Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 54

The house’s furnishings hadn’t changed much since they left, but the air felt a bit stale, probably because no one had lived there for a while. Alois went around opening windows to let in some fresh air. Joshua yawned as he watched him busily rushing around. “I’m tired. I’ll go upstairs to rest.” The assassin was very aware of his status as a patient. Over the past few days, he had been well taken care of, with everything handed to him, and he wasn’t planning on helping now. He was, after all, a patient!

So he leisurely went upstairs to the bedroom, feeling satisfied as he saw the sunset from Milantu filling the room. He climbed into bed, took out the new communication terminal Leo had given him, and found a soft, soothing song, lazily waiting for Alois to call him for dinner.

Alois, in a flurry, had a household robot do a quick clean (thank God he finally learned to use the thing), and made a simple dinner (the assassin would probably be unhappy with the cabbage on his plate), then went upstairs to find Joshua.

He opened the door and was first struck by the brilliant light filling the room. Joshua lay on the bed, bathed in the gentle sunset, as if outlined in gold. Alois held his breath and walked forward quietly.

The new communication terminal lay on the bed, its screen showing “standby”. Joshua must have fallen asleep while playing with it. The medicine the doctor gave him had a side effect of drowsiness. He lay on his side, exposing a small section of his waist, silently tempting. Alois touched his waist, biting Joshua’s ear. “Hey, get up. It’s time to eat.”

Joshua’s eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings. He calmly pressed down on Alois’s mischievous hand, turned his head, and his black-gold eyes seemed to merge with the sunset. “I’d rather eat you.”

“…What?” Alois was stunned. His brain was like a crashed computer, unable to process the meaning of those words. “Uh, say that again?”

“Make love to me.”

Alois’s first reaction was, What is making love? His second reaction was, Is this for real? Did I hear wrong? His third reaction was to rocket onto the bed, straddling Joshua’s legs, eagerly kissing his lips. Thank God, Joshua finally figured it out! He was willing to go to bed with him!

The kiss deepened gradually. Alois savored the sweet taste of Joshua’s lips and tongue, several times almost biting his tongue in excitement. Joshua hugged his waist, his fingers slipping into the gaps of his clothes, kneading the skin there, and then unbuttoned his pants.

This proactive caress took Alois by surprise. “Why are you suddenly in the mood?”

“I feel like if I don’t make a move now, someone else might beat me to it.” Joshua removed Alois’s pants, pulling down his underwear as well, looking mischievously at the erection between his legs. “I’m a selfish person. I want everything about you to belong to me.” As he spoke, his hand slid down from the young man’s waist, reaching into the cleft of his ass.

Alois sensed something was wrong. “I say, Joshua.” He squirmed, trying to break free, but was held back by the assassin. “You’re not planning to top me, are you?”

Joshua’s actions paused, looking at him suspiciously, as if saying, “Isn’t that obvious?”

“But I want to be on top,” Alois said.

“No way.” Joshua let out a snort. “I won’t compromise on this.” He added with a glance, “Except for the riding position.”

“…” Alois remained silent, just glaring at him, waiting for the other to relent. To lie down and obediently be fucked? What a joke! He had dominated Hecate Prison in the past without meeting a worthy opponent. How could he possibly be the one on the bottom now!

In the end, Joshua relented. “Alright, if you don’t want to, I won’t force you.” He tidied his hair and collar, looking as if he hadn’t just made those declarations and was ready to go for a meal instead.

But Alois couldn’t easily ignore it. He was already aroused, and interrupting a man in the throes of passion was inhumane. He looked at the leisurely Joshua, his heart like a volcano erupting, torn between conflicting desires. Such a rare opportunity! Missing it might mean a lifetime of mutual masturbation.

“Wait!” He stopped the assassin. “Since, since you want to be on top, this time… just for now…” Before he could finish his sentence, Joshua had already pinned him down on the bed, his body sinking into the soft mattress, covered by the man’s frame. “You should have said so sooner.”

Joshua covered his lips, stealing his breath and heartbeat, while lifting the young man’s shirt to reveal a flat, taut abdomen, then a firm chest. As a pilot, Alois maintained an excellent physique, slender yet not too thin, his limbs flexible and full of vitality, attracting both men and women. This made Joshua a little jealous.

Alois cooperated by removing his shirt, now completely naked, while Joshua remained fully clothed, calm and collected, not at all looking like someone about to engage in a fierce battle. After the initial shyness, Alois began to use his skilled techniques to stimulate the assassin in return. He was always open in bed, able to enjoy himself even in front of prison guards, let alone being accustomed to exposing his body to Joshua’s gaze. He bent his knees, slowly rubbing against the assassin’s legs, feeling the hardness there. Joshua was clearly aroused too!

“Hey, have you ever topped someone before?” Alois asked with a teasing smile, pulling down Joshua’s pants. The erection sprang free, emanating an aggressive heat.

“Honestly, no.” Joshua leaned down to bite Alois’s pale nipple, eliciting a gasp. “But I borrowed quite a few ‘instructional videos’ from Leo… I’ll make you feel amazing.”

“Give it a try then!” Alois chuckled, unabashedly displaying his overflowing desire, spreading his legs wide. “Go get some lube.”

Joshua kissed the delicate skin on his inner thigh, leaving a few red bite marks as if marking his territory, then reluctantly got up, stripping off the last of his clothes and walking naked into the bathroom, returning with a bottle of shower gel. Caught off guard, they hadn’t prepared lube, so this would have to do. Thankfully, Alois wasn’t picky. He massaged his hard cock, watching with interest as Joshua poured the shower gel into his palm and spread it between his legs.

“So cold…”

A finger coated in shower gel probed into the small hole at the back. Alois gasped, the mix of slight discomfort and coolness acting like a potent aphrodisiac injected into his body. He panted, hooking Joshua’s neck for a kiss.

The assassin, who held a medical license, skillfully found the sensitive spot, his fingers moving freely inside thanks to the lubrication. The hot inner walls clung to his fingers, as if both rejecting and wantonly retaining the intruding guest. Soon, he added a second finger, meeting much more resistance this time.

“You’re so tight inside…” Joshua remarked.

Alois couldn’t respond. The pleasure from the two fingers repeatedly thrusting and pulling inside his small hole surged through his body like waves, only able to moan intermittently to convey how good it felt. “Mm… Faster…”

In response, Joshua added a third finger. The sensation of being completely filled stimulated his senses, every inch of skin screaming to be caressed. Joshua patiently expanded his narrow hole. Alois’s body was very sensitive, something Joshua had noticed during their previous “treatment”. Just playing with his back entrance could make him climax. How many more unknown lewd secrets did this sensitive body hide? The assassin couldn’t wait to explore them all personally.

The fingers opening up the tight hole kept pressing on the sensitive spot, bringing maddening stimulation. Clear fluid was secreted from the inner walls, mixed with the fingers’ movements, while the tip of Alois’s cock oozed precum, making the area between his legs wet. The fluid flowed over the untouched pink entrance, accompanied by loud squelching sounds, heating up Joshua’s desire.

Hold on… He told himself. It’s not the right time yet. Entering too soon could hurt Alois.

But Alois couldn’t wait any longer. “It’s… It’s enough…” he whimpered sweetly. “Enter me…”

“Not yet.”

Alois lacked the assassin’s patience. He propped up his upper body, moved away from Joshua’s fingers, and grabbed the other’s cock, guiding it into his hungry hole. The large head barely entered, stretching the entrance to its limit, unable to go further. The young man took a deep breath, trying to ease the penis in slowly, but this half-inserted state was intolerable for Joshua!

He was going crazy!

Feeling the warmth and wetness of the hole but unable to push deeper, he was losing his mind!

No longer caring if he might hurt Alois (this was all his fault, Joshua thought angrily), the assassin grabbed Alois’s waist and thrust in to the hilt!

“Ah!” Alois screamed in pain.

The mix of pain from being penetrated and the strange feeling of being filled instantly merged into an indescribable pleasure, rushing to his head. Alois lost consciousness for a few seconds, coming to only to find he had just climaxed… White fluid splattered on his abdomen, creating an obscene scene.

Joshua smiled smugly, relentlessly thrusting.

“Wait! Wait a moment… Slower…” Alois moaned intermittently, gripping the assassin’s shoulders, his nails digging into the skin. This small sting caused no pressure, and Joshua continued his deep thrusts, each time fully entering, then pulling out completely, domineeringly drawing out the mixture of lube and their fluids.

The pain gradually turned into an aphrodisiac. Alois matched Joshua’s movements, twisting his body, each thrust bringing fatal pleasure, each collision driving him crazy. His sensitive inner walls felt the friction and penetration of the other’s penis, causing his trembling body to become aroused again. Transparent liquid oozed for the tip of his erection.

The sound of bodies colliding, and unbearable moans mixed, echoing in the room.

Joshua rode in ecstasy. This unique feeling of dominance and unity made him lose control, only able to satisfy himself with increasingly rapid thrusts. He noticed Alois was hard again, still moving his hand. So, he pinned the young man’s hand down. “Don’t touch.”

“Joshua… let… let me…” The interrupted young man was furious.

“Don’t move. Just lie still.” Joshua kissed his chest, licking his nipple, circling the areola. “You can cum just from behind.”

“No… I want to…”

“Cum for me.”

Alois’s moans turned into cries. The pleasure was so intense it felt like torture. He wanted release quickly, his body restrained, penetrated, dominated, everything controlled by Joshua.

“Please… let me…”

Joshua spread his legs open, pressed them to his chest, and thrust fiercely. After dozens of thrusts, he pushed deep and released his seed inside Alois.

“Ah…” Alois cried out. It felt like lava had erupted inside him, scorching his intestines. He had never felt this way before, the intense stimulation sending him over the edge, calling Joshua’s name as he climaxed again.

“I… Fuck… You’re so intense…” Alois lay there weakly. Having been made to cum twice, he had no strength left. Joshua pulled out his softened cock, lay beside him, and hugged him.

“How does it feel?”

“…Hmph.” Alois turned his head, not giving a clear answer. But from his flushed ears, Joshua knew he had done a good job and had indeed made him feel great.

Actually, he also thought it was amazing. He had never known that having sex with a man could be so wonderful, like being instantly transported to heaven. The desire for more was frightening; he wanted to do it again but worried that Alois wouldn’t be able to take it. He got up to check the condition of the young man’s backside. The small hole was red and swollen from overuse, but not bleeding. The sight of white semen leaking from the not yet closed entrance was incredibly erotic.

Joshua swallowed hard and lay back down, warning himself not to think about making love again. “Does it feel uncomfortable with it inside you?” he asked. “Should I help you get it out?”

Alois shook his head. “No.”

“…Why not?”

His voice was softer. “As long as it’s yours, I want to keep it.”

Joshua suddenly wanted to crush the young man in his embrace. “We… won’t do it just once.” He chose his words carefully. “As long as you want it, I’ll give it to you as many times as you like.”

Alois’s face turned even redder.

“Joshua, I want to be with you forever…” He held Joshua’s hand, interlocking their fingers. “I love you.”

“Mm.” Joshua answered softly, “I love you too.”

Alois’s body stiffened. “You… Can you say it again?”

“Good words aren’t said twice.” The assassin turned over mischievously, his back facing him.

“Saying it again won’t kill you!” The young man continued to hold his hand, unwilling to give up.

“…Do it with me again, and I’ll say it.”

“You think I’m afraid of you?!” Alois pounced on him. “Bring it on!”

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 53

Joshua walked along a narrow tunnel, continuously heading deeper into the darkness.

The thick darkness wrapped around him like a tangible object, yet it wasn’t frightening. It felt like the darkness of a mother’s womb, bringing a sense of belonging, making one want to abandon everything and return to complete blackness.

Joshua kept moving forward.

A familiar figure appeared ahead.

Long silver hair draped over the shoulders, flowing white robes, a slender and lonely back.

“Kester…?”

The person ahead didn’t respond, as if he hadn’t heard Joshua’s voice at all, continuing to walk forward. Joshua hurried to catch up. Just as his fingers were about to touch Kester’s clothes, the man suddenly stopped, turning his head to gaze at the assassin with golden eyes.

“What are you doing here?”

Kester’s voice was exactly as he remembered, or perhaps it was just a forgotten memory?

“Go back.” Kester waved his hand irritably, as if shooing away a fly. “This isn’t the place for you.”

“I…”

One more step, and he could reach Kester, but Joshua’s feet seemed glued to the ground, unable to move. He struggled to move his legs, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t advance.

“Go back,” Kester repeated.

Joshua felt cold all over, as if he had just crawled out of an icy sea. Yet, his right palm was unusually warm, almost burning his skin, like boiling water flowing through his veins and nerves, pooling into a blazing fire in his chest.

“Kester…”

“Go back!”

Kester hated repeating himself three times. Joshua had picked up this habit from him. He knew it meant the young scientist was angry.

So, Joshua tried stepping back, and he could move again. At this moment, he vaguely remembered he had forgotten something important—someone important who was waiting for him on the other side of the tunnel. Yes, he had to go back and find him.

Kester squinted, seeming very satisfied with Joshua’s retreat. “Although you’ll come here eventually, it’s not your time yet.” With that, he turned away, his silver hair drawing a graceful arc in the air. He walked alone, like a solitary traveler, ending a long journey, finally returning home.

The white figure eventually disappeared into the dense darkness.

Joshua opened his eyes.

He saw an unfamiliar ceiling, white and obsessively clean. On closer inspection, the walls and floor were also white and spotless. White curtains filtered the morning light. The blanket covering him was also white, soft, and smelled of hospital disinfectant.

He tried to move, gradually regaining sensation in his body. A joyful voice came from beside him. “You’re awake?”

Alois was sitting by the bed. Seeing Joshua open his eyes, he immediately leaned in.

“Where are we? On the Lady of the Night? Milantu?”

“We’re in Milantu,” the young man replied. “In a Milantu hospital.”

…So, they had returned.

Joshua turned his stiff neck, noticing his right hand was tightly held by Alois, who hadn’t let go, perhaps never had.

Noticing Joshua’s questioning look, Alois coughed awkwardly. “Well… You were unconscious for almost three days. The doctor said to call him when you woke up.” He let go of Joshua’s hand and stood up, but Joshua grabbed his arm, making him sit back down.

“The doctor will do his rounds soon. A moment won’t make a difference.”

“Do you… need anything else? Want some water? Need your pillow adjusted?”

Joshua couldn’t hide his amusement. “I don’t need anything, except for you to stay with me.”

Alois blushed, stammering as he tried to change the subject to ease his nerves. “Uh, after we escaped in the fighter, the captain picked us up. She’s amazing. The Empire pilots were no match for her…” He paused, becoming incoherent. “Leo was so worried about you. He almost cried. I thought AIs couldn’t cry. And, and, Titia said when you’re better, she’ll invite us to her place for a meal. And, um…”

Noticing his hesitation, Joshua asked, “What’s wrong?”

Alois pouted. “Who’s Kester?”

“…What?”

“You kept calling his name while you were unconscious.”

Joshua nearly burst out laughing! But laughing would pull at his stomach wound, making him wince in pain.

“Oh, are you jealous? Because I didn’t call your name?”

“I… I’m not jealous.” Alois stared at the floor, feeling guilty.

“I’m sorry.” Joshua squeezed his hand. “Next time, I’ll only call your name.”

Alois fidgeted, “No next time!” he suddenly exclaimed. “Never again! I don’t want to see you hurt anymore!”

Joshua was taken aback.

“Do you know how it hurt me to see you injured?” Alois’s eyes reddened. “I’d rather be hurt myself than see you like that.”

Joshua paused.

“And what about you?” Joshua retorted, “Why did you let that bastard Gauss do that to you? Do you know how it pained me?”

“I did it to protect you! Should I have just watched him kill you?”

“I don’t need your protection!”

Alois widened his eyes, falling silent.

Realizing his hurtful words, Joshua quickly propped himself up and hugged Alois, nuzzling his cheek. “I’m sorry,” the assassin murmured. “That’s not what I meant. I just…” His thoughts raced, searching for the right words to comfort the young man. Damn it, he knew a thousand ways to kill, but comforting someone was beyond him. He just held Alois tighter, hoping his actions would convey his feelings. “I… I don’t want you to get hurt protecting me. You should know, in my heart…” He took a deep breath. “In my heart, you’re more important than anything. More important than my own life.”

Alois still didn’t respond. After a while, Joshua felt hands on his back.

A faint voice came from his embrace. “…Me too.”

When the Milantu hospital surgeon stepped into Joshua Planck’s room, he saw the patient and his companion locked in a tight, tender embrace. Usually professional and single to this day, the doctor couldn’t help but exclaim, “Public indecency! This is disgraceful! This is a hospital, not your home! Get out! Get out now!”

“Joshua’s not fully recovered yet. How can he leave?”

“Then the moment he recovers, discharge immediately! I never want to see you again!”

So, as soon as Joshua was well enough, the doctor kicked him out of the hospital. Alois borrowed a maglev car from Ibb to take him home.

“Celia said she’s throwing a party tomorrow night to celebrate your discharge.” Alois was practically drooling at the thought of Celia from the Lady of the Night cooking herself.

“Hopefully it won’t turn into a drunken revelry like last time,” Joshua said. “Besides, the doctor said I can’t drink yet.”

Alois, who was driving, turned his head. “I’ll make sure you don’t touch a drop.”

A few minutes later, the maglev car stopped at their door. “We’re here.” Alois got out, opened the door for Joshua, and slightly bowed, making an inviting gesture. “Welcome home.”

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 52

On the “Sword of the Queen”, two daring prisoners were holding Colonel Gilbert Gauss hostage. Surrounded by officers and soldiers, they slowly moved towards the hangar. It was less of a siege and more like a guarded escort. No one dared to act rashly, fearing they might harm Colonel Gauss, who was not to be treated lightly. His subordinates followed, furious and self-reproaching for leaving that lust-driven fool alone with two dangerous pirates. It was truly careless!

Joshua covered his wound with one hand and the other, holding a gun to the hostage’s head, while Alois gripped Gauss’s broken arm to prevent escape.

The situation had completely reversed. When it came to using a hostage’s safety as leverage, no one could surpass pirates. So, they encountered no real obstacles. Even the meaningless threats like “You’re surrounded. Drop your weapons and surrender” were countered by Alois’s “Open the hangar doors, or we kill the hostage.”

The hangar was neatly organized, with aircraft sorted by model, size, and purpose. Alois glanced around, slightly regretting Doro’s self-destruction. But his sharp eyes spotted a Godot II in the corner. As long as it had enough power, this fighter could outrun anyone except a beam cannon.

“Bring out that Godot II,” Alois ordered the nearby maintenance worker, nodding towards the aircraft.

“I… I don’t have the authority…” The innocent maintenance worker took a step back, shoulders hunched.

“Who has the authority?”

“I do!”

Leonard’s voice echoed in the hangar.

Everyone was shocked!

“What’s going on?” “Who’s speaking? That’s not the ship’s AI!” “Has the ship’s system been hacked?” “What are the programmers doing? Is our firewall that weak?”

Under the maintenance workers’ stunned gazes, the Godot II named by Alois slid out from the corner and moved perfectly onto the catapult.

Alois and Joshua, holding Colonel Gauss hostage, approached the launch pad. Joshua let out a faint hum, twisting his lips into a pale smile. ‘Well done, Leonard,’ he thought. ‘Truly the best and most outstanding AI in the galaxy.’

Leonard seemed to hear his silent praise. “Mr. Lagrange and Mr. Planck, please board the aircraft. Everyone else, back off, or I might make an accidental, irreversible mistake.”

The fighter’s hatch opened, revealing the cockpit. Joshua quickly glanced inside and said to Alois, “You go in first.”

The young man nodded. He released the colonel’s broken arm and jumped into the cockpit.

The assassin continued to point his gun at the colonel, facing off against the surrounding soldiers. No one dared to shoot. The tension was palpable.

Joshua maintained his somewhat bleak yet elegant smile, leaning close to the colonel’s ear and whispered, “Remember my name. I am the assassin, the Mourner, Joshua Planck.”

He gave a sharp push, making Colonel Gauss stumble a few steps. His broken arms flailed like a puppet’s, unable to maintain balance, and he fell heavily to the ground.

Joshua pulled the trigger, a laser beam precisely hitting between the colonel’s legs. Gauss screamed like a pig being slaughtered, writhing on the ground like a stranded fish.

“Farewell. If we meet again, it will be to mourn your death.”

Then, Joshua turned and jumped into the cockpit.

The hatch closed, the catapult track was ready, energy surged into the launch slot, and the powerful thrust shot the fighter into space.

Leonard withdrew from the “Sword of the Queen” system, returning control to the ship’s AI, which was still confused about what had just happened.

“The prisoners… escaped!”

Someone shouted in the hangar. It was like a pebble dropped into a calm pond, immediately causing ripples. Everyone snapped out of it, realizing they had to do something to mitigate the loss.

“Call a doctor! Colonel Gauss is injured!”

“Deploy fighters! Immediately deploy fighters! We must catch them!”

“Who will report to the Major General?”

“Stop them at all costs!”

Alois piloted the fighter, flying like an arrow, skimming past the fleet’s ships, and heading into the depths of the stars.

“Alois, can you hear me?” Leo’s voice came through the speaker.

“Yes, loud and clear.”

“Fly in the direction I indicate. Someone will pick you up.”

A green arrow blinked on the radar, pointing the way. It was a typical Leo touch.

“Got it.” Alois adjusted the course and then sighed in relief. They had finally escaped that hellish place. The dull pain in his mouth from Gilbert Gauss’s assault still lingered, and the nauseating feeling wouldn’t go away anytime soon. He couldn’t understand why Joshua didn’t kill that pervert.

“Joshua?”

The assassin had been silent since boarding the fighter, leaning against the pilot’s seat, clutching his wound, breathing lightly. Alois glanced at him worriedly. Joshua was frowning, eyes closed, cold sweat trickling down his pale face, looking like a ghost in the dark cockpit.

“Joshua… are you okay?”

The assassin nodded. “Yeah.”

He looked awful. From the moment he ambushed Gilbert Gauss, he had been pushing his limits. After the burst of energy, the fatigue hit him hard. Joshua could barely hold on.

Alois risked letting go of the controls, pulling Joshua onto his lap. This hindered the operation but made Joshua more comfortable.

The assassin was too weak to protest. He pressed one hand against his wound, trying in vain to stop the bleeding, while the other hand wrapped around Alois’s shoulder, leaning against him.

“Hold on a bit longer, Joshua,” Alois said. “We’re almost home.”

Joshua lowered his head, silver hair covering his face. “Okay.”

Just then, three red dots, representing enemies, appeared on the radar. The ship must have received orders, immediately dispatching fighters to intercept them.

“Hang on!”

The fighter drew an arc, desperately trying to break free, but the Empire pilots were relentless, sticking close.

What a hassle!

Alois wanted to fire missiles but found this fighter wasn’t equipped with weapons. All energy was concentrated on the engines, with no capacity for beam cannons. The enemies, however, were fully armed, launching missiles and beams, aiming to destroy the Godot II.

“Leonard! Requesting support!”

A bright, silver positron beam answered him! Like lightning from the gods, it struck an Empire fighter, vaporizing its hull instantly, followed by an explosion that lit up the dark space.

In that brief flash, a silver Bard came into Alois’s view, elegantly slicing through the Empire formation with unimaginable agility. Moments later, it exited the explosion, leaving behind cooling debris.

Alois knew only one person with such divine piloting skills.

“Captain!” His eyes were almost teary.

“Yeah, yeah, I hear you.” Joanna’s voice came through the encrypted channel. “Am I late?”

“Just in time, Captain!”

“I’ll handle this. Follow Leonard’s direction. The Lady of the Night is waiting for you!”

“Yes!”

For some Empire soldiers, this was their first time seeing the pirate Joanna in action; for others, it would be their last.

For Major General Darius Bayes, it was a long-awaited encounter. The holographic display showed the Bard obliterating Empire fighters one-sidedly. Massive data flooded the bridge, awaiting the commander’s decision.

John Leibniz stood behind the Major General, trembling like a startled bird, afraid to make a sound lest he anger the Major General. The other officers on the bridge shared his sentiment.

The Major General stared at the holographic display with an inscrutable expression.

Another fighter was shot down. Leibniz thought the Major General would explode in anger, but he merely sighed, raising his hand to turn off the display. “Don’t engage with Joanna Begrel. Retreat as far as possible. A protective mad bitch protecting her cubs bites very hard.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is Colonel Gauss still alive?”

Leibniz shuddered. “Y-Yes.” The doctor reported that while he wasn’t in any life-threatening condition, future reproductive capabilities might be compromised (though from some perspectives, this might be a good thing).

“If he’s alive, he must face the consequences of his mistakes.” The Major General’s tone was almost courteous. “Thanks to that fool, I’ll not only return to the capital without a victory but also have to apologize to Her Majesty.”

Too bad he couldn’t bring his senior back to the capital. For Darius, this was the greatest regret of the trip.

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 51

“You’re quite bold, daring to escape without considering whose territory this is.” With a cold smile, he walked up to Joshua and kicked his stomach wound, eliciting a groan from the assassin. Alois glared at him with a murderous gaze, as if trying to burn a hole through him.

The colonel turned to Alois. “A loser still dares to look at people like that? Hmm?” He kicked Joshua again. “The once-arrogant assassin, the Mourner, and the legendary top student of the Empire Military Academy, are nothing more than this!”

The colonel’s subordinates drove away the original guards, closed the door, and took up the task of guarding themselves. Alois had seen this kind of scene many times in prison: powerful and influential prisoners bringing their lackeys, bribing the guards, and cornering someone they disliked in the laundry room, bathhouse, or other places, staging a bloody action movie. As long as no one died, the guards would turn a blind eye, sometimes even watching like excited spectators with popcorn.

It seemed Empire soldiers were no different from prison criminals.

Gauss grabbed Joshua’s hair, pulling him up to savor his painful expression. The assassin frowned, his pale face covered in sweat, but his narrowed eyes still shone with gold, glaring at the colonel defiantly.

Nice eyes. The colonel licked his lips. He always liked fiery men and women in bed—the more stubborn, the better to satisfy his desire for conquest. The Mourner suited his taste perfectly, not only for his striking appearance but also for that unyielding gaze that aroused a strong urge to trample and abuse him. The more beautiful something was, the more one wanted to destroy it. Gauss understood this principle.

Besides, he had a bit of a vengeful streak. The shame of his flagship sinking and the humiliation from Darius Bayes made him unable to lift his head among his peers. He urgently needed an outlet, and who better to vent his anger on than a pirate war prisoner?

Gauss maliciously lifted Joshua’s chin. “You’re so pretty. It’d be a waste not to play with you…”

His words were cut short. “Bastard!” Alois shouted. “Take your hands off him!”

Gauss immediately found the situation more interesting. The academy’s top student seemed more anxious than the Mourner. He struggled desperately, looking like he wanted to fight Gauss to the death. If his hand hadn’t been cuffed to the wall, he would’ve pounced long ago. If he could choose to cut off a hand to gain freedom, he’d gladly offer it.

‘So, they are “that kind” of relationship,’ Gauss thought. ‘No wonder they tried to escape together. Does Bayes know about this? Why doesn’t he switch his career to running a matchmaking agency?’

“Damn it! If you touch Joshua again, I’ll kill you!”

Gauss tilted his head. “You can try.” He yanked Joshua’s hair, forcing him to look up, then licked the assassin’s Adam’s apple while staring at the furious Alois.

“Bastard!” The young man struggled violently. Gauss suspected his wrist might actually break. But it didn’t matter. The colonel had a gun and several loyal subordinates watching. The young man, unarmed, couldn’t cause much trouble.

Gauss pressed Joshua to the ground, tearing open his clothes. Starting from the collar, his fair skin was exposed to the air. Gauss eagerly ran his hand over the skin, feeling its smoothness like fine porcelain. He continued downward, ripping the blood-stained shirt entirely. As the fabric, stuck to congealed blood, tore open, the wounds beneath began to bleed again. Predictably, this elicited a suppressed gasp of pain from the assassin. Gauss felt even more excited. He inserted his fingers into the bloody bullet hole, twisting them as if expanding a partner’s lower body.

Joshua turned his head, silver hair covering his face, hiding his expression from Gauss. But his body’s convulsions and heavy breathing clearly expressed his pain.

“Stop!” Alois yelled hoarsely, almost in tears. “Don’t… Don’t do that to him… He’ll die!”

Hearing this, Gauss paused. He had a point. Although the assassin’s wounds weren’t fatal, he wasn’t unharmed either. Playing too roughly might indeed result in his death. Major Bayes had ordered to keep him alive, which meant he could play with him as long as he didn’t kill him. But Gauss had little confidence in his self-control in bed. If he accidentally killed the assassin, Bayes might use it to suppress him. Besides, considering the Mourner’s influence among the populace, the colonel didn’t want to receive death threats from grieving female fans in the future.

Alois bit his lip. “If… If you just want someone to play with, take me… Please, don’t hurt Joshua…”

“You?” Gauss withdrew his fingers, bringing out some small pieces of flesh. He smeared the blood on Joshua’s chest like a painter carelessly applying paint. Although Alois Lagrange wasn’t as beautiful as the Mourner, he was still handsome, probably a school heartthrob back in the day. Most importantly, his tough personality made the contrast between his current reluctant expression and his eventual cries of pleasure even more appealing.

“You, huh…” The colonel looked at the half-dead Joshua on the ground and then at the young man chained to the wall. The latter was clearly more attractive. He didn’t want to realize halfway through that he was raping a corpse. So he decisively walked to the young man, gripping his chin. “Since you’re begging for it, I’ll reluctantly satisfy you.” Protecting your little lover even at the cost of being fucked yourself? Let’s see how much you can take!

Gauss unbuckled his pants, pulling out his already hard penis and rubbing it against the young man’s face. “Open your mouth and suck it, baby.”

Alois turned his face away, looking like he was about to cry. “Send your men out,” he said.

“What? Shy?” Gauss slapped the young man’s cheek with his dick. “Don’t worry, they’ll keep quiet.”

“Send them out!” Alois’s lips trembled as he added softly, “Please…”

Such submission greatly satisfied Gauss’s ego. Although having his men present prevented the two prisoners from doing anything rash, they were both incapacitated: one seriously injured, the other securely chained, unable to resist. Besides, the colonel had a gun to protect himself and had no particular fetish for performing his sexual prowess publicly. So he turned to his subordinates, watching at the door. “All of you, get out.”

Grumbling in disappointment, the subordinates left one by one. The door closed, leaving only the three of them.

“Is this okay now?” Without waiting for a response, Gauss shoved his cock into the young man’s mouth, holding his head and starting to thrust. The warmth of the mouth brought him supreme pleasure, making him sigh with satisfaction as he quickened his pace. Alois narrowed his eyes, staring blankly behind him, probably looking at the Mourner. Gauss couldn’t tell anymore.

Transparent saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth, adding a touch of lewdness. Gauss was close to climax. He grabbed the young man’s hair, thrusting rapidly.

Then, a sharp pain shot from the back of his head. The world turned upside down, and Gauss realized he had been knocked to the ground.

Joshua, somehow, had silently moved behind him. After knocking Gauss down, he swiftly twisted his hands, breaking them, then kicked his crotch several times.

“Ahhhhh!” Gauss screamed.

Joshua found a laser gun on the screaming colonel, disengaged the safety, and pulled the trigger!

The laser beam narrowly missed Gauss’s ear, hitting the floor beside him.

“Shut up,” the assassin coldly commanded.

Gone was his previous weakness. Despite his bleeding wounds, it only added to his eerie and cruel aura, making him as imposing as Death.

Gauss obediently shut his mouth.

The Mourner fired several shots at Alois’s handcuffs, freeing the chained youth, then approached and kissed his lips.

“Are you okay?”

Alois nodded.

Joshua kissed him again. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Then he turned the dark muzzle toward the helpless Colonel Gauss. “Stand up. You’re temporarily our hostage, you useless pervert.”

---

Kinky Thoughts:

Not to excuse the writing or anything but keep in mind this novel is from 2010’s where tropes like these were rampant and pretty popular.

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 50

Major General Darius Bayes was sitting in the communication room. An urgent message from the Empire Capital pulled the busy general out of a meeting and into the comms chair.

With his hands clasped on his knees, Bayes appeared calm, but his mind was in turmoil. Prince Annot had sent him a message! They hadn’t spoken for months, let alone seen each other in person.

“You look well, Darius.” The prince’s gentle voice traveled across millions of light-years, reaching Bayes through the quantum device.

“Thanks to you,” Bayes replied, his face tense.

Prince Annot showed a teasing smile. “It’s been so long since we last met, and now you’re being all formal with me?”

“I… I’m fine,” Bayes said softly.

“I heard you personally led a team to infiltrate the space pirates’ base?” the prince asked. “That was very risky… Are you hurt?”

Bayes nodded, feeling a warm sensation. Annot’s first concern was for his well-being! He cared so much about whether he was injured! This almost made Bayes jump with excitement, but his self-control kept his expression composed.

“Many people were sacrificed.” Bayes tried to keep his tone even. “The fleet also suffered some losses. But I’m not hurt.”

“I’m glad you’re okay.”

Bayes gripped the armrest of his chair tightly, channeling his excitement into the armrest. “By the way, do you remember Alois Lagrange?”

The prince thought for a moment. “How could I forget? He was your senior at school, right?” Then his expression darkened. “It’s my fault. If I hadn’t sent him to protect Leia…”

Damn! Why bring this up? Annot must be thinking of his little lover again! He looks like he’s about to cry! Bayes cursed himself silently. Why did you have to mention it?

He quickly changed the topic. “Well… Lagrange escaped from prison, joined the pirates, and now I’ve captured him. He’s on the ship.”

“Is that so?” The prince seemed to recover a bit from his gloom. “It would be nice to see him. Alveira mentioned him to me a few days ago…” He looked up, falling silent for a few seconds. “Darius, how long until you return to the capital?”

“If the journey is smooth, about two weeks.” Bayes sensed the prince had more to say. “Did something happen?”

The prince sighed. “It’s nothing much… Recently, a new weapons factory was completed in Leyting. A royal member is supposed to inspect it. Alveira was planning to go, but Duke Winnet insists on ‘escorting’ her. I’m worried he might harm her. If you could return to the capital sooner…”

Bayes’ face turned grim. “I’ll get back as soon as possible.” Alveira was the Empire’s princess and Annot’s sister. Bayes always regarded her as his own sister and couldn’t let that old fox Winnet near her!

The comms room door buzzed open, and Leibniz’s voice called out, “Report!”

Bayes turned. “Can’t it wait?” He rarely got to see Annot and hated being interrupted.

The prince didn’t understand his feelings. “Is there work, Darius?”

“It’s fine…”

“I must be interrupting you. You’re so busy…” The prince lowered his head. “Let’s leave it here for today. Superluminal communication fees are expensive. Don’t waste the budget on this.” Then he gave a faint smile, like morning mist. “Next time we meet will be in the capital.”

Bayes wanted to keep him but couldn’t refuse the prince’s kind gesture. “We’ll… We’ll meet in the capital then.” He reluctantly turned off the communication.

The holographic screen dimmed.

The Major General stood up.

“What happened?” he asked without looking back.

“Two prisoners of war tried to escape, but our officers and soldiers subdued them!”

“Why report it if it’s settled?”

Leibniz shivered. “The… the casualties…”

“Casualties? Two prisoners caused casualties?” Bayes’s voice was filled with anger. “Write a report and give it to me tomorrow!”

“Yes, sir!” The adjutant saluted nervously, eager to leave the angry major general.

“Wait!” Bayes stopped him. “Are the prisoners injured?”

“Joshua Planck is injured, but his life isn’t in danger. Alois Lagrange is unharmed.”

Bayes waved his hand. “Nothing more to say. Dismissed.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Get in there!”

The fully armed soldiers threw Joshua into the room without mercy. After all, who could be gentle with someone who cold-bloodedly killed their comrades? Joshua curled up on the ground, his freshly bandaged wound reopening. The soldiers didn’t seem inclined to call a doctor. An officer checked his wound coldly, muttering “won’t die”, and left.

They treated Alois with more courtesy, though still coldly. They didn’t throw him and just handcuffed one of his hands to the wall and confiscated his communication terminal to prevent any tricks (the other terminal robot had been blasted into cosmic dust by the mech unit’s electromagnetic cannon after wreaking havoc on the ship’s circuits).

“Get a doctor, you bastards!” Alois yelled at the guards, who ignored him. Joshua lay silently in the corner, so quiet he seemed like a corpse, save for the rise and fall of his chest and the occasional twitch of his arm from the pain.

He didn’t make a sound despite the pain, but Alois felt heartbroken, wishing he was the one injured. He would rather endure a thousand times the pain than see Joshua hurt.

The door to the room rose, and an officer led several armed subordinates inside. Alois thought they finally had the decency to get a doctor, but his face twisted in disgust when he saw who it was.

Colonel Gilbert Gauss, the one responsible for capturing him and Joshua. Alois had heard of him before. The gossip-loving maids in the palace often talked about the promiscuous prince and his countless illegitimate children. Gilbert Goss was one of the more successful ones. His mother was the daughter of a wealthy nobleman and was proud of this royal-blooded illegitimate child (a notion Alois found baffling). She sent him to military school, and the prince supported him, securing a good position for him in the army. Influenced by the prince, Alois had no fondness for the prince and often thought maliciously, ‘Thank goodness Gauss didn’t attend the Empire Military Academy, or he would have used his connections to deal with this bastard.’

However, now it seemed Colonel Gauss was more inclined to deal with the two prisoners in front of him.

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 49

Colonel Gilbert Gauss answered the communication terminal. “Notify all units.” The voice of the ship’s AI from the terminal came from the terminal. “POWs Planck and Lagrange have escaped and are currently heading down the thirty-second corridor towards the fourth bay. Combat personnel in corridors thirty-one and twenty-nine. Proceed to intercept immediately. Capture them alive. I repeat, capture them alive!”

“Roger that.” Colonel Gauss turned off the communication and gestured to a few of his subordinates. “Let’s go play cat and mouse. Capture those two and bring them to Bayes so we can laugh at him!”

The subordinates exchanged knowing smiles. They were all close confidants of Gilbert Gauss, with a few even being sent by a high-ranking figure to protect the Colonel. They would never let Major General Darius Bayes know about the conversation they just had.

“Where are we going?!”

Joshua pulled Alois as they sprinted down the narrow corridor, with the terminal robot transformed into a small car leading the way.

“To the ship’s hangar,” Joshua said. “We can steal a shuttle and escape.”

Alois genuinely felt that using “steal” to describe their actions was inappropriate; “seize” was more fitting. They were making too much noise. The assassin seemed to have no concept of “stealth” and wanted the whole ship to know they were escaping. Earlier, they encountered a passing squad of soldiers, and Joshua killed them before they could react.

The little robot seemed to intentionally choose paths, avoiding people, and they passed through several gates without encountering any enemies. Occasionally, they could hear loud shouts and hurried footsteps, but they managed to avoid them skillfully.

Turning corner after corner, passing through corridor after corridor, the destination seemed close at hand, yet forever out of reach.

Alois thought of their escape from Hecate. Joshua had also held his hand tightly back then. Whether then or now, the warmth of the palm and the strength of the grip hadn’t changed. It seemed they had always been on the run, escaping from one place to another.

However, even if it were forever like this, the two of them always on the run didn’t seem so bad… Alois tightened his grip on Joshua’s hand. The assassin glanced back at him, and he returned a comforting smile.

Alarms echoed through the corridor, and Alois guessed it was probably sounded specifically for them. Ahead, a gate crashed down, blocking their way.

The little robot bravely took the lead, sliding to the gate. It transformed into a mechanical spider and climbed onto the smart lock, removed the casing, and inserted its electrodes to start decoding.

“Can’t we take another route?” Alois asked, not sure if he was asking Joshua or the busy little robot.

“Apparently not.” The assassin leaned against the gate, gun aimed at the other end of the corridor, ready for any attack. Alois followed suit, only to receive a scornful look.

“Step aside,” Joshua said sternly. “Don’t get in my way.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Alois protested. “I’ve practiced! I’m not worse than you!”

The assassin’s expression was full of distrust.

“There they are!” A shout came from the end of the corridor. “It’s the two escaped prisoners!”

“Capture them! Don’t let them escape!”

Joshua didn’t hesitate and pulled the trigger. The first soldier to enter the corridor fell to the laser beam. The others, realizing the danger, retreated to another corridor.

“Enemy firepower is strong! Deploy armed mechs!”

“Armed mechs ready!”

“Non-mech personnel, retreat immediately! Clear the path! Ammo loaded! Prepare to fire!”

Alois grabbed Joshua’s sleeve. “Damn, they’re deploying the mechs. Don’t engage. Even if you had nine lives, you wouldn’t stand a chance against armed mechs.”

The assassin clicked his tongue and glanced at the busy little robot, urging it to unlock the gate faster. The little robot buzzed and sped up under its owner’s black-gold eyes.

The huge silhouette of the armed mech appeared at the other end of the corridor. Its helmeted head nearly touched the ceiling. One thick mechanical arm had a sharp blade and the other a dark cannon. Alois knew that the Empire Army only deployed armed mechs when an enemy breached the ship or during ground combat. It seemed they had really pissed off Bayes this time.

“Chirp!” The little robot withdrew its electrodes and lightly landed on the ground. The gate slowly rose.

“Let’s go!” Joshua grabbed Alois and rushed through the gate. They ran a few steps before stopping abruptly. Alois, unable to stop in time, bumped into Joshua’s back.

“What’s wrong?” He rubbed his forehead.

Looking over Joshua’s shoulder, he saw Colonel Gilbert Gauss, flanked by six of his subordinates, blocking their way.

“Running away?” the Colonel said with a smug smile. “Let’s see where you can run now!”

Alois stepped back, feeling something hard under his foot. He looked down and saw the poor little robot.

“Chirp!” The robot’s eyes flashed as it transformed into a spider and swiftly crawled back to the other side of the gate, heading for the smart lock, tilting its head, and extending a claw to cut the corridor’s lighting circuit.

Suddenly, everything plunged into darkness. Alois couldn’t react, relying on the last image in his mind to blindly move forward, hoping to find Joshua. As soon as his fingers touched Joshua’s collar, he was grabbed.

“This way!”

Someone pulled him into a run!

“Watch out! They’re escaping!”

“Backup power? Turn on the backup power!”

“The circuit is damaged!”

“Stop them! Quick!”

Alois couldn’t see anything, stumbling forward, nearly falling several times, but was caught each time just in time. His ears were filled with chaotic voices and the buzzing noise of the armed mechs, along with his own heavy breathing and racing heart. Bright laser beams pierced the darkness, weaving a web of blinding light. In those brief moments of illumination, Alois saw who was leading him—Joshua. His slender back seemed more reliable than anyone else.

The voices gradually faded. The laser beams no longer sporadically flashed overhead. The overhead lights flickered a few times and then came back on. It seemed the Empire Army was quite efficient at repairing circuits.

Rounding a corridor, Joshua slowed his pace. He roughly pushed Alois aside, leaned against the metal wall, and slowly slid to the ground.

Alois bent over, pressing his knees, struggling to catch his breath. After finally taking a deep breath, he wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Joshua?”

The assassin hung his head, saying nothing.

“Are you… are you hurt?”

Joshua clutched his abdomen. Dark red blood soaked a large part of his clothes, still seeping through his fingers, contrasting sharply with his pale skin, creating a brutal yet strikingly beautiful scene.

“Empire armed mechs are damn advanced,” the assassin said in a low voice. “They even come with infrared sensors.”

“Don’t talk!” Alois knelt before him, touching his bloody fingers. “We need… need to treat the wound first…”

Joshua suddenly lifted his head. “Move!” He grabbed his gun, jumped up, and aimed down the corridor.

An armed mech was lumbering towards them. Then a second, and a third. “If you know about infrared sensors, you should also know we have thermal trackers, right?”

The first mech’s pilot spoke through an external speaker. “Damaging the lighting system was a tragic mistake, Mourner. I’d love to kill you, but orders are to capture you alive.”

Leo had warned that the terminal robot’s AI was very low. It turned out to be true.

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 48

Alois climbed back into bed, his head pounding. Bayes’s words kept echoing in his mind. One was “The assassin Mourner is also on the ship, right next to you,” and the other was “If you are willing to surrender together, I welcome it.” Damn it, who wants to surrender? Especially to bow down to this little brat!

Alois still remembered the first time he met Bayes during the mandatory wilderness survival training in military school. Generally, a senior student would lead a junior group, and several groups would compete in a remote mountain in the Empire Capital. Unfortunately, Alois became Bayes’s team leader and had to endure his sarcastic remarks and arrogance (not only foolish but also self-righteous) while helping their team achieve victory during the week-long training. More than once, Alois wanted to push Bayes off a cliff and make it look like an accident, but in the end, the good side of humanity won over the dark side, preventing him from committing such a heinous act. In hindsight, this seemed like a cruel mistake.

Although he admitted Bayes’s proposal was tempting and made him waver a little, it only stopped at “wavering”. Now, he really liked Joanna’s pirate crew. It was noisy but never annoying, free and unrestrained, much better than life at Hecate or in the palace. He was content with the status quo and didn’t want to change for now. If there was a chance in the future, he would personally avenge himself on Duke Winnet, making him kneel and repent for his sins. But that was for the future. No need to consider it now…

Clang!

The cover of the ventilation duct fell onto the metal floor with a loud noise. Alois jumped up from the bed, grabbed a pillow to defend himself, but saw a small robot with four legs fall out of the vent, lying on its back and spinning helplessly, trying to get up but ultimately failing. It made a “chirp” sound, seemingly expressing anger, then retracted its legs, becoming a metal cube, and extended two wheels from the bottom, sliding toward Alois in an S-shape.

Sliding to his feet, the robot chirped again, and a small holographic projector emerged from its top, displaying a message. “Open the door with your communication terminal at 3:40 sharp, defeat the guards, and meet me.”

Alois was stunned. He fished out his terminal from his pocket. His terminal wasn’t confiscated when he was captured, which was an unspoken rule in the Empire Army. After all, some people used implanted terminals, and confiscating them would mean cutting off a part of the body. Moreover, terminals were important entertainment tools besides communication, and they couldn’t deprive prisoners of this little joy. Although the room had a jammer preventing outside contact, who could stop a transforming terminal robot from crawling through the vents to deliver messages?

“Oh, Leo, you’re so great. Thank technology for benefiting humanity!” Alois placed the terminal flat on the bed and knocked on its cover with his knuckle. The terminal unfolded like a Rubik’s cube, then contracted into a four-legged robot with a silly expression. It jumped off the bed, greeted its brother, who slid back to the vent, transformed into a spider shape, and crawled into the duct.

Alois hurriedly straightened his clothes and finger-combed his hair. God, Joshua was right next door, and he didn’t want to look like he had just been in a fight when they met.

“What time is it now?” he asked, looking down.

The small robot projected a string of numbers above its head—3:32:14.

Eight minutes left.

Just thinking about meeting Joshua made Alois’s heart race like a lovesick girl. Although they had been apart for only a short time, it felt like years. Why was Joshua brought to the ship by Bayes? Captured? Was there anyone else? Did this mean Joanna was defeated?

These questions plagued Alois, making him restless like a caged beast. Time flew by, and the small robot ran to the door on time, using its thin mechanical arms to dismantle the smart lock on the door. Alois pressed against the wall, calming his breath.

Click, the smart lock disengaged, and the small robot rolled aside, shrinking into a small cube, trying to be inconspicuous.

“What’s going on?” The two armed soldiers at the door looked at each other in confusion. “Is there a problem with the door? Why did it open by itself?”

“I don’t know. Let’s go in and check to prevent the prisoner from escaping!”

One soldier peeked in, and Alois grabbed his hair, roughly dragging him into the cabin, then struck his head hard, knocking him down. The other soldier realized something was wrong and immediately raised his laser rifle. But out of nowhere, a strange robot jumped and clung to the gun barrel like a monkey, emitting a powerful electric shock. The soldier immediately dropped the gun. A small explosion followed, indicating the energy cartridge was destroyed.

“Someone is escaping!” The soldier shouted, hoping to alert nearby comrades. He drew his pistol, but before he could pull the trigger, a hand from behind choked his neck. Alois snatched the pistol, then a crack was heard as the soldier’s neck was broken. His head hung limply like a snapped flower stem. He was gently laid on the ground without making a sound.

“Joshua!” Alois dropped the pistol and hugged the intervening Mourner tightly. With arms around his shoulders, he eagerly kissed Joshua’s lips. Joshua responded passionately, but quickly pulled away. Both knew it wasn’t the time for affection.

“How did you get here?” Alois asked. “Was Joanna defeated?”

“No.” Joshua picked up the fallen pistol. “She made a deal with Major General Bayes, and I was brought on board as a prisoner.” He finished off the unconscious soldier with a shot.

“Anyone else? Any other prisoners?”

“No. Just us.” Joshua holstered his gun, signaling Alois to find a weapon. The young man murmured, “May your soul rest in the merciful Lord’s embrace,” and retrieved a laser pistol from the corpse’s belt.

“Let’s go.” Joshua pulled Alois’s hand.

“Where to?”

“Escape.”

The Lady of the Night glided through the boundless cosmos like a bird soaring in the night, closely following the Empire fleet.

On the bridge, Leonard stood behind the command seat, biting his finger. If he weren’t known to be an AI, Joanna would worry he might bite it off.

“Confirmed position of the ‘Sword of the Queen’!” reported a control officer.

Leo’s eyes lit up. “Cut into the signal!” he ordered. “Begin data control!”

Joanna leaned back in her soft chair, awaiting the start of a hacker war. Leo, feeling guilty for the invasion of the Milantu system, vowed to turn the tables. The captain believed Leo wouldn’t just talk.

“Full speed ahead!” she ordered. “Hangar, prepare the ‘Bard’ for launch!”

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 47

“Welcome back, Major General!”

Colonel Gilbert Gauss saluted the Major General, who had just stepped off the shuttle, trying hard to maintain a calm expression to hide his own anxiety.

The Major General returned the salute, his brown eyes as emotionless as glass beads. “I’m glad to see you safe, Colonel,” he said without a trace of warmth in his voice. “I heard your flagship sank and you escaped in a lifeboat?”

“Yes!” The Colonel’s face was pale. “I’m very sorry! Please forgive me!”

“I have no authority to forgive you. Seek forgiveness from Her Majesty the Queen and your fallen subordinates.” The Major General waved dismissively, with a hint of disgust. “By the way, where is the prisoner?”

Colonel Gauss puffed out his chest. “Do you mean the pirate pilot?” Although the fleet had suffered significant losses, they had captured someone, and Colonel Gauss felt a bit proud of that. “He is confined in the seventh compartment. Do you want me to bring him to you?”

“No. I will see him.” The Major General slightly raised his chin. “Lead the way.”

“Yes, sir!”

Colonel Gauss eagerly led the Major General and his entourage towards the seventh compartment. He noticed that besides the Major General and his attendants, there was an unfamiliar silver-haired man with his hands cuffed behind his back, closely followed by two soldiers, as if he were a dangerous criminal. Colonel Gauss immediately understood that this man was likely a significant prisoner the Major General had captured from Milantu.

At that moment, the man raised his head and glanced at Gauss, casually surveying his surroundings without lingering on anyone in particular. Yet, Gauss was instantly captivated by his gaze—cold yet burning like flames, the flames that roared behind the half-opened gates of hell.

Moreover, the man’s incredibly beautiful face, coupled with those eerie eyes, gave him an extraordinary, intimidating allure.

Colonel Gauss stood frozen, his brain seemingly fried and unable to think. It wasn’t until the Major General called his name several times that he realized how embarrassingly he had behaved.

People with malicious hearts often assume the worst about others. At this moment, Gauss had an irreverent, wicked thought, ‘No wonder the Major General brought back such a prisoner. Perhaps he isn’t as high-minded as he appeared.’

The seventh compartment and the adjacent eighth compartment were officer quarters. After capturing the prisoner Alois Lagrange, the officers debated for a long time before deciding to confine him here (even vacating a room specifically for this purpose). Their reasoning was that the high occupancy made it more likely for an escape attempt to be noticed. In fact, most of the officers who agreed to this plan were graduates of the Empire Military Academy. They made this decision primarily to get a close look at the legendary alumnus who had graduated with all A+ grades (“He even got an A+ in Empire History, which is so boring! Empire History!”). After Alois was confined, several groups of people came to “inspect” the cell, with questions mostly revolving around “How did you stay awake in Empire History class?” After getting the response, “It was actually quite interesting,” they all looked at him with newfound respect.

So when the compartment door opened, Alois thought it was another group of alumni coming for a chat. He reluctantly dispelled the irritation and drowsiness from being disturbed, got up from the bed, and ruffled his messy hair.

The guy at the door looked really familiar. He thought, maybe he had seen him at school, in a different class?

“You’re quite comfortable, aren’t you, senior?” The guy at the door said in an annoying tone.

So it wasn’t a fellow graduate, but a junior. Alois sat on the bed, thinking for a moment, then shivered, his drowsiness instantly vanishing.

“Don’t remember me? Senior, you really are forgetful.”

“Bayes?” he asked in disbelief.

“Who else?”

The person in front of him was undoubtedly Darius Bayes himself. Alois hadn’t seen him in about two or three years and barely recognized him at first glance. Bayes looked more mature. His hair was longer, and his epaulettes were much fancier. The hawk-like eyes remained unchanged, perhaps sharper, like an invisible knife capable of slicing through one’s exterior to analyze the soul within.

Alois futilely straightened his clothes to look less disheveled, then made some space. “Sit down.”

Bayes stood before him without moving, looking down at him, making Alois feel like a rabbit being watched by an eagle.

“You always surprise me, senior,” Bayes said. “You managed to escape from the prison planet and join a pirate group. Just like two years ago. Do you know what the rumors said?”

“What? Not that Duke Winnet framed me?”

“There was a rumor.” Bayes’ eyes gleamed. “That you were in love with the prince and killed his lover out of jealousy.”

Alois’s mouth dropped open. “No one would believe that, right?!”

“I believed it.”

Alois was speechless.

“Fortunately, it was later proven to be just a rumor. I must say, you have good relationships. Many colleagues wanted to rescue you, but they couldn’t match Winnet, that old fox.” Bayes spread his hands. “But none of that matters now. You’ve escaped from Hecate, and I won’t be bored enough to lock you up again.”

“What do you want?”

“Join me, senior.” Bayes extended a hand in invitation. “I always dreamed you’d become a pilot on the ‘Sword of the Queen’. You like flying, don’t you? I can give you a new identity, a new life. When I defeat Winnet, I’ll restore your honor. I’ll make everyone know you’re a hero of the Empire, recognizing the great sacrifices you made for the country.” His voice lowered. “Becoming a soldier, then achieving glory—wasn’t that your dream?”

Alois stared at him. “It sounds tempting, but…”

“If you can’t decide now, that’s fine.” Bayes bent down, pressing a hand on his shoulder. “You can think about it. Let me know when you make up your mind. I can wait.”

He straightened up, walked to the door, his finger hovering over the open button. “Oh, the other fugitive, the assassin Mourner, is also on the ship, right next door. If you both want to defect, you’re welcome.” With that, he pressed the button, the door rose, and the armed guards saluted the Major General. The Major General nodded, said a few encouraging words, and the door closed.

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 46

Darius Bayes stood completely still, his back as straight as a razor-sharp blade. Joshua stepped up behind him, pressing the muzzle of his gun to the back of his head.

“Take your hands off the panel.”

“I thought you’d shoot me right away. Are you hesitating?” Darius smirked. “You’re still just an assassin. If you’d been on the battlefield, you’d know that a moment’s hesitation can cost your life.”

The monitor screen flickered, and a third person walked into the main control room, holding a gun.

“Surrender, pirate!” John Leibniz ordered sternly. “Resistance is futile!”

Darius turned his head slightly, looking either at Joshua or the suddenly appearing adjutant. “You’re late, Leibniz.”

“Sorry, Major General. I just went to the bathroom. When I came back, everyone was dead.”

“Your lateness is fortuitous. I’ll overlook your dereliction of duty this time.”

“Much obliged.”

Leibniz also approached Joshua from behind. The assassin felt a hard object pressed against his head. Joshua Planck had never been held at gunpoint for more than a second, and it filled him with deep irritation.

“Do you think you’re threatening me?”

Darius gestured. “Shoot, Leibniz. Don’t learn from this hesitating assassin.”

The adjutant’s breath caught.

“Go ahead and try, brave Mr. Leibniz,” Joshua said. “See if your hand is faster than mine.”

Darius’s finger hovered above the confirm button. A simple press would send all the maps of the Second Sea of Death and Milantu. “Isn’t it the same principle?”

“I think it’s different.” Joshua’s hand remained steady on the trigger, ready to fire at any moment. “Mr. Leibniz, have you ever killed a man? Not by pressing buttons in a control room or issuing orders, but with your own hands, watching the blood spurt, seeing the expression freeze at the moment of death…”

“What are you trying to say, pirate?” Leibniz interrupted. “If you think you can talk your way out of this, you’re dreaming…”

Joshua ignored him, continuing, “It looks like you haven’t. But I’m different. I’ve personally killed hundreds of people. Killing is as simple as breathing to me. The most important thing is…” He paused. “I love the feeling of killing.”

“You!”

“Death is my domain. Don’t challenge my patience in this area.”

Leibniz gritted his teeth.

The three men threatened each other, yet no one acted.

A grating metallic sound came from above the main control room, crawling over their skin like a cold lizard’s tongue. Joshua shivered, wishing he didn’t have ears to hear it.

“Milantu ground command tower! Milantu ground command tower!” Amid the harsh noise, a woman’s voice could be heard. It was Joanna’s unusually serious voice. Soon the noise disappeared. “This is Joanna Begrel speaking to you!”

‘Finally made it in time,’ Joshua thought.

Joanna muttered something softly, probably cursing. “Leo, quickly connect the main control room monitor! What? Can’t connect? Incompetent!”

Darius sneered.

“What are you laughing at?” Joanna’s sharp ears caught his sneer. “Laughing with a gun to your head, are you relaxed or just thick-skinned?”

“Then cry, Begrel,” Darius retorted. “The sword of Damocles is hanging over your head. If you don’t cry now, it’ll be too late.”

“Mutual feelings, Bayes. I’ll be back in Milantu in three hours and can immediately order the ground forces to storm the command tower and kill you.”

“I’ll have sent the map to my fleet by then.”

“My AI will intercept it.”

“You should ask if it can.”

On the bridge of the Lady of the Night, Joanna tapped the holographic control panel in front of her, closing the communication with Milantu.

“Leo, are you confident you can intercept Milantu’s information?”

Leonard kept his hands in his sleeves, biting his pale lip. “Milantu’s server is under constant attack… I think… maybe… there’s a fifty percent chance of success.”

Joanna blinked, carefully examining the AI’s face. She had known Leo for ten years, and in her memory, Leo was always confident and competent, rarely showing such a helpless expression.

“Alright.” The captain reopened the communication. “Bayes, you win. Joshua, kill him.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Wait!” Darius raised his voice. “Begrel, even if I die, my adjutant will still send the map. You’ll not only expose your base but also lose a top subordinate.”

“No problem, we can go down together,” Joanna said lazily. “Although your great cause will end before it starts, at least you’ll gain a reputation for dying for your country and taking down the treacherous Joanna Begrel with you. Oh, it’s so touching, I’m almost in tears!”

“Your threats don’t work on me,” Darius said. “If you really plan on mutual destruction, that’s fine. Take everyone in Milantu with you. The Empire doesn’t always treat prisoners kindly.”

Joanna chuckled dryly. “It’s been years since we last met, Bayes. You’ve improved, daring to confront me.”

“Honored by your praise.”

“Alright, let’s be honest. State your terms. You’re Darius Bayes, the Empire’s most promising young general, ambitious. You wouldn’t want to die on this obscure frontier planet.”

“My terms are simple. Let all of us leave Milantu safely, and I’ll withdraw my troops and promise not to target Milantu for a year.”

“Your Empire Army?”

“Just me. But I’m sure no one else would dare confront Joanna Begrel.”

“Alright, I can guarantee your safe return to your fleet, but my AI must navigate to prevent you from obtaining Milantu’s map.”

“Agreed,” Darius consented. “I trust your integrity. Also, you must cease all pirate activities for a year.”

“How will I survive then?”

“Didn’t I send you a ship full of jewels?”

“Oh, I thought you were taking them back.”

“The Bayes family can afford it.” Darius turned, glaring at Joshua. “Lastly, I want to take this fugitive back. Coming all the way to Milantu with heavy losses, I need a trophy to account for at the Empire capital.”

Joshua smirked. “I don’t care how you account.”

Joanna said, “Bayes, my ace pilot is already in your hands, and now you want to take the Mourner too?”

“I didn’t know that. Who’s your ace pilot?”

“Another fugitive.”

Joshua’s black-gold eyes glared at the ceiling, as if questioning, “How did you command to let Alois get captured?!” Unfortunately, Joanna couldn’t see his angry eyes.

Darius beamed. “Ah, my senior Lagrange.”

Joshua lowered his gun, throwing a sharp look. “I’ll go with you.”

---

The author has something to say:

Joshua probably enjoys reading Connelly’s “The Poet”. =w=

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Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 45

The gates of the Milantu command tower were tightly shut, with defense robots patrolling the entrance, ready to shoot at any suspicious figure. When Darius Bayes led his men out of the underground garage, the robots surrounded them, their eyes flashing red, indicating they were in attack mode. Without even glancing at them, Darius walked straight towards the command tower gate with a submachine gun in hand. Then, the red lights in the robots’ eyes turned off, replaced by green lights, indicating the attack mode was deactivated.

The programmers left in the underground garage gave each other thumbs up.

Half of the soldiers who infiltrated Milantu on the Silver String were technicians. Initially, Leibniz protested that this was too dangerous, but now he deeply admired the Major General’s foresight.

Standing in front of the command tower gate, the Major General lightly pressed the communicator in his ear. “Zorda, can you open the gate?”

“I’m cracking the control program of the command tower. Please wait a few minutes.”

“No time.” The Major General gestured to the soldiers behind him, who immediately stepped forward to install small antimatter bombs on the gate. Everyone then retreated to the underground garage to find cover. After a rumbling explosion, the Major General returned to the surface. The gate of the command tower had turned into a heap of charred ruins, emitting thick smoke.

More defense robots poured out of the tower, but none fired a shot. The programmers had already seized control of them.

The Major General walked unimpeded into the tower. He was greeted by the gun muzzles of the vanguard team guarding the ground.

“Fire!” the captain ordered.

However, before the team members could pull the triggers, they were taken down by the rebelling defense robots.

Darius stepped over their bodies and entered the elevator. Some soldiers guarded the elevator door, while others climbed the winding stairs to search the upper floors.

“Where’s the main control room?”

“Judging by the power distribution in the command tower, it should be on the fifth floor.”

Darius glanced at the surveillance camera in the corner and smashed it with a raised hand. “Let the lovely robots go first.” He stepped out of the elevator. The robots surged in to replace him, and Darius pressed the button for the fifth floor and stepped back outside.

The elevator numbers changed from 1 to 2, then 3, 4, and finally stopped at 5. After a while, the search team reported through the headset, “Reporting to the Major General, there are no living people in the fifth-floor control room.”

“Stand by there.”

“Yes!”

Only then did Darius leisurely call the elevator back down.

“Main control room? Strange, there’s no response.”

Joshua Planck stood at the post he was in charge of in the square. The main control room, which had been continuously transmitting information to them, suddenly went silent. No matter how much he searched, he couldn’t hear a sound. He couldn’t even contact his comrades. The headset and communication terminal were filled with static, as if the whole world had gone silent.

Something must have happened in the main control room, he thought.

Joshua loaded his handgun, silently apologizing to the captain for leaving his post.

The main control room was almost awash with blood. Bodies of the vanguard team members guarding the place piled up at the elevator door. The navigators had been working dutifully until their last moments, now lying face down on the main control panel, blood flowing from the panel to the floor, forming a winding river.

Darius stepped over the bodies to the control panel, made the sign of the cross over his chest to bless the dead, then roughly pushed the dead navigator aside.

“Major General, have you reached the main control room?” Zorda’s voice came through the headset.

“Yes.”

“Then please operate the computer according to my instructions.”

“…I should have let you come here yourself.”

“Oh, didn’t you order all the technicians to hide in the shelter? Get busy, we don’t have much time. First, connect the communication terminal to the computer…”

Joshua squinted his black-golden eyes, staring at the charred command tower gate and the idle defense robots at the entrance, instantly guessing what had happened in the main control room.

‘In this situation, it’s a wonder if the communication isn’t interrupted,’ he thought. ‘Trojan Horse. Should we say that the wisdom of the ancients still shines, or that human intelligence hasn’t progressed much in thousands of years?’

The enemy probably monitored all communication channels of Milantu and might be issuing false instructions, leading the vanguard team into their trap.

Joshua discarded his headset, removed the sniper rifle from his back, and crouched behind a statue, assembling the gun piece by piece. Bringing it out was a wise decision. It came in handy so quickly.

After assembling, he estimated the range of the defense robots. He was just out of range, but if any robot advanced another ten meters, he would be within their firing range.

But the assassin, the Mourner, would never let that happen.

“Second Lieutenant, something seems off outside.”

The soldiers guarding the first floor of the command tower uneasily looked at the highest-ranking Second Lieutenant. The Second Lieutenant raised a hand, signaling everyone to be on alert. The mechanical sound of the defense robots was audible just moments ago, but after a series of chaotic collisions, there was only silence outside the gate. Due to the obstructing ruins, the Second Lieutenant couldn’t see what was happening outside. To get a glimpse, he would have to move in front of the ruins.

“Sergeant Edward, go see what’s happening,” ordered the Second Lieutenant.

Sergeant Edward swallowed hard. Empire soldiers never disobeyed orders, even if it meant going to their deaths. Thus, the sergeant hesitantly walked towards the charred gate.

The Second Lieutenant raised his gun, watching the sergeant’s back through the scope. The young man stood at the gate, evidently terrified, hesitating. How did such a person get selected for the death squad? The personnel involved in this operation were all death-defying loyalists to Major General Bayes; none of them feared death. Sergeant Edward usually behaved bravely. What was wrong with him today?

The crosshairs moved to the back of the sergeant’s head. If he dared to retreat, he would be executed on the spot as an example, the Second Lieutenant thought.

Sergeant Edward stared outside the gate as if he saw a prehistoric beast. He suddenly turned back, eyes wide, mouth agape, seemingly wanting to warn his comrades, but only blood flowed from his mouth.

The crosshairs moved above the ruins. A person stepped on the charred metal and walked in. The thick smoke highlighted his silver hair, making it exceptionally striking. His black pupils emitted golden light, like flames burning in hell.

The Second Lieutenant suddenly understood what Sergeant Edward feared. They indeed feared neither death nor life, but before Death, humans could only offer their reverence.

Darius Bayes finally entered the Milantu central computer’s database, pulling up the map of the Second Sea of Death from the complex information. Sending this map to the fleet would make defeating Joanna Begrel a matter of moments.

There was a commotion among the soldiers behind him.

“Intruder!”

“Major General, please be careful!”

“Argh!”

“Shoot! Shoot!”

Darius didn’t turn around but looked at a nearby monitor, continuously displaying the scenes inside the command tower. One screen was black. Darius thought it was the elevator monitor he had broken. The screens to its right showed the fifth floor. His men were engaging the enemy, retreating from the outermost rooms to the main control room.

“Don’t panic,” Darius told his men. “How many enemies are there?”

“Only one!”

The monitor showed a man charging in alone, moving as swiftly as a leopard, as light as a bird, dodging laser beams while using his handgun to bring death to the enemy. He moved from one screen to another, the third showing him from a different angle.

Darius almost admired the man’s prowess.

“Deservedly known as the Mourner. It’s a shame you’re under Joanna Begrel. You should join me.” He looked at the final screen. The monitor showed the main control room from above. Several bodies lay at the edge of the screen. The silver-haired assassin stood at the door, his gun pointed at him.

Darius still didn’t turn around. He spread his arms and said, “I am Darius Bayes, the Empire Major General. I can offer better conditions than Joanna Begrel. Think about it?”

He heard the Mourner laugh.

“Does it matter if a dead man is a Major General or a recruit to me?”

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