NOVEL NEXT 23
Chapter 23: You’re Not Just Trying to Deceive Me Like This…
“I heard that General Ais’s situation over there is very bad. They’re almost being thrashed by the fleet from the Glassy Galaxy. He’s worried every day and can’t sleep. Last night, Locke even contacted me and cried to me, saying he didn’t know how many mechs had been scrapped. He spends all day fixing this and that in the pile of mechs. If this continues, he feels like he’ll die from overwork at such a young age.”
Early in the morning, Russell came to gossip with Qi Yao.
Qi Yao had also heard recently that due to some minor conflicts, there was considerable panic on the outskirts of the Glassy Galaxy within the Imperial Galaxy.
Ais, as the commander-in-chief, was ordered to expel the military forces of the Glassy Galaxy, but due to the power of the new starships from the Glassy Galaxy, he frequently suffered injuries.
“Isn’t the Empire dispatching other generals to assist?” Qi Yao was not ignorant of military matters. Since Ais couldn’t handle it, the Empire would certainly not sit idly by.
Russell sighed, “It depends on whether General Ais can make a comeback. If not, the zerg Emperor will definitely have to appoint another general to assist General Ais.”
Russell then looked at Qi Yao. “The Emperor has yet to order reinforcements, so he must have his own plans.”
How could one easily fathom the thoughts of the zerg Emperor?
However, Qi Yao began to worry slightly.
In recent days, Yi Er had been unusually busy, and Qi Yao felt that something important must have happened. Moreover, yesterday afternoon, Si Niya and Yi Er had a long discussion behind closed doors in the Imperial Palace. Qi Yao couldn’t help but speculate that Yi Er’s busyness was likely related to the conflicts in the Glassy Galaxy.
Would His Majesty Si Niya order Yi Er to assist Ais?
Although Ais had once begged him for love, when it came to the interests of the Empire, everything else had to be set aside.
But if Yi Er were really to be dispatched, then Qi Yao couldn’t be Yi Er’s support now, because his mech skills were not mature enough to fully meet the requirements of a qualified mech pilot.
It was regrettable…
Qi Yao unknowingly became disheartened.
This melancholy persisted until noon.
In these days, Yi Er hadn’t returned home for lunch because of his busyness, and as Yi Er’s family member, Qi Yao naturally accompanied him, even if he didn’t want to go home.
When the two zergs were solving the lunch problem in Yi Er’s office, Qi Yao asked about his speculation.
After listening, Yi Er remained silent for a while. After the silence, he said as if he had prepared his words: “There have indeed been some problems in the border star systems.”
Qi Yao was no longer surprised. “Yesterday afternoon, His Majesty invited you to the Imperial Palace. Was it to discuss this matter?”
“Yes.”
Qi Yao sighed, “I guessed it.”
Yi Er looked at him. “What did you guess?”
“The Emperor wants to send you to assist Ais.”
“…”
Qi Yao’s desolation was not concealed at all, making Yi Er unsure how to announce this matter in a way that would make the other party feel a bit better.
He hesitated for a moment, trying to make things sound simple and light-hearted. “Actually, I was supposed to go originally, but His Majesty considered that I’m still in the honeymoon period, and besides, the situation in the border star systems wasn’t that serious, so Ais was reassigned instead.”
Qi Yao froze. Yi Er was originally assigned to go? Why didn’t Yi Er mention it earlier?
Yi Er added, “At that time, the Glassy Galaxy wasn’t as aggressive as it is now.”
Qi Yao didn’t understand Yi Er’s meaning. “So, now…?”
Yi Er replied, “His Majesty’s intention is for me to provide remote guidance on battle plans. He didn’t order me to go in person, but I want to. This way, we can resolve the situation more quickly.”
A glimmer of hope flashed in Qi Yao’s eyes but quickly extinguished.
Yi Er was indeed going.
He didn’t oppose Yi Er’s decision; he supported Yi Er. But at the same time, he wanted to be the force behind Yi Er, fighting side by side with him.
After a long pause, Qi Yao finally gathered the courage to speak again. “When are you leaving?”
“In the next couple of days. The approval order has already been submitted. Once it’s approved, I’ll be leaving. I’m sorry for telling you just now.”
Qi Yao picked at his lunch, silently contemplating. It was better for him to stay quietly at home now, not letting Yi Er worry about him, considering his inadequate skills.
“What’s wrong? Are you upset or not feeling well?” Yi Er noticed Qi Yao’s sudden lack of words and distraction during lunch and asked him carefully.
“Hmm? No, not at all.” Qi Yao replied thoughtfully, deliberately avoiding the question about being upset. “I was almost fully awake before going to bed last night. After waking up from a night’s sleep, I’m fine now. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Then why aren’t you focused even when eating?”
“I…” Qi Yao looked up, secretly hoping, “When you go to the border star systems, which mech pilot will you take with you?”
Yi Er quickly saw through Qi Yao. “You want me to take you?”
“…You’re kidding.” Qi Yao hurriedly denied, “I know I’m not ready yet. I’m just regretful that I’m not qualified enough to go with you.”
Yi Er didn’t say anything, apparently agreeing with Qi Yao’s statement.
The two zergs fell silent for a while. Then Yi Er said, “A few days ago, under Minister Nos’s command in the Starship Department, one starship pilot went on maternity leave, and the vacant position hasn’t been filled yet. If I’m approved to go to the border star systems for assistance, I may not be able to come back for a long time. Then there won’t be anyone to teach you mech technology. Minister Nos is an excellent starship technician. He used to be a comrade-in-arms of my female father and often fought alongside him. You can go to him to learn starship technology, and I’m very relieved.”
So that was the plan. Qi Yao hesitated and hesitated again.
“Yi Er, you’re asking me to change professions.”
Yi Er, who had been with mechs and starships for years, didn’t see much difference between the two. “They’re pretty much the same thing.”
“…”
The whole universe knew that Qi Yao wanted to become a mech pilot, but Yi Er wanted him to become a starship pilot.
Qi Yao began to seriously consider, wondering if with his enthusiasm and belief, he could achieve a 100% chance of obtaining a dual-degree certificate.
Yi Er thought Qi Yao was unwilling and continued to persuade him earnestly and patiently, “Many highly combat-effective and skilled starship pilots in the Empire are graduates of Minister Nos. Minister Nos is a very responsible teacher. Unlike Russell, who is afraid to be as strict with you as he is with female zergs just because you’re a male zerg, you’ll grow faster under Minister Nos’s guidance in the Starship Department than in the Mech Department.”
Qi Yao was indeed moved. “I heard that the Glassy Galaxy used new starship technology this time, which is why Ais had such a hard time.”
Yi Er nodded in agreement.
“Well, then, I’ll go learn starship technology. This way, whether you need a mech pilot or a starship pilot in the future, I can be the support you need.”
Yi Er smiled. His lord was always full of fighting spirit, no matter what decision he made.
“I haven’t told you before, but I actually prefer using single-starship combat over mechs.”
Qi Yao didn’t take it seriously. “Are you saying that just to appease me?”
“Of course not.”
*
In the afternoon, Qi Yao told Russell about his transfer to the Starship Department.
Russell listened and once again cast an admiring glance at Qi Yao. “With someone like General Yi Er as your mate, you’re still out there working so hard. The males of the Empire should really learn more from you.”
Then he changed his tone and whispered, “Did Yi Er not hand over his assets, and you don’t have enough money, so you were forced to come out and earn money? You don’t need to do that. Just sell a couple of cute poses, and he’ll give you money to spend, won’t he?”
Qi Yao was drinking water and almost choked when he heard this. “Minister Russell, you’re thinking too much. Yi Er already gave me his money.”
Russell widened his eyes. “Then why are you still going out and exposing yourself? Isn’t it better to stay at home like other married males, eating, drinking, and enjoying leisurely days?”
Qi Yao couldn’t be bothered to explain. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Russell grinned. “What wouldn’t I understand? Don’t you know that Nos doesn’t like anyone? His place isn’t as comfortable as mine. If he knew you were an unruly male, he’d definitely give you a hard time.”
“Is it that scary?”
“If you don’t believe me, go try it.”
Yi Er had already informed Nos in advance, but since Yi Er was busy, Qi Yao had to go by himself. Whether Russell was watching for entertainment or not, he volunteered to accompany Qi Yao to the Starship Department. He wouldn’t feel relieved until he saw Nos personally receive Qi Yao.
Qi Yao was indifferent and let Russell take him there.
The Starship Department wasn’t far from the Mech Department. Ten minutes later, Russell led Qi Yao into Minister Nos’s office in the Starship Department.
The office door was wide open. Nos wore precise glasses on his face. When he saw Russell and Qi Yao coming in, he just nodded and continued to focus on writing and drawing on the desk, occasionally lifting his head to record some data on the electronic screen in front of him.
The quiet office was filled only with the sound of Nos writing and drawing, and the ticking of the mechanical clock on the wall. Qi Yao stood awkwardly at the door. If Russell hadn’t been there, he wouldn’t have known what to do.
Russell leaned over and whispered lowly, with considerable experience, “That’s Nos. Don’t disturb him at this time, or he’ll get angry at you.”
“Oh.” Qi Yao tried to be as quiet as possible, even lowering his breathing.
After a while, Russell got tired of standing and pulled Qi Yao to sit on the sofa in the office.
Time passed minute by minute, until the clock had struck three times, and Nos finally lifted his head from the cluttered design drawings on the table.
He took off his glasses, rubbed his forehead, picked up the nutrient liquid on the table, drank it all in one gulp, then looked up and saw the two zergs on the sofa with a look of surprise on his face. “I thought you two had left already.”
Russell stood up, feeling no sense of neglect at all. “Nos, if someone took something from you here, you wouldn’t even notice, would you?”
Nos put down the empty bottle of nutrient liquid. “It’s not that bad.”
Russell teased, “Yeah, it’s not a starship design, but if even half of one of those things went missing, you’d probably make a fuss that the whole military district would know about.”
Nos chuckled twice in response to Russell’s joke, then became serious. “I’ve been busy since morning, and just had a sudden inspiration. Sorry for the delay.”
Then he turned to look at Qi Yao. “Who is he…?”
Russell waved for Qi Yao to come over. “Let me introduce you. Qi Yao, come.”
Before Russell could finish speaking, Nos squinted suddenly. “Male?”
Qi Yao nodded. “Yes.”
Nos asked, “Are you General Yi Er’s male?”
Qi Yao replied, “Yes.”
Nos walked out from behind his desk piled with design drawings, scrutinizing Qi Yao up and down, and said coldly, “Yi Er asked me to teach you starship technology. I couldn’t refuse his request, but I’ve been wanting to ask, why did you come to a place like the military district to learn? Don’t you know your identity?”