[Slow Wear] Assassin System

fatal choice

"I used to be a princess of the Black Hawk Empire—no, don't get me wrong, I'm not a noble girl from the royal line, I just have the patrilineal blood from another generation. At that time, my name was Sophia, a girl from the Black Hawk Empire. Girl names can be seen everywhere." The queen joked with a smile, "Just like Ivan of Ursus, there are as many as mushrooms in the forest after the rain."

Miao Xuan: "Then Alexei is similar, the name doesn't mean anything."

"You're right." The queen nodded, "I came to Usas when I was 15 years old. The czar at that time was His Majesty Liu Demila II. She was selecting a concubine for her only son. Princesses, of course, are all collateral princesses without inheritance rights, oh yes...there are also princes for marriage."

In this interstellar era, the children of the first line are all candidates for successors, and those who are thrown out for marriage are of course collateral and intergenerational. There is no difference between a princess or a prince. Anyway, everyone is far away from home with a false title.

The queen looked down at her wrist, and today she has a lifelike rose bracelet wrapped around her wrist: "Liudmila II chose me, how honored I was at that time, I can still recall happy at that time."

"I stayed in Moscow, at the age of 15, alone, I did not know the Ursus language, I had to learn it from scratch, and at the age of 16, I decided to convert to the Orthodox Church and changed my name to Olga , the church re-baptized me, and after that, Lyudmila II liked me even more, and I was officially recognized by the royal family and people of Ursus."

Western Orthodoxy is the traditional religion of Ursus, and Olga is a female name derived from Western Orthodoxy.

Changing beliefs and names is a matter of changing one's three views and perceptions, especially for a 16-year-old girl. One can imagine how determined Olga was.

", I was married to Ivan, Prince of Moscow at the time, who will be the future Ivan V. I love my husband very much. He is handsome and imposing, with long silver hair and ice-blue eyes... Back then, we were also a pair of young men and women who fell in love."

Olga played with the rose petals carved out of rubies on her wrist: "Ivan is a person who loves freedom, and at the same time he is also a powerful exoskeleton warrior. He always yearns for an unfettered life, but I am different. , I prefer a more stable life, I think, Alexey inherited your father."

Miao Xuan nodded: "That's right."

He himself likes to run around, and Xuanxin's modeling character will only make it worse.

The empress sighed softly, but she was still smiling: "It's a pity that Ivan soon moved on."

Both Vladimir and Miao Xuan are very clear about this period of history. After all, the love life of Ivan V was once a huge topic of discussion for the people of Ursus. This energetic emperor had many mistresses with different styles. Her romantic affairs have not stopped since she appeared in public.

"However, I don't care much about these. Love is the most useless thing. I found that his attraction to me is also disappearing quickly, but I am his wife who cannot be divorced. The people of Usas and Lyudmi It is enough that His Majesty only agrees with me, after all, we are a political community."

Olga said calmly: "I was pregnant when I was 20 years old, and I had you, Alexei."

Miao Xuan was taken aback for a moment, he really didn't expect the empress to admit his blood relationship so bluntly, without any cover-up.

"I gave birth in the palace, Empress Lyudmila was overjoyed, she took you from the delivery room and raised you herself - yes, from the delivery room, and for the next year, I could only go every month See my baby once, and my husband doesn't care about that."

A few understated words reveal the extremely bad situation, how tragic it is for a young mother who is pregnant for the first time to be separated from her child.

Miao Xuan and Vladimir exchanged a look, and he could see that Vladimir's attitude had softened. Although he was still stern, his attitude was much calmer.

"At the age of 22, Lyudmila II died. She took the two-year-old little Alexei on the ship, but the ship crashed and the rescue failed. This is the cause and effect of Alexei's loss." The queen's smile faded away, and her narration picked up pace, "My husband ascended the throne as Ivan V, and he has more mistresses, but it doesn't matter, what disappoints me the most is that our political views are starting to contradict each other. gone."

"Ivan V set off the gooseberry revolution three years after he took the throne. He completely ignored the foundation of the royal family's rule, and used rough methods to ignore the interests of the aristocracy."

When Miao Xuan heard this, he immediately understood that the important point was coming. It was obvious that the queen should have contributed to the final outcome of Ivan V. Sure enough, just as he was thinking so, the queen said so.

"Three years after the gooseberry reform, I was 28 years old. In this year, I had a Vova." The queen plucked the rose petals and said softly, "But the noble emperor is going to depose me—because of various reasons, I have been in the deep palace for too long, people have forgotten me, Lyudmila II is dead, political differences, etc."

"So I did it first. I cooperated with the nobles who could no longer bear it, and overthrew Ivan V."

Miao Xuan knew that this would happen. He looked at Vladimir, and the child was shocked. His stern mood just now had disappeared.

"But, but... didn't my father die of illness?" Vladimir asked, "Why is the truth covered up?"

"Oh, what a silly boy, this is the common decision of all the nobles, and it is also my choice." The queen laughed again, extremely gentle, "If he lives, I will be exiled, and you will lose the right of inheritance, Of course I will not let this kind of thing happen, and I will not allow the coup to affect the stability of Ursus, so the public statement is that Ivan V suddenly died of a sudden illness, and those who know the truth will not say much.”

Miao Xuan went through it in his mind, and suddenly understood a little bit.

In fact, Ursus has always had resource pressure and distribution problems. Olga I's solution is to expand the territory and grab more resources, increase the total amount, and make the cake bigger, thereby improving the living standards of the people.

Ivan V also wanted to solve this problem, but his choice was to change the distribution method. His gooseberry reform was completely biased towards the people, but his actions destroyed the interests of the aristocracy, so the coup broke out— — In the coup, Ivan V died for this reason, which of course will not be announced to the public.

Vladimir quickly figured out the joints. He frowned tightly, and his expression changed rapidly. The young prince did not hide his complicated emotions at all, and even Miao Xuan could see his confusion.

"You all know the next thing..." Olga I fiddled with the flower chain on her wrist, "I expanded the territory and conquered all directions, so our people have a prosperous life and a stable life today. Ursus."

The queen's voice fell, and the bridge fell into silence. Vladimir was still in a mess of thoughts. Miao Xuan understood him quite well. After all, he just learned that his parents had a life-and-death game and that one really died because of it. No matter how strong a person is There will be unbelievable emotions.

"I don't intend to beautify or cover up, but the Kremlin of Ursus is such a place. It is magnificent and magnificent. It gave me the authority to rule the galaxy, but it also swallowed my youth and life. Everyone who sets foot here has to pay cost."

Olga raised her head: "But if you don't want to come back with Vova, then your blood will become the reason for your death. Ursus will not allow a crown prince who lives abroad. We have had enough of it." The turmoil brought about by Van VII."

Vladimir stood up suddenly: "Mother!"

Olga ignored her younger son, she just looked at Miao Xuan through the light screen, and at this moment her eyes were extremely gentle: "Alexey, I agree with all your choices, but you also have to know that no matter what you do Whatever decision you make, you have to pay the corresponding price—do you understand?"

"Well, of course I understand." Miao Xuan laughed and repeated, "Your Majesty, I can't understand this truth very well."

"Alexey!" Vladimir turned to Miao Xuan, his expression was full of disbelief, "Do you know what you are talking about?"

"I know." Miao Xuan looked at his half-brother and said gently, "I know what I'm doing, but I won't change my original intention."

"I have seen an ark wandering in the universe. The hometown of the people on the ark was destroyed by natural disasters. They have been looking for a place to stay for generations and exhausted their lives. In this universe, there is nothing People will be more miserable than they are, but I think I will be a better fit for their lives."

"Infinite danger, strange universe, turbulent environment, not allowed to stop for a moment, fragile life at risk...but such days are free." Miao Xuan said softly, "If I go back with you, then From now on, I probably won’t be able to leave Moscow Star again.”

The queen said in due time: "Yes, that's right."

"Being confined to one place for a lifetime, to bear the expectations and responsibilities of the entire Ursas, and to take over the power of the Kremlin at one point - I don't want to live like this."

Seeing Vladimir's shocked and puzzled expression, Miao Xuan suddenly felt that the little prince was cute, so he comforted him: "Different people will have different choices, please don't feel sad or worried for me, no matter what the result is, That’s the path I’ve chosen.”

Vladimir looked at Miao Xuan silently. He frowned, his expression gradually became serious, and he didn't know what he was thinking about. Olga I restrained her smile. She lowered her eyes and played with it gently. Rose on her wrist, after a long time, she made up her mind.

"Alexey, for the last time, this time, I am asking as a mother..." Olga said softly, "Are you really, unwilling to come back?"

Miao Xuan looked at her and said frankly, "Yes, mother."

Olga looked directly into Miao Xuan's eyes. She had seen too many similar azure eyes, but none of them had a comparable brilliance.

It is too beautiful, too dazzling, such a wanton and unrestrained soul cannot be carried by the Kremlin.

"I'm so happy." Olga smiled softly. She turned the rose jewelry on her wrist and said sincerely, "My child, I'm so happy. I never thought that I would be lucky enough to meet you and become a Your mother—I don't feel right to say it, but..."

"Alexey, I'm so proud of you."

Miao Xuan didn't speak, but only responded to Olga's compliment with a polite smile.

Vladimir seemed to be relieved. He probably thought that the danger was over, and he could relax and plan the next arrangement.

At this moment, the alarm in the ship suddenly sounded, announcing the news of the invasion of outsiders.

-----

two hours ago.

This is a ship that is escaping on the Volga route. Not long ago, it just got rid of the pursuit and harassment of the remnants of the rebel army, and now it is scurrying around in a space that has not opened up a channel.

"Your Excellency the Duke! It's an emergency!"

The driver behind the podium suddenly raised his head from the light screen. He looked at the Duke who had lost his title beside him, with a panicked expression on his face.

Saltykov was sitting in the co-pilot seat. He leaned his head on the back of the chair with a numb expression, "I'm no longer a duke, so you don't have to call me that... What, are you chasing soldiers?"

Pilot: "It's not chasing soldiers, it's... Your Highness."

Saltykov raised his head abruptly: "What?"

"His Highness is being held hostage. His Royal Highness's guards were taken advantage of by gangsters because they were ending the battle with the rebel army. The gangsters are wanted criminals, and they are—"

The driver said with difficulty: "It's the one you just announced not long ago, the star hunter named Alexei."

For a moment, Saltykov couldn't understand the researcher's language. His mentality was already dead because he dragged his son down and was exiled, but now, this news made him have to think again.

"Alexey..." Saltykov murmured, the proud and dazzling young man flashed through his mind, "He—why is he—"

"Yes, Your Excellency, Your Highness already knows about his blood relationship, and His Highness is not prepared for him!" The driver frowned tightly, and said with hatred, "General Potemkin and His Majesty are confronting them!"

Saltykov clenched his hands: "What does he want!"

"...Revenge." The driver said with difficulty, "He wants to avenge his father, Ivan V, and his adoptive father."

Saltykov was silent. At this moment, he seemed to recall that day many years ago, on that day, he crushed the throat of Ivan V, and everything was like a reincarnation.

"His adoptive father... what happened?"

The driver lowered his head: "Because of the pursuit you caused, his adoptive father died of a sudden illness."

"It seems that my head must be among the things he wants." Saltykov stood up from the seat and slowly straightened his back. "My exoskeleton is on the ship?"

Pilot: "Yes, your 'Frost Gryphon', but your current physical condition——"

"It doesn't matter, it's enough to blow yourself up." Saltykov said softly, "Go back, pilot, take me to my son, and take me to meet the young man who lost his father—you Must know their coordinates."

The driver silently complied.

"My Vova, I grew up so fast." Saltykov muttered to himself, rubbing his cane, "Since he was stabbed by that ungrateful man, he has completely got rid of his childishness and started to grow up." Started his own power; since he met his brother, he has returned to Moscow to intervene in the affairs of the empire; since he appeared as a prince, he has understood the responsibility, he chose the front line, but he did not give up on the teacher."

"He is really like Olga, no, he will grow faster than Olga...Olga has always had better eyesight than me, and she will choose Vova as the best heir."

"Your Excellency!" The driver looked at Saltykov again, feeling a little uneasy.

"Your Majesty is your master, right?" Saltykov smiled at him, without any intention of reprimanding him, "Vova is still too young, and the authority in his hands is insignificant compared to His Majesty, I know, your behavior It is His Majesty's will."

"I will put on the 'Frost Griffon', and I will take it to bid farewell to this world. I will tell His Majesty with the script that I have arranged long ago. I will...obey the order."

-----

Inside the bridge.

The siren sounded, directly shattering the tranquility in the ship, and the system was the first to report in the sea of ​​consciousness: [Brother Miao!There is only one intruder, it is target three! 】

Miao Xuan was shocked. He didn't expect that the mission that had already seen failure would turn around: Objective three?

System: [Yes!Wearing an exoskeleton too!But the strength is not strong—ah, this Duke is quite old now, right?He definitely can't beat Brother Miao. 】

Miao Xuan subconsciously raised his head to look at the queen in the light screen, and the queen showed him a gentle smile.

Miao Xuan: ...

"Your Majesty..." Miao Xuan raised his gun and said helplessly, "I guess your philosophy of life is to never give up until you reach your goal?"

The queen was silent for a moment, then readily agreed: "Yes."

Miao Xuan really began to feel sorry for Vladimir now, why did he have such a mother?

Vladimir didn't know Miao Xuan's psychological process, but he also became nervous because of the alarm: "What's the matter? Is it the remnants of the rebel army?"

"I'm wearing an exoskeleton, I'll go and have a look." Miao Xuan said to him, "You have no ability to resist, so just stay still in the bridge."

Vladimir immediately wanted to veto it, but the queen immediately said: "Vova, listen to your brother."

The word "brother" comforted Vladimir very well, and he had also seen Miao Xuan fighting, so he trusted Alexei's ability.

Miao Xuan strode out of the bridge, and when he was about to leave, he turned around and waved to Vladimir, and called out his nickname for the first time after the reunion: "Vova, I'm leaving, you have to be brave Some, don't be afraid."

The queen in the light screen suddenly raised her head, she stared blankly at the young man by the door, as if she wanted to see something from him.

Vladimir didn't know why, so he didn't see the drastic change in his mother's expression, but just nodded in a daze: "Okay, I'll wait for you to come back."

Miao Xuan left the bridge, Vladimir lowered his head and did not want to speak, and the empress also lowered her eyes, silently looking at the gemstone rose on her wrist.

There was only dead silence in the command room again, until a crisp notification sounded from around the queen.

Vladimir looked at the light screen reflexively: "What's wrong?"

The queen folded her hands and raised her head: "The energy-focused sniper cannon has been transported to the Nezhivoro star field and is ready to be activated at any time."

The energy-focused sniper cannon, the latest weapon of the Ursus Empire, is high-speed and high-precision, the only one in the empire so far, it is a special attack on exoskeleton fighters, killing them with one shot.

Vladimir was taken aback for a moment, and then asked in disbelief: "What are you going to do?!"

The queen's voice was cold and calm: "The intruder is Yevgeny Syanovich Saltykov. He thought you were kidnapped by Alexei for revenge. He turned back from the way of escape in order to come to Save you - ah, they met, they fought, your teacher is far inferior to Alexei, he will be defeated in 10 minutes."

Vladimir opened his mouth, and countless possibilities squeezed into his mind at this moment, but what he blurted out was a humble one: "I beg you..."

"Please don't say that, Vova." The queen smiled habitually, "Now, this should be your moment of choice. The only person who can interrupt this fight is you."

"Alexey will definitely kill Saltykov, because my husband, Alexey's biological father Ivan V, was strangled to death by Saltykov himself!"

"Saltykov was once a close friend of Ivan V. He was ashamed of his monarch. He loved you, he compensated you, and regarded you as a more legitimate emperor than me."

Vladimir heard a strange syllable escape from his throat, as if from a drowned, dying poor man.

"And now, Vladimir Ivanovich Romanov, listen up."

The queen announced loudly: "As Emperor Ursus, I give you the full power of the energy-focused sniper cannon. Now it's up to you to decide-choose, whether to shoot your brother who is living outside, or shoot your disobedient murderer!" Jun's mentor, or do nothing and let them fight each other?!"