It had to be said that when Evenheiler’s mature, elegant face drew close with a gentle smile, it was difficult for anyone under his gaze not to hold those eyes dear to their heart.
And if that gaze was accompanied by a thick, honeyed kiss—if those captivating eyes, framed by faint lines of age, were flushed with a crimson hue and a glimmer of moisture—then even the most "immovable" of men would find their resolve crumbling.
Lei Ting kissed away the tears at the corners of Evenheiler’s eyes, exhaling softly as his own eyes narrowed.
The golden hair was brilliant and soft; the emerald eyes hid a deep-seated desire. Evenheiler braced his hands against Lei Ting’s chest, his upper body neatly dressed, the long hem of his trench coat spreading out around them...
But Lei Ting could clearly see the asymmetric horn-crown atop the man’s head, its four sharp, upward-pointing prongs guarding a central speck of stardust that softly radiated a fine, shimmering mist of light.
It made his "Golden Beauty" look like a radiant golden devil. And the poor "Solar Star" was but a mortal general, or perhaps a mortal emperor, or simply a mortal man enticed by this beautiful demon—regardless of the role, he was seduced. He willingly allowed the other to tease him, indulging the mischief wrought in his arms, finding a strange pleasure in his own helplessness and fall from grace.
...The old scoundrel.
When Evenheiler reached for his eye cover, attempting to deactivate the visual isolation of the visor, Lei Ting sighed and operated the controls himself. In the ensuing darkness, he surrendered completely to his treasure.
What else could he do? It was his honor that the starlight deigned to show him mercy.
***
A few days prior, at the request of "Starflow," "Solar Star" had placed a new temporary mark on the former strongest combatant of the Human Union within his city, finally gaining permission to take a more active role in other matters.
Though both were well aware that they were busy with other affairs and truly didn't have much time for such dalliances, Evenheiler had still clung to Lei Ting for quite a while. He seemed to have fully realized that the young man’s tolerance for him was nearly limitless in their daily lives.
By the time the two parted again, they exchanged a few more words regarding the memory details the "Recorder" had given them. Then, "Starflow" simply ditched "Solar Star" and made his own escape.
The man left behind: "..."
The man left behind: "?"
Lei Ting didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He closed his eyes, sat up, and casually snapped the shimmering energy shackles. He reactivated his visor’s visual function, watching the fine stardust scatter between his arms before vanishing into the void.
They both knew that Lei Ting had felt it all—Evenheiler’s struggle, his powerlessness, his self-reproach, and every injustice he had suffered when he first awakened within his cage.
Even though Evenheiler had yet to reach the vast, open sea he yearned for—knowing he had merely moved from one cage to a larger one—Lei Ting would be there to catch him the next time he fell.
As for Lei Ting himself...
His clothing was quickly straightened by the automatic adjustments of the metallic structure. "Solar Star" pulled at his collar, buckled the neck guard’s fastening strap, and a cold, sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
He came from the frontier systems, from among the common people. He had grown up under mental control from a young age. Had his intelligence not made him seem like a promising prospect for the future, he likely would have been a prime candidate for human experimentation in the orphanage.
It was also thanks to the power hidden deep within him, which had instinctively protected and concealed itself before its awakening; otherwise, he never would have seen this day. And had it not been for the combination of compulsory education and his own hard work allowing him to leave that place, he certainly wouldn't have lived past eighteen.
Even now, he knew clearly that almost everything he possessed stemmed from his power. Without it, he could protect nothing.
Perhaps Evenheiler was simply another version of him in this world—one with a better family background, yet even more shackled.
Evenheiler had failed to achieve those things, and thus he blamed himself. No matter how much Lei Ting argued that the fault did not lie with him, he was only speaking from the perspective of a bystander. If their positions were swapped, even if Lei Ting could not be shaken to the point of self-doubt, he would still feel agony for failing to fulfill his perceived responsibilities.
The difference was that Evenheiler’s reaction to that pain was to endure and carry it, whereas Lei Ting’s reaction would be...
To burn it, using it as fuel to give every one of those idiots a solid punch to the face!
Had they eaten yet? No?
Then eat my Solar Alloy Nuclear Explosion Punch!!
Furthermore, regarding the things seen in the illusory realm... even setting aside the factor of Evenheiler, how could he possibly remain indifferent to them?
How could he possibly remain indifferent!
Upon returning to the physical world, Lei Ting appeared alone at a location some distance from the New Solar System. He immediately transmitted orders for the fleet still guarding the system to return to base and opened a channel to Valianna.
Although the duration of wars in the interstellar era could be unimaginably long, the current situation dictated that, barring any accidents, the Legion should be seeing new developments.
Sure enough, Valianna had sent him a message ten minutes prior: [Today’s weather: Sunny turning to cloudy.]
Though he knew this was a summons to assemble... just what kind of genius had developed this cryptic, mystical style of coding?
Lei Ting’s expression turned odd for a moment before he turned and vanished into the starry sky.
***
When Lei Ting returned to the First Legion, Susanna acted so normally it was as if he had never left.
And he acted so normally it was as if he hadn't taken a squad with him when he departed—after all, compared to combat, ninety percent of Lucas’s talent was likely invested in being under the spotlight. It was better for him to continue assisting with propaganda.
Although Lucas had trained himself to the level of a special operations captain out of a secret admiration for a certain uncle in his family, among the three of them, he was still the weakest...
...No, the most suitable for promotional missions.
After all, the Kang family’s ancestral, sparklingly handsome face was truly reliable; it was a genetic aura that came with a natural "Visual Focus +50" attribute.
So, he sold Lucas out.
—Sorry, friend, we each have our roles to play!
Lei Ting took two trays from Susanna’s hands. One held an afternoon tea set, while the other held a thick stack of paper documents and a box full of data cards carrying various information. He silently retreated into his "office" to process the paperwork.
A short while later, Lei Ting floated in mid-air with his arms crossed. He thoughtfully closed the projection of the optical computer on his retina and organized the current situation in the darkness.
During this period, numerous chaotic battles had broken out in other regions of the galaxy. Most were resurgences of historical issues, a few were newly sparked conflicts, and a scattered few seemed related to the "Boiling" virus.
The Human Union should have fallen into chaos along with them, but the well-prepared Council and the various Legions of the military had stabilized the situation. However... Lei Ting still could not show his face on the front lines, and he even had to pull back the energy that usually permeated the entire fleet.
"We asked you back as a precaution, but we're here to catch rats. It wouldn't do to scare them away," Valianna said in the video call, excitedly wiping her blade, "Champion." "I can already feel it... there are some real experts in the enemy base..."
"Don't forget you're the Legion Commander," Lei Ting instinctively reminded her, but he regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth. Wasn't Valianna, as Legion Commander, the primary vanguard of the First Legion?
"I always thought the war should have started nineteen years ago... but recently I realized I was wrong. The phrase should be: 'The war already began nineteen years ago.'"
Valianna flicked the blade of "Champion," laughing amidst its dragon-like hum. "Once this battle is over, the position of First Legion Commander will be yours..."
"I don't have a great desire for power," Lei Ting said.
"But you must hold it," Valianna said, gazing at the imposing figure seated in mid-air within the screen projection. "I’ve been thinking lately... perhaps that sword should belong to you."
"The 'New Sun'?"
"Yes," Valianna said softly. "It was never that obedient in my hands..."
"Limited by my ability, it must be obedient," Lei Ting said. "Even if your 'Champion' came into my hands, it would be just as obedient."
"That won't do!" Valianna’s expression changed instantly. "This is my wife!"
Lei Ting: "..."
Lei Ting: "............"
Lei Ting said slowly, "My apologies."
There wasn't the slightest hint of disrespect in his voice, which made Valianna breathe a sigh of relief.
Lei Ting: "..."
Fine, but I really wasn't trying to steal your wife! I have my own partner!!
Oh, speaking of weapons and "partners," Evenheiler’s broken blade, "Slayer," was still in his possession.
He had wondered whether he should return the now vastly transformed "Slayer" to Evenheiler as the gift he had failed to deliver back then, but now everyone knew that "Slayer" belonged to him. Giving it back would ultimately be a troublesome matter.
Furthermore... Evenheiler was still a member of the Resistance. From the perspective of a lover, he wanted the man to survive, but from the perspective of an enemy, he could not take the initiative to enhance the other’s combat strength.
Looking at the projections of various battlefields and situational demonstrations that filled the interior of his "office," Lei Ting exchanged a few more pleasantries with Valianna before hanging up and opening Yundel’s communication interface.
Before the call connected, he decided that the next time he met Evenheiler, he would simply ask what kind of gift the man liked.
With that thought, he held out his hand, and two beautiful, purple, spindle-shaped gems fell from a golden light. After a moment’s thought, he also took out a piece of pure gold and some other assorted colored gemstones.
He decided to use these two "Virgo Core Gems" to make a matching set of gifts for Lucas and his unknown fiancé(e). They could be hung on a suppressor, or made into brooches, lapel pins, or rings.
Ah, speaking of which, perhaps he could frequently make such small ornaments for Evenheiler? For him, the difficulty of crafting such trifles was practically non-existent, and unique decorations and gifts were a good way to bring someone a good mood.
Meanwhile, the call connected, and Yundel looked at him from the screen.
"Solar Star?"
"It’s me, Vice Speaker Yundel."
Lei Ting looked up and nodded to him, while continuing to draw threads so fine they were nearly invisible to the naked eye from the gold in his hand. Bit by bit, he coiled them into seamless spindle-shaped gem bases and intricate patterns, then began extending them outward, letting them self-construct or break off automatically to create movable, seamless clasps.
But while performing such delicate, patient, and gentle work, the matters he discussed with Yundel were anything but gentle: "I’ve heard that some of the Federation’s dispatched officials fell into a culture of extravagance years ago. And that the children of certain families on the Capital Planet treat human life as if it were grass. Is that so, Vice Speaker?"
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 室女座核心宝石 | Virgo Core Gem | A rare gemstone used by Lei Ting for crafting. |
| 冠军 | Champion | The name of Valianna's weapon. |
| 新太阳 | New Sun | A powerful weapon/sword associated with the Solar Star. |
| 斩者 | Slayer | Evenheiler's original blade, now broken and held by Lei Ting. |
| 阳合金核爆拳 | Solar Alloy Nuclear Explosion Punch | A humorous/hyperbolic name for Lei Ting's powerful punch. |
| 永戴尔 | Yundel | Vice Speaker of the Federation Council. |
| 康 | Kang | Lucas's family name. |
---
