Chapter 39
Hans's words echoed in the silent space, each syllable seemingly blending into the darkness of the room.
"Owner……"
The subordinate inwardly felt a sense of foreboding, but he dared not look up and meet Hans's gloomy gaze.
However, the subordinate was still worried that Hans might act recklessly, so he hesitated and spoke up, hoping that the man in front of him could calm down.
"Master, we're still on our own territory, so let's not act rashly..."
Taking action here would be too suspicious.
That would be tantamount to courting death.
However, seeing Hans's gloomy expression, the subordinate dared not say anything more, and just stood silently to the side, swallowing back the rest of the words he hadn't said.
Yes, this is their territory.
However, the Royal Forest is not actually their main base, even though it is managed by Hans.
However, Hans was merely a figurehead.
He had no control whatsoever, not even a shred of real power.
Rather than calling this Hans's headquarters, it would be more accurate to say that it was a headquarters that monitored Hans.
Before Hughes was born, this person might have carried some weight, after all, the king's true eldest son had no special abilities whatsoever, which was a serious disqualification.
That's why Hans had the opportunity to rise to power. Although the king didn't explicitly say so, everyone secretly supported him and regarded him as the future crown prince.
There were even rumors circulating that the king was planning to have Hans adopted into his family.
At the time, everyone believed it to be true, and that this was the king's way of implying that they should enshrine Hans.
So Hans truly rose to power, and looking back now, he was indeed a truly brilliant figure.
But it only lasted for a short period of time.
After Hughes was born, there was no place for him.
Even though he is nominally the second in line to the throne, everyone knows that he has no chance of ever taking the throne again.
He was originally just one of the king's many nephews who was slightly more prominent, but now he has been reduced to his original state.
How can anyone compare to Hughes, who fully inherited the bloodline of the imperial gods?
Placing him here was merely the king's way of compensating him by giving him a barely respectable title and then sending him here.
Hans's expression was gloomy.
"Master..." the subordinate whispered, sensing something was wrong.
Just then, Hans slowly turned around. "Has the Saintess arrived yet?"
The subordinate was taken aback, clearly not expecting Hans to suddenly ask this, but he only hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yes... on the way here."
Hans sneered, "The Church of Light wanted the Holy Maiden to marry into our family before, but the Elder Council was so disdainful of it."
I really don't know how humiliated these elders must feel now.
Disdainful of the Holy Maiden's insufficiently noble birth, they arrogantly told the Church of Light that the Holy Maiden was completely unqualified to be Empress, while their Crown Prince was exceptionally outstanding.
The implication was that the saintess was not good enough for her.
But look at what kind of person Hughes found?
He wouldn't mind taking a slave as a companion.
Hans sneered.
His gloomy face was dark and twisted, like a maggot wriggling in the dark.
His cousin had always been the one who received special treatment since childhood, and wherever Hughes went, he was always the center of attention.
I've never been disappointed.
If only I could make him feel disappointed just once.
"Tell me," Hans paused, "if I let Xia Qian be with another man, do you think Hughes would still want her?"
After saying this, a smile inexplicably appeared on his gloomy, handsome face, as if he had already painted that scene; Hans's face was full of smiles.
The subordinate felt a chill run down his spine, his hair stood on end, and his heart felt like it was going to jump out of his chest.
He tried his best to suppress his emotions, but Hans's expression became even more ferocious at this moment. "Who does he think he is!"
Why is he so lucky? Everything belongs to him!
Born into the empress's womb, he possessed everything from birth, needing no struggle or effort; all eyes automatically fell upon him.
On what grounds?
Why is Hughes so lucky?!
He was unwilling to accept it!
If Hughes hadn't shown up, everything would have been his!
How could he end up like this, in this godforsaken place, holding a title that has no real power, and being looked down upon by everyone?
Hans was not willing to accept this!
Jealousy and hatred are like two maggots in a filthy ditch, sucking away at this twisted essence. This filthy ditch is a place that even light doesn't want to shine into; it cannot be exposed.
But this filthy ditch in his heart had existed for ten years, and the maggots of hatred and jealousy within it had long since crawled all over his body.
They couldn't tolerate Hughes; they wanted to kill him and make him disappear from the world completely!
I also want to watch him fall from the clouds, fall into a filthy ditch just like mine, and let him taste what that feels like.
At the same time, a knock on the door suddenly sounded, "Master, the Pope has contacted us!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Hans's previously gloomy expression suddenly froze, and the hatred that had risen in his heart unconsciously subsided.
Hans looked stunned, as if he had never expected the other party to contact him at this time.
What does he want by calling?
Hans composed himself, but his actions didn't. He kicked the nearest subordinate hard, "Go turn around here."
"Yes, yes..."
Despite the pain, the subordinate hurriedly did as Hans instructed and fled from the study as if escaping.
In the huge study, only Hans remained. The next second, a figure suddenly appeared on the giant screen.
"If you contact me so casually, you could easily expose me."
Hans didn't give the person in front of him a friendly look either.
He casually sat on the sofa, his posture less than elegant, and just sat there facing that person, not caring whether the other person would be unhappy.
"You're so old and still so reckless. We might as well just end this cooperation."
"You're not a child anymore, yet you still speak so rudely. You have no aristocratic manners whatsoever. No wonder you can't compare to Hughes in anything, and your reputation is so bad."
"What did you say!"
"It's just what you heard."
The other person spoke with a smile, their gentle and handsome face appearing particularly kind.
He looked at Hans, still smiling, but his words were anything but kind, each one hitting Hans hard with anger.
"Even if you don't compare yourself to Hughes, you're still no match for him."
"I am a pope, after all, and you speak to me like that? You think you can get the support of those powerful and wealthy people? How can you be so delusional!"
Hans clenched his fists, his anger undisguised, but the Pope of the Church of Light paid no heed. "The saintess I arranged is on her way. Remember, everything must be done exactly as I say. Not a single detail can be overlooked!"
Hans frowned, about to speak, but the Pope interrupted him again, "If you really want to be in a position of power, you should be making plans now."
He clenched his fist, but the Pope didn't seem worried at all about angering Hans. Instead, through the screen, the Pope narrowed his eyes and said leisurely, "To be in a position of power, one must learn to plan ahead and make use of everything available around you."
“Like me, I sent the saintess over.”
The Pope fiddled with the ring, turning it continuously.
"My plan is all set up, and I'm just waiting for you to take charge."
His words carried a seductive purpose; the promised throne seemed within reach, enticing Hans to take the first step.
Meanwhile, the starship landed smoothly.
The Royal Forest is a place specifically used by the Empire to raise and protect exotic beasts.
It may sound strange, but this place is never open to the public because it is a military site.
The military conducts exercises and simulations here year-round, and even engages in simulated battles with the strange beasts in the forest to train the combat capabilities of both sides.
This is the place recognized by the Empire as having the strongest combat power. It is not open to ordinary people. If someone can obtain an ability license issued by the Royal Forest here, the entire star system will look at them with more respect.
No one can deny the owner's ability.
The Royal Forest is indeed a forest, with lush trees and a verdant landscape as far as the eye can see, yet a tall wall also stands there.
Rows of soldiers stood there, while mech robots occasionally flew overhead on patrol.
Hughes led Xia Qian inside, past the tall wall, where there was almost a forest, and a tall building stood there.
That's where they're going this time: the Royal Forest's office.
To enter the depths of the forest and fight the exotic beasts specially raised by the empire, one must first obtain registration qualifications before being eligible to obtain an ability license.
Make sure your strength allows you to skip ranks without wasting national resources.
“There’s no one inside, don’t be afraid.” Hughes pushed open the office door, tightened his grip on the small hand in his, and said slowly, “But stay close to me and don’t let go.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he pushed open the door, but at the same time, he pulled Xia Qian behind him, completely blocking out anything inside from seeing even a trace of her.
Before Xia Qian could see anything, a "beep" sound suddenly rang out.
The next second, beams of red light shone through, like countless eyes of wild beasts hidden in the darkness, yet they emitted a cold, mechanical voice: "Intruder detected! Prepare to attack!"
Hughes remained standing there calmly, without even moving, while blocking Xia Qian from being exposed.
Those narrow eyes coldly met the beams of red light within.
At the same time, the mechanical voice continued to repeat, "Beep! First test passed, no signs of attack, attack canceled, switching to defense system. Identifying whether you are a citizen of the Empire..."
"Beep! Identity verification successful. Imperial citizen! The Empire's number one max-level ability user, a member of the royal family, and the first in line to the throne, Hughes Siegel."
"Defense system canceled, initiating system protection."
All the red lights vanished instantly, transforming into green lights that were aimed at Hughes, instantly dispelling the tense atmosphere.
Hughes then took a step forward and led Xia Qian inside.
The door closed automatically as they stepped inside.
The surrounding area, which was originally pitch black, was suddenly illuminated by lights that turned on automatically, allowing Xia Qian to see clearly what was inside the room.
She swears that Xiao Yaoyao never wrote anything like that in the book.
All they could see inside the room were countless small tanks, packed tightly together.
The red light that previously emanated from the darkness like that of a wild beast came from their gaze.
At the same time, they all made way.
Like highly intelligent beings, they forcefully made way for them.
When Xia Qian looked at them, they seemed to sense it and looked back at her as well.
Just then, Hughes suddenly stopped.
They had reached the end of the room, where an electronic screen stood.
Xia Qian could clearly see the text displayed on the electronic screen.
Hughes Siegel.
This is Hughes' full name.
Xia Qian looked at the name on the screen, and at the same time, Hughes pulled her to his side, this time holding her in his arms.
He put one arm around her and started operating the electronic screen with the other.
Application for registration qualification on behalf of a companion.
The next second, a mechanical voice came from the electronic screen, reading out the text on it word by word: "Please explain your relationship with your companion."
As soon as the words were spoken, the electronic screen displayed several options: employment relationship, kinship relationship, guarantor relationship...
Hughes's finger swept across the options without pausing for a moment until the last option appeared, at which point he stopped and firmly tapped it.
Marital relationship.
The next second, he added three more words after "marital relationship" and then pressed confirm.
In that very second, the mechanical voice on the electronic screen once again read out the text clearly and accurately: "Hughes Siegel and his companion are husband and wife, specifically engaged. Confirm?"
confirm.
Hughes pressed the button.
Suddenly, the silent space fell silent.
Xia Qian's cheeks flushed red, "Hughes..."
Her voice was soft, but it was also a protest.
Xia Qian thought to herself with shame.
They haven't gotten to that point yet!
"Only this option fits." He held her close, his voice low.
Just then, her face suddenly appeared on the electronic screen.
With the help of the electronic screen, Xia Qian could clearly see her blushing cheeks, and right next to her, her name appeared there.
Along with her name came the new identity the robot had given her.
Xia Qian, Hughes Siegel's fiancée.
There was nothing wrong with her, but her cheeks seemed to be burning even hotter.
Just then, the hand around her waist suddenly tightened its grip, and cold lips pressed against her earlobe, separated by her hair.
Hughes pressed his hand against her, as if kissing her hair, and whispered, "I'll fix it."
Xia Qian was stunned, her mind went blank, and she seemed unable to react.
What should I supplement?
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