Chapter 54
He said these things without blushing or skipping a beat, as if it were nothing at all.
Even through the door, Xia Qian could almost see the boy's expression.
What would be the consequences of letting him in?
I know what it will be without even thinking about it.
But she also wanted to see him.
The door was slowly pulled open by the person inside, and light shone in through the crack.
Hughes stood there, just as she remembered him, with long, ink-black hair and handsome features that naturally exuded indifference.
His unfathomable pupils reflected her image, seemingly revealing a hint of emotion.
It seems like she's angry, but it's not really angry...
The girl looked at him with her clear, bright eyes, somewhat puzzled. "Hughes?"
What kind of emotion would produce that look in one's eyes?
She couldn't help but think.
But before the brain could even begin to function and think things through, a force suddenly came from behind.
That was a large hand.
A large, strong hand swept up her back, pulling her into his arms before she could react.
The masculine scent wafted over her, enveloping her entirely.
When Xia Qian realized what was happening, the tip of her nose had already touched the man's chest.
Time seemed to stand still.
Hughes is too tall!
Xia Qian couldn't help but look up at him.
Compared to his height, she was really short. When she was in his arms, she couldn't even reach his shoulder, and all she could hear was the sound of his heartbeat.
Calm and powerful.
Even the way he held her was tight, never letting go.
Are you nervous?
Her body was stiff and motionless, allowing him to do as he pleased.
"I won't do anything bad."
He said this in a very serious tone, but as he walked with her in his arms, his steps had already led them into the house. His long, slender hand, with its distinct knuckles, reached for the doorknob, as if he were about to close the door in that instant.
In that instant, a sense of danger suddenly rose from the bottom of Xia Qian's heart, like a venomous snake lurking in the grass, spying on her.
What's this?
The corridor outside was completely empty; there was nothing there.
It was as if the fleeting sense of danger was just an illusion!
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came, "Your Highness!"
"Your Highness! The Church of Light has launched a surprise attack!"
That ominous premonition was indeed not a misperception.
Xia Qian thought to herself.
"Don't be afraid."
The boy noticed the emotions of the person beside him. He held the small hand tightly in his palm and said in his usual calm tone, "It's nothing scary."
"Your Highness..." The soldier behind him was still waiting for Hughes' reply, but before he could speak, Hughes took a step forward.
He held the girl's hand, his steps steady and powerful, neither hurried nor slow.
But he got angry.
She raised her small face and looked at that handsome profile, those deep blue pupils unfathomable.
But when he's angry, those deep, dark eyes inexplicably become even darker.
Just like his mood.
Hughes and the Pope are mortal enemies!
Although the two are decades apart in age, spanning several generations, the entire galaxy lives at the mercy of them.
One is a young crown prince who is nominally about to ascend the throne, but in reality already holds real power.
The other is someone who has been in power for half a century.
The Pope and Hughes represent the Church of Light and the Empire.
Two tigers cannot share one mountain; one of them is destined to perish!
But why did the Pope intervene at this time?
Instead of retreating to his stronghold, he chose this moment to launch a surprise attack...
Something's not right!
Something's not right!
The Pope isn't the type to act impulsively or take action so readily!
"Your Highness, they haven't launched their attack yet, but—"
Before the soldier could finish speaking, Xia Qian silently added the second half of her sentence.
"Both sides have entered an attack mode."
The two starships stood in a stiff standoff, the control room silent except for a nod of greeting to Xiang Hughes and Xia Qian.
"Your Highness, shall we fire? This distance is too dangerous!"
If they don't seize the opportunity, and the enemy fires a shell at such close range, the control room will definitely be severely damaged, and then this starship will be...
"What about the other teams?"
"They're right around us! They've completed the encirclement."
“However,” the elder paused gravely, “the starship is too small a target, and it’s uncertain whether the other squadrons can hold the line in the event of a conflict…”
The other elders were indignant, saying, "They chose this starship because they were prepared!"
"We have nothing to be afraid of! When has a war ever seen a big thing lose to a small thing?"
Some people responded enthusiastically, while others immediately frowned and strongly objected, "You are underestimating the Pope! If it were really that simple, why was the Pope able to win power from dozens of saints in the first place?"
The control room was filled with a cacophony of voices, one strategic plan after another, but no consensus was ever reached.
No matter how noisy it was around him, the boy always looked on coldly, as if Hughes had his own ideas.
He glanced at Elder Gao beside him without saying a word, but Xia Qian could sense that they were exchanging something, or rather, exchanging some kind of signal.
"Hughes—"
"Wait a minute, stay close to your brother."
Xia Qian was taken aback. "Why?"
"What are you talking about?"
Suddenly, the Pope's voice came from the control room. Even through the screen, one could almost feel the Pope's gloomy mood.
Stripped of his smiling face, this is the Pope's true nature.
Even through the electronic screen, you could feel the Pope's anger; this time, he seemed to have truly been provoked by Hughes.
Neither starship made a move, but both sides were secretly preparing to attack.
But Hughes's eyes were really indifferent.
The Pope's presence did not make him feel nervous or afraid.
The reason why protagonists are protagonists is because they never get nervous in crucial moments.
Hughes was the same.
Just as Xia Qian was thinking this, the large hand holding hers suddenly moved.
Before she could react, Hughes had already shielded her behind him, protecting her completely.
I thought you wouldn't show up.
The boy said, staring indifferently at the electronic screen, clearly not taking the other party seriously, "It took you so long to show up, did the psychologist just help you overcome your psychological issues?"
"You! What did you say?!"
A mere eighteen-year-old brat with only a little talent dares to be so arrogant in front of him!
He'll make him pay!
"Hughes, something's wrong with the Pope!" Xia Qian whispered.
The boy listened to her voice, his large hand silently caressing the girl's soft, white hand.
When he caught sight of Xia Che walking in out of the corner of his eye, his large hand released hers for the first time.
"Xiaxia, from now on, stick close to your brother. He will protect you!"
What do you mean by that?
Xia Qian had barely finished speaking when Xia Che's voice followed, "Xia Xia!"
Xia Che's tone was more tense than ever before, even his expression and gait showed it.
The usually calm Xia Che was unusually flustered, and he only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Xia Qian standing in the center of the crowd.
Just then, a cold laugh suddenly rang out, and the Pope stared at Hughes with great interest, "Is that the little girl behind you the legendary girlfriend?"
"Hughes, you've hidden her away so well! You're so stingy, you won't let me see anything!"
His gaze fell intriguedly on Xia Qian. "Aren't you going to let me see what she looks like? I'm really curious to see what kind of beauty could bewitch the unromantic Crown Prince of the Empire like this!"
You don't deserve it.
Hughes didn't even glance at the Pope. At the same time, he gently pulled Xia Qian beside him toward Xia Che, "Take her away."
The Pope watched this scene with great interest. "Are you worried that I might hurt her?"
His gaze tried to pass over Hughes, but the boy was so persistent that he completely blocked the beauty's figure. His dark pupils were like those of a dangerous beast. The next second, a force suddenly struck, and before the Pope could react, his electronic screen shattered.
There's nothing to see.
The atmosphere remained silent for a long while. Inside the Church of Light starship, everyone looked at each other, none daring to guess the Pope's mood. Suddenly, a laugh rang out, "The real culprit."
"pope……"
"Attack!"
The speaker was taken aback. "But... are you sure you want to do this?"
That's utterly absurd!
The Empire assumed that their arrival in such a small starship was a well-prepared move, a coordinated attack from within, and that a trap had been set for them. But who knew the real truth?
"Attack!" the Pope said coldly. "Today, it's either him or me who dies."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a cannon blast rang out in that instant, and a burst of fire came hurtling towards them from the opposite side at lightning speed, faster than a meteor!
It was so fast they couldn't even react!
"Get out of the way!" the Pope shouted, jumping to his feet, clearly enraged.
Damn it!
Hughes and his men actually dared to attack first!
They are completely disregarded!
According to the interstellar treaty, the Church of Light does not establish a nation, but as the state religion, it stands above all other kingdoms, and no kingdom may attack the Church of Light.
Hughes actually started fighting right away!
The Pope clenched his fists, veins bulging in fury. "Monitor Xia Qian's departure! Don't let her go!"
Let Hughes taste this flavor too!
How dare they disregard him!
...
"Xiaxia! Hughes will have a way to handle this."
In the starship's corridor, Xia Che led Xia Qian along, heading towards the most secluded part of the starship. Xia Qian rarely spoke along the way, but she did not resist.
Xia Che looked at his younger sister with concern, but this time, before he could speak, Xia Qian spoke up, "Brother, I'm just worried about him."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Qian added, "I still feel that there's something wrong with the Pope."
His behavior is completely inconsistent with the original work!
You should know that the Pope was always very cautious when he planned to put Hughes into a demonic state, but today he's acting so recklessly!
Even during a surprise attack, they didn't bring enough men!
Xia Qian strongly suspected that the Pope's only bargaining chip was that starship, and that he had nothing else.
This is completely out of character for the Pope, who is known for his caution and prudence!
Although the development of this world has completely deviated from the original work.
However, upon closer reflection, the fates of some characters do somehow echo those in the original work.
For example, the traitorous Elder Zuo was destined to be overthrown by Hughes; Hans was another example; and the saintess was destined to be abandoned by the Pope.
But among these people, there was one more person...
For example, Elder Gao.
He was destined to die.
But he's still standing here perfectly fine. Is it because of her butterfly effect that she unintentionally caused Elder Gao to completely deviate from his original path and change his fate?
No way!
His and Hughes's plan has been ongoing. Her arrival has changed some people, but it hasn't affected Elder Gao yet.
Or is it simply that it's not yet time for him to die?
In the book, what was the reason he died?
Because of the Pope!
The ominous premonition that had been lingering in Xia Qian's heart suddenly seemed to find its source, and her heart pounded wildly. "Brother! I want to go back!"
"Xiaxia!"
"Why would the princess go back when she's perfectly fine?"
An aged voice came from behind Xia Qian. Having lived together day and night, Xia Qian didn't need to turn around to recognize the owner of the voice.
The person who spoke was Elder Gao.
Xia Qian's heart pounded, but she remained calm and turned around. "Elder Gao, I'm worried about Hughes!"
The so-called Elder Gao was clearly standing in the middle of the corridor, but the light inexplicably did not shine on him.
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