Aegon knew the kind of troubles his new invention would bring, so he didn't want to be a part of it. The nobles would undoubtedly try to monopolize it, and the enemies who had caused the farmlands to fail in the first place would surely be furious.

After all, this invention meant their plans had completely fallen apart, and the longer their silent war against King Bailish dragged on, the worse things would get for them.

Although Aegon wasn't entirely clear about Bailish's personality as a king, Xiu had told him enough that he could be ruthless and cunning when it came to anything concerning his kingdom.

That was why the enemies of Moonrise Kingdom used such underhanded tactics to bring it down.

Aegon knew Bailish could handle them, so he left everything to him after giving the solution. He didn't care how Bailish dealt with the political mess that would follow from introducing terrace farming.

'He did announce it to the public before the nobles could get involved, so they can't make a move unless they want a civil war and that's very unlikely. They'd be angering the public and other nations as well.'

Becoming a public enemy wasn't something even the most arrogant noble would risk, especially when the King himself would be standing against them.

'Aghh! One more credit to the company.'

Aegon groaned every time he remembered that company, one that had been established without his permission and operated entirely without his involvement. He hadn't even visited it. In fact, he didn't even know where it was or how it functioned.

After Aegon denied taking credit for the invention, Bailish had conveniently thrown the success onto the mysterious owner of AVA Company, a massive multinational commerce group that had already contributed many things to the world.

Once again, the world wondered who the enigmatic owner of this powerful company was. Despite their vast networks and influence, no one had ever managed to uncover anything about its origins or its true owner.

Aegon pushed the thought aside. He was fine with it as long as no one discovered that he was the owner behind AVA Company.

Currently, he was busy packing for his stay at the Academy. He would be there for the next three to four years, only returning home occasionally, so he wanted to make sure everything was in order.

'After that, I'll probably travel the world, so even less time at home. I'll miss this mansion... and everyone here,' Aegon thought, before shaking away the creeping sadness. He needed to focus on packing, not nostalgia.

"I still don't understand why you don't want your identity to be known," Xiu said as she watched him carefully fold his clothes and place them inside his Storage Ring. "Learn from me! The whole world knew to fear Chen Xiu and no one ever dared to block my path."

"I already have my identity as Aegon Valeria Augustus for that," he replied evenly. "I'm proud of that name, so I'm not hiding it. And I don't think I'll need to worry much, do I?"

He tossed a few items Xiu had given him into the ring and continued, "My identity as the owner of AVA Company would only bring unnecessary attention and expectations. I don't want to deal with any of that."

"Hmm, then just use my name," Xiu said with a playful smirk. "Tell them you're my son, let's see who dares to cause you trouble."

Aegon shook his head in amusement and kept packing alongside her. The maids could have easily done it, but there were too many personal things he wanted to choose himself, so naturally, Xiu stayed to help.

By noon, they were done with everything, and the time for departure drew near. During all that time, Xiu clung to Aegon like a koala, refusing to let him out of her arms.

"Xiu, what are you doing?" Aegon asked, sounding both amused and helpless as he tried to move, but she still followed him everywhere.

"I'm charging my energy," Xiu said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't know when I'll see you again, so I need to fill up my bar."

"Are you crying?" Aegon asked, finally realizing why she was hiding her face.

"Yes! Can't I even cry?" Xiu sniffled, her voice choked with emotion.

Aegon closed his eyes to hide his own tears and said gently, "I'm not going to the end of the world. We can meet whenever you want."

"I don't care! I won't be with my Little Sun, and that thought hurts, so let me cry." Her voice cracked as she hugged him tighter, burying her face in his shoulder.

He had grown used to her presence over the years, after all, she was one of the first people who had given him the love he had always longed for. She wasn't even obligated to take care of him, yet she devoted everything to raising him.

She had wasted her youth on him, changed herself entirely for his sake. He loved her more than anyone else in this world, so this separation hurt him just as deeply.

His heart was already heavy with longing for Xiu and Arnold. So he hugged her back firmly and allowed his tears to flow silently.

It was the first time he had cried since the day he was born.

As if sensing the warmth of his tears, Xiu froze and slowly looked up. Seeing the crystalline drops glimmering in his golden eyes, her heart shattered.

"H-Hey, it's fine!" she stammered, trying to smile through her tears. "I can run to you every night at lightning speed! We can meet every day. Wait! Dad might scold us for that, so maybe every two nights..." She spoke in a rush, her voice breaking between hiccups. "You know what? Screw that! I'll take the scolding. Just please, don't cry, Little Sun. I'll be there with you."

More than the separation itself, his tears hurt her far more. She had sworn never to let him shed tears again and if anyone ever dared to make him cry, she would show them the true wrath of Chen Xiu.

But now those tears were because of her, and that realization tore her apart. She wanted to give him the entire world just to stop his tears.

Aegon looked at her messy, flustered state and chuckled softly, surprising her. Then, he hugged her again and said, "Let me charge my energy too. And stop overthinking. Little Sun will always be with Crazy Xiu."

They stayed like that for the next hour, simply enjoying each other's warmth and silence.

The bond they shared was deeper than that of aunt and nephew. Aegon never lied when he said she was like both his mother and father. She had raised him entirely on her own, given him everything she could and her place in his heart was above all others.

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