Chapter 71

Chapter 71

"Supreme Ruler."

Xi Ze gently embraced Yale's shoulder, mindful that they were in public, then restrainedly pulled him into the hovering vehicle.

"How was the mental guidance session? Were you tired?"

Yale briefly described the situation. Recalling Vito's words, he sensed the abundant mental energy within the landscape of his mind – it was still incredibly full.

The mental guidance he had just performed was like diverting a tiny stream to a barren land. He, himself, was an endless ocean and wouldn't feel any depletion from this.

Given the unclear circumstances, it would be best not to tell the female insect and worry him.

Yale stopped himself there, instead smiling warmly. "After this, even if it's solely for the sake of profit, many nobles will likely waver in their stance."

S-class male insects were akin to national treasures, attracting countless insects with their allure. However, before verifying the authenticity of this title, many overly cautious nobles dared not approach.

But now, after Yale had once again displayed his absolute strength, those who continued to hesitate and kept their distance could only become the ones who missed their opportunity.

Xi Ze watched him with unwavering focus, the corners of his eyes curling gently into a smile. Only after Yale finished did he reach out to touch the tip of his finger, marveling, "Truly remarkable."

"Even an Alpha male can only attend to five high-ranking females at most in a day. The fifty per month quota set by the Male Guard Association is hardly achievable for most males."

Yet, Yale had completed a task that an Alpha couldn't accomplish in a month within just half an hour. It was… rather excessively astonishing.

Staring deeply into the male before him, Xi Ze leaned down and kissed him once he caught Yale's gaze. He then observed the slow flush creeping up the fair earlobe.

"You've worked hard. I'll ask the nutritionist to prepare an energy serum later to help you recover your mental strength."

Yale coughed softly, suddenly recalling the communication he had received before the female left. Curiously, he asked, and was instantly stunned by the reply.

"An assassination attempt? And it was the Second Prince who did it?"

The female had clearly mentioned that Felix was the most favored prince. If he possessed any real talent, he would have been the one sitting on the throne, considering the unprecedented favoritism he received.

"It must be because he has been pressuring the Duke's Mansion too much recently, making even that idiot panic."

Recalling the idiot's forced composure, Xi Ze scoffed.

"What I didn't expect was that he could be so mindless as to not inform any of the drones and secretly hire assassins to attempt the Emperor's life."

Anto, who had been barely holding on, might truly not last much longer this time.

The dynamics of covert strife and winning the Emperor's support were two different scenarios. He might even gain the backing of those obstinate royalists, and most importantly—

"What is this?"

Yale touched the open palm of the male drone out of curiosity, where a smooth, polished token lay, its intricate patterns barely discernible.

"In simple terms, possessing this item grants me the authority to execute traitors without prior approval."

Kill first, then present evidence to expose their treason.

"This token has been passed down through almost a hundred generations of monarchs since its creation, but it has only been used twice. And this will be the third time."

Xi Ze picked up the token, pressed a spot, and soon a crack opened, sliding apart to reveal a vivid crimson "kill" inscribed within.

He had no interest in machinations and was more concerned about delays potentially causing complications. Having stumbled upon the token today, the situation had suddenly become much simpler.

Yale met his gaze, and from those golden eyes, he sensed a burning intensity, like a flame that had been smoldering in the depths of an eternal night, finally finding its chance to ignite, consuming everything in its path.

Understanding that there were certain tasks that only an omega must undertake personally, such as cleansing the Duke's Mansion with blood or personally slaying the source of past suffering, slice by relentless slice.

"Be careful in everything you do," Yale said softly, implying that he didn't want Xi Ze returning with more wounds, for it would break his heart.

"Okay," Xi Ze replied in a low voice, reaching out to cover the back of the alpha's hand, gently interlacing their fingers.

"And you too, remember to be cautious. If anything happens, tell me."

Silence fell within the vehicle for a moment.

"The military preparations are almost complete. What's your plan for the Duke's Mansion? Are you going to gather evidence and use the constitution to sentence them?"

Having spent so long on the main planet, Yale, through the omega's explanations and his own observations, felt that the law here had become meaningless, overshadowed by both power and wealth.

"And Kano is an A-class male, with special immunity. This method should be nothing more than a scratch to him, unless..."

He didn't elaborate on the 'unless', but Xi Ze understood the implications, comforting the male with a gentle squeeze of his hand. "That's true, but it doesn't matter."

Xi Ze narrowed his eyes slightly, making sure the male didn't catch the fleeting darkness that crossed his face.

"The Duke's Mansion once served as a title for a male, not the current Duke Lance."

"That male was once confined for three hours for harming a female and their young. He died during those very three hours."

Yale's eyes widened slightly in realization. "It was you?"

Silent, Xi Ze came back to his senses, realizing what he had revealed. His pupils constricted, fearing that the male might now harbor resentment because of this.

"...I would never do that to you, never."

Xi Ze held his hand, leaning down to gently kiss the back of the fair hand with almost cautious tenderness.

His expression clearly conveyed frustration, likely regretting his momentary lapse, which had exposed a frightening side of himself to the male.

Xi Ze pursed his lips, striving to appear sincere, but still betrayed a hint of helplessness. He could only clumsily repeat, "Lord, please trust me?"

The male before him was clearly more formidable than he had imagined, and extremely ruthless – not some pitiable creature in need of sympathy.

The one who should feel fear and regret… was the worm standing opposite him at this moment.

Yale sighed and withdrew his hand. With a slightly alarmed look in the male's eyes, he reached out to stroke his hair, as if it were a practiced gesture of reassurance.

"I know you won't."

He continued, aware that he didn't have a role in the male's assassination plan.

"Anyway, as long as you can manage it, I guess you won't involve me in such bloody matters. I'll just be a powerful magnet to attract noble support. You can arrange the rest as you wish."

Noble males needed a strong leader, and the Empire needed such a figure to rally its forces. Once he became that undeniable strongest, no one would really care if Kanuo died.

The Hive Council and the emerging nobles led by Vito had already extended their olive branches to him.

Everything was progressing as planned, needing only more time and a small opportunity.

Yale gazed out the car window, momentarily lost in thought amidst the passing scenery.

"…Hope that everything proceeds smoothly."

*

It was uncertain if it was the aftermath of the psychological counseling, but Yale found himself somewhat restless after returning. It wasn't a lethargic sort of exhaustion, but rather, he would spacing out from time to time.

Today, aside from the mental guidance, nothing else of note occurred; however, the mental energy within the mental landscape indeed showed no issues.

He could only attribute it to the first-time use of his mental powers, which his body wasn't quite accustomed to. That night, he held the male insect close and went to bed early.

Dusky stars hung in the inky night sky, soon veiled by looming clouds, casting an inexplicable tinge of blood upon the moonlight, silently enveloping all in silence.

Yale did not sleep soundly.

He could sense his consciousness drifting in a hazy state, swept along with the tumultuous landscape of his mind, pulled into fragmentary memories one after another.

"..."

"—Baby!"

A gentle voice called out to him, and he snapped his eyes open, staring blankly at the narrow, swaying world before him.

"Come here, my good child, take your time..."

Not far away, a woman with a kind demeanor was crouched down, her eyes smiling as she clapped her hands to draw his attention.

Mother.

This word suddenly emerged in his mind, infusing him with a sudden surge of energy.

His unsteady legs, which had been struggling to stand, took a step, then another, and stumbled forward into that warm embrace.

"My baby can walk! So good, so brave! Mommy will make something delicious for you..."

Surprised and delighted tones rang in his ears. He felt himself lifted securely, nestling against that slender shoulder, an unprecedented sense of security enveloping him.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting an unknown shadow on the colorful cushions, shimmering with the gentle sway of the breeze.

It was like a scene from a fairy tale.

Ringing... Ringing... Ringing...

"Oh my god, it's finally winter break! Freedom, yayyyyy!"

"My mom booked me a ticket for this afternoon, I'm off, bye!"

The moment the bell rang, the teacher sensed the excitement of the holiday and chuckled, dismissing the class punctually.

It was as if a dam had burst open; the classroom instantly erupted in chatter as students began packing their winter assignments into backpacks and rushing towards the exit.

Yale, having finished organizing his homework, attempted to zip up his already worn-out bag only to find it had ripped open once more. He let out a sigh.

After dawdling for a while, the classroom was mostly empty, with the class monitor already waiting to lock up.

Reluctantly, Yale pulled out a few books and, holding his bag in his arms, made his way out.

Exiting the classroom, he was hit by a barrage of cold wind that pierced through his faded and thin school jacket, seemingly threatening to strip flesh from his slender frame.

"This winter seems colder than previous years. I wonder if there are still any warm clothes left in the orphanage..."

He tensed his body, grabbed his backpack, and dashed down, hoping to fend off the biting cold with physical exertion.

"Wait... The one ahead... Stop! Ouch!"

Amidst the howling wind, intermittent cries for help could be discerned. Yale reacted a beat later, realizing that the voice seemed to be calling him.

He stopped and turned around, watching a plump elderly man panting as he ran over. "Young student, wait a moment..."

"The principal?"

Yale looked at him in surprise. "What's the matter?"

"The orphanage called me. They said there are a few more abandoned children this year, so they no longer have a room for you. Supplies are also scarce. They're asking you to find a solution outside, perhaps by finding a part-time job."

Yale was taken aback but not overly surprised. He bowed in gratitude.

"I understand. Thank you for informing me. It's cold out here, please don't stay outdoors for too long."

The principal, however, didn't leave immediately. Noticing the gentle and polite smile on Yale's face, as well as his thin clothing, he suddenly said,

"Student, would you like to come over for dinner at my place tonight?"

"It's not far, just next to the school. Come rest for a while and plan for tomorrow."

Yale hesitated for a moment. Seeing the kindness in the old man's face, he eventually nodded and smiled warmly.

"Sure, thank you, Principal."

It was a modest residential house, with a warm yellow glow emanating from the ground floor windows. However, the only occupants were the headmaster and his elderly spouse.

That night, Yale enjoyed his first hot, meat-filled meal in months. He also took his first warm bath in what felt like an eternity.

Amidst the gentle bickering and nagging of the elderly couple in the background, he pulled out his winter vacation assignments and began to work on them. For the first time, he realized how comforting it was to study under the soft glow of light.

"Shush... shush... shush..."

The nib of the pen glided across the paper, producing a faint rustling sound that harmoniously blended with the warmth of the room. It caused Yale to momentarily lose himself in thought.

Life didn't seem all that terrible, at least not when there was always a path forward and a glimmer of hope.

He was now in his senior year of high school, and with his current grades, he could easily secure admission to the top university. He planned to fund his education through scholarships and student loans, and once he started working, things would undoubtedly improve.

He consistently held onto the belief that the future would be brighter, even if the past had been tumultuous. There were always kind souls in this world who lit the way for others.

Basking in their goodwill and support, he yearned to become someone who could extend a helping hand in the future.

It will definitely get better, Yale thought, smiling inwardly as he focused on his practice questions.

...

"Hey! Are you alright...?!"

"Teacher! Teacher! He passed out... Someone, quick!"

It felt like someone was vigorously shaking his shoulders, trying to rouse him from unconsciousness. Yet, his blurred vision was filled with large shadows, and his heart throbbed painfully, almost as if it were tearing apart. He found it difficult to breathe.

Was he dying...?

The experiment isn't finished yet...

With his final thought fleeting through his mind, his vision plunged into darkness, and even the chaotic noises around him faded away.

"Move aside... We're starting CPR!"

When Yale regained some consciousness, he saw a blurred, pristine white ceiling. His stiff body seemed to be moving rapidly.

A forceful pressure was applied to his chest, attempting to revive his congested heart. Beat after beat, in sync with the anxious sobs around him, they fought to pull him back from the brink of death.

"Hang on!"

Everything that followed felt like a spectral detachment from his body, as if he were floating in mid-air, witnessing a surreal and inverted dream that was both real and illusory.

"He has no one left at home, not even a dog. How could he afford it? We might scrape together enough for the emergency treatment, but there's no way we can pay for the ICU..."

"Are you suggesting we don't save him? He collapsed because of this project, this experiment. Besides, even if he were a stranger, we couldn't just stand by and watch him die!"

"The doctor said it could be heart failure, with a ninety percent chance of not making it. Even if he does survive, he'll likely be in a vegetative state..."

Outside the operating room, the person who had called for emergency services to bring him there was engaged in a heated argument, though his face remained indistinct. After the commotion, only a deathly silence remained.

Never mind, let me die.

His wandering soul was on the verge of being dispersed by the wind, barely managing to hold onto consciousness as he muttered silently.

Death would end everything neatly. The experiment could continue without him, and it wouldn't be right if he became a burden or hinderance to others.

Wave upon wave of weariness washed over him, and in his daze, he couldn't tell how much time had passed. Then, he heard a steady and familiar voice.

"Enough arguing! We must save this person!"

"Professor isn't forcing any of you to help, but please, use the funds allocated for the project as an advance. We'll figure out the rest later, alright?"

"…Alright, let's do that then. I was just panicking. Honestly, I never intended to abandon Senior. My apologies."

"Family! Where is the family... There's no family? Then who can act as a guarantor and sign the critical condition notification?!"

The scene before his eyes blurred completely. The hovering consciousness could no longer endure, and with a gentle breeze, it dissipated soundlessly.

A single thread of consciousness clung to its original body, barely sustaining the weakening heartbeat.

"The unfortunate truth is, if there's no sign of awakening within a week, we can virtually confirm brain death..."

The doctor bowed his head slightly, solemnly conveying this grim news to the elderly man in front of him, inwardly sighing at the tragedy.

What a pity, such a promising and handsome young man.

...

Raging spirit energy surged from the body in his arms, unchecked due to the host's slumber, crashing into Xi Ze's mental landscape, making him groan softly.

That spirit energy seemed to have an eerie pull, tugging at the drone's consciousness, preventing it from regaining awareness.

Upon reaching a certain threshold, the terrifying energy erupted violently, warping the surrounding space.

"Ahh...!"

Xi Ze's expression contorted in pain, but he held the male drone even tighter, ignoring the grotesque cracking sounds as the distorted space pressed against their bones.

Scenes flashed by rapidly, like a galloping horse in the moments before death, but none of those visions included Yale.

Soon, the male insect realized – he seemed to be seeing and experiencing an unfamiliar world through Yale's eyes.

Before he could struggle to maintain consciousness and search for more information, the space fluctuated chaotically, expanding to its limits, like a balloon that suddenly bursts at its peak inflation!

In that instant, his arms were abruptly empty.

"?!"

The disappearance of the insect in his embrace sent him plummeting into an abyss. Xi Ze was struck with immense shock, forcing his consciousness out, making him snap open his eyes.

The bedroom was still dim before him, and Yale's warmth still filled his arms. It felt as if everything had been a dream.

Panting, he felt drenched in cold sweat, but ignored the piercing pain and dizziness. Gently holding the male insect, he turned on the bedside lamp.

The warm yellow light dispelled the darkness by the bed, and Xi Ze gradually regained his composure. After the intense ringing in his ears subsided, he heard faint sobs coming from within his embrace.

"..."

"Ruler?!"

"—Yale!"

The faint cries in his ears gradually became clearer until they finally woke Yale from his slumber with his name being called.

He opened his eyes with some difficulty, only to discover that his eyelids were damp and swollen, as if he had been crying.

But the contents of the dream vanished the moment he awoke, wiped away by an invisible hand. Within a few breaths, it faded into nothingness.

Only a lingering emotion remained, not sorrow or despair, but the aftermath of intense joy, causing his slightly warm eyes to glisten with fresh tears.

He rubbed his eyes slowly and looked up at the female insect towering over him. His voice was raspy as he asked, "What's wrong...?"

The lamp by the bedside was turned on, casting a warm yellow glow that illuminated the area without being harsh. Yale didn't get up, allowing his disheveled black hair to sprawl across the pillow as he appeared somewhat weary.

Xi Ze's hands pressed down firmly on his shoulders, his expression filled with panic and fear. After gazing at him for a while, he suddenly pulled Yale tightly into his embrace.

"Xi Ze?"

Yale stirred, extending his hand to reciprocate the embrace, only to realize that the male was trembling slightly, as if he had just encountered something terrifying.

"…It's alright."

After holding him for a while, Xi Ze finally managed to regain some composure, brightening the lights again.

He reached out and touched the male's cheek, still feeling the lingering cold dampness. His voice was hoarse as he asked, "Did the Male Sovereign have a nightmare?"

The immense shock from the male vanishing in his arms momentarily had yet to fully dissipate. It bound his soft heart like a tight rope, making his breathing rapid.

He dared not imagine how frenzied he would become if Yale had truly vanished. Fortunately...

Fortunately.

Xi Ze forcefully shut his eyes, then looked down at the male in his arms, whose expression was dazed. He reached out to wipe away a faint trace of moisture from the corner of the male's eye.

Yale placed his hand on the back of the female's hand, instinctively rubbing against it. Hearing this, he couldn't help but laugh. "No, I just had a beautiful dream."

His eyes were exceptionally bright under the dim light, filled with unmasked joy and happiness. Like a youngling who had finally obtained a long-desired toy, he smiled sweetly.

Xi Ze's pupils constricted.

Despite having just cried to the point of slight convulsions, trembling uncontrollably, and even losing control of his mental power for a moment due to the intense emotional upheaval, the male still believed...

"That was... a beautiful dream?"

He murmured, only to suddenly recall the fragments of the dream they had unintentionally shared. The completely unfamiliar yet undeniably first-person perspective made him realize something in a daze.

Was that the male's home?

The place where Yale had lived and rooted himself for decades before suddenly appearing in the insectoid tribe, a place he constantly yearned for, even to the point of injuring himself in an attempt to return... his home.

"I'm so... sleepy... wanna sleep... um..."

Despite the warm indoor lighting, the male in his arms wrapped his waist and nodded drowsily, his head nestled against a comforting warmth.

Yet, Xi Ze felt his heart being torn apart piece by piece, suffocating amidst the pain and sorrow.

If there ever came a day when Yale could freely choose between these two paths, would he choose to stay by Xi Ze's side, or... return home?