Chapter 82

Chapter 82

"How's the situation with capturing Antoine? Can't you handle it over there?"

Yale recalled the news he saw that morning. Although he didn't know why the queen had suddenly returned, he was still somewhat worried.

"We've cornered him on an abandoned planet and surrounded him. We're just biding our time to exhaust their energy reserves. Besides, Rachel is there to take care of things. It'll be fine."

Xi Ze took a deep breath and finally released the male in his embrace.

Upon hearing this, Yale briefly understood the situation and then whispered, "I can stay for another three hours this time."

Three hours.

Yale froze for a moment before instinctively looking into his eyes. As expected, he caught a faint hint of dark blue.

That color only appeared after long periods of combat, traveling, and handling business all night.

The queen must have been exhausted during this period, but he was already swamped with work. Why would he specially take a few hours to come to the main planet?

"Are you returning in five hours? Isn't that too rushed?"

He furrowed his brow slightly and then sighed softly. "Forget it, let's just head home first."

When the loud noise occurred earlier, the troops stationed outside immediately sensed something amiss. However, halfway through their charge, they were stopped by Xi Ze and returned to their vehicles to wait.

The chaos behind them seemed to have subsided. Not wanting to engage in further formalities after they emerged, Yale pulled the male insectoid into the hovercar and set off for home under military escort.

The weather on the main planet had been pleasant these few days, with no more sudden gusts of wind or snow. The sun was significantly warmer, though occasionally scorching.

It was only during the evenings that the climate was most comfortable, with a gentle sunset and cool breeze.

The incident had left Yale somewhat drained. Despite his efforts to maintain control, he still experienced a momentary daze, accompanied by a familiar sense of separation.

Not wanting the male insectoid to notice, he whispered, "Are you tired? Let's rest for a bit."

Xi Ze held his hand, which was resting beside him.

"It's alright. There are energy boosters that sustain both mental and physical strength without any side effects. They're much more effective than simply closing your eyes to rest."

Death by accident was virtually non-existent in space, and Yale often felt weary merely due to mental inertia rather than genuine exhaustion.

"Indeed."

Yale smiled and relaxed, leaning his body slightly to the left, resting against the male.

After a moment of silence, he casually played with the male's fingers and then asked, "You overheard my conversation with Lance earlier, didn't you?"

Xi Ze's hand trembled slightly, his expression uncertain as he wondered if Yale would be angry for eavesdropping. Nevertheless, he nodded honestly.

"What should I call you from now on?"

Yale murmured, refraining from uttering those two words, fearing that they might reopen the male's wounds.

Though he was unaware of the specifics, he couldn't help but feel regret at this moment.

The thought of that tiny cub enduring abuse and abandonment by his so-called Father Drone, then struggling to survive in the harsh conditions of an Edge Planet after battling with wolves, stirred a fierce anger within Yale. He found himself unable to bear calling out that name anymore.

However, the current title of the Omega was his original name, which was even more closely tied to the Duke's Mansion.

Yale was momentarily conflicted, but then he heard a soft chuckle. A finger gently tickled the palm of his hand.

"It doesn't matter. You can just call me Xi Ze."

Xi Ze shifted his gaze from Yale's face and looked out the window at the scenery that was rapidly receding behind them. He spoke softly, "There's no need for you to blame yourself. After all, it was I who told you my name."

"And to me, this name doesn't represent abandonment or disgrace."

After so many years, when he recalled it again, he realized that what had once been deeply ingrained in him had already faded to the point where he couldn't even remember the details clearly. Only a vague outline remained.

But he needed to clarify those meanings to the Alpha, otherwise Yale would continue to feel guilty and distressed.

"This name was used to deceive the trade contract. But when it was first given to me, I had already freed myself from Lance and gained a new life on that frontier planet."

This name had accompanied him throughout his struggling childhood. Initially, he did harbor resentment, but as he gradually grew up and matured, those insignificant grudges became insignificant.

The journey from the bottom to the top was arduous, but it was also an exhilarating and complete transformation—

Emerging prominently in that mecha competition, witnessing Lance's sudden change of expression in the audience, he found it somewhat amusing. All else that remained was his burning ambition to ascend even higher.

"The second time it was spoken, was in that bathroom where the Ruler helped cleanse the blood from my body. Then, he asked for my name, and from then on, I was reborn for the second time."

He would never forget the biting cold of that snowy night, yet no longer did he fear or loathe it. For with it came the gentle cascade of warm water over his entire being and the hand extended towards him.

Xi Ze recalled blurting out his name at that moment, only then realizing the whimsical touch of destiny.

Something intangible, impossible to grasp or seek, yet it seemed as if a predetermined outcome had been set in motion from the very beginning.

He couldn't help but chuckle softly, turning his head to look at Yale with a hint of relief in his expression.

"I like this name, regardless of its origins or the meanings it might have carried. It has appeared fittingly at two significant turning points in my life."

"It feels more like a harbinger of luck than a mark of disgrace."

Yale stared at him, dumbfounded.

The male insect was bathed in the glow of the evening sunset, outlining his sharp profile. He appeared warm and cuddly, except for those golden eyes that remained as clear as ever.

"Please continue to address me like that, alright?"

"Alright."

Yale's features softened as he propped himself up to lean in, planting a gentle kiss on the lips of the male insectoid.

"Your name, of course, is for you to decide... as long as you like it."

Recalling the interrupted conversation, he grew slightly perplexed.

"Speaking of which, you still haven't told me why you suddenly returned to the home planet. Was there an urgent matter?"

Xi Ze covered his mouth with a low cough, but a hint of amusement still betrayed him. With some effort, he tore his gaze away from Yale's proximity.

"You'll find out soon enough... I can't say just yet."

The hovercar subtly increased its speed, adorned with the resplendent glow of dawn, as it followed the celestial path towards their destination.

*

"So mysterious, could it be that you've prepared something?"

Yale couldn't wait to step out of the car and headed straight for the villa's entrance, sharing his endless speculations with the male insect as they walked.

"Let me think... Could it be..."

Chapter 015, as usual, greeted them at the door, wearing the little turtle on its head. "You're back so early!"

"Yes, I have some matters to attend to. Has the little turtle had dinner?"

Yale greeted both of them and, after changing his shoes, led the male insect inside.

The living room was unchanged from when they left. Glancing around, he was tugged by the male insect towards the dining room.

Then Xi Ze took out something from the fridge... a cake?

It was round and large, not the size of an ordinary dessert, big enough to be shared among a group of insects.

The cake was placed on the table, its protective covering removed to reveal its lovely contents. On the cream surface was a sketch of Yale.

In bold, round characters, it read "Happy Birthday," written in Chinese.

Yale stood frozen in his spot.

Initially, he was puzzled as to why someone would buy such a large cake that would be difficult to finish and could spoil if stored for too long.

It wasn't until his mind caught up that he realized it was not an ordinary dessert, but a birthday cake.

Birthday.

The unfamiliar term echoed in his mind, but it failed to evoke any memories of celebrating birthdays. All that remained was a string of cold numbers on his identification card.

Perhaps there had been celebrations in the past, back when the family was still harmonious when he was very young. But he was too young then to etch those warm scenes into his memory, to cherish them later in life.

"Is this... a birthday cake?"

In the insectoid culture, birthdays were referred to as Hatching Days, lacking significant meaning and not widely celebrated. It was uncommon to purchase a cake specifically for such an occasion.

Maybe during one of his recounts to the female about the other world, he mentioned the concept of birthdays, and she had attentively noted down the date and celebration traditions.

"You came back just for this."

Yale blinked, suppressing the warmth welling up in his eyes, his voice turning slightly hoarse.

"March 20th, the Vernal Equinox, the Dominant's birthday."

Xi Ze enunciated each word, smiling gently at the corner of his eyes, "This is what I noted down back then."

The insectoids didn't have a vernal equinox or birthdays, but if Yale desired them, Xi Ze would familiarize himself with any festival and prepare a surprise for his male partner.

The female insect coughed softly, retrieving a bunch of multicolored candles and placing them beside Yale. "Half an hour has passed. Should we start?"

Both of them, who had never celebrated a birthday before, were momentarily awkward and flustered as they faced the cake with its candles.

"I think... we sing first, then light the candles? No... it should be light the candles first, then make a wish after singing? Or do we make a wish while singing...?"

Unit 015 peered curiously, its tiny turtle head tilted, "What are you doing?"

Yale explained the concept of a birthday briefly, and Unit 015 suddenly understood, nodding vigorously. "It's like celebrating the day of manufacture, right? I get it now."

"The Dominant is 25 this year, so we need 25 candles, right? Isn't that too many?"

Xi Ze held a small bunch of candles, momentarily unsure where to begin. The cream decorations on the cake were lovely; adding too many would only spoil the appearance.

"Five will do."

Yale selected five candles of different colors and handed three to the male insectoid. Together, they arranged them in a circle around the center of the cake.

"Should we light them now? Do we have a lighter?"

Candles were actually quite uncommon in the insectoid civilization. Xi Ze had custom-made them based on his memory of their effect. Naturally, the vendor hadn't thought to include a lighter.

Yale, unfamiliar with the birthday rituals of that world, was momentarily stumped. 015 promptly raised a finger and emitted a miniature laser from it—

Biu! Biu! Biu! Biu! Biu!

The candles lit up one by one, some even crackling softly, like tiny fireworks on the cake.

"Perfect!"

015 retracted its finger cannon proudly and stood with its hands on its hips.

Yale froze for a moment, finally recovering from his excitement and regaining his composure. He coughed lightly, feeling a bit awkward.

"Alright, now you can sing... Wait, I haven't taught you this song yet."

After a moment of contemplation, he decided against teaching it on the spot. "Forget it, I'm not exactly musically inclined myself. I wouldn't want to spoil your tune. Let me just hum a part of it for you."

The tiny flame on the candle flickered, emitting a bright and warm light that illuminated a small area, gently outlining the male's features.

The warm yellow glow fell upon Yale's face, softening his sharp contours. His long eyelashes cast faint shadows, and as the flame danced sporadically, the shadows undulated like ocean waves.

With a relaxed expression, he hummed a repetitive melody, simple yet pleasant, akin to a lullaby that had been passed down since childhood.

Xi Ze gazed at his profile, so absorbed that he didn't notice when the humming ceased. In the next second, Yale clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and held the pose for a few seconds before blowing out the candle.

"Done!"

His eyes sparkled with delight, a broad smile adorning his face.

It took Xi Ze a moment to realize that the singing signaled the wish-making part. After making a wish, one could extinguish the candle.

"What wish did the Ruler make?"

Upon hearing him ask directly, Yale narrowed his eyes slightly before playfully teasing the male insect with a serious tone, "There's a saying over there that a wish loses its power once spoken aloud, so it must be kept secret."

"It's about you, but I'm not telling you."

He dangled another carrot and peered at Xi Ze's face, only to miss the adorable expression of the male insect being both curious and hesitant.

Xi Ze pulled out the candles and arranged them neatly aside. He chuckled lightly upon hearing Yale's words. "You can tell me, and I'll help you fulfill your birthday wishes, no matter how many."

Mythical deities were too intangible, and the notion of being limited to only three wishes sounded unreliable, merely serving as a psychological comfort.

Lowering his gaze at the stunned male insect, he spoke earnestly, "So just tell me, and I'll find a way to fulfill the Ruler's wishes."

"You really are..."

Yale sat up straight and let out a soft sigh.

Lately, he could only tease Xi Ze occasionally. Ever since their feelings became clear, the male insect had surprisingly become straightforward, occasionally throwing direct hints that left Yale completely defenseless.

Birthdays and their wishes were merely tricks to appease children; he didn't attach much importance to them, let alone genuinely believe that an insect would fulfill three of his wishes.

Yet, Xi Ze persisted, "Is it something difficult to achieve? You can tell me first, and I'll assess the feasibility."

Yale, seeing his determination, became intrigued and pressed on, "Even if they're somewhat excessive?"

"Anything is possible."

Xi Ze gazed at him intently, his expression gentle yet resolute, not altering his stance in the slightest.

When an ordinary child poses such a question, parents would become vigilant and promptly refute the idea of reaching for the stars or the moon, emphasizing the importance of abiding by the law and moral conduct.

But Xi Ze was genuinely saying that anything was possible with no restrictions. As long as he expressed his desire, even something difficult or morally questionable, the female insectoid would strive to make it happen for him.

"..."

Yale gazed into Xi Ze's eyes for a long while, his expression gradually turning solemn.

This wasn't the first time he had sensed that Xi Ze's moral compass didn't point as high as one might expect.

Even that crimson thread was versatile, ready to bend for him without hesitation or reservation, doing so much for him and even willing to soil its own hands in the process.

"The title of Duke, he risked his life to win it for me by slaying that male insect. Before that, I truly believed he wouldn't be capable of such acts, nor delve into underhanded dealings."

"My judgment at the time was severely flawed. I should have kept Hizar around and honed him into the sharpest blade, one that would fight tooth and nail for me, seizing more power and influence."

Lance's words echoed in Yale's ears, pulling him into a fleeting reverie. Reaching out, he caressed the side of the female insectoid's face, only to have his fingers gently captured and pressed against lips in a kiss that was both intimate and suggestive of allegiance.

He was once like a blunt, rusted blade, caked with congealed blood, but after being meticulously cleansed and tended to, he eventually revealed a new luster.

Yale was that blade itself, capable of severing any insectoid's head with its unparalleled sharpness, while simultaneously adorning it with flowers and crowns.

Never had he been more grateful for the choice he made back then.

Even with this realization, Yale's decision would remain unchanged. He had never sought a mere efficient and razor-sharp weapon; instead, he desired—

He leaned closer to the male insectoid, watching as his face drew near, an unconscious smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

The male insectoid, initially composed, grew slightly tense, blinking unnaturally. After being intensely stared at from close range for over ten seconds, a flush of red gradually spread across his neck and ears.

"What's... wrong?"

Xi Ze stumbled over his words, unable to recall any missteps he might have made. However, under the profound gaze of the male insect, he couldn't help but feel a mix of guilt and bashfulness.

"Well then, listen carefully, my wish is—"

Yale, gazing at the enlarged, vivid image before him, suddenly chuckled. The gentle exhalation of air brushed against the face of the female, making him slightly nervous.

"Firstly, I hope we both remain healthy and that everything goes smoothly for us."

Their bodies were already in close proximity, their breaths intertwining. A mere downward glance allowed Yale to delve into those molten-gold eyes, meeting his own reflection in a serene gaze.

"Secondly, I wish for us to stay together, always, through this long century ahead."

Noticing the tightening grip around his waist, Yale placed his hand on the female's shoulder, ensuring he wouldn't slip. Then, he expressed his third wish.

"Lastly, I hope for universal peace. No wars or turmoil, so that everyone can lead tranquil lives."

Taking advantage of the support around his waist, Yale leaned back significantly, turning around to reseat himself in the chair with an open and sincere expression on his face.

"Exactly, it sounds simple, but it's actually quite challenging."

From the moment Xi Ze mentioned his first wish, a smile had been threatening to overflow from the depths of his eyes, culminating in a sigh-like chuckle, "Yes, indeed."

It was a wish that should have been straightforward, yet always seemed just out of reach. Or perhaps, they were perpetually on the journey to fulfillment, striving tirelessly for that ultimate happiness.

"Alright, let's have the cake. We'll make this our dinner. It's really huge."

Yale picked up a knife and sliced a large piece of strawberry-laden cake for the female insect, giving 015 an equally generous portion as well. Even though it couldn't eat, it deserved some sense of participation.

The turtle couldn't have cake, but it received a bright red strawberry to nibble on, poking its head out repeatedly for each bite.

This custom-made cake had a particularly rich cream, smooth and velvety, melting in the mouth. If circumstances allowed, they could have had more fun with it... Never mind.

Yale pressed his lips together, ultimately conceding to the regretful abandonment of the idea.

After the simple celebration, the mess on the table was promptly cleaned up. The remaining cake was stored in the fridge, ready to be enjoyed again later that night.

015 took the little turtle to the garden. Lately, it had developed many new hobbies, starting to learn various skills from the AI. While it planted flowers, the little turtle would munch on the petals, creating a harmonious coexistence between them.

With only an hour left, Yale nestled the female insect onto the sofa, planning to rest for a moment before leaving. The back and forth journey had already exhausted him, leaving no energy for anything else.

He lazily conducted a mental soothing session for Xi Ze, chatting intermittently, feeling his entire body unwind. Inevitably, he found the most comfortable spot in the female's embrace and nuzzled repeatedly.

"..."

Xi Ze glanced at the sky outside before refocusing on Yale's face. The male had his face buried, his eyelashes fluttering slightly as his breathing remained gentle, seemingly asleep.

Dark circles were also evident beneath his eyelids, indicating profound fatigue.

Just moments ago, Yale had scolded him, sternly reminding him to take care of himself in the future, yet he was lenient with himself, secretly staying up late when Yale wasn't home, exhausting himself to this state.

Xi Ze let out a soft sigh, reaching out to gently caress Yale's shoulder and back, massaging rhythmically to help him relax. He felt the male's breaths grow even calmer, as if he was truly drifting into a daze.

"When... will this war end...?"

Suddenly, a low whisper echoed in his ear, like a murmur from a dream, imbued with a hint of anticipation and longing.

Xi Ze's pupils constricted slightly, his hand pausing in its motion. After a long while, he whispered softly, "Soon, very soon, everything will come to an end."

The empire would witness an unprecedented era of prosperity and clarity, free from the shadows of corruption and constant warfare. They would remain together, just as Yale had envisioned.

May you be in good health and all your wishes come true.

...

No matter how reluctant he was, the final hour could not be reversed.

Xi Ze rose silently, gently tucking Yale's hand into the warmth of the blankets, replacing himself with a long pillow.

He hadn't taken off his military uniform, so he only needed a moment to tidy up before leaving.

The crimson twilight enveloped the living room, erasing all traces of the earlier merriment, leaving behind only stillness and solitude.

Did Yale endure such endless loneliness while waiting for him to return home?

Staring at the lump in the sofa covered by the blankets, Xi Ze felt almost paralyzed. Yet, after a moment of silent, labored breathing, he steeled his heart and briskly walked out the door.

The soldiers outside remained dutifully on guard, saluting him as he emerged. A mech approached from the sky nearby – Bai Lang had come to escort him back to the battlefield.

Xi Ze composed himself and strode down the steps, only to suddenly hear a familiar voice behind him.

"Say your goodbyes properly before you leave, or you'll have regrets."

Yale leaned against the doorframe, his expression somewhat gloomy, seemingly recalling the last time the drone had discreetly left for battle after deliberately knocking him out.

He gazed at the drone's retreating figure, uniform crisp, shoulders squared. The glow of the dawn enveloped him like a fiery cloak for a warrior, imbued with a warm crimson hue.

Xi Ze paused in his step, then turned around, his brows furrowing in slight helplessness. "I didn't want to disturb your rest."

"I wasn't sleeping anyway."

Yale descended the steps and stopped three meters away from the drone, refraining from embracing him. "This should be the end, right?"

Bai Lang was already waiting in his mecha, leaving them with limited time to talk. However, Xi Ze didn't rush through their farewell. Instead, he climbed the steps to close the distance between them.

He embraced Yale, softly promising, "Yes, this is the final chapter. Once we defeat and apprehend Anto, and expose all those lurking in the shadows, everything will come to an end."

"At that time, we won't be forcefully separated for long periods. Then, I'll give you a proper birthday celebration, followed by a vacation to explore the planets you've always wanted to visit."

Yale embraced him firmly, inhaling deeply, his voice hoarse, "Alright."

He pressed his lips together, unsure of what to say. At this moment, all words seemed inadequate, leaving only that oft-repeated phrase.

"Be extra cautious, I'll be waiting for you to come home."

Xi Ze patted the male insectoid's shoulder, hiding his reluctance. Taking two steps back, he gave Yale one last, profound look, smiling as he said, "Alright, goodbye."

Turning around, he strode purposefully towards the mecha, soon merging with it into a streak of light that vanished on the horizon, like a fleeting shooting star. No matter how reluctant, it was impossible to hold onto it.

Yale stood there for an unknown duration until the daylight faded, enveloping him in darkness, before he finally came back to his senses.

Goodbye.

He whispered silently, his lips curling slightly.