Chapter 75: Thank You, Filial Son

Chapter 75 Thanks for Being Such a Good Son

Fei Man, who didn’t even bother pretending anymore, covered the little one in kisses.

She didn’t stop until she heard Xiao Chuzao’s stomach growling.

The little guy was hungry.

Fei Man perked up now. She tidied up the documents in front of her and put them away.

She was her usual self again, but the little one, who had been showered with kisses, was still a bit dazed.

Dressed in his green dinosaur pajamas, the little one sat there in a daze, holding his chubby cheeks.

“What would you like to eat?”

Fei Man stood up and reached out her hand.

Xiao Chuzao tilted his head and grumbled under his breath—*Kiss monster auntie*—but he still placed his tiny hand in hers and let her lead him downstairs.

The whole Dwight Palace was quiet.

It was past three in the afternoon, and most of Saint Cas was bustling. No one else was around.

Mori wasn’t back yet either.

Fei Man passed him some fruit and cookies.

There was a small kitchen in the Dwight Palace, though they hardly ever used it.

Usually, meals were brought over from the main kitchen not too far away.

But at this hour, the little one just wanted a little something to nibble on and didn’t plan to eat anything more substantial. Besides, these snacks had been left here just for him in case he got hungry.

The floor was covered with soft cushions. Xiao Chuzao sat quietly on the ground, munching on a cookie, then looked up as his aunt rolled up her sleeves.

The little one tilted his head in confusion.

“Auntie?”

“Don’t fret, Zao Zao. Auntie’s gonna whip you up something warm!”

Fei Man looked at the “green fluffy little dinosaur” sitting on the floor, munching away on his cookies.

His pajama zipper was properly fastened, and the fluffy dinosaur hood pressed down on his soft, curly black hair, his little halo bobbing on his head.

He looked so small, sitting there with his legs slightly apart, clutching a cookie box, his green fluffy tail trailing behind him—looking utterly harmless and well-behaved as he nibbled on his snack.

Fei Man’s heart melted on the spot.

She glanced at the small kitchen, determined to whip up something special for the little one.

The fridge in the kitchen was stocked with all kinds of eggs, flour, and other basic ingredients.

In case the main kitchen couldn’t deliver meals or under other special circumstances, Mori and the others could manage.

The Dwights, though, were downright useless in the kitchen.

But Fei Man recalled the simplest baby food recipes she had seen on the Starnet.

She thought she could do it. She opened the Starnet and called up the tutorial—

A few minutes later.

The little boy clung to the kitchen cabinet door, tilting his little head up to look at Fei Man.

"One egg...? How big of an egg?"

Fei Man stared at the row of eggs, from tiny to enormous—some as big as a human head—and hesitated. She hesitantly selected a medium-sized one.

She glanced back at the tutorial.

"A moderate amount of flour, a small amount of salt... Moderate? Small?? How much is that? How imprecise! Source?"

The AI assistant replied: ..."Even if you ask me, I can't determine how many grams 'moderate' or 'small' is!"

It couldn't just guess! Clearly, Her Royal Highness Fei Man got this sudden idea to feed the Little Highness. If it gave wrong advice and something happened to him, King Amos would definitely take it apart!!

It was a smart little system—it couldn’t be taken apart! Her Royal Highness Fei Man had gotten in trouble many times before—one more wouldn’t hurt!

Fei Man hesitated for a moment. She was already considering giving up.

But Xiao Chuzao was holding onto the cabinet door, looking at her expectantly—

Xiao Chuzao was actually very curious about many things. There were so many things he hadn’t seen or tasted before. Now, following Fei Man inside with little steps, he was full of curiosity.

"Auntie? Can you do it?"

His soft, sweet, childlike voice rang out.

Fei Man: ...

"...Auntie can."

Auntie had to, even if she couldn’t!!

But speaking of which—why were there so many eggs here?

Meanwhile, at the Dwight estate.

Amos and Frey had just arrived at the courtyard gate.

Frey: "We've mostly handled everything. The problematic families have been dealt with—either dealt with or banished. The unproblematic ones were more complicated, but they’ve all been removed from key positions. Their children can wait. As for the talents, they’ve been separated from their families, restored to their original surnames, and won't get special treatment."

Frey pondered for a moment.

"The Grail Clan situation seems quite serious. The medical center reported that they’ve temporarily suppressed it—it’s not contagious to other races—but that little Grail Clan member is not doing well. Whether it can be eradicated remains unknown."

The Crown Clan usually stayed out of other races' affairs before.

Just like when the Soul Race was completely wiped out—the Crown Clan had little interaction with them, and they were a violent race anyway.

The Crown Clan didn't concern themselves with other races' internal matters.

It wasn't their business.

But now was different. The existence—or lack thereof—of the Longlived race seemed to have a real impact on the Hymn Organization. As for the "deity" they spoke of—who knew—maybe an angel from the Angelic Realm?

We can't let them get too comfortable.

"Mhm."

Amos responded.

"Mori."

Butler Mori was still overseeing the garden cleanup with his staff.

"Your Majesty, when I left earlier, Young Highness hadn't woken up yet, and HRH Fei Man was still inside the palace. This area has been leveled and will be ready for planting potatoes right on schedule. Professor Zhong just returned from an expedition and keeps offering to help."

"What time?"

Frey looked up.

"Zao Zao's birthday."

Amos continued walking toward the palace.

"In two weeks. I saw it last time."

He'd seen what the younger cub looked like at birth and marked the date.

Zao Zao's sixth birthday.

Before Xiao Chuzao, no one had ever celebrated his birthday.

"Sixth birthday already?"

Frey blinked in surprise.

"Time sure flies."

"Indeed. King Amos specifically instructed us to try out which kind of egg cake tastes best while meeting Young Highness's nutritional standards. We're testing options now."

Mori smiled, following behind Amos and Frey.

They entered together.

Then, they heard strange noises coming from the kitchen—

The three of them looked at each other curiously and moved toward it.

Inside the kitchen.

"Hmm? Zao Zao, isn't this a bit too runny?"

Fei Man frowned, holding out the bowl of egg mixture and flour to the young one.

"Then... should we add a bit more flour?"

The cub ventured timidly.

"Alright, let's add a little— Oh... now it's too thick?" he added.

"What if we add water and more eggs?"

Xiao Chuzao also said seriously, following the pictures from the online tutorial despite hardly being able to read.

Flour drifted down, dusting Fei Man and coating Xiao Chuzao’s face. Fei Man even leaned down to rub cheeks with the little one—successfully smearing Xiao Chuzao’s face into a flour-covered mess.

Hearing the noise, Fei Man and Xiao Chuzao snapped their heads around in unison.

Amos, Frey, and Mori: ...

Butler Mori pasted on a 'friendly' smile as he eyed the scattered eggshells and failed pancake attempts nearby. "Your Royal Highness Fei Man, may I ask what you're doing?"

Fei Man: !

In the end, Fei Man and the little one were kicked out of the kitchen.

The flour-coated child sat obediently on the sofa, lifting his little face and closing his big eyes as Amos wiped his cheeks clean.

Fei Man was tinkering with something, muttering indignantly under her breath—she had left a heated comment under the Tutorial: 'Can you be more precise? Precise to the gram!'

Meanwhile, the star net was buzzing with arguments—

Still about the recent events in Saint Cas—Saint Casians were infamously combative online, and due to their connection to the Crown Clan, they were obsessively invested in national affairs. Thus, recent hot topics revolved around Saint Cas’s future plans.

‘The original intent of the Future Plan was to sustain the Saint Cas Empire, but they’ve completely missed the point entirely!!!’

‘A whole batch of people got laid off? Can’t these guys just leave already? If they don’t want to serve His Majesty and the royal family of the Crown Clan, there’s a line of willing replacements. As if only their chosen ones count as elite talent!’

‘I was planning to study a few more years, but now I’m furious. I’ve already registered for every exam this year—I refuse to believe we’re short on talent!’

‘Her Royal Highness Fei Man just dropped a new update!!!’

‘What?!’

‘Where? Let me see, let me see!!!’

It was worth noting that the Crown Clan rarely made public appearances—they were mythic Longlived beings, but each of them suffered agony like a death sentence due to the destruction of their habitats and shattered crowns, slowly withering away.

Such mass extinction was terrifying.

Thus, in most cases, as Crown Clan members neared the end of their lives, they would erase all traces of themselves.

Almost all news about the Crown Clan was released through the Saint Cas royal court’s official accounts, with virtually zero personal footprints.

No one could recall the last time something like this happened.

So a swarm of Saint Casians, along with curious onlookers from other planets and nations, rushed to the indicated location—only to find Fei Man’s seemingly salt-filled comment under the Tutorial.

Many hesitated for a moment.

By then, many from other planets and nations had noticed the sudden silence among Saint Casians.

‘What’s going on? Why’s it so quiet all of a sudden? Where did all these Saint Casians go?’

‘They were ready to riot moments ago, and now they’ve all calmed down? I’ve always said Saint Casians aren’t so different from the Crown Clan—’

The overall demeanor of Saint Cas was one of dominance and frenzy.

‘Surely they didn’t just realize the Crown Clan isn’t omnipotent and got disillusioned? That easily? Hah...’

Disillusionment was impossible. About ten or thirty minutes later, posts from Saint Casians began pouring in—

#On How to Make the Perfect Egg Pancake#

#Come check out the foolproof pancake tutorial, accurate down to the gram!#

#Available in three skill levels—just three attempts to determine what kind of pancake you want to make!#

The entire StarNet turned into an ocean of pancakes.

For the Saint Casians—HRH Fei Man making pancakes…? And these pancakes are labeled as baby-friendly—HRH Fei Man making pancakes for the little prince?! And she’s even checking our tutorial?!

Accurate down to the gram, immediately and precisely down to the gram!!!

The rest of the StarNet, flooded with pancake posts: ??

Y'all good?!

Meanwhile, the little one remained completely unaffected.

He had already got his face wiped clean by Amos and was now sitting at the table, blinking those big eyes.

In front of him lay a steaming pancake freshly made by Butler Mori. Xiao Chuzao puffed out his cheeks as he stuffed bite after bite into his mouth.

Like a little critter that had let its guard down, his hair all fluffy and messy, the tiny soft figure leaned against Amos.

The sunlight outside was just right, casting a glow on his rosy-cheeked little face.

Fei Man, still unwilling to give up, pushed the decent-looking pancake she had finally managed to make toward the little one.

Xiao Chuzao’s eyes went wide, looking down at the pancake, then up at his aunt.

After a moment of thought, the little guy lowered his head and took a careful bite. Then, raising Fei Man’s "masterpiece" on his fork, he held it up high.

"Dada, dada, dada try!"

Amos: ……

Amos didn’t hesitate: ……Thanks, kiddo. Daddy won’t try.

He even wanted to remind him to eat less, or he'll get a tummy ache.

Then, hearing someone come in, Zao Zao, still holding his aunt’s pancake—couldn't eat it but wouldn't throw it away—looked up toward the entrance.

His golden eyes lit up, and he popped right up, his tiny feet pattering as he dashed over.

An Ya, who had just entered, did a double take as he watched the fuzzy green dino kid barreling toward him.

For a split second, An Ya second-guessed himself.

Was he really running toward *him*?

Was he actually getting such treatment?

An Ya was briefly stunned.

But the little one had already reached him, holding up the pancake roll in his hand.

"Uncle, for Uncle to eat."

His expression was all sweet and innocent.

An Ya: "...For, for me?"

Does this mean...he's risen in Zao Zao's esteem?!

An Ya coughed lightly, looking away awkwardly.

"Since you said so—"

An Ya bent down, eyed the omelet warily, then opened his mouth and took a bite—

The next second, he blinked in shock.

Well...normally, egg pancakes shouldn’t be hard to swallow no matter how they’re made—unless you used the wrong kind of eggs.

The bizarre taste made An Ya wolf it down, struggling to swallow—

"No way it's that bad!"

Fei Man looked down skeptically, stuffing the remaining half of the pancake into her own mouth—and immediately gagged.

"Clean your plate."

Amos spoke calmly as he stood up.

"Zao Zao, I haven’t given you today’s candy yet."

And so, An Ya watched as the "green fluffy little dinosaur" standing before him, after thoroughly tricking him, didn’t spare a single word before turning away without hesitation and scurried away behind Amos.

Bouncing excitedly, he trailed after Amos like a hungry chick, chirping in a soft, sing-song voice for his candy.

Fei Man, meanwhile, glared resentfully at the mess in front of her, forcing down bite after bite.

An Ya, glum, finished his water and muttered—"Pawning the gross stuff off on me—"

Not even a hug.

Was he really bottom of the pecking order? That worthless?!

Fine—he wasn’t worthy.

For a moment, Mori nearly laughed, but then he felt a lump in his throat—

Just another ordinary day.

But for the Crown Clan, it was extraordinarily rare.

Having the Little Highness here...was such a blessing.

Meanwhile, in a remote and dangerous corner under Saint Cas’s sweeping search, within the mobile base of Zange:

"The Grail Clan’s leader must be on his last legs—this plague specifically targeting the Grail Clan was prepared for far too long. Though we’ve suffered heavy losses this time, at least it won’t be for nothing."

*

"Still, who knows where the Crown Clan even found that Little Crown Clan—absolutely infuriating."

"After the Grail Clan’s demise, we must remain hidden for a long time, learning to be more cautious. The Crown Clan won't fall overnight. We should pour all our resources into researching the Little Crown Clan’s weaknesses—once we take out that one, the rest of the Crown Clan, even if progress is slow, will slowly crumble and die out. We’ve wasted too much time on a lost cause."

"You're right—the Grail Clan should already be unable to control the spread of the plague targeting them. Haha, after hiding for so long, they still have to meet their end. They stole the power of the 'divine,' and now they can help bring about the 'divine.' This should be an honor for such lowlifes."

"We've failed too many times—but fortunately, the issues have only ever arisen with the Crown Clan... Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me—"

Meanwhile, in the Grail Clan's hideout.

"Any updates? Does the Saint Cas Empire—have any solutions?"

"No, they can only hold it off for now. If this continues, not just here, but even our uninfected kin we sent away will..."

"How did it come to this... We've lived in seclusion for so long—only to face destruction like this in the end?"

"Hear me out—"

A weak voice suddenly spoke up.

The Grail Clan elders, deep in discussion, froze in shock before turning around in panic.

"Chief Cavenaugh?!"

The Grail Clan's chief, Cavenaugh, who had recently fallen into a coma, was barely holding himself up as he slowly entered. He took his seat, exhausted as he leaned back against the chair.

"Chief, you need rest. The duration of your comas has been getting longer each time. If this continues—"

"—I might not wake up next time, right?"

Cavenaugh let out a strained laugh, shaking his head gently as he looked at them.

"Everyone, this is our moment of crisis—the inevitable disaster resulting from our seclusion and lack of progress—"

Cavenaugh closed his eyes.

"Some beliefs must change, but that is a matter for later. I believe that after this ordeal, every member of the Grail Clan will realize what we must do. And most importantly—we cannot let those organizations that eagerly await our extinction have their way. All Grail Clan members infected with this plague—all those who have fallen into comas—will board a starship with me in one day."

Cavenaugh lifted his gaze to the elders.

"We will self-destruct near the contaminated zone, eradicating the plague and preventing its spread—"

"Chief... this..."

"All Grail Clan members must comply—"

Cavenaugh lowered his head slightly, his eyes downcast.

"Including me... and including—Derek..."

*

Saint Cas Empire—Medical Center.

The little one had just finished a related mental examination and was now being held in Amos's arms.

Suddenly, the little one seemed to sense something. He looked up—

Blinking his big eyes.

Amos was holding the little one while waiting for the results, and the child wanted to visit the other Crown Clan members in the medical center.

Especially after hearing from the doctor that Job and Joshua hadn't been behaving well these past few days. The tiny little one flapped his small wings, clenched his tiny fists, and promised the doctor—leave everything to Zao Zao.

Love and Peace.

The doctor exclaimed, "Long live love!"

This little one truly has some strange energy.

As Amos was lost in thought, he looked down and saw the little cub's eyes glowing—literally glowing—gazing upward at something unseen.

Amos: ?

"What's wrong?"

"Something’s a little weird—"

Xiao Chuzao stretched out his tiny hand, swiping at the air.

It was an unfamiliar form of spiritual energy—fragmented, like glittering mist, sparkling yet tinged with sinister flecks of black that quickly vanished.

The cub blinked his big eyes, snuggled in Amos's embrace, and looked up at him.

"I’ve never seen energy like this before."

That wasn’t unusual.

Ever since the cub’s eyes started glowing, he had been able to see more kinds of spiritual energy.

His little face, bathed in sunlight from the window, looked soft and fair, as soft and kissable as cotton candy.

Amos had given him a kiss not too long ago.

It really was sweet.

And Fei Man had smothered him in kisses even more often.

Amos thought for a moment and asked the cub, "Zao Zao, don’t you like kisses?"

The cub hesitated. "Not exactly—"

He shook his little head.

"Auntie’s kisses come too fast—they make Zao Zao’s head spin."

Fei Man’s kisses were a whirlwind.

They bombarded Xiao Chuzao in a frenzy.

"What about this?"

Amos leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on the cub’s cheek.

The cub blinked his big eyes.

"It’s okay, Zao Zao likes this."

His little wings gave a happy flutter behind him.

He clearly enjoyed it.

This was a snuggle-bug—of course he adored kisses!

Honestly, Amos wasn’t usually this affectionate.

But his little one was so soft, affectionate, and well-behaved that King Amos, with a calm expression, leaned in again at a slow pace the little one could accept and planted another kiss.

By the time Fei Man and Finn arrived,

Finn, who was unusually wary of the cub, peered over Fei Man's shoulder.

The two of them saw Xiao Chuzao holding Amos's face with both hands, his big eyes wide open, his little face unusually pulling back slightly, as if looking bewildered.

He even freed one hand to touch his chubby cheek.

"What's wrong with Zao Zao?"

Fei Man was also stunned.

"I just tried something."

The Crown Clan indeed had an exploratory nature.

King Amos comforted his obedient little one—the little one was clearly just a bit impatient but not getting upset.

Just slightly bewildered.

"Zao Zao loses patience after being kissed forty-five times."

"Wait—Er-ge, did Zao Zao reject you too when you kissed him... Huh...?"

Fei Man started to say instinctively before her voice suddenly rose in shock—Are you really Amos?!

"You gave him HOW MANY KISSES?!"