ABST Chapter 13

Imperial Capital.

 

Council Chamber.

 

Rows of palace servants with lowered brows and submissive eyes brought in fresh flower pots, arranged them properly, then left in an orderly fashion. Throughout the entire process there was no commotion, nor did they disturb His Majesty in the council chamber’s inner cabinet.

 

On the branches and leaves of the most inconspicuous flower pot in the corner, a trace of faint light quietly flickered.

 

“You just let Elansno leave like that? The wounds on his body haven’t healed yet. I heard he fainted at the warship hatch and hasn’t woken up until now.”

 

Director Pei stood beside the desk. Hearing this, he smiled: “This subject also couldn’t have imagined that the second deep destruction would last so long. It seems the research institute fifteen years ago didn’t clean things up completely, allowing him to desperately hide a segment of memory deep in his brain domain.”

 

Emperor Rosh snorted coldly: “And now?”

 

Director Pei: “After the second destruction, speaking from the limit of human emotions, he absolutely cannot remember anymore. However, the chip this subject implanted in his brain domain was slightly damaged. In the future when it feeds back his mental power fluctuations, there may be delays.”

 

Seeing Emperor Rosh frown, Director Pei quickly added: “But from now on, Elansno will not disobey any of your commands. Even if his legs are broken, as long as you want to see him, he will crawl over.”

 

“A few days of weakness after destruction is unavoidable. As for the injuries… this subject has already given him suggestions. You can rest assured.”

 

Emperor Rosh’s brow finally relaxed: “With you handling things, I’m at ease.”

 

…

 

Somewhere in the palace.

 

Lan Zhouhe wore a listening device, transmitting the intermittent audio for decoding.

 

His brow furrowed tightly. Careless—he hadn’t expected there would be something inside the council chamber that could block foreign signals. The listening device he had sent in attached to branches was already the Federation’s latest technology, but the transmitted audio was still interfered with, chaotic and disorderly.

 

[Zzzt…zzzt…Elan…zzzt…leave…stitute…crawl…memory…]

 

After trying countless times, he only obtained a few words of information, not even knowing if they were valid phrases.

 

Elan. Leave. Institute. Crawl. Memory.

 

Lan Zhouhe pondered for a moment, wrote down these few words, then erased his traces and got up to leave. He didn’t know about “‘stitute,” but he did know about the Research Institute.

 

This term was very special. In the entire Imperial Capital, only that one institute under Director Pei’s jurisdiction could be called the Research Institute.

 

Last time when he accidentally saw Elansno collapsed at Emperor Rosh’s feet, for the following half-month supposedly of punishment, he hadn’t seen Elansno appear even once.

 

He didn’t know why, but he was extremely concerned about this matter, always feeling there was a secret hidden behind it that the royal family dared not speak of.

 

Since he now had some clues, he’d start investigating from the Research Institute.

 

——

 

First Army Base.

 

Medical room.

 

The moment Gong Du opened his eyes, the surrounding instruments started beeping. Soon, a group of doctors in protective suits crowded around outside.

 

“He’s awake!”

 

“The Admiral’s awake!”

 

“Quick, go notify Adjutant Kang Quan!”

 

After a series of examinations, another half hour passed. Kane looked at the final examination results and finally breathed a sigh of relief, muttering: “This is really bizarre. Besides fever and restraint marks on his limbs, the Admiral actually has no fatal injuries. How did he stay unconscious for so many days…”

 

After all, given the Admiral’s physical constitution, aside from his somewhat poor stomach, he was the type who could lose half his life on the battlefield yet eat as if nothing happened… This was truly a strange matter.

 

Kang Quan didn’t know where he had rushed from, covered in sweat, and hurried to ask: “How is the Admiral?”

 

“There was nothing serious to begin with. The Admiral has now been moved to a room next door for further observation. Once the second round of examination results comes back clear, he can return to normal. After you go in, ask the Admiral what happened. Did His Majesty really torture the Admiral? Hey hey hey—”

 

Kane quickly grabbed Kang Quan. “I haven’t finished talking yet. Why are you so anxious?”

 

Kang Quan: “What else is there to say?”

 

He had something weighing on his mind, his brow pressed down, lips tightly pursed.

 

“It’s not a big deal,” releasing his grip on Kang Quan’s sleeve, Dr. Kane carefully examined his expression, wondering why Adjutant Kang Quan looked like he wanted to devour someone. He instructed: “The Admiral hasn’t eaten for over half a month. You have experience—take good care of him, don’t let him suddenly eat random things.”

 

“Alright, I understand.”

 

Kang Quan agreed and immediately entered the medical room.

 

“So impatient,” Kane shook his head. “Young people…”

 

…

 

Inside the medical room.

 

Gong Du, wearing a robe, leaned against the headboard with a pillow Kang Quan had brought him behind his back.

 

“These are the things that happened in the corps while you were away. I’ve temporarily held back on decisions I couldn’t make. For those I’ve already handled, if you find anything unsuitable, it can still be changed.” Kang Quan routinely reported on the military affairs of the First Army that he had handled beyond his authority.

 

“There’s nothing unsuitable. Just proceed according to how you handled it before.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The medical room fell quiet again. Kang Quan couldn’t help but clench the documents in his hands. Should he ask about that plan or not…

 

Gong Du quietly held a glass cup. Both wrists were wrapped in bandages to soothe the bruises, a faint medicinal smell drifting out.

 

Kang Quan looked: “Admiral, did His Majesty torture you?”

 

“No, why would you think that?”

 

“Then why were you unconscious for so many days?”

 

“…”

 

Half a beat slow, the Admiral extended his finger and pressed his temple. “…Almost forgot. I requested His Majesty to punish me. Those old folks at the administrative office don’t like me, and His Majesty was in a difficult position, so I voluntarily requested to be bound in chains and hung for a few days.”

 

Kang Quan couldn’t help himself: “Just that?”

 

“What else?”

 

The cup was handed to Kang Quan. Gong Du browsed through the previously handled military affairs, taking time to look up: “Do you have something else you want to say?”

 

The contents of that plan were too chilling. Kang Quan’s palms couldn’t gather any warmth.

 

[[“…Kang Quan?”

“It’s me, Admiral.”

“Mm.”]]

 

The dialogue from before the Admiral fell unconscious played extremely clearly in Kang Quan’s mind on loop. The Admiral trusted him as a subordinate.

 

Steadying his heart, Kang Quan exhaled lightly: “There is one matter. Last time in the military command system…”

 

“—Hmm? An arrest warrant?” The Admiral’s tone was puzzled. “How come I don’t remember issuing an arrest warrant for this person?”

 

He turned the browsing interface for Kang Quan to see. “Did you issue this order?”

 

All of Kang Quan’s unfinished words were stuck in his stomach. He followed the Admiral’s gaze:

 

[Arrest Warrant:

 

Young adult male, golden eyes, agile physique, long black hair. Has appeared in Silicon Blue City. Capture on sight, do not harm his life.]

 

Kang Quan was slightly stunned.

 

He remembered this arrest warrant. This was the order issued after they pursued young master Suto in Silicon Blue City but were injured by two people who appeared from nowhere. The Admiral had forgotten?

 

Carefully observing the Admiral’s expression, Kang Quan found nothing suspicious: “Then… do you still remember young master Suto?”

 

“Mm, I remember.”

 

Kang Quan hesitated: “You issued this order. Young master Suto was rescued by two strangers in Silicon Blue City. You issued arrest warrants for all three of them. Have you forgotten?”

 

“Oh? I issued it?”

 

Merely a slight inflection in his tone, his gaze fell on the two words ‘golden eyes.’ After a moment, the Admiral calmly looked away. “A Class-A arrest warrant is too mild. Change it to a kill-on-sight warrant of the same level.”

 

Kill-on-sight warrant—dead or alive.

 

Those half-blocked words—for some reason, Kang Quan could no longer speak them.

 

The Admiral still had that careless manner, no different from before, yet he just felt something was different. His back was shrouded in an indescribable chill.

 

“…Yes, this subordinate will go now.”

 

“Wait,” the Admiral called him back. “That batch of munitions to replenish the arsenal in two months—doesn’t it have to pass through the chaotic magnetic zone in front of the Northwest Sector?”

 

“Yes, the arsenal needs it urgently. Though the chaotic magnetic zone is dangerous, it takes less than half the time of other routes.”

 

The Admiral nodded: “I’ll personally escort that shipment.”

 

“Understood, this subordinate will arrange it immediately.”

 

After he left, Gong Du lifted a strand of silver-white hair draped over his shoulder.

 

After a long while, he smiled inexplicably: “…Actually, black looks better.”

 

The small light orb flashed in his consciousness but said nothing.

 

——

 

“Teacher—! Time to eat!”

 

Jin Daike’s voice came from next door.

 

Morning sunlight shone on the windowsill of Lan Xia’s bedroom. On the sill were two flower pots—one planted with sunflowers growing luxuriantly, the other still bare.

 

“Coming right after I water them!”

 

Lan Xia stood by the window and responded, holding a watering can. He poured some water into his hand, then carefully dripped it into the center of the bare flower pot.

 

The soil sank into a small pit, a tiny seed lying inside.

 

After watering, Lan Xia raised his hand to set up a mental power shield before leaving reassured.

 

Ever since Shou Bing took over Dawn’s small kitchen, the quality of Lan Xia and the others’ meals had risen dramatically. Three meals a day never repeated, with balanced meat and vegetable combinations and reasonable nutrition.

 

Beside Lan Xia were sweets he liked. However, after his stomach illness eased, he had no restrictions on sweets and barely touched regular food.

 

Shou Bing was responsible for cooking, and Jin Daike naturally told him about Lan Xia’s stomach problems. Shou Bing indulged him at first, but gradually became more concerned. Yet he couldn’t withstand Lan Xia’s gentle, smiling inquiries: ‘Little Ice, aren’t the desserts a bit less today?’ ‘Yesterday’s mango pie was delicious, is there more?’ ‘I taught you until quite late today, can we add an extra meal tomorrow?’

 

…

 

Until Lan Xia almost had another stomach episode.

 

Since then, Lan Xia’s portions of sweets grew smaller and smaller—almost every type lasted only two or three bites before it was gone.

 

Jin Daike: “After planting for so long, has teacher’s seed still not sprouted?”

 

Lan Xia: “No, it’s still the same.”

 

“The extinct violet—the one teacher has is probably the only one left. The Empire’s flower is naturally a bit difficult to raise,” Algiers joked. “Hurry and sit down.”

 

“Today’s portion is one bite less than yesterday,” Lan Xia noticed almost immediately after sitting at the table.

 

“Your dessert for today is easy-to-digest cream mousse and cherry cream,” completely ignoring Lan Xia’s complaint, Shou Bing held his spatula and served breakfast to Algiers and Jin Daike as well.

 

Shou Bing never would have imagined that in just two short months, he had adapted so well to this cook position. In Mr. Lan Xia’s words, his mental power showed no progress whatsoever, but his cooking skills were maxed out.

 

He had also come to understand the personalities of Dawn’s three authority figures fairly well. Algiers was steady and mature, Jin Daike delicate and innocent. As for Mr. Lan Xia…

 

Usually gentle and refined, very strict when guiding his mental power, yet when it came to sweets, he had a child-like stubbornness.

 

Lan Xia poked Shou Bing’s little spatula: “It’s really getting less and less.”

 

Shou Bing lowered his head, meeting Lan Xia’s eyes.

 

For an instant, he hallucinated a golden-eyed kitten begging for food.

 

“…”

 

Can’t take it anymore.

 

Help—

 

Shou Bing looked pleadingly toward Algiers.

 

“Ahem!” Algiers successfully received the signal. “Teacher, we found out—the recent activity in the Northwest Sector is because of the First Army.”

 

Lan Xia’s attention was indeed drawn over: “How so?”

 

“Rat Ridge City is at the black market’s outskirts. Yesterday I took a few brothers toward the black market’s inner ring, spent some money, and bought information near Gray River’s territory.”

 

“Three days from now, not far from the Northwest Sector in the chaotic magnetic zone, a batch of munitions will be transported to the First Army base. This shipment—quite a few people are eyeing it. The chaotic magnetic zone probably already has personnel from various powers planted there, including Xinghui, mercenaries, and perhaps Gray River will also get involved.”

 

“Hmm…” Lan Xia ate a bite of cherry cream. “Dawn has barely managed to establish itself in Rat Ridge City, but we still lack military supplies. Algiers, do you think we should rob it?”

 

“Rob it!” After serious consideration, Algiers said decisively. “Those are all the latest supplies. If we’re afraid of trouble and don’t rob this time, there’ll be a next time, and another after that. Dawn will never grow strong.”

 

“Not only should we rob it, we’d best grab most of it.”

 

Lan Xia smiled: “Not afraid we can’t hold onto it?”

 

Algiers coughed embarrassedly: “If it were another time, I definitely wouldn’t be this bold, but don’t we have teacher here?”

 

Lan Xia: “Alright, you rob as much as you can. Whatever enters Dawn, no one can take away, so—”

 

He looked up and glanced around.

 

Algiers: “Hmm?”

 

Jin Daike blinked.

 

Lan Xia pushed his already empty dessert plate forward, looked toward Shou Bing’s little spatula, his eyes curving.

 

“Can I have—”

 

His hand had already reached out.

 

Body reflexes faster than thought, Shou Bing shuddered remembering Lan Xia’s pale face, and with a forceful motion, the little spatula smacked onto the table.

 

*Clang* —it broke into two pieces.

 

Lan Xia’s outstretched hand froze.

 

Algiers and Jin Daike gasped.

 

“…”

 

Awkward silence.

 

Shou Bing’s ears quickly turned red, nearly in tears. Under three people’s gazes, he stammered: “No…!”

 

Afraid Lan Xia would be angry yet also afraid he’d eat too much and his stomach would hurt, the teenager looked like he wanted to be fierce but couldn’t muster the nerve.

 

Shou Bing gritted his teeth, steeling himself, and no longer stammered: “The rest is all prepared for the other children in Dawn. Sir, please don’t compete with them for snacks.”

 

Algiers: “.”

 

Well done, brother.

 

Jin Daike: “.”

 

Amazing, Brother Ice.

 

Lan Xia: “…”

 

He nonchalantly withdrew his hand, then silently pulled back his plate.

 

---

Author’s Note:

 

《The Other Children》

 

Teacher Lan Xia: It’s not like I can’t compete with them

 

——

 

Wuwu, so charmed by Teacher Lan Xia~

 

**

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