"Chapter 35"

"What greeted her eyes was a landscape of post-war ashes, marked by the subconscious threads she had released in her sleep, delineating a perimeter to prevent others from approaching too closely."

"Rei slowly regained consciousness from a severe headache and then stood up to survey the situation beneath the observation deck."

Extinguished flames, massive ground fissures, and buildings that hadn't been spared...

"She felt as if she had caused tremendous destruction. Rei thought expressionlessly."

"[Your Majesty? You’re awake?]" Gaia's voice, filled with surprise, echoed in her ears.

"'How long have I slept?' Rei asked."

"[Thirty-five hours.]"

"[Your Majesty, due to your subconscious self-defense, no insectoids in the vicinity could approach you or break through your defensive circle. Sensing your poor physical condition, they were on the verge of frenzy, so I issued an expulsion order in your name.]"

"'Oh... what are they doing now?'"

"[All insectoids are engaged in post-war efforts, tallying and addressing the war’s damage. Xita Star will need many years to return to its original state. Also, Your Majesty, Derian and other high-ranking insectoids have decided to add the Amentip people to the insectoid relational web as enemies.]"

"[Many elite troops and starships from the main star remain on Xita Star, collecting remnants of the parasites and sending some samples back to the main star for research.]"

"At this point, Gaia's clear voice paused for a moment before continuing, '[Your Majesty, I strongly recommend that you return to the main star for thorough healing.]'"

"Rei didn’t respond, but gently brushed over the wrist where the parasite had entered, acutely sensing a slight tremble."

"'It’s quite a novel experience,' Rei said softly. 'It took me five days to digest an alien species. You'll probably need a bit more time.'"

"Rei had a ticking time bomb inside her. Since the Amentip share information, her movements and bodily changes, while the parasite is present, might very well be communicated to their ranks."

"But she could also use this opportunity to gain further insight into the enemy. Why not play the role of a lamb to be slaughtered for the time being?"

"Regathering her thoughts, Rei calmly replied to Gaia, 'Indeed, it’s time to leave this place.'"

"Upon hearing this, Gaia’s mood soared, babbling about how wonderful and secure the environment on the main star was, guarded by numerous elite troops with no worries of external invasion..."

"Rei coldly muted Gaia’s speech system."

"Gaia: ?!"

"Gaia felt wronged."

"Rei retracted her defensive threads and slowly descended the stairs, heading towards the outer area."

*

"High-ranking insectoids like Derian, having received preemptive commands from the queen, were active near the periphery of the core combat zone."

"The Sovereign was anchored here, with Derian reviewing a continuous stream of reports."

"'I heard you refused Carriesha's request to inspect that command,' Annas suddenly entered the room, sitting opposite Derian, raising an eyebrow."

"'Yes,' Derian replied calmly."

"'Derian, but I share her opinion this time. I'm not doubting the queen, but I think this could be a trap set by the enemy,' Annas said, his expression naturally carrying a sense of unrestrained freedom, his tone casual yet subtly laced with danger."

"The silver-haired insectoid in white military uniform met Annas’s gaze calmly."

"Beneath their clothing, their skins simultaneously sprouted fine, sharp scales."

"Derian let out a low chuckle, hands clasped on the table, fingers interlaced, speaking gently, 'The reason is simple. The Amentip people have completely retreated, and Her Majesty has not yet severed her final psychic link. I sense her body healing itself, albeit at an extremely slow rate.'"

"'That’s not enough!' Annas ran a hand through his hair, frustrated, 'We could easily use external means to aid Her Majesty’s healing.'"

"'There will be a time when your help is needed,' Derian said slowly, 'Annas, you served Princess Danaya, so I understand your concern for Her Majesty's safety.'"

"'—But the queen requires only absolute submission.'"

"Annas’s expression darkened, seemingly struck by a keyword in Derian’s speech, suppressing complex emotions and reverting to his usual light-hearted smile, 'Alright, I admit you've convinced me.'"

"He was about to leave the room when his sensory system suddenly detected something, pausing his movement."

"Derian also appeared momentarily startled."

"As Rei neared her destination, she voluntarily severed the last psychic link with the insectoids, causing a minor disturbance among them."

"Guided by Gaia's map, Rei finally reached the Sovereign."

"'Your Majesty... hello,' a soldier stationed outside the starship appeared very nervous."

"Rei calmly glanced at the soldier, not bothering to respond, and proceeded to ascend the stairs into the Sovereign."

"Carriesha was absent, apparently handling matters elsewhere."

"Consequently, Rei's healing process was temporarily overseen by Annas."

"Rei watched, somewhat bored, as he meticulously stitched up the wounds on her cheek and hand."

"Afterward, she was back to soaking in a room filled with nutrient solution, as usual."

"Before entering, Rei instructed, 'Prepare to depart. Leave some members behind to assist with Xita Star's logistical affairs. And take that special alien species from Xita Star with us.'"

"'Where does Your Majesty wish to go?'"

"'To the main star.'"

"Annas momentarily paused, his face instantly lighting up with visible joy, 'Understood.'"

*

"The journey was remarkably smooth, with no unexpected incidents."

"Along the way, Gaia played the conversation between Derian and Annas for Rei."

"Having completed her time in the nutrient pod for the day, Rei curiously searched the insect web for information about 'Princess Danaya.'"

"Gaia interjected anxiously, '[Your Majesty! That’s not the point. Carriesha had dissected my instructions and found they indeed originated from your control, so she let it be.]'"

"'She's suspicious of why I prefer using cybernetic commands over psychic communication. But my power and psychic strength are at their limits; any more use and I could die,' Rei stated calmly, 'Don't worry about her for now.'"

"Regarding companions, Derian and Ural's behaviors were very similar; they never questioned any of Rei's decisions."

"Other high-ranking insectoids, however, occasionally tested Rei's limits."

"Using the vast and dense psychic network, Rei successfully 'saw' Ural's status; he was still on R27 and hadn’t left."

"Recalling the inconvenience of moving with a pendant, Rei hesitated before finally deciding, then also found Ural’s account ID on the insect web."

"Rei: Come to the main star."

"After sending the message, Rei coldly ignored Ural’s instant reply and the flurry of messages that rapidly exceeded ninety-nine."

"Lying back on the soft bed, an image of a black-haired woman flashed through Rei's mind before she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep."

"Rei entered Dagmar's psychic sea once again."

"The black-haired woman seemed much better mentally and was not surprised to see Rei, instead offering a gentle, friendly smile."

"'They no longer force me to do anything,' Dagmar said softly, her entire being immersed in a fragile dream."

"For a human whose life had been shattered, Rei wondered, what would be the perfect ending?"

"C013 didn’t have to consider such things, as she herself didn’t care about the ethical dilemmas between humans and insectoids."

"Taking control of Dagmar's body, Rei slowly opened her eyes, only to find the ground, once covered with bones, now replaced by a chilling array of eyeballs."

"Normal human eyes, insectoid beast pupils, artificial intelligences… It was as if the creator had gone mad, arranging every type and color of eyes for selection."

"Although the scene was bizarre, the focused gaze on Dagmar had disappeared."

"Rei also felt that this body seemed to be in a much better state."

"The three-eyed insectoid she had seen last time must have been brainwashed and parasitized by the Amentip, explaining its inconsistent behavior."

In fact, Rei wasn’t quite sure what happened afterward, though she had some guesses, something more was needed to confirm them.

"'Your Majesty, may I come in?' Hemon's voice suddenly appeared, cautious and tentative, from outside the sealed space."

"'Come in,' Rei said coldly."

"The red-haired insectoid, like a pardoned mad dog, immediately activated the spatial entry device and entered."

"He then stood obediently at the edge, reeking of thick blood, as if he had just emerged from a brutal skirmish, with not a clean spot on his clothes."

"Rei silently observed him."

"Hemon, looking expectantly at her, excitedly said, 'Your Majesty, I have gathered these eyes for you. Do you like any of them?'"

"'Did you kill the other insectoids?' Rei asked."

"Hemon nodded, seemingly indifferent to the horror of his actions."

"Rei understood. No wonder Dagmar's mental state had improved significantly; facing one insectoid was better than facing countless others."

"Moreover, Hemon’s actions conveniently aligned with her wishes."

"Seeing that Rei had not responded to his question for a long time, a chilling fear began to grow in Hemon's heart."

"It was only after Dagmar’s consciousness regained control of her body that Hemon realized something was amiss."

"The queen had left."

"The black-haired insectoid before him was not the queen!"

"Hemon had thought about killing Dagmar in a fit of rage, but ultimately, he could only swallow his disgust and resentment."

"The gaze that Rei cast upon him was devoid of warmth, powerful and calm, like an unchanging glacial river. Without uttering a word, his previously violent mind and body were now filled only with submissive consciousness."

"But the queen had left, and he hadn’t had the chance to present his tribute."

"Why did she leave? There must have been something he did wrong."

"So, Hemon angrily exterminated the group of traitors who posed a threat to the queen."

"His domain was finally clean, and now he could only endure the hopeless wait."

"'Where's the third eye on your forehead?' Rei suddenly asked."

"Hemon stiffened, then with disgust, took out the parasitic third eye from his pocket."

"Rei leisurely descended from her throne, and Hemon instinctively stepped closer to hand her the parasitic eye."

"It looked dehydrated and shriveled, trembling continuously in Rei’s palm."

"Hemon looked displeased with this, glaring fiercely at it."

“…” Rei idly fiddled with it for a while before casually tossing it back to Ximon.

"A parasitic organism detached from the body couldn’t communicate, and was of no further use to look at."

"'Your Majesty,' Hemon called out softly again, trying to capture Rei’s attention, 'Will you leave again?'"

"The tall red-haired insectoid's face was smeared with blood. Despite bearing countless sins, his gaze towards Rei was as pure as a child's."

"Rei suddenly noticed a strange pattern in the center of his forehead and curiously reached out to touch it."

"The red-haired insectoid simply stood still, allowing Rei to do as she pleased."

"'Can you distinguish between her and me?' Rei asked curiously."

"She shouldn’t be able to."

"When controlling Dagmar's body, she had been careful not to emit any psychic power. Her aggressive actions could easily be attributed to Dagmar's unstable mental state."

"'Your Majesty is unique,' Hemon said."

"A sense of déjà vu."

"'Indeed, I have to leave,' Rei said coldly."

"Hemon looked startled, his face filled with terror, like a drowning man losing his lifeline, his voice weak, 'Your Majesty, I will try my best to find you.'"

"He would make himself needed by the queen."

“No.” Rei coldly refused, “You must stay here, take care of Dagmar, and also keep an eye on this parasite.”

"'I understand,' Hemon said, disappointed, suppressing the violent tendencies within him."

"Afterward, Rei left the sealed space, surveyed the habitat that Hemon had transformed beyond recognition, and then withdrew her consciousness from Dagmar's body."

"The obedient Hemon, in front of Rei, revealed his cruel nature once she was gone."

"He could have sought out the queen from birth, rather than being parasitized by this detestable thing."

"Disgusting."

"'It's you who have brought me to this fate,' Hemon muttered, clutching the parasitic eye in his palm, laughing intermittently with an expression filled with uncontrollable madness and... despair."