The Only Ultimate Alpha in the Universe - Chapter 15

Who would take responsibility? And for what?

When Xiao Sa used his brain for combat, he could easily calculate an opponent’s weaknesses. But when it came to matchmaking, he instantly hit a knowledge blind spot and stalled.

 

Wait, that’s not right. I’m the Alpha here. If I really marked him, even if someone has to take responsibility, it should be me.

 

Then again, had he actually marked Landis?

 

Xiao Sa’s suspicious gaze drifted toward the man’s neck. Taking advantage of the moment the other turned to ask the virtual waiter for a sugar cube, he saw them, two tooth marks. Compared to their initial dark red, the color had faded significantly, but they were still clearly visible.

 

Xiao Sa’s heart skipped a beat. The people in this star system aren’t the same race as me. Can they really be marked?

 

What a pity. If only they were meeting in reality; at least then he could try to catch a scent.

 

Landis picked up a sugar cube with tongs and gently placed it in Xiao Sa’s coffee cup. “Don’t worry, it’s not bitter.”

 

Xiao Sa froze, his eyes fixed on the latte art. The sugar cube dissolved quickly into the steaming coffee. Although it was a virtual cafe, the five senses were fully simulated; not only did it taste real, but it also had zero calories.

 

He remembered many years ago, when his eldest brother first tricked him into drinking black coffee, he had said the exact same thing.

 

Xiao Sa lowered his head and took a sip. The rich, fragrant aftertaste made him subconsciously curl the corners of his mouth slightly, though he quickly straightened them back out.

 

Where exactly were his people? In the vastness of the universe, how was he supposed to find them all alone?

 

When he came back to his senses, he realized Landis had been quietly watching him, the solemn expression on his face showing not a hint of a joke.

 

Perhaps this Admiral wasn’t as cold and unfeeling as he had previously imagined?

 

Xiao Sa thought for a moment and decided to ask directly. “Admiral, perhaps there was a small misunderstanding on the warship. I lost a purple gemstone necklace on the pirate ship; it’s an heirloom from my parents. I’ve heard that due to some special circumstances, it was confiscated by the Royal Family during a smuggling attempt.”

 

“I was wondering, do you know anything about this gemstone?”

 

Landis was taken aback. After a moment of thought, he said, “Wait a moment.”

 

He opened his optical brain and edited several messages to unknown recipients, then left his seat to make a few calls. “Yes, it’s me. Help me contact Customs… I have something to ask…”

 

Xiao Sa watched his back in surprise. He had only asked casually without much hope, but Landis hadn’t brushed him off or made him wait for days. He was investigating right then and there.

 

Ten minutes later, Landis sat back down and nodded with a serious expression. “There is indeed a purple energy stone.”

 

He spoke slowly. “I am sorry to say that the stone was identified by researchers as a rare type of energy source. Some time ago, it was used to upgrade the Central Main Brain. It is now installed in the core of the Central Main Brain.”

 

Landis’s brow furrowed, revealing a rare look of difficulty. “It is already bound to the Central Main Brain. The main brain terminal is entirely under the control of the Imperial Family. Based solely on your word, the Royal Family is unlikely to agree to return it to you.”

 

“I’m afraid I cannot help with that. I can only do my best to compensate you within my capabilities.”

 

The Central Main Brain core? Isn’t that Hainuo?

 

Xiao Sa had learned from Duan Feng that the gemstone was likely presented to the Royal Family, but he never expected his family heirloom to have such a use.

 

Xiao Sa’s heart throbbed. Many of the doubts he previously had about Hainuo suddenly had an explanation. This thing wasn’t just an intelligent AI; it had self-awareness!

 

He touched the lightning earring on his left ear, and Hainuo’s voice was immediately transmitted through the neural link:

 

[Good afternoon, Xiao Sa. How is the date progressing? ^O^]

 

Xiao Sa temporarily switched to an “away” status and asked point-blank: “Your terminal was upgraded using my gemstone?”

 

Hainuo was silent for a moment before saying: [Yes.]

 

Xiao Sa narrowed his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

 

Hainuo’s character eyes blinked innocently: [You didn’t ask.]

 

Xiao Sa gave a dry laugh. “…You aren’t worried that taking the core away would paralyze your system, are you?”

 

This time, Hainuo’s silence lasted longer. After the data stream flickered for a while, the voice returned: [In truth, I had been in a slumber for an unknown number of years until not long ago, when a powerful surge of energy woke me and activated the core area. That was when I gained consciousness. Otherwise, I likely would have run out of reserve energy and never woken up again.]

 

[I detected that your bio-magnetic field was close to my energy source, so I found you.]

 

One question was answered, but it only brought more mysteries.

 

“What is the relationship between my family and you?”

 

[I do not know. Most of my core programs are hidden, and the original database is sealed and unactivated.]

 

Xiao Sa fell into deep thought. Could it be that the thousand-year-old ancestral star his people had been searching for was actually the Central Star of the Aurora Empire?

 

He rubbed his chin. There were too many doubts; a thousand threads were tangled like a mess. Perhaps the answers to these mysteries were hidden within the Imperial Family.

 

It seemed he had to thank Duan Feng. If it hadn’t been for that accident, he might never have discovered this secret in his entire life.

 

So what if it became the Central Main Brain core? If it came down to it, he’d just take the whole brain with him.

 

Xiao Sa thought maliciously. A life-for-a-life exchange—isn’t that a form of fairness?

 

He would let the Imperial Family keep it safe for him for now; at least it was absolutely secure there.

 

After a few moments, Xiao Sa ended his “away” status, only to find Landis still sitting in his original posture, silently waiting for him to return to his senses without a trace of impatience.

 

He had been rude.

 

Xiao Sa cleared his throat and told a harmless little lie. “Sorry, I had to use the restroom.”

 

“It’s fine.” Landis sat with his fingers interlaced on the table.

 

Xiao Sa gave an embarrassed smile, feeling guilty for his previous prejudice. He had originally thought this guy would be a typical evil villain warlord from the movies.

 

Landis’s ice-blue eyes carefully observed his expression.

 

Was the blow too great?

 

Losing his home, losing his family, being kidnapped, being harmed, and now even losing the only heirloom left by his parents, all while lacking a healthy body and a normal lifespan. If it were anyone else, they likely wouldn’t be able to bear such a fate.

 

Xiao Sa was clearly just a young man who had just stepped into society, yet he remained emotionally stable. He didn’t lash out or harbor resentment; he even forced a smile.

 

It was strange. He only felt annoyed by people who looked pitiful on the outside like Wenxi, but Xiao Sa seemed strong and optimistic. With no trace of fragility shown, Landis inexplicably felt a surge of pity for him.

 

Looking into those amber eyes, one couldn’t help but think of a stray puppy abandoned on the side of the road—lonely and having nothing, yet still wagging its tail and showing a friendly smile to every passerby.

 

Landis recalled their first meeting. Even Carlo complained that his image was too terrifying, yet this young man hadn’t shown a shred of fear; instead, he had mustered the courage to confess.

 

He gazed deeply at Xiao Sa. The skin on the back of his neck began to heat up again, and his heart gave a rare, sharp throb.

 

Perhaps what this person needed most was a home—a harbor to shield him from the wind and rain.

 

Landis unclasped his fingers, straightened his collar, and squared his chest. In a very solemn manner, he spoke: “Mr. Xiao Sa, please allow me to reintroduce myself.”

 

Confused, Xiao Sa gave a casual nod. “Go ahead.”

 

Landis’s voice was steady and deep. “I am Landis Wenser, Admiral of the Third Legion of the Imperial Military. I am thirty years old. My family holds private territory and hundreds of industries. Aside from being busy with work, I have no bad habits.”

 

“?” Xiao Sa’s expression began to turn blank.

 

Landis paused. His hands, resting on his knees, clenched slightly. In the past, he hadn’t even blinked when facing life-and-death combat on the battlefield, but now, after just a few sentences, the tips of his ears began to burn.

 

The blonde officer’s ice-blue eyes reflected the youth’s silhouette as he spoke slowly and seriously: “According to the Imperial Marriage Law, a 100% compatibility indicates the most optimal marriage partner. Mr. Xiao Sa, I hope you will marry me.”

 

Xiao Sa’s eyes widened. He stared at him in shock, blinking as the realization hit.

 

On the very first date, I actually got a marriage proposal?!

 

Wait, no wonder this blonde Admiral attacked him that night. Was it love at first sight? A case of lust? Or was this guy actually a masochist with a special kink? Or was it because he had been marked and was being influenced by pheromones?

 

Xiao Sa felt his brain overloading, his CPU roaring. His lips parted and closed several times before he found the voice that had almost abandoned him. “Um, Admiral Landis…”

 

He was an Alpha, destined to be attracted to Omegas, or at least Betas. The officer opposite him was close to a Beta, but they weren’t the same race.

 

How could different races be together? Besides, could the men of this world even produce offspring with him? Xiao Sa quietly asked Hainuo.

 

[In the Starry Sea, both men and women can marry and have children. Same-sex couples usually choose in vitro embryonic technology for breeding. Under normal circumstances, men do not have reproductive functions.]

 

Xiao Sa’s expression said I knew it, and he directly ignored the “under normal circumstances” part.

 

He couldn’t reveal his true gender, so he said diplomatically: “Actually, my ideal marriage is a quiet, stable life with a wife and kids…”

 

Landis’s eyes flickered. He nodded. “I understand your concerns.”

 

Xiao Sa looked skeptical. “…You do?”

 

Landis glanced at the military cap beside him, softened his voice, and sighed. “I am a soldier, and the legion I lead is the one that fights xenomorphs the most. Being my spouse does carry a great deal of risk.”

 

“But I will do everything in my power to arrange everything for you, ensuring you are provided for for the rest of your life. You will never have to lead a displaced existence again.”

 

Xiao Sa felt helpless. “That’s not what I need…”

 

It was perfectly normal for a military match to be refused. Landis didn’t back down; instead, he showed a confident smile. “I know what you need. I will prove it to you.”

 

Xiao Sa felt a bit numb. You “know” again?

 

War orphans often need a sense of security, long to be protected, and admire strong partners. As a Legion Commander, Landis knew this all too well. He was older, in his prime, a perfect match, and an S-grade powerhouse in the military. He should be the most suitable marriage partner for the other.

 

Carlo was right; courtship was about fully displaying one’s strengths.

 

Landis reached down to remove the medals from his chest, but his hand met empty space; he then remembered he wasn’t wearing them today.

 

He thought for a moment, then simply unbuttoned his military collar, opened his jacket, and began unbuttoning his shirt one by one, revealing a section of firm, tight chest muscle—where scars representing glory and medals remained.

 

Xiao Sa, who was taking a sip of coffee: “???” No lewdness allowed!

 

His hand shook, nearly spilling the coffee. He opened his mouth in shock, hesitant to speak, and eventually just clamped it shut.

 

When the blonde officer was fully dressed in his uniform, his shoulders and back looked broad while his waist was cinched tight by his belt. Now that he had removed his jacket, his full chest made the porcelain-white shirt look stretched. Once the buttons were undone, the powerful chest muscles were on full display.

 

Xiao Sa’s eyes involuntarily fixed on them. On the left chest, there were three deep claw marks. Even though years had passed, the fierce traces remained. The dark pink scars contrasted sharply with Landis’s pale wheat-colored skin, exuding a sense of primal wildness and surging power.

 

They’re huge…

 

Are the people in this star system all this blunt and enthusiastic?

 

His Adam’s apple bobbed. Xiao Sa quickly swallowed the coffee in his mouth and snapped his gaze to the side. Is this guy… trying to seduce me?

 

He wasn’t actually a Beta.

 

Furthermore, how did the guy know he needed this? Oh wait, he didn’t!

 

Landis said calmly: “This is the place I am most proud of.”

 

Xiao Sa: “…” It’s just nice chest muscles. It’s not like I don’t have them too.

 

I am a proper Alpha!

 

Well… let me look one more time.

 

“Sorry, I frightened you.” Seeing Xiao Sa’s wandering gaze, Landis regretted being so rash and buttoned his shirt back up. “It’s quite ugly, isn’t it?”

 

Xiao Sa moved his gaze back and said dryly but honestly: “No, the shape is perfect.”

 

A flash of surprise crossed Landis’s eyes, and a slight smile touched his lips. “Thank you.”

 

This man is actually saying thank you to him?

 

Xiao Sa’s CPU was almost fried. He quickly added several large ice cubes to his coffee cup. “No, you’re welcome.”

 

A hint of sharpness hid within Landis’s calm eyes. “That was a narrow escape, but in the end, I was the one who cut off the head of that King-class xenomorph and was promoted to Admiral.” He wasn’t used to showing off, so it was just a simple statement.

 

He paused, his tone softening. “I hope my future partner and children will like it too.”

 

Xiao Sa’s mind circled around the word’s “partner” and “children” for a while. Thinking of his peaceful life back on his home planet, he couldn’t help but whisper: “Who wouldn’t like it?”