Chapter 44: Zao Zao, save me, pull me up!

Chapter 44: Zao Zao, Help Me Out!

Xiao Chuzao had wanted to say this for a while.

Even if he was tricked into eating sour fruit, even if his candies and snacks were confiscated—

Dad wasn’t bad at all.

On the bed, a soft blanket was spread out where the little one had just been sleeping. Amos’s blanket remained neatly folded into a thick square. Standing on it gave him a bit of a boost, though he still looked tiny, his wings spread behind him as he gazed seriously at Amos.

Very seriously, he told Amos—

You’re the best dad, Zao Zao thinks.

The rest of the Crown Clan turned to look.

At this little one.

“So, so—”

He said softly.

“Dad should know that.”

He didn’t want Amos to feel any doubt or hesitation because of it.

“That’s all.”

It was too quiet. After saying these words, the little one’s big eyes darted around, but no one responded. He hesitated, his little toes scrunching the blanket—Hmm? Did I do something wrong?

Or was standing on the blanket bad?

Xiao Chuzao remembered Grandpa Mori telling him that the Crown Clan was the most elegant and polite people he’d ever seen.

Right now, he wasn’t being very elegant.

Hesitating, he crouched down, crawling off the blanket and plopping back into the soft blankets. His little wings gave a flutter, making him look like a delicate little doll.

Well, that’s that.

He’d said what he wanted to say.

In all of Crown Clan history, there had never been a child like this.

So no one could quite describe what the Crown Clan—Amos included—was feeling.

A sweet, tough little kid—one who, even though he didn’t feel safe himself, would bare his heart openly, trying to give *you* a sense of safety.

Too grown-up for his age, which just made it sadder.

In the end, the little one was scooped into Amos’s arms.

It was amazing.

This little guy.

You love him, and he’ll love you back twice as much.

Xiao Chuzao got carried off to eat.

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Because of his nutritional and dietary needs, he still mainly drinks cub formula, supplemented with other meats and vegetables, plus some fruit for dessert.

Hale got up and gave Amos a wave—

"King Amos, I’m going out for a walk."

Amos nodded.

Hale pushed open the door and looked at the neutral planet—it looked so different from last time. He could still hear An Ya and Fei Man chattering behind him.

"C’mon, Amos, laugh if you wanna."

"The favorite dad? Pfft, I don’t even care. Seriously. I wouldn’t even want it if you gave it to me. Otherwise, Brother Amos, why don’t you try giving it to me?"

An Ya was all sharp edges, reckless and never one to say anything pleasant.

Fei Man was just as weird, only paying attention to things she cared about and completely ignoring the rest.

Clearly, Amos, now with a cub, had become the object of envy, and Xiao Chuzao had become the Crown Clan’s new favorite.

After the destruction of their habitat, the Crown Clan, dragged down by their heavy fate, finally got a breather and regained a different kind of vitality.

Hale tried to fit in.

But he couldn’t. Even when blinded by rage or sobbing in frustration, Hale always felt a barrier between himself and the current Crown Clan.

Having lost his wings and his beloved—he was like a leaky bucket. No matter how much strength he poured in, it would all slip away through the gaps.

All he wanted was to give it his all, teaching Xiao Chuzao all the knowledge the Dwight Family needed to learn.

If only none of this ever went down.

Hale couldn’t help thinking—even though they had founded Saint Cas, if none of it had happened, their home wouldn’t have been wiped out by pollution, the entire Crown Clan wouldn’t have been dragged into ruin, and they would have lived peacefully on their home planet, surrounded by family and friends, using their psychic abilities to have a cub of their own...

If all this suffering were just a dream—that would be wonderful.

A stab of pain flared where his wings used to be.

Face blank, Hale popped painkillers like it was nothing.

With no cub to fuss over, he barely noticed the medicine’s bitter taste.

He walked in the direction where he and his beloved Morlo used to go.

The Crown Clan’s camp.

Xiao Chuzao guzzled his milk, clinging to the bottle. Leaning against Amos, the little cub’s hair had been neatly combed, and his tiny wings were spread out, so Amos could preen each feather.

Once full and satisfied, Xiao Chuzao hugged his ghost bear, hesitantly removed his halo, thought for a long while, then placed it back on his head.

Fei Man was the last to notice the cub could freely remove his halo, and she was freaked out. She and An Ya had just been lectured by Amos, and seeing this, she trembled.

An Ya, however, was used to it.

Especially after dragging Hale out of his room, Xiao Chuzao had a way of snapping Hale out of his gloom at just the right moment.

He’d often slip off his halo just to talk to Hale. He had this ability—likely effective on nearby Crown Clan members—but it seemed he only did it for Hale.

But after all this time—it actually turned out to be really helpful.

Mr. Hale seemed way better off than before.

He seemed a little more alive.

So An Ya asked, "What’s up? Not chatting with Mr. Hale anymore?"

Xiao Chuzao, scooped up by Amos as he stepped out, gave a little shake of his head.

"Mr. Hale... probably wants some alone time with someone from the past...? Zao Zao shouldn’t bother him."

The little cub picked up on Hale’s mood the moment he left.

He wrapped his arms around Amos’s neck.

"...Mm."

Amos murmured.

"Dad’s got a meeting tomorrow, and Uncle’s going too. What’s Zao Zao wanna do?"

The little one chirped, "Zao Zao’ll wait here for Papa."

"Not gonna go out and explore?"

Fei Man cut in.

Her eyes flicked to Amos.

By now, Xiao Chuzao and Amos were joined at the hip.

Hale had brought this up with them before.

Amos looked calm, but he was still on high alert. He hovered over Chu Zao. Even for a kid Chu Zao’s age, Amos was a bit over the top.

This wasn’t exactly new.

Truth was, the Crown Clan’s protective streak ran deep—so deep even they couldn’t rein it in, especially after a cub had faced danger. That instinct would kick into overdrive, making them dead set on wiping out anything that might harm their cubs.

But usually, Little Crown Clan cubs pushed back, fought, even challenged their elders to prove they were growing up.

Chu Zao wasn’t like that. He’d blindsided Amos, stirring up dad instincts Amos didn’t even know he had. He was a sweet kid who picked up on their moods and adjusted without a fuss.

Amos might’ve been the one doting on Xiao Chuzao, but really, the little guy was looking after him too.

Amos caught Fei Man’s comment.

He just stared at the kid for a beat before mussing up his fluffy black curls.

"Wanna go out, Zao Zao? Dad and Uncle’ll be tied up tomorrow, and Mr. Hale needs his space. How ’bout hanging with Auntie and Uncle?"

The little cub, who had been watching Amos obediently, widened his eyes in surprise.

His tiny voice perked up.

"Really?"

"Of course."

Amos paused to consider.

"It's a multinational, multiethnic conference—not just political, but also for commercial, agricultural, and energy industry exchanges. There will be many things Saint Cas doesn’t have."

The kid was clearly curious about it too. Even going out with An Ya and Fei Man would be okay.

"But you’ll need to tuck away your little wings and crown."

Xiao Chuzao’s big eyes sparkled as he hugged Amos’ neck. "Okay!"

*

Night came quickly.

Excited about tomorrow, Xiao Chuzao stayed up late and slept fitfully, his small halo flickering intermittently above his head.

Clutching his ghost bear, the little guy curled up slightly, snuggling close to Amos for warmth.

Amos shifted positions comfortably.

—After what happened, Xiao Chuzao mostly slept right beside Amos.

Amos closed his eyes.

Before sinking into sleep, he caught glimpses of Xiao Chuzao's fragmented memories again.

—They'd managed to piece much of it together by now.

It was still that forested grassland.

This was Angel territory.

The Angels' buildings were grand.

As the dominant power there, they possessed the most resources and the most secure lifestyles.

But this didn’t include Xiao Chuzao.

Back then, he still seemed lost.

He lived in a small nest with nothing to his name—tiny and hugging the walls, head down when he walked.

Just then, the kid clutched a pouch made of leaves, filled with plants he’d gathered.

At a shop on the Angel street, these could be traded for supplies.

For Xiao Chuzao, alone and surviving on his own, this was crucial.

But he was still too young.

The public lessons for Angel children had ended, and the new ones barred him from joining. He hadn’t found a teacher either.

He could barely tell plants apart, and his harvesting skills were lacking too.

No matter how clever he was, most of his hard-earned plants got rejected.

"That’s all it’s worth."

The shopkeeper pulled out a small paper bag from behind the counter, holding a handful of nuts and some Angel-style nut biscuits.

The shopkeeper clearly wasn't fond of Xiao Chuzao either, his attitude seeming rather perfunctory, as if assessing whether he'd transform into that little white monster again in his excitement.

"The unacceptable items—we won't help you dispose of them. You'll have to take them away yourself."

The small fledgling carefully tucked away the paper bag, nodded, and murmured timidly, "Okay, thank you."

Clutching the rejected herbs, he shuffled out of the shop with drooping wings.

Once outside, the fledgling blinked and glanced at his armful.

"No... I should be happy today. Today I get nut cookies."

While other Angels were sick of this snack, for Xiao Chuzao—who usually only ate wild fruits—it remained a treat.

But just as he left Angel Street, some young Angels fresh from class flew past, giving him sideways glances as they passed.

"What are those?"

"Just weeds that resemble useful plants."

"You think he brought these to trick people?"

"Huh? That'd be awful!"

"Or maybe he's just slow?"

Xiao Chuzao stood stock-still for a beat before whirling around.

"No! Zao Zao isn't mean, and Zao Zao isn't dumb!"

The young Angels jumped at his outburst.

"Let's go, let's go—"

"Dad says he turns into a white monster when upset. Who knows what might happen to us?"

"Why keep him in the Angel realm? Shouldn't we send him away?"

"The Archangel said—something about keeping an eye on unstable elements. He's getting by alright here, isn't he? Adults' business. Come on, don't bother."

They flew off quickly, their voices trailing off into the distance.

Xiao Chuzao had meant to discard his armful, but he'd hesitated too long.

Too small, too weak—family-less, friendless—like the worthless weeds he carried.

Here, he was an isolated island.

The fledgling stood rooted for what felt like ages before finally hugging the plants to his chest and returning to his lonely dwelling.

After tidying away the weeds, he curled up in his nest, noisily crunching on the nut cookies until his cheeks bulged.

Finally, his wings and eyelids drooped dejectedly.

"Zao Zao... isn't dumb, Zao Zao isn't mean..."

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

---

Zao Zao just... just didn’t get to learn enough.

Nobody ever showed Zao Zao how to do things.

No one at all.

Zao Zao’s not bad... *You* guys are mean!

Xiao Chuzao knew *exactly* how awful it felt to be called bad.

He’d never let anyone he loved feel that way, so he’d earnestly tell Amos he was the best daddy in his little heart.

The little one slumped in his corner, wings drooping, nibbling on his biscuit, tears plopping down in big drops, until he couldn’t hold back anymore and let out tiny, choked sobs.

"Wahh... wahhh... e-everyone’s mean to Zao Zao..."

The whimpers jolted Amos awake.

His *glowing* crimson eyes snapped open, locking onto the child in his arms.

The little one tossed in his sleep, his tiny halo flickering, then *flared* to life. The kid gasped awake, breathing ragged in the dark. Xiao Chuzao sniffled, *burrowing* into Amos before silently trying to drift back to sleep.

*Click—*

Amos turned the bedside lamp on.

Xiao Chuzao blinked. "D-Dada?"

Amos cupped his face, thumbing away the tears beneath his eyes.

The kid nuzzled his hand, still half-asleep.

"Before Dada found you... you were all alone, huh?"

Amos asked softly.

Before, he and the Crown Clan had agreed—they wouldn’t let the little one dwell on the past. They’d *track down every last hurt* he’d endured, find those responsible, and make *them* pay.

A kid who’d suffered enough shouldn’t *carry* this.

But a *single word* could send him back to those nightmares.

The *heartbreaking* part? How he’d *automatically* swallow his tears, quietly soothing himself back to sleep.

"The *Angels*."

Amos growled, locking eyes with him.

"They don’t *deserve* to hide anywhere in this galaxy."

Xiao Chuzao trembled. "Dada... *why*...?"

---

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The little cub's breath hitched suddenly. Just bringing up his past made him sniffle, tears welling up in his eyes.

"You know?"

"Daddy said when you're hurting, you come tell Daddy, and Daddy will comfort you."

Amos looked at Xiao Chuzao.

"Though Daddy's still learning how to comfort you."

"Daddy will make them pay—"

Amos said softly, his large hand patting Xiao Chuzao's back rhythmically.

He had never hesitated before.

The Crown Clan doesn't play fair with this kind of thing.

He had only been considering how to exact eye-for-an-eye retribution. Before, he could tolerate it somewhat—even though Xiao Chuzao was clearly a through-and-through Little Crown Clan who had strayed into another race's territory. For those less empathetic races, being guarded and watchful came naturally.

But no matter what—they shouldn't have yanked a tiny cub between despair and hope over and over, all while putting on their holier-than-thou act as if they were doing the right thing, waving that flag around.

Back then, Xiao Chuzao wasn't even five years old.

"But... but—Zao Zao heard them say... pain is something you're supposed to tough out... that after enduring, good things will come... Zao Zao didn't believe it at first, but then Zao Zao met Daddy."

As the little cub spoke, tears already began to fall. He sniffled, raising a hand to wipe them away.

"Pain isn't something you're supposed to tough out."

Amos pulled the cub into his arms.

The upset little guy seemed even smaller now, like a baby who could only be held by a parent. Nestled in Amos's embrace, his wings drooped like a little white bird that's been hurt. His little fists gripped Amos's shirt, his head resting against Amos's chest, listening to the strong, steady heartbeat of his father.

"Pain is just pain. It scars your soul, and those scars don't heal. What Zao Zao should believe in is yourself, because you got back up, just like all the Crown Clan before you—never gave in."

Amos held the curled-up cub in his arms.

"It's alright. Zao Zao, you know the sound of Saint Cas's civilian starships. You're also a member of the Crown Clan. You're stronger than you think. You're the amazing one, Zao Zao, not the pain."

The cub looked up with tear-filled eyes: "Zao Zao is amazing?"

"Yes. But before you truly grow up—Daddy is still here. You can lean on Daddy a little more... or rather, Daddy wants you to lean on him more."

Especially at times like this.

They were putting the pieces of the cub's past together. The Crown Clan didn't usually make revenge their whole thing, but they were trying to give the cub a little more peace of mind.

Amos comforted the upset cub to sleep.

*

Amos's heart ached.

Early the next morning.

The little one woke up, all freshened up by Amos.

Last night's bad dream didn't seem to leave a mark. And yet, something had indeed changed—the little guy seemed more at peace now.

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Previously, when he felt that his origins were unclear to the other Crown Clan members, he didn't deliberately bring it up, though he carried a vague unease.

But now—

Xiao Chuzao had hidden his wings and halo, bundled up in a scarf, gloves, and a hat.

The temperature on the neutral planet wasn't high either—it was autumn or winter. The little guy raised his hand, looking at his small gloves, his black curls pressed down by the fluffy hat. He breathed out a white puff, watching it dissipate, his short legs swinging back and forth with anticipation.

Daddy knows everything now.

But Daddy said Zao Zao was the strong one.

And Daddy still likes Zao Zao!

He sat by the door, patiently waiting for An Ya and Fei Man.

An Ya and Fei Man were being pulled aside by Amos for last-minute instructions.

After last night's ordeal—

Amos had almost backed out at the last second, wanting to keep the little one within the range of his psychic protection.

But seeing how eager the child was, Amos finally grudgingly gave the two excited women their instructions.

Finn still hadn't returned, not a single word.

According to informants, Lin Yuan, the leader of the Bael Union's revolutionary army, seemed to have some inexplicable connection with the Hymn Organization. The key point was his excessive focus on the Spirit Eye Clan of the Bael Union, his desperate desire for their deaths, and his ruthless methods—something typically favored by sewer rats like the Hymn Organization.

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

But at this moment, the Saint Cas Empire was fully prepared.

The 9th Army's starships, unable to enter the restricted zone, remained on standby outside, while reserve forces were mopping up the Aberrant Beast Legion in nearby star systems, ready to intervene at any moment.

Amos was well aware that something would happen during this multinational conference.

Amos himself was a downright arrogant type.

His previous negligence toward crises—evident in the mishaps involving the kid—showed that this generation of the Crown Clan were used to being this careless.

If not for Xiao Chuzao, Amos would have come alone this time as well.

But now, Amos couldn't be certain if things would go as planned or spiral out of control.

Thus, all members of the Crown Clan's royal family, except for Finn, had gathered.

Xiao Chuzao's safety was completely covered.

Fei Man nodded in response, peering eagerly outside: "Alright, alright, Second Brother, we've got this. You and Eldest Brother just focus on the meeting."

"Yeah, at least we're not total screw-ups like Third Brother!"

An Ya added.

Hale, who was also preparing to leave, nodded at this remark.

Finn's weapon was kinda similar to Xiao Chuzao's, but the man himself was a complete liability. Hale never expected that Finn would never resurface to this day.

King Amos’s hesitation wasn’t unfounded.

Amos finally nodded.

He permitted them to take Xiao Chuzao out.

The fluffy little cub hopped down from the chair and followed behind his aunt and uncle like a small tail. Bundled up in thick layers, he waddled unsteadily out the door.

They’d barely stepped outside when—

Zao Zao spotted from afar the Saint Cas public lounge area, where they were distributing Saint Cas Empire flag stickers and pins.

Many people had stickers on their faces and pins on their hats.

Zao Zao’s eyes instantly sparkled with excitement.

Fei Man and An Ya looked where he was staring.

"You want those?"

Fei Man looked down at the little one.

The little one, big eyes shining, tilted his head up and nodded eagerly. "Auntie, I want them."

He called me ‘Auntie’!!!

Fei Man kept a straight face but hurried over.

"Zao Zao, wait here for Auntie, okay?"

Leaving the cub with An Ya.

The two looked at each other. The little one blinked—craning his neck was getting tiring. After glancing around, he sat down on the nearby steps.

"Uncle?"

"Ahem..."

An Ya finally cleared his throat.

"So, uh..."

His gaze wandered.

"What I said to you before... I was wrong. I’m sorry."

The cub shook his little head.

An Ya: ...

"If you’re not ready to forgive me, I’ll—"

"Apologies are for asking forgiveness," Zao Zao looked at An Ya, his eyes curving into a smile. "Zao Zao already forgave you!"

An Ya was stunned.

Just then, Fei Man returned, holding Saint Cas Empire souvenirs. She opened her mouth to speak but then spotted Amos right behind them.

Amos stared at them, his brow gradually darkening.

Here's the improved translation incorporating all expert suggestions:

An Ya, Fei Man: ...?

Weird, I've got chills down my spine.

The next moment, Xiao Chuzao, who was sitting on the cold steps, was picked up, and the careless aunt and uncle each got whacked.

What gets Amos so mad he comes over to hit someone?

Answer: Not noticing Zao Zao sitting on the cold steps.

An Ya held his head: "Got it, got it..."

Can't blame them really.

Xiao Chuzao barely ever goes out, and when he does, Amos carries him.

Which Crown Clan member cares if the steps are cold? They'll sit anywhere.

They never noticed this stuff, okay?

Meanwhile, Fei Man just flopped down naturally.

An Ya: ?

The hell?

The little cub popped his head out and saw Fei Man raising her hand, her voice calm but saying: "Zao Zao, save me, help me."

Auntie's done for.

Only Zao Zao can help.

Pitiful.

The little cub totally fell for it. He told Amos to put him down and reached out his little hand to hold Fei Man's: "It's not Auntie's fault. Auntie didn't see Zao Zao. Zao Zao chose to sit there himself."

Fei Man tilted her head and glanced at An Ya.

An Ya: ...? She looked way too pleased with herself.