Rustle... rustle...
The sound of soil being compacted echoed through the forest.
Samuel Young was moving north, followed closely by Robert and Saint-Gilles. Around them were more than a dozen hunters on alert.
Watching Samuel Young's back, Robert and Saint-Gilles had expressions that were both confused and curious.
They had long known they were extraordinary, and they had learned a lot through the internet...
Yes, the internet. Samuel Young had never restricted their "surfing," allowing them to access various information, news, and knowledge early on.
They played various single-player and multiplayer games, and due to their exceptional skills, they were revered by other gamers. They even formed a gaming guild.
As for the internet, with Atlas leading communication technology in the main universe, it had already transitioned from 2G to 3G networks by the early 1990s, even before the "Titan 3G" phone was announced. The introduction of Titan 3G made connecting personal mobile devices to the internet more convenient and faster.
Although their father had never discussed their origins in detail, Robert and Saint-Gilles instinctively believed that they were "superhumans" created through genetic engineering by their father and Dr. Alexia Ashford.
After all, Dr. Alexia Ashford had mentioned test-tube babies and cloning technology while teaching them biology.
Even without scientific tests to prove a biological connection with their father, they felt an inexplicable psychic bond with him. This was especially evident in Saint-Gilles, though Robert was slightly less sensitive.
But now, they had suddenly gained a brother, leaving Saint-Gilles and Robert somewhat stunned. They lost interest in boarding the Venture Star ship and instead followed their father to find their brother and seek an "answer."
"Hiss!!"
At that moment, the roar of a snake-like creature came from ahead.
Hearing this, the group quickened their pace and soon arrived at a sunlit tree pit.
Looking inside, Saint-Gilles and Robert saw their new brother and the snake-like creature with blue-green scales lying dead at the edge of the pit.
Their golden-haired brother, who had been calm, suddenly became innocent and childlike upon seeing their father, making baby-like giggles.
It was clear to the progenitors that the snake-like creature, with its poisonous blue-green scales, had found their infant brother first and tried to eat him but ended up being killed.
Samuel Young immediately identified the child in the tree pit, reaching out to him as the "Lion King" Leon without noticeable canine teeth.
He walked over to the tree pit, wrapped Leon in a pre-prepared white swaddle, and picked him up.
Infant Leon did not resemble the "civilized barbarian" described in "Warhammer 30k" or "40k." Sensing that Samuel Young was his father and being held in his arms, he smiled happily.
Possibly feeling safe or perhaps exhausted from killing the snake right after being born, Leon soon fell asleep in the swaddle.
"Father..." Saint-Gilles walked to Samuel Young's side, looking at the sleeping Leon in his father's arms, deeply puzzled. "What is going on?"
Robert, also standing by, waited silently for his father to give an "answer."
Sensing the obvious emotional turmoil in his progenitors and understanding the serious backlash of continuing to be enigmatic or ignoring their questions, Samuel Young spoke:
"You two, and your brother, are biologically related to me. There is no doubt I am your father.
As for where you come from, it might be related to a series of romantic debts I incurred a century ago, causing you to be born in a very special way. However, I cannot provide a definitive answer to this question."
Samuel Young could never reveal the real truth. Besides, he couldn't be entirely sure if his experiences, psychic powers, and progenitors were related to the Human Emperor, so he diverted the topic to his "youthful" romantic past.
Romantic debts? Although the progenitors were not yet adults, they had learned enough through the internet to understand what their father meant by romantic debts.
"Father, are you a god who lost part of his memory?" Robert suddenly felt an insight.
"What do you mean?" This time, it was Samuel Young who looked slightly puzzled.
Seeing that Samuel Young had no intention of stopping him, Robert immediately explained his analysis to Samuel Young and Saint-Gilles:
"Father, you have a long-lived physique and have lived in the main universe for at least 150 years, longer than many countries have existed. You don't need any compound number five or super serum; you naturally have a strong body and even possess abilities like opening space gates and mind-reading.
Combining this with recorded human history and various myths and legends... compared to fictional gods, you stand before us as a real deity.
And Saint-Gilles, this newly born brother, and I might be part of a plan you made before losing your memory, appearing at the right time to be guided by you, to fight for you and humanity."
"Yes! Father, I think so too," Saint-Gilles agreed with Robert's perspective.
Samuel Young didn't know how to refute them. After calming himself, he did not directly comment on Robert and Saint-Gilles' views. Instead, he said:
"Setting aside what gods are, you must understand that I have never considered myself a god but a human.
And these things are secondary. Our main goal is to explore different universes, to make humanity and Atlas in the main universe stronger until we can protect all humans in all universes.
Reaching the point where even if there are gods or demons blocking our way, they can do nothing and even fear our human strength. Only then can we explore the truth without any worries."
"Yes!" The brothers responded in unison.
They had only been confused and curious for a moment, partly due to their "adolescent" phase. But after their father's candid explanation, they realized those questions only added unnecessary trouble. Although they were busy with studies and understood the heavy future responsibilities, they genuinely enjoyed their current life and immediately felt enlightened.
"Very good." Sensing his sons' relieved emotions, Samuel Young smiled, holding Leon and walking out of the tree pit. With his back to them, he said:
"After finishing the work in the Zero Two Universe, it's time for a vacation... I think Egypt sounds good. You two haven't seen real pyramids yet."
Hearing this, Saint-Gilles and Robert were initially stunned but quickly reacted;
"Haha! Great, Father! I've always wanted to see the Egyptian pharaohs!"
"I'd like to study the internal structure of the pyramids up close."
The brothers laughed and chatted, following their father and the hunters out of the rainforest.
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