When Serval heard she was going to see Cocolia, she became excited on the spot.
This made Zao Wu curious.
Could it be that something happened between Sister Serval and the Supreme Guardian Cocolia in the past?
"You'd better reflect on your actions!" Gepard said coldly.
Afterward, he repeatedly questioned Zao Wu, hoping to clear his sister's name.
Of course, if Zao Wu had answered yes, Gepard would never bend the law for Serval, even if she was his sister.
"Zao Wu, I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused you."
"Please, tell me, did my sister really not do anything to you?"
"For example, did she touch... any of your more private areas in a lewd way?"
"Or threaten you into doing something you didn't want to do!"
Gepard's questions inevitably made Zao Wu's mind wander, and his cheeks flushed slightly.
This caused Gepard's heart to sink.
My sister is truly a heinous criminal!
To do that to a child like Zao Wu...
But then Zao Wu shook his head and spoke to Gepard in a serious tone.
"No, she didn't. Although Sister Serval was a bit... enthusiastic."
"But she only hugged me. She didn't do anything more than that."
"Earlier, when I was curious about alcohol, Sister Serval wouldn't even let me drink it!"
Gepard wouldn't trust the words of a suspect, so he had bypassed interrogating his sister directly, choosing instead to only ask Zao Wu.
Hearing Zao Wu's account now, the man's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled.
At least she didn't force the boy to drink, which meant there was no moral issue. The subsequent intimate contact was most likely just the alcohol at work. After all, who would want their own sister to become a despicable criminal?
However, Serval's problem was still significant.
She was too indecorous, too unrestrained!
Alas, Gepard didn't have the ability to correct his sister. In fact, not even the entire Landau family could stop her from going her own way. Whether it was her resolute departure from the Silvermane Guards back then, opening the "Neverwinter" workshop to become a mechanic with no future, or her recent rejection of the family's arranged blind dates—all were expressions of the rebellious and free woman named Serval Landau.
Just like the rock music she loved.
"Alright, I understand."
Gepard left Zao Wu and walked over to where Serval was cuffed. His expression remained cold, wavering only for a moment when his eyes met his sister's.
"Reflect on this and turn over a new leaf."
With those words, he took out the key and unlocked Serval's handcuffs.
"I...!"
Serval was choked up, but seeing her brother's worried expression, she felt a bit embarrassed and looked away evasively.
In any case, it was a relief that Zao Wu had cleared her name.
Even though she knew she had been a bit out of line...
Sigh, alcohol is a menace!
She decided she should drink less in the future.
As for why she couldn't quit entirely... well, Serval's life had seen too much sadness, regret, loss, and pain.
Once the cuffs were off, Serval rubbed her reddened wrists and looked towards Zao Wu.
"Sorry about that, Zao Wu."
"Not only did you not get to see the show, but I also left you with a bad impression..."
"When I hold a concert someday, I'll definitely invite you to see it live!"
"Don't forget to cheer for me then, okay~?"
Zao Wu smiled slightly.
"Okay, I will."
Gepard pursed his lips, thinking that even at a time like this, his sister was still thinking about holding concerts when the Fragmentum had already penetrated deep into the city of Belobog. He wondered how many people looked at his sister like a songstress singing on the opposite shore while the nation's fate hung in the balance.
Gepard couldn't stop their wagging tongues. All he could do was use his actions and his identity as a Silvermane Guard, protecting all of Belobog, to shoulder some of the burden for his sister.
Serval probably understood her brother's painstaking efforts. But she had her own principles. Since her research on the Stellaron had been halted by that woman, the only thing she had left was music.
In the face of disaster, rock music could give people strength. This was something Serval believed in and would not change.
Although Zao Wu didn't get to hear the rock music he wanted, meeting Sister Serval and discovering she was Captain Gepard's sister made the trip worthwhile. Furthermore, the experience taught Zao Wu something new: drinking could make a person more passionate, even leading them to do things they normally wouldn't.
If Mom Himeko liked to drink alcohol instead of coffee...
Would she become closer to me?
Zao Wu blushed and quickly shook his head, pushing the dangerous thought from his mind.
"See you next time, Zao Wu!"
"Yes, see you next time."
Gepard and Serval walked Zao Wu to the door. Serval bid him a warm farewell, watching him walk towards the distant Goethe Hotel.
Gepard gave his sister one last reminder.
"Sis... Although Zao Wu is from beyond the sky and not subject to Belobog's laws..."
"I still consider that a criminal act. So, please don't..."
"What! Zao Wu isn't a local of Belobog!?"
"That's wonderful!"
Serval suddenly cheered and celebrated.
Gepard froze on the spot, feeling he shouldn't have said that extra sentence...
The Goethe Hotel, Belobog's most luxurious grand hotel.
For the people of Belobog, who couldn't leave the city, just staying one night at the Goethe Hotel was the most extravagant trip imaginable.
And Zao Wu had just received permanent VIP status, granted by the Supreme Guardian herself. This gave him the right to stay for free at any time, unconditionally, even if there were no vacant rooms.
Mr. Goethe, the manager of the Goethe Hotel, had been instructed not to inform the boy named "Zao Wu" about this. In contrast, the other three members of the Astral Express crew—March 7th, Stelle, and Dan Heng—only had the right to free accommodation during their current visit.
A shrewd glint appeared in old Mr. Goethe's aged eyes.
Clearly, from his perspective, the relationship between this boy, whose pure beauty was beyond words, and the current Supreme Guardian... might be an untold secret... perhaps even a one-sided affection from Lady Cocolia. If Mr. Goethe hadn't seen Zao Wu with his own eyes, he would have beaten anyone who spread rumors about "Lady Cocolia falling for a young boy" out of the hotel with his cane.
But now, even he was starting to have his doubts.
All he could do was follow the saying, "What the superior desires, the subordinate provides." He offered Zao Wu the most expensive "Supreme Guardian Suite" in the entire hotel. Normally, it would be called the "Presidential Suite," but since Belobog only had the title of "Supreme Guardian" for its highest ruler, the name was fitting.
"Please, follow me, esteemed guest."
As the owner of the Goethe Hotel, old Mr. Goethe's attitude was the epitome of humility.
Zao Wu was overwhelmed and quickly waved his hands.
"No, no, sir, I can find the room myself!"
"Please take care of your health!"
Old Mr. Goethe stroked his beard and smiled in gratification. It seemed Lady Cocolia had good taste; the boy's character was also excellent.
"Don't worry, guest. This old man's bones are still strong!"
Old Goethe insisted, and Zao Wu had no choice but to follow his arrangement.
The two walked one after the other down the hotel's luxurious corridor, paved with black and white marble tiles. They arrived at the end, before a room whose luxury was evident from the door alone.
Old Goethe respectfully opened the door, bowed with an outstretched hand, and invited Zao Wu inside.
"Here, you will enjoy the most comfortable and wonderful accommodation experience."
"It's worth mentioning that the decoration style of this suite comes from a very old science fiction novel."
"It depicts the fictional 'Planet of Festivities,' Penacony!"
"Legend has it that it's a stellar hotel suspended in the galaxy."
"The most distinguished guests from all over the universe stay there and can experience the magical Dream Pool, which takes you into the dream of Penacony, a magnificent city of joy."
"Of course, science fiction is science fiction, so the Dream Pool we've created at the Goethe Hotel is merely a lavishly shaped bathtub. Please don't be disappointed, guest."
Perhaps in the very distant past, someone from Belobog had truly left this planet, traveled to the faraway Penacony, stayed at the "Reverie" Hotel, and experienced the decadent splendor of the dream city. When he returned to his hometown of Belobog, he wrote down this experience as a travelogue. Unfortunately, as time passed and civilization declined, when this travelogue based on true experiences was discovered by later generations of the Goethe family, it was mistaken for an old science fiction novel.
It truly makes one lament the impermanence of the world.
And so, Zao Wu successfully checked into the Goethe Hotel, completely unaware that his treatment was unique.
The boy had originally planned to visit Sister March 7th and the others in their rooms. But when he lay down on the bed, soft as cotton, he suddenly felt the full weight of the journey's fatigue wash over him.
With his last ounce of strength, he sent a message to the "Astral Express Family" group chat.
Zao Wu: @March 7th @Stelle @Dan Heng, I'm a bit sleepy... going to bed now.
March 7th: Eh, so early! I was thinking about a pillow fight... aww, alright, good night~
Stelle: Good night. Watch out for the hotel demon in the closet.
Himeko: Stelle! Don't scare the child!
Dan Heng: Good night.
Seeing everyone's messages, Zao Wu smiled warmly. He then placed the phone Sister Asta gave him by his pillow and took out the doll Godmother Herta had given him from his spatial pouch, hugging it tightly.
He had to admit, sleeping with a doll was quite comforting, especially while traveling. Perhaps, in the future, Zao Wu would always keep the doll from Godmother Herta by his side.
Soon, the boy's breathing became long and even as drowsiness overcame him, and he finally fell into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, far away at the Herta Space Station, in the Simulated Universe laboratory, Herta stood before her creation, feeling a rare sense of boredom. It seemed that ever since Zao Wu left the space station with the Astral Express, she had started to feel this way. No matter what she did, it didn't feel quite right.
She felt that letting Zao Wu go was a huge mistake! His level of interestingness, for the current Herta, was far beyond that of the Simulated Universe!
Damn it! Himeko is so lucky!
However, the genius girl had not left without a backup plan. For instance, the Herta doll she gave Zao Wu as a farewell gift. With Himeko's technical skills, she probably couldn't uncover its secrets. But in reality, it was Herta's latest creation, the "Ultimate Herta Puppet"! Its functions were far more powerful than the ball-jointed dolls on the space station! And the most important and useful function was the "Remote Quantum Entanglement Sensory Function" she had installed!
In simpler terms, no matter how far apart they were, even across the galaxy, Herta could personally experience everything the Herta doll was experiencing through its quantum entanglement with her. If the Herta doll were thrown into water, as long as Herta activated this function, she would feel the sensation of drowning.
If it were burned...
If it were struck by lightning...
Wait! Why am I always imagining such extreme situations!
Herta didn't believe the gentle Zao Wu would mistreat the gift she gave him!
To prove this point, Herta directly activated the function through a remote terminal.
It's-it's not because I want to feel what it's like to be by Zao Wu's side or anything!
The moment the function was activated, an indescribable warmth washed over Herta's entire body, making her tremble.
It wasn't because of stimulation.
On the contrary, it was because of the gentleness.
How can it be... so... so comfortable?
The embrace from the boy, filled with care. An all-encompassing embrace.
Closing her eyes, she could almost hear his familiar, long breaths beside her ear. Taking a deep breath, she could even smell the faint, natural scent of white plum from the boy's body.
Every part of it was incredibly intoxicating. It was like being immersed in a dreamlike ASMR experience.
"Haah... haah..."
Herta found herself breathing heavily. The girl's pretty face flushed slightly as she scolded herself internally.
Wait! It's just sleeping with a pretty, wet-behind-the-ears kid!
Is it necessary to be this pathetic, Herta!
Calm down, calm down...
But she couldn't deny it.
Ever since Herta became a universe-renowned genius, no one had ever held her as gently as Zao Wu did.
In a daze, it was as if Herta had returned to her distant and brief childhood. A time when her family was still around. It was a golden age that she initially didn't care about, even disdaining the uselessness of a child's body, only to look back a hundred years later and realize she could never return.
Perhaps, this was part of the reason she liked to maintain her appearance as a young girl.
An unknown amount of time passed.
Herta forgot about her Simulated Universe, forgot all her genius ideas and the passage of time, simply indulging in the boy's embrace.
She was completely captivated.
Until a faint "creak" sounded.
Snapping back to her senses, Herta felt a wave of shame and annoyance. She whirled around, wanting to see who had the audacity to disturb her by pushing open the door to her laboratory!
But what she saw was a tightly closed door!
In that instant, Herta's pupils constricted to a point as small as a needle's tip.
If... it wasn't her door that was opened...
Then didn't that mean...
—Someone had quietly snuck into Zao Wu's room!?
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