Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 126
“What are your plans for the next step?”
After inspecting the production situation on Sword Bow A, Alveira returned to the Lady of the Night accompanied by Darius. On the bridge, the Princess dismissed all the guards and attendants to privately discuss the strategy with the admiral.
“Naturally, we will attack the Damoni system and engage Winnet in a decisive battle.”
Darius paced nervously. “If we continue the offensive, we’ll be left with no retreat. We’re deep in Winnet’s territory now, with our only connections to the rear being through the Sword Bow and Redstone systems. Until the next batch of reinforcements arrives, we’re practically isolated and unsupported.”
“If you want to talk about being isolated, Winnet is in the same situation,” the Princess replied. “I know you want to stabilize the situation first, but we can’t wait any longer. We have to take risks to achieve victory.”
Darius opened his mouth to say something, but then just sighed. “Very well, we’ll continue the offensive as you wish,” he said, his tone filled with resignation. “I just feel like everything has gone too smoothly, as if Winnet’s focus isn’t on the war at all, and he’s deliberately letting victory slip through his fingers. I’m afraid he might be up to something.”
“…You may be right. He’s been scheming to seize the throne, yet now he isn’t putting in his full effort… Could he be holding back his strength?” Alveira stared at the table, her gaze intense enough to burn a hole through the metal. Rather than holding back his strength, it seemed more like he wasn’t taking the war seriously at all. Winnet had stirred up the conflict, but now he was quietly waiting—waiting for someone else to bring it all to an end…
“Your Highness,” Leo suddenly appeared beside Alveira, startling her.
“How many times have I told you not to appear so suddenly!” The Princess almost choked on her breath.
Leo, showing no remorse, blinked and reappeared next to Darius. “There’s an urgent video communication. Should I put it through?”
“Who is it? What’s the situation? Has Winnet made contact?”
“It’s not as bad as you’re imagining,” Leo said.
“Or perhaps it’s a thousand times worse.” An unfamiliar male voice was suddenly patched into the Lady of the Night’s bridge.
A holographic screen unfolded before Alveira and Darius, revealing a man sitting cross-legged on a woven carpet, with rows of bookshelves filled with priceless paper books behind him.
The man had his hands tucked into his sleeves and slightly nodded toward Alveira. From his haughty demeanor, Alveira deduced that he was either naturally arrogant, unwilling to bow to others, or held a position so prestigious that he had no need to show deference.
“Are you from Neo Athens?” the Princess asked. The man’s attire was very similar to Leo’s—a dark scholar’s robe, but with silver embroidery on the cuffs and collar, adding an air of nobility.
The man smiled slightly. “Nolin Titian, current Archon of Neo Athens.”
Alveira almost gasped in shock. The Archon of Neo Athens? Was it really him? One of the most powerful figures in the galaxy—why was he reaching out to her? She looked to Leo, seeking confirmation, and the AI gave her a reassuring nod—this was indeed Nolin Titian, the Archon of New Athens.
“Why have you come to see me?” Once she was certain of his identity, Alveira regained her composure.
“As I mentioned, there is a matter a thousand times more serious than Winnet’s rebellion that I need to discuss with you,” Nolin Titian said, his voice low and calm, characteristic of a scholar’s measured speech.
“Is it really that serious?”
“It concerns the survival of the universe.” Nolin Titian spread his arms wide as if to encompass the world. “Our universe and all others. It also concerns the continuation of humanity—both the humans of today and those of the past and future.”
Alveira was unimpressed by his dramatic statements. “That sounds like something a charlatan would say to deceive the masses.”
“I am not deceiving you, Your Highness.” The Archon lowered his arms. “Nor am I exaggerating. This is the truth. Have you noticed that Duke Winnet seems distracted, as if he’s treating this war like a game and not taking it seriously?”
This question hit the mark, echoing Alveira’s own thoughts. “Do you know why?”
“Of course.” Nolin Titian smiled again, this time with even his silver eyes gleaming with mirth. “It may be hard for you to believe, but—this is the truth. Winnet is searching for a secret weapon that can defeat all his enemies. Many others are also searching for and fighting over this weapon. Whoever controls it will control all universes and all of humanity.” He paused to let Alveira absorb the shock of his words. “We in Neo Athens have been researching ways to counter this weapon for hundreds of years, and we’re close to succeeding. But Winnet is growing impatient. He has already sent people to unleash this weapon. If he succeeds, no army, past, present, or future, will be able to stand against him. That’s why he doesn’t care about the outcome of this war. He’s simply buying time and diverting attention from other contenders, so he can secure the weapon for himself as quickly as possible.”
Alveira looked at Leo again, silently asking him to verify Nolin Titian’s claims. Leo nodded heavily in confirmation.
“What exactly is this weapon?” she asked.
“It’s called the ‘Yasha’.”
……
“Ugh, Schrödinger aside, why is this dog following us?” Alois grumbled, holding a black cat in his arms while glaring at the large dog that had devoured all the snacks the cook had secretly given him. “Doesn’t Celia feed you? I thought she loved feeding you the most!”
Pavlov let out a mournful whine. Alois suddenly felt that the black cat in his arms was much heavier than before, probably because Celia had found a new target for her feeding, leaving her previous one neglected.
Joshua took the black cat from Alois, hefting it. “Any heavier and it’ll break your neck if you try to wear it as a scarf,” the assassin murmured, staring at the cat’s sleek, shiny fur. “It’s almost fat enough… Might as well go all the way…”
The black cat let out a terrified yowl, wriggled free from Joshua’s grasp, and bolted out the door, disappearing in an instant. Pavlov followed, making sure to snatch the last piece of cookie before leaving.
“Get lost! Don’t let me see you again!” Alois shouted in fury.
“Come on, it’s just a few cookies. Go find Celia. She’ll give you more.” Joshua lazily flopped onto the bed, yawning. After Princess Alveira’s arrival on Sword Bow A, their duties on Darius’s Sword of the Queen had come to a temporary halt, and they were now back on the Lady of the Night awaiting orders. This “awaiting orders” phase mostly involved lounging around, eating, and occasionally engaging in some “bedroom activities” that were good for both body and mind. As a result, they were either full of energy or completely exhausted every day.
Joshua rolled over, only to find himself face-to-face with Leonard’s large face.
“…Leo, why are you lying on my bed?”
The AI was reclining against the headboard in a relaxed pose. “Joshua, would you mind stepping out for a moment?” Leo said with the air of “I’m the master of this place”. “I have something to discuss privately with Alois.”
Joshua’s eyes flared with a golden light. “What can’t you say in front of me?”
“It’s not about undermining you. If you don’t want to leave, we can talk elsewhere.”
Reluctantly, Joshua got up, lit a cigarette, and walked out barefoot, clearly not planning to stay outside for long. Leo sat up, suddenly serious as he faced Alois. “Honestly, if I had my way, I’d prefer you never learn about this. Even if I had to tell you, I wouldn’t choose this moment. But the situation is urgent, so I have no choice but to tell you now.”
Alois was thoroughly confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Do you recognize the name ‘Yasha’?”
Alois thought for a moment. “It doesn’t ring a bell… but it also seems somewhat familiar…”
Leo sighed. “It seems Joshua really hasn’t told you anything. He’s protected you too well.”
The mention of Joshua suddenly jogged Alois’s memory. He did recall the term “Yasha”. He had heard it once, from Joshua, when they encountered a bioengineered human on an island in Neo Venice. Joshua had mentioned that name back then.
“What is Yasha? Is it related to that bioengineered human?”
“You know that Joshua has an older brother named Kester, right?”
Alois nodded vigorously. “Of course I know, he was a scientist from Old Earth. Joshua idolizes him.”
“Yasha is a weapon that Kester created—a weapon designed to annihilate humanity.”
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