Chapter 30: Roland Veit (Minor Edit)

Chapter 30: Roland Veit (Minor Edit)

The pure white main star.

-

"What's going on recently? Why does the main star seem more heavily guarded than before?"

"Not just more, but extremely so! The royal guard's ships are constantly in the sky, and Lord Xie Ye is nowhere to be seen."

"Could it be that Lord Lai Lar has finally completely fallen out with Lord Xie Ye? Or is it that Lord Ga Xiu has come to provoke Lord Xie Ye again?"

"Who knows... But recently, my light tail has been disobedient, sometimes popping out even during class. It's so embarrassing!"

"...Really? You too? I got called in by my parents because of this. The Comprehensive Military Academy suspected I was secretly looking at the king's electronic photos. I wouldn't dare! I only dare to look at them in my bed at night..."

In the Roland Veit garden, Xie Ye watched Yun Huai eat only a small piece of bread, barely touching the prepared morning drink.

The nutritionist looked on with a heavy heart, as the young king again ate only a little before wiping his mouth.

"There's no need to prepare so much; I can't finish it."

Xie Ye frowned slightly: "Have you had enough to eat?"

Yun Huai nodded. Full or not, it was always the same – an odd, lingering hunger that his stomach never seemed to satisfy, diminishing his interest in food.

The nutritionist was extremely worried: "Is it because you're in a bad mood? Or is the food not to your liking? I can have them prepare something fresher—"

"No need," Yun Huai looked up, slightly distressed, "I once ate some different things among the foreigners, and those foods had a significant impact on me, possibly causing an adverse reaction to other food."

Yun Huai seldom mentioned his time among the foreigners and never spoke of the alien monster that held him that day. Xie Ye rarely had such an opportunity to inquire.

He always remembered that day at the starport, when the king's psychic energy tore and swallowed a piece of that monster.

"Did you eat anything delicious there? Can you tell us what it was?" Xie Ye asked tentatively: "Whatever it is, the empire will find it for you."

A young king in his initial stage must be well-nourished to grow properly. Their new king, so young and slender, Xie Ye believed he had much room to grow, so this nobleman spared no effort in nurturing Yun Huai.

But Yun Huai had no idea what species Lu Rin'an was. Xie Ye and Lu Rin'an fought to the death upon meeting, and Yun Huai didn't really want the empire's people to know he had been eating that monster all along.

He remembered Ares once saying that there was a creature that shared a genetic sequence with Lu Rin'an but didn't taste as good. He vaguely shifted the focus to the eager eyes of the Ita people: "Maybe it's a kind of merfolk from the island? I'm not sure. I heard that kind of fish is very precious and rarely encountered among foreigners."

Merfolk?

Could the swallowing of the monster's psychic energy have been just a random incident of extreme hunger by the king?

The nutritionist and Xie Ye exchanged glances. Xie Ye slowly nodded: "I understand. I'll send someone to find this food for you. In the meantime, please continue to eat the empire's food for a while longer."

As he spoke, he stepped forward and handed Yun Huai a menu: "These are the empire's top ingredients. You can take a look and see what interests you, and I will try to have the chef prepare them to your liking."

The menu was short and concise, very much in the empire's austere style. Yun Huai pursed his lips and quietly glanced over it a few times, then put down the menu with a soft sigh.

Xie Ye's blue eyes flickered with nervousness as he boldly met the king's gaze. Yun Huai slowly looked at him and asked, "Is there a school here?"

Xie Ye: "…What did you say?"

Yun Huai pointed to the text on the menu: "I can understand and speak your language, but I can't read or write it. Like this menu, it might be more effective if you read it to me instead of just showing it to me."

Xie Ye and the court attendants by his side fell into a deathly silence.

After a moment, the officer's expression turned a bit sorrowful. He slowly approached and crouched beside Yun Huai, his cool fingers gently touching the young man's folded clothes – an act that was quite impolite.

But Xie Ye found it hard to control his emotions at that moment, feeling immense regret for his words.

The king's expression was so gentle. He didn't show any anger at having his pride touched, but simply asked with resignation if there was a school here.

Xie Ye took a deep breath, speaking softly to Yun Huai, as if comforting a fragile child: "Not knowing how to read is not a big deal. This is our oversight. The main star will find you the best teacher to educate you, and you don't have to worry about not understanding the interstellar script."

Yun Huai hesitated a bit: "Study in the garden?"

Xie Ye lifted his gaze, trying to be as gentle as possible: "Yes, but all our decisions will respect your wishes. Do you have any requests?"

Yun Huai was silent for a moment: "You've hidden my existence, giving me a good buffer time, but the royal family is so important to the Ita people, so I must think about how to be a good king for you."

The young man, supporting his cheek, looked down at Xie Ye with his gray-purple eyes: "Will people outside harm me?"

Xie Ye shook his head: "They would rather hurt themselves. The Ita people are loyal to the royal family to the death."

Yun Huai nodded: "I won't stay in the garden forever. The empire will sooner or later know about my existence. The people nourish the royal family, and the royal family will respond to your faith."

Xie Ye's eyes flickered slightly, his ice-blue pupils like a glacial lake.

He spoke with a prolonged tone: "You are always responding to us. Sometimes I think I am dreaming. You are tolerating all our impolite actions with your magnanimity."

Yun Huai smiled softly, his voice carrying a hint of elusive confusion and regret: "If possible, you could find me a teacher for the language. It would be even better if there are others to learn with. I want to understand the Ita, and this is the peaceful life I've imagined countless times but never had the chance to experience."

Xie Ye's snow-white hair slipped onto Yun Huai's sleeve as he spoke with devotion and reverence, "Xie Ye will accomplish everything you desire, and the empire is honored by your presence."

The noble's presence was cold, but his words were filled with ardent sincerity. The young king was the sole indulgence beneath Xie Ye's stern and icy demeanor.

Yun Huai hummed in response, hesitating for a moment before tentatively reaching out to touch the man's hair accessory.

Xie Ye shuddered, hearing his young king laugh and compliment, "It's beautiful, and suits your hair perfectly."

Lunen, standing quietly to the side, had his eyes flickering wildly. He glanced at his own body clad in rigid mechanized armor and resignedly closed his eyes.

He couldn't be as fortunate as Xie Ye, only able to serve with greater loyalty and protection, perhaps hoping that one day the king might compliment him too.

He harbored such baseless fantasies, for their king seemed so kind and gentle.

……

Upon hearing that Yun Huai was going to school to learn to read, Iliad flew crazily around the Roland Veit garden, exclaiming non-stop, "You are really too approachable!"

Yun Huai sat in a garden chair, with AG-0781 brought by Xie Ye behind him. For reasons unknown, it hadn't been sent for repairs; Xie Ye had only mentioned that they were yet to contact a mechanic capable of fixing it.

However, this didn't hinder 0781's daily functioning; the worn robot still possessed the energy to accompany the king.

Rejoining Yun Huai made 0781 so happy that it consumed three large bottles of the empire's energy liquid. The imperial brand seemed to improve its stuttering speech slightly, and the large robot's pale eyes flickered momentarily as it added, "The king stepping down from the sacred altar will be a celebration for the citizens."

Yun Huai was very fond of this robot; it was the first creation of the Ita he had ever encountered.

"I am not a very cold person."

AG-0781 lowered its head, "You are so kind."

Iliad added, "And so noble!"

Yun Huai helplessly said, "I just feel that studying in the Roland Veit Garden won't help me better understand the empire. A great king is never raised in a garden."

Eliad cried, "You are so strong!"

Its cat ears trembled wildly and it said, "Xienna is likely to select the Comprehensive Military Academy of the main star for you. It is filled with the descendants of the nobility from the main star, who possess extremely pure psychic powers, but the children here are mostly very proud too."

Yun Huai: "I understand."

These are the elite among the elite of the empire, naturally they have the capital to be proud. Yun Huai couldn't help thinking that they probably wouldn't expect their revered king to be illiterate.

While pondering, Yun Huai saw Xienna walk in from outside the royal court, accompanied by a female Ita named Ita. It was Yun Huai's first time seeing a female of the Ita race, and he couldn't help but take a second glance.

The slightly older but still beautiful female Ita seemed very moved. Yun Huai noticed that her eyes had turned red.

Xienna approached Yun Huai and said, "Thank you for waiting all night. I have handled all matters for you. This is Stana, the royal theory scholar of the Comprehensive Military Academy of the main star, and the only dean of the Literature Faculty at the Military Academy."

Stana was an Ita woman with long, curly brown hair, marked by distinct racial traits such as sharp ears and a tall, slender figure. She gazed at Yun Huai excitedly: "You are younger than I imagined. Ever since Lord Xienna went out to search for you, many of us have been restless. To see a living being who resembles our king is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life."

Yun Huai, gradually getting used to the excited Ita people, said, "I am pleased to meet you, Stana. Will you be my teacher?"

Stana took a deep breath: "Yes, I hope you will have a wonderful learning experience in the Literature Faculty."

Yun Huai turned to Xienna: "Do I have to study there all day?"

Xienna advised gently: "No, you can return to the royal court whenever you feel tired."

Yun Huai smiled and said with a slight squint in his eyes, "I won't get tired of studying. I have never had such a precious opportunity before."

The noble's gaze towards Yun Huai was like ripples on water, "In the future, you will have countless opportunities. The Ita people will bring them all before you."

It was urgent for the royal to become literate. Yun Huai didn't need to prepare anything; if he wanted to study today, he could leave immediately.

Xienna was happy to see their king so diligent but also worried about the frail king being overwhelmed in the military academy.

On the spacecraft to the academy, Xienna couldn't help but remind Yun Huai: "The children there are a bit... restless, due to their very high psychic powers, they are often in an excited and combative state. However, the main star doesn't allow any unqualified Ita to leave; their graduation standards are very strict, with the highest demands being in the Literature Faculty's royal knowledge theory."

Stana: "In our theory classes, we learn everything about the royal court to better serve the royal family in the future."

Yun Huai rubbed his forehead: "Does the Literature Faculty only offer this course?"

Xienna nodded: "Yes, other knowledge has already been taught before they enter the Military Academy, and royal knowledge is something the new generation of the empire needs to learn and remember forever."

The noble spoke softly: "We do this to remember the existence of the king, so as not to be lost in the cosmic flow."

Yun Huai felt touched and shocked. Stana, who was on the same spacecraft, a beautiful older woman, suppressed her excitement and said, "You can understand the empire better through this course and learn to read and write. I will monitor your progress and ensure you don't feel burdened."

"Thank you," the young king replied politely. "You will surely be a great teacher."

Stana blushed slightly, and Yun Huai realized that complimenting others was indeed effective. No wonder Lu Lin'an used to like praising him; compliments are a process that pleases both sides.

Realizing he was thinking of Lu Lin'an again, Yun Huai felt a bit of food anxiety.

The blood tubes would run out sooner or later, and it was uncertain whether Xienna's merfolk would find more.

And could those fish really replace the taste of Lu Lin'an? Yun Huai pondered for a moment, but soon, he had no room to think about these distant matters.

The spacecraft pierced through the energy shield of the royal court and quickly entered a dense and bustling city.

In the center of the city was a massive cluster of gray buildings. From the spacecraft, Yun Huai saw a magnificent fountain sculpture in the center.

"That's the giant Rolanviette sculpture. The Rolanviette is the symbol of the king. In your absence, every generation of students here holds it in their thoughts," Stana said with emotion in her eyes. "Every time they have to take the royal theory test, this place gets filled with gifts for you. Those that can't fit here are taken to the sanctuary to look up in prayer."

Yun Huai was shocked.

Stana: "The children pray for full marks in this course so they can get their graduation certificate and join the royal guard or other key departments on the main star. The closer the position to the royal court, the more coveted it is."

Yun Huai paused for a moment, and Eliad, who had always followed him, bragged: "The Ita's faith remains so pure, leading to the birth of a new king. The king will bless every Ita citizen, making the empire stronger and more united."

Xienna and Stana's gaze heated up slightly, and Yun Huai quickly covered Eliad's noisy mouth.

They were already quite infatuated with him, and further promotion might lead Yun Huai to worry that the Ita woman might faint from excitement.

The spaceship swiftly glided over the academy. After it stabilized, Stana guided Yun Huai: "I will accompany you to class. After much consideration, Lord Xienna decided to place you in the graduating class. Older students tend to be more composed. Due to your birth, they urgently need to learn new theories to assist their graduation. These students are all descendants of nobility and will surely show more maturity and politeness upon your arrival."

Yun Huai relaxed a bit; he was actually a bit nervous but didn't show it. He longed to study and live in a normal school, something he dared not even dream of in the post-apocalyptic world.

However, Yun Huai didn't want to cause a stir; sometimes, discreet observation is more revealing of the empire's situation.

The Comprehensive Military Academy of the main star is extravagantly large, a school prepared for the empire's future warriors. All the facilities around are twice as big.

Yun Huai had to admit that he indeed needed to grow taller, so he wouldn't have to take the stairs one level at a time.

Fortunately, Stana considerately didn't make him take the stairs. They rode an energy elevator, which finally stopped on the sixth floor.

Xienna and the silent royal guards always followed Yun Huai. He turned back and raised his hand to them: "It's okay, you can go about your duties. Have Lunen come up to fetch me after the class."

Xienna's gaze was serene: "If they disobey, you can inform me through Eliad at any time."

Lunen added: "Lord Xienna will punish them."

Yun Huai smiled without saying anything. Eliad snorted arrogantly and handed Yun Huai an ultra-thin intelligent mechanical mask. The young man attached the compressed mask to his face, and the automated technology instantly concealed all his features, leaving only the outlines of his snow-white, round ears.

Xienna and Lunen watched Yun Huai and the slightly shocked Stana disappear around the corner before silently turning back to the elevator.

"The king is very powerful," Lunen suddenly said in a flat tone, "and very cautious. Did he tell you about preparing a mask?"

Xienna shook his head: "No, I can't probe too much into the king's actions. His psychological health assessment isn't great. I originally thought he wouldn't accept the empire quickly and would continue to stay in his own world."

Lunen looked at Xienna, hearing a barely detectable gasp from the noble, "But the king is braver than we imagined. Just give this child a bit of soil, and he knows how to grow better on his own."

"Our king is not only gentle," Xienna suddenly pointed at his forehead, "but also absolutely wise. He is slowly accepting the empire and considering how to govern it. I fear his strength and caution, as well as his desire to absorb all surrounding resources for growth."

Lunen: "...Will we be blessed by a growing king?"

Xienna: "We all will be, as long as you and I maintain absolute faith." The noble spoke undisturbed, "I was ready to face the restless military school students, but now, I just hope those kids who only know how to fight won't be scared by the king."

The Literature Faculty's only large amphitheater classroom was currently conducting a self-study class on royal knowledge.

Stana pushed open the door of the classroom. Several students lying on their desks at the back immediately straightened up, spreading out already completed test papers. Their slightly cold and arrogant eyes fell on the lectern.

Phaedo asked, "Where did Stana go?"

The boy next to him, struggling to keep his eyes open, replied impatiently, "How would I know? The higher-ups on the main star have been all secretive lately. I'm starting to wonder if Leylar has completely defected."

The red-haired Gilrod shook his head: "Lord Leylar hasn't been to the main star for a long time. Perhaps he has already forgotten what the king looks like."

"The king's appearance... you mean the royal statue? Stop talking about it. If I were Leylar, I'd forget too. The king surely no longer favors the Ita, that's why he never descends into the garden. Leylar must have given up hope by now, Gashu lives in his own dreams, and only Lord Xienna still clings to his fantasies..."

An older Ita woman wearing silver chain glasses suddenly turned to the back row: "Quiet, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle instantly shut his mouth. He certainly didn't want to fail the royal course and be held back a year.

The enrollment at the main star's Military Academy is extremely strict every year, and there are not many students.

"Today, only a handful of students attended the classroom, all of them pure-blood Eitas about to graduate and join the Empire's fortress."

"Scanning the room, Starna observed these naive children unaware of what lies ahead. She slowly said, 'The key knowledge I've taught you will become more complex, and the examination papers will be re-drafted. I hope you are fully prepared to cope.'"

"A wave of groans rose from below. Starna raised her hand, quieting the classroom, and said, 'Do not be restless. You may not realize how fortunate you are, for I will introduce to you an absolutely prestigious entity.'"

"Girode commented, 'Starna is acting a bit strange today.'"

"Gabriel whispered, 'An absolutely prestigious entity? Has someone from the Xieya family come to study, or perhaps someone from the second or third star systems?'"

"Alert, Fedo suddenly said, 'Shh, there seems to be someone outside the door.'"

"The overly youthful pure-blood Eitas watched as Starna turned, walked down from the podium, and personally opened the classroom door for the visitor."

"Yun Huai entered, wearing an exquisitely embroidered Rolan Veit cloak, its gold and white tassels trailing along as he walked. His jet-black hair was soft, and his face was covered with the Empire's latest mechanical mask. He was not very tall, hesitating a moment as he ascended the steps."

"Starna carefully assisted him from behind, and Yun Huai then stood in the center of the podium."

"This was not the apocalypse; this was his Empire."

"He was about to learn the language and history of the Eitas here, blending into the world reborn for the second time as the new king of the Empire."

"Yun Huai rarely felt such a subtle sense of belonging; the Eitas reminded him of his home, now a blurred memory from before the apocalypse."

"The young man exhaled softly, his grey-purple eyes blinking slightly behind the mask. He calmly looked at the noble youths gazing at him, then spoke in a gentle voice, contrasting starkly with his cold mask—"

"'My name is Yun Huai, and I am a transfer student in the royal knowledge theory class.'"

"Author's note:"

"Rinzi, who's developing in stealth mode, said: 'Young people sure have a good appetite, even hunger strikes fast :)'"

"*The military race content has been revoked."