276: The arrow is on the bowstring.

The two girls were very strong, showing no signs of having been born half a month premature.

Tu Nan discussed it with Dr. James and reached a conclusion that made her blush.

"It should be because they had enough nutrition. Don't worry, the Children are very smart. They knew exactly when it was appropriate to be born."

Enough nutrition... Fine, it was because of the efforts of the two Your Majesties on the flagship.

"Mama, what did you say you wanted us to do?"

The two little dumplings remembered clearly; Mama had told them before that a big event was waiting for them.

"Eat more and sleep more, and grow a bit bigger."

While Tu Nan was chatting with the Two Children, The Emperor strolled in, followed by the "nanny," Gaia.

"Are they awake?" He casually picked one up.

Before Tu Nan could protest, Gaia spoke up to correct him.

"Don't hold her like that; it's uncomfortable for them." He picked up the other one to demonstrate to the novice father.

"How could they be so fragile..." The Emperor grumbled quietly, but he immediately corrected his posture, supporting the Children's head and readjusting her position in his arms.

"If you're uncomfortable, you have to say so. What a hassle."

"They'd have to be able to talk first." Tu Nan glared at him.

"Can't they talk to you?" He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Besides, she didn't cry."

He looked quite proud. "It seems she likes me. As expected of my daughter."

"Mama, he's so noisy. Papa is much quieter..."

Although Tu Nan had told The Emperor to give up on identifying the Two Children's specific identities, the Children themselves could distinguish them clearly.

"Xiao Bai... did you forget what Mama told you? They are both your fathers. Remember to call them Big Papa and Little Papa, okay?"

She had to instill this habit in them from a young age.

"Oh, okay." Xiao Bai agreed, then repeated persistently, "Big Papa is so quiet."

How could he not be quiet? He was lying there motionless like a sleeping prince.

However, Tu Nan discovered something.

"Xiao Bai, can you sense Big Papa?"

As far as she knew, what the Children felt was a blood connection, a subtle link related to the genetic source.

"I can," Xiao Bai said, a bit puzzled. "I've been able to for a while now."

The spark in Tu Nan's heart was lit once more.

The Emperor's genetic collapse hadn't improved; it had even worsened slightly.

But if the Children had sensed him recently, did that mean Your Majesty was still working hard on a level that James couldn't detect?

If so, then she had to get to the System as soon as possible, no matter what.

Although she didn't know what else would be gained after unlocking the permissions, Tu Nan felt that if there were any turning point for Your Majesty's condition, it could only be there.

But, wait a little longer.

She suppressed her anxiety. Just a little longer, it wouldn't be much longer... Your Majesty wouldn't agree to the Children taking too many risks for him either.

Right, Your Majesty?

***

When the Children turned one month old, she held them for a photo. The people of the entire Empire saw the two little princesses for the first time and shared in the good news.

Then, time flew by.

The Children's hundredth-day celebration arrived.

And this day was also the day Tu Nan had chosen for this world—the day of departure.

The flagship set sail from the Capital City once again.

On the flagship, Your Majesty was present.

James and Lance were also there with an entire research team.

Yi Xingye applied to come along this time, saying:

"Lance said that if she could encounter such an opportunity in her lifetime, she'd die to go and take a look." Yi Xingye sighed dejectedly.

"Let me go along. Don't worry, I won't charge this time."

Tu Nan asked directly, "You like Lance? Why don't you say so?"

Yi Xingye wasn't surprised she could tell. He lazily raised an eyelid and simply said, "She isn't wired that way."

After a thought, he added, "She rejects being a Female Beast. She only feels safe the way things are now."

"Then will you keep guarding her forever?"

Yi Xingye ran a hand through his hair. "Who knows if it'll be forever? I'm used to it anyway."

The smile at the corner of his mouth was helpless yet peaceful.

"I'm the only Male Beast by her side, which is fine." He ruffled his hair and gave Tu Nan a small jab, "Fortunately, she isn't as fond of causing trouble as you are."

Well, great. Tu Nan's smile almost faltered.

"Is that so? How about I ask Lance what she thinks for you?"

Now it was Yi Xingye's turn to be struck with panic.

"Don't!" He straightened up immediately. "I talked too much."

He was quick to back down.

Tu Nan gave a light snort and let him off.

The First Legion, the Sixth Legion, part of the fleet from the Fourth Legion where Li and the Silver Armored Knight were, and the private guard legions assembled by the great nobles of Sea Soul Star from Hain's side.

The massive fleet sped from different directions toward the pre-designated battlefield.

Behind them, they would inevitably be trailing Star Worms tails of various sizes.

Once the Children gathered, perhaps almost all the Star Worms would congregate.

So as early as half a year ago, Tu Nan had issued orders on behalf of Your Majesty to arrange a mobile Star Link air defense circle in a desolate stretch of space.

Its outer perimeter consisted of layers of the legions' combat forces.

This was a double layer of mobile and fixed protection.

And the Children's fathers would personally protect the Children on their way to the laboratory.

They had to wait for a suitable Star Worm Point in that area. The longer they delayed, the more intense the battle with the Star Worms would become.

But this was not within their control; they could only wait.

But when everyone arrived at that "final battlefield" and stayed in different directions at equal distances, they still hadn't seen a Star Worm Point fall within range.

[I can mark out a Star Worm Point. After all, it's just a space rift; enough energy will do it.]

The System told Tu Nan.

[Then why didn't you say so earlier? Do it.]

[I only have this much energy. If I use it all, my protection will be completely gone.] The System worried, [Once the shield is gone, the Star Worms will gnaw at the laboratory. If you guys are too slow... you might just be coming to collect my corpse.]

Did Tu Nan think It didn't want to solve the problem quickly? It was just that the risk was too great.

Tu Nan didn't think so.

[You're thinking about it the wrong way. I actually think this is feasible. Look, what the Star Worms are most interested in now is clearly the Children.]

[This is different from before. So, as long as the Children enter that space the moment the star point is opened, they should be the ones attracted. You should be safe.]

[That... does seem to be the case.]

[Are you really an intelligent assistant? Where's the intelligence...] Tu Nan had wanted to complain about It for a long time.

The System cried out that it was being wronged.

[I am an experimental assistant; I wasn't originally set up for independent thought. All these considerations and arrangements I'm making now are newly developed, and there's no data to feed on.]

[I've done my best~]

Tu Nan felt the System was both uneasy and sad, and she realized she had been too harsh.

[Sorry, I didn't know that.]

She apologized to the System sincerely. [Does that mean you've learned and grown to this point just by occasionally observing this world? Then you're truly excellent.]

[Hehe ^^]

The System was as easy to coax as a child.

No wonder. This was why It could clearly do many incredible things yet completely failed at being a true guide.

It was never any kind of real "System."

This was just a special little life form, filled with compassion, working secretly for the sake of this world.

[You should have a name of your own,] Tu Nan suddenly said to It.

[System isn't a name. I want to call you by your name.]