Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 78
“Dear distinguished guests, welcome to Neo Athens.”
As Beatrice’s clear voice echoed, the walls of the spacecraft suddenly turned transparent, revealing the majestic scenery of the city-state of Neo Athens. The architecture, varying in height and made of stone, appeared like stars encircling the moon, guarding the heart of the city-state—the Neo Athens Academy. Built against a mountain, the academy resembled a wave rising from the earth, and a giant holographic clock suspended in the sky enveloped it, shining like a radiant crown.
Alois stared in amazement at the ground below—the transparent floor offered an unobstructed view of the city-state. He saw thousands of schools and research institutes, draped in a silvery glow and quietly standing among lush greenery. This place was the technological hub of the entire galaxy, possessing advanced technologies unmatched by other planets. It also served as a sacred site constructed by the third batch of Earth’s remnants, replicating their homeland. Whether it was the blue ocean at the edge of the land or the houses blending various architectural styles from Old Earth, every detail reflected the remnants’ nostalgia for their home.
Alois couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Joshua. His face was expressionless, as if Neo Athens had nothing to do with him. He was so composed that even the sight of the grand academy didn’t elicit any surprise—an act of feigned calmness. Throughout the journey, Alois had been silently speculating about Joshua’s connection to Neo Athens that necessitated the academy deploying a starship to find him. His theories ranged from the absurd, such as Joshua having killed some high-ranking official of Neo Athens, to more plausible ones. Numerous times, he wanted to directly ask Joshua for the truth but hesitated.
If Joshua wanted him to know, he would have told him. His silence indicated he didn’t want Alois to know the secrets. Therefore, Alois decided not to ask. Some things might be better left unknown.
However, human curiosity was endless. The more secretive something is, the more it invites suspicion. This curiosity reached its peak as they stepped onto New Athenian soil.
The Neo Athens spaceport consisted of two towering high-rise towers, with platforms of various lengths protruding out, serving as docking stations for spaceships. The Socrates, like a giant, hovered above the highest platform. The sun’s rays hit its light gray surface, casting a faint glow that made it resemble a bizarre and magnificent relic from prehistoric times. It cast a heavy shadow on the ground, drawing gasps from the crowd below.
The Socrates received a grand welcome upon its return. Even the dark outer walls of the spaceport towers were replaced with vibrant colors to celebrate the ship’s return. However, Beatrice obviously didn’t want the two special guests to attract too much attention. While other crew members disembarked through the regular exit to reunite with their families, the female AI led Joshua and Alois through a special escape route inside the tower. They were greeted by a young lady in a dark green robe wearing half-frame glasses, appearing to be a secretary.
“Good day, Beatrice.” The young lady nodded slightly to the AI and performed a courteous gesture.
“Allow me to introduce.” Beatrice turned back, gesturing towards Joshua. “This is the person Mr. Giorgione has been looking for—Mr. Joshua Plank.”
The lady in green smiled as she shook hands with Joshua. “Lina Antonina.” Then she turned to Alois. “And this must be Mr. Alois Lagrange?”
Alois raised an eyebrow. When had he become so famous? “Yes, that’s me.” He also shook hands politely with Lina. “You know of me?”
“Of course, I’ve long heard of your great reputation,” Lina replied, not elaborating further but spreading her hands. “Given the confidentiality of your visit to Neo Athens, we couldn’t greet you through the regular channels. I’m really sorry about that.”
“No worries.” Joshua lifted his chin. “I just want to see Mr. Giorgione as soon as possible.”
“Of course. He is also eagerly looking forward to meeting with you.” After speaking, Lina signaled Beatrice with a look, and the AI tactfully disappeared while Lina took over as their guide. She led Joshua and Alois to the other end of the tower to a docking platform where a small Gondola was waiting.
“Please.” Lina lifted the hem of her robe and jumped into the driver’s seat. “I haven’t introduced myself properly yet. I serve as the secretary to the dean of Neo Athens Academy and also work for Mr. Giorgione.”
Joshua jumped into the back seat, pulling Alois up with him.
“How is Teacher doing now?” he asked.
“You’ll see for yourself soon.” Lina started the Gondola, which shot out of the docking platform at high speed.
The sudden loss of gravity startled Alois. He hadn’t expected such an assertive driving style from the demure secretary.
The cool wind filled the cabin, making Alois, who was dressed in a thin robe, shiver. He moved back slightly, only to be embraced in a warm hug. Joshua wrapped his arms around his shoulders, drawing him close and whispering in his ear, “If this weren’t Neo Athens, I’d really think I’d been tricked into some kind of trap.”
His gentle breath tickled Alois’s ear. “Can I take that to mean you’re scared?”
“With you here, I’m not,” Joshua replied, holding Alois’s fingers.
Lina saw the two nestled together in the rearview mirror and smiled knowingly.
The Gondola landed in the center of Neo Athens Academy, near the third greenhouse.
Lina led them into the greenhouse. Unlike the cooler outside temperatures, the greenhouse was maintained year-round at a comfortable twenty-three degrees Celsius. As soon as they entered, the chill on Alois was instantly dispelled, as if he had walked from deep autumn into warm spring. He stretched his limbs and turned to compliment the secretary on the greenhouse’s environment, only to be startled by a giant butterfly that suddenly flew out from the bushes.
The butterfly flapped its wings, sweeping over Joshua’s head and circling a few times before landing on his shoulder.
“Mr. Giorgione is just ahead.” Lina clasped her hands inside her sleeves and bowed slightly, indicating she would wait there.
Joshua gently brushed off the butterfly and took Alois’s hand, leading him into the lush grove. The path underfoot was paved with cobblestones, flanked by hanging white flowers. The forest ahead was lush and verdant, with the faint sound of birds chirping and water murmuring.
In such a dense forest, Alois felt completely lost, unsure of where to go, and let Joshua lead the way. Joshua moved confidently, as if he had walked this path countless times, familiar with every tree, every flower, every stone.
They passed through a cluster of blooming flowers, and the path opened into a small square where sunlight poured through the diamond-shaped windows of the greenhouse, dappling the ground. Just off the square stood a large oak tree, providing just enough shade to temper the intense sunlight. Under the tree was a lounge chair and a cat-foot table, on which sat a fine set of tea utensils, and on the chair lay an elderly man with white hair and beard.
The old man’s eyes were closed, as if he were deep in sleep. Hearing footsteps approaching, he suddenly opened his eyes, as if he had been waiting there for centuries, and now, at this moment, the person he was waiting for had finally arrived.
The old man watched Joshua approach, initially motionless, and upon recognizing the familiar face, he opened his mouth in amazement, his throat trembling, unable to make a sound. He shakily extended a hand. The veins on the back of his hand was prominent, his loose skin hanging from his aged bones like a rock weathered by sand.
“Kest… Kest…” The old man struggled to utter a discordant syllable, his voice choked with immense pain and joy.
Joshua approached, knelt down, and took the old man’s hand, greeting him with the reverence of a devout believer greeting a priest.
“Kester… is it you?” The old man’s voice was hoarse. His gray eyes brimmed with emotional tears. “I’ve finally… finally…”
“No,” Joshua softly said, “I’m not Kester. Teacher, Teacher Giorgione. Please look closely. Look closely—who I am?”
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