Chapter 9: The Cutest Among a Thousand Blossoms, Part 1
[Adorable King Growth Task 3 has been issued. Host, please prepare actively and strive to become the cutest little one in the Trials of the Path to Godhood! ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶]
Ignoring the noisy prompt echoing in her mind, Cynthia looked at Azathoth again. “What are the rules of the Trials of the Path to Godhood?”
Cynthia carefully recalled being transported to the Glowing Mushroom Forest, trying to deduce the rules of the trials from that experience, but she found nothing. Everything had happened so suddenly—there were no rules to speak of.
Azathoth spoke somewhat awkwardly, “My Queen, there are no fixed rules for initiating the Trials of the Path to Godhood. So far, the place with the highest frequency of trial openings is Starfall City.”
“Starfall City?”
“A city established by the Human Federation, my Queen…” Azathoth’s tone suddenly filled with loss and worry. “My Queen, you must prepare yourself mentally, for the times have truly changed.”
Mentally prepare?
Cynthia prided herself on her adaptability, but when she truly witnessed the reality of this era, her worldview shattered.
Silver-gray towering buildings soared into the clouds. Countless hovering vehicles weaved silently between skyscrapers. Holographic billboards and projections were everywhere. Everything was vastly different from the cities Cynthia remembered.
“My Queen, this is the Interstellar Era. In this era, the Human Federation is no longer at the bottom of the food chain. Among the long-lived beings, the only thing that can rival humans might be their endless lifespan.”
Golden vertical pupils reflected the bustling interstellar city, filled with a profound sense of loss and helplessness.
“Azathoth, are you afraid?”
Cynthia glanced at the tall, handsome Azathoth beside her, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Azathoth shook his head, crouched down before his tiny queen, and gazed at her with his golden vertical pupils. “As long as you are here, my Queen, Azathoth fears nothing.”
“Good. Azathoth, let us conquer this era once again!” Cynthia’s eyes burned with fierce determination.
Azathoth smiled and reached out to lift Cynthia into his arms. “At your command, my Queen.”
“Unreasonable! Azathoth, I order you to put me down immediately!”
Suppressing the secret joy in his heart, Azathoth replied solemnly, “Please forgive your subordinate, my Queen. To improve efficiency, I shall temporarily serve as your steed.”
[Ding! Detected host in an embarrassed state. Please remember this feeling. Even when angry, stay adorable. Reward: Cute Power +5. Current Cute Power: 148/200 (Level 1).]
“Even when angry, stay adorable? Do you realize what you’re saying?”
Cynthia clenched her fist, ready to punch the pink screen floating before her. The screen flashed twice mockingly before vanishing.
Azathoth held Cynthia steadily. The conflicting emotions of embarrassment and comfort in his embrace caused her cheeks to flush slightly.
She tried to glare at Azathoth with the most majestic expression she could muster, but paired with her youthful, delicate face, the look came off more like a pouty kitten’s, utterly harmless and only deepening the mirth in Azathoth’s golden eyes.
---
[Ding! Passive Cute Power Display (Being Held) achieved! Cute Power +1. Host, keep up the good work and actively unleash your cuteness! (≧∀≦)♪]
Cynthia decided to temporarily ignore the noisy, tasteless system in her mind.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to focus on the bizarre world before her.
Silent and swift streams of hovering vehicles left faint arcs of light in their wake.
Massive holographic projections displayed goods and celebrities completely beyond Cynthia’s understanding, dazzling with color and shimmering light.
The air was filled with an unfamiliar energy fluctuation—similar to magical elements but fundamentally different—more like a fusion of highly advanced technology with faint supernatural abilities.
“Azathoth,” she said, trying to keep her voice calm and dignified despite the awkward position, “where are we going now? To Starfall City?”
“First to the spaceport, then by interstellar train to Starfall City.” Azathoth adjusted how he held her so she could see ahead more comfortably, steadily striding toward what appeared to be a transportation hub.
“Interstellar train? Wouldn’t a teleportation array be faster?”
Cynthia looked at the approaching silver-gray arched building and asked Azathoth.
“Using the teleportation array requires approval. Unauthorized use is considered trespassing,” Azathoth explained.
Cynthia frowned slightly.
Teleportation arrays require permission?
In her era, power was the passcode, but clearly, this unfamiliar interstellar era had much stricter rules.
Inside, the spaceport was grander and livelier than outside.
Beneath the enormous dome, figures of various races bustled—metallic-skinned mechanical lifeforms, deep-sea dwellers with subtle scales on their cheeks, and flamboyantly dressed dragonkin…
Humans overwhelmingly dominated the crowd, mostly wearing simple yet functional clothing, with wristbands matching Azathoth’s.
Azathoth’s tall figure and distinctly non-human golden vertical pupils attracted many gazes, and the precious little Cynthia cradled in his arms became the center of attention.
[Ding! Passive Cute Power Display (Being Watched) achieved! Cute Power +2! Your very presence radiates cuteness! (★ω★)]
Cynthia’s tiny fists clenched tighter, but she forced herself to endure. She had to maintain the dignity of a queen—even while being carried.
“The ticket counter is over there,” Azathoth said, ignoring the stares, carrying Cynthia to a large platform bathed in soft blue light. Above it hovered a complex interstellar route map with twinkling points moving steadily.
A translucent, humanoid outline made of light appeared before the platform, its synthesized voice pleasant to the ear: “Welcome. Please present your ID.”
Azathoth held Cynthia with one hand and extended the wrist with his band.
---
“ID verification successful. Please select your destination.”
“Starfall City.”
“Registration complete. The interstellar train will arrive in 10 minutes. Please wait patiently.”
The pleasant synthetic voice faded as the platform’s glow flickered subtly, seemingly confirming their information.
Travelers of various races waiting nearby examined the pair with curiosity or indifference—an imposing, handsome non-human man cradling a pouty yet exquisitely delicate little one made for a striking and heartwarming sight.
Cynthia tried to ignore the gazes, especially the few whispered remarks.
“She’s so cute.”
“Look at that little one.”
“Is that one of the new realistic dolls? I want one just like it.”
Listening to the murmurs, Cynthia felt her cheeks flush once more.
[Ding! Passive Cute Power Display (Being Talked About) achieved! Cute Power +1! Your cuteness is silently conquering the world~~ Keep it up! (｡‿｡)]
Cynthia: “…”
Ten minutes wasn’t long, but for Cynthia—held and trying to maintain her regal composure—every second felt agonizing.
She wanted Azathoth to put her down so she could stand on her own, but he resolutely refused, citing the complex, crowded ground below and the risk of getting separated or bumped. His grip tightened instead.
She could only grab the edge of his garment and mutter complaints about the tedious rules of this era, voice low enough for only them to hear.
Soon, a soft yet deep humming filled the air, accompanied by a sleek silver vessel silently gliding into the assigned berth.
It was unlike any vehicle Cynthia recognized—its smooth, mirror-like shell reflected the dazzling spaceport lights without any obvious windows or seams, exuding an aura of cold, advanced technology.
“The interstellar train bound for Starfall City has arrived. Passengers, please board in an orderly fashion,” the announcement echoed again.
The gates opened as passengers began to stream in. Azathoth carried Cynthia along with the flow toward the designated carriage entrance.
As they neared the train, a faint blue light grid scanned their bodies, focusing mainly on Azathoth’s wrist.
“Identity verified. Welcome aboard, Mr. Azathoth, and…” The scan paused imperceptibly when passing Cynthia. “Companion, we wish you a pleasant journey.”