ISWTDB Ch129

Chapter 129: Intersteller Mermaid (21, 22)

Bennett saw Cecil walk for a while until he reached a secluded spot with no one around, then he slowly stopped. Immediately, a figure flashed in front of him, and when Bennett focused his eyes, he found that the person standing in front of Cecil was none other than Ying Zhao.

Bennett’s eyes widened in shock. Although Ying Zhao had often appeared in front of different teams during these days, pointing out their issues in team setup and during battles, he usually appeared publicly.

But at this moment, it was obvious that Ying Zhao had come specifically to meet Cecil. Why were the two of them secretly meeting here?

Considering the importance of this training, which could significantly affect the students’ final grades at the Imperial Academy, Bennett’s mind started racing.

He thought darkly about the previous three rounds of battles—his team had worked very hard, so why did victory always go to Cecil’s team in the end? Could it be that there was some hidden connection between these two?

Just as he was thinking, he saw Cecil suddenly wrap his arms around Ying Zhao’s waist, and the two passionately kissed each other. Watching their posture, Bennett’s mouth fell open in surprise.

He never expected things would develop in this direction, especially since Ying Zhao had been constantly flaunting his love for his own “mermaid” on the Star Network.

He didn’t realize that Ying Zhao was such a hypocrite—putting on a show of being madly in love with his mermaid in public, earning himself quite a bit of popularity among the people of the empire, while privately being unclear with another man. Such an open betrayal was simply disgusting, especially since abandoning a mermaid partner was a crime under imperial law.

At this thought, a surge of glee rose in Bennett’s heart. He felt he had captured a big secret about Ying Zhao. He quickly opened his light brain to record a video of Ying Zhao and Cecil together.

As he filmed, he felt a mix of anger and resentment, thinking about how Ying Zhao could like such a tall, rugged man. Was that the reason he had been rejecting him all along?

Bennett already loathed Cecil, but at this moment, his hatred intensified. Watching the two being inseparable, he filmed for a while before quietly leaving the spot.

Ying Zhao and Cecil were entwined for quite a while before separating. Ying Zhao touched the corner of his slightly sore lips, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Cecil, saying with a hint of amusement, “Why did you have to do that on purpose?”

Although Bennett thought he had been discreet, both Ying Zhao and Cecil, with their formidable combat skills, would easily detect even the slightest sound that could expose his presence.

So, they had long known that Bennett was following them. Ying Zhao initially didn’t want to reveal himself, but Cecil had discreetly signaled him to come out.

He thought perhaps his partner had something important to say, so he revealed himself. But unexpectedly, the moment he appeared, Cecil hugged him and kissed him fiercely.

While he didn’t mind any intimate actions between him and his lover, the sensitive identity of his partner made exposure a bad thing. Moreover, being exposed in front of their enemy, Bennett, could lead to speculation, or even be used as a weapon against them.

When Ying Zhao asked this question, Cecil tightened his jaw and pressed his lips together, remaining silent for a long time.

He couldn’t just say he had heard that Bennett had been pursuing Ying Zhao for years and had invested a lot in him. He also recalled the rumors he had heard in the mermaid research institute.

Rumors about the unspeakable matters between General Ying Zhao and Bennett had left him feeling a mix of frustration and tension.

So, after sensing that Bennett had been tailing him, he had called Ying Zhao out. Even though he knew his identity couldn’t be exposed, he still couldn’t resist being intimate with Ying Zhao in front of him, eagerly wanting to assert his claim.

Seeing Cecil’s continued silence, Ying Zhao pulled the corner of his mouth and leaned in to closely examine his man, teasingly saying, “Could it be that you heard some rumors about me and Bennett and got jealous?”

Noticing his lover’s face turn particularly ugly, Ying Zhao immediately confirmed his guess. He chuckled helplessly, feeling quite pleased with his partner’s possessiveness.

Ying Zhao didn’t oppose publicly acknowledging his lover’s identity, but clearly, now was not a good time. However, seeing Bennett sneaking around, it seemed he intended to keep a backup plan.

So, Ying Zhao just had the system, Little White, monitor the situation in real time. With Little White around, even if Bennett really wanted to publish it on the Star Network, it could be intercepted.

Ying Zhao naturally felt he should spoil and indulge his lover endlessly. Looking at Cecil’s gloomy face, Ying Zhao leaned over and actively kissed the man’s lips.

In his ear, he whispered softly, “Don’t worry about the rumors outside, Cecil. You should know that the only person I love is you. Whatever Bennett does for me is his own business; I feel nothing for him. Or rather, before I met you, I had never felt anything for anyone. Dear, if you doubt my heart for you, I would be very sad!”

Ying Zhao deliberately put on a pitiful look and looked at Cecil, placing his hand on his chest to let his lover feel his heartbeat.

Although Cecil saw that Ying Zhao’s aggrieved look was intentional, he still couldn’t help but feel guilty.

He tightly hugged Ying Zhao in his arms, kissing his forehead and apologizing, “Sorry, I’m not doubting you. It’s just that you’re too good, and I always worry someone will take you away!”

Ying Zhao caressed the man’s cheek, lifted his head, bit his handsome chin, and sighed, “What you’re worried about is exactly what I’m worried about. My man is too outstanding; I’m always worried someone will take you away! Cecil, I want to be with you every moment, so I won’t have to worry about you being distracted by someone else. Sometimes I even think about locking you up to feel secure!”

As he spoke such dramatic words, Ying Zhao looked deeply into Cecil’s eyes. He knew how to comfort his lover; being proactive was the best strategy. He certainly couldn’t bear to lock his lover away, but he could guarantee that with his man’s terrible possessiveness, he might have secretly considered such things long ago.

“Cecil, will you leave me?” Ying Zhao countered, narrowing his eyes dangerously at Cecil.

“No! Never! Nothing can separate us!” Cecil was stirred by Ying Zhao’s words, his heart racing, for this was exactly what he had once thought.

He longed to be with Ying Zhao at all times and had even considered confining him, yet he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Feeling that his lover shared the same thoughts, Cecil felt a sense of relief in his heart.

The two of them enjoyed sweet moments together for quite a while before Cecil finally returned to his tent. He had also brought back a sharp-horned beast he had hunted in the forest, and as expected, he saw the joyful expressions of the other team members.

He casually tossed the sharp-horned beast to the other four people and didn’t pay much attention afterward. The others were accustomed to this and efficiently began preparing the beast for cooking.

Before long, a delicious aroma of roasted meat wafted from Cecil’s tent. Harrison and his team members were surprised as they glanced over, only to discover that the five people opposite them had caught a star beast at some unknown time and were leisurely barbecuing it.

Everyone knew that in this simulated forest, star beasts could also be captured and consumed. However, since it was merely a way to satisfy their appetites, not many people would go through the trouble of capturing one.

Yet Cecil and his team did just that, which seemed incredibly reckless. Watching Du Lu and Du Ke devour the fragrant roasted meat with no regard for their image, still praising the flavor with their mouths full.

Yan Lang maintained an elegant demeanor, while Andy was silent but did not eat slowly.

Cecil was never one to deprive himself, especially since he had already learned that the meat of star beasts in this kind of forest was quite tasty.

Thus, in the simulated forest, he would almost every day capture one or two to practice barbecuing, thinking it would be good to cook for Ying Zhao when he eventually caught a real star beast.

Due to the presence of nutrient solutions, Harrison and his team did not feel hunger. However, seeing the others enjoying their delicious food, they couldn’t help but swallow hard.

When Bennett stepped out of the tent and saw the scene before him, he had originally rushed back and locked himself in, eager and excited to check the footage he had recorded.

But just as he opened the video and watched for a while, the enticing aroma wafted outside, drawing him out. He never expected the five people opposite him would so carelessly be roasting meat.

Their two teams were currently in a cooperative state; with all the fire and barbecuing, were they trying to be discovered by the other teams?

Watching the carefree five, Bennett clenched his teeth in anger, feeling particularly displeased. Eventually, he couldn’t hold back and swaggered over.

Kicking the fire pit forcefully, he shouted at Cecil and the others, “This is training time, not playtime!”

Cecil ignored Bennett’s furious outburst, but the other team members weren’t so easy to deal with. Since their captain had not spoken, it was naturally their chance to shine.

Du Lu and Du Ke displayed unkind expressions, and Yan Lang raised an eyebrow. If it had been Harrison, the imperial prince, he might have needed to give the other some face. But Bennett was just a young master from the Austin family; what right did he have to act all high and mighty?

So Yan Lang stood up, pulled out the medals that had fallen from the teams he had defeated today from his pocket, and waved them in front of Bennett, sneering, “Who’s really here to play? Everyone in those two teams put in effort, yet you’ve been hiding on the sidelines, and you still have the audacity to come and tell us we’re playing? Is the Austin family’s upbringing this poor?”

Recalling the battle scenes today and the fierce abilities of those people, Bennett was left speechless. Their strength was far too formidable, and so was the opposing team.

Bennett clearly couldn’t compete, especially since in his heart, he considered himself just a mech engineer, responsible for maintenance in the backlines. He didn’t need to charge into battle; not every mech engineer was as abnormal as Andy.

Bennett mentally concocted a bunch of excuses for himself. On the surface, however, he could only glare fiercely at Yan Lang, unable to find a retort.

Seeing Bennett suddenly getting into another argument with the others, Harrison frowned in displeasure. Nevertheless, he adjusted his expression and walked over to their side.

Patting Bennett on the shoulder, he smiled at Yan Lang, saying, “Sorry, Bennett is just a bit tired. I’ll take him back to rest now.”

Yan Lang nodded at this and didn’t plan to pursue the matter further. However, just as Harrison was about to lead Bennett away, Bennett suddenly rushed in front of Cecil and shouted, “Cecil! Don’t go too far, you despicable scoundrel! If it weren’t for you and Ying Zhao…you, you…”

Upon hearing Bennett’s words, Cecil finally gave him a glance. However, his eyes were so icy that it made Bennett tremble all over, and he couldn’t even finish a complete sentence.

Bennett didn’t understand why he felt this inexplicable intense fear whenever he encountered Cecil, which made him more wary of him.

But in reality, he didn’t know that it was because he was a modified mermaid. Although not a natural mermaid, he still felt the influence of the deep-sea mermaid king’s suppression. Therefore, as long as Cecil wished, he would always be a source of fear for Bennett.

At that moment, Andy, who had been silently sitting to the side, suddenly stood up. He walked over to Bennett and said, “You stole my original draft.”

Bennett was taken aback by Andy’s words. Although he had already recognized who Andy was, he never expected this solitary mech fanatic to be mixed in with Cecil’s team.

But he had always confidently thought that what he did was undetected, so he could face Andy so openly.

He never imagined that now he would be pointed out directly by the other party regarding his past actions. This made Bennett flustered, and he could only grit his teeth and stubbornly retort, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand what you mean at all!”

Andy frowned, adjusted his black-rimmed glasses on his face, and repeated, “Dual mechs, sensory connections, and the new safety systems are all things I’m researching. None of these have been released; they’re all in my laboratory. As for Nick No. 1, it’s also a mech I’m working on. I don’t know when you did it, but you stole all of these, didn’t you?”

Bennett’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing Andy’s words; he never expected the other party to say it so straightforwardly. At the same time, it wasn’t just Bennett who was shocked. Harrison was equally astonished by the information Andy revealed.

Because these terms were very familiar to him; they were all things Bennett had shared with him regarding mech research and ideas. As for the initial drawings of Nick No. 1, Bennett had also given them to him some time ago.

Bennett clearly told himself that all those were his own ideas and inspirations, which was why Harrison regarded him as a genius, placing him in his team and making him their mech manufacturer.

Could it be that all of this was false, all stolen? Harrison, who had not been 100% certain at first, felt his heart sink halfway after seeing Bennett’s expression.

He never expected that Bennett could be so audacious. He had stolen Andy’s research results and pretended they were his own. He had been deceived by this guy and had missed out on a true genius.

This left Harrison filled with regret, and his gaze toward Bennett turned unfriendly. But at that moment, Bennett was already sweating coldly on his back, completely oblivious to the expressions of those around him. He could only keep reminding himself that Andy must have no evidence.

He then shouted at Andy, “What are you talking about! I never touched your stuff! If you keep slandering me like this, the Austin family will never let you go!”

However, the more he said this, the more it showed he was lacking confidence. In the end, Bennett was shamefully taken away by Harrison.

After bringing Bennett back to their camp, Harrison realized that the other members of his team hadn’t heard what had just happened since the two teams were still at a distance.

Harrison didn’t want to announce Andy’s allegations just yet; that would demoralize his team. After all, a team’s mech manufacturer was incredibly important.

Moreover, while Bennett’s physical strength was somewhat lacking, he was actually quite competent in regular mech maintenance. After long training, he had developed a certain rapport with their team, and given their current stage, changing members would clearly be unwise.

After bringing Bennett back, Harrison pulled him to a corner and said softly, “Bennett, I need you to tell me the truth. Is what Andy said true?”

Bennett wanted to deny Harrison’s question, but when he saw the terrifying look in Harrison’s eyes, he was shocked. His heart trembled, and he could only nod in resignation.

Harrison had long been psychologically prepared for this, but even so, he couldn’t help feeling even more disappointed when he heard Bennett’s admission.

However, since Bennett still had some value to him, Harrison tried hard to calm his growing irritation.

He sighed and pretended to be close as he patted Bennett’s shoulder, saying, “You should have told me about these things earlier. Did you forget? We’re the closest people to each other!”

Bennett had been looking down, afraid to meet Harrison’s eyes. But hearing those words, he suddenly lifted his head. Seeing the helpless smile on Harrison’s face, he felt relieved.

It seemed that Harrison wasn’t angry with him, and Bennett’s mood improved significantly, feeling that Harrison was the best person in the world.

He immediately threw himself into Harrison’s arms, tearfully saying, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry, Harrison! I never meant to deceive you; I just wanted everyone to think I was more useful!”

Harrison held Bennett, gently patting his back to comfort him. However, while they embraced, in Bennett’s line of sight, Harrison’s expression turned particularly gloomy.

He looked at the person in his arms, disdain flashing in his eyes, thinking that after this mech competition was over, they would win, and he would restore Bennett’s identity as a mermaid.

He would keep this troublesome guy locked up in his prince’s residence, obediently serving as the Austin family’s marriage partner, ensuring he wouldn’t go out and cause more trouble for him.

Yet he sweetly said to Bennett, “It’s okay, don’t worry. Just do your part, and we need to win the mech competition in the end. Bennett, you must help me!”

Bennett nodded vigorously in response, feeling that Harrison was indeed his strongest support, and he was incredibly lucky to have met this person in his lifetime.

Once he calmed down, Bennett remembered that he hadn’t told Harrison about what he saw in the forest today. He had almost blurted it out in his anger earlier.

But clearly, he knew it wasn’t a good time to share that information. If Cecil found out, Ying Zhao might take precautions ahead of time.

So he quickly took out his optical brain and presented it to Harrison, saying, “Harrison, today when we were building the camp, I felt something was off when Cecil left. So I secretly followed him, and you won’t believe what I saw!”

As he spoke, Bennett played the footage of Cecil and Ying Zhao kissing from his optical brain, gleefully saying, “I never expected that Ying Zhao and Cecil had this kind of relationship. No wonder he was able to win the final victory in the three rounds of team battles so easily; it must have been Ying Zhao who manipulated things behind the scenes!”

Harrison was shocked when he saw the video on the optical brain. After all, Ying Zhao had always boasted on Star Network about how affectionate he was with his mermaid.

He never expected he would be with Cecil, and that there was evidence of it. Having a mermaid already yet openly cheating was against the empire’s laws. Regardless of how the mermaid looked, this would be an unforgivable stain for anyone.

Moreover, even though Harrison didn’t agree with Bennett’s words, he felt that with the strength of Harrison’s team, they likely won through their own efforts.

However, people always had such a mentality; once the rumor spread, and others knew that he had an indescribable relationship with General Ying Zhao, many would believe that Cecil’s team won due to that connection.

It’s important to note that although it was only training and not an official competition, this recorded footage was incredibly important for all students preparing to compete.

A well-prepared answer could even determine their future development in the military, so this video footage must be kept safe and used at the right moment.