Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord - Chapter 23: Castel’s Plan

Ezra Belloren is a knight.The most faithful blade of the first prince, Helios De Luxaelian Sunthyr.Feared across the land, he is known as the Crimson Fae, a knight whose beauty is always stained with blood. No one questions his loyalty or his skill.But Ezra carries a secret he has sworn never to reveal.He is an omega.For twenty-four years, Ezra hid his second gender and lived content with his life as a knight. That secret alone was dangerous enough. Then, on an unexpected night, he found himself under the gaze of a gold-eyed prince, and everything changed.Five years later, Ezra returns from a long “vacation” after receiving urgent letters from Helios about the kingdom’s worsening state, calling his captain back to duty.He does not return alone.At his side is a child with golden eyes, the unmistakable mark of royal blood.Ezra will do whatever it takes to fulfill his duty as a knight, even if it means hiding the truth of his hidden heir from the very kingdom he swore to protect.⊱༺༒︎༻⊰“Maman… do I have a papa?” Lior asks, his eyes wide with innocent curiosity.Ezra almost frowns at the sudden question. He stops himself just in time.“Of course you do.”Lior’s grip tightens around his sleeve. “Where is he?”Ezra doesn’t answer right away.How could he? How could he explain that Lior’s father was someone he had already met, someone who walked the halls of the palace in gold and authority?Someone who could never be allowed to know he existed.

Japan – National News BroadcastThe polished news anchor sat upright, her gaze sharp as she adjusted the stack of papers before her. The newsroom behind her hummed with quiet urgency, the weight of the moment settling over the broadcast.“Authorities are baffled by a sudden and unexplained surge in sleep-related deaths across Japan,” she began, her voice steady yet tense. “More and more citizens are passing away in their sleep without any prior health concerns. Experts are working tirelessly to determine the cause, but no clear explanation has emerged. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any unusual symptoms before bedtime.”A graphic appeared, displaying the spike in fatalities over the past month. Behind her, unsettling photographs flickered across the screen—blurred images of individuals found in their beds, their faces frozen in expressions of terror.The anchor’s tone shifted. “Health officials recommend citizens avoid excessive fatigue and maintain healthy sleep habits. More updates will follow as investigations continue.”---United States – Paranormal PodcastIn a dimly lit podcast studio, the host leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity. Across from him, a rugged man in a worn flannel shirt, gripping a faded photograph in one hand and a beer can in the other, leaned back in his chair.“So, you're telling me you saw this creature firsthand?” the host asked, clearly intrigued.The man scoffed, shaking his head. “Damn right, I did. Ugly thing had wings bigger than my body—slow but sneaky. Thought it could steal my pigs again, but I was ready this time—camera in one hand, shotgun in the other.”He slammed the table for emphasis, then shoved the blurry image toward the host. The photograph depicted a small, red-skinned humanoid figure with large, bat-like wings, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.“Spit, the thing didn’t know what hit it when I fired!” the man chuckled, his voice full of excitement.The host held up the picture to the live chat. “Alright, what do you think? Mothman? Demon? Or is our friend here just seeing things?”The chat exploded with theories—some skeptical, others eager for the investigation to continue.---China – Liangyuan Street MarketSurveillance footage from a bustling night market in China captured a chilling scene. A woman in a red qipao walked gracefully through the crowd, her figure striking in the soft glow of lanterns.Suddenly, she paused. Her body flickered—like a glitch in a video—before vanishing completely, as though she had never existed.The footage zoomed in, replaying in slow motion. In the final frame before she disappeared, her face distorted unnaturally, her eyes hollow and empty.The screen cut abruptly to black.

【Brand New Setting】【Fully Developed System】When you awoke, you had become an official known as “Minister of Agriculture” in a fantasy game.“Dynasty's Prosperity” version: You diligently cultivated the “Seasonal Order,” from “Harmonizing Winds and Rains” to “Summoning the Winds and Commanding the Rains,” from “Bountiful Grain Harvests” to “All Things Flourish,” commanding the seasons and quietly developing.You achieved minor successes, joined the army on expeditions, and controlled the “Four Books of Agriculture.” You froze thousands of miles of great rivers to pave the way for the army. With “Miasma” you slew enemies, “Fog Shadow” obstructed tens of thousands of troops, establishing unparalleled military exploits and rising to the position of Director of Agriculture, secretly seizing the fate of the dynasty, all falling into your hands.“Spiritual Energy Resurgence” version: You nurtured “Mountain Spirits and Wild Creatures”: Twin lotus make you invulnerable to both water and fire, the Seven Star Sword cools the light across Nineteen Provinces, Parasitic Species feeding on living beings, Void Species rooting in the void to absorb the Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth... You established an inner scenic area, cultivated immortal species, with “Grand Taiyi Lotus” replicating en masse! “Ancient Tree of Life” immortal and indestructible!“A true seed falls into the Dantian, can nurture spiritual sprouts for ten thousand years, one day when the cultivation is complete, my life is governed by me, not by the heavens!”“Heart fire shines like the sun, kidney water is the source, spleen stores earth, lungs refine through metal, liver sustains with qi. Using the body as the foundation, nurture original species, foster all laws, achieving the status of Shennong Dao Master !”

Summary 1) Tang Yuan suffered from a strange illness, so because of this, Tang Yuan pounced upon Xie Yu. A month later, Tang Yuan discovered that Xie Yu was a big shot in the world of tianshi (Taoist Masters), his existence the greatest fear of numerous ghosts. But that big shot was now obligated to marry him, because he was carrying the big shot’s steamed bun.

One year later:
Xie Yu: “Isn’t it time for our pup to be born?”
Two years later:
Xie Yu: “Don’t worry about it. Maybe you’re carrying a nezha (protection deity who was carried for 3.5 years in mother’s womb)?”
Three years later:
Xie Yu: “You really are probably carrying a nezha!”
Ten Years later:
Xie Yu: “Shall we not just give birth to this child? Since he’s obviously not ready, let’s beat him up!”
Pup: “I will remember this animosity for the rest of my life!”

After being carried for ten years and one month, the steamed bun was finally born. The steamed bun was white and tender at birth, extremely loveable. But on just his first day after being born, the steamed bun kicked his father, Xie Yu, in the face with his tender foot.

Summary 2) After Tang Yuan became pregnant with a steamed bun, life was a little difficult, with catching ghosts and also giving prenatal education to their child, yes, prenatal education. But he did teach, he taught for ten whole years. Then Tang Yuan said: Who wants a bratty steamed bun? Who wants me to give them one?

Shou, Tang Yuan, a heavens-defying genius VS Gong, Xie Yu, with off the charts gentleness

Not a scientific/natural pregnancy, no pregnant belly, the steamed bun is born in the final arc (though the steamed bun often appears), fluffy supernatural story, try not to be too scared.

- Description from Novelupdates