Chapter 6: First time being a dad, first time being a cub

Chapter 6: First Time Being a Dad, First Time Being a Child

The Emperor of Saint Cas, the most powerful empire in the galaxy and head of the proud Crown Clan, would never deign to acknowledge these scum.

As for the hand that dared to throw their clan’s youngling—it deserved to be severed.

By the time Amos stepped out of the shop, a piercing scream tore through the air behind him.

"AAAAAH—!"

The severed hand, long before it could even hit the ground, crumbled into bloody dust, just like the shattered stone. No doctor, no matter how skilled, could ever reattach it.

The crowd that had gathered to watch the spectacle now clutched their chests as blood blossomed across their clothes, collapsing in agony—including the original thief, who had tried to flee the moment he sensed danger.

The man responsible for all this walked away calmly, leaving nothing but his retreating figure in their wake.

With so many people around and the little one in his arms, slaughtering them outright would’ve been messy. He was in a hurry, so a warning would do for now.

Amos mused coldly.

After stocking up on food for the little one, he needed to return as quickly as possible.

"Meow?"

Xiao Chuzao, his eyes still covered, couldn’t see what was happening outside. He let out a tiny, puzzled mewl, calling out softly, "Daddy?"

*What’s happening out there?*

That guy was so mean! And they blamed Zao Zao for stealing!

Amos lowered his gaze to the small bundle in his arms.

However this little one came to him, he was a Crown Clan youngling.

Though he was still young, with much to learn and many things to be taught, the clan would raise him—no one else had the right to bully him.

Of course, just a few hours ago, Amos hadn’t thought this way.

But after stepping out and seeing the little one backed into a corner on the chandelier, his soft, tiny form trembling as he hissed weakly—even though Amos had left a psychic shield to ensure no one could harm him in that hour—fury still burned in him.

Only after leaving Black Street, heading toward the docked starship, did Amos finally uncover the little one’s eyes.

The little white fluff was still clutching the fruit he had been given earlier. During the commotion, it had gotten bruised in a few places, now battered. The little one held it up, examining it for a moment before letting out a soft, *"Meow." It’s bruised.*

Amos glanced down at the fruit in the little one’s paws and was about to replace it when—

The little one lowered his head and gnawed off the damaged bits himself. Then, holding up the now uneven, pockmarked fruit, he seemed to suddenly remember—his daddy hadn’t eaten yet.

"Meow!"

The tiny, soft bundle lifted the fruit with shining eyes.

Daddy, eat!

Amos stared down at him, briefly stunned by the radiant gleam in those watery eyes. He looked away reflexively, reaching out to gently pat the little one’s head.

Amos sighed. He was completely unaware he was nearly melting from affection.

He was just one step away from agreeing when he saw the fruit glistening with the cub's drool.

Amos: "…"

Amos pondered for a moment, feeling that his current tolerance for the little one hadn't reached such a level yet.

No need for such devotion, he thought.

He gently pushed the fluffy little paw back, declining softly.

"I'm not hungry. You eat it."

Xiao Chuzao blinked his big eyes.

"Mrrow?"

Not hungry?

That’s fine then.

The cub ducked his head again and hugged the fruit tightly, munching away.

Clearly careful with his food, the little one stubbornly stuffed in the last half of the fruit even though he clearly couldn’t finish it, kicking his little legs from being so stuffed.

But Amos had no experience raising children. For him, these three fruits barely counted as a snack—he always thought he himself wouldn’t have eaten so little as a child. And considering how poor the cub’s physical condition was, along with his severe lack of essential nutrients, Amos absentmindedly picked another fruit and placed it into the little one’s arms.

Now holding an additional fiery red fruit, Xiao Chuzao’s amber eyes went round with shock. He stared at the fruit for a long time, too stuffed to even squirm, utterly helpless in trying to fit it into his already full belly.

The little one kicked his legs futilely, unable to eat the delicious fruit despite wanting to.

After getting kicked several times, Amos looked down.

"Now what?"

"Mrrow,"—I’m full.

Xiao Chuzao managed a strained mewl with difficulty.

Amos paused, surprised.

"Three fruits make you this full?"

The fluffball shot him a look of pure misery, its small tail swishing lightly against him.

It felt soft and soothing.

Amos stopped walking.

"Well, what now?" he sighed.

He ran through possible fixes in his head.

No medical pod was available now—the dismantled, currently-defunct medical pod: Oh? What's this? Miss me now?

Cradling the cub in one arm, Amos watched the little furball nestled in the crook of his arm.

"Shall I... rub it for you?"

He ventured cautiously.

Xiao Chuzao also paused briefly, letting out a hesitant "meow."

—S-so, is that okay?

Two beings who had never been a child or a parent before seemed as if they were solving some complex equation.

Amos looked at the tiny bundle of fur in his arms. Even now, he was still consciously holding back his strength, his body stiff. As for rubbing the little one's belly, he had no idea how much pressure to apply.

He could only be feather-light.

His slender hand rested on the cub's downy-soft belly, gently making small circular motions.

"Is this okay?"

"Meow~"

Seems about right?

"How about this?"

"Meow~!"

Lighter, lighter!

Zao Zao had never had his belly rubbed before—mainly because he'd never overeaten.

Nor had he ever been held like this.

And if he told the Archangel what just happened—the Archangel would surely say Xiao Zao was making a fuss. "An argument takes two to tango," he would say, and tell him to reflect on his own behavior.

But Papa didn't.

Originally just acting on instinct, the frightened little cub, seeking comfort after being startled by the falling boulder, nestled into Amos's arms, pliantly baring his little belly, his little tail wagging cheerfully.

The gentle, soothing warmth, along with the flickering psychic halo above his head, unknowingly calmed the rage within Amos.

So comfortable was he that the fiery-red fruit in the cub's paws rolled away.

The cub flipped over, flapped his wings to dart out and retrieve it, when Xiao Chuzao heard a very soft audible gulp.

This was a relatively stable rogue planet, home to quite a few inhabitants—mostly refugees left homeless after cosmic pollution, starving and exposed.

Not far away sat a girl who looked no older than fifteen or sixteen. Her face was sallow and gaunt, her gaze vacant, clearly traumatized. She sat there motionless, eyes fixed blankly on the fruit dropped by the little cub.

Xiao Chuzao hugged the fruit tightly, blinking owlishly.

Just then, someone came rushing up from behind.

"Customer! Customer!"

It was the shopkeeper from earlier.

The shopkeeper had never expected that while showing Amos around and raking in a hefty profit, someone would cause a scene in the store and nearly snatch away Amos's little one.

Amos vanished the moment after paying. When the shopkeeper returned to the store and saw bloodstains everywhere, he finally put two and two together.

He reported it, and instructions came down immediately.

Regardless of anything else, given how generous this person was with money, they absolutely couldn’t afford to offend him, nor could they let Amos believe they were involved in any way.

Not to mention the Feral Tiger Gang never forgave a slight and was already out for blood.

The shopkeeper had overheard most of the conversation. Panicked, he ran after Amos and Xiao Chuzao as fast as he could.

He’d hauled ass all the way here. His psychic energy had never been strong, and his stamina was nothing to write home about—it was only thanks to his street smarts that he’d managed to become a shopkeeper.

Amos bent down and scooped up the little cub into his arms. He looked up at the shopkeeper with a slightly raised eyebrow, puzzled.

"Y-you should leave here as soon as possible, wheezing... The reason I chased after you was to tell you—don’t, don’t take the K372 route," the shopkeeper gasped between breaths. "Those people are from the Feral Tiger Gang. They’re the most ruthless mercenary group around, got their start as star pirates. It’s only because the Saint Cas Empire has been cracking down on piracy that they went legit—for now. The last I heard, they set up an ambush on the K372 route, planning to lure alien beasts to attack your ship."

K372 was a major route on Rogue Planet 499—virtually every ship entering or leaving the planet used it.

Luring alien beasts wouldn’t just endanger Amos; it would also threaten other passing ships.

Amos had already decided not to waste time dealing with these people. At this moment, he merely uttered a quiet “Huh.”

He looked calm, almost slow to react—

which, in truth, wasn’t far from the truth.

Ever since their homeworld was destroyed, the Crown Clan had suffered from uncontrollable psychic surges. Their crowns shattered, everything fell apart. In the process, their emotions seemed to have been eroded away—their sensitivity dulled, their empathy lost. Over the past century, they had grown increasingly cold and merciless.

What does “Huh” mean??

The shopkeeper was practically jumping out of his skin with anxiety.

Of course, he had his own skin in the game.

He hadn’t rushed over just because they probably couldn’t afford to offend Amos, but also because the Feral Tiger Gang was completely insane—they might all be in danger.

If he warned them in advance, maybe something could change. If they could at least handle the alien beasts somehow, then those who were barely surviving might stand a fighting chance.

“These people are really that crazy?”

Amos said slowly, rubbing the little cub’s head.

At that, the small creature nearly burst free, clawing at Amos’s arm in its eagerness to charge forward, yowling fiercely.

—Those bad guys, watch Zao Zao beat them up!!

Amos pulled Xiao Chuzao back with one hand.

Frowning, he looked down. Amos rarely showed emotion, but right now, he was genuinely baffled—how was this kid so wired?

“Yes, yes!”

The shopkeeper hurriedly chimed in.

“This has nothing to do with our store, sir. We usually keep things under control—today was just shitty luck, pure coincidence. You couldn’t have paid me to let you leave the little one there if I’d known something like this would happen.”

So please, contact your people and handle this mess ASAP—for fuck’s sake, I beg you!!