ICAWZ Chapter 39

Salaranfa places great emphasis on military authority, with the first army being the most formidable among the four armies stationed to guard the imperial capital. The other three armies are stationed on different subsidiary planets because the Zerg Race needs to guard against not only interstellar pirates but also numerous troublesome alien creatures.

On the eve of the banquet, the lords of each subsidiary star would be ordered to rush back to the imperial capital to participate in the annual celebration.

“In fact, this banquet is just a pretext for the transfer of military authority. His Majesty reassigns their positions every year to prevent a single commander from staying stationed in one place for too long and amassing too much power.”

Yusto is currently helping Lu Yuan try on the formal attire for the banquet. As the crown prince, he evidently knows the ins and outs of such gatherings and is quietly explaining the details to Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan, seeing Yusto buttoning his shirt for him, feels a bit uncomfortable and tries to do it himself, only to be restrained by the other party: “I’ll do it for you.”

Lu Yuan was puzzled, “Why?”

Yusto wasn’t this meticulous before.

Yusto remained silent, meticulously fastening each button for him and smoothing out the wrinkles on his shoulders. Then, he spoke with a meaningful tone, “Because only your future female monarch can do these things for you.”

Upon hearing this, a hint of amusement flickered swiftly in Lu Yuan’s dark eyes. However, he maintained a composed expression as he looked at the possessive female zerg in front of him and intentionally asked, “Are you trying to remind me of something, Yusto?”

Yusto lifted his gaze to meet his, gently hooking the edge of Lu Yuan’s garment with his fingertip. His ruby-like eyes appeared clean and devoid of any complicated thoughts as he stated, “Your Excellency, I have no such intention. Please do not misunderstand me.”

The designer who brought the formal attire is waiting outside, leaving only the two of them in the spacious and luxurious sickroom. Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan took a step forward and pressed Yusto against the wall. He embraced the other’s supple waist, holding him closely, and in a low, deep voice, he counter-questioned, “So, does that mean I don’t need to rush to consider getting engaged to you now, Yusto?”

Yusto, finally unable to sit still, encircled Lu Yuan’s neck with his hand. His silver hair gently brushed against the other’s neck, as if coquettish and a bit spoiled. He replied, “No, please consider it as soon as possible, won’t you?”

After his words, his crimson lips followed Lu Yuan’s neck, leaving a trail of wet and soft kisses. Finally, he planted a firm kiss on Lu Yuan’s light-colored lips, and with sparkling eyes, he asked, “You will marry me, won’t you?”

Marrying the person one loves must be a happy thing, and that transformation from the prickly Yusto of the past to the current soft demeanor is a testament to that happiness. Lu Yuan couldn’t bring himself to shatter the hope in Yusto’s eyes.

After a brief silence…

“Of course.”

Lu Yuan lowered his head, returning the kiss passionately, pressing Yusto against the wall until Yusto’s legs went weak, and he could hardly stand. Only then did Lu Yuan scoop him back into his arms, kissing the faint tear-streaked corners of Yusto’s eyes. “Let’s get married after graduation, alright?”

Following the annual procedures of Bardell College, students are usually directly assigned to military positions after graduation. By then, he would have his education, a job, and a salary, making it the perfect time to marry and start a life together.

#Accidentally reaching the pinnacle of life#

Yusto sighed audibly, disappointment visible in his eyes. “Do we really have to wait until graduation?”

Lu Yuan remained silent, looking down as he rebuttoned the collar Yusto had undone. He then ruffled Yusto’s hair and said in a leisurely manner, “You can wait patiently. After all, I still have two years until graduation, senior.”

He deliberately emphasized the word “senior” leaving it unclear whether he was intentionally teasing Yusto or someone else.

Yusto suddenly remembered that the male zerg before him had not yet completed his studies. A sigh escaped him involuntarily, and his earlier plan to settle the marriage with Lu Yuan before the banquet quickly faded away. “Well, as you wish.”

The custom-made suit fit Lu Yuan perfectly. Due to his special status, the designer paid meticulous attention to every detail. The understated yet luxurious navy-blue suit had intricate patterns on the cufflinks that were visible even in the subtle lighting—exquisite enough to be considered a collector’s item.

Yusto inexplicably felt that when he attends the banquet later, he will likely have countless unexpected rivals. For some reason, he remembered something and lightly attached a silver tie clip with a red gem to Lu Yuan’s tie. Without a word, he declared his ownership discreetly, “Your Excellency, please don’t take it off.”

Lu Yuan, upon hearing this, lowered his head to glance at his tie clip and then looked at the identical one on Yusto. Somehow, he sensed he had uncovered Yusto’s little scheme and responded with a smirk, “This is my invitation; of course, I won’t take it off.”

Although Lu Yuan’s hospitalization delayed his weekend date with Yusto, the royal palace specifically sent a designer to personally tailor his suit. Nevertheless, Lu Yuan still remembered that he owed Yusto two meals.

Yusto complained with a touch of bitterness, “I thought you had already forgotten.”

After speaking, he glanced at the time on the terminal. Seeing that the banquet was about to start, he said to Lu Yuan, “Your Excellency, I must attend the banquet with His Majesty. I need to return to the palace now. General Saphir will come to pick you up later. You can go with him.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan’s eyelids twitched sharply. In such a grand occasion, Yusto surprisingly didn’t accompany him, making him feel a bit uneasy. “Aren’t you coming with me?”

Yusto raised an eyebrow and countered, “Do you want me to?”

Lu Yuan remained silent, hugging Yusto and refusing to let go. He lowered his head, rubbing his nose against Yusto’s and raising an eyebrow as he asked, “What if I don’t let you go?”

“Then get engaged to me, Your Excellency.”

Yusto, breaking his usual pattern, resisted the temptation this time. He turned his head to give Lu Yuan a quick kiss, then pushed away from the embrace. He raised a hand to tidy up his disheveled military uniform, returning to his usual dignified and elegant demeanor. “After all, I’m still an unmarried female zerg. I need a proper reason to accompany you to the banquet, don’t I?”

He smiled at Lu Yuan after speaking, then turned and left the hospital room. With a crisp sound, he closed the door behind him.

Yusto wasn’t in a hurry; he would soon meet Lu Yuan again.

“…”

Left alone in the hospital room, Lu Yuan had to accept the reality. He sat on the sofa, waiting for General Saphir to come and pick him up. After all, Saphir was not only the hospital director but also his future superior. Being escorted to the banquet by General Saphir was more than appropriate.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for General Saphir to arrive at the hospital. He had been on a mission and only learned about Lu Yuan’s 100% blood purity yesterday, prompting him to return to the imperial capital immediately.

As Lu Yuan descended the stairs under the escort of the guards, he saw General Saphir already waiting in front of the aircraft. Saphir appeared a bit disheveled, still wearing his unchanged military uniform—far from looking like someone attending a banquet. He maintained a low-key and understated appearance.

Approaching, Lu Yuan couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy, adjusting his formal attire. Somehow, he felt overdressed, a civilian without any military insignia appearing more elaborate than a country’s general, which seemed excessively ostentatious. “General Saphir, thank you for your trouble.”

General Saphir, perhaps sensing Lu Yuan’s discomfort, chuckled and praised, “Your Excellency, I bet you’ll be the most eye-catching figure at tonight’s banquet. This suit suits you well.”

He finished his words with a slight shake of his head, examining Lu Yuan from head to toe. Unable to contain his astonishment, he exclaimed, “It’s truly unimaginable that your blood purity is 100%. It seems that letting you enroll was indeed the right decision. Otherwise, the Empire might have missed out on an incredibly rare male zerg.”

General Saphir had been anxious for a long time after lying about Lu Yuan’s blood purity, claiming it was 60%. If anything went wrong with this deception, he could face severe consequences. However, Lu Yuan surprised him with the astonishing revelation of 100% blood purity—a figure that might be unparalleled on the entire planet.

However, Lu Yuan’s attention was on another matter. After he and General Saphir boarded the aircraft, with the guards following behind, presumably out of earshot, he spoke up, “You’ve been away from the academy these days. Did you go to the Solitiam Forest?”

General Saphir nodded in response, not hiding anything from Lu Yuan. “I’ve already reported the plan to eliminate the origin stones’ contamination to His Majesty. I’ve been closely monitoring the variations of mutated species in the Solitiam Forest. Tonight, representatives from various tribes will attend the banquet, and it’s also to discuss this matter together. However…”

Lu Yuan looked at him, asking, “However, what?”

General Saphir sighed, “I’m afraid His Majesty won’t allow you to enter the forest with the army to eliminate the origin stones. After all, you’re currently the Empire’s only male zerg with a 100% purity. If something goes wrong, no one could bear the responsibility.”

He spoke the truth. While eliminating the contaminated source stones was crucial, Lu Yuan’s safety was equally important. Moreover, the depths of the forest were fraught with dangers. If something were to happen to Lu Yuan during the mission, it would be a significant loss.

Lu Yuan fell into contemplation upon hearing this. After a moment, he said, “It’s okay. If the plan is finalized, please be sure to inform me. I will do my best to join the army in entering the forest.”

General Saphir was puzzled, “Why, Your Excellency? You now have an immensely respected status and are likely to become the future consort of the crown prince. There’s really no need to take such risks.”

Lu Yuan remained silent in response. He turned his head to look at the towering buildings outside the porthole. The light and shadows were dim, and his voice seemed to carry a layer of mystery as he spoke. His gaze, through the rapidly retreating scenery, seemed to be directed towards a distant place. “In the past, it was to return home, but now…”

He paused imperceptibly, “I want an answer.”

Lu Yuan couldn’t shake the feeling that there were many secrets waiting for him to discover in that forest. For whatever reason, he felt compelled to go back and explore. If he could survive a car accident, did that mean other visitors had a chance of survival too?

The hope was faint, and Lu Yuan didn’t know the answer. All he knew was that he had to make the trip, even if it was just to guide the army through the forest.

The royal banquet, hosted at the resplendent Windsor Palace, had already begun. This palace was constructed by generations of skilled craftsmen gathered by one of the monarchs of the House of Gohedra. With a history spanning thousands of years, enduring through seasons and changing times, regardless of the passing of royal powers from generation to generation, it stood firmly in its place—a symbol of the eternal glory of the Gohedra family.

Guests arrived one after another, with the majority being female military zergs, as male zergs usually wouldn’t arrive too early. The attendees this year were noticeably more numerous than any previous banquet. They casually conversed and lifted their cups in the dance hall, glancing nonchalantly towards the entrance, as if waiting for someone’s arrival.

The grand arched dome of the palace was adorned with intricate rose carvings. Windows, crafted from small pieces of colored glass, formed complex and beautiful patterns. The light from the crystal chandeliers poured down like golden sand, casting a gentle glow upon each noble below. In the interplay of light and shadow, the decadence and luxury of high society were revealed.

Emperor Apu stood on the elevated second floor, taking in the scene below. Behind him stood Yusto and several other princes. Though their appearances varied slightly, their hair and eye colors were mostly similar—whether refined, composed, spirited, or charming, they captured the attention of many guests.

Emperor Apu absently stroked the carved railing, tapping his fingertips lightly, lost in thought. Without turning his head, he smiled at Yusto and remarked, “Look, they must have heard the rumors. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the arrival of that male zerg. The Chief Justice, the Treasurer, the Chief of the Imperial Guards – these esteemed individuals rarely step out so easily.”

Pausing, he asked with a meaningful tone, “Yusto, do you need me to announce your engagement at today’s banquet?”

Some things were better addressed sooner rather than later.

Yusto frowned slightly, “But I haven’t discussed it with His Excellency Lu Yuan yet.”

Emperor Apu turned his finger adorned with the royal ring, his gaze deep, “Royal marriages do not require discussions.”

Yusto, however, declined, “No, please don’t force him.”

He did want to be a partner with Lu Yuan, but he was even more unwilling to go against Lu Yuan’s wishes.

Emperor Apu probably sensed Yusto’s change of heart, giving him an unprecedented look, “What’s this? The male zerg is willing to bear responsibilities for you, yet unwilling to marry you now?”

Yusto stood behind him with hands behind his back, calmly stating, “Your Majesty, he has not yet completed his studies. I would prefer to wait until he graduates. Besides, the marriages you’ve bestowed are already plentiful; I’m not needed in this regard.”

Yusto was displeased with the Emperor’s arbitrary selection of marriage partners for Prince Gaien. Last time it was the Durant family, and now, he had chosen an ugly and foolish fool. Was Gaien supposed to spend the rest of his life with such male zerg?

Emperor Apu didn’t mind his defiance. Yusto had always been the most unruly among the princes. Smirking, the Emperor said, “Yusto, have you forgotten the family motto of the Gohedra lineage? We don’t believe in rumors; we believe only in what we see.”

After speaking, Emperor Apu glanced downstairs, his gaze passing through the lively dancers and landing on a male zerg in a white suit sitting in a corner of the banquet hall’s lounge area.

Compared to the bustling dance floor, the figure seemed to prefer the quiet corner. Legs crossed, he sat on a leather sofa, gently wiping his gold-rimmed glasses while looking down. His demeanor didn’t seem as impetuous as the young ones or as brooding as an older man. Everything about him was just right, exuding a calm and composed aura befitting an upper-class individual.

After a moment, whether sensing the gaze or not, the male zerg put on his glasses, lifted his head, and looked towards the source of the attention. The splendid crystal chandelier cast a play of light and shadow on his side profile, elegant and captivating.

Not ugly,

Certainly not foolish.

 

 

 

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