Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 82
“To our friend—Joanna Begrel, cheers.”
Alois raised his goblet, clinking glasses with Nolin Titian. The Governor appeared aloof but was actually quite hospitable. He invited Alois to dine together “to chat about your thrilling journeys in the universe”—since it was difficult to refuse, Alois had to agree.
They were now sitting in the restaurant “Utopia”, surrounded by many other diners who showed no surprise at Nolin Titian’s presence, as if he were just an ordinary librarian rather than the Governor of Neo Athens. Nolin Titian also ignored them, only smiling if someone nodded in greeting. Otherwise, his face remained stern, as if he were complaining about the poor taste of the food with his expression.
After being seated, the Governor raised a barrier around them, instantly making all other sounds and sights disappear, as if only the two of them were left in the restaurant. Titian probably found this undisturbed atmosphere quite pleasant, but Alois felt extremely awkward dining face-to-face with a stranger who was overly familiar (and the head of a planet, no less!). Even though the restaurant’s ceiling was transparent, reflecting the twinkling stars and the dazzling, beautiful holographic clock floating above the academy, it still couldn’t alleviate Alois’s anxious discomfort.
“You should try this dish, my friend.” Nolin Titian pushed a plate of seaweed-like stuff towards Alois, eagerly recommending it. “Originally from Old Earth, brought to Neo Athens by the third batch of Earth refugees, you could say it’s a local specialty.”
Alois took a bite and almost spit it out immediately—the taste was just like eating grass! Nolin Titian revealed a mischievous grin, as if his trick had succeeded. “Nutritious things are not necessarily tasty,” he said.
“It seems like you really want to turn Neo Athens into a second Old Earth?” Alois downed a gulp of wine, angrily pushing away the weird plant dish.
“Not at all. Of all the planets dominated by humans, Neo Athens is definitely the least like Old Earth. Although, if we wanted, we could make it so,” Nolin Titian said. “Have you ever been to the capital of the Empire, ‘The Unfallen Star’?”
“I lived there for over twenty years.”
“The Unfallen Star is the planet most similar to Old Earth. Nasir Chabais longed for his homeland, so he transformed the planet to be extremely like Old Earth. If he had enough technology, he might even wish to reshape its seas and lands to match those of Old Earth.”
“So the people of Neo Athens don’t yearn for their homeland?”
Nolin Titian raised his glass. “Neo Athens isn’t a memory to be cherished, but a new world where one can pursue their ambitions. Imagine, when the third batch of Earth refugees arrived at this barren planet, there was nothing here, like a blank canvas waiting for a painter to apply colors. Those scientists could freely transform her, realizing their crazy yet enchanting ideas. Ecological engineers modified the environment, urban planners designed cities, architects built buildings in those cities that they could only dream of before… Everyone contributed like gods creating the world, bringing out their most ingenious ideas, making her incredibly beautiful. So you see—” the Governor pointed from the dining table to the ceiling, the light from the holographic clock seeming to dance on his fingertip, “this is the true Utopia.”
Suddenly, the barrier next to the dining table was lifted. Alois startled, instinctively raising his fork as a weapon, but he sighed and lowered it once he recognized the newcomer.
“Joshua? You nearly scared me to death.”
The silver-haired assassin glanced at the exquisite food on the table, casually pulling up a chair to sit beside them. “A sumptuous dinner, huh? Not going to call me to join?”
“You were reminiscing with Lord Giorgione.” Alois shrugged. “Even if it’s a meeting, there’s still a working meal. Have you eaten?”
“I did, but suddenly I feel very hungry again.” Joshua looked mockingly at the clump of seaweed. “Lord have mercy. You guys are eating this?”
Nolin Titian raised an eyebrow, curious about this uninvited guest. “Shouldn’t we eat it?”
“On Old Earth, this stuff was often mashed into a paste for facials,” Joshua informed them nonchalantly.
Alois felt nauseous.
“Clearly, centuries later we’ve discovered its nutritional value outweighs its beauty benefits,” the Governor retorted.
“Animal feed is also nutritious. Would you eat that?” The assassin pulled Alois up. “You look like you’re about to throw up, so don’t force yourself to swallow this stuff.” He turned to the Governor. “We won’t disturb you with your facial anymore. Excuse us.” With that, he forcefully pulled Alois from his seat and quickly left the restaurant, leaving Nolin Titian behind.
“You shouldn’t get too close to that guy,” Joshua said once they were outside the restaurant.
“Why?”
“Nolin Titian… that guy must be a descendant of Charles Titian—just as mad as his ancestor!”
“And who is Charles Titian?”
Joshua paused in his stride. “It’s none of your business.”
That only made Alois more curious. “Is he your friend?” he pressed. “Why do you know the Governor’s ancestor? How do you know Lord Giorgione? You…”
“It’s none of your business!” Joshua growled.
His voice was hoarse, like the mournful howl of a wild beast. Alois swallowed the questions that had reached his lips. If asking them made Joshua uncomfortable, then he’d rather never know the answers.
He quickened his pace to walk alongside the assassin. “I shouldn’t have asked. If this offended you, I apologize.”
Joshua didn’t speak but took his hand in response.
As they neared the seventh greenhouse, they encountered Beatrice. She suddenly appeared from a cluster of blooming roses, giving quite a fright.
“Hi, I was looking for you,” the young AI greeted cheerily. Alois knew this was just to appear human-like. Beatrice knew exactly where they were and what they were doing.
“What is it?” Joshua asked.
“Your old residence has been cleaned up. Would you like me to show you the way?”
The assassin furrowed his brows. “What old resi—” He followed the direction the young AI was pointing, and at the end of the rosebushes, he saw a white fence. In an instant, Joshua forgot what he was saying.
Beatrice had completed her mission. She picked up her skirt, performed an elegant curtsy, and disappeared into thin air, leaving Joshua standing there, stunned.
Alois tugged at his robe, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
Joshua opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a sound. He walked briskly to the fence and lightly jumped over it. Alois hurriedly followed, cursing the cumbersome robes of Neo Athens that got snagged and nearly tore during the climb.
Like earlier in the third greenhouse, Joshua seemed to know the way. Beyond the fence was a small grove with a man-made path worn through it. He followed the path through the woods, past a neatly manicured flower garden, to a spacious yard with a white, wooden two-story cottage quietly standing at the back.
The cottage was silent, the windows dark, with no lights on—either unoccupied or the owner just wasn’t home. Near the flower garden in the center of the yard stood a small wooden swing, just big enough for one person.
Joshua stared motionlessly at the cottage. It was too similar to his home on Old Earth, he thought. Even the flowers in the garden and the crooked graffiti on the cottage door were exactly the same; he almost thought he had returned to his hometown… or that his hometown had been entirely relocated to Neo Athens.
No, this must have been rebuilt later, a voice in his head said, specially restored by Teacher Giorgione to welcome Kester.
Joshua approached the swing and gently touched its rust-free chain. He looked up, just able to see the study window on the second floor of the cottage, where he had often swung as a child, waiting for the sun to set and for Kester to open that window and call him home.
He stood quietly for a long time. The sun had disappeared from the sky above the Neo Athens Academy, with only the light from the holographic clock still illuminating the ground. The study window was dark, devoid of the warm light and the person he was waiting for.
A hand pressed on his shoulder. It was Alois. Before the other could speak, he preempted. “Don’t talk. Let me be alone for a while.”
The footsteps behind him receded. Soon even the sound of footsteps vanished. All around was silence, except for the chirping of crickets and the low whisper of the wind. Even these sounds were exactly as he remembered.
Joshua sat on the swing, just as he had done countless times as a child. He knew he was no longer a child, and this place was not his homeland but a reconstructed shell. Yet, for some reason, as he stared at the study window, his vision blurred with tears.
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