Counterattack [Interstellar] - Chapter 8

After emerging from the Evda Palace, Allen boarded the small flying saucer Austen had just assigned to him with a grim expression, heading straight for “Fairy Island.”

Fairy Island was surrounded by water and rich in vegetation. It had once attracted many tourists to the Home Star for its unique pastoral scenery. However, an unsavory attack had occurred there over a hundred years ago, after which the island was never reopened to the public. After decades of desolation, the Parliament had repurposed it into a detention center for high-profile suspects; now, it had essentially become a secret prison of the Empire.

When Pei Yao was undergoing secret interrogation, he must have been held here.

The Warden never expected his office would be the first place Prince Allen would visit on his first day back. The Warden asked, “Your Highness… is there anything I can do for you?”

Allen nodded slightly. “I want to retrieve a segment of surveillance footage.”

The Warden gave a surprised smile. “What case is worth such a trip from Your Highness?”

“The year 3447 of the Star Era—the ‘Enemy Collaboration Case’ regarding the former Commander of the Paladin Legion, Pei Yao.” Allen’s thin lips pursed slightly. “As the victim, I believe I have the right to know the truth.”

The Warden froze, then nodded. “Yes… there is such a record, however…” The Warden showed a look of difficulty. “His Majesty the Emperor once instructed that no one is allowed to investigate materials related to this case. We also…”

Allen did not wish to waste words and directly dialed the communicator of Austen’s secretary. Moments later, he handed the device to the Warden. Upon hearing Austen’s voice, the Warden instinctively straightened his posture. Austen’s voice on the other end was calm: “If he wants to see it, let him.”

That day, Allen stayed in the interrogation room of Fairy Island for an entire afternoon.

Austen’s guess had been correct; Pei Yao had indeed suffered Mental Attacks. The surveillance had clearly been doctored by Anthony—there were no actual interrogation scenes—but the pale face and vacant eyes characteristic of one who has suffered mental assault could not lie. Allen stared fixedly at the date in the top right corner… that bastard Anthony had ordered people to frantically subject Pei Yao to non-stop mental attacks for an entire month!

In the final few clips, Pei Yao’s complexion was terrifyingly poor due to severe sleep deprivation and frequent bouts of Mania. Several times he had nearly collapsed, yet whenever he was repeatedly asked if Allen was aware of the truth, Pei Yao’s answer remained the same: “His Highness was unconscious at the time and was unaware.”

The final frame of the surveillance settled on Pei Yao’s face—frighteningly thin yet still handsome. Through the holographic image, Pei Yao looked back at Allen with a gaze that was weary yet steadfast.

After re-watching the footage countless times in an act of self-torment, Allen left Fairy Island to visit his maternal grandfather, Burke Famiga.

Old Burke was 208 years old this year. Constant warfare had made him look older than his peers, but his health was still good and his spirit remained vigorous. “Welcome, child.”

Allen stepped forward and gave Burke a gentle hug. “I missed you.”

“As did I. Come here.” Burke led Allen to the small open-air garden on the top floor of his villa. Once they were away from the crowd, Burke smiled. “Is the little fellow doing well?”

Allen smiled and summoned his taipan snake. Seven years ago, Burke had visited Allen on Planet Apollo, and at that time, Allen had laid everything bare to him. Emotionally, he didn’t want to deceive Burke; rationally, he truly needed Burke’s help.

The taipan snake reared its upper body slightly, warily guarding against Burke. Burke gave a gratified smile. “The size of a Quantum Beast represents the strength of a Special Ability user to some extent. It’s much stronger than before.”

As they spoke, a Black Mamba snake, even thicker than Allen’s taipan, slithered out from under the table. The taipan raised its head and opened its mouth, exposing its venomous fangs in warning.

“The little fellow has probably forgotten me.” Burke extended his broad palm and said softly, “Come.”

Burke’s Black Mamba rarely lowered its stature, affectionately nuzzling the taipan’s tail. The taipan, however, showed no appreciation; it recoiled slightly and coiled around Allen’s feet like a sentry, letting out two irritable hisses.

Although the taipan was unfriendly, Burke was very pleased. “Good. This is how a Quantum Beast should be… don’t be like those people in the White Tower who raise their beasts as pets.”

After checking on the Quantum Beast, Burke turned to Allen with concern in his eyes. “How are you? Your mental strength is much stronger than before, and the people you will encounter are many. When you told me you were coming back, I could hardly believe it. Can you truly keep yourself hidden?”

“Please rest assured; I can handle the current situation,” Allen said with a half-smile. “And Austen will intentionally protect me. After all, the reputation of a Royal harboring a Guide is too unsightly.”

At the mention of his Emperor son-in-law, Burke sneered but said nothing. Allen remained quiet for a moment before whispering, “Do you remember the theory of ‘Sentinel-Guide Mutual Check-and-Balance’ proposed by Queen Marianne?”

At the mention of his youngest daughter, Burke’s gaze softened. “I remember. It was a thesis she published while she was still in the White Tower.”

“Do you believe Mother’s theory?” Allen looked steadily into Burke’s eyes. “Do you believe that Guides can participate in combat directly like Sentinels, rather than just acting as support? That when mental strength is powerful enough, they can also deter Sentinels, and even… even mark their own Sentinels?”

At the final sentence, Burke couldn’t help but laugh. Allen gave a frustrated smile. “I am talking to you about serious matters.”

“Apologies. I wouldn’t dare comment on the last point, but as for what you said before…” Burke looked at Allen and smiled. “After seeing you, I believe it.”

Allen smiled and continued, “I have carefully studied Mother’s thesis over the years and found the theory to be very rigorous and thorough. It’s been nearly half a century since it was published, and I’ve found that many of the predictions Mother made have come true.”

“Sentinels and Guides evolved together after humans moved from ancient Earth into the universe. Both have mental strength superior to ordinary people, and both have Quantum Beasts. In the beginning, the difference between them was not so distinct. The reason today’s Guides are no different from dolls is entirely the result of long-term domestication. It is completely…”

Burke listened quietly, then said, “State your viewpoint directly.”

Allen said, “Regression.”

Burke took a deep breath, feeling a slight chill in his heart.

“The theoretical basis is the decreasing ratio of Guides among Special Ability users. If the rise of Special Ability users ten thousand years ago was the result of natural selection, then the disappearance of Guides now is the same. What benefit is there to being a Guide? One must leave their family from a young age, go to a place where they never see the sun, and after reaching adulthood, be marked by a stranger after a rushed blind date, only to serve them for a lifetime. That is not an independent individual at all! I agree deeply with one sentence in Mother’s thesis…” Allen looked at Burke and said quietly, “A pride of lions can never be bred in a zoo.”

“You are bolder than your mother. ‘Regression’… do not mention those words lightly again.” Burke remained silent for a long time before saying solemnly, “Your mother was noticed by Austen because of that thesis back then. You… must be careful. Do not let your brilliance show too much; it does you no good.”

Having been at the center of politics since childhood, Allen naturally had this sensitivity. He nodded. “I know my limits.”

“I agree with part of what you said.” Burke gently stroked his Black Mamba and said slowly, “What are your plans for the near future?”

Allen revealed his plan for three days from now in its entirety. Burke fell silent for a moment and then nodded. “Fine… the Famiga family will always support you.”

Relieved, Allen smiled. “Thank you, Grandfather.”

After finishing their business, Burke indulged in a rare bit of gossip. He smiled and asked, “Was your conversation with the Emperor pleasant today? Is Austen’s Mania any better? He’s over a hundred years old; it’s better to use less of those inhibitors.”

At the mention of the day’s events, Allen knit his brows slightly. “I used an excuse to have a big argument with him today. I provoked him into telling the truth. The one who attacked me ten years ago wasn’t him, much less Anthony.”

After hearing Allen’s detailed explanation, Burke’s brow furrowed. “If Austen says so… then it seems it truly wasn’t their hand. Heh… I’d almost prefer it were Anthony. Not knowing who it is adds another layer of hidden danger to your safety.”

Allen didn’t care much. He comforted him, “I only did it to confirm if Austen truly wanted to kill me. As for anything else, please don’t worry. My safety has never been guaranteed anyway, so that point is no longer important.”

Burke laughed loudly. “Good! That is my grandson! What about that little Sentinel? What do you plan to do? Do you need your grandfather to help you catch him?”

Allen gave a faint smile. “There’s no rush. Three days from now, he will naturally return to my side.”

As for Anthony… the images of Pei Yao being tortured flashed through Allen’s mind again. Allen raised his hand to soothe his taipan snake. There was no need to rush; he would make Anthony pay back everything, bit by bit, with interest.