Chapter 95

Chapter 95

"The research team led by Mord Shaw has, in recent years, made a series of groundbreaking discoveries and studies that have astounded the entire galaxy, paving the way for the Empire to explore new frontiers of life."

In Star Year 9052, following a vote of approval from the entire galactic population, the Imperial Royal Family bestowed upon them numerous scientific accolades, including the "Seldin Scientific Breakthrough Award" and the "Imperial Pioneer of Science Award."

Amidst thunderous applause that day, golden confetti rained down, warming the medal clasped in his hand. The scene of standing on that stage remained vivid in his memory, as if it were yesterday.

"Come on, give me a smile!"

Snap!

That photograph captured the pinnacle of glory, disseminated through the digital deluge into countless households, until it reached every pair of bright eyes.

Of course, it also found its place in the standard foundational textbooks, becoming an essential lesson for biology teachers. Every name in the photo would be etched in memory and passed down through generations.

"How odd. Did the photographer not adjust the lighting properly? Why do I look so ugly in this picture?"

Presently, the photograph appeared on the light computer screen, the soft blue glow reflecting off the insectoid's face, augmenting his perplexity.

A sound of a door opening behind him startled him, and he quickly closed his light computer, ending his brief moment of laziness. He turned around with a surprised expression.

"Your Highness? It's so late, why are you here at the research institute?"

Approaching the laboratory was Yale, now clad in a clean protective suit. He stood tall and composed, moving to his usual spot.

He seemed to have been lost in thought just now, but snapped back to reality upon hearing a familiar voice. He smiled.

"I have some data to organize, quite an extensive amount, so I might be up all night. If you're leaving, let me know, and I'll take care of the subsequent instrument checks."

The insect got up and returned to its place. Upon hearing this, it waved its hands hastily, "No, no, I was just taking a quick break because I was tired. I'll probably stay up all night as well, so it's good to have company."

As it passed by Yale, it instinctively looked up at the male insect and froze for a moment.

In the bright light, Yale before him had a serene countenance like distant mountains. Underneath his casually scattered hair were eyes as dark as ink, utterly focused with an unwavering presence.

...Now he seemed to understand why he appeared somewhat dim in that photograph.

It wasn't an issue with the photographer's lighting or filter; it was simply that the insect before him radiated such brilliance that it made the others appear dull and gray, as if they weren't even on the same plane.

"Is there anything else?"

Yale lifted his head, sensing something, and gazed at the insect before him with a hint of confusion.

The female insect coughed softly, feeling somewhat awkward. She was too embarrassed to reveal the real reason for her distraction. After darting her eyes around, she suddenly noticed something.

"Cough, well... Did you go back to teach at the school this afternoon?"

Upon acquiring sufficient authority and rank within the research institute, one would also assume the role of a university mentor, albeit mostly honorary with high flexibility and mobility.

Such mentors could offer courses, though they didn't contribute to formal credits. They might occasionally visit the school during their leisure time to check on their students and give a few lessons.

Yale had joined the research institute much later than most insects, or perhaps the vast majority, but he had become a mentor first. This alone was a glimpse into his terrifying talent.

"Yes, I had an appointment with them to teach this afternoon. The class went well, and we caught up on the missed lessons. I've exceeded my monthly assignment targets."

Recalling those overly energetic young ones, a smile tugged at Yale's lips. Despite his ongoing task, he opened up a little more in conversation.

"I've heard from other mentors that some students often neglect their homework and even skip exams, resulting in high failure rates. But in my class, things seem to be better."

He recalled the worried expressions on his fellow teachers' faces back then. Initially, they had been quite concerned, but after a semester of teaching, things had actually gone rather well.

"The classes Your Excellency offers would naturally be packed," the female insect said with a smile as she leaned against the edge of the desk behind her. "But I am a bit worried. Those students have their noses in the air. Although they don't have bad intentions, they're quite adept at finding fault and causing trouble."

Challenging authority was a significant part of scientific research, and many students used this principle as an excuse to openly pose tricky questions to provoke their mentors, attempting to embarrass them.

"Oh, they say I'm gentle after class but terrifyingly fierce during class, cold and unapproachable. So far, no one has dared to cause trouble."

Yale also paused in his actions, recalling the words of the class leader. A moment of confusion flickered across his face. "Was he really that fierce?"

The insect was also perplexed, but upon reflection, it wasn't entirely impossible. This individual was meticulous in their research, one could even say picky to a fault, with an exacting standard that rivaled Director Mord's.

Though he never lost his temper or wore a sour expression, he would calmly restart experiments time and again in pursuit of perfection before proceeding to the next stage. Working alongside him could be utterly maddening due to his relentless high standards.

"Children, they do tend to be apprehensive of their teachers. Don't take it to heart... Carry on with your work, I won't bother you further."

He cleared his throat softly, finally feeling too embarrassed to disturb Yale any longer. He returned to his own spot and resumed the task he had interrupted earlier.

...

After mistaking the data for the third time, Yale finally realized that he couldn't concentrate on his work in his current state and leaned back in his chair.

What was bothering him wasn't the project, but rather the recent news that had been circulating –

"Another entirely new universe discovered beyond a distant, unknown galaxy?!"

"Confirmed News!! The Empire might be sending out troops for exploration..."

News of this new universe had been brewing over the past few days. Thanks to the Zerg's advanced technology, once a hint of its existence was detected, they could delve deeper into it consistently.

That new universe was swiftly terraformed at an initial stage, but further progress would require large-scale military deployments and exploration, a daunting and long-term endeavor.

At first, Yale's heart skipped a beat, fearing that Earth might have been discovered.

However, as more and more accurate information trickled in, this assumption was quickly dismissed. It appeared to be a brand new universe, similar to some that the Zerg had previously explored.

Although there was no longer a need to worry about Earth, Xi Ze had been working late into the night lately, attending numerous meetings and devising specific exploration plans, as well as arranging the Zerg personnel.

As expected, the Queen would be leading the military on this mission.

Once he left, all sorts of dangers and unforeseen incidents could occur. Even a simple exploration could take a year or more... It was uncertain when they would meet again.

After contemplating aimlessly for a long while, Yale frowned in frustration, unsure of his next move.

Should he advise and intervene to stop Xi Ze from going? Definitely not... Could he just watch him leave without knowing when he would return? Also... not acceptable.

Perhaps this was the downside of being with a military drone: constantly facing the possibility of separation, even preparing oneself for the likelihood of not coming back from the battlefield.

After a long silence, Yale got up from his chair, opened the door to the adjacent office, and found the window at the far end. He efficiently pulled back the curtains.

Swish—

Outside, the night was deep, and in the distance, the outline of a building was vaguely visible. Its top floor was brightly illuminated, with numerous figures rushing about, seemingly dealing with an urgent situation.

That was the tallest structure in the military base, also serving as the office of the current Imperial Marshal.

...

In the meantime, the atmosphere within the military conference hall was tense.

All preparations had been hastily completed. Now, all that remained was to choose the final commander for this seemingly perilous and tedious exploration mission, which in reality held tremendous benefits –

Back then, to motivate the army to actively expand, the Empire had established a comprehensive reward system. The most significant incentive was that the primary pioneer would be entitled to one-thousandth of the resources from the newly discovered world.

Though this proportion seemed insignificant, it was terrifyingly substantial when considering the vast resources of an entire galaxy. A sudden leap in social class was merely a small matter.

During those war-torn years, the Empire never forgot its expansionist ambitions, seeking more territories to feed its insatiable greed. The abundance of military females served as the scythes for such colonization efforts.

Rank, honor, wealth, social standing...

Everything could drive a worm into madness, sparking one riot after another. The largest of these uprisings had even threatened the decaying Empire, prompting the Emperor to show some restraint thereafter.

Now, with constraints in place, things were better. Besides, the surrounding universe had been largely explored, making it rare to discover vast new worlds. Occasionally, a few small planets might be stumbled upon.

But now, the discovery of the New Expanse had disrupted this equilibrium.

"Of course I understand the Marshal, after all, it was through this that you rose through the ranks, transforming from an insignificant soldier to a Vice Admiral, reaping enormous benefits from territorial expansion."

The speaking insect fixated on the female military leader in the prime seat, his tone tinged with sarcasm.

"In those chaotic times, many innocent insects suffered, but many also benefited from the chaos."

Xi Ze maintained his composure, seemingly oblivious to the insect's insinuation, and nodded indifferently.

"I'm glad you understand. No more empty words, just vote for me."

"You...!"

The parliamentary insect, accustomed to speaking in riddles and believing himself cunning, always found himself questioning his longevity whenever he engaged in discussions with the Marshal, as their encounters often left him infuriated.

"Pfft."

Bai Lang, seated beside, couldn't hold back a chuckle.

Having risen from Xi Ze's adjutant to the rank of General in the First Army, becoming the Marshal's right-hand man, he found amusement in witnessing the opposing insect's defeat.

The insect shut its mouth, its expression dark as it surveyed the room, calculating the likelihood of gaining the upper hand in this meeting's vote.

The First Army's General was once Marshal Monte's adjutant, and the Second Army's General, Rachel, was clearly on that side too. The Third Army's General had been promoted later and was rumored to have the royal family's support.

Only the Fourth Army's General stood with the nobles, but he was constantly suppressed and could hardly be relied upon.

However... not all those seated in the conference room were military officers; there were also high-ranking ministers and parliamentary insects, many of whom remained neutral. With the right manipulation, there was still a chance.

The newly colonized world they were exploring was vast, surely containing enormous resources. Who wouldn't want to be the first insect to feast? They were just suppressed and unable to resist.

Marshal Monte's weakness...

There must be something that could restrain him...

Xi Ze, sitting at the head of the table, maintained a calm demeanor. He glanced around the room, ignoring the various gazes, and announced the start of the vote.

"No objections? Then let the voting commence..."

"Wait!"

As the situation seemed to be sealed, the insect suddenly came up with an ingenious move, so excited that it abruptly stood up. "I have an objection!"

"Always accusing us military males of being crude, but now I see you're the one lacking manners. You constantly interrupt the meeting and make a ruckus. Did your etiquette get swallowed by a dog?"

Rachel couldn't tolerate the fool's behavior and sarcastically lashed out.

All eyes were on the insect, yet it didn't back down or become enraged by Rachel's words. Instead, it locked its gaze onto Xi Ze's and enunciated each word deliberately.

"Just now, several generals presented their strengths to vie for this leadership position. The Marshal's qualifications are naturally the most superior. No one can genuinely compete with you in that aspect."

"But you haven't addressed the crucial question—would His Majesty Yale permit his own alpha mate to be away from the family for extended periods, venturing into uncharted territories to expand the domain?"

The room fell silent at these words.

Xi Ze's expression remained unchanged, but his pupils unconsciously narrowed for a fleeting moment.

"I implore you to answer this, Your Majesty Yale is the Empire's sole S-class male insectoid and seemingly destined to become the next head of the research institute. His stance is of utmost importance!"

Seizing what he perceived as a weakness in the military alpha, the insect looked around smugly, deliberately speaking up in a loud voice.

"In the present situation, the New World is unknown. Disregarding potential dangers, the journey could take a few months to a year, or even longer with no upper limit. Not to mention long-term expeditions, some female insects might even have to adhere to curfews."

Whispers immediately filled the conference room.

The neutral parties, who initially intended to vote objectively for the Marshal, now showed signs of wavering. Clearly, they had just realized the significant influence that an S-Class male insect would hold in this matter.

Bai Lang's expression darkened, and his hand clenched unconsciously on the table.

—This was precisely why high-ranking female insects were willing to spend enormous wealth to secure a spot for mental guidance, rather than becoming the female companion or servant of a particular male insect.

For those of lower rank or without influential family backgrounds, they might have substantial freedom and benefits to gain from such a choice.

But for those with ambitions and aspirations to climb the social ladder, they would never opt to marry a dominant male of high rank, powerful family, or influential status. That would only serve as an obstacle rather than a support.

Xi Ze raised his hand, gesturing for silence.

Once all the insects refocused on him, he looked into the eyes of the one who spoke and said clearly, "No, you're mistaken. The Dominant has given me the utmost freedom."

Without waiting for any reaction, Xi Ze promptly packaged the marriage contract and transmitted it for everyone in the conference room to view openly and without reserve.

"Wow, a marriage contract?!"

Never in his wildest dreams did Rachel expect to come across such a document in this lifetime. Seizing the opportunity, he flipped through the pages swiftly, scanning the options with widened eyes, growing more astonished by the minute.

"…What the heck? Is this for real?!"

Noticing the change in everyone's expressions, the insect picked up on the vibe and started scrutinizing the contract with suspicion.

"Shall the female partner retain their original occupation, working and traveling normally? Option: Yes."

"The financial authority granted to the female partner after marriage: 1) Zero percent, 2) Ten percent... 4) Other: Please fill in the brackets (One hundred percent)"

"Where is the female partner allowed to roam post-marriage? Please fill in the brackets (Anywhere in the universe)"

"..."

Each clause was an eye-opener, stirring a strange twinge of envy within him.

How could there be such a marriage agreement in this world?! How could there possibly be an insect male like this? And how did such a male insect take a fancy to someone as...

Raising his head from the document, Xi Ze didn't wait for the insect to come up with more excuses to disrupt the voting process when he heard the calm voice of the military male, "Finished reading?"

Without knowing which button he pressed, two fully armed military males entered from outside the door, promptly lifting the insect and dragging him forcefully out.

"Wait… No, you have no right… Ah!"

Despite his persistence, the insect squirmed in the grip of the military males, but before he could utter two words, he was thrown out the door, letting out a pained cry.

"You have disrupted the meeting multiple times. Your participation rights have been revoked."

The brutal yet efficient action quickly restored silence in the room. However, it might also be because many insects were still in shock over the marriage proposal and hadn't yet recovered their composure.

Xi Ze tapped his fingers on the table, signaling for the meeting to proceed.

"Let's begin the voting."

...

The process was somewhat tumultuous, but the outcome was still as anticipated, a positive one.

Bai Lang was in high spirits and deliberately waited for the Marshal to leave together, a habit he had as his aide that he couldn't shake off easily. However, after quite some time, he didn't see the Marshal emerge from within.

Pushing the door open, he found that the calm and composed Admiral who had just skillfully managed the situation and even tossed out some romantic gestures was now sitting in his seat, lost in thought.

"Marshal? Are you alright?"

Xi Ze closed his eyes, indicating for Bai Lang to leave him be for a moment of peace.

...In this matter, the only one he truly worried about was Yale.

News of the new world spread rapidly, and the temporary deployment was hastily arranged. With the royal command coming urgently, he hadn't had the chance to discuss it thoroughly with Yale before being forced into making a decision.

This was no ordinary matter. From every perspective, he had to go. But unlike before when he could risk his life alone without hesitation, he now had inseparable attachments.

That troublemaker had at least gotten one thing right: would Yale allow him to be away for such a long time?

Not because of a male's restriction on his possessions, but out of the deep love and concern that two worms had for each other.

He knew how excruciating it was to wait for an extended period. Back then, he almost went mad waiting for Yale to wake up after those few months. How would Yale feel when he went on this campaign with an uncertain return date?

Perhaps this was the theme they would grapple with their entire lives: love and separation, freedom and family, and... life and death.

Xi Ze fatigue closed his eyes, masking the fleeting pain in his gaze.

The night was cold, and the empty conference hall was silent.

*

Perhaps some hidden force was at play, still seeking any chance to topple Marshal Monte even after the voting results were out.

The day after the voting session, Yale found himself swarmed by a horde of media at the entrance of the research institute.

"Your Highness, good day. I was wondering if you're familiar with the matter of interstellar exploration beyond our domain? Last night, a decision was made to have Marshal Monte lead the expedition. Have you heard this news?!"

"I'm a journalist from the Eta News Agency..."

It seemed that these reporters all had their assignments. They weaved through the lines of defense set up by the military, their microphones stretching forward in a dense cluster, almost touching the tip of Yale's chin.

"Regarding this interstellar exploration, do you support Marshal Monte leading the charge? And would you mind your mate being away from home for an extended period... Please choose one question to answer!"

"Keep it orderly! No crowding! No interviews!"

"Your Highness! Would you be kind enough to answer this question?"

Ai Ke, upon receiving the message, hurried over only to be greeted by the breathtaking scene before him. He promptly pulled Yale back behind the military's defensive line, "Have these journalists lost their minds? You should retreat for now..."

Yale's expression remained composed as he gently pulled his hand free. "There's no need. I have a good idea what this is about."

The journalists' questions were diverse yet centered on one premise: it seemed that during last night's voting session, Xi Ze had emerged as the most suitable insectoid to spearhead the colonization efforts.

But there were surely wolves eying the same prize, unable to challenge him directly and thus resorting to this approach, hoping to leverage his disapproval to pressure Xi Ze and make the drone willingly relinquish this opportunity.

"Your Highness?!"

Yale's eyes darkened with a somber glow as he stepped forward, positioning himself at the forefront of the defense line. The reporters, recognizing this as an indication that he was about to give an interview, erupted into a frenzy, unleashing a deluge of probing and relentless inquiries.

He was slightly dazed.

The scene before him seemed eerily familiar... Ah, yes, it was reminiscent of that time when he declared his intention to compete for the position of Institute Director during the concentrated seminar.

Back then, he was still inexperienced, and his terrifying talent had yet to fully unfold. Despite being an S-rated male drone, he couldn't gain the recognition of the scientific community or the entire empire.

Almost all the insects believed he could wait for the next term, a century later, when the position would likely be his without haste.

There were even many insects who thought they had leverage, repeatedly trying to sow discord between him and Teacher Mord with pressure. Although these situations always resolved in the end, they remained a persistent nuisance.

But when Xi Ze heard him, there was not an ounce of doubt or disbelief in his expression. He spoke calmly and irrefutably.

"Go ahead and do it if that's what you want. No matter how unbelievable, you can achieve anything, Yale."

After that, as if by some unseen force, no insect dared to bring up the matter again. His surroundings became quiet, allowing him to focus on his research undisturbed.

When he asked Xi Ze about it at home, the male insect's expression was serene and gentle. He reached out to touch Yale's face, "Tell me if there's anything you need help with. I'll take care of everything for you."

Later, he began to reveal his extraordinary talent, participating in many major experiments under Director Mord. From initially playing a pivotal role, he gradually became capable of leading projects independently.

Then, he developed an unprecedented new approach, guiding his team to crack the core technology of genetic serums, almost shaking the entire scientific community.

When he received the Scientific Breakthrough Award, unable to hide his joy, he hugged Xi Ze. The male insect remained unfazed, simply proud of him in the purest sense.

It was as if he had said back then – whatever Yale set his mind to, he could achieve.

Xi Ze has given him unwavering love, boundless faith, and unconditional support from the beginning.

Now, it was his turn to show his stance.

As a male insectoid, his future and prospects had never been constrained by society. Xi Ze was different. Due to being an omega and his alpha, this situation unfolded before them.

Yale casually gestured for silence. The chattering insects below instantly fell quiet, as if their throats had been clutched.

He spoke directly into the nearest microphone, his expression and voice calm. His first sentence was like a depth charge thrown into the water.

"He is not my omega."

The spell of silence was shattered. The journalists' eyes widened in madness as they started shouting questions, "What do you mean?! Are you cutting ties with the Marshal?"

"I wonder why you would say something like that..."

Yale raised his hand again, signaling for quiet, this time using a bit of his mental strength. The crowd quieted once more.

"To be precise, I want to convey that he does not belong to me."

"He is not my possession. He has a unique name and experiences, an indomitable and independent spirit. I detest other worms referring to him as 'Her Majesty Yale' or 'the female worm of Yale's court.'"

Yale understood how provocative this was, but it was unnecessary to voice it before. After all, it couldn't alter society's stance. However, he didn't mind the entire galaxy knowing his perspective.

"Whether in terms of status or emotions, we stand on an absolutely equal footing. We deeply love and respect each other, neither being the other's subordinate."

"I am aware that he was born free and should remain so—free to protect what he holds dear, to fulfill his duties as a Marshal, to seize the glory that is rightfully his, without excessive concern for me."

In truth, their first encounter was not through a small advertisement at the slave exchange.

It was in that dim and narrow grocery store, where an old screen was broadcasting the news, when a photograph suddenly popped up before his eyes.

The image blurs, yet discernible is a resplendent radiance stretching for thousands of miles, with a vibrant red cloak billowing dramatically, enveloping the central figure who stands tall and composed amidst it all.

That was him, not the discarded "Xi Ze," not the down-and-out omega slave, nor the queen of the alpha, but Admiral Hillze Monte, oh, now promoted to Marshal.

A bird of freedom should not be caged by the confines of love.

All the journalists fell silent, astounded by the scene.

Yale lifted his gaze to the darkened camera before him, as if, through this medium, he was locking eyes with Xi Ze, who was watching the live broadcast on the other side, in some mysterious, ethereal way.

His smile was gentle yet resolute, his eyes shining brightly.

"Go ahead, I'll be waiting for you."

Across the vast expanse of the cosmos, through the passage of time.

Perhaps one day, intense love might fade into tranquility, and vows turn to dust, but that golden heart, ever in pursuit of love and freedom, shall remain eternal.

May he be true to himself, day and night. [1]

-- The Main Story Ends --

Author's Note:

[1] Adapted from Shakespeare's Hamlet: "To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day."

This is a phrase Yeye bestowed upon the General, and also a reminder to himself.

The author firmly believed that he could truly achieve this.

-----------------------

Perhaps it should have ended on the happiness of the previous chapter, but after much contemplation, the decision was made to pen this final chapter as a conclusion, serving as a nod to what's yet to come.

In short, IT'S FINALLY CONCLUDED!!

Heartfelt gratitude to all who have accompanied me throughout this journey. However, no matter how reluctant we may be, this is where our journey together ends! (But fear not, there are extras coming, hehe.)

Reflecting on the initial intention of this novel, while it was fueled by the author's unconventional tastes, it wasn't deliberately aimed at embracing labels like powerful beauties finding redemption in each other amidst adversity.

It's just that in this world, hardships are inevitable, and there's always hope that tugs at the heartstrings. Some fall into the mud but search for stars within, while others remain resilient with a pure heart despite their predicaments.

The transition from darkness to light is a journey that deeply resonates with the soul, evoking countless emotions and shared experiences.

Throughout this narrative, it felt as if we walked alongside them through their rebirth, struggling towards the light, and in turn, found redemption ourselves.

This story has its fair share of imperfections; the author's prowess with words is limited, and for now, unable to make it better.

But heartfelt gratitude goes to all of you who have embraced this imperfect story and supported this inexperienced author, sticking with us through it all! (With a rose in mouth)

May you all forever dwell in the light, filled with hope and radiance!!

"PS: Bonus chapters will drop randomly! Currently planned are scenarios like travels, egg-laying, raising offspring, various alternate timelines of Pray and Shuang returning to Earth, all featuring the sweet daily lives of the main characters. You can binge-read them when they're plentiful!"

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