solan finished, Feiman blurted eagerly, still staring at little Chu Zao.
Solan was stunned—then burst out laughing.
“Don’t scare him.”
She said, moving to the other side of the chair to look at the little white ball clutching his little dragon tail, curled up like a plush toy, her gaze soft.
She pulled over a chair and sat down.
Then signaled for the noisy kids nearby to quiet down.
Chu Zao was just tired, unable to open his eyes, but his mind was still racing, restless even in sleep.
At the door, Amos, Feeney, and Clansis followed one by one inside, and everyone’s eyes fell on the little one lying in the chair.
Solan gently pushed the hanging chair.
It felt a bit like rocking a cradle.
Solan thought, then couldn’t help but chuckle.
It was such a strange feeling, especially since the cub lying there was obviously already grown.
But the overly small, pocket-sized form left Solan unable to sense the reality.
She continued rocking the chair gently, softly humming, as she had once done to comfort her just-born cubs—
Back then, the five cubs were all hyper, all turning into white bundles together, sometimes even fighting in the cradle—of course, most of the time, those “best in the world” cubs didn’t want to stay in the cradle.
Only when Solan rocked the cradle would they settle down a little.
Just like now.
“Rock a-bye, rock a-bye—”
Solan crooned gently.
“The little bed rocks softly—whose baby is this?”
“Whose good baby is this…”
All the Crown Clan present watched with warm expressions.
That gentle tone—
They had all heard it before.
But it was long ago, and now, watching, they were a bit nostalgic.
For a half-asleep Zao Zao, though, it suddenly triggered a memory.
‘Rock a-bye, rock a-bye, the little bed rocks softly—whose… good baby is this?’
What is that voice—?
When was it?
Such a familiar voice—
The white ball of fur curled up uneasily, as if hearing that remembered voice fading bit by bit.
Don’t go—don’t go—why are you leaving—
The little bundle tensed, clutching his fluffy dragon tail, then loosened it, his paw stretching out to cling to the edge of the chair, gripping tight. Under the influence of his roiling emotion, the coronet on Chu Zao’s head suddenly lit up, a golden, soft glow—filling the whole room, as if from the transparent ceiling of the star chamber, shining outward.
Like countless tiny hooks.
In that instant, without their master even realizing, they caught hold of the Crown Clan’s spiritual power—
Not just those present.
Not just his blood relatives.
It was just that, inside this room, everyone staring at the little white bundle was suddenly stunned.
They could clearly sense a change in their psionic power.
All across the stars, Crown Clan engaged in all manner of tasks also froze—at that moment, they seemed to feel something, the pain of shattered coronets easing somewhat, but even more a subtle sensation, a nagging itch in their hearts that made them uneasy—faint in their ears they seemed to hear the soft, delicate voice of a cub.
‘Don’t go—don’t… go… Only me… alone…’
All the Crown Clan instinctively turned in one direction, putting away the arrogance and ease in their hearts.
Ah… so why was it… it felt as if there was a crying cub of their race?
Whether they favored cubs or not, all their faces darkened—who made the cub cry?
Grandma ;_;