When Luo Jia touched the ground again, he was on the planet Andromeda.
The environment here was nothing like the desolation of the trash planet. It was like a wonderland, surrounded by mountains and rivers, with lush vegetation and flowers in full bloom. Various colorful butterflies fluttered among the blossoms. Luo Jia thought to himself: I suppose butterflies are part of the Zerg race too…
Astra, who had been gone for a while, reappeared before Luo Jia.
Luo Jia was still very excited to see him; after all, he was a familiar face. However, the beautiful scorpion tail behind Astra’s back had disappeared.
Seeing Luo Jia, even Astra’s normally icy face softened with a hint of a smile.
“Astra,” Luo Jia stood beside him, looking up. “Where are we going?”
Astra glanced at Luo Jia’s bare feet and said, “The Sanctuary.”
“What kind of place is that?” Luo Jia hadn’t expected to hear a religious term in such an obvious interstellar setting.
“It is a place for you to recuperate,” Astra explained. “The Priest, Cecil, will come to fetch you shortly. You will live with him from now on. Don’t worry, Cecil will teach you everything you need to know about the Zerg.”
“And what about you?” Luo Jia asked, feeling a bit reluctant to part.
A flash of warmth crossed Astra’s eyes. “I will come to see you.”
Luo Jia grew happy. He looked up at Astra with bright eyes and said, “Is that a promise?”
Astra nodded.
Eros walked over from a distance. “Luo Jia, what secrets are you whispering with Astra? Let me hear them too.”
Luo Jia didn’t speak, but Eros wasn’t offended. He muttered, “Geez, Cecil should have received the message ages ago. Why isn’t he here yet?”
Astra knew the situation. That frail, delicate “Mother” back at the palace was in the middle of a crying fit, and Cecil was busy soothing him. “Wait a little longer,” Astra said.
After they had stood there for a long time, Eros finally said, “That guy is finally coming.”
Luo Jia saw a group of people approaching from afar. Leading them was a man with long golden hair. His expression was indifferent, carrying the nobility and sanctity Luo Jia associated with clergy.
Cecil arrived before Luo Jia. He studied Luo Jia’s appearance: a battered backpack, tattered clothes, and—Wait, does that cloak look familiar?
Cecil showed no sign of disdain. He bowed to Luo Jia. “Hello. I am Cecil. From today onward, I will be in charge of your daily life.”
Luo Jia had never seen someone so beautiful; he looked like an angel. He said somewhat awkwardly, “Hello… I’m Luo Jia.”
Cecil nodded. “Please follow me.”
Luo Jia stole a glance back at Astra, who nodded, signaling him to go. Luo Jia couldn’t help but ask, “Astra, can’t you come with us?”
Astra shook his head. “The Priest’s Hall is not a place we can enter freely. But rest assured, I will visit you during my break.”
With Astra’s guarantee, Luo Jia felt a sense of relief. Although the environment was beautiful and food was plentiful, he still felt a lingering unease in his heart.
But—at least I don’t have to worry about how to survive anymore…
Luo Jia followed Cecil through a long corridor. Purple flowers were entwined around the railings, and a crystal-clear pond sat below. Luo Jia peeked over; there were no fish, but there were golden, coin-like objects shimmering at the bottom.
Cecil remained silent throughout the walk.
Luo Jia felt awkward as well. He had many questions, but looking at that holy face, he swallowed his words.
How could Cecil fail to notice Luo Jia’s expressions?
He simply found this version of a “Broodmother” quite interesting.
Indeed, the moment he saw Luo Jia, he was certain: this child also possessed the potential of a Broodmother.
However, the Zerg can only have one Mother. Mothers instinctively devour one another until one side completely withdraws from the struggle. This matter involved the opening of the Zerg Royal Court… a secret known only to the Priests.
He quietly observed this new “Mother” from the corner of his eye.
Based on past experience, Mothers were exceptionally willful and frail beings—sensitive, paranoid, and neurotic, requiring the meticulous care of the males…
But this one? He was dressed like a beggar, walking barefoot, and just now… he had even secretly picked his nose.
“Vulgar.”
That was Cecil’s first impression of Luo Jia.