Chapter 12 Don’t Be Sad

Chapter 12: Don’t Be Sad Anymore

The Male Zerg Protection Association’s methods are predictable; they prioritize male Zerg, and all outcomes directly or indirectly favor them.

Xierlan couldn’t bear to see Sexia taken away; they would surely bully him.

Thinking this, Xierlan chuckled, “It’s alright, it’s alright. They won’t do anything to me, but Sexia is different. Sexia needs to be well protected.”

Sexia lowered his gaze, his eyes swirling with a mix of emotions. He couldn’t ignore the human’s efforts; the other didn’t want him to suffer, but Sexia felt the same way.

Humans weren’t male Zerg, but they were equally fragile and equally in need of protection.

“I’m a female Zerg; even if I suffer fatal injuries, nothing will happen.”

Xierlan hummed in agreement, his stance firm on this matter. “I know, but they won’t give me a hard time. Even if they take me away, I’ll be well-provided for with good food and comforts. But female Zerg are different.”

Female Zerg would be interrogated. They would be specifically targeted because, in their eyes, female Zerg weren’t beings worthy of respect. If anything happened, it would always be the female Zerg who suffered.

As for male Zerg, as long as they weren’t too excessive, they wouldn’t face much harm—at most, they’d be confined, and in the worst case, forced into breeding and contributing to reproduction.

But these were treatments reserved for male Zerg completely without protection. Xierlan didn’t fall into this category; he was only having his entire life’s actions listed and displayed across the entire star network alongside the incident.

It was akin to a trial by public opinion.

This form was indeed quite interesting, with both drawbacks and benefits clearly visible. It could be fair enough, but it could also be biased enough to become a platform for certain groups to dominate.

As he thought this, the doorbell rang. Compared to the powerlessness and forceful methods of the Male Zerg Protection Association, this new group was much gentler.

“Lord Xierlan, hello. We have received your submitted application. Please briefly describe the incident.”

The Zerg race’s blocking and deleting still preserved chat records. He sent all the chat logs to the arbiter, who reviewed them. Upon hearing the male Zerg’s calm, gentle tone, “Just follow the normal procedures; I accept it all. My primary consort is completely innocent. I hope he can live peacefully until the verdict is fully concluded.”

The arbiter was stunned. It was the first time he had seen such a thorough and considerate male Zerg. The concern in his words seemed to overflow, vastly different from the male Zerg of this world.

By the Deity of Insects, he had never seen such a good male Zerg in his life. It was unbelievable.

Those male Zerg were arrogant, looked down on others, and even ogled every passerby—disgusting. But this was often the norm. Those male Zerg of C-grade and above living on the main planet weren’t like this, but they were also a class ordinary female Zerg couldn’t reach.

Xierlan’s reputation was terrible. If it weren’t for this, he wouldn’t have had his high-tier male Zerg privileges revoked for a year and been forced to live modestly in an outlying city to keep a low profile.

Sexia bit his lip, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

Xierlan slowly shook his head, smiling as he looked at him, “Sexia, behave.”

He had his own considerations.

Having seen the human’s persistence, Sexia couldn’t insist further. Several arbiters watched, their eyes filled with unspoken envy.

Ordinary male Zerg were rare enough, let alone such a polite lord like the one before them.

“No need to fear. We only follow standard procedures. Please come with us. The verdict cycle is one week. During this week, no one will disturb you.”

The arbiter stepped aside. Xierlan didn’t feel nervous at all; instead, he smiled and extended his hand to Sexia, “Let’s go.”

There was no pretense—just pure attentiveness and his usual gentleness.

Sexia pursed his lips and placed his hand in Xierlan’s.

The ship was swift, and the cabin had plenty of space. Xierlan and Sexia sat facing each other, surrounded by uniformed, solemn arbiters.

The atmosphere was somewhat serious and oppressive, but Xierlan remained calm and relaxed, as if he had encountered such situations countless times. When Sexia looked at him, he just smiled, tilted his head, and blinked, as if comforting him.

…This is too much.

How could he be so overbearing?

Sexia had no way to deal with Xierlan, but he couldn’t deny that he was enveloped by such treatment and care.

When they arrived at the adjudication center, Sexia was assigned to the observation area. He would watch the entire process here, unable to participate or interfere.

On the video, an arbiter already walked into the evidence room with a full dossier. They had retrieved the entire life history of Xierlan, from birth to the present.

“First, Lord Xierlan, your following words will be recorded verbatim by us. This video material will be submitted for review by the wider stellar community. We hope you answer truthfully.”

Xierlan nodded seriously.

The arbiter, seeing his demeanor, became somewhat speechless, stiffly pushing up his glasses. He coughed lightly and listed all the misdeeds Xierlan had committed from childhood to adulthood.

“Lord, at age three, you severely injured a four-year-old female Zerg’s eye, causing lifelong disability and forcing them to live with an ocular implant. You not only refused compensation but also used your male Zerg status to evade punishment. Do you admit this?”

The original plot only briefly mentioned Xierlan, but these events actually happened. Xierlan had prepared himself, but upon hearing it, he couldn’t help but go expressionless in front of the camera.

“System, is this for real?”

Originally, he had prepared to acknowledge all the original host’s actions, but hearing it still left him shocked.

99 hemmed and hawed, “Sorry, host. I secretly checked, and it’s indeed true. When he asks you later, prepare yourself.”

Xierlan sighed deeply and nodded, “Yes, I did it.”

Sexia had an attendant officer by his side who frowned but, considering Sexia’s status, didn’t say anything.

He also just found out what General looked like and couldn’t help but feel pity.

What a waste—such a bright future wasted on this male Zerg.

The arbiter continued, “At age seven, you were confined. Your father’s enslaved female felt sorry for you as a child and released you. After getting out, you resented him for not releasing you earlier and even shattered his spine. Do you admit this?”

Xierlan saw black, but since he had taken on Xierlan’s identity, he had to admit it even if he didn’t want to.

“…Yes.”

The following questions were even more brutal and bloody, one after another. Xierlan admitted guilt numbly, already prepared to frantically build up social credit. He even had to thank his male Zerg status—how absurd that with so many crimes, he didn’t face the death penalty.

Xierlan couldn’t laugh.

The attendant officer beside Sexia heard the entire process. He had heard a little about Xierlan, but the incidents revealed before were few. Now, it seemed like just the beginning.

“He’s so vicious; aren’t you afraid?”

Sexia’s face was pale. After a moment, he replied, “No, I’m not afraid.”

He wasn’t Xierlan; how could he do such things?

Sexia slowly clenched his fists, the force so great they turned white, leaving clear marks on his palm.

What should he do? Should he just watch helplessly?

The process over there has concluded, and the final stage has now moved to the direct adjudication evidence collection phase.

Xierlan had only five minutes for his statement. Facing the camera, he showed no hint of disrespect—cold, serious, with a steadiness in his expression that seemed to pierce right through the lens.

"On July 7th, I completed the procedures with my current Primary Consort and formally entered into a partnership. During our brief time together, I have been deeply influenced by my Primary Consort, and I have decided to change my ways and become a responsible Primary Male."

Xierlan spoke earnestly, "My sire coveted the property of my Primary Consort. Upon hearing that I had changed his status to Primary Consort, he flew into a rage and reported to the Male Protection Association, falsely accusing me of being coerced by my Primary Consort. I did not want my Primary Consort to be taken away for interrogation by the Male Protection Association, so I called the direct adjudication hotline. I earnestly request all stellar citizens to make a fair judgment on this matter and on me personally based on their own discretion. I accept any outcome and pledge to make amends for the harm I have caused in the past."

Xierlan had three minutes left. He said calmly, "Here, I state my demand: I wish to sever ties with my sire and have him withdraw his false accusations against my Primary Consort, receiving appropriate punishment in return."

Xierlan did not take sides; he spoke impartially. 99 grew worried and couldn’t help asking, "Host, speaking like this puts you at a great disadvantage. What if the adjudication result is very harsh? What will happen to the antagonist then? Are you going to abandon him?"

"No, 99." Xierlan lowered his eyes gently. He actually didn’t want to say these things, but the truth was just that. "Everything in this world is too biased in favor of male insects. Why shouldn’t I play the victim card? Why shouldn’t I emphasize the parts that benefit me? Actually, I’m holding out hope that this world isn’t completely hopeless."

Xierlan was exceptionally calm at this moment. "The Insectoid species has no death penalty. The worst that can happen is being assigned to breeding programs. There are countless male insects who are vile and terrifying—I am just one case among them, but not the most extreme or unforgivable."

"I rely on this Class A Male status, so they won’t do anything too severe to me. To be honest, such a sense of invulnerability makes me feel ashamed." Xierlan looked into the camera and slowly lowered his eyelids. "If the judgment against me is severe enough, it might actually be a good thing. It could serve as a warning to those lawless male insects."

Even if such a judgment seems like a minor issue.

But the citizens involved in the adjudication will have their say. No matter what, they shouldn’t remain silent anymore—they must stand up.

This was Xierlan’s consideration, and also the best way to resolve the situation.

No matter where you look, it’s the same: only when things are blown out of proportion do they get noticed, right?

Thinking this, Xierlan slowly clenched his hands resting on his legs.

It’s just that his innocent wife would have to bear the consequences of his selfish decision. 🙁

As he thought this, Xierlan grew somewhat distracted.

The adjudicator looked at him deeply, then stood up. As he left, he turned back and said, "Today, I will release your case to the public. The results will be out in a week. During this time, all you need to do is wait for news."

From the perspective of a female insect, the process of these events is actually something very simple to resolve.

The Male Protection Association doesn’t take severe action against male insects. In fact, as long as they go through the Male Protection Association, their interests are maximized—this is almost common knowledge. Why go through all this trouble, taking such a roundabout way to handle it?

It’s thankless and very time-consuming. Male insects, as they are, simply can’t wait this long, nor do they see fairness as something beneficial to them.

But in reality, there are male insects who would do this—and he is the first male insect to actively request adjudication.

Even though the matter is very, very small.

That same night, the complete case was posted on the Star Network. As soon as the official account released it, female insects flooded in.

Direct adjudication is usually initiated by female insects, but the path to protecting rights is extremely painful. They all come to help each other, hoping to improve the outcome.

When they saw the protagonist in the video, their eyes widened in shock.

[No way, he’s so pretty—and he’s not a female insect?! What does it say? Xierlan, male insect, that male insect?]

[Oh no, I really can’t believe a male insect would actively apply for this. Come on, they’re the creatures who hate fairness the most. This is really rare.]

[So handsome, sir. Do you still need a concubine? I’m really available.]

[By the Insect God, just because he’s good-looking, you’re fawning over him like he’s gold. Wake up! Male insects are no good!]

The video continued to play, showing the part where the male insect confessed to all his past actions without hesitation. More and more female insects tuned in, reaching a staggering number.

They watched the content, almost numb to it.

[I told you male insects are no good. How often do these things happen? If you don’t get close to male insects, you’ll die in agony; if you do get close, you’ll be abused to death. Either way, it’s death. I’d rather die on the battlefield.]

[You say that so easily, but some insects really can’t endure it. It’s too hard—mental turmoil is truly agonizing. That kind of pain, like being sliced apart, is nothing compared to being beaten. I still want to live, I still want to fight on the battlefield. I don’t want to die.]

[My Primary Male is worse than him, and he’s still living just fine.]

[It’s so unfair!]

But as they watched the entire confession process with gritted teeth, many female insects felt somewhat bewildered.

[Wait, why isn’t he crying or playing the victim card? Isn’t that the male insect’s usual trick? I was curious what method he would use, but he’s just stating things plainly? This is unbelievable! So unfamiliar!]

[This sir is too special!!! I’m actually a little moved. It feels like his remorse is genuine.]

[He seems so emotionally stable, admitting his faults very seriously without shifting blame or making excuses. He owned up to everything from start to finish! I’ve never seen such a good attitude before.]

The popularity of this matter surged on the Star Network. More and more female insects flocked to watch because of this male insect, and for a while, opinions were divided. Some were smitten by Xierlan’s looks and reactions, clamoring to become his concubine; others were desperately warning against it, while some calmly cast their votes.

The protagonist, of course, saw it too.

Lou Wen watched the video, noting the familiar black hair and black eyes, the familiar values, and raised an eyebrow.

It must be a human, no doubt about it.

He lazily leaned back on the sofa and slowly turned up the volume to the maximum.

"...I hope... to receive appropriate punishment."

The black-haired youth still had clear traces of youth on his face, but his demeanor and presence carried a steadiness rivaling that of major noble families.

By now, the Star Network was in an uproar. The review period lasted a full seven days, and on the very first day, the arguments were already fierce.

[Acquit him! He’s remorseful! He even requested adjudication for the sake of his Primary Consort. We should let him have his wish—he said he would make amends.]

[Can the harm those female insects suffered just be wiped away? Wake up—he’s an insect who committed crimes!]

For a while, not a single insect was willing to compromise. The backend metrics grew rapidly, and the national engagement rate was extremely high. Some male insects who saw this flew into a rage and sent their underlings to speak up for this traitor!

If they didn’t help him speak, what would happen to them in the future?! May the Alliance Direct Adjudication Department disappear! What if female insects start standing up to them in the future?! It would be so troublesome!

On the other side, after recording his statement, Xierlan was placed in an observation room to rest. His Primary Consort wasn’t there, but he still had his neural communicator.

Xierlan: Sexia

Xierlan: Sexia

Xierlan: Are you there, baby?

Sexia curled up in another room. Seeing the message, he turned over, facing away, but after a few seconds, he turned back. Under the glow of the screen, his aqua-blue eyes showed a faint redness.

Sexia: Primary Male.

Xierlan saw that it took a long time for Sexia to reply with the next sentence.

Sexia: I’m here.

Xierlan smiled, eyes crinkling, as he sent a message on his communicator.

Xierlan: Baby

Sexia: Mm.

Xierlan sighed out and slowly typed a line.

Xierlan: Don’t be sad, baby.