Chapter 91

Chapter 91

Tap.

Yale paused in his steps, stopping right in the center of the living room.

His gaze swept across the side table and, as expected, he spotted a faint, barely noticeable glimmer amidst the vibrant flowers.

"Why are you standing here? Didn't you say you were going to attend to the guest insect?"

015 gently placed the little turtle into its aquarium, then turned back to give him an odd glance.

"Everything's fine."

Yale surveyed the living room, his gaze not lingering anywhere in particular, yet he had already memorized the locations of all the surveillance cameras.

He let out a sigh.

Sometimes, having overly acute senses wasn't necessarily a good thing. At least when faced with the frenzied actions of a female insectoid, he couldn't numb himself and completely ignore them.

Well, at least for now...

Yale sat on the sofa, opening the documents he would need later, while casually contemplating his future plans.

Soon, the doorbell chimed with 015's welcoming voice, followed by Vito's polite thanks. In no time, the young male insectoid came into view.

"A long time no see."

Vito coughed softly, then smiled after receiving a response, settling down on the sofa beside Yale.

"Yes, it's been over two months. I imagine quite a lot has happened during that time."

He had already scanned through the updates last night. The current situation was better than he had anticipated, but there was one matter that concerned him:

"Anto, Lance, and Kanuo – are they still being secretly held in prison, enduring torture without having their sentence of exile carried out?"

When he first read about it, Yale was genuinely surprised. He knew the queen's morals were steadfast; even when hurt, she would simply eliminate her foes swiftly.

She wouldn't resort to such cruel methods to repay the pain she had endured, bit by bit. While he had no objections, it wasn't a typical approach for Xi Ze.

Vito offered a wry smile.

"Yes, and the longer it drags on, the worse it will be. It'll give the media and political opponents ammunition to use against him in the future."

"Didn't His Majesty try to talk to him?"

Yale was scanning through the new information Vito had brought, his brows furrowing slightly at the question.

"His Majesty did, but it didn't seem to have much effect. Perhaps only Your Highness's words would make a difference... After all, it was because of your coma that Marshal Monte lost control completely."

After a long hesitation, Vito spoke frankly, unsure if His Highness would take offense or consider it too troublesome to intervene.

Yale paused in his actions, then let out a barely audible sigh after a moment. "I understand."

"By the way, Your Highness..."

Vito hesitated, uncertain if his inquiry might overstep boundaries, as it concerned another male's personal affairs.

"Hmm?"

"Have you always lived under such intense surveillance? Doesn't it feel uncomfortable?"

The moment he entered, he sensed a powerful sense of being watched, as if he was being shadowed, sending shivers down his spine and making him wonder how many hidden cameras were installed here.

Male insects, with their stronger mental abilities, tend to have heightened senses in non-combat situations, making them more sensitive and easily discomforted than their female counterparts.

"Though it may not be pleasant to hear, no matter how much you dote on your mate, there should be a limit. Otherwise, you risk infringing on their personal space, even their freedom."

Seeing Yale's expression shift, Vito quickly raised his hands in surrender, adding a few more words to soften the blow.

"I'm not an overly traditional insect, I don't harp on about male insect authority. But if my every move is to be monitored by cameras within our home, I would find that intolerable."

Observing the thoughtful look on the male insect's face, he lowered his voice and continued his appeal.

"Moreover, countless eyes are now fixed on you and the Marshal. If discovered, those unscrupulous media outlets will surely twist the truth for their own gain."

"It wasn't like this before,"

Yale closed the file, his gaze sweeping over the ubiquitous hidden lights, but he didn't seem displeased or evasive despite Vito's revelation.

Ordinarily, no male insectoid could tolerate such behavior. In their eyes, the female was a subordinate, a possession, and they must always maintain their dignity and authority. Such actions would only enrage them.

Yet, Yale was unusually calm at this moment.

He even kindly reminded Vito to tone down his chatter, "The surveillance here can pick up even the slightest sound. You should probably speak less."

The young male insectoid immediately looked flustered, as if caught gossiping behind someone's back. He adjusted his seating position, turning his body slightly sideways.

"Cough, I doubt the Marshal would hold a grudge that much... right?"

Yale wore an expression that seemed to say, "Who knows?", but he quickly reined in his playful demeanor and spoke with sincerity.

"He's not my possession, not even my 'mate or female counterpart.' In both status and emotions, we stand on an absolutely equal footing."

Although he knew that Vito wasn't a traditional male insectoid, Yale's words still seemed quite progressive. Therefore, he simply stated his stance without attempting to persuade with a lengthy argument.

"I respect all his decisions, of course, with an inevitable bias towards him."

Vito looked as if he were witnessing a public display of affection, "Uh, so what?"

Digressing.

Yale cleared his throat to halt the tangent, offering a concise explanation.

"Under normal circumstances, I would have had a proper conversation with him. But since he's unwell, everything can be excused, and it was something I had allowed in the first place."

When one is sick, they were entitled to some privileges and could be indulged in their actions, especially when those actions stemmed from love and worry, rather than any desire for control or cruelty.

If not for the two-month delay caused by the transmigration, Xi Ze wouldn't have become like this. After falling ill, he seemed even more vulnerable, like a snow leopard whose fur had been drenched.

Yale was incredibly softhearted and doting towards this side of him.

"S-Sick?"

Vito exclaimed in surprise, his face expressing "Is this something I'm supposed to know?" as he suspected that the Marshal might secretly sabotage him at any moment.

"No, the information I gathered indicates that the Marshal was still wreaking havoc on the training field this morning, demonstrating how to tear apart alien beasts with his bare hands..."

His voice dwindled as he suddenly realized that it was all just a lovers' game, and he was merely an unwitting extra on set.

And due to his nosiness, he had already been hit with a double dose of relationship envy. He truly deserved it.

Vito closed his eyes briefly and forced a smile. "…Very well, Your Highness. I'm glad you understand. Let's continue discussing the latest developments."

They conversed for a while.

Towards the end, Yale suddenly shut the file and looked at the male insectoid. He whispered, "Can you help me create something? I'll send you the details later."

Perplexed, Vito still agreed to the request.

When he left, the living room fell silent once more, save for the occasional ripple of water from the small turtle's tank. Yale leaned back on the sofa, lost in thought as he gazed at the scene beyond the balcony.

His expression was grave, as if contemplating something deeply. After a long while, he rose and returned to his study.

*

The next morning, at six-thirty.

Without even opening his eyes, Yale reached out to touch the side of the bed, only to find it already cold.

"..."

His brows knitted slightly as he quickly regained consciousness. He could faintly hear movements outside the door but didn't rush to get up. Instead, he nestled deeper into the covers.

Xi Ze hadn't slept well last night. Today, he had to wake up early due to an important event.

Although he knew that a military omega's stamina and endurance were strong, it didn't stop Yale from feeling exhausted on his behalf.

Moreover, there was something crucial to consider—

His departure had truly left a deep psychological shadow on the omega.

Even though the omega had accepted his return and knew he wouldn't leave again, the subconscious fear remained, even intensifying due to the fear of losing him again.

Yale recalled how the omega had startled awake and pulled him into his embrace last night, merely because he had turned over in bed. And when he tried to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, he found the omega's eyes staring at him upon opening his eyes.

This couldn't continue.

He had intended to laze in bed for a bit longer, but remembering the significant press conference today, he mustered the strength to get up, wash up, and tidy himself before stepping out of the bedroom into the living room.

"Good morning."

Xi Ze snapped back to reality, only to see the male insect leaning against the wall, lazily greeting him with a warm and amiable demeanor. His pajamas were slightly disheveled from the pressure, exuding a soft and cozy atmosphere.

His expression softened as he raised his hand to silence the chattering designer, quickly approaching Yale in just a few strides.

"You're awake. It's still early, would you like to sleep a little longer?"

"It's not that early anymore. Isn't there a press conference at eight? That's important for you, right? I need to prepare myself too."

Feeling the gentle kisses on his face, Yale looked over the female insect's shoulder at the gleaming-eyed designer in the distance, letting out a light laugh.

After a long time apart, the designer's eyes shone with a wolfish green, eagerly presenting all the new designs he had created during this period.

"I heard you've finalized your prototype! Looks like I can start designing a special gown for you, Your Majesty. What style do you prefer...?"

A few days ago, they had gone to the hospital for a check-up without hiding it from other insects. News of this quickly spread, although the specific details were still kept confidential.

The topic that sparked the most discussion, however, was – what exactly was Yale's Majesty's prototype?

"Let's talk about that later. For now, focus on preparing for the press conference. It should be formal, appearance is secondary."

Xi Ze was dressed in military formal attire, without any medals adorning it, yet he still looked extremely solemn.

Yale's fingertips brushed over the crisp collar as he gazed at his reflection in the mirror.

"This is an important occasion."

...

The purpose of the press conference was to reveal the truth behind the Laimer Battle.

The most authoritative media outlets had been invited, and the event would be broadcast live across the entire empire.

The Laimer Battle was the fastest and most devastating defeat the Empire had ever suffered.

The Light of the Empire fell, disappearing without a trace, while the supposedly impregnable defense line was completely breached by the enemy, turning countless planets into fiery hells.

Back then, the affected citizens demanded an explanation, but the royal family chose to suppress them violently, burying this tragedy beneath the dust.

Later, with changes in the military leadership, the remaining soldiers of the First Legion were dismissed, and those who still called for a thorough investigation were secretly dealt with. This incident became the greatest unspeakable secret.

"Click!"

"Click-click!"

The press conference was held in the grand hall of the Congress, with a specially designed podium up front and a spacious area below. The first ten rows were already occupied by invited worms.

Beyond them sat the authoritative media, invited by the royal family, diligently preparing for the event. Aside from hushed conversations, the only sounds heard were those of high-precision equipment being moved around.

"…Once His Majesty appears, Camera 1 should be ready for a close-up of his face!"

Yale sat right in the middle of the first row. To his left was a royal minister, and to his right, a military general. Both sides were dressed in their respective uniforms, making Yale stand out significantly.

The live broadcast had already begun, focusing on the area below. Countless chat messages scrolled across the screen, even turning the usually dull press conference into a lively discussion.

"It's Lord Yale!!! I love you, Lord, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

"Is there a moderator here?! Can we kick that screeching chicken out??"

"It's not his fault, Lord Yale is truly divine! An ethereal beauty straight from the worm gods... Speaking of which, does Lord Yale still have any female attendants? I'd be willing to drive a luxury car and live in a mansion just to enter Lord Yale's chambers!"

"Upstairs, you... You don't want to endure any discomfort, do you? Can't you be more serious? This is Admiral Monte's press conference! His Excellency is already that mighty ruler!"

The director, observing the situation, couldn't help but twitch the corner of their mouth but still catered to the viewers' wishes by providing a close-up shot of the male sovereign downstairs.

Yale sensed something and lifted his head, gaze landing on the golden Pokéball that was almost touching his face. For a moment, he looked perplexed.

Is it malfunctioning? Why is it so close?

The little Pokéball, with its bottom puffed up and huge round eyes wide open, appeared particularly adorable. Yale chuckled softly and gently poked it with a finger. "Go back. Be careful not to get damaged."

That soft and melodious chuckle was warm and clear, carrying the unique gentle undertone of His Majesty. It was like a gentle stream flowing past one's ear, leaving half of his body tingling in an instant.

The director, witnessing the viewing ratings soar to new heights, blissfully turned off the live comments to avoid the relentless onslaught of reincarnated screaming chickens.

It was Rachel, standing aside, who noticed something and directed an unusual gaze towards him. "You have already married Hertz, but why hasn't your marital status changed?"

"What?"

Following the gaze of the military omega, Yale noticed the ring on his left ring finger. Hearing the omega's curiosity, he smiled somewhat helplessly.

"There's a reason behind it. We'll head to the bonding center when the time comes."

He had initially planned to propose once the ring was ready, but war intervened, followed by his coma. The ring was then discovered by Xi Ze before he regained consciousness—by which time, it was much later.

...All the surprise was utterly gone.

Yale sighed.

Rachel, however, touched his nose deliberately, saying with a hint of pretense.

"That's good then. There are rumors outside that despite appearing affectionate, you and the Marshal are estranged in spirit, suggesting that it's merely Sir Hizzle's one-sided wishful thinking. After all, it has been quite some time and there's been no bonding with a queen yet."

Yale's brows knitted tightly, and his expression gradually turned indifferent. "Is this rumor widespread? I haven't heard of it."

Fortunately, it hasn't become the mainstream narrative, but ever since you revealed your S-Class identity, these rumors have been circulating. Recently, with your rising prominence, these voices have grown louder.

"Alright, I understand."

Yale spoke briefly, instinctively twisting the ring on his ring finger as he gazed at the side entrance of the stage, as if he could see through it to the military alpha preparing to speak.

Regardless of whether it was to reassure Xi Ze or to silence those eerie whispers, this matter had to be addressed promptly.

Before he could continue pondering, Augus stepped out from the entrance and mounted the podium, instantly commanding the attention of the audience.

"I believe everyone is aware of the purpose of this press conference, but seeing it for yourselves will be more telling than any words. Please take a look."

After the customary opening remarks, Augus didn't waste time with unnecessary chatter and immediately began presenting the collected evidence.

"We have prepared for this event for a long time, and fortunately, the frame-up back then wasn't flawless—"

The screen clearly depicted the entirety of the Lemir Battle, gradually revealing the truth behind the "Marshal Monte's supposed disastrous miscalculation."

One by one, blood-stained photographs jolted the viewers, dug up from long-forgotten archives.

They had been destroyed and buried by countless conspiring malicious hands, attempting to erase the bloody crimes and pull off a daylight deception under the eyes of the Worm God.

Yet, they were preserved by the vigilant worms who sensed something amiss. They secretly searched for the truth and risked their lives to pass on the clues, eventually leading to the day when the truth would be exposed.

"…"

Yale's expression was grave and solemn as he watched the footage of the war-torn, suffering world from those years, his eyes inevitably reddening with emotion.

The weight of that adversity bore down on his heart, no longer just a distant tale or an impotent 404 error on the Star Network. It was now a chapter of history that had been confronted and set right.

Fortunately, all that was in the past. The guilty were behind bars, while the wronged had climbed back up, finally returning to the sunlit pedestal.

In the live stream, the flood of comments had subsided, and the few negative voices seemed to have been silenced by the scene. All that remained was a silent, collective mourning.

Tap.

Tap, tap, tap...

The video reached its conclusion, and at that moment, a determined footfall echoed from afar.

Rigid military boots clacked against the smooth ground in a rhythmic cadence, signaling the arrival of Xi Ze, resplendent in his crisp military uniform, into the view of all.

Yale watched him step forward steadily and resolutely, traversing the darkness and pain of those five years, trampling over all obstacles, until he stood tall on the platform.

He spun around deftly, standing firm as he accepted the scrutiny of all eyes with unwavering composure, exuding a calm strength.

Austergard's expression was exceedingly grave, and with a tap of the scepter in his hand against the ground, a deep resonant sound echoed.

He scanned the room, pausing between each word for emphasis, his voice resonating with gravity.

"Marshal Hierzer Monte, fell victim to the treacherous Anto and his insectile accomplices. He fought valiantly until his last breath, without a single misjudgment or act of cowardice throughout the conflict."

"He is a genuine general, a marshall! He lives up to the accolade of being the Radiant of the Empire!"

The deep voice echoed through the vast hall, simultaneously resonating in the ears of every viewer tuned into the live broadcast. Unseen yet potent, it began to piece together the fragmented image of the royal family that had been shattered over the years.

Emotions surging, Augustus's placid expression cracked for a fleeting moment. His cheeks twitched with restraint, and his eyes gradually reddened.

"The purpose of this press conference is not to seek forgiveness from the fallen heroes. After all, the Lemir Battle was a grim lesson for the Empire, one that both the royal family and the military must face squarely!"

"Yet, we still yearn for the trust of every citizen residing within this universe, within the domains of our Empire."

"Trust me - the newly ascended Sovereign will guide our Empire toward a brighter future!"

"Have faith in Admiral Monte, that he will once more erect that impregnable defense, securing one great victory after another, expanding our territories, and advancing invincibly!"

Yale happened to meet Xi Ze's gaze, witnessing the sharp glint in those brilliant golden eyes, like a blade unsheathed from dust, adorned with a hint of proud amusement.

The military omega raised his hand in salute, and immediately, thunderous applause erupted within the Congress Hall, wave after wave, sweeping across every corner of the empire, echoing endlessly.

"Bravo!!!"

"Sob sob sob... I originally thought this empire was beyond saving, but now it seems there's still hope. Sob sob sob..."

"I knew it! There must have been something fishy back then! That was Marshal Monte, not some weakling like Antonio Edcarda who only knows how to play politics!"

"Well said! Applause, clap clap clap clap!!!"

Finally recovering from the shock, the director checked the live stream. The active netizens had started flooding the screen again, but this time, their comments were predominantly positive.

This press conference had indeed been a resounding success. Even an old-hand like him, who had witnessed several generations of emperors, couldn't help feeling his heart surge with excitement, filled with anticipation for the empire's future.

Having delivered the most crucial message, Augustus cleared his throat and began to outline the new national policies that had been formulated recently.

"Over the years, the decadent royal family and nobles have committed many vile deeds, oppressing and exploiting the lower classes. We promise to strengthen oversight throughout the state institutions, constantly reflecting on ourselves and improving, gradually eradicating the cancerous tumors that plague our empire..."

...

The press conference finally concluded successfully after three hours.

As the live broadcast ended, the distinguished guests in the Congress Hall stood up but didn't rush to leave. Instead, they began chatting and networking as they walked.

Yale, eager to find Xi Ze, ignored the approaching insects. However, when he brushed past Vito, something was slipped into his hand.

"The item you requested yesterday," a whisper reached his ear. Pausing for a moment, Yale then smiled, pressing his lips together. "Alright, thank you."

The exchange was done discreetly, without attracting any insect's attention. Yale quickly made his way backstage, where he spotted Xi Ze heading out.

The male insect's face betrayed his haste, as if he was eager to meet someone. Upon seeing Yale, his expression softened involuntarily.

"You're here. Were you tired from sitting for so long?"

Being embraced all of a sudden, right there in the bustling backstage, Yale felt a slight flush on his cheeks. He reached out to pat the male insect's back.

"Fortunately, let's head back. I've prepared something for you, and..."

He trailed off, not finishing the sentence.