“No insect can lie in your presence,” Carissa said with a smile, “I’ve been appointed as your temporary servant and will answer all your questions.”

"No insect can lie in your presence," Carissa said with a smile, "I've been appointed as your temporary servant and will answer all your questions."

"Is being a servant important?"

"...," Carissa hesitated imperceptibly, "Even though our insect population is at its lowest, seeing you is a one-in-a-billion chance."

Not to mention the opportunity of prolonged contact with Rei.

"And the criteria for selecting servants are quite strict," Carissa said earnestly, "Strength, psychic power, background, and most importantly, a heart of loyalty."

"Are you loyal to me?" Rei asked casually, her gaze not on Carissa but fixed on the majestic view outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

Far away, the sky was a clear, tranquil blue, all traces of the constant roaring sound had disappeared, as if the war had never happened.

"Of course," Carissa answered decisively.

Hearing this, Rei turned with surprise, smiling for the first time since waking up, her eyes revealing a chilling coldness at odds with her smile, her tone mockingly soft like Carissa's harmless one, "But you initially wanted to kill me, didn’t you?"

Now the queen of the insect race, Rei had once been among the weakest, naturally familiar with such hidden murderous intents lurking in the depths.

"However, Carisa ultimately did not voice what she most wanted to say."

What if she were still weak? Would she become a puppet to sustain the race's existence?

Carissa's heart stirred tumultuously, struggling to speak. Finally, under Rei's calm scrutiny, she said, "I apologize... My genes lack the most crucial element; I naturally don't possess the instinct to submit to the queen. Therefore, feeling the pressure from you, my first reaction was to resist."

-

"But I have no ulterior motives."

Rei smiled lightly, intrigued by Carissa's words, and suddenly changed her decision, "Then I'll stay."

How intriguing.

A race rooted in the queen, yet has its branches rotted to this extent?

Rei thought simply. Rather than encountering hostile insects and repeatedly dealing with troubles, it was better to control everything and use it to her advantage.

This way, no one would dare to offend her.

Besides, Rei didn't want to repeat the mistake of risking her life like before.

"I want to rest now," Rei suddenly said.

Complying with Rei's wish, Carissa led her to an exclusive "bedroom," which was actually a well-decorated villa, fully equipped with everything.

Thinking it over, Rei raised her wrist and opened her sleek and elegant cyberbrain.

In an instant, a vast network resembling the depth of space, full of countless stars, unfolded before Rei.

The insect network was unlike human star networks with abundant entertainment and comments. It mainly contained military information, individual power enhancements, and some historical records of past queens.

Depending on their rank and function, insects had access to different levels of information.

But now, the network was flooded with numerous posts and comments, all celebrating and discussing the emergence of their new queen.

[At the moment of the psychic link, even I could sense that the queen's physical condition is very poor.]

Rei clicked on this comment, surprised to see a window pop up, displaying all the commenter's information.

ID: #921175

Rank: Third-class Attack Type

……

The profile even included the insect's appearance, with antennae and long claws on both hands, and large areas of tough scales covering the body. Third-class insects evidently retained more primitive features.

[I so want to see the queen, I so want to see the queen...]

[It's been half a year, no news from the higher-ranked insects, incomprehensible.]

[Be patient, at least we know the queen is safe for now.]

Rei frowned, about to block these comments that felt like distant eyes watching her but paused suddenly.

[The Seventh Galaxy is too far away, isn't it where hybrids are produced? How did the queen appear there?]

Hybrids…

Rei directly searched the keyword "hybrids."

Then Rei smoothly opened a highly confidential file.

The gist of the record was: Although hybrids usually played an insignificant role in alleviating mental collapse and were despised by most insects, they were tacitly accepted due to an order from the former queen, Darnaya.

Darnaya, foreseeing the inevitable decline of the insect race, especially the weakening of the queens' bodies and powers generation after generation, had made a decision.

If one day the queen ceased to exist, the insect race would inevitably face extinction.

The benevolent Queen Darnaya decided to create a substitute for the queen's role.

Thus, over thousands of years, this evolved into the current hybrids and psychic sedatives. Out of respect for the former queen's order, even if insects harbored much resentment and viewed it as betrayal and desecration, they wouldn't act against hybrids.

Apart from lower-ranked hybrids, Class C could produce pheromones affecting lower insects; Class B had a slight influence on mid-level insects but repulsed higher ones.

Finally, Class A, eligible to be hybrid queen candidates, whose pheromones might attract the “attention” of higher insects.

Rei lingered on the section about Class A hybrids, suddenly recalling that Rosa's code seemed to be A07.

Could personal information about hybrids also be found here?

With this speculation, Rei tried a search.

Indeed, unlike the restricted access of the human star network, the insect network displayed comprehensive and detailed information without any cryptic puzzles.

"Name: Rosa Garcia"

Code: A07

Status: Deceased

Historical Record:

Signed a transformation treaty in the year 7049 of the Star Calendar

Classified as Class A, code A99 in 7051

Assisted over a hundred insects in alleviating mental collapse in 7052

Applied for contact with the Alliance in 7054, approved, but no response from the Alliance

In 7055, compatibility with insect genetics improved, obedience good, code updated to A07

Escaped to R27 star in 7059, died in the Dusk Zone

……

"Ever since Rosa became a hybrid, every event she experienced has been meticulously recorded. All her states and behavioral changes are under the constant surveillance of the insect species."

"However, the insect species evidently shows no concern for her personal thoughts and feelings."

"Rei casually reviewed the guidelines and regulations for hybrids, noting that once the transformation is successful, the hybrid will enjoy a high-quality life provided by the insect species, as long as they fulfill their obligations."

"These obligations include, but are not limited to, regular blood extraction and assisting the insect species in alleviating mental breakdowns."

"Moreover, even the lowest-ranking hybrids, having absorbed insect species genes, possess a constitution superior to that of the average interstellar citizen. Higher-ranking hybrids can even rival mid-to-upper-level human mutants in ability."

"Yet, in the eyes of the Alliance, they are an undignified, gray-area product."

"As for the reason Rosa would rather die than stay, Rei, empathizing for once, quickly understood the human perspective."

"It's likely that despite the numerous privileges this identity affords, most people would struggle to adapt to the oppressive atmosphere of living among the insect community, enduring the innate, overwhelming presence of a powerful species."

"Not to mention being treated by the Alliance as a nameless pawn, exchanged for benefits."

"A future with no hope, only a path paved with blood-stained blades, because there's no turning back."

"Rei turned off his light computer, gazing blankly at the intricately patterned ceiling, recalling the enormous heart he had encountered, and a plan slowly formed in his mind."

"With the ability to alleviate the mental state of the insect species and a physique superior to humans, Rei, who distrusts the insect species, finds them easier to control."

"With that in mind — he decides to empower these hybrids, turning them into a part of his arsenal of influence."

"Rei thought, oblivious to how his whimsical idea was about to change the desperate fate of the hybrids."

"During this contemplation, there wasn't a trace of sympathy or pity in Rei's heart."

"They are allowed to exist in a more dignified manner simply because they are valuable."

"Nothing more."