BVAHEDLA[W Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Zerg 8, Designation 683

“Wh… what?”

Arnold was somewhat perplexed by Amoris’s sudden question, but he was genuinely intrigued by the word “personally” in Amoris’s statement.

The space inside the hovercar wasn’t large. Amoris was seated right next to him, and with each breath, he could even smell the unique scent emanating from the other person, like the first snow of winter, so pure it was devoid of any impurities, exuding a chilling aura yet being exceptionally captivating.

Without even turning his head, Arnold could catch a glimpse of Amoris’s light golden, medium-length hair in his peripheral vision, still dazzling even in the dim light.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, feeling parched. He subconsciously swallowed before hesitantly asking, “When you say ‘teach you’, are you referring to… mecha matters?”

Arnold hadn’t forgotten what had happened at the Imperial First Academy that morning.

For a newcomer operating a mecha for the first time, Amoris’s performance was actually quite outstanding. Even Arnold himself wasn’t confident that he could have performed so brilliantly at Amoris’s age.

Amoris originally deserved a perfect score.

However, this was, after all, a team practice. In the military, betraying teammates and turning one’s blade against them was a major taboo. As a soldier, Arnold couldn’t turn a blind eye to Amoris’s “overstepping” behavior.

Although he genuinely hoped that Amoris could have a happy time at the academy.

And hoped… that the other person wouldn’t dislike him because of it.

However, in observing Amoris and Custer’s team practice, Arnold had also discovered some other issues.

Amoris, he didn’t seem like a complete novice.

The “novice” here didn’t refer to aspects of piloting a mecha. From the initial awkwardness to later proficiency, Arnold could clearly see Amoris’s transformation in the video. It’s just that his talent was strong, and his learning speed was fast, making it easy to mistakenly assume that he had previous experience operating a mecha.

But the issue Arnold discovered wasn’t this. Compared to piloting a mecha, where Amoris still had a clear adaptation period, his reconnaissance, combat awareness, and wilderness survival skills were as practiced as those of a seasoned veteran.

— Only systematic training or long-term wilderness living could achieve this.

At the same time, Arnold made another discovery.

In stark contrast to Amoris’s seemingly fragile exterior, he completely lacked cooperation in combat. He was fierce, cunning, good at deception, and most importantly, he seemed to have long disregarded life and death.

He was ruthless to his enemies, ruthless to his teammates, and even more ruthless to himself.

If this weren’t a practice match, Arnold would even believe that Amoris would unhesitatingly use him as bait.

This kind of behavior was like that of a desperate fugitive in interstellar space.

In fact, Arnold had not been without suspicion about Amoris’s identity and purpose.

But according to the investigation report and the information he had —

Designation 683 was Amoris’s name before becoming Amoris, a child who had lived in the arena since childhood.

The report recorded that Amoris had attempted to escape, and perhaps, the way he had become was simply due to his environment.

He had to do it. In such a harsh environment, if he didn’t learn to be cunning and fierce, how could he survive?

Arnold didn’t intend to interfere with Amoris’s life.

If using a cat as an analogy for Amoris, Arnold hoped more that the other person would never smooth out his claws and become a docile pet cat. At least that way, even in places he didn’t know about, Amoris could live well.

In fact, Arnold had once suspected whether Amoris’s behavior when facing him was also a disguise.

Was it because he had something to gain from him?

If that were the case, Arnold hoped that he had enough value to allow Amoris to be more honest when facing him, to make himself feel more at ease.

In front of him, Amoris could occasionally expose his soft belly, slightly retract his sharp claws, and then never let down his guard.

Even against him.

Arnold thought.

Because he didn’t want to see that blue fading away.

He should be as warm as the sky, as clear as the sea, untainted by even the slightest shadow.

From the first time he met Amoris, Arnold had a inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if they had met many times in the past.

The cleanliness and clarity in those clear blue eyes were also the reason why Arnold always believed in Amoris.

Just like now.

“Hmm? Can’t I?” Amoris tilted his head slightly, looking at Arnold half jokingly and half seriously, his blue eyes revolving around Arnold without moving.

“No.” Arnold tried to ignore the burning gaze on him, but no matter what he did, it was all in vain. In the end, he was defeated. He lowered his eyes slightly, focusing on the sides of the road, but his hand unconsciously gripped the steering wheel: “I mean… you can.”

Amoris, unaware of Arnold’s inner turmoil, stopped focusing on Arnold after hearing him agree, which relieved the latter.

The scenery flashed past his eyes, unlike any planet Amoris had ever been to.

Whether barren and backward, or chaotic and lively, Amoris, who first opened his eyes in the K27 star system, had never seen such a prosperous city. The never-ending sun was what the Imperial Star was known for.

But the sun always had its unreachable places, and beneath the calm sea, there were undercurrents surging, and beneath the prosperous city, evil was also breeding.

Amoris knew clearly that he had never gotten rid of his enemies, those vague gazes that were secretly watching him had become increasingly intense recently.

It seemed they were about to make a move.

But Amoris didn’t know why the people from the Noelle Arena kept chasing him.

Was it just because he had accidentally killed a few more of their people?

Perhaps he should consider taking the initiative.

Moreover, it was time for his left arm to be maintained with new materials.

Arnold’s driving was very smooth, and the hovercar didn’t jolt even once like before. Amoris was immersed in his thoughts and didn’t even realize they had arrived at Arnold’s place until a while later.

Arnold was still in charge of dinner, but fortunately, there were robots to help, so it wasn’t too troublesome. In less than half an hour, three fragrant dishes were placed on the table.

The two of them ate heartily. Just as Amoris finished and was about to put down his chopsticks, two sounds rang out simultaneously at the table.

It was the message notification sound from their terminals.

Amoris and Arnold exchanged surprised glances, both seeing the unexpected look in each other’s eyes.

Amoris frowned slightly before opening his terminal to check the message.

He had received an email.

To be precise, it was an invitation to a banquet, scheduled for Saturday night this weekend.

The sender was Custer.

Only then did Amoris vaguely remember that Custer seemed to have mentioned the banquet a week ago. He had dismissed it after hearing it, not expecting time to pass so quickly, and it seemed quite formal.

On the terminal page, an electronic invitation was displayed before Amoris, with the Lanchester family crest at the end.

In interstellar space, electronic invitations were widely used, saving the trouble of verifying information on the day of the banquet.

After a little thought, Amoris understood the connection and guessed that Arnold had probably received the same invitation.

He raised his head, raised his eyebrows slightly, and gave Arnold an inquiring look.

Arnold quickly understood what Amoris meant. He nodded, confirming Amoris’s guess.

“Are you going?” Amoris asked casually, as if it were an ordinary conversation after dinner.

But Arnold didn’t think so.

Amoris’s words fell into his ears like a heavy stone suddenly falling on his shoulders, giving him tremendous pressure.

Out of his unspeakable feelings for Amoris, Arnold felt his heart jump to his throat. He almost instantly closed his terminal, afraid that Amoris would see something.

Because his identity was not only Major General Arnold but also the only male of the Lanchester family – Custer’s – guiding worm.

Which was Custer’s…

Future male consort.

This realization made him feel inexplicably guilty and ashamed when facing Amoris.

Arnold could hear his heartbeat becoming faster and faster, as if an inexplicable hand reached into his chest, tightly clutching his heart, and then constantly tightening. The numb feeling, like an electric current flowing through him, made his breathing heavy.

He could also hear his voice pretending to be calm, thankfully Amoris’s attention wasn’t on him at this time, Arnold thought.

Feeling his earlobe getting hotter and hotter, Arnold’s fingertips subconsciously stroked it, trying to use the slightly cool temperature of his fingertips to cool down his earlobe. His voice still had an imperceptible tremor: “Yes. I’ll go.”

Amoris seemed to have not noticed Arnold’s abnormality at all. After hearing Arnold say that he would attend the banquet, he immediately added: “Great. Then I’ll go with you.”

“… Yeah.” The heavy nasal sound concealed his thoughts. Arnold was momentarily at a loss. He silently stood up and put the dishes in the kitchen.

Amoris raised his head again, looking at Arnold’s back, a trace of waves flashed in his eyes.

Arnold was hiding something from him.

Past experiences had taught Amoris to read faces since childhood, even subtle changes could be captured one by one. Even a change in expression, he could read the emotions hidden inside. Only in this way could he judge when a beast would attack and then escape again and again.

He stood up.

With his movement, the blue eyes gradually became deep, illuminated by the cold white light, like clear glass, yet like the unbreakable ice in the snowfield.

Since Arnold didn’t plan to say, then he wouldn’t ask.

After all, he also had secrets he couldn’t tell.

Only.

Should he tell Arnold –

That he was really bad at lying?