Counterattack [Interstellar] - Chapter 1

Allen’s physical condition isn’t very good; this week-long journey will be hard on you, Major General Pei Yao.” The new Crown Prince, Anthony, lightly patted Pei Yao’s shoulder and smiled. “Once you’ve settled Prince Allen, please return as soon as possible. I and everyone in the Paladin Legion are waiting for you.”

The handsome Major General Pei Yao took a deep breath and nodded slightly. Anthony then turned to Allen, comforting him in a gentle voice: “The climate on Planet Apollo is very pleasant, quite suitable for recuperation. You’re only fourteen; you’ll recover quickly. Get strong soon—the Capital Star and the Empire will always need you.”

There wasn’t a trace of color in Allen’s face, which was filled with a sharp, hostile aura. Upon hearing this, he looked up slightly and gave a mocking smile. “Need me? Need this weak, pathetic former Crown Prince?”

A flash of embarrassment crossed Anthony’s face as he said helplessly, “Allen… you know that from the beginning, I didn’t support the proposal to send you away for recuperation. But His Majesty…” Anthony paused and said sincerely, “Don’t worry, I will try to persuade Father. As soon as he agrees, I will personally go to Planet Apollo to bring you back—”

“Crown Prince, please watch your words.” Allen coldly interrupted him. “I am the only child of Empress Marianne. I have no brothers or sisters.”

In the past, Anthony might have been enraged, but now, the taste of being the victor was so sweet that his temper had unconsciously grown much milder. Anthony looked at the people around them, smiled bitterly, and shook his head with an air of indulgence.

The accompanying General Matthew cleared his throat and interjected at the right moment: “Forgive my rudeness, Prince Allen, but His Highness the Crown Prince is indeed the Emperor’s biological son. Although people did not know of his existence for a long time, the results of the paternity test do not lie. Regardless of what you think, Anthony is now the Crown Prince and the first in line to the throne of the Norman Empire. And…”

General Matthew’s gaze swept over the Red Lynx Quantum Beast lying quietly at Anthony’s feet, and he smiled. “The Crown Prince awakened at the age of twelve and has already become an outstanding Lynx Sentinel. In the future, once he bonds with a suitable Guide—that is, the Empire’s Crown Princess—His Highness will undoubtedly become one of the Empire’s strongest Sentinels. From this aspect alone, His Highness already possesses the qualities required of an heir.”

As if realizing something, Matthew gave an apologetic smile and bowed slightly. “Apologies, I forgot that Prince Allen is just an ordinary person and cannot see Quantum Beasts.”

Allen was instantly provoked. He looked up sharply, staring fixedly at Matthew. For some reason, Matthew felt a sudden surge of panic; his Hyena Quantum Beast shrank back uneasily and whimpered twice. Anthony frowned slightly, and his Red Lynx opened its eyes, stood up, and slowly circled around Allen, the black tufts of fur on its ears twitching twice.

Allen closed his eyes. After a moment, he calmed down, opened his eyes, and said mockingly, “General Matthew, have you flaunted enough? Can I go now?”

Matthew was at a loss for words. Allen sneered. “The feeling of betting on the right horse must be great, isn’t it? It hasn’t been easy waiting for the clouds to part to see the light, has it? All these years, secretly taking care of this illegitimate son for the Emperor—”

“Prince Allen.” Pei Yao pursed his thin lips. He turned to take a thin blanket from the accompanying military doctor and stepped forward to drape it over Allen’s shoulders. He bowed slightly and reminded him in a deep voice: “The wind at the port is strong; it is perhaps not suitable for you to stand here for long.”

Allen looked up and gave Pei Yao a cold glance, while Anthony nodded understandingly. He looked at Allen kindly and said, “General Matthew spoke without thinking; don’t take it to heart. Just focus on your recovery. I will do my best on Father’s side.”

Allen didn’t want to say another word. He gave a cold laugh and turned to board the starship. Pei Yao turned and gave Anthony a military salute. Anthony nodded with a smile. “Have a pleasant journey. Come back soon.”

After everyone boarded, the starship Pearl remained docked at the port for another half hour. Since this mission was to escort the former Crown Prince for recuperation, no one dared to be careless. After repeatedly confirming there were no issues, the Pearl departed.

Anthony remained in the port’s operation room until he received word that the Pearl had safely left the Capital Star. General Matthew couldn’t help but sigh: “His Highness is too considerate. It’s a pity… I hope Prince Allen will one day forget his selfish desires and realize Your Highness’s kindness and selflessness.”

Anthony shook his head. “Don’t say that. Allen is only fourteen. Having gone through such a upheaval, it’s understandable that his temper is a bit poor. Besides, whether he admits it or not, I am his elder brother. It is only right for me to be tolerant of him.”

This statement caused another wave of hushed praise in the operation room. Anthony left the port and boarded his small saucer-craft, and General Matthew followed him. Once the craft started, Matthew breathed a long sigh of relief. “He’s finally gone. I was worried that Princess Jane or someone from the Famiglia family would come out and say something. Fortunately, it’s all fine.”

Anthony shook his head slightly. “You’re relaxing too early. There’s no need to worry about Aunt Jane; her husband, Prince Adair, has limited military power and can’t cause much trouble. But as for the Famiglia family… General Balck dotes on his only grandson very much.”

Matthew scoffed. “Balck is old; he’ll probably be two hundred next year. The Emperor is already slowly reclaiming his military power. Aside from him, the Famiglia clan only has Guides left. What can those porcelain dolls do?”

What can they do? Anthony hid a cold smile at the corner of his mouth and did not respond.

Since the beginning of the Great Interstellar Era, through repeated cosmic migrations and baptisms of natural and man-made disasters, “Ability Users” had evolved among humans. These users had sensory abilities ten to twenty times higher than ordinary people and could perceive higher dimensions.

Ability Users were divided into Sentinels and Guides. Sentinels had sharp senses and strong combat capabilities; depending on their personal Quantum Beast, each had different strengths. The only flaw was their common weakness—the pain caused by an overly sensitive sensory system.

A Sentinel can hear sounds and feel sensations that ordinary people cannot. This superpower is a double-edged sword; the distress it brings to a Sentinel is like taking an ordinary person’s hearing threshold, expanding it a hundredfold, and then throwing them into a noisy downtown market.

The emergence of Guides was undoubtedly a blessing sent to Sentinels by the Creator. Guides were physically slightly weaker than ordinary people, but their abilities manifested in the control of mental power. They could soothe Sentinels, calming them from a state of mania. A Guide bonded with a Sentinel could also maximize the Sentinel’s combat effectiveness.

By the current Star Year 3447, the probability of a human awakening as an Ability User had stabilized at 20%. However, the most baffling part was that the ratio of Guides to Sentinels had gradually shifted from the original 1:1 to the current 1:1000. No one dared to imagine how horrifying this ratio would become in another thousand years.

The Famiglia family—the family of Allen’s maternal grandfather—was famous for the high number of Guides awakened within their clan. Remembering Matthew’s comment about Guides being “porcelain dolls,” Anthony sneered internally. Look down on Guides? Then why do you people frequently submit applications before every annual “Matchmaking Season”? Since the ratio of Guides plummeted, the Empire has spent huge sums every year on research projects to soothe Sentinels with drugs. The latest sedatives could almost smooth over a Sentinel’s manic episodes, but drugs could only soothe; they could not increase combat power like a Guide could. Therefore, whether it was the lure of pheromones or the thirst for power, a Sentinel’s craving for a Guide had never diminished—it only grew stronger as the ratio dropped.

Thus, Anthony never dared to underestimate the Famiglia family, which possessed a wealth of Guide resources.

Matthew, oblivious to Anthony’s impatience, straightened his shirt and added: “Your Highness, you saw it for yourself just now—Pei Yao was intentionally protecting Prince Allen. I told you long ago that the commander of the Paladin Legion cannot be Pei Yao. Not only is he not part of your inner circle, but he once swore fealty to Prince Allen. This is simply…”

“Matthew, I know you’re acting in my interest, but please rest easy regarding Major General Pei Yao.” Anthony poured himself a glass of red wine. Matthew had coveted Pei Yao’s position for a long time, but Anthony had no intention of giving him the chance. He tasted the wine and smiled. “The Paladin Legion has been the Crown Prince’s direct legion for a hundred years. Most of them are descendants of martyrs; in terms of loyalty to the Empire, they are number one on the Capital Star. Allen was the Crown Prince before, so Pei Yao naturally had to follow his orders. You can’t question his loyalty to me based on that. Besides, Pei Yao only took the position of Legion Commander three months ago. Two months ago, Father removed everyone from Allen’s side. Pei Yao’s time serving Allen might not even amount to a full month. Do you think there’s a need to worry?”

“It would be irrational to give up such an excellent Sentinel over such a small doubt.” Seeing Matthew about to argue, Anthony smiled and added, “Besides, you’re wrong about one thing the one Pei Yao swears fealty to has never been Allen; it is the Empire.”