Dawn Sleep [Interstellar]

Outside the Aslan Star City, within the empire’s territory.

A large indigo starship was anchored in the cosmic sea. The side of the ship bore the emblem of the Glorious Dominion, but at the moment, there were a few scorched and worn spots, clearly having just experienced a battle.

Just behind the starship, dozens of alien creature corpses floated in the darkness. Their appearance was similar to giant arthropod insects, but their bodies were more twisted, and the crystal bone appendages that had grown out had attacked the hull of the starship half an hour ago.

Now, they had all been wiped out by the fighter mechas and unmanned combat aircraft that had rushed over.

Five small starships of the Golden Sun Wheel surrounded those corpses, doing the final processing.

On the closest starship, a young Golden Sun Wheel officer with a furrowed brow and solemn face walked step by step to the highest point of the bridge.

Along the way, the soldiers showed excitement on their faces, saluting one after another, “Colonel Jiang!”

Jiang Jianming responded with a “Hmm,” and asked indifferently, “Were there any casualties?”

“Report to the colonel, no casualties, it was a damage-free sweep!”

Jiang Jianming then turned back and smiled, one eyebrow slightly raised, “The Golden Sun Wheel has recently learned to fight against alien creatures, very good, progress is fast.”

That glance back was extremely lively, making a nearby young soldier blush and bury his head in embarrassment.

…Since the empire was attacked, this legendary and stunningly beautiful non crystal human officer, who was also the crown princess of the empire, had left the hospital and moved into the palace, and had not appeared in public.

The Golden Sun Wheel soldiers had not discussed it privately, but they never expected that when they saw Colonel Jiang again, it would not be at a ceremony or banquet in the White Jade Palace, nor in front of the media’s cameras.

It was during a routine military operation, and Jiang Jianming, who had just recovered from a serious illness, appeared calmly and naturally, or rather, returned.

It was as if to express in this way: He was first an officer of the empire, and then the crown princess of the empire.

“Little Excellency, please walk slowly, walk slowly…”

Zheng Yue followed behind, trembling with fear all the way. He had tried to help several times, but each time, the younger officer, who should pay attention, just waved him off.

Jiang Jianming stood firm on the bridge, looking sideways at the vast universe in front of him and the corpses of those alien creatures. “Illuminate with the solidification ray.”

The hull of the starship fired a light, and the solidification ray shone on the bodies of the alien creatures. The condensed real crystal ores were quickly grabbed away by the extended mechanical arm.

Jiang Jianming stood there straight, staring at this scene for a long time, as if stardust had flowed into his black pupils.

No one behind him knew what he was thinking, and no one dared to speak up.

…If one were to say that crystal particles are a kind of life race, then the whole world in the universal cognition needs to be deconstructed.

For example, the issue of solidification rays and real crystal ores in front of him.

Jiang Jianming thought to himself.

Solidification rays would turn the scattered crystal particles into real crystal ore resources that humans could use. And real crystal ore, after being stimulated by the crystal bones of the crystal human race at a special frequency, would explode a large amount of chaotic crystal particles.

He initially judged that the solidification ray should be a kind of ray that could deactivate crystal particles, but it cannot completely kill consciousness, just like freezing hibernation to humans.

The communication suddenly rang, and Jiang Jianming casually picked it up, hearing the voice on the other side.

“Where is the person?”

Cold and low, like ice and iron, with a hint of innate elegance and arrogance, belonging to the noble Crown Prince.

Jiang Jianming replied indifferently, “On the starship of the Golden Sun Wheel.”

“……”

There was silence on the other side, and then came a suppressed angry tone, “What did I do to provoke you?”

Jiang Jianming was both annoyed and amused, and really wanted to tell this person.

He thought to himself, he caught me for intimacy in the evening, and just when the atmosphere was about to ignite, he didn’t care anymore, and even acted as if he was very considerate and caring–now he is so innocently asking “what did I do to provoke you”?

“You’re fine, you didn’t provoke me, don’t overthink.”

Jiang Jianming comforted in a bland tone, “Is there a distinguished guest visiting today? I see that General Luther seems to be a bit busy, and my physical condition has been wrong these two days, so I just came out for some fresh air.”

“…”

On the side, Zheng Yue quickly lowered his head and played dumb, not daring to breathe. This action was already very familiar to him.

It was indeed absurd.

Anyone would think that with His Highness the Crown Prince’s lofty and proud character, he would kill alien beasts and blow up starships at the snap of his fingers.

Such a person…even in matters of love and marriage, should logically be the dominant party.

Just like the Great Emperor and Queen Sylph–the former was majestic, the latter was gentle, such a combination felt just right.

Ryann: “……The Golden Sun Wheel missing one, it’s fine. You haven’t fully recovered, come back immediately.” He paused, “…Even if you’re angry, come back first and then talk.”

“Okay, okay, I’m already on my way back,” Jiang Jianming tried to make his tone sound sincere, “Really, it’s nothing, I’ll be back soon, wait for me.”

Zheng Yue smiled bitterly inside: Who would have thought that the dignified Crown Prince, is now being eaten by a civilian disabled human?

What’s more terrifying is, don’t look at the Crown Prince often being angry, who knows after watching for a long time?

This person is clearly enjoying it! He was pleased with just a few words of coaxing from the Little Excellency, even if he knew it was perfunctory, he would still hum a few words on the surface, but in reality, he was still pleased!

Footsteps came from behind, mixed with the clanging of metal, different from the footsteps of ordinary people.

Upon hearing this sound, Jiang Jianming knew it was Bei Man’er. He hung up the communication and turned around to see this girl hurrying over.

“Colonel, General Luther has already received the guests from the Glorious Dominion and is preparing to return to Aslan. They are urging you to hurry up as well.” Bei Man’er winked playfully, “After all, who would dare leave behind His Excellency in this universe.”

“…Is that so?”

Jiang Jianming was slightly taken aback and subconsciously touched the folding mecha on his wrist.

Of course, he was just idling around for some fresh air, who would go strolling in the universe?

Originally, Jiang Jianming wanted to try out the mecha, or more precisely, he wanted to see if he could still operate the mecha normally.

He was afraid that his stress reaction problem would affect his operating level.

But just now, when the battle with the alien creatures started.

The young Golden Sun Wheel colonel slipped away on his own, stood on the mecha’s runway, and held his wrist in silence for half a minute, but eventually shook his head and dismissed the dangerous idea of going for a spin.

He was used to being indifferent and didn’t think he was a very loving person. Compared to His Highness, he should be the unfeeling one.

But even someone like him, thinking about how Ryann almost went crazy and lost control of his crystal bone for him, thinking about how Ryann pulled him up with red eyes the night before and said “if something happened”…

He still felt that if he continued to mess around like this, it would be really cruel to Ryann.

So he gave up, this time it was a wasted trip.

Besides, it wasn’t good to make General Luther, such a simple old man, feel uncomfortable. If he delayed any longer, His Highness would make a fuss. Jiang Jianming nodded, “Then let’s call it a day. Speed up a bit and catch up with the flagship ahead.”

Zheng Yue received the order, turned his head to instruct the starship, and the soldiers also dispersed one after another.

Bei Man’er took the opportunity to come to Jiang Jianming’s side, first handed him the medicine she brought, and whispered with bright eyes, “Colonel.”

After all, they were old classmates. Jiang Jianming had no airs. On the surface, he needed to maintain a fair superior-subordinate relationship, but in private, he was more casual.

Bei Man’er whispered, “Do you know who came from the Glorious Dominion this time?”

“Hmm?” Jiang Jianming unscrewed the bottle cap to take his medicine and glanced sideways, “Is it Vice Speaker Lopez?”

Bei Man’er: “The young master Yuan Changze also came, he is the son of the speaker of the dominion, Yuan Zhi. Before you, he was called ‘The Light of the Disabled Humans’.”

Jiang Jianming shook his head with a bitter smile, thinking what kind of light and shadow of the disabled humans, as if he was very willing to do it.

But Bei Man’er mentioned this young master Yuan, Jiang Jianming had heard of him.

Unlike the empire’s environment with a royal family, the dominion imitated the republic of the late Blue Mother Star. Although Yuan Changze was the son of the speaker, he didn’t have much real power and was completely different from the prince of the empire.

According to various rumors, this young master Yuan was weak and gentle, versatile, and more like a popular idol. The name “The Light of the Disabled Humans” was indeed first spread from the autonomous region.

Jiang Jianming didn’t understand what Bei Man’er meant by deliberately mentioning this person.

He cast a puzzled glance, just in time to meet Bei Man’er’s smiling eyes, “Colonel Jiang must know that this young master Yuan, about five or six years ago, has always been trying to marry His Highness Ryann.”

“Is that so,” Jiang Jianming’s reaction was so bland that it was boring. He put away the empty medicine bottle, “His Highness didn’t tell me at the time, it should have been hopeless from the start.”

This person didn’t even have a hint of jealousy, and Bei Man’er, who rarely wanted to tease him, was deflated.

Seeing Jiang Jianming turn around to leave the bridge, she reluctantly followed, “Colonel, what I mean is, Yuan Changze, who has been in love with His Highness for many years and suffered a heartbreak, may hold a grudge against you. You have to be careful not to be bullied.”

Jiang Jianming couldn’t help but smile, “Alright, understood, I will definitely protect myself well.”

Seeing him start to respond casually, Bei Man’er hurriedly stared seriously, “Really, really, the resentment of a love-struck brain is very terrifying!”

Jiang Jianming hummed in response, patting the girl’s shoulder, “Wait until I’m a bit better, I plan to apply to return to Silver Big Dipper. If you still want to follow me, you can meet Tang Zhen then, don’t be anxious.”

“Eh?” Bei Man’er’s eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks flushed red, “Ah, I…I didn’t mean that! Colonel Jiang, how could you…sigh, Colonel, Colonel!”

Jiang Jianming was already smiling lightly, walking away through the automatic door.

****

Inside the starship of the Glorious Dominion.

The visiting delegation had just finished their initial meeting with the empire and returned to their own starship.

The dominion’s security team was uniformly dressed in blue and gold uniforms, with new crystal mechanical rifles slung around their waists. Vice Speaker Luna Lopez was surrounded by them, a woman with dark skin and a vibrant spirit. She wore a fitted white pearl dress, her brown hair neatly coiled at the back of her head, her eyes giving a strong impression of efficiency and shrewdness.

A young man in formal attire followed beside her, about twenty years old, with beautiful eyebrows and eyes, fair skin, exuding a warm and sincere temperament.

“Vice Speaker Lopez,” the young man pursed his lips and said, his eyes flickering, “Just now…some of the empire’s soldiers were secretly looking at me.”

Lopez didn’t say anything, but another man in the visiting delegation laughed enthusiastically, “Young Master Yuan’s heavenly appearance, these people have never seen it, of course they would be stunned.”

Yuan Changze shook his head, saying with complicated emotions, “They must be comparing me to the newly crowned Crown Princess.”

“Changze,” Lopez timely warned, “Watch your words, you must not be disrespectful to the Crown Princess.” She deliberately emphasized the words “Crown Princess”, it was a clear warning. Yuan Changze’s expression dimmed, “I understand, Vice Speaker Lopez.”

…But.

The automatic door fell behind them, and they each went to their respective rooms to rest. Yuan Changze looked at the back of Vice Chairman Lopez, his expression bewildered.

Just a few months ago, he learned of the news that Crown Prince Ryann personally crowned a Crown Princess. After the shock and disbelief, he was devastated.

But…

This time, his father, who clearly distinguished between public and private matters, readily agreed to his request to accompany the visiting delegation to Aslan Star City.

Yuan Changze believed that there must be some implications from his father in this.

The young man blushed silently, clutching the corner of his clothes and thinking to himself: Perhaps…there is still room for his unrequited love to be pursued?