“Chapter 54: Rolanvete”

"Chapter 54: Rolanvete"

"Conflicts at the border are common. Before Yunhuai's birth, conflicts between the aliens and the empire never ceased."

"Unlike the empire, which has a highly unified spiritual belief, the alien domain rules with absolute suppression. Only the strongest can prevent any thoughts of rebellion."

"This is why the Lunilius family has held the lordship for a thousand years. So far, no species' combat power has surpassed the dragon race."

"Lulinan is so strong that he sees any power struggle as trivial. He didn't use to manage these matters much, but that doesn't mean he was unaware of them as a lord."

"Tang Curse's daily reports on alien conflicts could stack up to two piles. The alien species may cause disturbances, but they never dare escalate matters to require his personal 'inspection'."

"So what Gashu said is probably true. It might just be a minor friction at some station, with rumors saying he was out commanding."

"Lulinan wasn't upset about the conflict itself, but that it might impede his pursuit of love."

"In the garden, Lulinan spoke softly, 'An alien lord wouldn’t do something so trivial as personally commanding some border troops. It's likely just friction among the lower ranks. Someone from the Genesis Star Domain will handle it soon.'"

"Gashu glanced sideways, 'You seem to know a lot about the alien lord. Do you know him?'"

"Lulinan, unchanging in tone, replied, 'I know him, but not very well.'"

"Gashu joked, 'So you're a guest in the garden, does he know about it?'"

"Lulinan, unflappable as the exterior of Ares, replied without changing his expression: 'He knows, consents, has approved. Anything else?'"

"Yunhuai kicked Lulinan's leg under the table, and the man's annoyed expression softened slightly, replaced by pure love in his eyes."

"Gashu's ten sentences weren't as effective as Yunhuai's one kick."

"As the king's breakfast time approached, Gashu reluctantly stood up, 'Talking with you in the garden is a supreme pleasure. If only I could become a butterfly and accompany you.'"

"Yunhuai helplessly replied, 'The second star system can't be without a great noble executor.'"

"Gashu frowned, his slender and tall frame not as robust as the Ita people of the main star, making even his frown seem aesthetically pleasing."

"'I hope to create a perfect back garden for you.'"

"Gashu bowed and said softly, 'May the power of faith be with me forever.'"

"Iliad, watching the great noble executor leave, felt as if they had just witnessed a silent battle of blades and shadows. It clung to Yunhuai, noticing the silver-blue butterfly landing on the edge of the teacup."

"'Gashu is suspicious of Lulinan. He might have sensed Lulinan's danger. Fortunately, he's considering the garden and your personal attitude, so he didn't make a move.'"

"Yunhuai also breathed a sigh of relief, listening to Iliad's continuous chatter: 'The butterfly network of the second star system is as excellent as ever. If you're bored in the garden, you can have the little butterfly report on the empire's affairs. The one Gashu sent you should have the highest access.'"

"Prompted by Iliad's words, Yunhuai turned around to see Lulinan staring straight at him."

"'...What is it?'"

"Lulinan said, 'The Genesis Star Domain will send someone to clarify the situation. Alien species often act irrationally, but you shouldn't worry about these trifles.'"

"Yunhuai was slightly startled, 'How did you know I—'"

"Lulinan replied, 'Your blood is rushing faster.'"

"Yunhuai fell silent, and Lulinan smiled, 'Don’t worry, it will all settle down soon.'"

……

"However, things didn't go as Lulinan said. After discovering the latest function of the small butterfly, Yunhuai listened to it report some empire information every day."

"With the butterfly network's extensive reach, by the third time Yunhuai received news of imperial soldiers being injured, Lulinan's expression had turned quite grim."

"Yunhuai thought he might be hungry again, as he seemed really eager to eat something."

"The increasingly frequent conflicts were also discovered by Xiye, who compiled them into reports for Yunhuai to review."

"In the quiet bedroom, Lulinan stood beside Yunhuai, arms crossed and face slightly darkened, glancing sideways at the electronic reports."

"'The alien army's outposts keep launching attacks, imperial soldiers are injured in the conflicts, and the wounds heal slowly, suggesting the weapons might have bio-chemical functions,' Yunhuai looked up at Lulinan, 'Is this the aliens' latest tactic in battle?'"

"Lulinan's golden eyes were heavy: 'The aliens know the empire has a new king. Unless they're mad, they wouldn't stoop to such lowly provocations.'"

"Yunhuai thought for a moment before asking, 'Didn’t the Genesis Star Domain send someone over?'"

"Lulinan replied, 'Unlikely. It’s more probable that people were sent, but they had no effect.'"

"Yunhuai pondered, 'You seem quite angry about their performance.'"

"Lulinan was silent for a while before responding, 'I just despise their low efficiency. I don’t want to see you upset over these trivial matters.'"

"Lulinan always had a way of striking a chord at certain moments. He seemed to always stand by Yunhuai’s side, making him the primary focus."

"The man's expression was unusually cold and agitated, as if he was eager to personally take care of some matters."

"Yunhuai mused, 'Always staying in the garden, I've almost forgotten what you look like flying in the sky.'"

"Lulinan's mood seemed to lighten a bit, a hint of surprise in his tone, 'Are you worried about me?'"

"Yunhuai was expected to ignore his ambiguous words as usual, but to Lulinan’s surprise, he actually nodded."

"The young man looked at him gently, 'Is it so strange that I worry about you?'"

"Lulinan's stance faltered."

"Yunhuai's gaze returned to the document on the screen: 'You are a guest in the garden and the friend I've known the longest here. I'm not heartless; I can see your pursuit and what you've put into it.'"

"A surge of blood rushed through Lulinan."

"Something seemed to ignite in his sight. Yunhuai, surprised, looked up to see sparks falling off Lulinan."

“……”

"The young Ita King grew more concerned: 'Are you alright?'"

"Lulinan took a deep breath: 'I'm fine, I'm very good. What did you just call me?'"

"Yunhuai hesitated: '...A guest?'"

"Lulinan insisted: 'Not that, the other one.'"

"Yunhuai pressed his lips together: 'The friend you’ve known the longest?'"

"Lulinan started to emit sparks again."

"He remembered back on K420, Yunhuai's gaze was always full of trouble and avoidance. After his long pursuit, he only earned a 'I won't forget'."

"But Yunhuai only said he wouldn't forget; he didn't stay for him, instead returning to the Ita Empire. Lulinan, feeling utterly defeated, went back to the Genesis Star Domain and ate five or six giant whales to soothe his sorrow."

"Now, without knowing when, he had transformed from 'the monster that won’t be forgotten' to 'a friend recognized by King Ita'."

"—Friend!"

"What a grand word!"

"Lulinan, speaking a bit faster, said, 'So you want to see me fly? I can fly for you in the garden! Any style of flying you want, I can do it for you—'"

"The man's demeanor had completely lost its earlier coldness and hostility. He seemed to have switched personalities, and Yunhuai knew Lulinan's love gene was kicking in again, excited by his words."

"'If you fly in the garden, Lunen will see you.'"

"Lulinan suggested, 'Then let's go to your back garden! Find a deserted planet with beautiful scenery, just the two of us—'"

"Yunhuai declined: 'No.'"

"Facing Lulinan's surprised look, Yunhuai said, 'My territory will always be a restriction for you. If you want to fly, go to a freer place. The alien domain suits you more than the empire.'"

"Lulinan's happy expression suddenly froze, and after a moment, he asked in a hoarse voice, 'Are you, driving me away?'"

"Had he just been given the status of a friend only to be driven away by Yunhuai?"

"Now, it wasn't just sparks falling from Lulinan; there were also some crisp sounds on the ground. He looked down to see several familiar yet anxious scales."

“……”

"Yunhuai saw them too, but in an instant, those scales disappeared into Lulinan's spatial rift."

"He didn't understand but felt oddly amused. The love gene was Lulinan's only 'weakness'. This gene, both devoted and innocent, could likely plunge him into endless heartbreak due to his various actions."

"To prevent Lulinan from truly becoming a melancholic creature, Yunhuai looked at him with gentle eyes, 'I'm not driving you away.'"

"The young Ita King put down what he was holding, 'Instead, I want to go with you.'"

-

"Yunhuai, always cautious, had to be wary of many unusual occurrences in the empire as the 'weakest' king – like the out-of-control Yulan Dreamscape, the distant third star system, and the constantly conflicting border forces."

"He knew that major events could arise from minor conflicts. Feeling that this situation was not so simple and having no immediate concerns in the garden, he decided to venture out with Lulinan, who held significant status among the aliens."

"It would be a good opportunity for Lulinan to get some fresh air."

"This was Yunhuai’s plan, but it received two very different reactions."

"Lulinan was overjoyed, looking like he was about to return home and get married, while Xiye appeared mournful, as if Yunhuai would never return once he left."

"Yunhuai consoled the worried chief executive, 'You need to understand, I won't always stay in the garden.'"

"Xiye, his white eyelashes drooping, said, 'But you're still in your vulnerable nascent stage—'"

"Yunhuai replied, 'The nascent stage is only the beginning of power, but my body is already mature. You should treat me as an adult.'"

"Xiye looked up, still seeing Yunhuai as a child. Letting the king go to rescue Gashu had been a limit decision. His eyes were filled with a juvenile filter for Yunhuai, making it difficult for him to accept Yunhuai's growth and unwilling to let him leave the safety of the garden."

"Xiye always thought of waiting until the king was a bit older, a bit healthier, before he could handle more complex imperial affairs."

"But the king’s will wouldn't change because of the executive's opposition."

"The Yulan Dreamscape fell within the empire's territory, so Xiye wasn't worried about unprovoked attacks on the king, but with the alien incursions and harassments at the border, he wouldn't let Yunhuai go there alone again."

"Thus, Yunhuai was 'forced' to bring along a well-equipped royal guard and the silent, loyal Captain of the Guard, Lunen Holman. The main star had built a highly secure starship for Yunhuai, designed for the king’s travel during special periods."

"Lulinan’s plans for a duo trip were disrupted by Xiye, leaving him emanating a fierce, hungry aura."

"Yunhuai, by the poolside, said to him, 'Part of the reason Xiye agreed to this trip is because I told him it would involve returning you to the aliens.'"

"Lulinan frowned sharply, his first reaction being slightly reluctant: 'Does that mean I can’t come back with you?'"

"Yunhuai, with his grey-purple eyes lowered, looked at him and gently said, 'Of course you can come back, but not as food.'"

"Lulinan’s expression shifted."

"Yunhuai spoke softly, 'Though I don’t quite understand your love gene, I won’t let such pure feelings fall low. You can visit again as a friend of the king. I don’t want you to continue being a merman hiding from attendants in the garden.'"

"Gashu’s interactions with Lulinan had inspired Yunhuai."

"Xiye harbored a preconceived notion of danger towards Lulinan, but if he could understand, like Gashu did, that Lulinan would never attack him and wouldn’t force his affections, things would be much easier."

"The empire had to accept Lulinan’s presence; Yunhuai didn’t want to see constant confrontation between them."

"Sometimes, Yunhuai was completely unaware of the profound impact his words could have on others, similar to the unintentional awakening he had once given Tang Sisi during their farewell."

"He simply thought he was doing what basic humanity required, not realizing that in this future world, where species’ emotions are more mechanical and cold, the warmth of humanity could cause such a massive tsunami."

"Before, Lulinan only knew of the word 'gentleness' without understanding what it truly meant. After meeting Yunhuai, he began to form a vague idea of its definition, but perhaps because of his strength, Yunhuai was rarely gentle with him."

"It was not until this moment, with this gentleness finally falling upon him, that Lulinan savored its numerous delightful aspects."

"It felt like stepping into the clouds, surrounded by warmth and fragrance, wanting to sleep there forever, yet fearing this wonderful world could vanish the next second."

"Thus, every second in this cloud was both joyful and anxious."

"Lulinan, his golden eyes fixed on Ita King's beautiful eyes, said, 'The best and luckiest decision I ever made was to choose the abyssal rift of K420 among countless planets to build my nest.'"

"Sparks danced in the pool, fizzing and crackling on the water's surface, illuminating the fallen petals of Rolanvete flowers scattered around."

"'Because it led me to you. Meeting you in the vast universe was my destiny.'"

"Lulinan's voice was low and husky as his hot breath neared Yunhuai, who was half-kneeling, expecting another kiss on his fingers."

"Unexpectedly, the handsome and proud cosmic creature turned his palm over and bit gently near the pulse on his wrist."

"It was a little ticklish, a bit painful, yet seemingly filled with an endless affection and desire, like a courting gesture typical to their species."

"'I am honored to be your friend. You don't have to like me now; I will wait for your response in countless times to come, hoping for a closer relationship by your side.'"

"Author's note:"

"Lulinan: I will never burden my wife with love, except for my overly aggressive love gene! (Patiently waiting for my wife's love) (She's too cute, I couldn't help but bite first!)"