Chapter 29: Rolan Vette

Chapter 29: Rolan Vette

The pitch-black combat spacecraft, after consecutive warp jumps, glided into the Genesis Star Domain at superluminal speed.

Ares, panting like a beast, grumbled: "Master, you're about to use me up."

The man, hands behind his head, reclining silently, had converted his pilot's seat into a lounge chair. He lay there, gazing at the starry cosmos outside the cabin, lost in thoughts unknown.

After Ares's display of dissatisfaction, it mechanically reported: "You have now entered the RAT automatic scanning field of the Genesis Star Domain. RAT will check for any hazardous materials on board before entering the Lord's star. Serious violations will result in confinement in the space station jail, or being thrown into the Lord's hunting grounds."

Ares added: "Compared to your hunting grounds, they'd probably prefer the space jail."

Lu Rin'an plugged his ears with earbuds, which Ares keenly noted were left behind by the young guest on the ship.

"Theodore, the butler, has already detected Ares's coordinates. I will bring you, heartbroken, back to the Lord's residence safely. The safety protection system has locked all cabin doors to prevent you from making any rash decisions due to love."

Lu Rin'an suddenly closed his eyes, murmuring, "I'm so hungry."

Ares: "..."

Ares silently turned off its voice system, becoming a mute ship for the rest of the journey.

The Genesis Star Domain is vast, with the Lord's star situated at its center. However, the Lord's star has one of the smallest permanent populations in the domain, a massive yet lonely planet that may remain solitary for a long time.

Ares dutifully escorted the lovelorn dragon to land near his residence. There, the spacecraft's wind fluttered the coattails of a man dressed in a tailcoat.

The man remained motionless, his eyes behind the glasses long and narrow, with amber-colored pupils. Unlike Lu Rin'an, who could still disguise himself to look human, this man's appearance was dangerously exotic.

Theodore smiled faintly, his slender eyes narrowing even further, making it almost impossible for Ares to see his pupils. As usual, Ares wondered if Theodore could really see the outside world.

The spacecraft had already landed securely, but the master still hadn't moved. Theodore slowly approached and said, "Welcome home. I've heard about what happened from Officer Tang Zhuo. It's very unfortunate to hear such news, a real tragedy for the Luniliu family."

The amber-eyed man maintained his smile, his tongue forked like a snake's, or perhaps a lizard's, as he spoke.

Lu Rin'an didn't respond, and only after a while did the door of Ares slowly open. The tall man jumped down from the spacecraft and tossed a crumpled coat to Theodore.

"Where's the food?" Lu Rin'an asked immediately, "I'm starving to death. Have the people nearby been evacuated?"

Theodore stepped forward, "Every time your nesting period ends, it's followed by a feeding period. They've already evacuated. Your meal is prepared in an indoor simulated marine environment. This time, the Dragon Island mermaid tribe has sent a lot of food, probably over a dozen whales. The mermaids from the east coast were responsible for their delivery, and the fish are waiting inside."

Lu Rin'an paused, "Dragon Island mermaids never leave their birthplace unless necessary. If he could see, he would surely love the shimmering colors of their tails."

Theodore smiled but did not ask further, opening the door to Lu Rin'an's residence.

As Lu Rin'an entered, he suddenly said with his back to Theodore, "Do you know? The Ita king is really beautiful."

Theodore lowered his eyes, "I can imagine. Many who went to K420 haven't been seen since their return. And Noan, I hear he's been sleepless lately."

Lu Rin'an turned around.

Theodore continued, "Because every time he closes his eyes, he sees the eyes of the Ita king."

"I should have been wary from the abyss; he wasn't afraid of me and could even eat me. His royal power was already showing signs, those dormant war robots couldn’t have woken up by chance, nor the mechanical energy ball from Greyhawk Seat. He attracts all Ita creations," said Lu Rin'an, his voice chilling, "But at that time, I was in my nesting period."

Theodore opened his slender eyes slightly, a membranous layer quickly passing over his amber irises as if blinking.

"During the nesting period, the Luniliu family falls deeply in love, their rationality greatly suppressed, dominated only by the desire to love. If it were you now, you would have surely recognized the identity of the Ita king."

Lu Rin'an didn't respond, and Theodore, looking at his back, suddenly said, "But pleasant memories are better than a murky, dormant state. So far, every family member who has fallen in love has successfully pursued their beloved. You are the strongest gene in the family's evolution so far; some things might not necessarily end in failure."

"I've already lost. I let go of a creature that might kill me. We will never see each other again."

Theodore smiled slightly, encouraging the heartbroken and life-doubting lord, "Miracles in the universe happen all the time. If you could meet once, you can certainly meet again."

Lu Rin'an remembered the strict security on the Ita main star and let out a mocking snort.

The massive doors of the lord's residence closed, and suddenly, a flurry of voice messages exploded from Theodore's link code.

Lan Si exclaimed, "Whew! That scared me! I really thought the lord would catch me eavesdropping!"

A commander commented, "Thanks to the great Theodore, the steward. You are the bravest at this moment."

Tang Zhuo, with a fierce expression that had completely transformed into masculinity, said emotionlessly, "A heartbroken dragon can’t starve. Otherwise, we all become his food. Theodore reacted quickly, and the timely tribute of the whales is much appreciated. Honestly, I thought the lord would incinerate K420."

Theodore responded, "He will control his power."

Lan Si blurted out, "That's uncertain! The lord is so young! A hot-blooded youngster at the peak of his passion, and his first love affair is with the Ita king, who hasn't appeared in so many years. He's definitely playing on a cosmic-level difficulty! If it were me, I'd have collapsed!"

Compared to the long lifespan of a Nilieu dragon, Lu Rin'an is indeed young.

After some calculation, Theodore realized that the lord was indeed in a very youthful phase.

So young and already experiencing such a sad unrequited love, and Theodore sighed slightly, knowing that Lu Rin'an's departure without a proper farewell from the Ita king was a heavy blow.

He used to return from the nesting period with a smile, but this time, he returned without a word, only wanting to eat.

Theodore hoped that the rare ingredients could soothe his broken heart, preventing a mental power rampage triggered by heartbreak, turning everything he sees into potential prey.

Theodore summoned robots to replenish Ares with flight energy, gazing at the wall without blinking, as a membranous transparent substance quickly passed over his pupils again.

……

The abode of the solitary dragon wasn't particularly luxurious, even a bit austere. Aside from essential living facilities, the place simulated natural environments more than anything else.

For instance, in one corner of the large building, there was a pool where waves continuously crashed ashore. This natural pool served as a food preservation area, hence the substantial storage space integrated during its construction.

And aquatic species were just one part of a Nilieu dragon's diet.

The man’s torso and waist were covered in terrifying muscles bursting with explosive strength. His nails gradually became sharp and coldly hard, and black-red scales slowly emerged along his spine and shoulder blades.

Lu Rin'an effortlessly opened a space beside him, collecting the black scales that pitter-pattered to the ground. He was expressionless as he did this, only when the speed of his collection caught up with the rate of shedding did the anxious scales cease to fall.

And thanks to his top-tier genetics, new dragon scales quickly grew in their place.

Youth had its advantages.

Lu Rin'an thought to himself, not even having the time to mourn the loss of his shed scales.

The last touch from that day still lingered in his embrace. Before this, he never thought there was something he couldn't handle or endure.

But he couldn't keep him.

The Ita king inherently belonged to the Ita Empire, let alone the fact that the new king was so young. The Ita people would never allow Yun Huai to remain adrift; forcibly keeping him would only lead to chaos and a massive war between the two species.

He loved his peaceful life too much to want to see the Black Radiance system turn into a battlefield.

At that moment, Lu Rin'an immensely admired himself for not having acted impulsively. Xiye Na had mentioned that Rolan Vette could help stabilize his nascent powers.

He watched as he turned away, almost directly targeting K420 in his distress.

He might live shorter than any member of his family, having found and lost his love object. Without the taunting roar of his genes, Lu Rin'an knew he had become a cosmic failure.

Suddenly, he touched the corner of his eye where black scales had begun to spread, with gold-red veins weaving through the gaps. Lu Rin'an took a deep breath to steady himself before another surge of genetic instability hit, and then plunged into the simulated sea pool in front of him.

The water's surface erupted into a huge wave, slowly returning to calm.

But the eerie calm was short-lived. In an instant, a massive and terrifying creature was thrown up, only to be violently pulled down by an even larger black tail, its bones cracking crisply.

The water began to bloom with blood, a brutal feeding by a top predator.

In the alien world, the law of the survival of the fittest had always been thus.

In a corner, a young male merman was covertly hiding in the deep waters of the pool.

The mermaids of Dragon Island, oppressed by the psychic force of the island's dragon species for centuries, had survived as the second species of Hairen Star. Their genetic sequence similar to Nilieu dragons gave them strength and wisdom, fortunately preventing them from becoming dragon food.

Their blood tasted somewhat similar, and Nilieu dragons never hunted species that bore a dragon's scent.

Their gills for breathing were hidden under the ribs of the merman, with serrated teeth densely packed in their mouths. The merman's eyes were clear and translucent, their expressions limited due to years of living in cold seawater, only the natural wariness of a species.

The male merman agilely avoided the hunting scene. He often brought food for this generation's dragon, but had never seen such extreme and savage feeding.

This lord must be in a very bad mood.

They were acutely aware that Lu Rin'an was higher up on their food chain. Despite the genetic sequence preventing them from being dragon prey, the intimidation of facing such overwhelming power remained.

The dragon was too large; a mere glance in the shadowy depths of the water couldn't capture his full appearance. Occasionally, one might glimpse a giant tail or the black wings stirring the currents, but the only clear feature they could discern were the dragon's distinct golden eyes.

In those eyes lay the absolute dominance of the top of the food chain, devoid of any warmth or compassion. They instilled a bone-chilling fear in any creature that beheld them, leaving only deep-rooted terror in their souls.

Lu Rin'an indulged himself underwater until he was half-satisfied, then returned to the surface, looking more human-like.

He picked up a robe prepared by Theodore, draping it loosely over his shoulders.

The black scales gradually receded. A trace of crimson blood slid down the man's face to the corner of his mouth. Below the waist, a pronounced bulge indicative of male prowess was excitedly prominent, fueled by the hunt.

While tying his loosened belt, Lu Rin'an swiftly licked the falling blood with the tip of his tongue. His pupils, initially pinpoints of a predator, gradually returned to a satisfied elliptical shape.

The whale was quite satiated, the food exceptionally fresh. If that person returned with him, he might also fancy such fresh fare.

Behind him, the sound of something swiftly swimming across the water's surface was heard. The merfolk brought food, waiting for Lu Rin'an's critique to help them improve the taste next time.

Would Yun Huai enjoy the food he eats? Lu Rin'an pondered silently, resorting to solitary fabrication of memories.

But ordinary food wouldn't satisfy him; the young Ita king, accustomed to delicious dragon blood, would surely be hungry upon returning to the empire. The empire would do everything to nourish their king, soon realizing that the youth was a bit "picky" and "lacked appetite"...

Should he send some merfolk over? It might help to some extent, ensuring he doesn’t suffer from malnutrition during his growth.

Lu Rin'an thought deeply; if only he could join the merfolk, they stood a better chance than him at seeing that person again.

The turbulent blood in the water behind him gradually calmed, and the lucky surviving prey trembled as they sank into the depths.

He longed to feed him personally, even though he was feeding a species that might kill him. This hopeless dragon gene was beyond redemption.

Lu Rin'an, troubled and restless, walked a few steps outward, then suddenly halted.

……

Although the Nilia dragons and the merfolk tribe share a common genetic sequence, the lower beings can never become the superior ones.

However, the superior ones can disguise their aura and appearance as the lower ones to infiltrate. On Hairen Star, he had played such games as a young whelp.

Lu Rin'an slowly turned back. In the darkness, his golden eyes gradually brightened, looking towards the waiting, wet fish head emerging from the water.

Author's note:

Fish Head: Don't come over here! (Figuratively, it's actually a human head)

Rin Child: Got it, immediately sending myself to lie (and) down (to kiss)

[Untold tales of young dragon Lu: Due to Rin Child's mischievous impersonation of a big-tailed fish in his youth, he once frightened a large number of female merfolk, causing them to end their breeding period early one year, leading to a drastic decrease in fry the following year, and subsequently receiving a stern lesson from his parents.]

*Merfolk setting in this story: Hairen Star's second species, reclusive and world-shy, only actively appear in front of Lu Rin'an, otherwise living in interstellar legends of inestimable value. The two species coexist harmoniously due to a shared genetic sequence, with the fish occasionally sending local specialties to the dragon brother out on official duties to fill his stomach. (The merfolk's beauty is not elaborately described; readers can imagine it themselves, ensuring the "Dragon-Fish" is explosively handsome.)

(Rin: Honey, are you hungry? Let me order some Eria Eats interstellar delivery for you!)