It's Actually Not Easy Wanting to be a Supporting Male Lead Chapter 16 part3

Translated by Eve
Edited by Karasunofight
Although the Germain Space Pirates had their own insignia, they only ever used it when doing 'something big.' They obviously wouldn't be so stupid as to run around rampantly with a symbol indicating that they were space pirates normally. Therefore, when Zhao Xihe went out with a squadron, he masked his ship as an ordinary civilian airship before going to pick up the protagonist shou, Nova, and of course, have a little meeting with Nova's sentinel gong.
As one of the world's protagonists, the sentinel gong, Erick, was tall and handsome and had outstanding strength. Although his current rank in the military was not high, that was simply because his time in the military was also not long. In no time, with his capabilities and good background, he would quickly rise through the ranks and become the most well-known of the new generation within the Federation.
Naturally, the soon-to-be hero of the Federation had much keener senses than other sentinels. His intuition was incredible. As soon as Zhao Xihe made his appearance, he could sense the dangerous air around the other. However, he couldn't help but doubt his own intuition.
——Clearly, the youth before him was soft, cute, harmless, pure, and naive, no matter how he looked at him. Where was this sense of danger coming from?
Although he was skeptical, Erick's muscles involuntarily tensed, and he kept a slight distance between himself and the youth. Meanwhile, the protagonist shou, Nova, did not notice Erick's unusual reaction. He was just extremely happy that his friend had come to get him.
Although Hill would darken and become a big BOSS, and their friendship was to be severed in the latter half of the plot, the relationship between the two of them was actually very good at present. After all, they were the same age and were the only guides amongst the space pirates who had yet come of age. Although Nova didn't understand why Hill was so enthusiastic and reverent about being a space pirate, this didn't stop them from becoming close.
They were so close that when Nova chose to leave the space pirates, he had even wanted to take Hill with him. Unfortunately, Hill refused his invitation, thereby causing the fall out between the two of them afterwards.
At this moment, Nova, who was completely unaware of what bitter experiences awaited him, enthusiastically hugged his friend and happily introduced him to his new friend, Erick.
Zhao Xihe and Erick's eyes met. One of them had a shy and pure smile. The other was courteous and apathetic. Although they appeared to be getting along on the surface, it was clear that they didn't have a good first impression of each other.
Meanwhile, Sui Yuan, who was still on the ship, received an invitation from another space pirate to participate in a 'major project.'
On the screen was a one-eyed, robust, and strong man. An aura of blood seemed to enshroud his body, and his features were deep and sharp, impactful and full of aggression. His aquamarine-coloured eyes were fixed firmly onto Sui Yuan, who sat in front of him. He looked just like his spirit animal, a black panther, drooling over Sui Yuan with greed.
Sui Yuan calmly skimmed over the document that the other man had sent over. He completely ignored the man's gaze. However, the black eagle on his shoulder was unwilling to be outdone. It flared its feathers out, spread its two wings, and emitted a loud cry to demonstrate its strength.
The man raised the corner of his lips with interest, "It hasn't been long since we've last met, but Germain, you seem to have become more beautiful. It simply makes my heart unbearably itchy~ Even the most pampered of guides in the Federation are but plain weeds in your presence."
Sui Yuan's reading halted, but he continued to ignore the other. In any case, the space pirates around him had all turned to glare angrily at the man as if they were looking at scum.
"F*ck! One-Eyed, what kind of bullsh*t are you spouting!?" The captain of the assault squad roared in anger. He subconsciously rolled up his sleeve, revealing a muscular arm, but was stopped by a more rational person by his side.
The one-eyed man shot him a glance with disdain and sneered, "I think that my proposal isn't bad. A delicate and weak beauty like Germain should be collected and be properly taken care of. How could a crude life of fighting and killing suit him? Although I'm not a guide, I can protect him well so that he will no longer need to fight and bleed."
"One-Eyed, only when you can beat me will you have the qualifications to take me away as a kept man," Sui Yuan looked up at the man, speaking in an indifferent tone. He instantly put a stop to the other man's arrogant words.
The one-eyed man who had been beaten up by Germain and lost miserably many times ended up choking over his words for a long time. He could only resentfully croon under the ridiculing gazes of Germain's space pirates, "I wonder how long you'll last with that broken body of yours? Sooner or later, I'll defeat you. Then, I'll steal you away and make you my wife!"
If they had heard this yesterday, the space pirates would definitely have been unbearably angry. After all, their Commander's body's condition was their sore spot. Poking at it caused soul-wrenching pain. But now, Hill's appearance had given them hope. They naturally would not explode in anger at the slightest provocation like before.
"Even if Commander doesn't act, I don't think your pirates will find it easy to deal with us. Therefore, you don't have to concern yourself with our Commander," The lieutenant pushed his glasses up. There was a sharp, estranging sting to his gentleness as he fought back without any courtesy.
The one-eyed man seemed to be able to keenly perceive that something was off with their reaction. He furrowed his brows. Just as he wanted to say something, he was interrupted by Sui Yuan, "How accurate is this information?"
Since they've begun with the main topic, the one-eyed man couldn't help but get serious, "More than eighty percent. Worth it, isn't it? If it wasn't because my crew had gotten such a big piece, I certainly wouldn't be willing to give others a share." He paused and then couldn't help but add on, "However, if the other was my wife-to-be, it wouldn't exactly be sharing with 'other people,' ba?"
"…This isn't some trivial matter. I can't trust you based solely on your account. I will dispatch a group of people to verify the authenticity of your information and then get in touch with you later," Sui Yuan ignored the other's lascivious remark again and replied seriously.
The man muttered to himself, "Truly a boring fellow," but still felt increasingly impatient. He was itching to press the other man beneath him, to tear apart that apathetic, ice-cold visage.
"Alright. Naturally, I will give you some time to think it over. However, don't take too long. Time waits for no one. We don't have enough time to be overcautious," The man magnanimously nodded, languidly stroking his panther's large head, "In addition, this information can not be leaked. This is an old established rule, so I believe that you ought to understand this point and as such, I won't say much more about it. Germain, you've always been a man of your word. I can be at ease!"
Sui Yuan nodded his head, indifferent, "Then, we'll end things here today, ba."
"Wait— it's been so long since we've last seen each other. How about we reminisce over—" The man's words were suddenly cut off. Sui Yuan lifted his finger from the 'end call' button and turned to look at his capable subordinates, "What do you guys think about this matter?"
The pirates all looked at the black screen in silence. For a moment, they didn't know if they should light a candle for the one-eyed man, who had been persistently chasing after their Commander only to be ignored every time, or if they should express their cheer over his misfortune. After a moment of silence, the lieutenant took the lead to say, "If the information turns out to be true, then it's worth a try."
After the lieutenant expressed his stance, the other space pirates expressed that they too wanted to participate in this major undertaking. There were no cowards amongst those who became space pirates. The greater the danger, the more fired up they would become. After all, high risk means high rewards, including gold, battles, and the opportunity to create trouble for the military. These were the three things that space pirates liked the most. What reason did they have to not do it?
Sui Yuan nodded his head in understanding. He passed the data to his intelligence officer and then efficiently assigned the relevant tasks: the delegation of manpower, the restocking of energy supplies, the servicing of their weapons…before fighting a hard fight, they needed to make thorough preparations. Only then would they be prepared enough to fight a prolonged fight to tire their enemy or strike while their enemy is unprepared.
Actually, Sui Yuan had not planned on rejecting One-Eyed's invitation from the start. After all, this was a battle that had occurred in the plot. In the story, Germain and One-Eyed teamed up to steal a great quantity of the Federation's 'money and valuables.' This obviously incurred the anger of the Federation's government. The government saw the space pirates as thorns in their side, leading up to Germain's final fate of being surrounded and then annihilated by the military.
Right now, the high-spirited space pirates naturally did not know of their tragic future. They dispersed at once, moving quickly to implement the orders Sui Yuan had given out. The entire group of space pirates seemed disorderly, but at the same time, were strangely structured as they began preparations.
What was unexpected was that a few of the high-ranking space pirates had stayed behind. Furthermore, it seemed as if this had been agreed beforehand. After he had arranged the documents, Sui Yuan discovered that there were people who had not yet dispersed and couldn't help but ask, "What? Is there an issue?"
The bespectacled lieutenant was once again elected to be their speaker. He coughed, "We heard that you let Hill heal your soul? Is that true?"
Sui Yuan's movements paused, and he met with the lieutenant's expectant gaze and immediately understood.
Sui Yuan, who had a deep understanding of his lover, could accurately guess what the other had done. He couldn't help but feel a bit depressed over his carelessness. However, what had happened had already happened. He could not refute it, and thus could only nod nonchalantly, "Mn. That indeed happened. What about it?"
Even if Sui Yuan acted this indifferent, he couldn't dampen the space pirates' enthusiasm. The lieutenant's eyes lit up, "Then, when are you planning to bond with him, ne?"
Sui Yuan："…………………………"
——Why did he feel like he was a scum gong forcing someone to marry him? Wasn't there something not quite right here?
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" Sui Yuan frowned, "When did I say I want to bond with him? I let him into my soul because he is like a son to me, not a partner."
"The higher level the sentinel, the more control they have over their soul, the more guarded they are of intruders, save for their partner. Not even relatives are allowed in, let alone an adopted son with no biological connection," The gaze the lieutenant used was like Sui Yuan was a sick child who pretended he wasn't so that he wouldn't have to eat medicine, "Do you think that we'll believe you? Perhaps you aren't aware that what you feel for Hill isn't just fatherly regard."
Sui Yuan was, after all, not an original inhabitant of this world. As a newcomer, he wasn't well-acquainted with what would be considered common sense in this world. Therefore, he was especially puzzled over how the other had come to this conclusion and why he was so confident.
Unfortunately, through the lens of other people, his confusion was transformed into an unwillingness to admit his feelings and an attempt at self-delusion.
Sentinels were all devoted to their guides. Although this devotion was praised as a virtue, it would sometimes turn into a weapon that could cause them harm. Germain's devotion to his previous guide, who had disappeared, resulted in him waiting in pain for more than a decade. Even if he was attracted to another guide, he would be deeply unwilling to accept this fact.
The lieutenant forced down his grief and spoke with much difficulty, choking with emotion, "It's been long enough, Commander. We all know that you've always yearned for your guide, waiting for his return. But how much longer do you plan on deceiving yourself? Do you plan on doing so until death? Even if you don't want to accept a new guide, even if you believe that you'll be betraying your previous guide, please think about us! We gathered together because of you. We can't imagine a future without you! If we don't have you, what meaning will there be left in the Germain Space Pirates Crew? Even if it's just for our sake, I beg you to pull yourself together. Don't stay bound by the shackles of your memories!"
It had to be said, the lieutenant was an inspirational speaker. His speech caused the other space pirates, who shed blood but not tears, to tear up. He had obviously said words that resonated with their true thoughts. They were so full of sincerity that they made one want to immediately nod and agree.
Regretfully, Sui Yuan would never be affected by the feelings of the story characters. He always felt dissociated and thus could calmly decide what he ought to do.
Germain's character settings expressed that he would never accept a new guide. Or rather, he would not accept one so easily. Otherwise, he would have had a new guide ages ago. After all, there was nothing that this band of moral-less pirates wouldn't do. Secondly, Sui Yuan himself did not want to allow his 'scheming' lover get what he wished for so easily. Although he had done all sorts of things with the other man, there were still some character flaws that should not be indulged. Moreover, it was a chance to experience the other's ardent pursuit. It seemed quite good?
Sui Yuan looked at his lieutenant and then swept a gaze at the space pirates that were all looking at him with anticipation in their eyes, shaking his head softly, "Don't say anymore. I know what I'm doing. Hill and I are but father and son. That will never change."
"Commander/Boss!" Seeing that Sui Yuan was about to leave, all of the space pirates stepped forward to stop him. They acted like they would not give up until they persuaded their leader today, making Sui Yuan feel his head ache.
—— It seems like Zhao Xihe had recruited a band of good helpers, ah? Is there really no problem with how this 'forced marriage' has turned out? The longer this went on, the more he didn't want Zhao Xihe to get what he wanted!
Sui Yuan sneered in his heart. He then sighed and beckoned the girl he had met on the first day over. She was the space pirates' doctor. Then, he pulled out his own trump card, "There's something that I didn't want to say. After all, it's nothing glorious. Only Dalena and I know about this. However, I have no choice but to confess—I have already lost the ability to form a true bond with a guide."
Following Sui Yuan's actions, everyone turned to look at Dalena, the ship doctor, astonished. For a moment, they could not react.
Dalena's face was extremely pale. She bit her lip under everyone's gaze before slowly giving them a grave but slight nod. She parted her lips but could not bear to tell the truth about their Commander's condition. However, Sui Yuan had no such reservations, so he didn't make things difficult for the female doctor, and he spoke plainly and honestly about his situation, "My body is faltering. It's dying. Compared to the organs that are necessary to sustain life, the first to be abandoned is naturally something unnecessary such as my reproductive system. I already am unable to fully mark a guide, let alone help him pass his bonding heat. Hill is a good child, an outstanding guide. If I get together with him, this will only harm him —"
"I don't care!" Sui Yuan's words had yet to finish when a young yet dedicated voice interrupted. Everyone turned to look at the entrance of the meeting room and discovered that Hill and Nova had returned at some unknown point in time, seeming to have been eavesdropping for some time.
Nova stared at his older brother, incredulous to have found out that the other's body had already deteriorated to such a state. Although he and Germain were not close, they were the only family each other had left. Moreover, Germain protected him extremely well and kept him far away from the filthy and unbearable side of space pirating. He allowed him to grow up in peace, in good health, and with personal freedom.
Nova had always known that his older brother's body was in bad shape, but no one had ever told him just how bad it was. Every battle, he watched as his elder brother efficiently led the space pirates into a bloody massacre, so he had always thought that his brother would always be strong, unmatched. Now, for him to suddenly hear such news, it was only natural that he would suffer an intense attack.
Compared to Nova, who was still frozen in place, Hill's ability to accept this news was evidently much higher. He strode towards Sui Yuan with large strides and raised his head, hands grasping at the other's lapels. He used great force to express his sincerity and urgency, "I don't care! I like you and respect you! Ever since you took me in, you've been my whole world! You're my reason for living! I don't care about the bonding heat or whatever—I'll ask Dalena to help me manufacture some suppressants. So long as I can stay by your side, so long as you'll continue living a healthy life, there's nothing that I will not do!"
It was clear that he had gained the goodwill of the surrounding space pirates. They all looked at the young guide with gratitude as if they were looking at an angel that had saved the world. After this, Hill had most likely become the most respected person, aside from Germain, in the hearts of all the pirates. Such an altruistic and self-sacrificing person was truly too moving!
It was just a pity that Sui Yuan did not feel moved at all. On the contrary, this confession caused goosebumps to break out. He felt like his lover's ability to be sappy had reached an all-time high.
Grabbing hold of the young guide's wrist, Sui Yuan callously and mercilessly pulled him off of himself and pushed him aside, "You're still young. You don't understand what this means. Don't casually make a decision that you'll regret for the rest of your life."
After saying this, he swept a gaze over the surrounding space pirates, releasing a chilly aura. The high-leveled sentinel's oppression immediately made all of the space pirates involuntarily pale and retreat. They clearly realized that they had angered their Commander. He was truly angry.
Instantly, the space pirates' energy deflated. They did not dare to strongly urge their Commander anymore. It was nothing to be punished by their Commander, but what if they angered him so much that he coughed out blood?! Everyone could only watch on helplessly as Sui Yuan patted his collar down before leaving without any second thoughts for those left behind. He had thrown aside the pitiful young guide, whose confession had failed, not in the least concerned for him.
The lieutenant gazed at Hill, who had lowered his head and looked dejected, with sympathy. He reached out to pat him on the shoulder, "You should know just how obstinate the Commander is. Perhaps you feel hurt now, but please don't give up no matter what."
"I won't," Hill shook his head softly. He then sucked in a deep breath all of a sudden and clenched his fists with determination. He looked in the direction that Germain had left in, "No matter what Fa— what Commander Germain says, I'm doing this for myself. I will never give up!"
Everyone noticed the young guide's change in address and looked at him, gratified. This meant that in Hill's heart, Germain was no longer his adopted father but a potential partner. So long as this fellow didn't give up, there was hope for success.
Just as the space pirates were about to roll up their sleeves and help Hill come up with an action plan — on how to attack their Commander, this flower on a tall mountain's edge — the young guide suddenly turned to face Dr. Dalena, "If Commander Germain can't mark me, then could I possibly mark him, ne?"
Dalena："………………？？？！！！"
The space pirates："！！！！！！"
Hill's expression was earnest and solemn, not at all joking, "This should be the best way, no? After all, when we've fully bonded, the efficiency of a guide mending his sentinel's soul will be at its highest, and it will be very unlikely that a problem will occur. Commander Germain's soul is damaged too severely. Furthermore, I'm inexperienced. So, only if we fully bond, will I be able to be sure!"
Everybody："……………………………………"
——Youngster, although what you said is very reasonable, it's not enough to help us get over the shock we've just received from seeing this reversal in our CP, ah! Our three views have been toppled, OK?!
The author has something to say:
Cough, the objective of this world…is probably to reverse everyone's CP, ba. →_→
Eve: SY vs ZXH, start! Who will win?