Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 128
Half an hour later, the individuals summoned by Alveira had gathered on the bridge of the Lady of the Night. These were the people who had followed and pledged loyalty to her from the very beginning, and in the past several battles, they had proven their strength and loyalty through their actions.
The group lined up, standing under the shifting light of the holographic screens on the bridge, awaiting inspection. Alveira walked past each of them, observing their expressions: some were calm, some were puzzled, some were full of confidence, and others were visibly nervous.
“Everyone,” Alveira said as she slowly swept her gaze over them. “I’ve gathered you here today not for anything else, but to recruit a volunteer from among you for a special mission.”
The group remained silent but exchanged several suspicious glances.
“Let me be clear,” Alveira continued, “this mission is of great significance, but it is also extremely dangerous. It may cost you your life, and you might never return. But if you succeed, you will become a hero not only of the Empire but of the entire galaxy and possibly the whole universe.”
The expressions of those in front of her reflected a mix of excitement and deep concern.
“I promise you the highest honor, but I also remind you of the risks. If you accept this mission, you will face the most terrifying enemies in all of history, more fearsome than Winnet, Chancellor Greenwald, or the Federation Council. Therefore, I need a volunteer who is willing to take such risks in pursuit of glory.”
Having said that, Alveira turned and took a few steps, seating herself in the command chair on the bridge. The group began whispering among themselves, something that would normally be considered disrespectful in the presence of the Princess, but Alveira allowed it. They needed time to weigh the dangers and rewards, to decide if it was worth risking their lives.
After a while, Hauser, known for his bravery, spoke up loudly. “Your Highness, could you tell us more about the specifics of this mission?”
Alveira shook her head, her blonde hair swaying on her shoulders with the motion. “No, it must remain confidential. But I can reveal this much: The mission will take you away from the Empire to our human homeland—Old Earth.”
There were gasps and sharp intakes of breath. One person even stepped forward, kneeling on one knee with one hand over their chest in an ancient gesture of allegiance.
“Your Highness, please allow me to undertake this mission.”
—It was Casper Shannon.
“Casper, are you mad?” Lieutenant Colonel Radruta scolded his colleague in a low voice. He glanced nervously at Alveira, then blushed and looked down.
“Very brave of you, Colonel Casper. Truly admirable.” Alveira applauded. “But it does make me wonder—why are you so determined?”
Casper raised his head. “Because you mentioned Old Earth, Your Highness. Perhaps you don’t know, but I’ve always been fascinated by Old Earth. I’ve heard that the last civilization there was so brilliant that even we, thousands of years later, cannot surpass it. It’s said that advanced machinery and lost technologies remain there, which we can no longer replicate. When I was a student, I wrote several papers on Old Earth, but I could only gather information from old texts. It’s always been my regret that I’ve never been able to visit in person.” His eyes grew fervent. “Please, Your Highness, let me undertake this mission. I would willingly lay down my life on Old Earth.”
“…It sounds like you’re not sacrificing yourself for the greater good but just looking for a government-funded vacation.” Alveira couldn’t help but joke.
Lieutenant Colonel Hauser let out a snort of laughter, and Alveira shot him a look, causing him to quickly cover his mouth. His square face turned bright red from holding back laughter, and Alveira couldn’t help but worry that he might explode like a balloon… Dying of suppressed laughter in front of one’s commanding officer might be a once-in-a-lifetime honor, after all…
Alveira smacked her forehead. Damn it, where did my thoughts go? She waved her hand, signaling Casper to rise and dismissing the others. Once the bridge was left with just the two of them, Alveira said, “Casper, you’d better think this through—there’s a real chance you won’t come back.”
“I’m willing to sacrifice my life,” Casper replied resolutely. “And it’s not just for my personal wishes… As an Empire soldier, it’s my duty to serve the Empire and the Queen until my last breath.”
Alveira suddenly didn’t know what to say. She was used to hearing declarations of loyalty and never bothered to discern how much truth was in them—human beings were prone to lies and loved to break promises. But this time, she could feel that every word Casper said came from the heart. She had never heard such genuine words before.
“…Colonel Casper.” The Princess grasped his left hand, squeezing it so hard that Casper’s face turned pale. “Darius once told me that you’re very reliable, someone he can trust completely. I believe that’s true.”
“It is my great honor to have your trust, Your Highness…” But could you please let go of my hand! Casper hesitated to voice the second part of his thoughts. Before he could speak, the Princess called out loudly, “Leonard! Come out and explain the mission!”
The colonel resigned himself to the fact that the Princess wouldn’t release his hand until Leonard had finished explaining the mission.
……
Musaya walked down the stairs with a flashlight in hand. She tried to step lightly, but the old wooden stairs still creaked loudly. She immediately stopped, and the only sound she heard was the chirping of autumn insects from outside the window. Feeling relieved, she continued onward.
At the bottom of the stairs, she turned into a wide corridor that led to her father Duke Winnet’s study. For the past few days, the Duke had been working in the study, barely leaving it. Not only that, but men in military uniforms had been coming and going frequently. The entire household, from the servants to the young lady of the house, had been deeply uneasy because of this.
Father has started a war… Musaya thought. Online, everyone called him a traitor, a rebel, and a villain—a treacherous minister. Was he really so unforgivable?
She had heard that Alveira and Darius had personally led the army to “suppress the rebellion”. They had once been like siblings to Musaya, so why were they now facing each other on the battlefield? There were also rumors that her cousin Annot’s death was linked to her father… Was he truly so ruthless that he would harm his own nephew?
Musaya didn’t understand any of it. These complex political, military, and personal matters had always been handled by her father—she had been content to remain in her little world, living a happy life. Why did she have to get involved in all this? If her father had no ambition, and had lived a peaceful life like hers, wouldn’t that have been better?
Musaya hesitated in front of the study door, raising her hand several times to knock, only to lower it each time. These matters weren’t hers to deal with. She could have stayed in her room, never leaving, far away from all this trouble. But she couldn’t resist coming to the study. She wanted to know if the father, who had always been kind and loving, was truly the treacherous villain people claimed him to be.
Voices came from the study. It seemed her father was speaking with someone. Startled, Musaya quickly retreated to another corridor. She pressed herself against the wall, holding her breath, too afraid to look toward the study. It was strange—this was her home, yet she felt like a thief.
The study door creaked open.
“I’m counting on you for this mission. It must succeed,” her father’s voice said.
Two people walked out of the study and headed downstairs. Musaya peeked out from her hiding spot, quickly catching a glimpse. She recognized the backs of those two people: Emma and Garn. One was her maid, and the other was the butler, who had served her father for many years. Why were they here? Why were they having a secret meeting with her father so late at night? What mission had her father given them?
“Musaya, come out!”
The young lady jumped in fright, nearly screaming.
“What are you doing here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?”
Musaya tried to run, but Duke Winnet grabbed her.
“I… I was sleepwalking! I don’t know anything!” Musaya squatted on the floor, clutching her head.
“Sleepwalking, huh? And you remembered to bring this?” The Duke picked up the flashlight that had fallen to the ground, turning it on and shining it directly at Musaya, just like a police officer catching a fugitive in the night.
“I… I’m going back to bed…” Musaya whispered.
The Duke sighed and turned off the flashlight. Musaya, who had just adjusted to the light, was suddenly plunged back into darkness, unable to see anything.
“Tell me, daughter,” the Duke’s voice was full of resignation, “is there something you want to say to me?”
Musaya hugged her knees. “Dad, everyone’s saying you’re a traitor…”
“By their standards, I am indeed a traitor.”
“Why… Why are you doing this?” Musaya sniffled. “Isn’t Her Majesty the Queen your cousin? And Alveira, your niece? Why are you opposing them? I don’t understand!”
In the darkness, the Duke’s figure loomed like a tall statue. “A man’s ambitions are beyond your understanding, just as your mother never understood me.” He paused, then suddenly chuckled. “Well… let me put it this way: it’s like how you really want those figurines and dolls. Even though you wouldn’t die without them, and they can’t be eaten or drunk, you still want them. Everyone has something they deeply desire—something they live their whole life to pursue. And when they reach the end of that path, they realize there are no other roads to take, and they can’t turn back.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
The Duke bent down and ruffled Musaya’s hair. “Daughter, do you still have that pendant I gave you for your birthday?”
“Of course!” Musaya kept that pendant as a treasure, hiding it under her pillow.
“That’s not just a pendant—it contains a small transmitter. If one day—if—you find yourself in danger, and I can’t come to save you, break the pendant. The transmitter will immediately send out a signal, and someone will come to help you.”
Musaya’s mouth fell open in surprise. “Dad…”
“I hope that day never comes. After all, it’s a birthday gift, and it would be a shame to break it…” The Duke muttered to himself as he walked back to the study. Musaya heard his voice from the end of the corridor, like the wind whispering in a dream. “When I ascend the throne, you’ll be the Empire’s one and only Princess. Then, whatever you want, I’ll give it to you, even if it’s the entire galaxy—”
Musaya snatched the flashlight from the ground and, like a rabbit, leaped up and ran toward the study. But before she could reach the corridor, she heard the study door slam shut.
I don’t want to be a princess! She screamed in her mind, tears streaming down her face. I don’t want the galaxy! I just want to go back to Maple Pavilion! I just want you to be safe, Dad!
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