FT DR Chapter 42: Dust Settles

Chapter 42: Dust Settles

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

The next morning, Wu Chenghe took half a day off from school and drove alone to the military headquarters.

After verifying his ID at the entrance hall, Lilith’s secretary was waiting for him. “Hello, Mr. Charlie, the Madam and the Commander are attending the joint signing ceremony for the special education bill. You’ll be called in later.”

“Alright.” Wu Chenghe waited in the lobby for about half an hour. The secretary hurried in, “It’s time, let’s get ready to go in. The three Generals have already jointly signed ‘The Voyager Army Descendants Special Education Bill.’ The Secretary of State will now sign the training agreement on behalf of the President and all the families involved. Madam’s instructions are for you not to be afraid when you see the Commander later; just do as she says.”

“Oh, okay.” Wu Chenghe nodded, speculating that Lilith intended to act first and explain later, feeling a bit nervous.

“Don’t worry, Madam has everything arranged.” 

Wu Chenghe followed him into the signing hall. It was decorated like a church, with hundreds of officers in various uniforms sitting on wooden chairs. In front was a small platform, with the huge emblem of the Voyager Army lion hanging on the back wall, flanked by the federal flag and the Voyager Army flag.

On the platform was a long wooden table, with Mr. Hobart sitting at the far left, and the three Generals and their spouses seated next to him in order.

Seeing Wu Chenghe enter, Hannibal first looked puzzled, then his expression turned to shock. His sharp gaze turned to Lilith, “Did you bring him here?”

Lilith didn’t answer. She signed her name on a piece of paper and handed the pen to Wu Chenghe, “Sign your name.”

“Wait a minute!” Hannibal stood up abruptly, trying to stop her, but Lilith’s chair blocked his path. Wu Chenghe took the opportunity to quickly sign his name and handed the pen back to Lilith.

Hannibal’s eyes narrowed, his expression becoming very dangerous. He asked his wife coldly, “Where’s Marlow?”

Lilith avoided his gaze and handed the signed agreement to Hobart, saying, “He’s in class.”

“You didn’t notify him to come, but you notified Charlie?” Hannibal asked.

Lilith raised her chin, trying to maintain a calm expression. She said, “Yes.”

Hannibal understood completely what was going on, but facing Lancer, Popova, Hobart, and the hundreds of subordinates below, he couldn’t argue with his wife at this moment. He forcefully suppressed the anger churning in his chest and said softly, “I thought we had reached an agreement.”

“Yes, but I changed my mind,” Lilith disobeyed her husband’s orders for the first time, even though she appeared calm on the surface, her slightly trembling fingers betrayed her inner panic. She took a deep breath without showing any emotion and finally mustered the courage to look her husband in the eye. “Darling, please respect my decision, for Marlow’s sake, I beg you.”

Their conversation was quiet, but it still attracted the attention of others. Whispers arose around them, and General Lancer’s stern gaze fell on Hannibal, while Popova also looked over.

The agreement had been handed over. Although it could still be withdrawn and resigned, doing so would be extremely embarrassing for Lilith. As for General Lancer, if he insisted on keeping Wu Chenghe here instead of Marlow at this point, it would definitely arouse his suspicion… Hannibal clenched his fists under the table, the joints emitting angry snaps. His gaze fell on Wu Chenghe, noticing that his expression was calm, strangely calm, as if he didn’t know what was happening at all.

It’s all my fault. I underestimated the power of a mother… Hannibal sighed deeply in his heart, finally calming his emotions and slowly sitting back in his chair.

Feeling the pressure on her lessen, Lilith breathed a deep sigh of relief. Beads of sweat had already dampened the strands of hair on her forehead.

“Go to class now, you’re just in time.” Hannibal said to Wu Chenghe with a smile, “The passing score will be lowered a bit after signing the agreement, but your grades are still very risky, so don’t be careless.”

Wu Chenghe whispered his acknowledgment and left the signing hall with the secretary. It wasn’t until he was out of Hannibal’s sight that he breathed a sigh of relief. God knows, pretending to be innocent is such a draining skill…

The secretary escorted him to the elevator and then left. Wu Chenghe was thinking of calling Jin Xuan, a little absentmindedly, and accidentally bumped into someone while getting on the elevator.

“Don’t you have eyes?” a proud female voice scolded.

“Oh, sorry.” Wu Chenghe looked up and realized it was Miss Lancer, who had teased him at the party. He couldn’t help but feel unlucky; he was the one who got bumped into, wasn’t he? Oh well, that’s life as a man.

“Be careful where you walk, absent-minded fool.” Miss Lancer was probably about to go in to sign, her mood seemed very bad, even her beautiful face was contorted. Wu Chenghe had unwittingly bumped into her, had no intention of arguing with her, and stepped aside to leave. Miss Lancer, full of anger, glared at him, “You just signed, are you going to the capitol Dunkirk University?”

“Yeah.”

“Wishing you good luck,” Miss Lancer sneered, “It’s really fortunate for you to go to the capitol instead of Marlow.”

Women who don’t know what they’re talking about… Wu Chenghe shook his head helplessly and left on his own. It seemed that this education bill was really necessary; otherwise, some of the Voyager Army second-generation folks would start treating themselves like princesses.

The signing ceremony concluded successfully. In the afternoon, Mr. Hobart announced the first batch of Voyager Army descendants granted under the bill through the official website of the Education Bureau. Wu Chenghe, as Hannibal’s eldest son, was listed first.

Because of this list, another war erupted on the campus network. The previous poster who criticized the bill was hanged, and Marlow got caught in the crossfire. Those fans who had spoken up for him were slapped in the face—saying Marlow wouldn’t falter at the critical moment, Marlow was the Commander’s only son… Now they were all dumbfounded, right? Wasn’t the person named Charlie Simpson on the list an alias?

With solid evidence, no one dared to come out to defend Marlow anymore. His fan base dwindled drastically, and many switched sides to King’s camp. A senior fan who was said to have grown up idolizing him posted a heartbreaking post, reviewing Marlow’s unwavering determination and courage on the field over the years, and finally announced his withdrawal from the fan club.

“I respect Marlow’s decision. I understand the difficulties he faces as the Commander’s son. I believe this choice was not what he wanted. Marlow has never been one to shirk responsibility. Three years ago, in a league match where the main team withdrew on the spot, he played the entire season alone! But we’ve all grown up. The adult world is not like a game where you win just by trying hard. I believe he had no choice but to give up the opportunity to study in the capitol. I understand Marlow, but I can’t accept my idol succumbing to adult rules. The Marlow in my heart will always remain on the field.”

Many people below gave the poster candles, reminiscing about their lost youth together. Wu Chenghe read the entire post but never found a comment from Marlow.

Perhaps he never reads gossip like this, or maybe he doesn’t even use the campus network. Wu Chenghe thought, but for some reason, he still felt heavy-hearted.

But this sense of loss was quickly dispelled by sunlight. Not long after school, Jin Xuan sent him a congratulatory message, “Congratulations, you’ve finally escaped from your dad’s clutches. So, did he give you a hard time?”

“No, I guess he thinks it’s all Lilith’s idea. I’m just a temporary substitute.” Wu Chenghe scratched his head and said awkwardly, “Thinking about it this way, I feel a bit sorry for her.”

“Fool,” Jin Xuan chuckled, “She’s probably thanking you. What mother would want to send her son to the enemy’s side for schooling? Besides, her father just offended the President.”

“Yeah, I feel like I’m taking advantage of them. This spot was originally Marlow’s; he wanted to go to Aston too.” Wu Chenghe thought of those posts cursing Marlow and felt a bit down, then self-deprecatingly said, “Ah, I’m such a saint.”

“I like you being a saint.” Jin Xuan chuckled, “I’m really happy that we’ll be able to meet at Aston in a few months, but not seeing you for so long also worries me a bit. You’re not going to have a change of heart, are you?”

“Maybe. After all, I’m loved by everyone.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already bribed Chen Miaomiao. He’ll help me keep an eye on you.”

“Why would he listen to you? I’m his dearest senior, okay?”

“The senior doesn’t matter; it’s the teacher who’s truly attractive,” Jin Xuan said with a smile. “General Popova signed the nurturing agreement, and next year he’ll be joining you at Aston. I promised to look after him at school… Oh, I forgot to tell you, I’ve already submitted my application to stay at school. From now on, we’ll be teacher-student lovers!”

“…You’re relentless,” Wu Chenghe groaned, rubbing his forehead. If even an emo could slip into the teaching staff, this world must be broken.

“I’m the top scholar at Aston University, the pride of the Strategic Studies Department. You should feel lucky to be my student,” Jin Xuan shamelessly praised himself. Wu Chenghe couldn’t help but make a disgusted expression.

“Okay, everything here is settled. I’ll probably leave with Hobart the day after tomorrow to return to Dunkirk’s capitol,” Jin Xuan adjusted his demeanor and said, “There’s a month left until the joint exams. As soon as I return, I’ll contact you for remote study sessions. Although the score cutoff has been lowered, you still can’t be careless. Competition this year is probably fierce.”

“Got it.”

“Come to my place tomorrow night.”

“Please, prepare a feast and some study wine yourself, thanks.”

“Do I even need to tell you? Remember to prepare some juice. You’ve heard the rumors about you getting drunk and standing on the bridge for two days straight.”

“That’s just a rumor!”

“Hehe.”

After ending the call, Wu Chenghe chuckled stupidly and played with a caterpillar for a while before running off to buy fruit.

The campus network was abuzz, and in the Commander’s home, a storm was brewing.

Dinner was eaten in extreme silence. Marlow said he wasn’t feeling well halfway through and went upstairs to sleep. Watching his son and the caracal behind him, Lilith furrowed her brow and sighed. Quantum beasts were the most sensitive to a sentinel’s true emotions. No matter how calm they appeared on the surface, this child had been affected, especially by those posts on the campus network and the tumultuous fan club…

Hannibal set down his utensils, wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, and said, “I want to talk to you.” 

“Okay.” Lilith stood up. “Let’s go to the study.”

The couple walked into the study, closed the door, and Hannibal said, “Lilith, I didn’t realize we had reached this point. Am I still your husband?”

His words were heavy, and Lilith, who had always been strong and calm, immediately covered her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Is this Lancer’s idea, right?” Hannibal pressed her, “You would rather believe your father than me. I always thought we were a family.”

“It was my idea,” Lilith choked back tears and said, “I’ve said it before, I don’t want Marlow to go to the capital.”

“But I thought I had convinced you.” Hannibal said, “Last week when we discussed this, you clearly agreed with my idea. Why the sudden change? What can’t we discuss between us? Do you have to force me like this?”

“Because I know you won’t change your mind. Every time we discuss, it’s just to persuade me to obey your decision!” Lilith said, “I know your reasons—going to the best military academy, meeting the best classmates, building a network of relationships… But have you ever thought, he’s only sixteen, he’s still a child! Can he handle the complex interpersonal relationships in the capitol? Can he protect himself? He’s your son, Hannibal, everyone in the federation knows that. I’m forty-five years old, I don’t have a guide, I can’t have another child! I’d rather Marlow be a bit ordinary, a bit mediocre. I don’t have your ambition!”

“Lilith!” Hannibal interrupted her sternly, “I’m not as ambitious as you think!”

“I’m your wife, I know you.” Lilith said softly, “Don’t lie to me, Hannibal, you can fool others but not your bedside partner!”

Hannibal closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm down. The feathers on the black-and-chestnut eagle’s head stood up, his claws gripping the window sill, and his golden ring eyes stared fiercely at Lilith’s caracal.

“We’re not discussing this.” Hannibal said, “Marlow is sixteen now. When I was his age, I was already serving in the Voyager Army, exploring remote planets almost every month. They say each generation is stronger than the last. Is my son really worse than me?”

“I don’t care!” Lilith raised her head stubbornly and looked at her husband, “I don’t care what you’re like, what others are like. I just want Marlow to be safe. Charlie is willing to go to Aston University himself. Even if he hadn’t signed, he would have gone there on his own. I’m doing this to fulfill the dreams of two children.”

“He’s still a child, he doesn’t understand anything!” Hannibal almost couldn’t control his emotions when she mentioned Wu Chenghe. “He’s so frail, not intelligent at all, he can’t handle the environment in the capital. He’s never left home since he was a child, and he only took his first long trip at seventeen, nearly losing his life halfway through! He has no memory, I’m his only family, Lilith, he’s different from Marlow! Marlow is a strong sentinel, my successor, he must be capable of handling all this. Going to Aston University is the best training for him. Charlie going there would only be sending him to his death! You don’t understand what the two children need, you’re just confused by your father and sister!”

“You’re the one who’s confused!” Lilith said angrily, “Who is your son, Hannibal, Marlow or Charlie? You keep saying that what happened with his mother was just a one-night stand. I was really stupid to believe what you said! From the day Charlie came to Gabriel, you’ve been protecting him like he’s the apple of your eye, making Yuna take care of him all the time, sending your best guards to protect him. When the Grasshopper Space Station incident happened, you left so many important matters behind and went to the asteroid belt to find him… You care about him so much, is it because he reminds you of her? Hannibal, you liar! You can’t forget about that slut!”

“I haven’t!” Hannibal’s forehead veins bulged, angrily. “I’ve explained to you countless times, don’t act like a jealous woman and make a scene!”

“Then why are you so nervous about him? It’s just going to school in the capitol, isn’t it? It’s not like you’re taking his life!” Lilith said sharply, “If it’s not for his mother, then what is it for? Is it because he’s beautiful? Cute? Likable? My god, thank goodness he’s not a guide, or else I would suspect…”

“Shut up!” Hannibal sharply interrupted her, raising his hand as if to slap her, but ultimately restrained himself, only pushing her shoulder forcefully. The black-and-chestnut eagle emitted a piercing screech, all the feathers on its neck stood on end, its claws gripping the window sill, emitting a metallic creak.

Lilith fell onto the sofa, covering her mouth and sobbing softly, tears falling like broken beads. Her caracal hovered helplessly by her feet, occasionally glaring ferociously at the black-and-chestnut eagle but not daring to attack it.

Lilith’s words seemed poisonous, almost causing Hannibal to collapse as soon as they left her mouth. Even though she hadn’t finished the latter part of the sentence, the terrifying thought had quickly taken over his mind. Hannibal’s chest heaved violently, a faint red mist rising in his eyes. He staggered to the thermos, extracted a sedative into his jugular vein, and leaned against the table, waiting for himself to regain control.

Hannibal’s reaction frightened Lilith. She looked at her husband, on the verge of mania, in confusion. The words she had blurted out without thinking had completely horrified her now that she had thought them over. 

No, that couldn’t be true. It was impossible; they were father and son…

“I swear, there’s no feeling between me and her, just that one night.” After a long while, with the help of medication, Hannibal finally calmed down. He sat beside Lilith, trembling hands stroking her long hair. “Lilith, I haven’t even asked for a guide for your sake. Your words have hurt me deeply.”

He automatically ignored that terrifying accusation, and Lilith convinced herself to forget it, closing her eyes and silently weeping, apologizing continuously.

“Since it’s come to this, let’s leave it at that,” Hannibal embraced his wife, wiping away her tears. “But Lilith, remember, I am your husband, the only person you can rely on. Next time, if Lancer’s ideas clash with mine, I hope you can talk to me openly, rather than acting on your own in such an extreme way.”

“I’m sorry,” Lilith cried in his arms, unable to say anything else, just apologizing continuously.

Hannibal held his wife’s body numbly until she cried herself to exhaustion, then picked her up and laid her gently on the bed in their bedroom.

Outside, the wind picked up, and the meteorological center predicted rain tonight. Hannibal walked alone to the rooftop, standing at the windward railing, drinking. The black-and-chestnut eagle circled anxiously in the sky, like a cluster of black flames, representing the turmoil in his heart.

The deed was done and couldn’t be undone. He could only send Wu Chenghe to the capitol; otherwise, it would arouse General Lancer’s suspicion, and Lilith… she was a good woman, he couldn’t hurt her like this.

Perhaps before leaving… No, he couldn’t. That boy wasn’t yet an adult. If he forcibly established a permanent bond, it would ruin him. He was too innocent, too weak, unable to withstand such possession, at least not now. If he had a mental breakdown and committed suicide, the sentinel marked with him would die as well. He couldn’t take that risk.

Hannibal frowned, downing the strong liquor in his cup. Wu Chenghe was his only chance. He couldn’t act unless it was absolutely necessary.

In the bedroom next door, Marlow glanced at his father’s back through the window, closed the campus network, and sighed. He was lucky to be born into the most prestigious family in the federation, yet he was so unfortunate, destined to shoulder a heavy burden for life.

He was Hannibal’s son, Lancer’s grandson, Charlie’s brother… but first and foremost, he was Marlow, his own person. As if making a major decision, he took a deep breath, opened his course materials, and began to review.

Two days later, the Secretary of State’s starship left Gabriel Military Harbor, and Jin Xuan returned to the capitol with him. For the next month, all the tenth-grade students in the basic school were immersed in intense review. Wu Chenghe, having missed a thousand years of classes, was even more exhausted from catching up.

Finally, after enduring the joint exams, all the candidates stood at the school gate, cheering. Whether they did well or poorly, they all had the expression of serving their sentence and being released. Half a month later, the joint exam results were announced. Wu Chenghe found his name on the list of admissions to Aston University. At the same time, he unexpectedly saw another name.

“This is my decision,” in the Commander’s house, Marlow faced his surprised parents calmly. “The Ministry of Education doesn’t require parents to sign the exam preferences. It must be because they believe students can independently decide which school they want to go to. Dad, Mom, I want to go to Aston University. I’m sorry for enrolling without telling you, but I don’t want this family to erupt into arguments because of me.”

On the dining table lay a beautifully crafted letter, the unique paper admission notice from the Strategic Studies Department of Aston University, written in ancient Chinese stationery with neat calligraphy, unique to the entire federation.

“I respect your decision,” Hannibal smiled appreciatively. “Dad will always support you.”

Lilith’s face was pale. She stood up silently and went upstairs. After a while, the heavy sound of the master bedroom door closing came from upstairs.

“I don’t need anyone to bear the danger for me,” Marlow put away the letter and said to his father. “I’ll take care of Charlie, just as I promised you.”

“…Thank you.” Hannibal stood up and shook his son’s hand like an adult man. “Thank you.”

The author has something to say: The first volume is over, next volume, off to Planet Dunkirk, Aston University, here I come~~~

[Jin Xuan: What do you mean by sending the Chuunibyou character?]

[Author: Just for fun.]

[Jin Xuan: It’s not fun at all, you know?]

[Author: It’s fun to have lots of people.]

[Jin Xuan: Then go write a NP!] ¹

[Author: Actually, I did write one…]

[Jin Xuan: You’re such a pervert!]

[Author: Haha… you’re just being difficult!]

 

 

 

 

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