Chapter 53: Love and Peace, He Believed!

Chapter 53 Love and Peace—He Actually Believed It!

Amos finally realized something.

The little white fluffball in his arms, which had originally leaned in softly for cuddles, was now completely puffed up in alarm. Its fluffy white fur pressed against his face as it let out frantic "Meow meow!" cries, pacing anxiously.

Amos abruptly opened his eyes.

And met those watery amber eyes.

Zao Zao: "...Meow!"

Daddy... you're alive—

Amos: ...I wasn’t dead to begin with.

Xiao Chuzao had just stretched, his arched little body settling down, but now he was startled by Amos. He arched slightly again, and after locking eyes with Amos, he tentatively dabbed a tiny paw under Amos’ nose before plopping down.

The little one was still shaken, taking a moment to process before patting the pillow with his paws, whining complaints.

He’d forgotten to turn back.

His soft, adorable voice started faint and scratchy but gradually grew louder.

"Meow! Meow!!"

Daddy scared me!

My heart’s still racing, Daddy wasn’t breathing, Wahh—

Amos: ...

Amos sat up.

The Emperor, who’d been cramming parenting guides lately, had become much more reliable—but in moments like these, it was clear he was still a new father with less than a year of experience.

To prevent the little one from having nightmares for a few nights, he tried giving him nightmares for years—ahem, no.

Trying to be reliable, but not quite there yet.

"Sorry, Zao Zao, I didn’t mean to."

Amos sat properly, letting the little snow-white fluffball stand on his lap and scold him with tiny whines.

"The doctor said you’d be groggy when you woke up, and I didn’t want to scare you."

Amos had indeed been worried about startling the little one, so he held his breath nervously—only to frighten the white fluffball even more.

Amos looked at the little creature, suddenly felt a pang of defeat. Just when he thought he was starting to get the hang of raising Xiao Chuzao, why did these problems keep cropping up?

His crown manifested, and his wings slowly unfurled, curling forward to envelop the little one, trying to offer comfort.

Meanwhile, the little guy in his arms stood up straight, clinging to Amos’ face, pouting but staring eagerly at the glowing aura around Amos.

Other Crown Clan members peered over, trying to get a better look at the little one—now so lanky, his tiny wings fluttering like an annoyed moth.

His small dragon tail swished back and forth.

When Amos first brought Xiao Chuzao back, the little one had kept his fluffy white ball form for a long time—much tinier back then, nowhere near as lanky.

And when Xiao Chuzao could transform into a human form, he had already become a little braver. The memory of the little white fluffball always curling up and being wary of his surroundings had changed—now he was much bolder, pouting angrily and whining accusations at Amos—

The feeling of those soft little paws pressing against him must be so comforting, but how annoying—Amos wouldn’t let him be held. Right now, you’d really want to be Amos—Look, Xiao Chuzao even chomped on Amos’ halo…

Hm?

Bystanders' eyes went wide at the sight.

The shock of a cub gnawing on a Psychic Weapon had faded somewhat, but now the little rascal was at it again, meowing and nibbling on Amos’ psychic halo. Though clearly not using much force, he still angrily grated his tiny teeth against it.

Everyone clearly saw Amos shudder, and they, too, were honest—all stepping back in unison.

Was there any revenge that could frighten a Crown Clan member?

In the past, this generation of the Crown Clan, without any cubs, would've laughed it off.

But now—

It wasn’t so much fear as it was spine-chilling, a throbbing skull, and the need to lie flat and take a breather.

Once the little cub’s anger subsided, he looked at Amos’ halo, then at Amos, who was breathing normally again, and soothingly licked the adult’s halo with his soft little tongue—marking the end of the incident.

The cub snuggled back into Amos’ arms.

Amos let out a relieved breath, the wings and halo he’d summoned to comfort the cub vanishing instantly. The emperor, whose scalp was still tingling, now looked completely unruffled.

"Zao Zao, does anything still feel uncomfortable?"

Xiao Chuzao tilted his little head and thought for a moment.

He swallowed, gazing hungrily at Amos: "Meow~"

Daddy, Zao Zao's starving.

A short while later.

Xiao Chuzao leaned back against Amos, his two fluffy hind legs slightly curled, his small dragon tail tucked neatly under him. From this angle, his soft pink belly showed through his white fur, while his tiny front paws clutched Amos’ Psychic Weapon, munching on it.

Crunch after crunch, tiny tooth marks appearing one after another, as if tugging at every Crown Clan member's nerves.

What started as nerve-wracking discomfort somehow evolved into a bizarre kind of… weirdly satisfying.

—If the cub wants to eat, what can the adults do?

Could they really say no?

"Meow~"

Daddy, how’s teacher doing?

Xiao Chuzao’s thoughts were clearly a bit sluggish at the moment. Only after chewing for a while did he remember what had happened before he fell asleep.

He seemed to have helped Grandpa Morlo piece together a halo.

But the little guy barely remembered, the whole thing was foggy.

"Hale is fine."

Amos answered quickly.

"They're in a different treatment room."

The little cub seemed content now. The fluffy little ball kept gnawing on Amos's psychic sword. Finally, full and content, his big eyes stared blankly ahead, zoned out for quite a while.

Like some plush decorative pom-pom.

This was downright adorable.

Fei Man wanted to step forward, but she and An Ya were locked in a standoff, neither taking the first step.

Among his siblings, Frey wasn't the most outstanding in ability, but he was always the most emotionally stable. He just watched Xiao Chuzao without uttering a word.

Now, only one person remained.

The young man who had been leaning in the corner, tinkering with something, finally slowly raised his head.

His soft, fluffy black hair was slightly messy, and his crimson eyes narrowed slightly, completely empty of emotion—or rather, if one looked closely, his gaze was unsettling. Yet, he sported a confident grin on his lips.

He had a strikingly doll-perfect face, partially shadowed. When he lifted his hand to rest his chin and smiled, combined with his gaze, his expression seemed somewhat twisted, like that of a calm madman. But he stepped forward, grinning broadly, and under the light, his pale complexion practically glowed—a face that was completely misleading.

Amos looked up as the man confidently adjusted his already disheveled military uniform and squatted down.

"I've checked," he said, holding up his newly replaced communicator, which displayed some archival records about the Crown Clan. "When greeting a cub in their original form, you can nuzzle them to help them feel your presence more closely."

Fei Man and An Ya, who had been blocking each other: ?

Frey, standing a bit farther away: ?

Amos, sitting beside the little cub: ?

He reacted quickly and leaned in.

Then he yelped in pain.

Stumbling backward.

He looked up in shock at the little cub, who had bitten his nose, wobbled upright on all fours, and tried to run behind Amos—only to slip, tangling in the wrinkled sheet before finally reaching Amos's back.

"That can't be... this isn't right..."

He stubbornly checked the information he had found again.

"It's supposed to be friendly..."

He tried it, and got bitten.

Xiao Chuzao only poked just his little head out from behind Amos.

His little body pressed low, both ears flattened.

The halo above his head flickered, making him look like a snow-white baby seal.

"Meow?"

Baba baba baba... who's that? Does Zao Zao know him?

Finn: ...?

"Wasn't it you who said the beard was prickly? Third Uncle shaved his beard, and now you're turning your back on him, huh??"

Xiao Chuzao: [Confused]

The little cub instantly reverted to human form behind Amos, opening his eyes wide in disbelief as he stared at the person with an exceptionally delicate porcelain doll face before him.

"Th-th-third Uncle?!"

That doll-like face gradually overlapped with the unshaven, scruffy face he remembered.

Xiao Chuzao: ???

A real-life transformation!

The cub's utterly shocked expression instantly amused someone—it wasn't clear who—but the first laugh pierced the silence.

The second followed uncontrollably.

"Third brother, I told you long ago that Zao Zao wouldn’t recognize you, but you just wouldn’t believe it."

And you were so confident you went straight for a hug—just what other irresponsible antics can you do?

An Ya bent over laughing.

Fei Man remained composed but also let out a chuckle.

Only Finn was left stomping in place, baffled.

Amos gave a light cough, scooped up the dazed cub and held him close, giving the little one a reassuring response.

Zao Zao had shocked the entire Crown Clan, Finn shocked Zao Zao.

During all this excitement, they were about to arrive at Saint Cas’s imperial planet.

The commander of the Ninth Army, Ye Ming, came to report.

"Your Majesty, Saint Cas’s imperial planet has requested communication regarding the welcome arrangements for Little Highness. Speaker Cheng has some matters he wishes to discuss in detail with you and the other Highnesses."

Amos glanced at the time and responded with a grunt.

Still slightly worried about the little cub, Amos hadn't remained unaffected by what he had seen earlier—he had just suppressed it. He gave Xiao Chuzao’s head one last pat.

Then he heard the little one speak up obediently and conscientiously: "Baba, go do your work. Zao Zao will wait here for Baba."

Amos’s eyes softened momentarily. Before leaving the room, he cast a warning glance around at his siblings—especially his younger brothers and sisters.

Once Amos left to handle matters with the imperial planet,

Finn cracked his knuckles, his baby-faced from every angle—breaking into a grin that revealed his white canines. He seemed to have already made up his mind, eagerly looking at Xiao Chuzao.

"Zao Zao, how about Third Uncle takes you to sneak a peek at Hale and Morlo?"

This guy was full of wild ideas. Frey instinctively frowned, wanting to stop him.

Though the little one seemed energetic now, he was still being monitored and needed more rest. Besides, they were about to arrive at the imperial planet—why not wait until they got back?

But—

The cub’s eyes sparkled.

"Really? Can we?"

An Ya was still laughing at Finn's reckless sloppy cheek nuzzle, only to get nipped by the little guy.

It was barely better than when he'd gotten whacked on the head by Xiao Chuzao's crown, but the next moment, he saw the kid's hopeful eyes locked onto Finn.

Oh, with Finn's way of thinking and adventurous spirit—or the luck that forced him into adventures—he'd probably be a hit with the kiddos.

An Ya: "Of course, Uncle can take you too."

Fei Man: "Auntie can carry you?"

They spoke in unison, and An Ya and Fei Man exchanged a glance before both turning their eyes to Finn.

Well, one's own failure might be disheartening, but others winning stings way worse.

Finn simply clenched his fist, still grinning.

"Of course, with Amos gone, I've got the heaviest fists in this whole med pod now."

"More like you're getting too big for your britches."

Frey pressed his fingers to his temples.

"Go check it out, but make it quick."

And so.

Five minutes later, outside another med pod, four adults and one kid crammed by the door, sneaking peeks through the crack to see what was happening inside.

Morlo had already gotten up, but he remained inside the med pod, his mangled wings clearly in agony. Yet, he paid no mind to the pain. He held a cup of water, head bowed, shoulders trembling slightly.

Like he was crying.

"I didn't know..."

Morlo shivered lightly.

"I didn't know you lost your wings during the escape..."

Morlo looked up at Hale.

Not long before, Morlo, who had given Hale crap for being a weepy mess, had seen the large amount of medication Hale was taking. Having run the med center before, Morlo recognized it instantly as painkillers.

After grilling him, he learned that after being pushed away by him, Hale, under the influence of contamination, had desperately tried to return, only to end up in a brutal showdown with some monster—losing his wings in the process.

"If I had known earlier... Hale, I wouldn't have said those things to you—"

He wouldn't have said them—*Live well, Hale.*

Morlo knew how gut-wrenching that'd be for one of the Crown Clan. Now, with half his own wings warped and screaming with pain, he couldn't even begin to imagine what Hale had endured all these years.

His voice cracked slightly as he pressed a hand over his eyes, clenching his jaw to stop the tears.

"It wasn't that painful, Morlo, really. If it was that bad, I'd be dead. But now I'm fine, and I still got you back, didn't I?"

Hale, who had just been sternly lecturing him, panicked the moment he saw Morlo cry—his no-nonsense act crumbling.

"You were just calling me a crybaby..."

Hale got goosebumps as he spoke, a weird vibe settling over him.

At the small crack of the door, a group of Crown Clan members, using top-tier psychic concealment, jostled for space, straining to listen.

"What's happening?"

"Stop pushing, let me see—"

"Ugh, Mr. Hale is still hopeless at comforting people."

"Only Morlo puts up with him."

"Ow, Zao Zao, Zao Zao's view is blocked!"

The little cub crouched by the door crack, eagerly peering inside while listening to the uncles, aunts, and elders gossiping above him—he should be firmer now, right? Since he's already crying, shouldn't there be hugs and kisses?

A pack of single busybodies, lecturing about romance like pros.

"I really want to go in and give him a push—"

Xiao Chuzao blinked his big eyes, looking up into the air. He reached out and hooked Hale's psychic thread, lisping—his small crown flared momentarily at that moment.

"Mr. Hale, you should step up and coax him and say what you really want to say."

The Crown Clan members near Xiao Chuzao instantly sensed the little cub's psychic pulse and automatically looked down at him.

What was that feeling just now?

But soon, their attention was drawn back to the scene inside.

Hale paused, he swore he almost heard the little cub's voice, but brushed it off as a dizzy spell. He looked at Morlo, instinctively standing up and pressing his hands on either side of the medical pod.

Do what you mean to do. Say what you mean to say.

"Morlo... I love you."

Hale rasped.

"Wh-what? You, you, suddenly—"

Morlo looked up, flustered.

Hale had always been refined and restrained.

Morlo froze, his ears slowly turning slightly red.

After all these years as partners, where did this come from?

Hale continued.

"I used to think love was painful—whether losing you or my wings. But now, I'm so glad you told me back then—"

Hale gazed at Morlo. "The pain of losing my wings became bearable after I thought about our future—the ache faded—"

At that moment, Saint Cas's starship sliced through the stratosphere of the imperial planet, parting towers of clouds before revealing an endless cityscape outside the window, with patches of stubborn snow.

"I've waited for you—welcome home."

As Hale bent closer—

"Are they kissing?!"

"I don't know, can't see—"

"Stop pushing! An Ya, you little rascal, don't pull dirty tricks, or Third Bro will smack you!"

A loud crash.

Hale and Morlo froze instantly, turning to see the door being shoved open.

A tiny cub was pressed against the door, nearly tumbling forward but caught by Finn, who hoisted it up by the back of its collar, leaving its little arms and legs swinging like a pendulum.

Several battle-hardened Crown Clan members, who made enemies tremble on battlefields across the galaxy, locked eyes with Hale and awkwardly grinned before spinning on their heels in unison.

"Ah, we're here! Hurry up, let's go—time to get off this starship. Haven't eaten well these past few days."

"Right, right! I still need to check if Uncle Mei Lun and Uncle Kaman have arrived yet—"

The four of them, carrying the little one, bolted in an instant.

Hale: "...Eavesdropping, huh?!"

"I knew something felt off! Could you esteemed royals please use your powers responsibly?!"

The starship slowly descended.

When new life sprouts, we can make plans to see the flowers blooming next spring. I’ll always be here, waiting for you to come home.

Watch the winter snow melt, new life emerging.

*

On the other end of the galaxy, the Bael Union's Presidential Palace.

The capital planet had fallen, and countless factions began carving up what was once a vast alliance.

Papers lay in disarray everywhere in the presidential office. Online, debates about surrendering to save lives or completely overthrowing Longlived race interference were spreading like wildfire, as if a change in leadership alone would bring them a different life.

Combat boots clicked softly across bloodstained porcelain-white tiles.

A petite silhouette pushed open the door to the presidential chamber.

Lingering in the shadows, she slowly lifted her head to look inside.

A tall, gray-haired figure sat with his back to her in a leather chair.

"President Eldona."

Shenghua's voice was hoarse.

She stepped inside.

One of the last two remaining members of the Spirit Eye Clan, Eldona, the former president of the Bael Union. As a Longlived race of the Spirit Eye Clan, their people had sacrificed their own survival, attempting to unite with more planets, only to meet this fate.

Eldona slowly turned his chair around, his keen eyes appraising the young woman before him. He paused, then relaxed slightly.

"I've been waiting for you."

"Waiting for me?"

Shenghua frowned.

"Yes. When your family fell into hardship, I wanted to help, but power was too decentralized—there was no leverage to act. Sometimes I truly bitterly resent it. Why give our Spirit Eye Clan eyes that perceive danger but not the raw combat power of the Crown Clan? Though the Crown Clan has their own struggles too, so in the end, we're all the same."

Aldona said.

"No, the Crown Clan won't die out."

Shenghua stated firmly.

Aldona hesitated, then laughed softly.

"Child, come here—"

Shenghua stepped closer.

"The rebels haven't made their move yet. You should leave this place soon, find others of the longlived race, or take your child to a remote planet to live..."

Her words caught in her throat as she saw the blood Aldona coughed up.

"You—"

Shenghua rushed to Aldona's side, panicked and at a loss.

"My psychic sense tells me that dying here will achieve my greatest purpose—"

Aldona smiled, eyeing Shenghua's outfit.

"The Hymn Organization is extremely difficult to approach. They possess strange abilities, have wiped out one longlived race after another, and spread their influence across the galaxy. Child, trade my eyes—that's the task they gave you, isn't it?"

"How did you know?!"

Shenghua stared at him.

"You still have other choices—"

"Being born here comes with responsibility. We merely took the wrong path, lost our way, and lacked the power to change it. But our vision is the same—to make this pollution, this organization that's muddying the waters... pay the price! Many have already given their lives. Among them, I am not particularly special."

Aldona flared with passion briefly before slowly closing his eyes. His spiritual power was fading as he gazed out the window.

He whispered faintly, "Barney... my child, the last hope of the Spirit Eye Clan... go far, farther away..."

On a starship racing away from the Bael Union, the last remaining member of the Spirit Eye Clan was held by the ex-president's loyalists. He suddenly stiffened, trembling violently, covering his eyes: "Father... Father...?! Let me go back!! Who did this?! Father!!! Let me go back, Father... I won't leave... sob... Father..."

Shenghua left the presidential palace, a bloody pouch at her hip. She turned to look back.

Rebels stormed in around her, brushing past her in the shadows.

They shouted slogans of overthrowing the regime, loudly proclaiming allegiance to or merging with neighboring territorial alliances or nations, trampling the Bael Union's former flag underfoot.

"Boss? Did you get it done?"

A subordinate waiting outside approached.

Shenghua nodded.

"Deliver this to them—" Shenghua's eyes were shadowed and grim. "This pledge of allegiance should carry enough weight."

More money, lots more!

Shenghua's hand trembled slightly in her pocket.

Inside the presidential palace, Aldona, blood streaking from his eyes, lay peacefully in his private quarters, a small, budding flower placed upon his chest.

Like fading hope, a lone splash of color in the ruins, spring buds still unopened, everything crumbling into chaos.

*

The Imperial Star of Saint Cas.

Amos turned down Cheng Xuan’s welcome festivities.

Because Xiao Chuzao, Hale, Morlo, and other members of the Crown Clan who had visited the contaminated zone had to go through stricter checkups—the sooner, the better.

Half a day later.

All inspection procedures were completed.

Things were mostly okay.

However, the kid seemed drained of psychic energy, kept wanting to chew on Psychic Weapons soon after.

As for the flames that had ignited on the little one's Psychic Weapon and crown back then, they still couldn't figure out the reason.

They just crowded around the kid’s golden bow, observing it one by one.

Xiao Chuzao sat to the side, chomping on Amos’s Psychic Weapon, *crunch-crunch*.

"Don’t see anything weird."

The group were used to Zao Zao chewing up Psychic Weapons, rubbing their chins as they examined the little one's Cupid's bow.

In the end, they could only return the bow to the little one.

Job and Joshua, who were receiving treatment nearby, heard the commotion. Passing by the door, they peeked inside.

Joshua, who had been undergoing medication therapy, had improved significantly in recent days, finally no longer plagued by nightmares of his parents and relatives dying before him, their crowns shattered.

He had intended to step in and greet them, but then he caught sight of Xiao Chuzao, clutching that *embarrassing-as-hell* bow while chewing on Amos's Psychic Weapon.

Joshua’s eyes popped wide open.

"I-I’ve been good, okay?! Zao Zao, don't point that bow at me!"

"What do you mean?"

Finn, clueless as usual, looked up in confusion, blinking his big, dumb eyes. His baby face twisted into a smirk.

"Seriously, Joshua? You're scared of a five-year-old's psychic attack?"

Joshua: …?

You hearing yourself right now?

Also—"Why is your beard gone?"

Joshua shuddered and ducked behind Job. "This is so weird. I got used to you having a beard, and now it’s like you’re stripped bare."

Finn: …

Finn scoffed and got to his feet.

"Zao Zao, come here. Sweet—Third Uncle’s got the same gear. Third Uncle isn't one of those Crown Clan members who only talk. Let’s train—I’ll show you how it’s done."

Zao Zao, clutching his tiny bow: …??

The psychic sword dropped from the little cub's mouth.

His eyes automatically darted to Amos.

Oh right, he had no idea.

The Crown Clan members all looked at the smug Finn.

"Let him aim at Joshua—"

An Ya whispered, egging on the drama.

One problem down. Though there were still many tasks ahead, this rare relaxed moment within the clan prompted Amos to exchange a glance with the little cub and nod at him.

A single experience speaks louder than a thousand explanations.

Getting the go-ahead, Xiao Chuzao slowly drew his bow. "Third Uncle, you asked for it."

"Yeah, I did."

Though Finn sensed something off, he was riding high on confidence.

He’d heard something about Love and Peace before, but this high-octane weapon—what kind of peace was that supposed to bring?

Nuclear peace, more like.

Until the arrow struck him and was absorbed into him.

Finn: ?

An Ya swiftly grabbed his head and turned it toward the door.

Joshua: ……

No, no, no, no—this is too disgusting.

He dragged his brother Job away and made a quick escape.

Meanwhile, as Finn's eyes glazed over, he noticed Hale and Morlo walking in a step later.

Hale quickly realized what was happening—but it was too late.

"Teacher, Uncle Morlo… You poor things, truly poor things—all that hardship along the way—" Finn twisted like a yandere, closing his eyes. "Actually, when you think about it, a world with three people isn’t that… crowded."

An Ya slapped a hand over Finn’s mouth.

Hale: ……

Morlo: ……

Finn, eyes still shut: ………………

Now he really kept his eyes shut.

Love and Peace?

Did it have to be this kind of Love and Peace—Did you have to take it so literally?!

HELP!!!

He believed it!!!

And Teacher, it wasn't on purpose—please believe him, he just wanted to share Love and Peace with you, literally, in complete sincerity!!