Counterattack [Interstellar] - Chapter 18

The misunderstanding had been cleared, and the proper lesson had been dealt. Alan originally intended to take advantage of this wonderful atmosphere to enjoy some intimacy with Pei Yao, but unfortunately, the heavens were not on his side… Alan’s Etiquette Officer received a communication from His Majesty, Emperor Austin.

Having just been affectionate with his Sentinel, Alan was in an excellent mood, so he didn’t begrudge Austin for the interruption. As Austin’s holographic image slowly became clear, Alan even offered a smile and a military salute. “Your Majesty.”

Austin maintained his usual imposing, stern demeanor. He said solemnly, “Today is the opening day of the new Guide Academy, is it not?”

Asking what you already know, Alan thought, but he simply gave an affirmative “Mm.” Austin’s face remained cold. “I just received a rather unpleasant piece of news. I heard you have forcibly detained a Guide from the Stirling family?”

Alan raised an eyebrow. “Forcibly?”

Austin rubbed his temples impatiently. “Admiral Stirling just spoke with me. Though his words were earnest and he apologized repeatedly, I could tell he still hopes his grandson can return to the White Tower. That Guide is Admiral Stirling’s only grandson! He is very important to Old Stirling… Can you use your head and think about the consequences before you act?!”

Alan gave a faint smile. “Consequences? My apologies, but everything I have done was carried out strictly according to the established regulations. If there is any impropriety in my behavior, you may punish me according to the relevant articles.”

Austin said irritably, “Don’t give me that! You can’t just act on your own whims. Have you thought about the Capital Star’s side of things? Stop adding unnecessary trouble for me!”

“Like you, I also do not wish to add unnecessary trouble. That is exactly why I strictly refused their unreasonable request just now.” Alan sneered. “Ryan’s procedures were perfectly in order. If I allow someone to be taken away simply because ‘the family disagrees,’ how am I supposed to refuse others in the future? Does it mean anyone can just take a Guide from here? What about the school’s order? What about the safety of the Guides? Who will guarantee that? I am working very hard not to make things difficult for you; please, show me a bit of fatherly affection and don’t make things so difficult for me.”

“Your Majesty.” Pei Yao, having straightened his clothes, stepped out from the inner room and quickly walked to the communicator to offer a military salute. “I was also present for what happened just now. I am deeply sorry for causing an incident. As the Principal… I believe I should be the one primarily responsible for this matter.”

“Don’t take the blame for him!” Facing Pei Yao, Austin’s expression softened slightly. “Pei Yao… I know very well that today’s matter has nothing to do with you, but I hope you can stay clear-headed in the future! Do not follow Alan in his mischief. You are not like him. If something goes wrong, others won’t easily dare to touch Alan because he is a Prince, but you are very likely to become the scapegoat!”

Austin gave Alan a meaningful look and said, “Alan likely understands this as well. That is exactly why he insisted on making you the Principal—so he could act so recklessly and without restraint.”

Alan’s temper was instantly ignited. Just as he was about to retort, he heard Pei Yao say in a deep, firm voice, “Thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty. But if it is for His Highness’s sake, I am willing.”

That single sentence instantly extinguished the thousands of flames of fury in Alan’s heart.

Alan turned to look at Pei Yao. The man’s eyes were as calm as ever. Alan knew there was no romantic subtext intended in those words, but his heart still couldn’t help but ache fiercely.

Ten years ago, Pei Yao must have walked onto Nymph Island with that same willingness.

Alan suppressed the surge of emotion in his chest and turned back to Austin with a proud smile. “Did you hear that?”

Austin felt a sharp pain in his chest from Pei Yao’s rebuttal. He knew Pei Yao’s character and understood he wasn’t being defiant, so he naturally couldn’t get angry with him. Looking at the two of them standing side-by-side, Austin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He had told Anthony long ago that Pei Yao would forever be loyal to the Empire; there was no need to win him over, only to keep him close to ensure peace of mind. Unfortunately, Anthony…

Austin couldn’t be bothered to aggravate himself further. He cut the communication directly, not wanting to look at Alan’s smug face for a second longer.

“Your Majesty…” Admiral Matthew watched Austin’s expression warily and ventured, “About the Stirling matter…”

“What about it?! The procedures that Guide followed were all legal. What do you want me to do?!” Austin, still frustrated, vented his anger directly onto Matthew, roaring, “If Old Stirling can’t look after his own grandson, what does that have to do with me?!”

“Deeply sorry!” Matthew nearly wanted to cry. He had just received the news and thought that with a little exaggeration, it could be a topic highly unfavorable to Alan. He had rushed here to report it personally, only to have the volatile Emperor explode at him instead. Matthew apologized repeatedly, “It was my—it was my lack of consideration.”

Thinking of Pei Yao by Alan’s side and then looking at this Matthew by his eldest son’s side… Austin felt like he was about to have a manic episode.

“Pei Yao… may I kiss you again?”

Pei Yao was still thinking about the exchange just now. He froze for a moment before hurriedly saying, “Your Highness! Please… please behave with dignity.”

Alan laughed. “Can you stop using that word with me? Pei Yao… I must explain. Austin was trying to drive a wedge between us just now. Believe me, I will never let you be my scapegoat.”

“As Your Highness’s guard, it is only right that I contribute my everything for you.” Pei Yao, realizing Alan feared he might misunderstand, added, “Even if it is not your intention.”

Alan was caught between laughter and tears. Just as he was about to say more, the Etiquette Officer knocked lightly on the door. “Your Highness… the students have arrived at the hall. You and the Principal should go to give your speeches.”

Left with no choice, Alan told Pei Yao, “I’ll talk to you when we get back.”

Pei Yao reminded him, “Your snake…”

Alan smiled and glanced at the Taipan snake still coiled around Pei Yao’s leg. The snake looked up and touched Pei Yao’s hand with its snout before slowly vanishing. Pei Yao’s dragon gave a dissatisfied flick of its tail. Recalling its earlier behavior, Pei Yao was exceptionally displeased with his dragon. Sensing its master’s disapproval, the Giant Dragon vanished on its own before an order could be given.

“Are you nervous?” Behind the stage curtain, Alan sensed the subtle shift in Pei Yao’s emotions and comforted him with a smile. “Don’t worry. The students are more nervous than you are.”

Pei Yao clenched his hand and said in a low voice, “I’ve made a fool of myself. I… am not very good at speaking.”

Alan curled his lips. “It doesn’t matter. You only need to say two or three sentences. Leave the rest to me.”

For no reason at all, something stirred in Pei Yao’s heart. Applause rang out from outside. Alan gave Pei Yao a smile, and Pei Yao felt much more at ease. He turned and walked out.

“Hello, everyone.” Pei Yao paused until the students in the hall had quieted down. “I am your Principal, Pei Yao.”

Pei Yao’s appearance was naturally endearing; many Guides began to whisper among themselves. Pei Yao paid them little mind and continued, “First, I welcome you all to Alice. Thank you for the trust you have placed in Prince Alan and me. The Prince has been working hard, and I will do my best—exhausting every effort—to ensure I do not betray this trust.”

Pei Yao silently counted in his head. He had already said several sentences, so he concluded, “Once again, welcome. Next, I invite Prince Alan to give his speech.”

Backstage, Alan laughed in spite of himself and had no choice but to take the stage. Pei Yao adjusted the microphone for Alan. Their eyes met; there was a hint of embarrassment in Pei Yao’s gaze. Alan knew he truly was not suited for such occasions and gave him a reassuring smile. With just that one look, Pei Yao felt significantly better and left the stage with a calm mind.

“The Major General is a man of few words, so I shall handle the speaking from here,” Alan joked with a smile. “Don’t worry, my speech won’t be very long either.”

The crowd laughed. Alan continued, “Your teachers will tell you about the school rules and motto; I don’t wish to talk much about those. There are many differences between this place and the White Tower. You might not be used to it at first, but I believe you will soon come to love it. I won’t say more on that—let’s talk about something else…”

“The youngest among you is only nine, and the oldest is no more than twenty, correct?” After receiving confirmation, Alan nodded and continued, “Awakening happens early for some and late for others. When you awakened, I imagine your families—and you yourselves—suffered. You questioned: Why me?!”

“Simply because you are a Guide, others had to send you into the White Tower, making it impossible for you to see your family or even your lovers. After a few years of curriculum, you would ‘fall in love’ with someone through a match-making ball under the influence of pheromones, and from then on, enter another White Tower.”

The crowd slowly fell silent. Tears shimmered in the eyes of several Guides, whether they were thinking of their families or recalling the hazy, hopeless romances of their childhood.

“From what I understand, many Guides—especially those nearing adulthood—suffer from depression in the early stages of awakening. They fall into a long-lasting sense of guilt toward their families and friends. Because I am a Guide, my father must lose his successor. Because I am a Guide, my mother must lose her most beloved child. Because I am a Guide, I must let my family become incomplete, even after receiving a large sum of compensation.”

“Some Guides even feel that their very existence is a mistake! They desperately wish they could be commoners… Starting today, I hope you can wake up and forever cast aside this distorted way of thinking!” Alan’s gaze was like a torch, his voice resonant and firm. “It is not you who is wrong! It is this increasingly twisted environment! Therefore, it is not you who should change! It is the world!”

“No one should have to atone for what they were born with. You are a Guide; this is a gift from the heavens, not a reason for others to plunder you at will. We stand here today to overturn this situation!”

“Principal Pei Yao just spoke the words in my heart. Like the Principal, I am very, very, very grateful to you all. I thank you for your willingness to resist, your willingness to believe in me, and your willingness to join me—using our meager strength to shake the thousand-year-old shackles that have weighed upon Guides.” Alan looked around at the crowd and said in a deep voice, “Like you, I also feel timid and afraid. I worry that all we do today will be in vain. We might fail—it is very likely we will fail. But I am not afraid, nor will I lose heart because of it.”

“Because even if the final result is still unsatisfactory, at least a thousand years from now, when our descendants see the mark we have made in the history books today, they will be heartened! Heartened that their ancestors were brave! Heartened that their ancestors and fathers never gave up the struggle for a single moment! And they… can carry on our beliefs and forge ahead into the future.” Alan took a deep breath and moved slightly away from the microphone, bowing his head. “To all of you who are willing to fight with me today, I, Alan Norman, offer my deepest thanks.”

The hall was silent for a moment before thunderous applause erupted, echoing through the room and refusing to fade for a long time.