"Sylvan, please walk slowly and be careful not to bump into anyone," Angel called out to her brother, who was running ahead. Unfortunately, her warning came a bit too late, as Sylvan had already collided with a middle-aged man. Angel hurriedly rushed forward and pulled her brother out of the man's arms, apologizing, "I'm sorry, sir! I'm so sorry. My brother can be quite mischievous. I hope he didn't hurt you." Rudolf had just disembarked from the spacecraft, with two guards in warrior uniforms following closely behind.
The reason he chose to visit Mu 3, a remote agricultural planet, was precisely because it lacked the pretensions of the imperial capital and other prosperous planets. Moreover, Rudolf had fond memories of Mu 3 from his childhood. Its simple folk customs had left a lasting impression on him.
Before the emperor could step out of the airport gate, a young boy collided with him. The child exuded an aura of innocence, and his eyes were as tranquil as the ocean. Rudolf found it hard to scold the child for his recklessness. He silently signaled to the guards behind him that everything was alright. As he observed the young boy, his attention was abruptly stolen by an angelic voice.
Looking up and following the source of the sound, Rudolf felt his thoughts momentarily short-circuit. He gazed into a pair of eyes that seemed capable of melting his very being. At that moment, he felt as though he could never tear his gaze away from those eyes, even when the boy was gently pulled away by the girl.
"Are you alright, sir?" the girl asked once more.
"Oh! I'm fine," Rudolf realized his earlier rudeness and responded quickly. "This little guy is quite adorable. Is he your brother?"
"Yes, sir, he's my brother. He's a bit naughty," the girl replied with a smile. The little boy, sensing he had done something wrong, quietly hid behind his sister.
"Haha, children should be a bit naughty. It's what makes them charming," Rudolf said, looking at the girl's radiant smile, which reminded him of a blossoming flower. "By the way, were you here to pick me up?"
"No, sir. My brother loves watching spaceships, so every time we come to the city, he insists on visiting the airport to see them," the girl replied shyly, feeling slightly uneasy under Rudolf's intense gaze.
Perhaps sensing the girl's discomfort, Rudolf decided he should not further unsettle her. He consciously shifted his gaze from her to the young boy behind her. "I just disembarked from the spaceship. If you don't mind, I'd be delighted to take your brother for a visit to my spaceship."
"Oh, it's quite an inconvenience to you," the girl began to decline.
"It's no trouble at all. Little guy, my spaceship is over there. It's not your everyday spaceship; you'll love it," Rudolf insisted, extending his hand towards the child behind the girl.
Sylvan found the uncle before him to be rather nice. After all, the man didn't lose his temper when he collided with him. When he heard his uncle wanted to show him his spaceship, Sylvan was convinced the man was good. He took his sister's hand and said with a hint of coyness, "Sister, let's go see it!"
Observing her brother's enthusiasm, Angel reluctantly agreed, despite her initial reservations about the middle-aged man. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her uncomfortable. Although she had seen that look in Green's eyes before, it didn't unsettle her as it did with this man. Angel wanted to refuse his invitation, but seeing her brother's excitement, she gave in. The middle-aged man seemed delighted by her acceptance, taking her brother's hand as they headed toward the tarmac. Angel noticed that as they walked ahead, the two warriors behind the man automatically spread out on both sides before following, maintaining a distance of about a meter from the man in front. "He must be a significant figure," Angel surmised regarding the man's identity.
Indeed, the middle-aged man's spaceship was quite exceptional. It had an imposing presence, standing out among the interstellar and private spacecraft around it. The interior was spacious, complete with a game room and a dedicated dining area, signifying that this was no ordinary spaceship. Furthermore, the attendants on board were real people, not common robots. Even ordinary nobles couldn't afford the expenses associated with human attendants. "This man must be a high-ranking noble," Angel concluded once more.
Sylvan had no inkling of his sister's thoughts. He felt incredibly fortunate today. The uncle before him was genuinely kind. He even arranged for a pilot to take them on a trip into space. The initial acceleration of the spaceship was exhilarating and heart-pounding, but when they reached space, Sylvan was entirely captivated by the sight. That was the true galaxy! It felt so different from looking at pictures. It was as though Sylvan was experiencing déjà vu. He had felt this way when he first saw the nebula inside the pendant. He couldn't shake the feeling that he belonged to this vast cosmos.
But every good thing must come to an end. It was finally time to bid farewell to Angel and her brother. Although Rudolf was deeply reluctant to part ways, he understood he couldn't reveal his identity just yet. He didn't want to scare Angel by revealing the truth too suddenly. For some reason, Rudolf just didn't want to see her unhappy.
Watching the siblings depart, Rudolf suddenly made a decision. He changed his plans. Instead of continuing his journey across Mu 3, he returned to the airport for the third time. He boarded his spaceship and headed straight for the Alpha system's capital, New Athens.
Back at Eagle Manor, Angel, Sylvan, Green, and Broff gathered once again on the hill behind the estate. Sylvan enthusiastically recounted his adventure on the luxurious spaceship, gesturing animatedly as he spoke. Broff listened with envy; although he had traveled to many places in the universe, he had never been on a private spaceship.
Green, however, appeared preoccupied. Although Sylvan hadn't provided much detail about the middle-aged man, Green felt an inexplicable unease. He wasn't sure why, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he might lose Angel. Instinctively, he tightened his grip on her hand.
Feeling the warmth radiating from Green's tightened hand, Angel smiled as she looked at his boyish face. She leaned into his arms, relishing the feeling of comfort and security. She hoped for their happiness and carefree days to last forever – for Green, herself, her brother, and her brother's friend, Broff.
Will Green's fears become reality? What choice did Rudolf make?