Chapter 86

Chapter 86

The outskirts of the Starport were swarming with journalists who had rushed to the scene, all of them forcefully held back by the military. After a scuffle, a tense stalemate emerged, with each journalist stretching their necks in anticipation.

The moment Xi Ze's figure appeared, it was like a drop of water falling into a hot oil pan, igniting an instant uproar—

"Good day, Admiral. Could you tell us what's happening inside? We've heard screams and sobs. Has the military resorted to violent enforcement?!"

"I'm a reporter from the Eita News Agency..."

"Does the royal family intend to eliminate the Duke and even the nobility? Can this be seen as a signal... Please answer just one question!"

Xi Ze's military uniform was impeccable, his expression indifferent under the shadow of his cap. He ignored the chaos around him, his black military boots clicking sharply on the road as he strode out purposefully.

"Stay back! Keep your distance!"

The female soldiers forming the defensive line shouted sternly, but their hands were tied due to the rule that they couldn't harm civilians. For a moment, they were at a loss on how to handle the situation.

Though the journalists couldn't overpower the female soldiers, their numbers and agility gave them an advantage. They swarmed around like a hive of bees, their microphones stretching out densely, almost poking at Xi Ze's chin.

"You're obstructing military affairs! Guards! Clear the area immediately!"

Bai Lang, seething with anger, slapped away a microphone and yelled at the crowd beyond the defensive line, forcefully signaling the troops to begin clearing the area.

"His Excellency Yale is severely injured, yet you show no grief. Instead, you're using this opportunity to eliminate your political rivals. Were your previous displays of affection nothing but a facade?!"

An entertainment journalist pushed his way to the front row, suddenly shouting into the microphone as Xi Ze passed by, "Can you comment on that...?"

The moment those words left his mouth, the scene fell deathly silent.

Bai Lang stared at the insect in disbelief, veins pulsating on his forehead. He nearly roared in fury, "What the hell are you spouting? Do you have a brain?!"

He dared not turn to look at the Marshal's expression. As someone who had been working tirelessly alongside him to handle official duties, he knew the Marshal's state better than anyone else.

Just after concluding a war, the presence of the Military Marshal was crucial everywhere. The complex and tedious tasks of reorganizing the army and rebuilding were overwhelming, leaving no room for delegation to another insect.

He could only watch helplessly as the Marshal suffered, never closing his eyes or finding a moment to rest. The weight of the throne, the military, and the nobility seemed to bear down on his shoulders like mountains.

Yet, there were those blind to the situation, daring to poke at the suppressed pain, exploiting the suffering of their kind for profit.

Before Bai Lang could turn around to punch the insect-like creature, an unscrupulous journalist was pushed to the ground and ruthlessly stomped on by someone unknown, spitting at him in disgust.

"Scram back for another few hundred rounds of training, trash!"

"Are you so desperate for attention? ! I was worried about having nothing to write, but now I might as well criticize this foul phenomenon in the journalism world..."

In the midst of the chaos, Xi Ze had already reached the military hovercar, entered it, and shut the door with a loud thud, isolating himself from all the noise.

Bai Lang followed suit and got into the car, soon leading the troops away, leaving the mess behind them.

Seeing that they couldn't dig up any more news, the group of journalists reluctantly dispersed after hovering around for a while.

With the urgent matters mostly dealt with, it was time to return to the villa to discuss His Majesty's treatment plan with the Empire's top medical team.

"You should rest for a bit in the car," Bai Lang suggested cautiously, given the eerily quiet atmosphere inside.

The military omega in the backseat remained indifferent and didn't accept the offer, instead turning on his optical brain to continue processing emails. He seemed like a perfect machine with pre-programmed work routines, never tiring.

In the aftermath of war, chaos reigns, but it's also the prime opportunity to uproot any lingering corruption. They've already apprehended several implicated nobles during this period.

The key perpetrators have been taken into the interrogation room for intense questioning, and their trials will resume soon.

Xi Ze lowered his gaze, the silver-blue glow from his data pad reflecting in his eyes, yet failing to dispel the deep shadows within.

Most importantly, there was Yale...

At the mere mention of that name, he forcibly cut off the thought.

He had been doing this every day when work demanded his attention, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to clear his mind, nor could he bear to step away from his male partner.

Closing his eyes briefly to alleviate the dryness, Xi Ze ignored the throbbing in his temples. Suddenly, a voice echoed in his ear:

"Beep-beep-beep~ My general, please take note, it's late now, time to rest! Early to bed, early to rise, keeps the body healthy and wise..."

A gentle and soothing voice spoke, tinged with a hint of embarrassment, yet the affection beneath was undeniable, akin to a whisper shared during intimate moments.

Xi Ze's pupils constricted, his fingers pausing abruptly in the act of replying to the message.

He immediately pressed his hand against the pocket of his coat, retrieving a small communicator from within.

The communicator's screen flickered with a red glow, emitting a voice so familiar it seemed ingrained in his bones. He gripped the cold surface of the device tightly, his fingers slipping several times before he managed to stammeringly stop the ringing.

Yale had recorded it with great embarrassment, feeling it was too shameful, but eventually, after some struggle, he completed the recording to use as Bai Lang's communicator ringtone.

Back then, the male insect, with flushed ears, had shoved the communicator into his hand and sternly emphasized,

"You must keep it on silent at all times, don't let other insects hear this ringtone, understand? Only when you're alone can you play it out loud. Otherwise, I won't record any new ones for you."

Yale's voice seemed to echo right beside his ear, yet it felt like a heavy hammer striking his vulnerable heart, turning that flesh into a pool of mush.

"?!"

Bai Lang trembled all over, instinctively glancing at the rearview mirror.

He happened to catch the mask of indifference on the military female's face shattering abruptly. Clutching the communicator tightly, the male swiftly turned his head.

Even in that fleeting glimpse, Bai Lang saw the General's eyes turn red almost instantly, blinking unnaturally. The hand raised to cover them was now moist, and the male took a somewhat embarrassed deep breath to recompose his expression.

He had never seen the Marshal display such an expression before.

Whether it was after a defeat, suffering near-fatal injuries, or bidding farewell to countless fallen comrades, the military alpha remained composed and steadfast, serving as the unyielding backbone of the army.

More often than not, that name was deified, becoming synonymous with victory and glory. No matter how heavy the responsibilities or pressures on his shoulders, he would never show a hint of fatigue.

The idea of the Marshal shedding tears in front of another creature was something Bai Lang had never associated with him, let alone witnessing it firsthand.

"..."

Bai Lang clenched his teeth, fiercely wiping away the tears on his face. He raised the partition inside the vehicle, granting the Marshal some privacy.

Damn it, those damn scums all deserve to die!

His chest heaved deeply for a moment, barely suppressing the raging anger that burned within him, making his blood boil. He wished he could grab his gun right now and riddle those scums with bullets.

He wondered how His Excellency Yale was doing...

Even as an outsider like him was worried, he couldn't even begin to imagine how the Marshal must be feeling. Yet, there were mountains of work that needed attending to, damn it!

Behind the partition, silence reigned. Bai Lang took a deep breath, trying hard to regulate his rapid breathing.

They could only take one step at a time now.

*

The car stopped in front of the gate. After a moment of hesitation, Bai Lang got out to help open the door.

Xi Ze's expression had returned to normal, but a faint red still lingered at the corners of his eyes, indicating that what had just happened was real and not an illusion conjured by his imagination.

"Take your time. I'll be returning to the military headquarters."

Bowing slightly as a gesture of respect, Bai Lang was about to head back to resume his duties when his shoulder was suddenly pressed down upon.

Startled, he saw that the Marshal didn't leave immediately but instead placed a hand on his shoulder, leaning in slightly as if for a simple embrace.

"You've been working hard these past few days."

Xi Ze's voice was a bit hoarse. Looking at the dark circles under his adjutant's eyes, he saw through the fatigue that Bai Lang was trying to hide.

During this period, he hadn't rested, relentlessly purging in a manner bordering on self-harm. The intensity was such that multiple units had to rotate, yet the only constant companion by his side had been his adjutant.

"What's hard about it? We've always managed before. The one who truly deserves the title of 'hardworking' is you, Admiral."

Bai Lang's nose stung, and he passionately patted his chest, insisting that he was still capable and ready to be at Yale's service.

"Don't say such formalities. Just tell me if there's anything you need!"

"Alright."

Xi Ze gave a slight smile and ordered Bai Lang to rest for half a day before swiftly heading into the villa.

The empire's top medical team had already arrived and was currently providing Yale with comprehensive treatment.

After the intense rescue efforts on the first day, the male insect had fallen into a strange coma, unable to regain consciousness. This was now the primary focus of their treatment—

"The situation with His Majesty right now is truly peculiar. First of all, this is neither a vegetative state nor brain death."

The lead physician accessed all the data and transmitted it to Xi Ze's optical brain, simultaneously zooming in on the most critical pages in mid-air before delving into an explanation.

"After treatment in the medical pod, all of His Majesty's wounds have healed, and his body has returned to a healthy state. Look, these are the specific data…"

With meticulous and exhaustive investigation, they had virtually mapped out the health of every single cell and strand of hair on Yale's body.

Yet, no matter how many checks they conducted, there was only one conclusion: Lord Yale was in exceptional health.

Moreover, for some inexplicable reason, he seemed to maintain this optimal state consistently.

The only issue they found—

"Lord Yale's mental energy levels are on the lower side, but the overall fluctuations remain stable. It's not a case of mental energy leakage, as inspections of his mental landscape reveal no cracks."

"It's likely due to excessive use of mental energy, resulting in the sealing or temporary depletion of his mental landscape. However, we lack sufficient data to confirm that this is the cause of his coma."

This was their sole lead, yet also the most helpless aspect of the situation.

The Empire had conducted research on mental energy, but progress had been stagnant due to the lack of adequate experimental subjects, yielding no significant breakthroughs.

They could request assistance from other high-ranking male insects, but on one hand, the disparity in strength might render their help ineffective.

On the other hand, the Empire was currently in chaos, and Lance's remnants had yet to be completely eradicated. They couldn't guarantee the intentions of any male insects coming to assist and whether they might pose a risk to Lord Yale.

Now, His Excellency Yale was as precious as the imperial treasures, and every move had to be handled with the utmost care.

After a moment of hesitation, the doctor still voiced out another idea. Though it sounded odd, it could be a path worth exploring.

"Your Excellency is not so much in a coma as he is in an extremely deep sleep from which it's difficult to awaken. It's a very primitive state of seclusion, akin to hibernation in animals or a chrysalis stage, waiting for transformation."

Transformation.

Xi Ze had been studying the data with an indifferent expression, repeatedly confirming the male's condition. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but be momentarily lost in thought.

His eyes flickered, and he gazed at Yale's blurred face inside the chamber. His molten gold irises held a gloomy shadow, resembling a hopeless, dried-up well.

... Was that so?

He imagined the beautiful wings the male would have, and his lips curved up slightly.

However, that faint smile vanished quickly. After a long silence, Xi Ze finally nodded in agreement to proceed.

"Let's formulate a suitable treatment plan and give it a try."

The doctors, too, were affected by this unusual atmosphere. After softly discussing a general treatment plan, they fell silent without prior agreement.

"…That's about it. All of this will require the Marshal's cooperation."

It was already very late at night, and the Marshal wouldn't allow them to stay for too long. The doctors could only temporarily bid farewell after finishing their tasks and return to their residence in the adjacent villa.

"We'll be on standby. If anything happens, just call us over directly."

The doctor hesitated for a moment before softly urging, "Please take care of your health as well. Even though military females have strong recuperative abilities, they can't endure prolonged mental stress and sleep deprivation."

The condition of the military female before them was actually terrible. He was barely holding on by sheer willpower and a formidable self-healing ability, like a string stretched to its limits and at risk of snapping at any moment.

This extreme suppression, coupled with an indifferent attitude toward all harm, filled them with dread just watching.

Xi Ze didn't nod or respond, and it was unclear if he had even heard them. He remained motionless in his original seating position, gazing at the male insect inside the chamber.

The doctor sighed, silently exiting and closing the door, leaving the space for solitude.

When all the insects had left, the villa fell into an eerie silence, with only the faint hum of machinery audible.

015 approached cautiously, hands folded in its chest, with a tiny turtle on its head that had just finished its meal, peering at the expression of the male insect.

"You haven't had dinner yet..."

Its inquiry was met with no response. Xi Ze remained motionless, seated with his eyes lowered, gazing at the sleeping male insect within the restoration pod, his face devoid of emotion.

015 mustered the courage to tug on the sleeve of the female insect, attempting to bring him back to reality.

"Have something to eat first, or the Primary Insect will worry."

Xi Ze's eyelashes quivered slightly, his expression momentarily lost.

Then, he broke free from 015's grip, not heading to the dining area as instructed, but instead slowly rose to his feet and hesitantly opened the pod's door.

"Although the restoration fluid doesn't leave residue, after each soak, I feel sticky, as if there's shampoo that won't rinse off... I'll take a shower first."

Yale had once complained about the discomfort of the restoration pod, always rushing to the bathroom immediately after emerging from it, needing a thorough cleanse before feeling relief.

Before entering, he had looked pale, but after coming out and taking a bath, he was once again healthy and comfortable, his fluffy appearance a testament to his renewed vitality. With excess energy, he even threw himself at Yale, hugging him around the waist.

"This time, it's really just a hug."

The handsome male's brows and eyes held a mischievous glint, his wicked intentions clear, yet somehow not making him dislikeable. Instead, it made one want to indulge him without limits.

Memories of their time together were overflowing, vivid and crystal-clear, replaying scene by scene before his eyes.

It was as if Yale would open his eyes in the next second, telling him that he had only wanted to scare him and hadn't truly left, then cunningly lean in for a kiss on his cheek.

But the room was silent, cold moonlight pouring in like countless sharp needles, piercing through all the illusions of warm breaths.

The male still had his eyes closed, showing no signs of waking up.

"..."

Xi Ze's figure was hidden in the shadows, almost motionless, like a crude, cold statue chiseled from stone. Neither his breath nor heartbeat could be heard.

A drop of liquid, full and heavy, slid down his lowered eyelashes, landing with a "plop" onto the healing solution, creating a tiny splash.

Seemingly startled by the touch, he finally stirred, bending down to cradle the male's knees and shoulders.

"Slurp."

A crisp sound of water echoed as Yale was securely lifted out of the regenerative fluid. He nestled quietly in the female's embrace, being carried into the bathroom for a simple cleansing.

Water sounds came from the bathroom. Feeling somewhat lost, 015 stood there for a moment, then gently placed the turtle on its head back down.

"I'll be right back with something to eat. Stay here."

After it returned with a tube of high-concentration nutrient fluid, struggling with its decision, Yale was already lying on the bed in a bathrobe, his ankles held by the male who was wiping away residual droplets of water.

It clung to the door frame, pushing it open just enough to peek inside.

Xi Ze was focused, kneeling on the bed with a soft white towel in hand. As he dried the damp moisture, he gently massaged the male's body.

"This is made from wool from that Lamb Planet... It's really soft, isn't it?"

The female's voice was low and husky, as if speaking both to the male and to himself, "Do you like it?"

Suddenly, he regretted not having accompanied Yale earlier when the male had been curious about the experience.

...It was too late now to make amends.

Laying the towel aside, Xi Ze began to focus on massaging Yale's body with an instinctive yet professional touch, alleviating any potential discomfort for the male.

"Is this comfortable? Does it hurt?"

"If you don't awaken, there's still a chance that your muscles could atrophy even with regenerative fluids... But I'll take good care of your body."

The female spoke softly to himself for a while, but his movements gradually slowed until they ceased entirely.

Then, as if overwhelmed by an unseen burden, he slowly leaned forward, burying his face in Yale's abdomen.

He remained quiet for a long time, but 015 could see his tightly clenched fists holding onto the bathrobe. Veins stood out prominently on the back of his hands, his knuckles turning white and trembling from the exertion, revealing his helplessness and despair.

Although it had undergone modifications, 015 still lacked an emotional module. As an emotionless machine powered by energy, its comprehension of pain was limited to the loss it experienced.

Initially, 015 couldn't understand why those insects were so distressed and wore such sorrowful expressions, given that Yale was still present, neither gone nor deceased.

In that instant, it gazed unblinkingly at the scene before it and suddenly sensed an immense sorrow that could crush even a worm –

Existence didn't equate to presence, and a body without a soul was not truly alive.

Xi Ze still held Yale in his embrace, but he had already lost him, for an unknown duration. If luck wasn't on their side, it might be forever.

Chapter 15 stood frozen for a long while. It looked at the nutrient solution in its hand, then crouched down to slide it through the door crack before silently closing the door.

"..."

The female worm's Adam's apple rolled fiercely for a moment. It struggled to suppress its emotions, yet a hurried and erratic gasp still escaped, resembling the desperate struggle of someone drowning.

Starting from silence, the intensity grew as it forcefully held its breath. Eventually, it even began to experience slight convulsions from suffocation, with even the coughing from choking accompanied by tremors and sobs.

After an indeterminate period, the overwhelming emotions subsided slightly.

"You're back home, right?" Xi Ze murmured, but his words were muffled by his rapid sniffles, making them difficult to discern.

Realizing this, he took a few deep breaths, cleared his swollen throat, and repeated himself.

Silence.

"Is that world... truly so beautiful?"

Still no response.

"How much time has passed there? Is it also three years?"

"I hope you're in good health there, free from any more suffering."

Silence persisted.

"Has Lord Male returned home for dinner?"

"The food here doesn't suit your taste. When you come back, remember to eat more of what you like. Don't settle for less or be too frugal..."

The female's words were jumbled, even to his own ears. They seemed like genuine inquiries but also like self-deceiving mutterings to himself.

Perhaps it wasn't seeking a response, but rather, the overflow of longing and anxiety needed an outlet to flow and be released.

The bathrobe had become slightly disheveled, its abdomen, pressed against his face, rising and falling gently, reflecting a shimmering glow of water in the light.

Xi Ze was lost in thought for a moment before he finally plucked up the courage from the jumbled words and spoke the truth that had been forgotten in a corner.

"Are you happy there? If you can... would you come back to visit me occasionally?"

His entire body trembled, his breath held, awaiting with bated anticipation, even yearning for a miracle to occur.

But—there was no reply.

His heart thundered as if the fragile house he had painstakingly built had been abruptly crushed by a stone, shattering into pieces that could never be put together again.

After a long silence, he suddenly chuckled softly, the sound intermittent.

It was like a laugh and a cry at the same time. His neck and ears had turned crimson red, veins bulging and snaking upward.

This was a stark contrast to his calm demeanor when handling official duties during the day.

Like a young cub, clinging to the remnants of chaos, refusing to acknowledge the harsh reality while howling in sorrow, lost and pained.

This time, there would be no other child to rush over and hold his hand.

...

The night was deep and cold as water.

Feeling Yale's bathrobe and body growing damp, slowly turning icy cold.

Xi Ze forced himself to sit up slightly, changing into pajamas to avoid catching a chill after cleaning up.

But he didn't leave. Instead, he lay on the bed, embracing Yale's waist from the side, curling up slightly.

The faint, delicate scent of the male insectoid enveloped him, filling every breath, creating an intimate sanctuary that seemed to shelter a frightened soul temporarily.

"Male Lord..."

He whispered, placing Yale's hand on his head as if the male insectoid was still gently stroking his hair while lazily conversing and soothing his spirit.

The tide was forcibly held back before it could surge completely, retreating gently and gradually. The female insect's face held a dazed expression, his slightly flushed eyelids softening his features.

"You've just returned, you must want to stay longer... It's alright, no matter how many days, I'll wait for you."

His voice held a hint of uncertainty, as if he wasn't sure if this reason was enough to deceive himself for how long.

A day, a week, a month, or perhaps... a year?

Realizing too late that those words might not be auspicious, he pondered what would happen if they came true and he had to wait indefinitely.

He hugged Yale tightly, burying his face even deeper, yet unwilling to force the male insect to abandon something significant once more. He whispered softly,

"Take your time, it's alright, didn't you want to come home...?"

"But if you get bored, just come back here for a moment, I, 015, and Little Turtle miss you very much."

Yale's sleeping face in his arms was serene, his breaths light and soothing.

It seemed like just another ordinary night, a rare moment of respite amidst their busy lives, a happiness that swelled the heart like a balloon.

But why would he feel such despair now?

"I can't stay up late anymore. I have official duties to attend to tomorrow."

"Still, you don't have to work anymore. Building a mental barrier must have been exhausting and painful. You should rest well for a few days first."

"...It's alright. I'm not that tired. The work is almost done, and the trial will begin soon. There won't be any more insects attempting to harm you."

Exhausted to the core, Xi Ze lost himself in thought for a long while before regaining his composure to carry on a one-sided conversation with Yale in their usual manner. Eventually, his voice faded into silence.

Gently, he leaned down to kiss the male's forehead before turning off the room lights.

"Male Lord, goodnight."

...

After a few minutes of darkness.

Xi Ze couldn't endure it any longer and turned on the night lamp again. Not until the corner of the pillow and Yale's profile were illuminated did he manage to calm his pounding heart.

Leave the light on, after all.

Next, the female insect opened the covers slightly and embraced Yale once more, holding him tightly against his body until they were inseparably close, only then did he find some semblance of reassurance.

He spent the entire night awake, counting every breath of the male insect, enduring the seemingly endless darkness until dawn finally broke.

Author's Note:

① The communicator's ringtone, picking up the small subplot from Chapter 65 where "Yale had set a delightful ringtone for their communicators."