Chapter 25.2 – To Battle

Ji Ling waited anxiously. A few days later, he finally saw news of the invasion and the emperor's decision to lead troops out personally. Ji Ling didn’t hesitate for a second before running to his parents, and executing his spoiled kid skills.

He said: "Mom, Dad, I want to go to Nadeau Galaxy with His Majesty."

Grand Duke Ji Ting frowned and replied: "It's very dangerous there."

Madam Marina said: “Don't go to those barren lands, precious. It's too backwards and harsh there. You won't be used to it."

Ji Ling was extremely persistent: "I wanna go! Just promise me, okay?"

Madam Marina was still worried about the duel last time. Although she was pleasantly surprised in the end, she was still very worried. When she thought that her baby was going out to chase Jing Sui again, she said uneasily: “His Majesty is so capable, I'm sure he’ll be back soon."

Grand Duke Ji Ting said: "Don't run over and give them more trouble."

Ji Ling’s tears came on demand. He looked at his mother and father imploringly: "Mom, Dad, am I such a worry in your eyes? Do I have to make trouble if I go? Will I be locked up on Empire Star without going anywhere all my life? I’m already an adult. I should be able to choose where I go! "

Grand Duke Ji Ting and Madam Marina heard this and went stiff. This child was right. They hadn’t trusted him to go out alone… But now, seeing Ji Ling looking at them with his eyes red, they felt distressed and regretful. They’d pampered him and spoiled him due to his weak constitution, but had they been neglecting his emotions due to their overprotectiveness?

Madam Marina hesitated: "Mom is just worried about you. Those bugs eat people when they see them…”

Ji Ling said: "There won’t be danger since His Majesty and Marshal Brandon will be there!”

Grand Duke Ji Ting was silent for a moment, then said: "If you want to go, then you must go with the army. Dad is just worried you won’t be able to adapt to a military environment."

Ji Ling said: "I haven't even gone yet, and you assume I won’t be able to do it?"

Madam Marina and Grand Duke Ji Ting exchanged looks of helplessness. They considered it for half the day, and seeing how determined Ji Ling looked, couldn’t help but give a sigh in the end.

Grand Duke Ji Ting finally relaxed and sighed: “All right, but being out there isn’t like how it is on Empire Star. You can’t act as unrestrained as you normally do, okay?”

Madam Marina said, “Since you’re going on a long journey, and there aren’t any beds out there or your usual luxuries, I'll have the servants prepare more things.”

Like this, the Ji family immediately busied themselves.

Madam Marina had her servants begin to prepare Ji Ling’s daily necessities. They ended up readying more than a dozen things, and there were even several carts of stuff. A little more, and they’d have dismantled his bed. Ji Ling's eyes almost jumped out of their sockets. He hurriedly went straight to stop them: “That’s enough. It’s enough. I don’t need any more.”

Grand Duke Ji Ting also said helplessly: “All right, if we prepare any more, I'm afraid it’d anger His Majesty." His majesty hated the extravagance of nobles the most, and Marshal Brandon was even worse. If Ji Ling dared to take these to the army, he might be thrown out on the spot.

Father and son managed to persuade the anxious mother. In the end, they only took some daily necessities and a servant on the road.

Sympathies for the parents who are so devoted to their children. Grand Duke Ji Ting personally took Ji Ling to the military headquarters to make sure he was safe.

The atmosphere in the military headquarters was very solemn. Everyone came and went in a hurry, because they were about to set off soon. There was an empress leading the enemy troops, and it would definitely not be an easy battle. Fortunately, His Majesty and Marshal Brandon were here.

Brandon was in his command room. Under his dark red hair, his gray pupils glowed coldly, and his brows were knitted. He was in the middle of giving orders in an organized fashion. When everyone was ready, they would prepare their warp technology and travel to Nadeau Galaxy. At this moment, he heard a knock on the door outside. He said in a low voice: "Come in."

Grand Duke Ji Ting pushed the door and entered with Ji Ling in tow. Smiling, he greeted politely: "Sir Brandon, I'm sorry for bothering you now."

Brandon originally looked serious, but when he saw that the visitors were Grand Duke Ji Ting and Ji Ling, his eyes glanced over the boy’s face, and his features softened a lot. He also replied politely, "You are too polite, Grand Duke Ji Ting. May I ask what you have come here for?”

Although he asked this question out loud, he actually knew full well why Grand Duke Ji Ting had come. This had already happened last life, so he didn’t seem very surprised. At the time, Ji Ling had also begged his father to let him accompany the army.

Grand Duke Ji Ting paused and said seriously: “I have a presumptuous request. I hope Sir Brandon can agree to it.”

Brandon gave a smile: “Please tell me, Your Grace. If it’s something in my power, I certainly won’t refuse.”

Grand Duke Ji Ting pulled Ji Ling out from behind him and said: "This child has never been out of the empire before, and he wants to go out with the army this time to see the world. After thinking about it, I thought it’d be best to entrust him to you, Marshal. Only then, can I rest assured."

After he finished speaking, he waited for Brandon's reply. Although he believed Brandon shouldn’t refuse such a small little request, he couldn’t say for sure… After all, Brandon didn’t like imperial rich kids, and quite frankly, Ji Ling was just a burden. It was possible Brandon wouldn’t give him face and refuse to accept.

He still hadn’t come back to himself yet, and his voice had just fallen, when he heard Brandon agree in a low voice: "Don't worry, Your Grace. I will guard him with my life!"

Grand Duke Ji Ting: "…"

Ji Ling: "…"

Ji Ling avoided his gaze awkwardly. He really couldn’t look at him.

Grand Duke Ji Ting was rarely startled, but he looked on dumbfounded at the tall man in front of him with a cold and solemn face. He saw how serious Brandon looked… I just asked you to take care of my undeserving child on the side. Was it necessary to go so far as to say you’ll protect him with your life…

Wasn’t this battle not very dangerous? And it’s not like I’m entrusting you with my only son before I die..

But Brandon didn't think there was any problem with what he’d said. Again, he recalled what had happened last life when he was caught in the empress’ trap. Everyone around him had died. Just when he was struggling in a hopeless situation with overwhelming numbers of arthropods on all sides, it was the youth who had risked his life to come save him.

However, because of his negligence, he had let the boy get captured by the cruel rebel leader on their way back, and Ji Ling had almost lost his life.

Even if he’d come back safely in the end, Brandon was full of guilt and self-blame every time he thought of this matter. There was no way he could forgive himself. He should’ve protected the youth properly, so that he wouldn’t have had to go through that… but he’d failed in doing so.