Chapter 50

Chapter 50

"It doesn't feel safe outside. You should be cautious, my lord," Xi Ze said softly, draping a scarf around Yale's neck and then smoothing out his clothes.

A special container was needed to preserve the remains of Specimen 015, something common but not found in their home. They'd have to buy one from outside.

The male insectoid refused to let him come along, but Xi Ze couldn't shake off his worry, persisting, "Let me go with you, please."

"It should be fine," Yale dismissed Xi Ze's request, soothing him gently.

"The store is only a three-minute walk away. I'll be back as soon as I'm done, and I won't go anywhere else."

"Go then."

Smiling at the concerned female, Yale bid him farewell but his expression softened slightly as he closed the door behind him, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes.

The corridor was chilly, and Yale pulled his hat down low, stepping out slowly.

...He didn't quite understand himself either. Despite knowing full well that it wasn't safe outside, he stubbornly refused to let the male companion join him.

Perhaps it was because the collar was gone, and the male companion had regained his complete freedom, capable of leaving at any moment without a trace, leaving Yale with no means to find him.

Or maybe it was the explosion and disappearance of 015 that had torn a chunk from their makeshift family of three, leaving an empty void that seemed to howl with cold winds. This made him unable to bear the thought of losing another part, hence his obstinate refusal to let the male companion venture beyond the safety of their home.

But deep down, he knew that this wouldn't alter the reality.

Exiting the corridor, one could see that the snow outside had piled up deeply, with biting winds howling and sweeping Yale's fluffy hat off his head, tousling the strands of hair across his forehead.

"!"

Yale hastily scrambled to retrieve his hat, but a faint whisper of a camera shutter seemed to brush past his ear, immediately rousing him to alertness as he looked around cautiously.

Finding no signs of anomaly, he probably had been overthinking. He put his hat back on and hastened toward the shop as he recalled it from memory.

The establishment was nearby, but it required navigating a winding path to reach an unassuming corner on the edge of the black market.

In the black market, many seemingly insignificant shabby shops were actually the most useful ones – a lesson Yale had learned after being duped several times.

Inside the narrow and disordered shop, a dim light illuminated the workbench, revealing a sturdy female insectoid in a mechanics vest sitting behind it, tinkering with an oddly shaped machine.

"I'll take a rare material storage case, please," Yale said.

Upon hearing Yale's voice, the shopkeeper glanced at him and retrieved a dusty box from under the counter. "Two hundred star coins."

As Yale was about to pay, a curious voice suddenly rang in his ear. "I heard you've taken in a male slave?"

Lili raised an eyebrow, regarding Yale as if he were some exotic creature. "And I also heard that this slave doesn't know his place, ending up in the hospital for surgery."

Yale, who had been fiddling with his light computer, lifted his gaze from beneath his hat and mask, revealing a pair of beautiful dark eyes.

Caught by those eyes, Lili rubbed his nose rather awkwardly. "Why are you looking at me like that? I only heard it from others."

"It just seems strange, not like something you'd do."

Under Yale's unwavering stare, his voice dwindled until he surrendered, pushing the item in his hand across the counter.

"Alright, alright, I won't mention it then. Check if there's anything wrong with this situation."

Aital Star was tiny, and its harsh climate led to a more isolated residential area. News traveled swiftly, but the current scenario seemed off.

"Who's spreading these rumors? Is there any origin to them?"

Yale studied the face of the male insect, pondering for a moment. "You mentioned the hospital... Could it be a worker insect from there who said something?"

Lili glanced at him and smiled awkwardly. "How would I know? It's strange. It wasn't around before, but in just two days, it seems to have spread like wildfire everywhere."

Spread everywhere?

"Did the rumors mention the appearance or name of the male insect I purchased?"

Yale felt somewhat lost, but to be cautious, he asked a few more questions.

"No, the ones I heard were quite vague."

After a moment of hesitation, Lili offered a warning. "However, it feels like the focus of the rumors isn't on that male slave but rather targeting you."

Yale paused, relieved that Xi Ze's information hadn't been exposed, but finding it absurd to think that the message was targeting him.

"I've been here for a year. Wouldn't your kind have dug up my entire background by now? Why would they need to deliberately spread such news?"

Lili coughed softly, mumbling, "That's true, but perhaps they're trying to tarnish your reputation..."

Yale was universally acknowledged as a great insect among them, topping the list of the most desirable male insects for marriage. Many sub-females had their hearts shattered when this news came out.

Yale furrowed his brow.

...

The rickety door swung shut, and a lazy voice of the female drifted through the crack, "See you next time."

Yale pulled down his hat, but it did little to shield him from the biting cold wind that swept across his face. The wind was harsh and dry, carrying tiny ice particles that felt like they could slice through skin.

The weather had been gloomy since early morning, and now, dark clouds were rolling in, suggesting an impending blizzard.

He exhaled a puff of white mist and quickened his pace home, the unease in his chest growing heavier by the moment.

*

In the meantime, in the old district just a few hundred meters away.

"Lieutenant Colonel, this is where that male insectoid resides."

The adjutant whispered, looking at the nearby building as he accessed information on his optical brain. "Here's the male's profile, you've seen it before, I assume."

"There has been a covert military female keeping watch and protecting him from a distance, but it seems they're holding back for some reason. When we intercept them later, we should be able to seize about half an hour for a conversation."

Lymand pressed his hand against the wall, concealing himself in the shadows. He gazed at the seemingly unremarkable apartment building, which, unbeknownst to most, was shrouded in an impenetrable barrier even a starship couldn't breach.

According to the reconnaissance team he had dispatched, the shield had been quietly installed hours after an explosion occurred within the building.

Silent, Lymand's subordinates dared not overstep their bounds, plunging the abandoned structure into eerie stillness.

Though Lymand remained quiet, only he knew the intensity of the pounding in his chest. It wasn't so much worry as a strange, almost homesick, trepidation.

He had seen that male insectoid long ago.

A handsome, injured, and undocumented underage male, who had caused quite a stir even during the height of battle.

The major systems' noble families were all vying for this prized catch like wolves eyeing their prey, extending olive branches in various forms while the male was recuperating.

Lymand's family ranked moderately high among the nobles of the primary system. Coincidentally, during his vacation, his male parent took him to visit this ailing male.

There was also an ulterior motive to have Lymand seduce the male, hoping to secure a position as a male servant.

At that time, he was on the rise in his career and had been exposed to the most news and tactics of males humiliating females.

Fueled by youthful arrogance, his heart was filled with passionate resentment, though he found it hard to defy his family's wishes.

On their way, he even cursed that the male should suddenly fall gravely ill and die. But then, behind the glass of the intensive care unit, he met those intense, vivid eyes.

The underage male sat on the hospital bed, his short raven hair framing a pair of distant, mountain-like eyes that made him appear pale yet unusually serene, his beauty and elegance defying the notion of being naturally born.

The male didn't speak the insectoid language, but in his few words expressing essential needs, he consistently prefaced and concluded with "please," "thank you," and "excuse me."

His innate politeness and caution astonished those around him, eliciting involuntary expressions of joy and delight.

It was... remarkable.

In just a brief exchange, Lymand couldn't help but revise his initial impression.

Even for the first time, he became somewhat reserved, fearing that the bloodthirsty air of the battlefield would offend the majestic insect before him.

He resembles everything - the sun, flowing water, a kitten, a rose, or gentle snowfall - but he is nothing like a male insect.

According to the accolades bestowed upon him by the media, he should be referred to as the "most delicate and exquisite rose in the grip of the Bug God" or the "brilliant nebula igniting across the cosmos."

Yet, Lymand felt that he was more like a silent plant.

Born amidst the untamed wilderness, where gales howl and storms rage, one is shaped into an enigma that neither others nor oneself can fully comprehend.

How peculiar.

During those months on the primary planet, Lymand continuously ingrained this absurd realization into his being.

One day, when the ceaseless stream of noble envoys had finally departed, the hour had crept close to midnight.

Lymand had intentionally waited until now. With a casual thought about his sire's mission, he found no interest in delving into the intricacies. Leaning against the infirmary door, he spoke directly.

"Which family would you like to join?"

The young drone looked puzzled and repeated his question more slowly.

"I don't want to join any of them."

The young drone spoke slowly, pulling back the covers to lie down. His expression was somewhat indistinct under the glow of the starry room lights, but his aura remained tranquil.

Lymand raised an eyebrow, surprised by the response, "That's not possible. Neither the nobility nor the royal family will let someone like you go easily."

Noticing the drone's intention to rest, the room's lighting dimmed further, making the moonlight outside the window appear brighter, gently flowing into the room.

The young drone on the sickbed gazed out the window, lost in thought. After a long while, he whispered, "No, they will."

"I'd rather wander in the farthest reaches of the universe than wither away in a golden cage."

After uttering those cryptic words in a peculiar tone, the young drone closed his eyes, a hint of weariness visible in the soft curve of his eyelashes, "Goodbye, goodnight."

Goodnight.

Lymand spoke softly, gently closing the hospital room door behind him.

Exiting the medical facility, his sire, an alpha female, approached after waiting for a while. She inquired if he had managed to extract any information from the male drone, but he simply shrugged without responding.

"Yir... Er..."

The military alpha seemed lost in thought, though in reality, his mind had drifted back several years. He couldn't help but murmur to himself under his breath.

He had even forgotten the main purpose of his visit, his thoughts entirely consumed by that one male drone.

It wasn't until a familiar figure appeared in his line of sight, as if stepping out from a memory, carrying a sense of déjà vu.

The adjutant kept glancing at him but dared not act without orders.

Lymand abruptly snapped back to reality, lowering his gaze to conceal any unusual expression. "Let's go."

...

"Please, stay a moment, Sir."

Peacekeepers in military attire emerged from the alleyway, surrounding the area with practiced efficiency, their demeanor suggesting imminent danger.

"?!"

Yale took a step back, his expression instantly turning wary.

Having rushed back, he was still slightly out of breath. He pulled down his mask to his chin and scanned the emblems on the chests of the soldiers, then cautiously asked, "May I ask what's going on?"

A clear yet slightly cold voice rang out in front of him, matching the memory Yale had. Lymand paused, stepping out from the shadows.

The tall and straight figure of the soldier halted, gesturing to silence his approaching subordinate before turning around, his voice soft and low, "Long time no see, sir."

Long time no see?

Yale was momentarily taken aback. He gave a closer look at the lead soldier.

The soldier had a stern outline, a dark and brooding beauty, with striking, uniquely lake-green eyes.

The scent of gunpowder and blood clung to him almost palpably; when he lifted his gaze directly, he resembled a battle-hardened alpha wolf.

Yale's first reaction was that he didn't know this insectoid.

But his second thought was of Xi Ze.

If he hadn't left the battlefield and had instead been worn down by circumstances, he would probably have been dressed in meticulously tailored military attire, with a stern and dignified demeanor.

Only, the insectoid before him was a wolf, while Xi Ze should have been a snow leopard with radiant golden eyes and fluffy white fur.

This association slightly softened Yale's gaze, only for it to darken the next second. His tone was cold and cautious.

"You must have mistaken me. I don't know you."

Lymand's eyes darkened slightly as he gave Yale a deep, intent look.

"Good day, I am Colonel Lymand, the commanding officer responsible for maintaining peace and security in this sector of the galaxy. I apologize for the sudden visit, but it concerns military secrecy, and the situation is urgent."

"If it's convenient, could we speak in private?"

The adjutant was first stunned by the gentle tone of his superior officer, then gradually widened his eyes as he heard what followed.

Military secret? What military secret?

Didn't they say they were going to use a fortune in star coins to buy back that slave? Why the sudden change of plans?

However, no matter how shocked he was, he could only remain silent and obey without question in front of his superior.

Upon hearing the words "military secret," Yale subconsciously furrowed his brow. Before his transmigration, he had been involved in national secret research projects, making him quite sensitive to such matters.

Sensitive, but not blindly fearful or reverent. The current situation was highly unusual, and he couldn't simply accept everything the military omega in front of him said.

Moreover, after all he had been through, he knew that there was far more to this than met the eye.

Feeling somewhat at a loss, Yale recalled Xi Ze's earnest instructions, his tone concerned yet firm—

"If you encounter any situation you can't handle, immediately call the alpha and run back home."

"Run back home, and don't worry about anything else, do you understand?"

"Apologies, but it's not very convenient right now," Yale said slowly, subtly shifting his hand with the neural interface device behind his back.

"If this concerns military secrets, why did a colonel like you lead your troops to block my entrance without proper authorization? This doesn't seem secretive or official at all."

"There are numerous surveillance systems here, and though the security system is outdated, it still functions... Regardless of whether you're discussing military matters or have other intentions, this isn't an appropriate location."

Yale spoke softly, simultaneously speculating about their motives.

He had lived here for a year without encountering such a situation before. The only variable was Xi Ze.

At the thought of this possibility, Yale's expression gradually turned cold. "If you're here for my omega, then please leave."

"He is my omega, and there's no room for interference from another alpha. It's stipulated by Imperial law, and I assume Colonel you are well aware. Moreover, I have no intention of transferring or selling him."

Yale's words left them with no alternatives. The adjutant, sensing something amiss, mustered the courage to step forward.

"Sire, we are willing to pay ten million star coins to buy back that omega slave. Furthermore, if you so desire, you can choose any omega from the exchange. Would that be acceptable?"

Yale barely bothered to respond, lifting an eyebrow. "I decline."

The aide was utterly dumbfounded, clearly unprepared for Yale's straightforward and resolute attitude. All the diplomatic tactics he had used when dealing with noble male drones in the past were now useless.

"Lymand," came the unexpected voice, instantly drawing all attention to Yale's right hand.

Yale's eyelashes fluttered as he brought his right hand from behind his back. The wristcom on his arm emitted a faint blue light – it should have been red if an alarm was sounding.

Before the aide could get a clear look, an instinctive warning of danger blared within his body, causing his pupils to constrict instantaneously -

An immensely sharp and vast mental energy arrived first, shattering the fragile barrier like a force of nature, stirring Yale's mental sea into chaos.

"Ugh...!"

Caught off guard by this mental assault, even a well-trained military female quivered violently, but managed to remain steadfast in her duties.

Some with lesser endurance had already drenched their backs in sweat within that fleeting moment.

The adjutant's head throbbed with pain, yet his expression was filled with utter shock.

According to the records, the male before him was a Class D, which shouldn't exert much mental pressure on a female.

Not to mention, they were both A+ top military females who had undergone mental resilience training.

So what was happening now? !

In a state of confusion, the adjutant felt as if his brain was being violently churned by a sharp blade. The excruciating pain forced a low growl from his lips, "Stop... Sir... Stop, your hand!"

Yale's clear eyes remained indifferent, showing no intention of easing the mental pressure. Instead, he raised his hand and pointed effortlessly forward—

A terrifying mental force condensed into an incredibly sharp blade, wielding a near-horrifying intimidation and offensive power as it sped towards the coldly stern Lymand.

Upon impact with a thick barrier, the two forces instantly locked in a stalemate.

Yale struck his target but didn't have time to assess the outcome. He broke through the encirclement, bolting wildly towards home.

However, his speed was still no match for that of a military female with bone wings.

Lymand deftly evaded the mental assault, ignoring the fracturing mental landscape as he spread his wings and descended directly in front of Yale –

"Oof!"

Then, he grabbed the back of the male insectoid's collar, pulling Yale off balance and sending him tumbling onto the snowy ground.

"Cough, cough... Cough..."

Yale's mouth was filled with snow, the biting cold jolting him awake. He quickly stood up after the fall.

The military females had reformed their circle around them, this time much tighter, almost resembling a hostage situation with guns pressed against his lower back.

The mental pressure remained, and Lymand closed his eyes before lowering his hand from his temple.

His military cap was slightly askew, allowing a few strands of jet-black hair to drape across his forehead, accentuating the darkness in his gaze.

"I must ask, what kind of terms would persuade you to release that slave to us?"

The air outside was bitterly cold, and the thin sheen of sweat that had formed on Yale's back from his hurried journey now stuck to him, sending shivers down his spine with each gust of wind.

...It seemed he wouldn't make it home in time.

Gasping for breath, Yale thought of the few steps that separated him from his front door, and the female insect waiting inside, who would likely ignore him altogether.

In a fleeting moment, Lymand had coerced himself into tolerating the immense mental pressure, advancing steadily towards the male insect before him.

"What are you doing?"

Yale took a cautious step back, his gaze locking onto the military omega towering before him. His tone was icy and firm. "Say what you need to, but don't come any closer."

Lymand, suppressing a wave of intense pain, lowered his head and met the male's strikingly contrasted black and white eyes, now slightly widened in alertness.

His Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed, but the collar concealed any sign of unease.

"It's not a lie that it's a military secret," Lymand whispered, revealing a revelation that was nothing short of explosive.

"The current Supreme Commander of the First Legion is interested in this male omega."

Yale was taken aback, and a name suddenly popped into his mind.

The current Military's Supreme Commander, Anton Edkara?

Interested in Xi Ze? What did that mean?

His thoughts were abruptly disrupted, invalidating his previous speculations. Uncommonly, he frowned in confusion.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

But the military omega remained silent, gesturing towards the coffee shop that had been commandeered nearby.

"Can we have a proper discussion now?"

*

The moment Yale was stopped, Xi Ze received the news, with real-time transmission generating frame by frame and broadcasting the scene onto his optical brain.

He adjusted the delicate earpiece in his ear, and the voice of the captain who was secretly following and protecting the male insectoid came through: "The target is currently not in immediate life-threatening danger. Do you require an immediate rescue operation?"

By now, the image on the optical computer had synchronized and loaded.

A military officer, positioned at the center of the screen, happened to tilt his head slightly, revealing a straight nose and sharp jawline beneath the brim of his cap.

Xi Ze's gaze instantly froze, his previously calm expression now cloaked in a layer of icy frost, akin to a wild beast entering hunting mode.

Sharp killing intent pierced the warm, bright room, revealing a terrifying and rugged scene steeped in gunpowder smoke and the stench of blood.

He had thought he could forget.

Yet, the moment that face reappeared before his eyes, the familiar sensation of suffocation instantly flooded his nostrils, and the searing pain that ripped through his organs resurfaced in his chest and abdomen... identical to the memory.

The military omega, with his steel bones and unyielding spirit, had never feared blood or death; he even viewed them as the final destination of life.

But while smoke and blades tempered his will, those utterly nauseating tormenting tactics and endless humiliation could shatter dignity, trampling it into the mud.

Physical pain was secondary; the most unbearable was the mental torment.

The journey from the central planet to the frontier was excruciatingly long. To prevent the females from dehydration or starvation, a small hole was left in the cramped confinement box for ventilation and the feeding of water and food.

To survive, one had to abandon all dignity, using their mouth to catch the pouring, putrid liquid and meager rations that barely staved off numbness and unconsciousness from hunger.

Once they ate, they needed to defecate, but the box would never be opened. Even with immense effort to hold it in until muscles spasmed in agony, they would eventually succumb to asphyxiation, forced to submit to their bodily functions.

Endless darkness, dehydration, hunger, suffocation, humiliation...

Each was a silent blade slicing through reason and nerves, a torment that could render even battle-hardened military females delirious without shedding a drop of blood.

Xi Ze's Adam's apple rolled, and a rich, metallic scent of blood rose within him.

Yet, he forcefully suppressed his murderous intent, his tone icy cold. "Approach cautiously. The top priority is to ensure the male's safety. If the opportunity arises, use high-lethality weapons."

Many military females were assigned to protect, but due to Yale's acute senses, none could get too close. Yet, someone had found an opening.

He knew what Lymand was about to say—trying to target the male to expose his identity, then sow discord between him and the male... A foolish and malicious ploy.

"Ten minutes."

With a detached expression, Xi Ze fixated his gaze on Yale's face on the screen. "Bring the male drone back. Eradicate the rest."