Chapter 93: Nowhere to go
Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations
Editor: Karai
After the ceremony, Heinrich went to the military headquarters to report to the Supreme Military Committee and the Emperor. The people sitting in high positions rarely minded Heinrich’s cold demeanor, even taking comfort in his few words, refraining from blindly questioning him about ancient Earth history. After the reporting process was over, the Emperor personally spoke up, instructing the military to give Heinrich some time off to rest.
The elders of the Supreme Military Committee and the Emperor echoed each other, stating that Marshal Chu had spent years wandering in space, dedicating himself to the Imperial cause, and deserved a period of rest. The Abyss Fleet stationed at the airfield had suffered losses in the Battle of the Silver Fortress and needed to regroup as well.
Heinrich accepted the order without much comment. After the meeting, Heinrich left the military’s metal walls with his adjutant Arnold. He hesitated momentarily in his direction, only to be intercepted by an alpha male in military uniform.
“Uncle.” The man greeted Heinrich warmly. Heinrich halted, said nothing, and frowned slightly at the man in pure white military attire. Arnold stepped forward, restraining the alpha male three meters away from Heinrich. He spoke politely but firmly, “Lieutenant Chu, this is Imperial Military Headquarters. You shouldn’t address Marshal Chu like this.”
Chu Yu felt irritated being intercepted by an adjutant, but Heinrich’s imposing presence made him tremble inside. He had to stand at attention and salute, “Lieutenant Chu Yu of the First Legion Garrison Brigade pays respects to Marshal Chu!”
Heinrich’s lips pressed together like the corner of steel, his cold gaze sweeping over Chu Yu’s salute without any response. Following his gaze to the insignia on Arnold’s shoulder, Chu Yu reluctantly returned the salute, “Colonel Arnold, hello!”
Arnold returned the salute sternly, “Lieutenant Chu, hello.”
Heinrich finally looked directly at his nephew. “What is it?”
Chu Yu’s voice trembled unnaturally as he spoke, “Marshal Chu, Grand Duke invites you to the Chu Family for a family gathering. The family banquet is ready.”
The Chu family had held the title of Imperial Grand Duke for generations, and Chu Yu’s grandfather was the current Duke. Heinrich and they were not close.
His mother, Chu Suifeng, was a distant branch of the Chu family, and her title and resources had never been related to the family, relying solely on her own rise to the position of commander of the Seventh Army Corps.
However, Chu Suifeng’s achievements gradually reversed the decline of the Chu family, but her love affair with a dragon made it difficult for the Chu family to accept, and Heinrich was also alienated together until he accumulated enough merits and fame on the battlefield with Zerg and the enemy’s bones. They started saying that Heinrich was the pride of the Chu family.
Both sides understood each other’s emotions were thin, but that did not prevent Chu Yu’s father from seizing a seat in the Senate and pushing Chu Yu into the glory and safety of the First Legion Garrison.
As long as he didn’t go too far, Heinrich had always turned a blind eye to the Chu family’s small movements, and they understood not to disturb the busy Marshal Chu at random. Now Chu Yu appeared in front of Heinrich and may have something to discuss.
“I see,” Heinrich replied, and before Chu Yu could be happy, he turned to talk to Arnold, “You go get things first, get things done, and take the aircraft to the Chu family mansion and wait for me to come out.”
Chu Yu said, “Marshal Chu still has to leave at night? Just stay at home and prepare a room for you. Although it hasn’t been used for so many years, someone has always taken care of it.”
“No need, I have a place to stay.” Heinrich stepped forward, and Chu Yu followed him.
After the meeting, Heinrich was originally entangled in whether to go directly to the Endymion star or to the jewelry store to pick up the custom-made brooch. Chu Yu’s arrival slowed down his entire plan, and Heinrich was displeased.
After boarding the aircraft specially prepared by the Chu family, he did not speak to Chu Yu all the way. The Chu family has been established for thousands of years, and in the Imperial center city filled with high-rise buildings, there was a secluded old mansion hidden among tall trees. The old mansion has undergone several renovations and reconstructions, and was currently a three-story building at the forefront of Imperial’s advanced architecture.
The liquid metal facade rippled in the natural breeze, reflecting the century-old ancient wood and live water fountain on the silver-white alloy facade, where technology and nature merged, revealing the breath of money and power.
Chu Xi, the father of Chu Yu and his omega wife, Yelena, greeted Heinrich at the door and led him to the dining room. Along the way, he introduced Heinrich to the development of Capital Star and the situation of the Chu family in recent years.
Chu Xi had many words, but the skill he had developed in official circles made him sound less noisy than Chu Yu’s duck-like chatter.
Heinrich would occasionally give short responses, but they were barely even strangers, and casual chatter was meaningless.
The Grand Duke Chu did not come out to greet him, sitting in the main seat of the dining room until Heinrich entered, still sitting, this middle-aged man’s appearance seemed to wait for Heinrich to greet him, ultimately only got Heinrich’s cold and concise nod. The atmosphere became stiff and cold.
Yelena tried to round off, invite everyone to sit down, and let Heinrich try the chef’s skills in the old mansion, but Heinrich didn’t even touch the knife and fork, looking directly at Grand Duke Chu, “I don’t eat these things, what does the Grand Duke want from me?”
The Grand Duke Chu remained silent for a while and said, “Heinrich, according to the generation, you should call me uncle.”
“According to the position, the Grand Duke should call me Marshal Chu, General Chu, or Legion Commander Chu.” Heinrich replied.
Chu Yu listened dumbfoundedly to Heinrich and Grand Duke Chu. In his impression, no Chu family members dared to speak like this to the Grand Duke Chu, even if it was his father.
The long-standing Grand Duke Chu apparently hadn’t thought that Heinrich would be so rebellious, all his breath was suppressed into the lungs, and he spoke heavily, “Heinrich…”
Heinrich looked back indifferently. The highest-spec military uniform was still not removed. The liquid metal facade reflected the lights from the ceiling, shining brightly on the rows of military medals on his chest.
His face was handsome, but there was only a slight resemblance between his eyebrows and the Grand Duke Chu. His silver hair and golden eyes were out of place among the black-haired and black-eyed Chu family members.
The Grand Duke Chu was furious in his heart but had to swallow this anger. Following Heinrich’s previous question, he said, “The Hill Family intends to have Miss Katherine marry you.”
“I have already refused Miss Katherine Hill in person.”
“Well, I know. If you are not interested in Miss Hill, there are many other noble omegas to choose from. If you prefer betas, there are also many.” The Grand Duke said, “Heinrich, the recovery of ancient Earth has stirred up the entire situation of the Empire. Marriage is a major family matter. You must think carefully and make a decision as soon as possible.”
He thought for a moment and added, “Your private hobbies will not be affected by marriage. Those omegas and betas are all reasonable people. I have several candidates here, and their family background is very good. They are gentle in character, you … Heinrich!”
When Duke Chu mentioned making a decision quickly, Heinrich had already stood up, a sharp aura gathering around his furrowed brow. “Duke Chu, there’s nothing more to discuss on this matter,” he said firmly.
Without waiting for Duke Chu’s response, Heinrich brushed past, his military boots echoing on the floor, also crafted from liquid metal, his voice decisive. Duke Chu watched Heinrich’s erect figure as he left, his anger evident. “This kid!” he exclaimed.
The crystal glass shattered into pieces, dark red wine spilled on the floor like flowing gems.
Chu Xiu glanced at his father. “Father, calm down… Think about it, since Heinrich didn’t openly reveal his secret lover, he probably has doubts about their humble status. I think he might want to marry a noble omega, but being so used to the wild outside, he’s not used to elders’ arrangements.”
The smart housekeeping robot rolled up to the table to sweep away the glass shards, while Duke Chu breathed heavily, his face reddening with anger.
Earlier, when Katherine returned to Capital Star, news spread of Heinrich’s rejection, but she didn’t dwell on it. Her words hinted at surprising news—Marshal Chu had a lover. Not only that, but the lover was already pregnant with Marshal Chu’s child, likely to be born upon his return from ancient Earth. Katherine never explicitly said who it was, only wishing Marshal Chu to find true love.
So today at the ceremony, various noble families eagerly awaited to see who Heinrich Chu had chosen as his lover. The results, however, left them disappointed and yet excited. They were disappointed because, alongside Heinrich, descended only Zhou Pingbo, an E-class alpha with sparse hair, and Heinrich’s alpha deputy.
But they were excited because having a lover and a child out of wedlock indicated Heinrich wasn’t emotionally cold and had no functional issues. And remember, back when Chu Suifeng returned with the dragon named Andreas, the silver-white dragon descended vigorously from the Katrina, almost driving the city’s defense commander mad.
But Heinrich didn’t let his lover and child appear in public, meaning he left himself a way out for a marriage alliance. After the ceremony, countless messages and requests flew to Chu’s mansion. Duke Chu wanted to select the most advantageous candidate for the Chu family.
–
Heinrich left Chu’s mansion and boarded the aircraft piloted by Arnold, heading towards the space elevator well that connected the Capital Star main planet and its satellites.
Arnold saw the displeasure on Heinrich’s face and wisely refrained from speaking much, handing over the broach he had fetched for Heinrich. The aircraft took the military’s special route, bypassing queues, and quickly arrived at Endymion star.
The transit platform at the bottom of the space elevator was illuminated by giant searchlights, with countless 3D posters displaying the successful return of the Nature’s Evolution, the Abyss Fleet, and the Elam Fleet to passersby. Beside them, rolling dialogue said, ‘Today, we return home with honor!’ Heinrich glanced at them once and then looked away.
Leaving the space elevator range, fine rain turned the lights into hazy dots. The high-rise buildings in the main city area of Endymion were shrouded in purple-red light pollution and continuous rain.
Cacamorra Plains were located on the outskirts of the city. Arnold piloted the aircraft around the controlled airspace of the city towards the direction of the plains. Artificial lights gradually decreased until they disappeared.
The entire plain was covered under a dark blue sky, with white mist floating half a meter above the ground, just enough to envelop wild grass. The black silhouettes of mountains undulated in the mist as if floating on these waves of fog. When the strong wind blew, the mist and rain rolled like waves.
Raindrops hit the glass windows of the aircraft. Within the mist, a faint warm yellow light suddenly emerged, like a lighthouse in the darkness.
“Go that way,” Heinrich said. Getting closer, you could see the outline of a cottage illuminated by the light. At this moment, it looked more like a small boat in the stormy waves, anchored firmly in place.
The aircraft landed beside the house. Heinrich let Arnold leave first, stepped over the puddle, and walked up the steps to the front of the house, knocking on the door. No one responded.
Heinrich walked around to the window and glanced inside. Suddenly, a rabbit-cat jumped onto the windowsill and stared at him through the glass. He returned to the door and knocked again. After a while, Heinrich heard footsteps approaching. He lowered his hand and waited at the door for the homeowner to let him in.
Click— the door opened, and Lin Xu’s face appeared through the gradually widening gap. He had changed into ordinary clothes, with some stains on the cuffs for some reason.
Lin Xu looked surprised to see Heinrich. “Why have you come?”
“I have nowhere else to go.”
Lin Xu, “?”
Heinrich was still clad in the sleek black military uniform from the ceremony, but the storm at Cacamorra Plains had soaked him thoroughly within a few steps. Even the most waterproof fabrics couldn’t stop raindrops from slipping down his neck and into his clothes.
He stood in the night, surrounded by a dark blue luminescence. The warm light leaking through the cracks of the door illuminated his sharply chiseled features, but his silver hair clung wetly to his forehead. The edges of his military commendation medal reflected the light, resembling faint stars. Heinrich opened his mouth to explain, “I rarely come to the Crescent District. I don’t own any property here.”
“What about the Chu family?”
“That’s not my home.”
“Where did you stay when you first came to Capital Star?”
“…I stayed in the military dorms,” Heinrich said, “but those… are not accessible to civilians. I can’t bring you in.”
Heinrich stood just outside, watching Lin Xu. The night wind blew, his gaze flickering slightly. Water droplets rolled off his eyelashes and splattered onto his muddy-spotted military boots.
Though Lin Xu had a home, the house looked like it was almost falling apart. Could Lin Xu refuse a drenched Marshal Chu? Absolutely not.
He turned his head to grab a towel. Just as he turned back, he saw Heinrich’s handsome face, still icy cold, with a deep furrow between his brows. Yet his eyes closely followed Lin Xu’s movements, as if afraid Lin Xu would lock him out.
Lin Xu draped the towel over Heinrich’s head and rubbed it a few times. “Dry yourself off.”
Then, he began unbuttoning Heinrich’s military jacket. Lin Xu hadn’t expected that the first time he would take off Heinrich’s handsome military uniform would be under these circumstances.
Heinrich stiffened for a moment, then realized Lin Xu simply didn’t want to drag the wet clothes inside and soil the floor. The military jacket was hung outside the door. Lin Xu crouched down again, his voice still slightly low. “Lift your feet.”
Heinrich complied. Lin Xu unzipped his leather boots and helped him slip them off, arranging them side by side on the doorstep, just as he had done with Heinrich’s spacesuit shoes before.
Heinrich first placed one foot inside the house, then the other. Lin Xu didn’t step back, so when he stood up, the two were too close together. Lin Xu slipped directly into Heinrich’s arms. Heinrich adjusted his arms and embraced Lin Xu.
This Title is available for faster chapter releases through paid Patreon membership. Any proceeds go to keeping the website running. Check it out HERE.
