Chapter 79

Day 15 of the tanning stage.

This was the last day. Sunlight streamed into the ancient primeval forest. Hill was given a mouthful of water, and the pheromones in the air were so thick that even breathing made the insect blush.

Neither insect was willing to spend a single moment of romance; they clung to each other like two magnets drawn together, unable to tear either one apart.

The only time the two insects are separated during the day is when cooking. Hill has a delicate and fragile stomach, and she was specifically instructed before setting off that no matter how intense the greening period is, food must be prepared for Hill on time.

Instead of the fast food prepared by the robotic insects, Celt would cook for Hill himself, and only then would Hill get a little respite.

The kitchen was open, and Celtic would often cast his gaze over it. Hill, enveloped by his gaze, leaned back in a soft wicker chair, basking in the sun.

After an intimate activity this morning, his fingers were so tired he could barely lift them. The warm sunshine made his bones feel soft, and it seemed that all the gloom and fear had vanished.

Let's at least get through this day.

The handsome silver-haired man closed his eyes. When he couldn't see, his ears became more sensitive. He heard the wind whistling through the forest, the clear chirping of birds, until a long, drawn-out cry reached his ears.

The voice was so close, yet it seemed to come from a distant memory.

Hill opened his eyes suddenly, and the clear blue sky before him seemed to have been suddenly covered with dark clouds, as if a torrential rain was about to fall.

No, it's not—

Hill's light blue eyes narrowed sharply as he saw a sharp beak and ferocious giant claws—

Star Beasts are flying star beasts—

The nightmare that had haunted him for years resurfaced, his arms began to tremble uncontrollably, his legs felt like they were weighed down with heavy lead, and he could not move. His breath almost stopped at any moment.

Those sharp, curved giant claws would instantly tear apart the insectoid's chest, destroy the insect core inside, and leave the chest cavity open, dripping with blood, leaving behind one cold corpse after another.

One by one, the female insect guards fell before him.

Six years have passed, and he is still the same helpless little boy, trapped in a glass room with tubes inserted, waiting for death with fear and despair.

He still couldn't escape the pursuit of fate—

Just as the giant claw was about to strike, a pair of strong arms pulled him into an embrace, a warm and burning embrace, explosive muscles, and those cold gray eyes that were the color of cosmic dust.

In the instant he fled, the giant beast's curved claws crushed the coffee table and chairs on the ground, those expensive utensils shattering instantly like paper, just as he was destined to meet his end.

--Celtic.

It's Celtic.

The female insect pressed him tightly against her broad chest, her pheromones quickly enveloping and soothing him, as if she were afraid of losing him.

The female insect's heart was beating violently and rapidly, causing Hill's heart to pound along with it, as if it were about to leap out of his chest.

The immense jolt of being saved from the brink of death made Hill unable to resist biting down hard on the female insect's chest, so hard it seemed he wanted to tear her heart out.

The female insect pressed her hand against his back without flinching, instead pressing even tighter. He let her vent her frustration, and the dark, menacing bone wings unfurled, carrying the male insect rapidly into the air.

His cold gaze swept across the horizon.

There was a silver flying machine there.

Even though he knew that even with the insectoids' eyesight, they couldn't see clearly through the towering mountains, Hessen still subconsciously avoided that gaze and hid his face in the shadows.

Beside him was an elderly female insect, her temples already gray, yet her body remained large, and her appearance vaguely resembled a familiar shadow, belonging to a female insect that had died long ago.

—Albert.

"That was completely unnecessary. We should have attacked Selt before he could react."

“Of course I believe in Lord Wilson’s abilities, but the Star Beasts can conceal many traces, and you know I took a great risk.” Hessen’s tone remained gentle.

"Heh." Speaker Wilson gave a cold, sarcastic laugh, and with a whoosh, spread his enormous white wings. "Lord Hersen, once I have killed Celt and safely withdrawn from the Empire, I will tell you another secret left behind by my female."

"A secret that could bring down Hilgard."

After saying this, the old female insect suddenly fell from the clouds.

"Old man, you only plan to kill Celt but dare not touch Hilgard?" A mocking smile flashed in Hessen's eyes. "So you do know fear after all. But Celt is dead, and Hilgard, who failed to advance, will also meet his end. What difference does it make?"

That's not important at all. What's important is that Wilson, that female insect, will definitely not be able to leave the Empire: "Is the supporting army ready?"

“Yes, General, everything is ready,” Brandon replied.

The moment the attack occurred, Celt had already sent out an emergency rescue signal. He had shifted his official duties to this location in advance, and he would be the first female insect to arrive to provide support, which would also explain why he was here.

Hessen leaned leisurely against the aircraft, watching the arena where a life-or-death battle was about to take place with a smile in his eyes.

The moment the flying star beast landed, Celt immediately carried Hill away. Less than a second after the female insect disappeared, the lakeside cottage that Celt had specially made for Hill was bombarded by a homing missile and instantly turned into ruins.

At the same time, several female insects of at least S rank blocked the road from the left, right and above. An old female insect with white wings swooped down from the sky, using its claws and body to transform itself into a sharp dagger as it stabbed down.

Celtic abruptly dodged to the side, quickly creating distance.

Hill felt a chilling wind that sent shivers down his spine, and a few strands of his long hair were cut off. He finally opened his teeth, overcame his fear, and looked at the invading enemy. In the distance was a female insect exuding boundless hatred.

Wilson, seeing their tightly embraced posture, felt a surge of crazed murderous intent: "Selth, Hilgard, you killed my only female—"

"I will make you wish you were dead—"

"Chase--"

No matter how fast Celtic is, he will eventually run out of energy, especially since he is carrying a burdensome male insect.

He wasn't in a hurry to kill them; he wanted to slowly wear down these two bugs, letting them feel Albert's fear before his death, as well as his own anger and pain over the past few days.

"Bang--"

"Bang--"

"Bang--"

Tracking missiles exploded suddenly around them, the fragments embedding themselves in towering trees, breaking them and falling into the bodies of terrified animals, who cried out in agony as they died, as if the Sword of Damocles hung over their heads, ready to fall at any moment.

What Wilson wanted to see was the insect's fear of when the sword would fall.

If you maintain a normal speed, nearby female soldiers will arrive to provide assistance the moment an attack is encountered.

"Yes, we are on our way to the attack site, but we have been intercepted," Hessen said in a grave tone, with the sound of massive explosions echoing in the background.

One hour, two hours passed, until the sky turned from clear blue to nightfall, but reinforcements still hadn't arrived.

"Are the reinforcements not coming?" Hill asked softly, leaning against Celt's chest. His voice was carried away by the rapidly blowing wind. His heart ached from the speed of the wind, and his body felt weak from not being comforted for so long.

Some insects wanted to kill them.

“It seems so.” Celt’s chest heaved violently. The long, intense dodging and running had made his pheromones more unstable, and his voice became increasingly gloomy.

In less than six hours, the greening period will end, and without being marked, both he and Hill will face death.

He suddenly lowered his head, his eyes filled with starlight. He placed his hand on the male insect's heart to feel it, and Hill's eyelashes fluttered for a moment.

"Your heart is beating very fast."

Hill suddenly bit her lip, only to see Celt frown deeply, which was definitely not a good thing for a sickly little male insect.

He had to resolve this quickly and then get to the mark with Hill.

The world was quiet, and a tracking federal female was narrowing down its encirclement.

The Empire's marshal was nothing more than a useless bug who only knew how to run away. He was completely immersed in the victory of chasing after the 3S female bug and completely ignored the fact that Celt was also carrying a fragile male bug that could not withstand any setbacks.

Suddenly, he smelled a fresh, unfamiliar pheromone – a male insect.

The presence of a male insect meant that Celt was nearby, and he was about to press the communication button, but his hand hesitated to fall on it.

In the moonlit forest, the male insect lay on his back on the grass, his long silver hair spread messily over his body. He wore only a thin white robe, revealing a bit of his collarbone. One of his legs was bent, and the slender, bony lines of his leg could be vaguely seen.

Her pale lips parted slightly, and her long neck was raised, as if she were yearning for something.

He was in his pubescent stage—

Celt, that useless, worthless insect, abandoned his lord after realizing that escape was impossible!

Disgraceful insects!

The male insect is still in its greening stage and cannot leave the female insect. If they are separated for more than three hours, the male insect will be forced to turn green. He is in such a situation now.

No female could resist a high-ranking, handsome, powerless male insect that was still in its budding stage.

The unfamiliar female insect's breathing became heavy. No matter where they are, male insects are extremely rare and precious. Countless female insects cannot obtain a male insect in their entire lives. Speaker Wilson said that Hilgard must not be killed.

It was because there was a retribution that would make Hilgard wish he were dead, and also because he dared not kill the male insect prince without permission, as this would truly enrage the insect emperor.

There's no need to kill him; it doesn't count as disobeying orders.

The unfamiliar female insect approached step by step, and his eyes were completely captivated by the male insect. In all his years, he had never seen such a beautiful and lively male insect.

The beautiful male insect lay on the ground, surely waiting for him.

He felt his heart being gnawed away by insects. He could see nothing but the male insects. They were so close that he could almost smell the body temperature of the male insects carrying pheromones. The male insects' eyes were so glazed over, indicating that they desperately needed female insects.

He couldn't help but stretch out his insect claws, frantically inhaling the pheromones. Suddenly, he saw a patch of scarlet before his eyes, which splattered onto his face. It was so hot, so very hot—

Glug glug—

How could this be? His eyes are getting further and further away from the male insect!

"Close your eyes—"

The high-ranking female's voice was deep and majestic: "Celt! Celt is all around!"

He frantically tried to press the call button, but couldn't feel his hand!

His hand landed a meter away. How could that be so far? Because that was the distance compared to his head.