Chapter 54 Trial

Chapter 54: Trial

When Lanen suddenly woke from a deep and restful sleep, he had no idea how long it had been.

It felt as though he had slept for a century. His body was warm and sluggish, unwilling to budge. When he finally opened his eyes and looked out the window, he was momentarily disoriented.

When he had returned from District 23, it was still winter, and the trees outside were stripped bare. But now, they were lush and green.

He sat up, took the clothes from the bedside, and neatly changed into them. Then he walked through the corridor to the high-ceilinged atrium of the Third Prince's mansion.

He didn’t run into anyone along the way.

The mansion was eerily quiet today. None of the servants, the butler, or the gardeners were in sight. The place felt like a ghost town. Lanen was momentarily puzzled, but the garden was meticulously maintained, with all the dead branches and fallen leaves cleared away, so it didn’t seem abandoned.

He sat quietly for a while, his muddled thoughts gradually clearing up. He picked up his communicator device, but Lin You was offline, and there was no response. Lanen had no choice but to reach out to Devin. A few seconds later, Devin sent an exaggerated emoji: "Oh my god, sir, you’re finally awake! Do you know what today’s date is?"

Lanen swiped the screen and realized that over four months had passed since he last had any awareness.

Devin: "Did you just wake up? Then hurry to the courthouse. I’ll wait for you at the entrance."

...The courthouse?

The Third Prince's mansion wasn’t far from the Central Courthouse. Lanen walked along the street, but the usually bustling market was deserted. However, as he approached the courthouse, the crowd suddenly thickened. People were all gazing toward the courthouse, as if waiting for something.

When he reached the entrance, Devin happened to emerge from the courthouse. He looked thrilled and quickly descended the steps, grabbing Lanen’s wrist without a word and leading him directly to the spectator seats.

Lanen slightly raised an eyebrow. It seemed that after five months of his commander being out cold, his subordinate had grown bold.

Before Lanen could even tease him, Devin had already pushed him into a seat. The usually composed Third Army colonel couldn’t contain his excitement: "Hey, forget the small talk. Just look down there first, okay?"

Lanen followed his gaze and immediately froze.

In front of him was the defendant's dock, enclosed by metal bars, dividing the space into small compartments. From the spectator seats, the people inside looked like mice on a wheel, exposed to scrutiny.

After being framed by the First Prince, Lanen had once stood in one of those compartments, shackled.

But now, the people inside had changed. They were all high-ranking Zerg officials. Lanen glanced sideways and recognized a few of them: high-ranking officials from the Empire’s Research Institute, directors of the Galaxy Group, officers from the Second Army, and even his former fiancé, White from the Liam Family... And in the midst of all these political figures was none other than General Lawrence of the Third Army.

Even someone as composed as Lanen couldn’t help but show a look of surprise.

He turned to Devin: "What’s going on here?"

Devin: "Take a look at the judge’s bench."

Lanen looked up, his gaze passing over the defendants to the judge’s bench. Then, he was completely stunned.

...The Third Prince?

Sitting beside the chief judge was none other than Lin You.

He had changed out of his casual clothes and into an elaborate ceremonial outfit. He leisurely picked up a teacup, his half-lidded eyes slightly lowered as he coldly scanned the defendants. His expression was chillingly indifferent.

At this moment, he didn’t resemble the proud and smiling Third Prince at all.

The judge struck the gavel, and the courtroom fell silent. It was then that Lanen finally noticed the notification on his communicator device.

—"The trial for the case of counterfeit and trafficking of addictive pheromones in the border black market of District 23 begins today at the courthouse."

"..."

For a moment, Lanen thought he was still dreaming.

The First Prince's influence was deeply entrenched and far-reaching, and Admiral Lawrence was a seasoned veteran in the military. They had woven a vast, intricate web, casting a shadow over the capital. With Lanen's limited experience, trying to challenge them was like an ant trying to topple a tree. Even if he risked his life, he could only take down the ringleader. But to clear the names of those innocent friends who had died unjustly, or even just to clear his own name, he was still powerless.

But now, these people were bound and brought to trial?

Devin murmured to him, "So much has happened in these five months. The First Prince died, and the Old Insect Emperor passed away as well. The Second Prince's maternal family lacks influence. Admiral Lawrence had initially planned to back the Second Prince, but Admiral Hoyle moved faster. That night, he surrounded the palace, secured the decree from the Old Insect Emperor, and reached out to the Senate. As you know, Admiral Hoyle's First Army is stationed in the capital. The Second Army couldn't respond in time, and everything else fell into place."

Lanen: "And the Third Prince..."

"You can't call him the Third Prince anymore," Devin cut in. "Though he hasn't been crowned yet, next time you see him, you must address him as the Insect Emperor."

Lanen lowered his gaze, overcome with melancholy.

In just five months, the young prince who once slept beside him was about to ascend the throne.

Devin continued, "Once the situation stabilized, His Majesty launched a full investigation into the 23rd District border. The 'Factory' caught wind of it and tried to flee to a distant galaxy, but where could such a massive operation hide? Admiral Hoyle personally led the search, scouring the border inch by inch, and caught them red-handed. All the researchers from the 'Factory' were brought to the capital for trial, and we managed to rescue some of our captured comrades. A few of the officers are old friends. Let's grab a drink later."

Lanen stayed silent: "Over the years, I've failed them."

Devin: "Hey, how can you blame yourself for this?"

He patted Lanen's shoulder: "Oh, the 'Factory' has also been hauled to the capital and is docked at the First Army's landing port. If you want to take a look, you can ask the Young Majesty to show you around."

Lanen raised an eyebrow: "Young Majesty?"

His tone was slightly displeased.

Devin said, "Alright... only you can call him that, okay? His Majesty, I'll call him His Majesty."

He added, "A lot of valuable clues were found in the 'Factory,' such as production records of inferior pheromones, including quantities and destinations. They amassed a huge fortune, which the First Prince used to build his influence. All these details are recorded and cannot be denied."

"And the number of people involved is staggering. Those you see on the trial platform now are just the ringleaders. Many more are still in prison. In short..."

Devin leaned back, showing a rare relaxed smile. Since the pyrrhic victory in the 23rd District, he hadn't felt this relieved in a long time: "In short, the things we've been struggling with have finally come to an end."

"..."

Lanen's gaze fell on the trial platform, sweeping over the faces of those who were either ashen or despairing. Back then, it was he who had his future ruined, standing there awaiting trial. Now, these people were in the same position, trembling and miserable.

How ironic.

The outcome of this trial was self-evident. The First Prince's faction had amassed wealth through pheromones, incurring public outrage. The forums were ablaze, with endless accusations and calls for the death penalty. According to imperial law, there was only one path left for them.

As the judge struck the gavel, the case was concluded. The accomplices were sentenced to death or life imprisonment based on the severity of their crimes.

As the matter concluded, Lanen didn't feel much joy. He thought of the permanently frozen faces in the star ring, exhaled a heavy breath, and scanned the people below the platform. It was hard to say whether he felt more reflective or melancholic. He simply lowered his eyes and said, "This... is also a kind of closure."

*

In the trial court's restroom, Lin You tugged at his intricate coat and sighed deeply.

He tried to undo the buttons, but the patterned hidden clasps got tangled in his hair.

Even now, Lin You still hadn't gotten used to the life of a quasi-emperor, such as these complicated clothes and etiquette. Just as he was about to call a servant for help, a pair of hands gently took over from behind.

The fingers were long and elegant, deftly loosening Lin You's clothes and hanging them on a nearby rack. Lin You instinctively wanted to thank them, but then he heard someone remark, "Five months have passed, and Your Majesty is still the same as before."

Back when Lin You was still the Third Prince, he could never handle the complicated formal attire. Before every banquet, Lanen would always help him.

Hearing this voice, Lin You paused.

Five months, not too long but not too short either, were marked by the consecutive deaths of the princes and the emperor, throwing the capital into chaos and hidden dangers. Although Admiral Hoyle could protect Lin You, the perils involved were known only to himself.

Lin You, a soul from another world, had only Lanen and the system as his confidants in the Zerg world. But within these five months, Lanen had fallen into a deep sleep, and the system for power struggles was of no help. Later, when Admiral Hoyle went to oversee the 23rd district, Lin You found himself isolated and unsupported, truly forced into a situation beyond his control. He had to summon the same energy as preparing for a college entrance exam to barely manage the situation.

After five months, hearing this voice again, Lin You felt as if an eternity had passed.

"..."

In the prolonged silence, Lanen bent down: "Young Majesty?"

Still, no one spoke.

Lanen changed his address to a more familiar one: "Third Prince?"

"..."

"Alright." Lanen appeared to understand. He took Lin You's hand, placed it on his face, gently rubbed it, then knelt down, performing a knight's bow, just as he had when he first sought the Third Prince's favor. "I'm sorry, perhaps I shouldn't have slept for so long. Did I cause you worry?"

Lanen's face was as handsome as ever, his deep blue eyes resembling profound lakes, staring unblinkingly at Lin You: "Tell me, Your Majesty, what must I do to earn your forgiveness?"

The next second, he was suddenly yanked up from the ground.

Lin You, typically mild-mannered, seldom acted with such force. But now, he pulled Lanen with an unusually strong grip, controlling his chin, forcing him to look up and kiss. Their teeth clashed, and their lips and tongues met, and eventually, a metallic taste emerged from somewhere.

At this moment, he truly embodied the rumored tyrannical and cruel Third Prince.

Lanen was first surprised, then smiled, his eyes slightly curved. He allowed Lin You to invade and explore, carefully keeping his teeth covered. After the kiss ended, Lanen supported his seemingly displeased Majesty and softly asked, "Are you satisfied now?"

Lin You gritted his teeth: "No."

He pressed on Lanen's shoulders, forcefully turning him over: "Let me see your wings."

He remembered how many shots those beautiful wings had taken on the aircraft and what Devin had said about the possibility of amputation.

The silver wings spread out in the air, their smooth and beautiful lines trembling slightly. Most parts had healed, but the new soft flesh was distinctly different in color. As Lin You touched them, Lanen actually shivered.

The general was also taken aback by the sensitivity of his wings. He wanted to retract them but was pressed by Lin You to keep them spread. Lin You's fingertips rubbed over the soft flesh, covering the bullet hole marks, the nerves tingling with numbness and itchiness.

"..."

Lanen slightly gritted his teeth: "Your Majesty, is this a punishment?"

"General, of course not." Lin You's fingertips moved down along the waist, as if measuring something: "This is merely a measurement."

Measurement?

Before Lanen could ask, he heard Lin You grit his back teeth: "The wedding attire! Lanen, if you had woken up two days later, I really would have had to ascend the throne alone!"

Among the Zerg, males marry early. The eldest and second princes already had their Consorts, and Lin You, just coming of age, had Admiral Hoyle arranging for him. If Lanen hadn't acted first, this cabbage really wouldn't have been for him to pick.

—Damn it.

Lin You thought with some frustration: If the Zerg Emperor ascended the throne without a Consort, he would undoubtedly become the capital's laughingstock for years to come!