Sang Ruo and the System returned to the System Space. The area had been configured to look like a lounge, complete with a comfortable soft couch and various items unfamiliar to Sang Ruo, such as display screens and game consoles.
【Commencing mission settlement. Due to the significant changes made by the executor to the original timeline, the second calculation mode has been activated. Settlement result: Mission Rating A-, Mission Target Status: No Lingering Regrets.】
The little light ball of the System sat beside Sang Ruo, intently watching the Main System calculate their rewards on the semi-transparent floating screen.
Sang Ruo, however, seemed indifferent to the results. Her beautiful long lashes were lowered as if she were lost in thought.
【Newbie World Mission Rating: A-, obtained 20,000 energy points. Hidden Mission completion: 100%, obtained 5,000 energy points.】
【Total account balance: 35,300 energy points. Settlement complete.】
System: 【Yay!! Host, we’re rich!】
System: 【Host?】
Sang Ruo snapped back to reality. “Continue.”
The System scrutinized her. Well, it was impossible to read anything from the Great Heavenly Demon’s “poker face.” Since the Host didn’t seem inclined to talk, it decided to act as if nothing was wrong.
With bursting enthusiasm, it introduced: 【The next world will be an official world. The System Mall will be opened for your use, but there will also be more difficulties and challenges. Especially since we attracted the attention of the God of the World in the last world…】
The luck of the Child of the Plane is the core and key to how the God of the World earns energy on the side; it would not sit idly by while Sang Ruo disrupted one world after another. Furthermore, Sang Ruo was still linked to the Source World.
However, the God of the World could not act without restraint. There were rules above it that must be followed. Its previous attempt to extend a mental thread had only been possible because it found a loophole.
【Therefore, I suspect it will dispatch its own systems and task-takers to issue bounties and obstacles to hinder us.】
“Anything else?”
【Yes! Official worlds basically always have other task-takers present, though most of the time, they remain in a state of mutual non-interference.】
Sang Ruo gave a light scoff. “No matter. Soldiers will be blocked by water and earth; we will handle whatever comes.”
As she spoke, she pulled up the System panel and clicked the login button.
She wanted to see her close friend.
Star Calendar, May 22, 1248. The Sukia Empire, the strongest empire in the Veblen Star Sector, released a message: The Queen would be engaged to the former Imperial Admiral today.
As soon as the news broke, the Star Network appeared peaceful. The Sukia official media were flooded with blessings, as if the two were a match made in heaven.
However, the anonymous forums exploded. The screens were filled with question marks.
【???】 【Is it what I think it means? Our Majesty and General Xue Ji?】 【Today? Isn’t this too sudden?】 【A cripple who lost the battle doesn’t deserve to be called a General, thanks. But it’s strange; Xue Ji has no power and two broken legs. Why would Her Majesty choose her to be her Consort?】 【You guys are missing the point! Her Majesty is an Alpha, and Xue Ji is also an Alpha! How can two Alphas get married???】
When Sang Ruo’s consciousness revived, the first thing she felt was a cool sensation on her lips.
She instinctively flinched backward, followed by a small gasp of surprise.
Opening her eyes, a panicked girl stood before her, holding a tube-shaped object. Having been infused with interstellar knowledge, Sang Ruo knew this thing was called “lipstick.”
Turning her head slightly, she saw a large vanity mirror.
Sang Ruo saw herself in the mirror. Her long golden hair was swept back, revealing a full forehead. The ends of her hair were slightly curled, and her features were seventy percent similar to her original appearance, though more defined. Her brows were slightly arched, and her eyes were a dark red—like red wine, or more accurately, like thick, rusty blood.
Currently, those thin lips were painted vermilion, making her features appear even more vividly beautiful, like a rose in full bloom.
The only flaw was a slight smudge at the corner of her mouth, likely caused by the small makeup artist’s hand slipping just now.
Sang Ruo raised her hand and used her thumb to wipe away the smudge, leaving a small red mark behind.
The small makeup artist shook like a sieve, apologizing to her incessantly: “Your Majesty, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I…”
“You are noisy.” Sang Ruo frowned and leaned back against the chair, closing her eyes and pressing her fingers against her temples.
This seemed to be a lingering ailment of this body. The relentless sound of apologies made her head throb as if something were gouging it out. She felt a desperate urge to destroy something to soothe this inexplicable irritability and rage.
“Ugh…” The makeup artist’s legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor, her fingers tightly covering her mouth as large tears fell.
Before coming here, her mentor had warned her about the Queen’s temperament. If one encountered Her Majesty in a bad mood and made a mistake, losing one’s job was the lightest punishment; losing one’s life was a distinct possibility.
She thought she was not going to escape this time.
When Sang Ruo opened her eyes and saw the makeup artist’s terrified state, her irritation grew even stronger. She closed her eyes to suppress her boiling emotions and said indifferently, “Leave.”
The makeup artist looked up in disbelief, meeting the Queen’s blood-red eyes that seemed to roll with endless malice.
Her heart jolted, and she slammed her head down.
Having survived the disaster, she wanted to thank her profusely, but fearing she would anger the Queen further, she covered her mouth and left in a hurry, not even taking her precious makeup bag.
Sang Ruo slowly exhaled.
As the plot of this world loaded, the original host’s memories and personality underwent a certain fusion with her own.
This shell’s identity was the Queen of the Sukia Empire, named Violins Joan Noah—an absolute tyrant.
Not only was she strict in governing and unable to tolerate any flaws, but in her personal life, many people had been executed for offending her over trivial matters.
This was why the small makeup artist was so terrified; she was afraid of losing her life.
The reason she was in this dressing room today, enduring being “handled” and painted with powder, was for an engagement ceremony to be held shortly.
Yes, an engagement ceremony.
Violins had contracted a strange illness several years ago, developing a dependence on a specific type of pheromone. If she did not receive the soothing effect of those pheromones, she would suffer from persistent headaches and violent rage.
The Academy of Sciences had spent three years finally identifying the type of pheromone that matched Violins. According to the system matching, that pheromone was extremely rare, and only one Imperial officer was a match: the former Admiral Xue Ji, who had been left paralyzed in both legs due to the Battle of the Thorns.
The bad news was that this Xue Ji, like Violins, was an Alpha.
In the interstellar era, humans had six genders. Besides the male and female biological sexes, there were the classifications of Alpha, Beta, and Omega. Alphas were protectors with powerful physiques; Betas were the average majority; Omegas were the protected, with delicate constitutions suitable for reproduction, though their numbers were scarce.
Generally, it was A and O pairings, while Betas integrated amongst themselves. It was rare for an A and an A to be together.
On one hand, the pheromones and spiritual power of Alphas would uncontrollably attack and repel each other. On the other hand, they were used to being at the top of the food chain; psychologically, no one was willing to be subordinate to another.
Violins, however, was forced to bind herself to a same-sex Alpha because of her condition.
Her pride found it unbearable, but if she didn’t receive treatment, her headaches could lead to even more severe consequences.
After weighing her options, she used rather ignoble means to conclude a marriage contract with Xue Ji, had her kidnapped, and immediately arranged for the engagement ceremony.
And that led to the present.
Sang Ruo knew that this Alpha named Xue Ji was her close friend. In the future, their marriage, combined with various other incidents, would completely destroy her friend.
The door to the dressing room was lightly knocked. Sang Ruo gently rubbed her temples and said, “Enter.”
An elderly female official named Philippa walked in, her appearance kind and gentle. She had served the tyrant since she was a child and was the only person in recent years who dared to approach the Queen during her rages and remain unharmed.
Sang Ruo asked her, “What happened?”
Philippa sighed softly. “Your Majesty, Miss Xue is missing.”
“Missing?”
“Yes. We have searched the entire venue and the exterior, but there is no sign of Miss Xue.”
Philippa saw the Empress’s face suddenly darken and quickly said in a soothing tone, “Perhaps the child could not accept it for a moment, or she was instigated by someone. Your Majesty, do not be anxious. Our people have already blockaded the port. She has difficulty moving and cannot escape. What do you wish to do next…”
The woman with golden hair and red eyes stood up, her snow-white formal dress trailing on the ground. She casually grabbed a coat to drape over her shoulders and walked toward the door like a gust of wind, her thin high heels clicking sharply against the marble.
“There is no need for a blockade. She is already no longer on the Imperial Capital Planet.”