Chapter 135: Empire
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Liao Ning continued to lament over Zhu Fei’s death when a spaceship, bound for the far reaches of the universe, entered a warp. Adorning the spaceship was a silver-blue emblem, the symbol of the empire.
To everyone’s surprise, Zhu Fei, who had been declared dead by the alliance, appeared on the spaceship, wearing the empire’s emblem.
After an indeterminate period, Zhu Fei slowly opened her tightly shut eyes. As her eyes adjusted to the surrounding light, she realized she had transitioned from a cold cell to an unfamiliar place. Instantly, she curled up nervously, feeling vulnerable and disoriented.
“Miss Zhu Fei, you’re finally awake. We went to great lengths to free you from the confines of Planet B16’s prison!” A person dressed in a black combat uniform spoke, shifting from a smile to a stern expression. He scolded Zhu Fei, saying, “Look at how guarded you are. Do you even appreciate the sacrifice we made to save you?!”
Zhu Fei’s trembling form intensified as she stammered, “I-I don’t know you, and I didn’t ask for your help!”
Observing Zhu Fei’s fearful demeanor, the person let out an eerie laugh, relishing in her vulnerability. “Oh! I apologize for scaring you, Miss Zhu Fei. It’s just that you look so adorable when you’re pitiful and frightened. Like a little mouse encountering a cat!”
In that moment, Zhu Fei couldn’t help but perceive the person before her as deranged. She failed to comprehend how a mouse meeting a cat could be considered cute; it was clearly an unfortunate prey encountering its predator!
“Yes, yes, yes! Precisely!” The person chuckled and clapped his hands upon witnessing Zhu Fei’s escalating terror. “Miss Zhu Fei, you truly embody the role of a little mouse. If my departed brother were to see you, he would certainly capture and confine you in a cage.”
“Enough with scaring Miss Zhu Fei. Remember, she is a VIP personally invited by His Majesty.” A man in a combat uniform stepped forward, shielding Zhu Fei from the unsettling gaze of the other person.
Approaching with an air of gentility, the man who had just arrived bowed to Zhu Fei. He proceeded to introduce himself, as well as the person who had caused the distressing encounter, to Zhu Fei.
“Esteemed Miss Zhu Fei, please accept my sincere apologies on behalf of Gu Liang’s earlier behavior. As His Majesty’s most trusted knight, Cologne humbly extends his apology to you.”
After hearing the man’s words, Zhu Fei remained undaunted. Instead, she gathered her courage and questioned, “You’re from the empire. Aren’t you concerned about inciting a war between our two countries by openly kidnapping a citizen of the alliance?”
Knight Cologne maintained his gentle demeanor as he politely replied, “Miss Zhu Fei, there’s no need to worry. The war between the alliance and the empire has never ceased. Besides, you are no longer considered a citizen of the alliance. The alliance’s official report has already informed its citizens that Zhu Fei, the once renowned live-streamer showcasing the ancient food culture of the alliance, met with an unfortunate accident on Planet B16.” 𝑓𝓇𝘦𝘦𝔀𝓮𝒷𝘯𝓸𝓋𝓮𝘭.𝓬𝓸𝘮
Cologne respectfully bowed to Zhu Fei. “Henceforth, your identity is that of His Majesty’s wandering bloodline. Your Highness, with your exceptional culinary talent, please aid the people of the empire in alleviating the anguish caused by the mental riot.”
“What bloodline? Princess of the empire? Do you honestly expect anyone to believe such baseless claims? How can the people of the alliance fail to recognize me with this face? It’s preposterous!”
Zhu Fei couldn’t shake off her apprehension towards Cologne’s demeanor. She couldn’t fathom that, given the longstanding animosity between the empire and the alliance, an ordinary individual from the alliance would meet a favorable fate within the empire. Could it be that the empire had gone to such lengths to attack Prison B16 solely to rescue her?
“Are you afraid, little rat? There’s no need to fear. In due time, I’ll alter your appearance. I don’t believe anyone will be able to identify you,” Gu Liang, who had been peculiar from the start, sneered wickedly.
“If you’re concerned that someone might conduct a genetic test and expose your true identity as the deceased ‘Zhu Fei,’ we can utilize special methods to transfer your consciousness into another body, ensuring that no one will associate you with ‘Zhu Fei’ again. However, this method might cause some discomfort..
The man before her grinned maliciously. Zhu Fei couldn’t perceive the solution he proposed as a favorable one.
“Return me promptly.. I refuse to place any faith in your Empire’s words, even if you rescue me from this prison!”