This chapter is brought to you MaHaoJ, thanks for the ko-fi! ٩(•̤̀ᵕ•̤́๑)
Chapter 183 – Brutal Beastman Marshal vs. White Lotus, Black Lotus, Pitiful Plant Prince (10)
“To be honest, I was quite surprised to receive this communication. I’ve never seen the Marshal show such concern for anyone before,” Wilson remarked.
Hearing this, Mu Jin’s face turned as red as a tomato. With a shy tone, he replied, “The Marshal is truly a very considerate person!”
Seeing Mu Jin blush uncontrollably at the mention of Cromwell, Wilson felt deeply satisfied. It seemed his efforts to subtly share stories of the Marshal’s exploits had made a positive impact on Mu Jin.
By now, the young prince from the Plant Empire clearly regarded Cromwell as a hero who not only fought against the Zerg but also possessed immense strength. It appeared Mu Jin was beginning to genuinely accept his partner.
After Mu Jin agreed, Wilson proceeded to handle the enrollment. In just a day, Mu Jin was ready to start his studies at the Beastman Empire’s academy, having chosen the specialization of an alchemist. For a Plant person, this choice was quite fitting, given their natural talents.
Moreover, Wilson and Cromwell didn’t have grand expectations for Mu Jin to achieve great success. They simply wanted him to make friends, relax, and quickly integrate into this new environment.
Mu Jin arrived at the Imperial Academy in high spirits. While he wasn’t ostentatious1, he didn’t go out of his way to be inconspicuous either. After all, he was both a prince of the Plant Empire and the partner of the Beastman Empire’s Marshal. Low profile or not, it was impossible to remain unnoticed.
Fortunately, his appearance didn’t starkly differ from other Plant people. In human form, he appeared as an exceptionally handsome young man. Only upon closer inspection would one notice his deep green eyes, a feature that set him apart from the typical Beastman people.
There were few students in the alchemy department at the Imperial Academy, mostly those whose talents weren’t exceptional. The faculty for alchemy was quite limited as well.
Back in the Plant Empire, Mu Jin hadn’t shown any outstanding abilities. However, simply being a Plant person was enough for his mentors to hold high hopes for him, considering Plant people were naturally more adept in alchemy than Beast people.
During classes, students from other departments often came to watch Mu Jin, albeit discreetly2. They were all curious about the Marshal’s partner.
Though Cromwell was undoubtedly a hero in their eyes, many were also aware of his fearsome reputation. Rumors abounded that Cromwell enjoyed torturing prisoners and had a cruel streak.
Of course, these rumors were unfounded. While the Marshal was ruthless to his enemies, he had no such perverse hobbies. Gossip had exaggerated his fearsome image, but to the students, he was still a revered battlefield hero. However, they often thought someone like him wasn’t suitable as a partner, and their gazes towards Mu Jin were filled with unintentional sympathy.
Of course, there are also a few die-hard fans who have transitioned from admiring strength to admiring individuals. They feel that someone like Mu Jin, who can be easily pulled out as a cheap prince of the Plant Empire, has no martial prowess. He appears weak and unworthy of being a grand imperial hero.
Among these individuals is Isaiah, the chief of the alchemy department where he currently resides. Isaiah has always admired Cromwell and is diligently studying alchemy because he lacks talent in other areas. Fortunately, his mental strength is not weak, and his family also has some influence. Even without formidable physical strength, having good mental strength is a significant advantage for studying alchemy.
So, he hopes to leverage this to become an outstanding alchemist, enter the First Legion, and stand beside his idol, Cromwell. However, it greatly displeases Isaiah to see his idol forced to be with a Plant Empire prince due to political marriage.
Especially when he sees Mu Jin’s skinny and timid appearance, he feels even more that he is not worthy of the mighty Marshal. Thus, he constantly targets Mu Jin, treating him like an enemy.
However, whatever others think doesn’t matter to Mu Jin. As long as he doesn’t actually provoke him, it’s just some harmless looks and indirect cold words, and he can’t be bothered to deal with such boring people.
He has never been the kind to care about others’ opinions. Coming to the Imperial Academy was simply to make things easier for himself, as he remembers that his lover still has many old ailments that need treatment.
Although his true form can also help his lover and even completely heal his body, he cannot treat everyone with his true form.
As the Marshal of the Empire, Cromwell naturally has many attendants. As a general, it is impossible for him to fight alone on the battlefield. Mu Jin hopes to do more for his lover, to develop good potions, so that his lover can be safer on the battlefield.
Mu Jin’s gentle temperament is well received by most Beastman, who are mostly straightforward. After tentatively approaching this little prince, they found Mu Jin to be shy and gentle, and they were not stingy in making friends with him.
There are even one or two rough Beastman who have expressed that if Mu Jin didn’t have a partner, they would definitely pursue him. So overall, Mu Jin’s days at the Imperial Academy are quite good.
Especially during his study of alchemy, Mu Jin found several plants that could truly serve as substitutes, and his mood improved even more. Even Wilson couldn’t help but feel that it was a very correct decision for the Marshal to send Mu Jin to the Imperial Academy for study, as the little guy seemed much more lively and cheerful than before.
After a full half month, Krenwell is finally coming back. Before returning, he specifically notified Wilson via the light brain.
Although this trip was to fight the enemy, thinking about the methods of pleasing his partner that were investigated through conversations with Kofi these days, Cromwell still took a detour to the commercial district before returning, preparing a small gift for Mu Jin.
After the man returned home, he saw Wilson welcoming him at the door. However, as he looked around, he only found his butler in front of him, completely lacking his little companion. A look of disappointment inadvertently appeared on his face.
Wilson naturally guessed what Cromwell was thinking from his expression, a hint of smile appearing in his eyes. He said to Cromwell in front of him, “His Royal Highness is preparing some welcome snacks for you. He insisted on personally making them. He has been busy in the kitchen all morning.”
Cromwell’s spirits immediately lifted upon hearing this. He naturally understood Wilson’s meaning and was delighted that Mu Jin was personally cooking for him.
Although he didn’t know how skilled Mu Jin was in the kitchen, he felt that as long as it was snacks made specially by his companion, even if what was served was a plate of charcoal, he would eat it without hesitation.
Without disturbing Mu Jin in the kitchen as advised by the old butler, Cromwell anxiously waited in the living room until he saw Mu Jin coming out with a tray.
Mu Jin was still wearing a small apron embroidered with cartoon patterns and fluffy slippers, making Cromwell find him very cute. Wilson had prepared this apron and slippers specifically for Mu Jin, which perfectly complemented Mu Jin’s doll-like face.
When Mu Jin saw Cromwell, his face blushed, and he hurriedly placed the snacks on the table. Then, with shining eyes, he looked at Cromwell and said, “Marshal, you, you’re back.”
Cromwell nodded in response to Mu Jin’s words, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the way Mu Jin was looking at him. After all, in their previous interactions, Mu Jin had always seemed a bit timid when looking at him. He hadn’t expected that this time, upon his return, Mu Jin’s eyes would show such obvious joy.
Looking at the various patterned biscuits in front of him, the man couldn’t help but curl his lips slightly and turned to Mu Jin beside him, saying, “Did you make all of these yourself?”
Mu Jin nodded at his words, looking expectantly at Cromwell, and nervously said, “This is my first time cooking. Marshal, would you like to try?”
Cromwell ruffled Mu Jin’s hair. Of course, he wanted to try. However, truth be told, the delicately patterned biscuits in front of him clearly showed they were made with great care. The man almost wanted to keep them all as collectibles; he felt reluctant to eat them.
But seeing the hopeful gaze of the young man beside him, he reached out and picked up a biscuit with a small cat pattern and put it in his mouth.
The snack tasted sweet, crispy, and delicious. Honestly, compared to commercially sold biscuits, the texture was a bit lacking, but for Cromwell, it held special significance.
These were biscuits baked by his companion’s own hands. This fact excited him greatly, making him feel that the food in front of him was the most wonderful delicacy in the world.
He ate several in a row, then looked at Mu Jin with gentle eyes, sincerely praising him, “The taste is excellent. These are the best snacks I’ve ever had.”
Blushing at his words, Mu Jin bit his lip and looked at Cromwell with sparkling eyes, somewhat shyly saying, “If you like them, I can make them for you often.”
Cromwell was naturally very happy to hear his beloved say this. He pulled Mu Jin to sit beside him, and the two of them shared the snacks on the tray.
Looking at his close companion in front of him, Cromwell felt a warm feeling in his heart. He deeply felt how wonderful it was to have a companion, enjoying such a cozy atmosphere. After so many years, this was the first time he truly felt the warmth of a family.
Thinking of the small gift he had prepared for Mu Jin, Cromwell quickly took out a delicately packaged small box and handed it to Mu Jin, saying it was a gift for him. Curious, Mu Jin took the box and opened it, and his pupils suddenly contracted.
Inside the box lay a plant-shaped brooch, its silver base adorned with an exquisite rendering of lifelike plant leaves. The craftsmanship was truly exceptional.
Note :
- “Ostentatious” refers to behavior, style, or display that is characterized by pretentiousness or a showy display meant to attract attention, admiration, or envy. ↩︎
- “Albeit discreetly” means “although in a careful and unobtrusive manner.” The phrase is used to indicate that something is being done or acknowledged, but it is done quietly or without drawing attention. ↩︎