On that day, Jiang Jianming happened not to have gone to the official residence with Ryann.
He sat at the door of his small sickroom playing with the dog.
The thrown ball arced through the air, caught mid-leap by an agile shadow.
“Woof!”
The black and white dog, upon landing, wagged its tail vigorously and rushed back, gripping the ball, eyes shining brightly as it nuzzled his hand.
Jiang Jianming smiled and patted its head. “Good dog.”
Seth had grown much larger, filling out to the size of a medium dog. Sometimes when frolicking, a single bump could make him stumble, which had led to countless scoldings from Ryann.
Every time he watched the dignified prince put on a fierce face towards a dog, he found it both amusing and adorable.
When the little dog’s ears drooped after being scolded, letting out pitiful whimpers, he would come over unable to bear it and try to mediate, only to receive a fierce glare from His Highness.
These two years seemed to have passed like a dream to Jiang Jianming.
Everything was good, and each new day was always better than the last.
Since His Highness Kaios truly took power, the new policies on Blue Mother Star gradually got on track.
The urban areas began thorough investigations into corruption, cut redundant officials, and reorganized military preparations to counter occasional invasions by alien creatures. The wild areas gradually carried out arrests of evil lords. Homeless poor people were either recruited into the army or taken in as laborers, building bridges and roads on the spot.
Lin Ge seemed to be thriving in Zone Z. She and Ryann still did not get along, bickering every few days in video calls. But privately, she told him that even those “barbarians” in the wild areas had started mentioning His Highness Kaios’s name lately.
Humans were just that contradictory – sometimes easily fooled, other times incredibly clear-headed.
They knew who treated them like livestock and who treated them as fellow humans.
“But many of these ideas were originally your suggestions,” Lin Ge would occasionally complain indignantly. “What’s that little bastard up to? Is he really planning to hide you away forever?”
“What else? Do you want me to be cursed at as a disabled human every day until I’m angered to death?” Jiang Jianming said gloomily while hugging the dog. “I’ve finally gotten to enjoy some peaceful days. Don’t cause trouble for me. Neither you nor him.”
Actually, he truly felt this way, and it wasn’t just compromise. Glory and fame were external things. The current days were already happy enough; his thin fate couldn’t bear any more. This was called self-awareness…
Just as Jiang Jianming was lost in thought while preparing to throw the ball again for Seth, the buzz of his wrist device interrupted his action.
He opened it. The sender was Ryann, who was supposed to be in a meeting at the official residence today. The message contained only five short words:
[Imperial envoys have arrived]
Jiang Jianming’s heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition suddenly arose.
In the two years since Ryann had come to Blue Mother Star, the Empire had not interfered in Blue Mother Star’s affairs. Why would they suddenly send envoys without any warning today?
“Woof woof!” Seth rubbed against his legs urging him, looking expectantly at the ball in its master’s hand.
But of course, the ball could not be thrown. Jiang Jianming immediately rushed the dog back into the room. Suddenly, he heard explosions outside, nine cannon shots fired in succession.
— Nine ceremonial cannon shots was the protocol for welcoming an imperial edict!
Jiang Jianming drew in a sharp breath, the phrase “the visitors have ill intentions” flashing through his mind.
He hurriedly changed into formal attire and put on a coat. Just before leaving, he hesitated for a moment, then turned back to open a drawer and put on the leather wristband he had used to conceal his disabled human identity back in the wild areas.
The wristband was already very old, but thankfully he had washed it a few days ago while organizing things, so it was still fairly clean.
Jiang Jianming also picked up the folding mecha wristband Ryann had given him a few months ago and wore it over the leather band before finally leaving.
…….
Blue Mother Star Official Residence.
Nine black ceremonial cannons stood heavily by the main entrance. The white marble steps had been cleaned spotless. A small royal starship hovered in mid-air, the imperial flag flying high, with a thick gold-woven carpet laid out on the tens of meters high gangway, exuding authority and prestige.
Hundreds of officials stood in two rows, an impressive sight, heads bowed.
Everyone was dressed in noble attire or military dress uniforms, with a golden pilgrimage sash draped diagonally across their shoulders. As per custom, they had to stand and wait silently until the envoys departed.
However, upon closer inspection, one could see that everyone’s facial expressions were extremely unpleasant. Many had beads of sweat forming on their foreheads, trickling into their eyes with a stinging sensation, yet they dared not raise a hand to wipe it away.
“… Therefore, for the continuation and revitalization of the human race, for the inheritance and development of Blue Mother Star’s civilization, His Majesty the Holy Emperor has made the decision: to carry out a large-scale migration of the main population and primary survival resources to the First and Second star systems.”
Inside the reception hall, a golden-robed envoy stood in the center, surrounded by imperial soldiers. He had brown hair and green eyes, with a plump physique, holding up a brocade scroll with both arms raised high. The amplifier attached to his ear made his sharp voice resound throughout the entire official residence.
“From this day forward, the three star cities of Wohl, Eden, and Watson will faithfully execute the benevolence of His Majesty the Holy Emperor, generously accepting residents from Blue Mother Star. The first fleet of starships will depart within ten days at the latest!”
“The migration affairs will be fully overseen by myself — the second son of the Golden Snake Fiennes family, Bin Fiennes, who will assume full authority over Blue Mother Star from the day this imperial edict arrives.”
Kaios stood at the forefront of the opposite side, wearing a black brocade ceremonial suit with double rows of gold buttons. The gold tassel sash on his left chest gleamed brilliantly, accentuating his striking beauty and his arrogant, sharp demeanor.
The youth’s face was as cold as iron.
“— By imperial decree!”
With a sudden movement, the imperial edict was closed.
The envoy from the Fiennes family held his head high, maintaining a haughty attitude, “Kaios Odin, do you accept the edict?”
This loud question reached Jiang Jianming’s ears just as he hurriedly stepped through the main entrance of the official residence.
Jiang Jianming scanned the room quickly, silently blending into the standing crowd, and placed a hand on a man’s shoulder.
He lowered his voice. “What’s going on?”
He asked so naturally, his voice steady and carrying authority. Though others didn’t recognize him, they instinctively treated him as an important figure from the residence who had arrived late in a hurry.
And because of their inner anxiety and panic, they replied in hushed tones without daring to turn their heads.
“It’s His Majesty the Emperor’s edict, saying Blue Mother Star’s resources are depleted and alien creatures are rampant, making it no longer suitable for human habitation. They’re ordering a large-scale migration, moving residents and resources away in batches!”
“A great noble from Yongle Garden Star City has come to take over various powers in the star city. The edict is to be executed immediately upon arrival!”
“…!”
Jiang Jianming’s pupils contracted sharply.
It was nothing short of a bolt from the blue. “Moving away in batches” sounded nice, but once the first few batches had taken away the upper class and the remaining resources, who would care about the worthless commoners and the garbage heaps left behind?
He and His Highness had long anticipated that Blue Mother Star would be abandoned by the Empire.
But they never imagined that Odin II would act so quickly, and in such a radical manner… directly abandoning hundreds of millions of people. Did the Emperor truly not fear the unrest that would be triggered by public panic!?
— No, that wasn’t right. Jiang Jianming suddenly realized. The news of the successful development of the crystal particle tranquilizer had been delayed in its official announcement until today. Was it for this reason?
If so, when the cruel truth of the great migration was exposed, the Emperor could easily claim that the crystal particle tranquilizer couldn’t be supplied to all of humanity, and that abandoning Blue Mother Star was a painful but necessary decision for the continuation of the race.
The people who received the life-saving medicine might not be overwhelmingly grateful, but at least they wouldn’t be able to organize any large-scale resistance. Over time, they might even develop a sense of superiority, thinking “we are the superior humans who survived through natural selection,” completely severing ties with their compatriots on Blue Mother Star.
And the abandoned humans, without medicine, weapons, or resources, not accepted by their compatriots in the superior star cities, could only wait for death in harsh conditions…
Thinking of this, Jiang Jianming felt a chill throughout his body. He gritted his teeth and asked, “Where is His Highness? Where is the envoy?”
“They’re both inside the hall. His Highness is furious and is…uh, negotiating with the esteemed envoy.”
— Negotiating. The word sounded normal, but in this context, applied to His Highness Kaios, it seemed overly euphemistic.
These officials, the reason they stood here sweating profusely and trembling, was partly due to panic over the impending disaster for Blue Mother Star.
But they also feared that the young prince inside might become “enraged and filled with murderous intent,” and kill the envoy on the spot.
Jiang Jianming closed his eyes briefly, his fingertips lightly pressing on his wrist as he regulated his breathing.
It was fortunate he had put on the wristband before leaving.
It seemed his happy, peaceful days were coming to an end.
…….
Inside the reception hall, the atmosphere had long since become tense enough to ignite at any moment.
Kaios stood in place, his expression indifferent.
He neither bowed nor lowered his head.
The golden-robed envoy Fiennes’ brows gradually furrowed. He raised the imperial edict in his hands high and raised his voice. “Kaios Odin, do you accept the edict!?”
Chen stood behind Kaios, his head lowered as per protocol, a bead of cold sweat sliding down his nose bridge.
He urged quietly, “Your Highness.”
After a few seconds of silence, Prince Kaios looked at the envoy and spoke in a deep voice.
“The esteemed envoy has come from afar, bringing the will of the great and holy Emperor. Blue Mother Star will naturally obey the Empire’s orders. However, regarding the details of the migration plan, there are still aspects I cannot fully comprehend. I request Your Excellency’s guidance.”
Fiennes smiled, his smile like the golden snake on his family crest – cold, viscous, and ill-intentioned.
“Your Highness need not trouble yourself. You only need to faithfully execute His Majesty’s will and cooperate with my work. I will naturally be able to arrange the subsequent affairs properly.”
“You should also know that the interstellar migration of humans is a monumental undertaking of the ages. His Majesty is currently very concerned about Blue Mother Star…”
“— The Empire is watching this place closely.”
Fiennes raised his eyes, “Surely Your Highness wouldn’t be making ill-timed jokes with me at this moment?”
In those few short exchanges, Chen Hanke’s palms had become completely drenched in sweat.
Looking ahead, he could only see the tense spine of the young lord in his black ceremonial attire, and the despair-inducing gold on the envoy’s body and in his hands.
What could be done?
A head-on confrontation was out of the question, just as Fiennes had threatened… Since the envoy delegation had arrived here, the Empire must be watching from behind, with thousands of starships and universe-class heavy artillery weapons surely on standby.
With Blue Mother Star’s meager forces alone, it was impossible to directly confront the Empire. Not to mention the envoy’s arrival was so unexpected, they had no preparation at all.
If they turned hostile, the Imperial fleet would conquer the star city as easily as a steamroller crushing an ant…
But should he advise His Highness to accept the edict?
Once accepted, power would immediately shift. The star city’s armed forces would be disarmed on the spot, and administration would be taken over by Envoy Fiennes. They, the Blue Mother Star forces, would certainly be placed under strict surveillance… Wouldn’t that mean even the “arm” of their futile resistance would be severed?
Moving forward was like eggs striking stone, retreating was cutting off their own lifeline.
Both ways seemed to lead to a dead end.
What to do… what to do!?
Suddenly, the platinum curly-haired prince gave a light chuckle.
He raised his eyes, his teeth bared in a grin. “I think… the esteemed envoy is the one making jokes here, isn’t he?”
As he spoke, Kaios took a step forward. In the pin-drop silence of the hall, his footstep landed with a “thud” on the floor.
In an instant, an intangible sense of pressure spread from around the young prince. Those smiling-yet-not-smiling emerald eyes seemed to transform into the eyes of some cosmic aberration – cold, eerie, and bloodthirsty.
Fiennes stumbled back two steps in shock, shouting angrily. “Kaios, how dare you!! Guards…”
— To put it bluntly, at that moment, the few confidants standing behind the prince, including Chen, all steeled themselves, prepared to fight to the death.
Some reached for weapons at their waists, some prepared to activate their crystal bones, and some even had roars of anger caught in their throats, right on the tips of their tongues—
Unexpectedly, in the next second, Kaios withdrew his imposing aura and shook his head with a clear laugh.
“The Emperor’s actions are for the perpetuation of human civilization, with a vision that can be called nothing short of far-reaching, and a courage nothing short of grand.”
“How could Blue Mother Star possibly not cooperate with the work of Your Excellency, who has come from so far away?”
Everyone had their souls scared out of them by His Highness’s sudden change, their bodies drenched in sweat, almost on the verge of collapse.
The culprit, however, acted as if nothing had happened, smiling as he extended his hand towards the hall entrance, “Right… Aslan?”
Countless gazes turned to where Kaios was pointing.
“The esteemed envoy need not worry too much.”
Accompanied by a clear voice, a slender figure unhurriedly walked in.
“Blue Mother Star is completely loyal to the Empire, and naturally accepts all of His Majesty the Emperor’s will.”
Chen Hanke, still shaken, raised his head and glanced between the newcomer and His Highness, his gaze immediately turning resentful.
As if to say: Oh, you denied it when I asked before, Your Highness…
See, you really were hiding someone after all!
