Chapter 10 An Insult
After planting every last piece of potato seed, the sky darkened completely.
Elizabeth let out a long breath.
The shack was gone.
Finished
The sheets of metal used to build it were gone as well, repurposed by her own hands. Tonight, she would be sleeping under the open sky.
Yet the thought brought her neither discomfort nor fear.
For cultivators, living off the elements and sleeping beneath the open sky with the ground as one’s bed wa perfectly ordinary.
Meditating through the night, steadying the breath while drawing in the ambient energies of the world, was one of the most fundamental disciplines.
Eight energy stones had been consumed to set up the formations. Only one remained.
She absorbed every trace of spiritual power contained within it without hesitation. Only then did she have enough energy left to cast a simple cleansing spell, washing away the fatigue and grime clinging to her body. She found a corner and changed into the new clothes she had bought.
After that, she carried a flat stone to the center of the field, sat cross–legged on it, closed her eyes, and silently recited her cultivation mantra, entering a meditative state.
A single low–grade energy stone costs 1,000 stellar coins. Nine stones meant 9,000 coins, spent just like that. She had no idea when she would be able to buy more.
Every wisp of spiritual power absorbed into her body was precious. It had to be refined carefully, not wasted in the slightest.
Moreover, although the environment of Garbage Planet was harsh, and the spiritual energy in the air was so thin it was almost negligible, it wasn’t entirely absent.
No matter how small, even scraps added up. Refining a little each day was still better than doing nothing and watching her resources slowly run out.
As night deepened, the surroundings gradually grew quiet. Only faint rustling sounds drifted in from deep within the distant garbage mountains.
They were made by rodents that survived on waste, gnawing through scraps, as well as by people driven by hunger, trying to catch those animals to fill their stomachs.
Here, survival was the only theme.
People spent their days and nights rummaging through trash, searching for the smallest chance to live.
9:42 pm
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Chapter 10 An Insult
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Finished
At the forward command post of the Kingdom’s First War Zone, several officers in silver–gray combat uniforms stood gathered around a tactical screen, their expressions grave.
What the screen displayed, however, wasn’t a battlefield situation map but an urgent notice just issued by the Kingdom’s Genetic Information Management Center.
“Elpharion Kingdom Genetic Information Management Center: Congratulations to General Cristian Hewitt and Ms. Elizabeth Schofield on achieving a perfect genetic match. Please proceed together to the Centria Planet Marriage Registration Hall within three days to complete final marriage registration. Failure to do so may affect your spousal rights.”
After a brief moment of dead silence, the command post erupted.
“A perfect match? The Kingdom has not seen a compatibility score at this level in nearly a century, has it?” A young red–haired officer stared wide–eyed, disbelief filling his voice.
“With the Commander’s SSS–level genes, he really found a perfect match?” A man wearing a lieutenant colonel’s insignia stroked his chin, his face full of curiosity and speculation. “This Elizabeth must be someone extraordinary. At the very least, a hidden noble heiress with SS–level mental power.”
“Exactly!” someone beside him chimed in enthusiastically, genuine happiness in his tone. “Otherwise, how could she match the Commander? Honestly, with genes this outstanding, if they were not passed on, that would be the Kingdom’s greatest loss. This is incredible news.”
Just as the room buzzed with discussion and speculation about the astonishing background of Elizabeth. the airtight door to the command post slid open with a hiss.
Cristian entered, carrying with him the lingering scent of gunpowder and a chill, lethal presence.
He had just finished inspecting the front–line positions. His metallic gray eyes swept over his subordinates, who instantly fell silent and snapped to attention, before settling on the red–haired officer with the strange expression.
“What are you discussing?” he asked. His voice was steady, yet it carried a pressure that tolerated no slackness.
The red–haired officer took a deep breath, stepped forward, and reported as evenly as he could. Sir, the Kingdom Genetic Registry has just released your matching result. You have achieved a perfect match with a woman named Elizabeth Schofield.”
He displayed the notice on the tactical screen.
Cristian’s gaze paused on the line of text for less than a second. His brow creased almost imperceptibly, his tone utterly flat, tinged only with impatience. “And?”
“The Genetic Management Center requires you to return to Centria Planet within three days and proceed to the Marriage Registration Hall to complete-”
“I’m not going,” Cristian cut him off. His refusal was clean and decisive, as if he were turning down an unpalatable dinner. “The front line is under pressure. I don’t have time to indulge in this farce.”
Everyone had anticipated this response. Gritting their teeth, they pressed on. “Sir, this is a perfect genetic match. According to the supplementary provisions of Article Seventeen of the Kingdom Genetic Act, any
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Chapter 10 An Insult
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