Chapter 80

Chapter 80

"Xi Ze: It's not very safe on the main planet lately. Please be cautious and don't leave your protection. Ignore anyone who comes knocking; just let the military deal with the pests."

"Xi Ze: Make sure to prioritize safety. Goodnight."

Yale stared at these two messages for a moment before suddenly lowering his gaze and closing his optical computer.

"You're not going back?"

After wrapping up his work, a colleague entered the break room and looked at the male insectoid in surprise. "Director Mord needs you again?"

After his evaluation, Yale was quickly transferred to the main project and started his 7am to 7pm workaholic lifestyle, working seamlessly with the researchers from the same batch, advancing their progress swiftly.

Occasionally, Mord would pull him aside to organize documents and catch him up on what he had missed, often keeping him until midnight.

Fortunately, Xi Ze had fully recovered and was dispatched by the Emperor to chase after Antoine. Otherwise, he would definitely be worried and fussing over Yale every day, coming to pick him up no matter how late it was.

At this thought, Yale pinched the bridge of his nose and mustered some energy. "No, I'm just taking a break. I'll leave soon."

The colleague, having tidied up, turned back to give a parting reminder upon hearing this.

"Things have been rather unsettled on the main planet lately. Be cautious when you're heading home to avoid any terrorist attacks."

"I understand. Thank you."

It was already ten o'clock in the evening, and the sky outside the research institute was pitch black, starless and moonless.

Fine snowflakes drifted down lazily, occasionally landing on the tip of his nose, melting into an indelible chill.

A team of elite soldiers stood guard at the entrance, fully armed from head to toe, each adorned with various sophisticated weapons like silent shadows, diligently carrying out their mission.

Yale nodded to the female military leader, receiving the signal that everything was under control. He then buried the lower half of his face in a fluffy scarf and boarded the hovercar to head home.

This route was familiar, and accidents were rare.

He had been closing his eyes to rest and recover from exhaustion when he suddenly felt a light pause.

"?"

A faint silhouette seemed to be standing by the roadside. Yale abruptly regained his focus, narrowing his eyes. It was only when the car lights illuminated the figure that he recognized who it was.

Kano's hair and clothes were in disarray, his complexion pale, his expression agitated and haggard. It appeared that he hadn't been faring well lately.

The once-arrogant and lawless noble male insect had now abandoned all pretense of composure. With utter disregard for himself, he rushed forward and spread his arms wide to block the vehicle.

"Stop the car!"

He gritted his teeth, forcing out those two words with difficulty, his gaze fixed intently on them.

"Stop, I have something to say."

Yale knitted his brows, tapping his fingertips lightly against his knee, uncertain about the current situation.

It was true that His Majesty had forcibly liquidated the Duke's Mansion, but only Duke Lance and the other insects in the family had been taken away for grave crimes. As a high-ranking male insect, Kano had escaped the brunt of the punishment.

Regardless, it shouldn't have driven this proud male insect to the point of desperately stopping a car.

"Your Highness?"

A gentle tap sounded on the car window, and the squad leader lowered his head, awaiting his next order.

"Go," Yale instructed without hesitation, showing no excess curiosity nor any intention to privately engage with Kanuo at this moment.

"The Sovereign has declined to meet you. For your safety, please promptly move from the center of the path."

The well-trained military swiftly cleared a route, forcefully pushing the male insect aside as they escorted the Sovereign through with utmost vigilance.

As the hovercar passed by Kanuo, who stood aside, Yale's eyes flickered slightly, locking gazes with him through the vehicle's window.

Those emerald-green eyes glared at him fiercely, like a cornered wolf that had snapped its teeth on steel, drooling bloodied saliva from the corners of its mouth.

A streak of light traced across Yale's profile, the stark contrast of black and white defining his clean lines.

It cast him in the image of an indifferent, alabaster deity, untouched by dust, to be admired only from afar.

Kanuo's face twisted abruptly.

The hovercar didn't pause for a moment, disappearing into the dust under the escort of the military.

*

Upon returning to the villa, Yale finally relaxed. Just as he was taking off his coat, he saw 015 rushing over swiftly.

"Welcome back! I've made the bed nice and cozy for you!"

The round robotic head sported a tiny turtle on top, poking its head out in confusion.

Yale reached out to tease it, retracting his hand just in time before being bitten.

"Thank you, but I have many things to attend to tonight. For now, I won't be able to enjoy the bed you prepared."

He had barely settled behind his desk when a communication call came through.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Vito's face appeared on the screen, with the background appearing to be his home study. The male insectoid was still dressed in a tailored evening gown, seemingly just returned from a ball.

"These are the latest updates. The investigation results from a few days ago are in, and there are some new developments among the nobles…"

Familiar with Yale's disposition, Vito didn't engage in small talk and promptly transmitted the previously assembled information, which he had specifically gathered, for His Excellency to peruse.

"The details of the audit at the Duke's Mansion are included. The investigation was interrupted by insects from the Marshal's side, but upon learning that it was connected to you, they promptly forwarded all the information."

The encrypted transmission was swift. Yale directly opened the first folder and immediately laid his eyes on the desired information, causing his expression to ease up.

Previously, he had deliberately extended his influence. In the past month, he had established many connections and informants. Although he couldn't accomplish significant feats, he could at least gain early access to a wealth of information.

The news of Xi Ze's injury reached us without delay, just a week ago.

Otherwise, relying on the queen insect's tendency to only share good news and conceal worries, it might not even inform him of the recovery.

On the screen, His Majesty the Male insect was engrossed, swiftly scanning through the data. His pace was rapid, yet it conveyed the sense that he had thoroughly reviewed each item, rather than merely skimming through haphazardly.

"Do you have any intention of entering politics in the future?"

At the sudden inquiry, Yale's eyes shot up, meeting a helpless grin across the communication screen. Vito, on the other end, frantically waved his hands to signal harmlessness.

"Just out of curiosity, for the sake of future information dissemination, if you're considering entering politics, this is the optimal moment to start strategizing."

"No."

Yale answered without any hesitation, "I won't be involved in any political conflicts, but my allegiance has always been clear. That's all you need to consider."

Maintaining eye contact with those immeasurably deep eyes for a few seconds, Vito felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he hurriedly expressed his understanding.

"It's better to be upfront about it. Anyway, you're on the same side as Marshal Monte, right? I'll make sure my subordinates are in line so that no sensitive information slips out."

Pausing in his search through the files, Yale smiled faintly. "Thank you for your trouble."

His tone was calm, but the meaning behind his words left Vito momentarily stunned.

"You have a keen sense of timing and are very intelligent. You'll have a broader horizon in the future. I'm neither your superior nor a supposed ruler; there's no need to be so fearful of me."

Yale moved the documents aside on his screen and transferred something to Vito immediately.

"What is this?"

Confused, Vito opened his optical brain to take a look, only to have his gaze freeze on the screen the next second.

Aranian Purity Crystals.

They have tremendous healing effects on both mental power and the body. However, due to their harsh growth environment, low yield, and a failure rate of 99%, they have become an extremely rare commodity to acquire.

High-ranking Male Worms receive a fixed annual allocation for nurturing their mental strength and facilitating its flow. But for those with insufficient family support, their shares are often seized or "purchased" at a "discounted price."

Vito had his share snatched away for three to four years. Despite his decent rank, his family's influence was a hindrance, leaving him no choice but to endure in silence.

He didn't mind before, but this year, a young Fertile in his family fell ill with a rare condition that required these crystals for treatment.

Most of the nobles he approached either already consumed them or were merely spectators, unwilling to sell.

Vito blinked, suppressing the bitterness that welled up momentarily. As he flipped through contracts, he spoke in a light-hearted yet low voice.

"I recently acquired a new venue that I just finished organizing this afternoon. I'll transfer it to you... I can't possibly take advantage of Your Highness for free."

Yale continued browsing the information, a hint of contemplation on his face, not attaching much importance to Vito's offer.

"No need, consider it payment for your help during this time. I still have some in stock, so feel free to ask me if you need more."

The young male drone on the screen smiled hesitantly, eventually putting down his light brain, his expression easing slightly.

"Alright then, Your Excellency, call me when you need anything. I'll make sure it's done."

Vito shared some speculative suspicions and vague hints, leaving Yale to interpret them as he saw fit.

In the midst of their conversation, Vito's gaze inadvertently swept downward and caught sight of something moving beside the drone's hand.

In the next instant, Vito found himself staring into a pair of bewildered black bean-like eyes.

"What is that?"

His breath hitched, instinctively tilting his neck back. The green head at the bottom of the screen stretched out a bit further, its wrinkled, slimy appearance somewhat unsettling.

"It's a talisman for household protection," Yale said nonchalantly, reaching out to retrieve the turtle that was crawling toward the edge of the table. He inserted a chew stick into its mouth and patted its shell gently, urging it to behave.

Confused, Vito fought off a yawn for a moment, but eventually, a hint of weariness relaxed his features.

"The report is completed… If there's nothing else, I'll be signing off now."

"Rest early, goodnight."

The communication ended, but Yale was oblivious to it, his entire focus drawn to the unexpected photo that had popped up.

It was a picture of Duke Lance in his youth, with the same silver hair and golden eyes as Xi Ze, exuding dignity and warmth, a very typical noble demeanor.

Though he was clearly smiling, there wasn't a hint of joy in his eyes. Upon prolonged gaze, one would even feel a subtle discomfort.

Staring at the photo for a long while, Yale attempted to find a trace of familiarity in the male insect's face, but no matter how hard he tried, it didn't seem right.

It wasn't about the facial features or the shape of the eyes; rather, it was an aura that radiated from within, difficult to describe in concrete terms.

If Lance was a delicate plant that grew in the shadows, then Xi Ze was a white poplar tree that remained upright and honest despite numerous hardships – two entirely different species.

"Do you think they resemble each other?"

Yale tapped on the hard shell of the small turtle beside him, posing the question to himself.

The little turtle quietly gnawed on the meat jerky. Upon hearing the question, it turned around, presenting its bottom to him, only to have its tiny pointed tail pinched.

"You also think it's not, right?"

Irritated, the little turtle kicked its legs and scurried away, burying its head in a stack of files nearby.

Squinting from the strain of examining the intricate data, Yale rubbed his temples, enduring the boredom for another half an hour.

Finally, unable to tolerate it any longer, he leaned back in his chair and kicked his legs, spinning it around.

The night was cool like still water.

The temperature in the study was exceptionally pleasant, yet the room still felt empty and silent, even his breath carrying a chill.

Yale's gaze drifted mid-air, then eventually landed again on the small creature wagging its tail. He let out an unconscious chuckle.

"At first, we kept a turtle at home hoping that our family members flying in the sky would return safely or come back home sooner. Don't just focus on eating, occasionally fulfill your mystical role too."

The missed insect didn't respond, and even the little turtle fell silent, leaving the study in a deathly quiet stillness.

Yale's gaze involuntarily drifted towards the drawer, where the communicator given to him by the drone was stored. However, after some thought, he decided against calling.

It was already late, and it would be better to let Xi Ze have his rest. Besides, he had stayed up late precisely because the drone wasn't around; he knew he'd receive a lecture if he called now.

After a moment of hesitation, he decided to put aside the documents and get some rest.

Energy boosters could keep his mind alert, but they couldn't replicate the vitality that came with a good night's sleep. He had experiments to conduct the next day.

"Goodnight, little turtle... I'll have 015 send you back to your tank later."

*

In a distant corner of the universe.

"All hostile creatures from the last wave have been eliminated. Awaiting further instructions."

Galagher piloted his mech, circling around the battlefield while keeping the admiral informed of the situation. As he passed by the mangled remains, he couldn't help but frown subconsciously.

In the captain's quarters.

The real-time battlefield situation was scanned by specialized equipment, creating a precise virtual image on a sand table. This allowed the commander to oversee the entire battlefield and strategize accordingly.

Xi Ze lowered his gaze, scanning the asteroid belt where they had just battled the alien beasts. After a long pause, he suddenly looked at another planet nearby and made a marking in the air with his hand.

Galagher's report came through the miniature communicator by his ear. Switching channels, he issued a crisp order.

"Team A, return for energy replenishment. Team B, stay behind for cleanup. Keep an eye on the situation. Swap positions in half an hour."

"The main fleet will temporarily station at Sokor-098. Be cautious not to alarm the native inhabitants of this desolate planet during landing."

The pursuit of Anto was not difficult, but it always fell short by a hair's breadth, resulting in no substantial progress after a week.

"It's been interrupted by another wave of alien beasts again?!"

Rachel's holographic figure appeared in mid-air, her expression a mix of astonishment and speechlessness.

"How strange is that? Every time we're almost about to catch that guy, our troops get hit by a surge of alien beasts from all directions. There must be something fishy going on!"

He glanced at the military female who was relentlessly analyzing the battle scenario, clicking his tongue.

"To be able to gather and even manipulate alien beasts so swiftly, that's quite a hidden talent. Just this alone is enough to put him in danger of death hundreds of times."

Xi Ze fixated on the playback of the recent battle, not missing any hint of abnormality. Without lifting his head, he replied.

"Back then, it was the same. After sending out the signal, what arrived wasn't reinforcement but an endless flood of monstrous beasts."

He let out a mirthless chuckle, "Before that, I had never seen monsters with completely different attributes operating in unison."

"That... year?"

Rachel's pupils constricted as a possibility dawned on him, causing his entire body to tremble.

The Lemir Battle remains an enigma to this day, a messy affair from five years ago that no one had the time, energy, or capability to delve into and uncover the truth.

It wasn't until the supposed dead man clawed his way back from the depths of hell that the empire's facade of tranquility was shattered, exposing the darkness beneath.

Though Xi Ze didn't speak of it, Rachel could tell that he yearned for vindication more than anyone. He revisited those memories repeatedly, leaving no stone unturned in search of clues.

"Have you found something?" Rachel observed after a moment of silence. "Otherwise, why would you be so composed?"

With a glimmer of understanding in his eyes, Xi Ze straightened up and nodded. "I have some inklings. I should be able to verify them soon."

He closed the holographic simulation, his expression easing slightly as he sat back behind his desk, gazing at Rachel's projection across from him. "How is the situation on the primary planet now?"

"Everything is unfolding as anticipated. The nobles have largely been subdued and no longer dare to act openly or in secret. His Majesty has resumed daily council meetings, and the voices of opposition have significantly diminished."

"Lance is already in custody, awaiting trial. Should those charges be proven true, there's a high likelihood that he'll face capital punishment. Kanor is still at large, but it's only a matter of time before they find an excuse to apprehend and interrogate him."

Aware that Hillze was well-informed about the situation and was merely going through the formalities of inquiry, Rachel dared not withhold anything and disclosed all the recent events without reservation.

"By the way, he attempted to intercept Lord Yale's vehicle the day before yesterday. Although Lord Yale didn't make contact with him, there's an unsettling feeling that this individual has ulterior motives, posing a significant threat to Lord Yale's safety."

"I'm aware."

The moment the incident occurred, he received the news and immediately dispatched a drone to investigate the details thoroughly.

"On that very night, I sent a drone for surveillance. It discovered that Cano is currently in possession of a deadly toxin, likely acquired from the underground black market."

Recalling the report, the military alpha's expression turned cold, a fleeting darkness flickering in his eyes.

Equipped with various shields and protections, Yale was secure against both bullets and toxic spills. However, caution was still paramount.

At times, he felt like he was being a bothersome pest, constantly reminding and restricting Yale, but the latter never complained. He had always been quietly protecting him in his absence.

Xi Ze pinched the space between his brows with a hint of weariness. Leaning back in his chair, he gazed at the vast, pristine expanse of stars outside the display screen of his office, lost in thought for a moment.

"I wonder when this war will finally come to an end," he murmured almost inaudibly, surrendering to the faint sense of exhaustion within him.

When would stability and peace last forever? When would there be no more darkness or oppression, allowing them to live their lives peacefully? Even if each day were to repeat itself, it would be fine.

Thoughts seemed like a light, ethereal mist, dissolving in the moonlight as soft as water. They silently permeated the spacious captain's office, traveling with every breath taken.

"What did you say?"

The military omega behind him hadn't caught his words and repeated the question.

"Nothing." Xi Ze concealed his expression, suddenly recalling something crucial. "When is Lance's trial scheduled to begin?"

"In three days."

"Please come and stand in for me tomorrow. I need to return to the home planet for a while."

Rachel was somewhat confused but still agreed.

*

Yale spent the entire day in the laboratory, and due to a special experiment requiring a sterile protective suit, he left his optical brain and other belongings outside.

It wasn't until the afternoon, after finishing the experiment, that he noticed his optical brain flashing red. A communication from the highest security prison in the galaxy had come in several hours ago.

Prison? Why would they suddenly contact him?

Yale furrowed his brow, then suddenly realized something. He closed his optical brain and continued changing out of the protective suit.

It wasn't until he was seated in the car that he finally connected the missed call.

"Your Excellency Yale?"

The call was answered promptly, with a tone of disbelief and delight, "It's like this, Lance has requested a private meeting with you. What is your Excellency's intention?"

This was within regulations, and as the interrogation hadn't made any progress in the past couple of days, perhaps this could be an opportunity to extract some information. The officer in charge of the interrogation sounded hopeful.

Lance.

Yale wasn't too surprised, but he still couldn't guess what the former duke wanted to talk about.

They had barely crossed paths, as if the legendary Duke Lance had been preoccupied with salvaging his family's business ever since Yale arrived on the main planet, thus missing all opportunities to meet.

But Yale pondered for a moment and suddenly sensed something amiss.

They were supposed to be bitter rivals, yet they hadn't even had a chance to meet before one of them was imprisoned. The coincidental timing of their missed encounters seemed almost deliberate.

Did Xi Ze not want him to meet Lance?

"Your Highness? Are you coming?"

The inquiry in the communication was cautious, wary of offending this legendary figure. Yale came back to his senses, lowering his eyes to ponder for a moment.

"What specific time?"

"Tomorrow, at three o'clock in the afternoon! You're sure you'll come, right? Alright, alright, we'll make sure to arrange security and reception at the prison. Don't worry about it!"

Closing the communication, Yale leaned back in his chair and, after some contemplation, decided to send a message to the other male.

...

"I estimate that the return journey will pass through six asteroid fields, taking two to three hours to reach the main planet. Should I inform the security forces to surround the Starport in advance?"

Bai Lang tapped on a spot on the control panel, skillfully navigating through the asteroid belt while updating the Marshal.

"Make the journey private, don't leak any information. I'll only be staying for seven hours this time."

Xi Ze was taking the opportunity to rest his eyes and recover from the exhaustion of continuous combat for the past two days and three nights. Suddenly, he heard a soft sound from his optical computer.

He opened the message and his gaze sharpened.

"[Heart] Yale [Heart]: Lance has requested a meeting. I've agreed, and I'll be seeing him tomorrow afternoon at three."

"[Heart] Yale [Heart]: Rest well and stay safe."

Coincidentally, Bai Lang received the same message and immediately conveyed it to Xi Ze.

"Marshal, Lance has submitted a request to meet with His Excellency Yale in private today. The noble has already given his consent. Should any special arrangements be made?"

Beep beep. The optical brain flashed with a crimson glow.

"[Heart]Yale[Heart]: My little turtle isn't eating, it's become skinnier from hunger. Perhaps it's striving to manifest its mystical powers."

Xi Ze's movement paused, a hint of confusion flickering across his face. However, before he could ask, the male insectoid sent its final message.

"[Heart] Yale [Heart]: Waiting for you to come home."

He let out a soft sigh, his expression unconsciously softening as he replied to Bai Lang while answering the communication.

"There's no need to make any special arrangements. I'll go there personally when the time comes."

With him around, nothing should go wrong.

Author's Note:

Little Turtle: No dog food for me, stop bothering me! (Kicks legs) (Chews, chews, chews)

General: "Kiss" "Soul" ah "Kiss" thee "Soul" "Kiss"