Chapter 103: The Legion

Chapter 103: The Legion

Ludwig was unaware of the growing caution and suspicion in Amber's heart. In response to Duke Bach's advice, he explained indifferently, "Sifrey has already joined the Black Eagle Corps. Now, all matters are under General Giles' jurisdiction, not mine."

Duke Bach paused at this, perhaps not expecting that Sifrey could actually enter the Black Eagle Corps. After a few seconds, he responded, "Well, the battlefield is the best place to temper soldiers. Sifrey, since you've been selected for the Black Eagle Corps, you must train harder than ever and avoid taking leave casually."

Sifrey replied softly, looking somewhat dejected, "Yes."

Amber asked seemingly offhandedly, "Is your shoulder injured? If it's bruising from combat, I know several medicines that work well."

Sifrey seemed surprised that Amber would initiate conversation with him, appearing flattered. "Thank you for your concern, but my wound isn't a bruise. It's from being accidentally grazed by a cartridge during gun training."

Amber smiled. "No wonder you needed such a long leave. You should take good care of your injury."

At this, Sifrey's cheeks flushed slightly. After a moment, as if remembering something, he suddenly looked up at Amber, his eyes sparkling. "Sir Amber, with your skills, why don't you join the corps too? Sir Fang Yun is also inside; you two could keep each other company?"

"He won't go."

Ludwig suddenly frowned and interrupted, tapping his fingers lightly on his knee. His eyes were dark, and it was unclear whether his somber aura was due to Amber speaking with Sifrey.

"The Black Eagle Corps has enough with one bug from Sir Fang Yun. Any more, and they might start fighting, wouldn't you say?"

Seeing that Amber wasn't displeased at being interrupted, Sifrey managed a weak smile. "Yes."

The meal proceeded amicably, except for Fang Yun and Ludwig. The former felt jealous because of Sifrey's frequent glances at Amber during dinner, while the latter was irritable due to Amber's unusual behavior of inquiring about Sifrey's injury.

That evening, Ludwig drove Amber back to his residence in a flying vehicle. During the journey, he tried several times to ask a question but, for reasons unknown, frowned and swallowed his words, appearing preoccupied.

Amber keenly noticed Ludwig's distraction. Upon arriving at the residence, he directly led the other party upstairs, closed the door firmly behind them, and asked, "What's wrong? Do you have something on your mind?"

Ludwig lowered his gaze, concealing his emotions. "...No."

Or rather, not that there wasn't something, but that there shouldn't be.

According to the rules of Aliga Star, even if a male bug brought countless female servants home, the monarch had no right to interfere. Moreover, Amber hadn't married any other bugs; he had merely spoken an insignificant sentence to Sifrey.

Just one sentence,

had his possessiveness reached such a terrifying level...

Ludwig couldn't help but be distracted, his eyes growing darker. When he came to, a shadow had fallen over him. Amber slowly approached him, blocking the light behind him perfectly, as if your world was left with only him.

Amber's voice was filled with interest. "You can't possibly think I fancy Sifrey, can you?"

Ludwig looked up at him upon hearing this, and after a moment, slowly uttered three words: "You won't."

Amber didn't understand why he was so certain. "Why?"

Ludwig was somewhat smug. "I believe your taste wouldn't be as bad as that male bug named Fang Yun."

"..."

Amber was momentarily unsure if the female bug was praising or insulting him. He couldn't help but laugh, reaching up to hook Ludwig's chin. This face was like the most perfect masterpiece of the Creator, akin to the blue-violet iris in a flower garden, elegant and dazzling. He asked quietly, "Ludwig, since you know I couldn't possibly fancy him, why aren't you happy?"

Ludwig murmured, "It was you who brought me the emotion of jealousy..."

Before meeting Amber, he had never known what jealousy tasted like. But at the dinner table earlier, Ludwig truly experienced that feeling—sour and bitter, anxious and uneasy, every second passing with unbearable torment.

"All my life, Sifrey has been much more popular than me. Even though I know you won't like him, seeing you talk still makes me lose my head in anger..."

As Ludwig spoke, he kissed Amber's lips fervently yet sickeningly. Beneath the elegance of a noble, there seemed to be a beast lurking, constantly roaring to break free from its cage. If he were more vicious, he could even swallow Amber whole.

Amber wondered if this counted as jealousy. He wrapped his arms around Ludwig's waist, kissing him absentmindedly while his fingertips slowly moved, unbuttoning the neatly arranged military uniform buttons. The female bug, tense, subconsciously tightened his abdominal muscles, making the lines clearer and more pronounced. The only sound was the muffled voice of the male bug:

"Ludwig, I haven't done this to him; you're being jealous too soon..."

Ludwig grunted softly, gently biting Amber's earlobe and threateningly uttering two words: "Don't!"

Amber feigned ignorance. "Don't what?"

Ludwig was fierce. "Just don't do anything!"

Perhaps it was due to finalizing their engagement, but the male bug was quite agreeable. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he pulled Amber into his embrace and kissed him, his soft lips gradually turning a deep red.

At that moment, Ludwig finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Amber really had no interest in Sifrey. After tonight, he returned to his previous busy work state. After all, the selection for the Black Eagle Corps was down to the last few days. The sooner he handled it, the sooner it would end. However, he never expected to see an unexpected bug at the scene.

The Black Eagle Corps was synonymous with elite among elites within the military. Anyone who joined would have their resume gilded. Therefore, countless military females had come to participate in the selection process in recent days. Apart from males having slightly relaxed conditions, the selection for females was incredibly strict. Countless soldiers had already been eliminated during this period.

"Number 7623, eliminated!"

Below the first floor was a vast indoor training ground. In one area, countless semi-transparent pressure chambers were placed, containing military females who had passed through layers of screening and reached the final stage. Within a specific range, instruments embedded above the chambers released energy that interfered with the mental power of female bugs, causing their brains to lose control. Whoever could remain clear-headed would emerge victorious.

However, as time passed, many military females in the semi-transparent pressure chambers couldn't withstand the pressure. They lost control and transformed into their bug states, crazily slamming against the chamber doors until they were forced to terminate the assessment.

A group of instructors stood by the railing on the second floor. Dressed in pure black training uniforms, they monitored the soldiers' physical data with instruments while accurately eliminating students who didn't meet the criteria.

"Seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, eliminated."

"This one isn't bad, lasting half an hour. Observe for another minute, and if they pass, retain them."

"Eight minutes and six seconds, eliminated."

"Those below half an hour can all be kicked out."

Lu Suti had been busy for days, his eyes blurred from watching. Leaning against the railing, he shook his head. "Females, females, nothing but females. Their assessment process is too complicated. When will another male come along?"

In just the time it took for him to speak, Ludwig had eliminated another soldier. Lowering his gaze to the short list in his hands, he said without looking up, "Isn't there already one?"

He was referring to Fang Yun.

Lu Suti patted his shoulder and said, "Hey, have you ever counted how many female soldiers there are in the Black Eagle Corps? How could one male bug be enough? Even if he was washed clean and cut into pieces for stew, there wouldn't be enough to go around."

What should have been a recruitment process sounded like a horror story coming from his mouth. Ludwig gave him a glance, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably. "Damn it, do you think this is a matchmaking service?"

But Lu Suti tried to explain, "No, what I mean is... Sir Fang Yun doesn't seem very reliable. Shouldn't we select another male bug as a backup?"

Fang Yun had gotten in through the back door opened by the third prince, and other officers didn't dare say much about it. However, his absence from meetings and training didn't make him look like a trustworthy individual.

Ludwig spoke indifferently, crushing his suggestion mercilessly. "It's not a matter of selection; the problem is that no other male bugs have come forward for the selection process. If you can drag a male bug off the street, I don't mind giving him a spot."

Upon hearing this, Lu Suti seemed to recall something and stroked his chin. "Now that you mention it, isn't Sir Amber also in the military? He seems quite skilled. What about..."

Before he could finish, Ludwig interrupted without hesitation. "He won't come over. Don't even think about it."

Lu Suti sounded doubtful. "Are you sure?"

He pointed downstairs. "But Sir Amber has already signed up."

Ludwig paused mid-stroke with his pen. Following the direction Lu Suti indicated, he saw a familiar figure standing at the registration desk on the first floor. It was indeed Amber, who had caused quite a stir upon entering the hall, making it impossible not to notice him.

What was going on? Hadn't he agreed with the male bugs not to participate in the corps' selection? Why had he shown up again?

Ludwig's brows furrowed slightly, and he subconsciously wanted to approach Amber. But remembering that his colleagues were nearby, he restrained himself and continued screening candidates while secretly keeping an eye on the situation downstairs.

Amber hadn't initially decided whether to join the Black Eagle Corps. After all, Ludwig could easily handle Fang Yun alone, so there was no need for him to personally intervene. However, today he suddenly realized that Sivray also had significant suspicion, possibly even more than Fang Yun, compelling him to come here himself.

How convenient, all three of them would be in the Black Eagle Corps. When they went to war, their fates would be left to the whims of fate.

Amber filled out a registration form at the front desk, his handwriting neat and decisive. He handed it to the instructor responsible for recruitment. "Thank you. I'd like to sign up for the Black Eagle Corps' selection. Could you tell me where the competition will take place?"

The instructor sitting at the front desk wore a black training uniform. He had been dozing in his chair but, upon hearing Amber's request, removed his cap from his face. Glancing at Amber's face, which attracted attention like honey attracts bees, and then at the gender field on the application form, he asked suspiciously, "A male bug? Signing up for the Black Eagle Corps?"

Amber smiled. "I checked the schedule, and I believe I'm still in time."

The instructor sat up straight in his chair and yawned. Though he appeared lazy, every move he made exuded the aura of a seasoned warrior, clearly indicating he was a veteran. He muttered under his breath, "Another one coming to die."

These male bugs, eager to gain prestige, would do anything to get onto the battlefield. Yet, when actual combat began, they would vanish without a trace. It was unclear why they were recruited in the first place.

"Please follow me."

The instructor led Amber upstairs, using honorifics in his speech despite his casual attitude. "There are two conditions for male bugs joining the Black Eagle Corps: first, high blood purity, and second, fearlessness. Choose any instructor to test your skills. If you can last ten minutes, there shouldn't be a problem."

The second floor was a rest area, surrounded by leather sofas. Several female soldiers dressed in black training uniforms were lounging on these sofas, playing games lazily. Suddenly, they noticed Instructor Aubrey leading a male bug upstairs, and their gazes shifted towards him—there was caution and curiosity, but no typical female bug's fervor or admiration for the opposite sex.

Instructor Aubrey introduced Amber with a meaningful tone. "This gentleman wants to register for the selection. Who among you will step up to be the evaluator?"

The Black Eagle Corps was a unique entity within the military. The female soldiers inside, tempered by the crucible of battle, mostly had cold personalities. They had recently returned from a mission on an alien planet, having lost many comrades, which prompted the higher-ups to seek new recruits urgently. However, after years of cohesion, even male bugs, who naturally held advantages as the opposite sex, found it difficult to integrate into such a tightly-knit team.

When Instructor Aubrey's words fell, no bug responded. The female soldiers all snickered and turned away, resuming their activities.

Who would want to evaluate a male bug? Their slender limbs could easily break, and if injured, they would cry and complain to the higher-ups. It was a thankless task.

Seeing no response, Instructor Aubrey looked at Lu Suti in the corner. "Lu Suti, why don't you do it? Didn't you evaluate Sir Fang Yun last time?"

Lu Suti coughed awkwardly. "I did it last time; it's time for someone else to take a turn."

Jokingly, Aubrey didn't know the full story, but Lu Suti did. Amber had nearly shattered his opponent's bones during the Saint Teran duel. He wasn't going to risk his life for nothing.

Seeing that none of them were willing to step up, Aubrey shrugged and addressed Amber. "In that case, sir, choose anyone you like. Whoever catches your eye, just pick them out. Feel free to use force; no need to hold back."

His last sentence was filled with amusement, clearly intending to enjoy the show.

Amber smiled, sensing that the inner workings of this corps were more intriguing than he had imagined. He scanned the room, his gaze passing over the various expressions of the female soldiers, before finally settling on the figure leaning against the railing. He suddenly said, "Then I'll choose this instructor."

Everyone followed his gaze and saw that the figure leaning against the railing was none other than Ludwig, the strongest fighter in their unit. Someone couldn't help but burst out laughing, and this laughter spread like wildfire, echoing continuously.

Even Instructor Aubrey asked with a subtle tone, "Him? Are you sure you want him to evaluate you?"

Amber's smile was inexplicable. "Yes, him."

Instructor Aubrey immediately showed pity in his eyes. Ludwig wouldn't show mercy to a male bug. He shrugged. "Well, good luck to you."

Ludwig was the only bug present who didn't laugh. His brows furrowed, and his expression was somewhat grave. He couldn't understand why Amber wanted to participate in the evaluation. Nevertheless, he removed his cap and walked with Amber to the boxing ring nearby.

Meanwhile, Lu Suti, taking advantage of his insider information, rushed to the sofa and excitedly urged his companions, "Come on, place your bets now, before the fight starts. Who do you bet will win? I'm betting on this male bug!"