Chapter 42 (New Year Special!)

Chapter 42 (New Year Special!)

The howling wind swept through the billowing smoke, passing by the hair in front of them, but it failed to dispel the eerily still atmosphere.

Only two sets of breathing could be heard, one rapid and heavy, the other almost silent, yet it conveyed the overflowing helplessness and sorrow.

"Phew..."

Through a blurred vision, things gradually came into focus. The flowing blood seemed to have frozen on his cheeks.

After overcoming a bout of dizziness, Yale weakly lifted his gaze to look at the female insectoid.

Xi Ze stood in slightly lower ruins, still reaching out towards him with an upturned gaze. His golden eyes dilated in shock.

Then, as if he had a sudden realization, he quickly took a step back, nearly stumbling as he walked towards a half-collapsed wall. His bone wings frantically folded in, though they couldn't fully retract into their sockets.

Thick blood continued dripping from his torn wounds with each exaggerated movement, but the female insectoid was oblivious.

"Haa... Ugh..."

Hiding behind the ruins with great effort, he stretched out a hand to cover his face with extraordinary force, the sharp claws almost piercing his skin.

"..."

Within just a few breaths, the female insect had vanished from sight. Yale blinked hard, gradually regaining clarity.

A moment of panic dispelled some of his fear. In his confusion, he no longer cared about the bony wings and hurriedly followed the female insect around the other side of the ruins.

Xi Ze was crouching on the ground, anxiously rubbing the scales on his face as if trying to force them back into place.

Yale could even see a few bloodied spikes being snapped off at the roots and falling to the ground.

"Cough... Xi Ze?"

Yale's expression froze for an instant, and he whispered hoarsely.

The female insect's figure paused, as if startled out of an automaton-like trance. It seemed to want to turn its head and say something, but ultimately, it remained stiff and silent.

Yale sighed softly, his brows and eyes revealing almost imperceptible bewilderment and exhaustion.

...He had indeed noticed.

His fear, even disgust, towards this form of his.

He wanted to say something, but he was aware of how genuine that instinctive aversion was.

It made any attempt at justification seem feeble... Those lovely words, whether for himself or Xi Ze, were mere lies they both understood.

Suddenly, Yale took a few steps forward and approached Xi Ze, sidestepping the bony wings to embrace the male insect's waist.

The grotesque bone spurs exuded a nauseating scent of blood, akin to a sharp dagger pressed against his neck, instilling a profound sense of discomfort and dread.

Yet, he closed his eyes, his forehead resting against the female insectoid's back. In a low voice, he murmured, "Xi Ze?"

It was as if a warm and gentle cloud had descended upon the spine, softly dispelling the countless negative effects of the frenzied insectization. The boiling blood in his veins subsided, gradually returning to calm.

Through the blood-soaked gaps between his fingers, Xi Ze opened his eyes. Feeling the hand circling his waist tremble subtly, he intertwined their fingers, holding on steadfastly without letting go.

Recalling his unanswered question earlier, he cautiously reached out to touch the back of the male insectoid's hand, gently enfolding it. His voice was hoarse as he spoke.

"…Alpha?"

"Mm."

A muffled voice echoed from behind, akin to a pardon for a convict on death row, instantly easing the tension in the female's stiffened shoulders.

After a brief silence, Xi Ze turned around, supporting the alpha on his back. He carefully shifted in his embrace, once again assuming the protective posture as he enfolded Yale in his arms.

"Alpha, I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

Two hoarse apologies rang out almost simultaneously, leaving both of them in a daze.

Yale placed his hand on the female's forearm, pushing himself up. Following the curve of the arm, he held onto the hand that the female had intentionally kept restrained.

His trembling fingertips gently brushed against the grotesque, sharp, inhuman claws, as if seeking reconciliation with something.

After a moment, he lowered his gaze and spoke softly.

"I spoke out of turn earlier. I'm sorry."

Yale lifted his gaze to meet the fierce and alien creature before him. In those golden eyes, he found something incredibly familiar—

as if he was looking past the exterior to see the one-of-a-kind soul he had always cherished, shimmering with a beautiful golden light.

He suddenly smiled, enunciating each word, "Thank you for always protecting me with all your might."

Bang.

Xi Ze's pupils constricted.

The panic and agitation swirling in his chest abruptly dissipated, leaving only a profound bitterness and vulnerability.

He gritted his teeth, his Adam's apple jerking fiercely. Restrained by the grip on his claw, he didn't move.

Yet, he couldn't resist lowering his head, almost greedily inhaling the scent from the male insectoid's hair, barely holding back the yearning that threatened to burst from his heart.

His bone wings delicately folded behind him, ensuring that the spines didn't touch the male.

Yet it was far from sufficient.

Not cautious enough, not powerful enough – he had to reclaim that authority and status as soon as possible. Though they held little practical value, at least –

He could shield the rose in his embrace from the ravages of wind, frost, rain, and snow, protecting it from the disturbances and harm of reckless intruders.

"…You never have to apologize to me."

Xi Ze's voice remained husky as he spoke, each word spoken with utmost sincerity and seriousness.

Yale was the worm that granted him a second life, so there was no need for apologies or gratitude.

He shouldn't be troubled by such filthy matters, just as stars should remain pristine, lovely, and free, waiting for those captivated by their radiance to circle around them, guarding their path.

If Yale despised him, he would keep his distance, protecting him in secret without intrusion. But if the male worm still chose to take a step closer to him...

"I'm sorry for startling you just now."

Xi Ze chuckled softly and pulled the male worm into his embrace, exposing the sole unwormified spot on his body – soft and vulnerable.

The previously uncontrollable scales and spines, as if sensing this sense of protection and tranquility, slowly returned to their original state.

"Don't be afraid, I would never harm you."

...But that was not the issue at hand right now.

Yale closed his eyes and let out a silent sigh, wrapping his arms around the male.

"Alright."

A hesitant voice then whispered in his ear, filled with the dilemma of wanting to distance himself yet unable to bear it.

"However, my bone wings can't retract just yet, so it's better for you, Lord Male, to keep your distance..."

Without opening his eyes, Yale nestled closer, his deep voice carrying a hint of gentle amusement.

"I know you've got control, you'd never let me get hurt, would you?"

...

Their embrace didn't last long. Concerned about the injured drone, Yale promptly resumed leading him out.

"Come on, let's not waste time. Your injuries need attention."

"My Lord!"

Perhaps having learned of an injured male, an ambulance equipped with specialized gear was already waiting nearby.

Upon spotting them, it rushed over with a stretcher, swiftly loading both Yale and Xi Ze onto it.

"Be careful! Be careful... He can't lie flat, so sit on the stretcher."

"Let me extract the bullet first... Deia, prepare the anesthesia...!"

Inside the ambulance, a military drone sat, visibly agitated upon their arrival. However, seeing the doctors busy at work, he refrained from interrupting the treatment.

Yale underwent a thorough examination and, aside from a slight fever, seemed largely unharmed. He was then settled to one side.

Noticing the peculiar military drone, Yale inquired, "Ah, who are you?"

Bai Lang managed to shift his gaze from his Admiral, turning instead to the renowned male insectoid. Initially, he was captivated by the male's mesmerizing appearance, then quickly adopted a serious demeanor.

This male insectoid had saved the Admiral's life, which made him a benefactor to the entire First Legion. Their first encounter must leave a positive impression!

He sprang to his feet, giving a deep ninety-degree bow before Yale, who appeared perplexed. However, a warning glance shot from the side pierced his skull like a dart—

Receiving the cue, Bai Lang's prepared gratitude had to be hastily reshaped.

"Esteemed Sir Male Insectoid! I am...ahem, ahem! Sent by the Commander to ensure your safety! It's excellent that you're unharmed. Now, I'll proceed to clear the battlefield."

Without waiting for Yale's response, Bai Lang swiftly exited the ambulance but didn't venture too far. Instead, he discreetly positioned himself nearby, safeguarding the ambulance's vicinity.

Soon, the medical insects tended to Xi Ze's wounds.

"We've removed the bullet and dressed the wound. Rest here for a while. A pick-up has been arranged for the field hospital. They'll inform you when it's time."

"Alright."

Xi Ze's upper body was swathed in thick bandages, but the bleeding had ceased. He gently touched the area with his fingertip, not dwelling on it, while his peripheral vision kept a watchful eye on the still-pale male insectoid.

"Could you please get me a cup of hot water and a blanket?"

Yale was lost in thought, gazing out the car window when his vision suddenly went dark.

Reaching out, he realized it was a soft blanket draped over him, with a warm mug being pressed into his palm by Xi Ze's hand.

With the medical drones rushing to the battlefield, only the two of them were left in the vehicle, creating an unusual stillness.

"Thank you," he said, a beat behind, sipping the hot water. As the warmth traveled down his throat to his stomach, his tense and numb shoulders and back gradually eased.

"How do you feel now? Does your wound still hurt?"

Xi Ze shook his head but countered with a question, "Just now...

He struggled to find the right words. It was almost surreal how he had nearly incapacitated an entire starship with sheer mental power alone.

Male insects were renowned for their mental abilities, but the level of terror Xi Ze had displayed was beyond what even the few A-class on the home planet could achieve, let alone Yale, who was only a D-class.

"What?"

Yale responded half a beat later, his voice still hoarse.

Under his eyelids, a faint bluish tinge was visible. A few strands of his raven-black hair were messily curled up, and there were gray smudges on his face, making him appear utterly exhausted.

Xi Ze's heart softened abruptly. Lowering his gaze to hide his thoughts, he simply reached out to touch Yale's forehead, ensuring that he wasn't running a fever anymore.

"It's alright. Are you still feeling unwell? Do you want to take a nap?"

"No need..."

Yale shook his head dazedly, but his gaze drifted uncontrollably towards the female insectoid's bony wings.

Unable to retract them, and with the ambulance being cramped, he could only curl up pathetically.

Recalling the male insectoid's earlier fear, Xi Ze shifted his body, hiding the bone wings behind him. He spoke softly, "Take a rest for a while. You'll feel better when you wake up."

By then, he would be able to retract his wings and no longer frighten the male insectoid before him.

Yale took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

He had a nagging feeling that... if he didn't clarify what just happened soon, the stubborn and reticent nature of the male would likely make him hide his bone wings from Yale in the future.

Lowering his head, he sipped more water to moisten his dry lower lip. Then, he suddenly whispered, "Can I see your bone wings?"

Xi Ze fell silent for a moment. "The blood hasn't been completely wiped off yet. I'll show them to you next time, when there's an opportunity."

"It's alright. I have antiseptic wipes here; they can be used to clean them."

Yale pretended not to understand the rejection and, with solemn determination, retrieved a pack of wet wipes from beneath his seat.

"..."

The female insect almost sighed, "Let me clean myself up first before you see."

He watched as Xi Ze took out a few wipes and drew the bony wings slightly closer, beginning to wipe away the dried blood on them.

Long and strong bones pressed against the wet wipes, moving swiftly and precisely, as if he were meticulously cleaning and maintaining a delicate gun – it was almost a visual delight.

The bone wings were the most lethal part of a military drone, which was why those creatures had immediately severed Xi Ze's wings, as if they were terrified and panicked, amputating a beast's razor-sharp claws.

Yale gazed at that spot in a daze, only to be startled awake by a cool breeze the next second.

"Swish."

For ease of movement, Xi Ze fully extended one of his bone wings—

It was enormous, almost three or four meters long on one side.

Rigorous in its structure, it was devoid of any flesh, resembling something forged from steel but with the luster and texture of jade. Compared to the fluffy wings of biological creatures, it appeared exceptionally cold and inorganic.

Setting aside its terrifying aspects, this could undoubtedly be considered a breathtakingly exquisite work of art.

Xi Ze observed the male insectoid's expression out of the corner of his eye, continuing his actions only when he saw that the fear had subsided.

He soon reached the tip, where a thin membrane grew—nearly transparent, with the blue veins meandering across it clearly visible.

It was exquisitely sensitive, able to detect the slightest dust particles in the air. On the battlefield, it could be used to gauge the enemy's movements, making it an invaluable asset.

During aerial combat, this membrane would emit a gentle rustling sound.

When the vast insectoid army marched to war, this sound mingled with the crimson winds, hauntingly feared by their adversaries as the "Satan's prelude to reaping lives."

And... this is one of the most sensitive areas on a military omega.

Xi Ze lifted his gaze to meet Yale, who was earnestly observing him with a hand propped up against his cheek. The emotions in his eyes were indiscernible.

His pause did not go unnoticed, and the male insect's gaze flickered brightly towards him. "Is it acceptable now?"

As if something had shifted, no longer causing a painful obstruction in his throat, Xi Ze's gaze softened, and the crease between his brows relaxed as he tossed the soiled rag into the trash.

"It's okay now."

The bone wings, which had just claimed countless insectoid lives, now resembled a shy puppy's tail, cautiously extending a tip towards Yale.

The membrane unfurled with a rustling sound, instantly capturing the male insectoid's attention.

"What is this?"

Yale's eyes widened slightly as he cautiously extended his hand, his fingertips gently touching the pale blue membrane.

It was covered in a fine layer of fuzz, a stark contrast to the harsh and menacing bone wings, appearing much softer and endearing.

That spot was so sensitive that even the slightest touch of a finger would make it twitch and quiver, yet it still desperately opened up, reaching out into the male's palm, pleading for a gentle caress.

Xi Ze croaked, "The male can play with this area..."

Yet, the fingertips continued to tremble, a subtle spasm caused by the intense stimulation that his muscles couldn't recover from. The palm of his hand felt unusually cold and damp.

He lowered his gaze, watching the male's actions. A part of his heart seemed to cave in, leaving him feeling both sour and vulnerable.

The membrane on the bone wing grew even softer, completely clinging to the male's fingertip.

Unaware of Xi Ze's complicated emotions, Yale's interest continued to grow.

"I've only seen it from afar before, and it always looked terrifying, like the scythe of Death. I didn't expect it to be quite fun... Does it feel anything when I touch here? Is it itchy?"

"It's... itchy."

The omega's eyes reddened at the corners from his endurance, the subtle itch feeling like a raging fire that spread from the bone wings deep into his flesh.

Yale's actions became increasingly bold. His technique of stroking a puppy was now applied here, overwhelming the tip that quivered and fluttered, eventually giving in to a thorough exploration.

"Are there veins and nerves here, right? And inside these bone wings, in the joints and gaps...?"

Curiosity piqued, he probed a crevice in one of the bony segments. Something seemed to be concealed beneath the hard exterior, though it was indistinct.

"..."

Xi Ze's Adam's apple rolled as he endured for a moment. Suddenly, unable to bear it any longer, he reached out, encompassing Yale's hand along with that bone segment within his own palm.

"What's wrong?"

Yale jumped, thinking he had caused pain.

But the omega's expression was not one of pain. Instead, he leaned in, his molten-gold eyes gazing up at Yale from below, like a predator fixated on its prey with an almost excessive intensity.

Seems a little... too close, doesn't it...?

Yale froze, feeling his hand being pulled from the bone wing, across his ear, and pressed against the adjacent compartment wall.

Xi Ze bent closer, his two bone wings spreading wide, shielding them from the flickering red light outside, creating a small, dim alcove that accentuated the brilliance of his golden eyes.

"What's wrong...?"

Their proximity was now too close. Yale could feel the hot, moist breaths brushing against his face, rapid and urgent.

The male insect drew nearer, his golden eyes glowing like a malevolent dragon in a cave, hungrily observing the treasure he had yet to claim, his desire and aggression barely contained.

After a tense moment, the male finally lowered his head—

Gently embracing Yale, resting his chin on his shoulder.

"…Rest well. I'll play with you when you wake up."

The voice by his ear was raspy, as if holding back something, sounding strained.

The grip on his wrist loosened, and Yale instinctively stroked the male's soft white hair. It dawned on him that the male had intended to do something to him but, for some reason, had stopped.

...What... did you want to do?

Those were the words that Xi Ze had spoken before, echoing suddenly in Yale's ear.

Back then, the expression on the drone's face had been odd too, but Yale had failed to grasp its full meaning then as he does now.

However, the dim and secure fortress constructed by the bone wings was soothing, and with his tense nerves relaxed, sleep started to overwhelm him.

In Xi Ze's embrace, surrounded by the drone's scent, his eyelids soon grew heavy. After giving up resistance for a few seconds, he fell into a deep sleep.

...

"Are you feeling better now... The attack... Yes, we found traces of it on the starship..."

"When do you plan on returning to the military... Everything is already in place, and the royal family is about to undergo significant changes, just as you predicted..."

Voices buzzed in his ear, but they soon quietened down, leaving only two low whispers that still disturbed Yale's slumber.

"When do you plan on removing this collar?"

Suddenly, these words reached his ears, causing him to involuntarily furrow his brow.

Amidst the haze, he didn't hear a reply from the other voice. The fingers resting on the blanket twitched slightly.

"…Ah, His Excellency the Male Companion's hand has moved. Is he about to wake up?"

Those two voices faded away. Soon, a hand gently touched his forehead, ensuring that he wasn't running a fever before tucking the blanket around him and patting him soothingly.

Familiar security enveloped him, and he ceased struggling to regain consciousness, slipping back into a deep slumber.

...

When he awoke again, it was already the afternoon of the following day.

Yale groggily sat up, shaking his head after a moment before pinching the space between his brows to force himself awake.

The layout of the hospital room before his eyes was very familiar. He realized that this was Elaine's military hospital.

"Milord! You're awake?"

A physician entered the room, sounding pleasantly surprised. He promptly called in his colleagues to conduct a comprehensive examination on the male insectoid.

"X... Cough, Xi Ze? Where is he?"

Yale spoke up, realizing his voice was hoarse. He cleared his throat before continuing.

"Are you referring to your mate? It seemed like he just stepped out..."

"Knock, knock."

The door to the infirmary was tapped on, and a familiar white silhouette appeared behind it. Xi Ze walked in, carrying a water pitcher, and offered a reassuring smile to the male insectoid, who was surrounded by medical staff.

"Do you feel any discomfort at the moment?"

The doctor glanced at the data on the equipment, hesitantly asking, exchanging a glance with his colleague, both noticing the confusion in each other's eyes.

Yale took a moment to introspect, his gaze sharpening slightly. However, he appeared unfazed as he replied, "I feel quite alright... Why do you ask?"

"No worries," the doctor hesitantly assured, "Your Highness is in excellent health. There's nothing to be concerned about."

In fact, his vitality was unprecedentedly robust, and the purity of his pheromones was so high that it left them somewhat incredulous, almost daring not to believe that this male omega was only a D-class.

However, the classification of male omegas was an absolute authority, so they could only suppress their doubts and continue with Yale's examination.

An hour later, all the tests were finally completed.

Xi Ze observed as the male omega went from cooperative to numb, his patience exhausted by the overly meticulous checks. Unable to resist a soft chuckle, he was met with a resentful glance before he covered his mouth with his fist.

He touched the water glass aside, ensuring it was at a suitable temperature, then offered it to Yale. "Have some water first."

But the male omega didn't take the cup, instead frowning at him with an unhappy expression.

"Why aren't you resting in your ward? A gunshot wound isn't a simple scrape; if not handled properly, it can easily lead to infection."

"It's fine." Xi Ze's lips curved slightly as he pulled up a corner of his shirt, revealing the injury on his waist and abdomen.

There had once been a bloody, gaping wound there, but now, it had already begun to heal.

"?!"

Yale's eyes widened slightly.

For the first time, he had a direct and profound realization of how terrifying a female insectoid's recuperative abilities were, completely shattering his previous notions.

"So, there's no need to worry about me."

Handing the water to the male insect, Xi Ze chuckled. "You should be more concerned about yourself and prioritize your safety first."

Taking advantage of the male insect drinking, he fetched a basin of hot water, soaked a towel, wrung it out gently, and then carefully wiped Yale's face and neck.

Leaning against the propped-up pillow with his eyes closed, Yale felt the female insect's skilled fingers brush aside the stray hairs from his forehead as the soothing warmth of the damp towel covered his face.

A thought casually crossed his mind, and he nearly bit into the towel as he opened his eyes to look at the female insect.

"Oh, right... Were all those Star Pirates captured?"

"Yes."

Xi Ze acknowledged, but suddenly recalled the footage he had just obtained. His actions paused for a moment.

The recordings clearly depicted how the male insectoid single-handedly disabled a starship. The visuals were horrifying and of great significance. He had to exert some effort to deal with it properly.

"You don't have to worry. This incident has been reported, and the capital planet will reinforce patrols and defenses here to prevent such vicious attacks from happening again."

Bai Lang, standing guard outside the hospital room, curled his lips.

The Empire wouldn't bother about the survival of small planets like this. However, this explanation was excellent, capable of dispelling many of the native inhabitants' suspicions, making it easier for the military to secretly station and develop here.

Sure enough, the male insectoid inside didn't suspect anything, merely humming in response before moving on.

Xi Ze threw the towel back into the basin and then reached out to touch Yale's forehead, confirming that there was no fever.

"Are you hungry? I'll go get dinner."

Since the male insectoid never took well to nutrient solutions, he planned to get some cooked food from the cafeteria. "What would you like to eat?"

"Anything is fine, I'm not picky."

Indeed, he didn't discriminate. He would eat the disliked dishes expressionlessly, while he would finish the ones he enjoyed with evident delight, especially when 015 didn't burn them.

"What are you smiling about?"

Yale looked at him in confusion, but only received a restrained pat on the head in response.

Bai Lang was diligently keeping watch for his Admiral, making every passing insect feel uneasy under his gaze. Only after successfully deterring them from taking that path did he smile in immense satisfaction.

Then, the door to the hospital room behind him opened.

Xi Ze closed the door with his backhand and patted Bai Lang's shoulder. "Good work. You can take your turn to eat after I come back."

Bai Lang instinctively wanted to answer with "Yes!" but, remembering the current special circumstances, he swallowed the word and nodded solemnly instead.

Five minutes later.

"Knock, knock."

A soft knock sounded, and Yale looked at the door in puzzlement. Xi Ze shouldn't have returned so quickly. Then, Elaine opened the door and entered.

"How..."

Before Yale could inquire, Elaine made a 'shushing' gesture and hurriedly drew the curtain around the hospital bed, blocking any potential prying eyes from outside.

With excitement barely concealed in his brows, he whispered, "My Lord! The item you've been seeking has appeared at the black market auction!"

What thi...

Yale suddenly realized what it was.

His eyes gradually lit up as he fixated on Elaine's face, speaking with a calm yet unwavering tone.

"I must obtain it."

Author's Note:

What could it be? The author has dropped hints, so it shouldn't be too hard to guess! (Mysterious confidence.jpg)