Chapter 65

Chapter 65

"Scram."

Cano's tone was cold and impatient, not even bothering to raise an eyebrow as he spoke to the attendant guarding the entrance.

It wasn't time for the event yet, but no insect dared to demand this chaotic devil to abide by rules.

The attendant hastily opened the door, bowing repeatedly. "P-PLEASE, come in."

The male insect behind him and another insect beside him exchanged a look, deliberately teasing, "What's wrong? So much anger today?"

Silently, Cano stepped into the vast palace, ignoring the opulence and abundance of fine wine and delicacies. He moved to a sofa behind a screen and sat down.

His early arrival clearly violated the rules, but as an A-class male insect, his status was even higher than that of a prince. These indulgent actions were already ignored by others.

But tonight's gathering was different—

This was a ball specifically held for the legendary S-class male insect. It allowed little room for an A-class insect to behave recklessly. A mere letter authenticated by a machine had thoroughly reversed the hierarchy of respect.

For the first time, an attendant adorned with royal insignia approached, his expression apologetic.

"Your Highness, I'm afraid it's not yet the designated entrance time..."

Cano stared expressionlessly at the glass in front of him, his gaze turning fierce for a moment. But before he could kick over the small coffee table, the melodious strains of a piano signaled the beginning of the ball.

"Excuse me."

The attendant bowed slightly and stepped back. "May Your Highness enjoy a delightful evening."

"Blind fool, get lost."

Only then did the noble male insects gather around Cano. The one who had initiated the conversation earlier waved his hand, dismissing the attendant.

Cano, who had been silent until now, sneered and looked at the male insect who had spoken.

"You were only a few seconds too late. That attendant would have ended up severely punished, or worse. Vito, why were you so eager to intervene?"

The noble male insect named Vito shrugged. "Why keep garbage in sight when it's just annoying? You were on the verge of losing your temper with that lowly female. I couldn't risk letting him stay any longer."

Cano's gaze was cold as he appraised the young male insectoid from head to toe, his tone inscrutable.

"I recall you have a servant drone in the palace, right? I've heard he's quite favored. So, have you grown fond of the nest and its inhabitants?"

"Ugh, that's such an unpleasant way to put it..."

Vito clicked his mandibles nonchalantly, casting a sidelong glance at the nobles who were watching the scene unfold with amusement. "Is it really so entertaining to watch me squirm? Anyone care to step up and change the subject?"

The male insectoid sitting on the other side of the sofa snorted derisively, ignoring the young upstart noble but addressing Cano nonetheless.

"Don't be upset. I looked into that rumored S-class male; before his secondary differentiation, he was only a D. How could one differentiation leap four ranks? At least spread decent rumors. Even if he is an S-class, he'd still cower like a D in front of you."

From the beginning, the whole situation had seemed implausible, and Cano hadn't wanted to believe it.

So what if he had once played a dirty trick on a male named Yale? Every male in the empire followed him, allowing him to do as he pleased.

But the return of that female had driven him to distraction. His covert connections were being dismantled at an alarming rate, robbing him of any peace.

"S-Class, they say he's even the male sovereign to Admiral Monte... How laughable. I never thought he'd stoop to such underhanded tactics to gain leverage and court the nobility."

A faint glint flickered in Kanuo's eyes, like a lurking king cobra awaiting the moment its prey revealed its vulnerability.

"You're right. Even an S would shrink before me like a D. If they don't yield, I'll torment them until they do."

Vito continued to smile with narrowed eyes, but he couldn't help glancing at the spiral staircase on the second floor, as if he could see through the door behind the platform to the legendary S-ranked individual.

He hoped they wouldn't get another foolish and toxic little tyrant. He was already stretched thin dealing with them.

...

At another entrance, there was a dedicated entryway for the military's female insects.

The current Imperial Marshal stood at the forefront, followed by Xi Ze, whose back was straight as a rod, then the four Army Marshals, and after them, some highly capable and well-connected core members.

The Marshal was already very old, his life's achievements illustrious and his prestige high, earning the respect of countless military females. He was also the mentor who had nurtured both Xi Ze and Antonio.

The white-haired old Marshal turned to Xi Ze's chiseled profile and suddenly spoke with a wistful expression.

"At that time, we all thought you had made a mistake, lost in the very beast tide you were best at slaying. I searched the battlefield in my armor for a day and a night but still couldn't find your remains..."

The sudden voice drew the attention of the other bugs, their expressions varied but all held back from making any noise.

Xi Ze wore a detached look, lowering his gaze as if he hadn't heard anything. He adjusted his communicator in his pocket to vibrate mode, contemplating finding a place without bugs to contact his Alpha later.

Yale had set a very cute ringtone for their communicators, but in important situations like this, they had to be cautious, and avoiding suspicion added to the regret he felt.

"Bang!"

Anto violently knocked over a vase beside him, his face dark as he bellowed.

"Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what the teacher said?! You at least had some manners before. Is it because after dying once, your true nature is finally showing?"

After their hasty meeting and parting, Yale should be entering soon based on the time.

Coincidentally, the communicator vibrated, a thumbnail-sized screen lighting up with a pixelated, plump heart.

Xi Ze rubbed the little heart affectionately before putting the device back into his pocket. He didn't even raise an eyebrow at Anto's outburst.

"Instead of worrying about my manners, Fifth Legion Commander, you might want to think about how to protect the stolen money hidden on Kaya-13."

Upon hearing the name Kaya, Anto's expression subtly changed. His shock at that mention was so great that he barely reacted to the subsequent derogatory term.

Anto's harebrained scheme from years ago, attempting to split the Fifth Legion and seize power for himself, had long become a legendary anecdote within the military.

"The Commander of the Fifth Legion" had become synonymous with foolishness, though not many females dared to say it aloud after Anto's rise to power. It had turned into an unspoken hint between them.

One of the females couldn't help but chuckle, quickly stifling it.

Xi Ze finally lifted his eyes to look at the elderly male before him, his tone indifferent. "There have been quite a few blunders in your teaching career, but I don't think I should be counted among them. I thought you would understand that I only took the position of Honorary Marshal out of respect, not because of some sense of duty."

"There has never been such a thing as an 'Honorary' Marshal in the Empire, but it is still a Marshal's position, with all the corresponding powers. For instance, the power to veto promotions, or—"

Impeaching those who betray the sovereign and the empire, and having the authority to execute them if necessary.

Xi Ze left his words hanging, but every military female present understood the unspoken implications. They looked at him in shock.

In that moment, they all recalled the suffocating feeling of having their lifeblood held in check. They fell silent, almost as if frozen by fear.

"So... You're determined to carry out sweeping reforms, then?"

The old marshal stared at him as if he no longer recognized this once-reliable student, his voice laced with frustration.

"The empire's roots run deep. A single move can affect the entire system. You're being too hasty..."

Xi Ze finally met his gaze, his eyes sharp as blades, devoid of the unconditional obedience and gratitude he once held.

"Years of gradual progress haven't yielded any significant results from the marshal. Hesitant and fearful, one would think the person sitting in that position is not a decisive commander but a praying monk seeking divine guidance."

His expression remained calm, yet his words were laced with sarcasm.

The waiting room fell silent. Even the usually arrogant Antoine remained quiet, his expression fluctuating. He neither lent support to his so-called mentor nor found the leisure to refute Xi Ze's words.

Well said! Magnificent! They deserve it!

Applause should have erupted here—Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!!

Rachel coughed softly, adjusting his collar while appearing indifferent on the surface. In reality, he was secretly thrilled.

Melodic music serenely intervened, alleviating the stifling silence, and he gracefully smoothed over the awkwardness.

"Ah, let's all communicate calmly, shall we? Disagreements and disputes are natural, but on the battlefield, we're comrades who trust each other with our backs. Let's keep a level head, yes? A calm and composed mindset..."

As Rachel uttered these diplomatic words, the thought of 'monk' flashed in his mind, nearly causing him to burst into laughter. He hastily coughed, concealing the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Damn, that insult wasn't satisfying enough!

They were all students he had personally taught. Why should the excellent and well-behaved one continually yield and clean up after the arrogant and incompetent one? It was utterly biased!

With sacrifices made and returns ensued, coupled with the recent attempts to suppress and undermine Anton, it was almost as if they were on the verge of an open confrontation. Any observant creature could tell that there was something amiss about the Lemir Battle.

Here was this individual, still indulging in nostalgia, attempting to maintain the demeanor of a respected mentor after setting off a mine. Did he truly believe that Selzer was the same pushover who would endlessly tolerate and yield out of gratitude for past teachings?

"Let's go, let's go. Today is Supreme S-Rank Male Drone's grand event. It doesn't matter who wins or loses in this dispute; the true focus lies upon that legendary Sovereign!"

Xi Ze cast a glance at Rachel and was about to step forward into the arena when a commotion of astonished gasps echoed from the hall outside.

In the next instant, a near-horrendous scream echoed.

Realizing something, his pupils constricted, and he dashed out abruptly.

...

Let's rewind five minutes earlier.

"The Emperor is almost here. It's about time to enter. You should prepare yourself."

Adelaide glanced at the situation in the hall.

Many nobles had already started entering, conversing in small groups. The entire hall resonated with elegant music, exuding grandeur and tranquility.

Yale had just secretly sent a message to his mate, and the joy on his face was impossible to conceal. He coughed softly, adjusting his expression.

"Alright."

In the main hall on the first floor, virtually all the influential nobles had assembled. Their conversations predominantly revolved around the true and false rumors about the S-class male insects.

"He looks decent, but he was only a D during his first transformation. How did he become an S during his second? And there are inexplicable connections between him and Marshal Monte, who recently returned. One can't help but speculate."

"The Duke's Mansion seems to have been precisely targeted recently, causing quite a headache for Duke Lance, don't you think? Whoever did it must be ruthless indeed..."

"There hasn't been much activity from the royal family lately, apart from Prince Second and Prince Kanuo's marriage, followed by their rather scandalous hospital visit soon after... It remains to be seen if they'll attend this ball."

Vito listened attentively to the whispers of the surrounding nobles but quickly lost interest. He turned his attention to Kanuo, who was surrounded by a crowd.

Putting that aside, the insectoid race, at its core, greatly admired strength. In any social circle, they would only recognize the strongest as their leader.

Although Kanuo was somewhat spoilt, he was still the only male insectoid far above the A-level, surpassing it by over ten times. Be it in mental power, bloodline purity, or genetic constitution, he was leagues ahead of an ordinary A-level male insectoid.

At that moment, a male insectoid from an established noble family was attempting to comfort Kanuo.

"Rumors can spread wildly, but mental pressure cannot be faked. Perhaps when His Highness releases his pressure, that male insectoid will simply collapse!"

"Well said! You can't tell a horse from a donkey without putting them to the test!"

These subtly mocking words drew laughter, easing Kanuo's expression. He drained his glass of wine nonchalantly, saying, "Just wait, he'll be down here soon enough."

Creak—

The heavy doors slid open, revealing a vague figure within.

An icy breeze instantly swept through the grand hall, stirring a subconscious roar of tidal waves deep in their minds, leaving every insect momentarily stunned.

As that aura brushed past, their souls seemed to plunge into an abyssal ocean, unable to grasp the vast and immense boundaries or depth of this sea.

With each rhythmic tap of footsteps descending the stairs, the hall grew so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

The footsteps paused momentarily at the corner, instinctively tensing the hearts of countless waiting insects.

And in the next second, they laid eyes on the source of it all...

In an instant, all conversation and movement ceased among the insects. Only the sounds of gasps could be heard, as they struggled to suppress their astonishment, while growing disbelief and awe began to surface.

"…Is this His Excellency?"

A nearby insect murmured, subconsciously questioning the judgment of the insect beside them.

"This is what you meant by 'reasonably good-looking'?"

No insect replied to his question, for they all seemed to be in a strange trance, their eyes fixed, hearts gripped by an unseen force, yet unable to muster the will to resist.

The male insect stood atop the dais, casting a glance downward.

Like a deity who ruled the heavens and the abyss, he peered down through the void with a cold, indifferent gaze that held an almost hypnotic, intimidating power.

Thud!

Some weaker insects had already been forced to half-kneel, clutching their chests in a cold sweat. However, a few higher-ranking insects were roused from their stupor by this sound.

Cano's pupils constricted as he met the gaze of the noble male before him, both seeing the uncertainty in each other's eyes.

The effect was excellent; this mental pressure was truly useful, Yale thought to himself. He diverted a fraction of his attention to maintain the angle taught by the etiquette instructor, briefly scanning the motionless crowd before fixing his gaze on his target.

Unbeknownst to him, the insects that had been under his scrutiny held their breaths. Only when they sensed the male's attention shift did they release their pent-up air with a sense of inexplicable relief.

The rigid assembly thawed under his glance, and after a struggle, they began to murmur softly among themselves, gradually filling the hall with low conversation.

"Such a formidable aura... I'm starting to believe he's indeed an S-Rank Sovereign..."

"Oh, His Majesty has descended... He's coming this way!"

Observing the male insect descending from the second floor, not taking his seat on the elevated throne prepared for him, but instead heading purposefully into the main hall on the first level, the throng of insects murmured softly, parting to create a passage for him.

Yale's gaze was intense, piercing through the unfamiliar and dense swarm of insects to lock onto his target, never wavering for a moment. As he passed by a server carrying a tray of wine, he deftly grabbed a bottle by its neck without breaking his focus.

"Your Highness, Your Excellency...?"

The sensation in his palm was chilly, with a few droplets of moisture, but the frosted texture near the bottleneck ensured a secure and comfortable grip.

It didn't quite match the posture taught by etiquette instructors, Yale mused casually, rotating the bottle for an even better hold.

"The first to arrive, huh? No matter their rank, these insects know they must curry favor with His Highness to survive among the nobility."

The assembled male insects around Kanor chuckled softly, suppressing their astonished disbelief that they deemed humiliating, and feigned arrogance, going overboard to the point of appearing exaggerated.

"So what if he has a strong mental power? He's clearly an uncultivated creature from some remote galaxy, not even knowing the basic etiquette of holding a glass... How vulgar!"

Watching the male insect approach step by step, Jarno, who was locked in the gaze, felt far from at ease, unlike the others.

Though the male had ceased to exert mental pressure, Jarno...

Still felt bound and trapped, his blood flow slowing down, gradually freezing him inside out.

"Damn it...!"

Jarno wasn't one to be bullied easily; his blood boiled with defiance, distorting his expression slightly.

His scorching mental energy, hot enough to sear everything around him, swirled around his body. Under the horrified gazes of surrounding insects, it transformed into sharp, buzzing needles, all aimed at the approaching male.

The instant their eyes met, Jarno shuddered.

His keen intuition screamed danger, urging Jarno to instantly push his mental power to its peak.

The heat was so intense that it seemed to warp the space, forcing the surrounding insects to retreat several steps back.

A vast expanse opened up around Kanuo, making Yale's presence even more conspicuous.

"Wait, it's not appropriate to do this here... Kanuo?!"

The noble male insect who had just comforted Kanuo furrowed his brow deeply. Although he was also arrogant and domineering, he knew how to read the situation. Moreover, this particular male insect seemed extraordinary.

Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!!

Searing through the air with a piercing whistle, the mental energy needles lunged towards the opposing male insect. A hit could result in minor damage to one's mental landscape or, in severe cases, immediate unconsciousness or death.

The chaotic swarm erupted into an uproar.

Damn it, damn it, damn it...

This male insect must die! Kill him, kill him, kill him!

Kanuo's pupils constricted to their limits, completely deaf to the sounds around him.

Overwhelmed by immense terror and an ominous premonition, he became frenzied, as if blinded by something. His sole obsession was to slay this male insect before him.

Countless attacks whistled towards him, and Yale's eyelashes lifted slightly.

In that instant, the air in front of him abruptly solidified, soon followed by a series of faint cracking sounds.

As if they had been pushed to their limits, those invisible needles shattered!

Undeterred, he continued walking and soon stood before Cano, stopping just one meter away.

Their eyes met, both recognizing familiarity in each other's gaze.

"Cano?"

Yale suddenly smiled, his brows and eyes curving as he called out the male insectoid's name.

It was like a brilliant ray of light after a harsh winter frost, stealing the brilliance from everything around them.

Cano's pupils constricted, his mind momentarily losing control.

As his consciousness grew hazy, his subconscious sounded alarms wildly.

Realizing that he had actually lost focus during combat, he abruptly perceived the peculiarity of the male insectoid before him.

Hallucinogenic psionic power? No, wait – could it be a mind control ability...?!

"Bang——!!!"

This thought barely formed in his mind when it was violently interrupted by an explosive crash!

The impact of bone against the thick wine bottle produced a faint shattering sound almost simultaneously.

Before he could comprehend what was happening, unbearable agony swept through his entire body, forcing a piercing howl to erupt from his throat in a frenzy.

"Aaaahhhhhhh——!!!"

Yale recalled hearing somewhere that striking someone's head with a hard object would initially cause intense pain and dizziness but wouldn't render the target incapacitated.

The second strike should then focus on digging into the wound inflicted by the first blow.

There, the flesh and blood would begin to rupture and rot, spattering a small amount of fresh blood. One could even hear the cracking sound of the skull.

At that point, the target would emerge from their initial brain numbness and start to struggle violently. Remember to restrain their flailing limbs, perhaps by choking their throat to stifle their cries.

The third time would be identical to the second, with a notable abundance of blood splattering out - still warm. It was advisable to wear a raincoat beforehand to avoid the blood, but one must not loosen their grip.

So it really was like this... Ah, the smell of blood is so strong.

Yale lowered his eyes indifferently, diverting a fraction of his attention to wipe the blood from his cheek.

He didn't dodge, allowing the fresh blood to splatter all over his face and even onto his eyelashes, trickling into his eyes and tinting his vision a pale red.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!! It hurts... It hurts so much! Haa, haaah!"

"Help, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

The male insect before him screamed like a slaughtered pig, causing Yale's ears to ache. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.

His stiff fingers, strained from the force, twitched, causing the half-empty bottle to clatter to the ground. The blood clinging to it splattered on the floor with a plop.

"What are you doing?! Stop it—guards! Guards!"

"Aaaah, help! There's an insecticide emergency!"

"Stop pushing! Stop pushing! Who can go and reason with His Excellency?!"

The entire hall had descended into utter chaos, filled with screams and shoving, to the point where Jarno's voice was barely audible anymore.

The military females who rushed forward were repelled by the mental energy, clearing a large space in an instant.

With his head resembling a smashed watermelon, Jarno writhed in agony, crawling away from Yale using both his limbs, trying to distance himself.

Yet, the male insect noticed him. Tilting his head, the male seemed genuinely puzzled, as if genuinely curious.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Help, ahhhh... Despicable insect! De... Aaaah, it hurts so much!"

Xi Ze would likely discover the situation soon. Time was of the essence.

Yale stepped forward and firmly grasped Kanuo's hair, lifting him up with force.

...So heavy, he can't pull him anymore.

He grumbled in exhaustion and had to settle for an acceptable pose, tilting his head to glance at the utterly stunned media insects beside him.

"Why aren't you filming? Go on, shoot!"

He met the gaze of the dark lenses of the cameras and urged them with a smile.

Author's Note:

So brutal, but it feels great =v=

When ML and MC protect each other, that's the ultimate awesomeness!

Insectoids inherently admire strength; Yeye actually delighted them with his display (>.<). To quote a darling from the comment section, this world is a massive admiration fest for Ace...