Chapter 78

Chapter 78

"The training should still be ongoing. Let's go in first. We'll head back together after your shift."

After embracing for a while, Yale sniffled and released the male drone, leading him towards the training grounds. Otherwise, standing there any longer would bury both of them in snow.

"Was something going on? I remember you said you were staying in the lab until eleven. Why did you suddenly come over...?"

Xi Ze was gently pulled inside but wasn't fooled by Yale's attempt to divert the conversation. He probed softly.

The training grounds had a temperature control system, making it much more comfortable than outside. Yale sighed in relief, brushing off the snow from his head.

"I'll tell you later."

Though the situation was absurd, it was a significant matter. Yale needed to let the drone know, not just to prevent any accidents but also to clarify his stance.

Just the thought of Xi Ze being troubled by this for a long time, secretly grieving on his own, and even coming up with the idea of bearing eggs to keep him, made Yale want to sigh.

"Come on, aren't there still training tasks?"

...

Given Yale's desire to witness genuine training sessions, the Queen had arranged for him to observe from an excellent vantage point in the stands, wrapped in a blanket and holding a warm cup of water, watching the scene below where cries of exertion echoed.

In some respects, Xi Ze was indeed strict and fierce.

Those who failed to meet expectations were made to repeat until they pushed their bodies to the brink. After each grueling session, no soldier escaped unscathed, yet their strength visibly increased at an astonishing pace.

"Uh..."

Yale cautiously sipped his hot water, attentively observing the training ground below.

With the First Legion's rebellion and Marshal Huoer's suspension under investigation, the military was now under Xi Ze's command. The training standards for all soldiers were immediately raised to the highest level.

Soldiers who had long served under Xi Ze were accustomed to this intensity. The Second Legion, having frequently ventured out on missions to quell alien beast swarms, managed to keep up. Only the Third and Fourth Legions lagged significantly behind.

His gaze fell upon those Third and Fourth Legion soldiers, howling in pain while desperately striving to catch up.

He deeply doubted that these soldiers had been so compliant before; it was highly likely they had undergone rigorous and intense training.

"Damn it, I won't f*cking train anymore! We're drones, not livestock! F*ck...!!"

Seemingly unable to bear it any longer, a drone from the Third Army dramatically threw off his military cap, collapsing to the ground like a pile of mush. He panted heavily while cursing incoherently.

Other drones shot him a sympathetic glance, but even those from the Third Army dared not stop to offer support or join in the protest. Instead, they silently continued their training, heads down.

A pair of black military boots came to a halt before the cursing drone. His tirade paused for an instant, and the expression of resignation on his face gradually froze, then turned into sheer terror.

Whoosh—

The water was scalding hot. Yale blew across its surface, dispersing the hovering steam for a moment.

When he looked down again, the drone who had been yelling profanities had picked up his cap and resumed training, now rolling and scrambling with even greater effort than before.

Hmm, indeed, quite fierce.

...

The training ultimately concluded with mecha combat simulations.

Many of the military omegas had already exhausted themselves and were dragging their companions towards the energy compartments. Some, too lazy to queue, simply chose to return home, knowing that with their regenerative abilities, a good night's sleep would be enough to recover.

Yale had prepared in advance and entered the empty training arena before Xi Ze could even step out of his mech.

The silver-blue mech had transformed into a combat-ready form, standing right at the center of the field. It was just as impressive as Yale remembered, if not more so.

That very mech, capable of tearing apart S-class alien beasts, gently crouched down, holding Yale delicately in its enormous hand, then carefully placed him through the slowly opening cockpit door into the pilot's seat.

"Oof...!"

Yale stabilized himself by stepping on the cockpit door, freeing himself from the grasp of the mechanized hand. Just as he felt a bit wobbly, a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist.

Slipping, he landed firmly in the omega's embrace, nestled against a soft, accommodating back, completely enveloped by the warm and familiar scent.

The cockpit door slowly closed, blocking out the bright lights outside. Inside, only a shimmering silver-blue glow remained, along with their intertwining breaths in the dimness.

"It tickles, relax a bit..."

Yale couldn't help but chuckle intermittently, struggling to turn around in the omega's embrace. Squashed together in the narrow compartment, he found himself towering over the taller mech due to their unusual position.

He removed his military cap and held it in his hand, leaning down to meet the eyes of the male. After a moment of intense gaze, he gently kissed the tip of that straight nose.

"Male Ruler... Mmm..."

Seized by the intimacy of the gesture, Xi Ze's Adam's apple bobbed visibly for a while. When he spoke, his voice had turned raspy, carrying a hint of longing and a nasal tone that was sticky with emotion.

"Are you ready for it now?"

Yale had caught the scent of the male's pheromones, clearly sensing the desire beneath them. Yet, he deliberately spelled out those hidden thoughts bluntly.

Despite having teased him excessively before, a sense of propriety and reserve ran deep within him.

Each time, he aimed to make the reserved male's ears flush red while stumbling over his words to express his desires.

"Male Ruler... Kiss here..."

Perhaps due to the setting or the circumstances, an inexplicable sense of shame held Xi Ze back from directly asking for what he wanted. Instead, he whispered a plea for a comforting kiss.

The male was completely unguarded, like a snow leopard instinctively exposing its vulnerable belly, purring a subtle hint for affectionate touch.

Unaware of the caregiver's mischievous thoughts bubbling over, Yale determined to tease the little one relentlessly.

"Kiss here? Where is this?"

Yale deliberately made things difficult for the male, who stammered, unable to specify where he wanted to be kissed. Yet, the tips of his ears hidden beneath his tousled hair gradually turned red.

Not receiving the answer he desired, Yale pushed himself up from the sides of the seat, creating some distance between them. "Say it, where do you want me to kiss you?"

"Kiss...," Xi Ze squeezed his eyes shut, about to reveal the answer, only to be interrupted by Yale on purpose.

"Never mind, I'm not in the mood for a kiss today. We'll talk about it later."

He raised an eyebrow, amusement lurking beneath his smile, tinged with a hint of mischief. "We've lingered on this part too long, let's just skip it altogether."

Xi Ze tightened his embrace around Yale, finally lowering his gaze and softly acknowledging with a barely noticeable hint of hurt concealed beneath his composed expression.

Yale had hardened his heart through practice and was no longer easily swayed. He reached out to pinch the male's cheek.

"Is it okay if it's inside the mecha cabin?"

He chuckled softly, out of caution, and carefully placed the military cap back on the male's head.

...

With permission granted, things spiraled beyond his control.

The male's military cap was slightly askew, revealing a few disheveled strands of hair, giving him an air of both seriousness and nonchalance.

He no longer appeared as the stern and strict superior from before, but rather like a recalcitrant subordinate in need of discipline.

Yale observed the male's expressions, gradually increasing the intensity of his touch, alternating between gentle and firm, occasionally striking with unexpected bursts, aiming to catch his partner off guard and indulge in spontaneity.

"Is this pleasurable?"

He leaned in close to the male's ear, chuckling mischievously with each word.

"You tell me, what expression would those military males who either revere or fear you wear if they knew their superior was engaging in such activities during a serious training session?"

The male was now fully immersed in the embrace, his breathing rapid and uneven, his ears flushed red, and every muscle in his body tense.

"So fierce during training, capable of scaring a bug to death with just a glance. Yet, the moment you're off duty, you're more carefree than anyone else, melting at a simple kiss, and unable to resist even on the training grounds..."

"No, it's not like that... I'm not neglecting my duties..."

However, the cockpit was cramped, leaving the male drone no room to stretch comfortably. He could only remain stiff in an awkward position while being teased, hurriedly using the back of his hand to cover his face, his ears burning red.

Yale's brows lifted slightly as he withdrew his hand, no longer touching him. He allowed the drone to suffer from the peculiar sensation, longing for the dominance he had just lost.

"Not like this? Then why did you arch your body to chase after my touch?"

Lowering his gaze to observe Xi Ze's expression, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips, though his tone remained cold.

The dazed drone snapped back to reality, shaking his head in a flustered denial.

"I'm sorry, it's... because it felt too good, so..."

Yale's Adam's apple bobbed, his amused eyes gleaming as he pressed on with his question.

"So you desire me the moment you see me—it doesn't matter if it's on the training grounds, right?"

"Yes, yes, the moment I saw the Dominant... "

The voice lingering in his ears was deep and raspy, with a hint of a sticky nasal tone, damp as if he had been crying or was too pleasured, causing his voice to tremble.

It was so amusing to tease him.

"Ouch!"

His movement was too forceful, accidentally hitting a nerve in his elbow.

Yale had no choice but to slow down. Before he could adjust his position, the male insect caught him in his embrace.

Xi Ze's breathing was ragged as he reached under the seat and pressed something, promptly flattening the backrest. The space suddenly became much more spacious.

"Did you hit somewhere... Does it hurt?"

Despite being disoriented, he still noticed if Yale was hurt. Yale stroked his own thin sense of conscience, feeling a vague guilt, and coughed softly before pushing himself up.

"I didn't hit anything, it's fine, fine. I won't tease you anymore."

"Saying that, shouldn't the mecha be insulated from these movements? There should be some anti-vibration mechanism in place, right?"

He flexed his sore wrists and shared some scattered thoughts with the male insect, continually pushing the boundaries of the latter's sense of shame.

"…This doesn't feel quite right. It's fine as an occasional occurrence, but we can't make it a habit. Otherwise, every time we pilot a mecha, we'll subconsciously recall this sensation, which could affect our performance."

Realizing the underlying meaning in those words, Xi Ze's entire body was engulfed in intense embarrassment. He swiftly turned his head, biting down on the button of his jacket sleeve, leaving a mark behind.

"Uhh… Mmm! !

It was over.

Yale slumped exhaustedly into the male insect's embrace, his aching shoulders and wrists being massaged.

Suddenly remembering something, he sat up a bit, "Can this place automatically eliminate scents?"

He had only been playing around and didn't actually want to die of social embarrassment.

"It can."

Xi Ze spoke in a muted voice, lifting him up with one hand while seemingly pressing a button with the other.

The powerful circulation system within the mecha immediately kicked into action, dispelling the scent entirely.

Relieved, Yale nestled back into the embrace of the male insectoid, wriggling comfortably.

...Wait, he almost forgot the main purpose of his visit.

Recalling his initial objective, he lay quietly for a moment, gathering his thoughts. Just as the male's hand brushed against the nape of his neck, he suddenly spoke up.

"I nearly returned to Earth just now."

Those two words were spoken in their language, causing Xi Ze's actions to pause.

Upon realizing the meaning behind the words, his pupils constricted as he abruptly pulled Yale into his embrace.

Unable to control the strength in his restraints, he pressed down on Yale's shoulders and waist, causing a slight ache.

Yale's nose inadvertently bumped into the male insectoid's hard shoulder, resulting in a sharp sting.

"It was merely a near miss, not an actual return!"

Yet, feeling the female's body trembling, he couldn't concern himself with his nose and hurriedly reached out to pat the female soothingly, emphasizing that he had no intention of leaving her side.

When the female seemed to have calmed down a bit, Yale softly recounted what had just happened, including his fainting spell and that peculiar sensation.

The last time such fluctuations occurred was due to the spiritual energy channeling the night before, followed by just now, and I also used a lot of spiritual energy during the day.

Swiftly, he connected the dots regarding the several inconsistencies and made a reasonable inference.

"I suspect there must be a boundary. Although mental power can be freely utilized to a certain extent, exceeding that limit would trigger resonance, opening that door, or the pathway back."

"Why doesn't the Alpha return?"

A hoarse voice whispered in his ear, the constraining force on his body easing slightly.

The Omega, with his face buried in the Alpha's neck, lifted his head slightly, his expression concealed in the shadows, barely visible.

"Why doesn't he return?"

Yale froze slightly.

He had asked himself this question before. At that time, many thoughts had flashed through his mind—what if he returned, what if he didn't. But ultimately, only one sentence anchored him firmly.

His voice was soft, "What will you do if I go back?"

Xi Ze's body jolted, then he drew in a sharp breath as if a sword hanging above his head had finally fallen. In that moment of near despair, he discovered the blade was actually soft—

He had survived the calamity, trembling with fear.

"You really are something. If you knew, you should have told me right away. Don't just sulk and guess by yourself... If you want me to stay, just tell me directly."

Hugging him, Yale swayed them gently. Filled with the hurried beating of the male insect's heart against his ear, he spoke earnestly.

"Just say it. You can't leave, you need to stay with me. If you want to go, I'll lock you up."

Xi Ze gritted his teeth, his Adam's apple rolling fiercely. He took deep breaths, trying to hold back the stinging warmth welling up in his eyes, but still couldn't prevent his vision from blurring.

"I don't want to..."

His throat was swollen, making his voice strained and hoarse when he spoke, "I don't want you to feel awkward."

How could there be someone this foolish...

Yale sighed silently.

"Yes, I might indeed feel conflicted, but that's my issue. What about you? Do you want me to stay?"

The omega definitely did, otherwise why would he bother learning Chinese and laying eggs? It was likely an attempt to increase his 'leverage', so he wouldn't be discarded too quickly when faced with a choice.

Xi Ze stiffened for a moment before he chose to follow his heart. He softly said, "...I want you to stay, not to leave."

"Exactly, you have to tell me how you feel for me to know."

Yale patted his back soothingly, deliberately exaggerating his tone.

"And who knows what's behind the door? Maybe I'd really die once I step through! It's unpredictable, the risk is too high. I'd rather stay here peacefully."

It would be a lie to say he wasn't regretful, but compared to an illusory hope, the omega currently in his arms was far more important and irreplaceable.

Yale cleared his throat, stroking the female's back soothingly as he changed the subject.

"I'll do my best to restrain from using too much mental energy for now. We can think of other effective solutions later. Do you have any ideas?"

Xi Ze quickly composed himself, releasing the male and wiping his face vigorously, seemingly a bit embarrassed. He lowered his head to avoid Yale's gaze, holding out the chip.

"What's this?"

Yale's eyes widened slightly as he picked up the intricately designed microchip, sensing an incredibly solid and powerful vibration from it.

Xi Ze pressed the object against the male's wrist bone, and the chip instantly merged with the skin, leaving no trace of foreignness.

"This is a newly developed device that can instantly detect spatial fluctuations and then... activate a response."

He gave a brief explanation of its mechanism and clumsily added a few more words.

"Although it was prepared beforehand, I didn't want to confine you with this cage, so I never used it."

Yale rotated his wrist, chuckling softly upon hearing this.

"Well then, now I'm allowing you to ensnare me."

The cockpit remained dimly lit, barely illuminating Xi Ze's face.

With his eyes lowered in silence, there seemed to be a faint flush at the corners, indicating he was still preoccupied.

Yale's heart sank slightly. He lifted his face, drawing closer to the male insectoid, planting a gentle kiss on his pursed lips, nibbling softly as they intertwined.

"I didn't kiss you earlier, so I'll make up for it now."

"…Okay."

Xi Ze, his eyes reddened, couldn't help but respond to the kiss earnestly and cautiously, forgetting everything else.

As they kissed, Yale suddenly sat up straight, looking around.

"There shouldn't be any thermal sensors in the training grounds that can see what we're doing inside, right?"

"…"

*

The day following that event, Huoer was officially relieved of his post, leaving the position of Marshal temporarily vacant. All responsibilities and official duties were henceforth to be assumed by Monte Silzer as acting proxy.

"Congratulations. Either when His Highness the First Prince ascends to power, or perhaps even sooner when that Anton fellow is brought back into custody, you'll rightfully assume the position of Supreme Commander."

Within the Marshal's office, an image was projected onto the floor not far away, depicting Second Army General Rachel, a stern expression etched on the face of the insectoid.

Basking in a significant victory, he wore a relaxed expression as he meticulously counted the remaining factions that needed to be dealt with.

"The most crucial task at hand is to dismantle the Duke's Mansion, and simultaneously settle the long-standing murky affairs..."

Indeed, it was happening very quickly, much clearer than they had anticipated.

"However, you need to be cautious. I've just discovered that before you return and take control, a large shipment of highly destructive weaponry from the Xie family has made its way into the gray zone. It's unclear who smuggled them out."

The military alpha's expression turned grave, clearly worried about this development.

"There's no further information to dig up. All we can do now is prepare in advance and make sure we don't fall into any traps,"

A white cat leaped onto his head, yawned lazily, and then decided to stay put. Its bicolored eyes surveyed the communication with a haughty air.

Xi Ze sorted through the documents, not even lifting his head as he replied with a detached tone, "I'm aware."

Recalling the pile of unresolved issues he had recently dealt with, he frowned and admitted their current predicament.

"Regardless, I've been missing for an entire five years. It's challenging to delve into many matters now. The deeper we go, the more chaotic and empty the information becomes."

"The betrayal and impeachment don't really strike at the core of the nobles. They've merely lost the military's power. There are still numerous covert industries secretly expanding and proliferating."

Rachel, recalling the frequent good news lately, disagreed with Xi Ze's pessimism.

"But they're getting desperate. Many have been forced to cut off their tails to survive. We've achieved significant victories."

Xi Ze closed the documents and leaned back in his chair, noncommittal.

"Yes, their recent actions have been more substantial, leading to more exposed tails that were caught. Moreover, Sir Vito has been visiting the Ruler much more frequently recently."

Not only had the military fallen, but even their cherished noble status and the meticulously constructed underground network, which had developed over centuries, were shaken, revealing cracks.

The leaders of the nobles were always elected from within, immersed in it since childhood, and deeply entangled with the dark web. No sharp intellect or high IQ was needed; all that mattered was a heart black and dirty enough.

Yet Yale's sudden emergence disrupted this status quo.

Those previously suppressed and stifled emerging forces found a leader, gradually forming a force to contend with the established nobility.

"The origin... was that auction for Lord Yale?"

Rachel's gaze shifted slightly, catching sight of a picture of a male drone on the desk. In an instant, he seemed to grasp something.

He had also heard about the sensation caused by that auction. It was the first time the nobles had so clearly distinguished friend from foe, revealing the vast disparity to all those who were indecisive. —

From the moment His Highness, an S-class male drone, was born, it seemed that the endgame had been predetermined.

"Be extra cautious lately," Xi Ze also gazed at the frame in front of him, which held a selfie that Yale had sent him.

Fixated on the photo, he murmured almost inaudibly, "We mustn't let them seize any opportunities."

After ending the call, Rachel spared a moment of sympathy for Hillzer, who was still working at this hour.

In the next moment, he gently took the kitten from his head and skillfully nestled it into the softness of its belly, indulging in a frenzy of affectionate nuzzling.

"Meow, meow, meow, meow... Whose little kitten is this? Such an adorable kitten deserves to be cuddled and adored!"

He indulged in the scent of the cats for a while, suddenly feeling a tinge of sadness. If he were to pass away, he wondered where these adorable creatures would end up. It was a bleak thought.

"Sigh, should anything untoward happen to me, you all must carry on diligently - even though I've arranged fallback plans for each of you, those foster care options are truly far from reassuring!"

Rachel vented his grievances with indignation, his hand pausing mid-stroke on the cat's fur as a thought flashed through his mind, suddenly making him feel a sense of desolation.

Bullets know no mercy, and the life of a military omega is never in their own hands; death can strike at any moment on the battlefield.

If he were to pass away, these kittens would still find shelter, but should anything happen to Sir Zeller...

He shook his head fiercely, scolding himself for worrying unnecessarily.

His Majesty Yale was an alpha! He wouldn't lack for omegas by his side—powerful or gentle, beautiful or submissive, there would be no shortage of options. He wouldn't become overly attached to a mere military omega.

His movements froze for a long moment, displeasing his feline master who was basking in his attention. The cat swished its tail and leisurely strolled away, every step graceful.

Sss... Why are you ignoring me, my sweet kitty? I was just joking earlier, let me smother you with kisses...

Rachel snapped back to reality and pounced on the cat, cuddling and petting it frantically.

...

At precisely 2:10 AM that night.

The emperor of the empire suddenly passed away, and the news spread like wildfire to all corners.

Before the insects could fully react, two factions vying for power swiftly assembled outside the palace, engaging in an intensely tense standoff. Neither side was willing to back down.

Someone fired the first shot, hitting Prince Carno in the midst of his ranting. The situation escalated into a bloody battle.

Ten minutes later, a devastating weapon, secretly buried beneath the palace, detonated with a thunderous boom!!

The explosion illuminated the sky for miles around, reducing most of the palace to rubble, and causing countless casualties.

Due to their proximity, both princes, Marshal Monte, and several officials were caught in the blast. Prince Felix perished on the spot.

——The message is hereby sealed off ——