Chapter 42 (New Year Special!)
The howling wind blew up the dense smoke that passed through my hair in front of me, but it couldn't blow away the quiet and almost frozen atmosphere.
There were only two breathing sounds coming and going, one was rapid and heavy, and the other was almost silent, but it could capture the overflowing helplessness and sadness.
"call……"
The blurry vision finally came into focus, the scene in front of me gradually became clear, and the flowing blood seemed to have solidified on the cheek.
Yael endured a bout of dizziness, and after a while he weakly raised his eyes to look at the female insect.
Xi Ze stood in the slightly lower ruins, still looking up at him with his hand outstretched, the pupils in his golden eyes shrinking.
Then he seemed to realize something, and quickly took a step back, almost stumbling towards the half-collapsed wall. The bone wings behind him folded in panic, but he was unable to retract them into the wing slits for a while.
Thick blood kept dripping from the torn wound as he moved vigorously, but the female insect was completely unaware.
"Hah... uh..."
After finally hiding behind the ruins, he reached out and covered his face with one hand very hard. The sharp claws almost pierced the skin on his face.
“…”
But within a few breaths, the female insect disappeared from sight. Yael closed his eyes tightly and finally came to his senses.
A little confusion dispelled his panic. He was at a loss for a moment and no longer cared about whether he had wings or not. He followed the female insect to the other side of the ruins.
Xize was half-kneeling on the ground, rubbing the scales on his face anxiously, as if trying to force them back.
Yael could even see a few bloody spikes being broken off and falling off.
"Ahem...Xize?"
Yael was slightly startled and spoke in a hoarse voice.
The female insect's back paused, as if she had just woken up from her trance-like stereotyped behavior. She seemed to want to turn around and say something, but in the end she remained silent with her body stiff.
Yael sighed softly, his eyes barely concealing the confusion and fatigue between his brows.
...He finally noticed it.
I am afraid and even disgusted by this form of him.
He wanted to say something, but he also knew how real the disgust that was revealed subconsciously was.
All the excuses seemed so pale and powerless...those beautiful words, whether they were said to him or to Xi Ze, were just lies that they knew were true.
But suddenly, Yael took a few steps forward and approached Xi Ze, avoiding the bone wings and leaning over to hug the female insect's waist.
The hideous bone spur exuded a nauseating bloody smell and pressed against the side of the neck like a sharp knife, bringing a strong sense of discomfort and trembling.
He closed his eyes, rested his forehead on the female insect's back, and whispered, "Cize?"
It was as if a warm and soft cloud fell on his back, lightly brushing away the countless negative effects brought about by the insect transformation frenzy. The boiling blood in his veins no longer swelled and roared, but gradually calmed down.
Xi Ze opened his eyes from between his bleeding fingers and felt the hand around his waist trembling slightly, but he still held the hand with his fingers intertwined and refused to let go.
Thinking of his previous question which had not been answered, he carefully reached out and touched the back of the male insect's hand, gently pressed it, and said in a hoarse voice.
"...Hero Lord?"
"Um."
A muffled sound came from her back, like a pardon for a death row prisoner, causing the female insect's stiff shoulders to relax instantly.
After a moment of silence, Caesar supported the male insect on his back with his backhand, turned over carefully in his arms, and once again held Yael in his arms in a protector's posture.
"My Lord, I'm sorry."
"sorry."
Two hoarse voices rang out almost at the same time, stunning both parties.
Yael held the female insect's forearm and stood up. He moved down along the line and grabbed the female insect's hand which was intentionally retracted.
The trembling fingertips stroked the fierce, sharp, inhuman claws, as if trying to reconcile with something.
After a while, he lowered his eyes and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry for what I said just now."
Yael raised his eyes and looked at the ferocious and bizarre alien creature in front of him. He found something extremely familiar in its golden eyes.
It was like seeing through the shell and seeing the unique soul that I had always loved, shining with beautiful golden light.
He suddenly laughed and said word by word, "Thank you for trying so hard to protect me."
Bang.
Nishizawa's pupils shrank.
The panic and frenzy swirling in my chest suddenly dissipated, leaving only a strong sense of bitterness and unbearableness.
He suddenly clenched his teeth, his Adam's apple rolling up and down violently, but he was restrained from moving because of the claws.
Yet she couldn't help but lower her head, absorbing the scent of the male insect's hair almost greedily, and could hardly suppress the desire that was about to burst through her heart.
The bony wings on its back were carefully retracted to prevent the bone spurs from touching the male insect.
But it is far from enough.
Not careful enough, nor strong enough, must quickly take back the power and status, although it is of no use, but at least -
You can protect the rose in your arms firmly, from the invasion of wind, frost, rain and snow, and from being disturbed and harmed by reckless intruders.
"...You never have to say sorry to me."
Xi Ze's voice was still hoarse, but every word he spoke was authentic, solemn and serious.
Yael was the insect that gave him a second life, so there was no need to apologize or thank him.
He shouldn't have bothered about those dirty things, just like stars should be pure, lovely and unrestrained, waiting for those who are conquered by their light, surrounding them closely and protecting them.
If Yael hates him, he will stay away and protect him secretly without disturbing him, but if the male insect is still willing to take a step closer to him...
"I'm sorry I scared you just now."
Xi Ze laughed hoarsely, stretched out his hands and held the male insect in his arms, exposing the only part of his body that had not been transformed into an insect, which was soft and fragile.
The scales and spikes that had been unable to retract just now seemed to sense the protection and peaceful mood and slowly returned to their original appearance.
"Don't be afraid. I will never hurt you."
…but that’s not the problem at all right now.
Yael closed his eyes, sighed silently, and reached out to hug the female insect back.
"good."
And some uneasy voices rang in my ears, with a mixed feeling of wanting to move away from him but not wanting to.
"But I can't retract my bone wings for now, so it's better for you to stay away from me..."
Yael didn't close his eyes, but buried his head in his arms and rubbed it, with a hint of soft smile in his low and hoarse voice.
"I know you can control it. You can't possibly let me get hurt, right?"
…
They didn't hug each other for long. Worried about the female insect's injuries, Yael quickly continued to pull him out.
"Let's go, don't delay, your injury needs to be treated as soon as possible."
"Your Excellency!"
Perhaps because they knew a male insect was injured, an ambulance equipped with professional equipment was already waiting by the side.
When he saw them, he immediately picked up the stretcher and rushed out, quickly packed up Yer and Cize and put them in the car.
"Be careful! Be careful... You can't lie flat, so just sit on the stretcher."
"I'll help you get the bullet first... Deya, prepare the anesthesia...!"
There was a female soldier sitting in the ambulance. She was very excited when she saw them come in, but she didn't want to interrupt the treatment as the doctors were busy.
Yael was carefully examined and, apart from having a slight fever, he was not seriously injured and was quickly placed aside.
He noticed this strange female soldier and asked in confusion, "Ah, who are you?"
Bai Lang finally managed to shift his gaze away from his own admiral and turned to the legendary male insect. He was shocked at first by the hesitant appearance, and then his expression became solemn.
The male insect in front of you is the admiral's life-saving insect, that is, the insect of their First Legion. You must leave a good impression on him when you meet him for the first time!
He stood up quickly, and bowed 90 degrees in front of Yael's confused eyes, but a warning glance shot from the side, swirling above his head -
After receiving the signal, Bai Langjiu had to force himself to change the words of thanks that he had prepared.
"Dear male insect! Thank you very much... ahem! I was sent by the commander to make sure you're safe! I'm glad you're okay. I'll continue to clean up the battlefield now."
Without waiting for Yerle's response, Bai Lang got out of the car swiftly, but did not leave too far. Instead, he lurked around secretly to protect the safety of the ambulance.
Soon, the parasite doctor treated Cecil's wound.
"The bullet has been removed and bandaged. Sit down and rest for a while. The field hospital has arranged a transfer and will notify you to go there later."
"good."
Xi Ze's upper body was wrapped in thick bandages, but at least the bleeding had stopped. He touched the area with his fingertips but didn't pay much attention to it, but his remaining eyes followed the male insect, whose face was still pale.
"Please give me a cup of hot water and a blanket."
Yael was looking out the car door in a daze when suddenly everything in front of him went dark.
He stretched out his hand and pulled it open, only to find that it was a plush blanket. His palms also felt warm. Caesar had stuffed a mug into his hands.
The medics had already rushed to the battlefield to provide rescue, so they were the only ones left in the car, and it seemed a little quiet for a while.
"Thank you."
He said slowly, took a sip of hot water, and waited for the scalding heat to flow down his throat and into his stomach. His stiff and numb shoulders and back gradually relaxed.
"How do you feel now? Does the wound still hurt?"
Xi Ze shook his head and asked, "Just now..."
He didn't know how to continue. It was so unbelievable and weird that a starship was almost destroyed with mental power alone.
The strength of male insects is their mental power, but even the few A-level insects on the main star should not be able to reach this level of terror, not to mention that Yer is only a D-level insect.
"What?"
Yael said it half a beat slower, his voice still hoarse.
There was a hint of light blue under his eyelids, a few strands of black hair were messy and there were a few gray scratches on his face. He looked very tired.
西澤驀地心一軟，垂眸斂去沉思，只伸手摸了摸耶爾的額頭，确認沒有再發熱。
“沒事，還難受嗎？要不要睡一會？”
“不用……”
耶爾遲鈍地搖了搖頭，視線卻不受控制地移向雌蟲的骨翼。
它們還收不回去，救護車裏又狹窄，便只能委委屈屈地蜷縮起來。
想起剛才雄蟲的恐懼，西澤側了側身體将骨翼掩在身後，輕聲道，“休息一會吧，等睡醒就好了。”
到時候他就能将骨翼收回，不會再吓到眼前的雄蟲了。
耶爾深吸了口氣，又慢慢吐出。
總感覺……如果不快點将剛才的事掰扯清楚，雌蟲這麽犟而沉默的性子，說不定以後都會刻意藏着掖着，不會在他面前展開骨翼了。
他低頭又抿了一口水，潤濕一下幹燥的下唇，突然低聲道，“我能看看你的骨翼嗎？”
西澤沉默了一下，“上面的血還沒擦幹淨，下次有機會再給您看吧。”
“沒事，這裏有消毒濕巾，正好可以擦一下。”
耶爾假裝沒聽懂他的拒絕，從座位下拿出一包濕巾，神情認真地堅持道。
“……”
雌蟲近乎嘆息地道，“先讓我自己擦幹淨，再給您看吧。”
他看見西澤抽出幾張拿在手裏，将骨翼拉近了一點，開始擦拭上面幹涸的血跡。
修長有力的骨節按在濕巾上，動作快而恰到好處，好像在清潔保養一把精密的槍，幾乎能稱得上是一種視覺上的享受。
骨翼是軍雌身上殺傷力最大的部位，所以那些家夥才會在第一時間将西澤的骨翼卸下來，好像恐懼而驚惶地絞去猛獸的利爪。
耶爾有些出神地看着那裏，下一秒，卻被一縷涼風驚醒。
“唰。”
為了方便動作，西澤完全舒展開了一邊骨翼——
它是巨大的，一邊就幾乎有三四米長。
結構精密，沒有一絲血肉，仿若鋼鐵鑄成，卻是玉石的色澤和質地，相比生物毛絨絨的翅膀，顯得分外冷酷而無機質。
撇開那些可怖的地方不談，這完全可以算一件精美到震撼的藝術品。
西澤餘光觀察了一下雄蟲的神色，見他沒有再流露出恐懼，才繼續手上的動作。
他很快擦拭到了末端，那裏長着一張很薄的膜，幾乎是透明的，上面蜿蜒的青色血管清晰可見。
它無比敏銳，可以捕捉空中最細微的風沙，在戰場上可以用來判斷敵軍的動向，堪稱無往不利。
而在空中交戰時，這薄膜會發出沙沙的輕響。
當蟲族的大軍前往征戰，血腥的朔風中便會夾雜着這種聲音，被敵軍畏懼地稱為“撒旦收割生命前的預告”。
而……這也是軍雌身上最為敏感的地方之一。
西澤擡起眼，看向托着腮認真觀察他動作的耶爾，眸底情緒晦澀不明。
他手上的停頓自然被注意到，雄蟲眸光微亮地看向他，“可以了嗎？”
像有什麽松動了一下，不再刺痛地梗在喉間，西澤的眸光悄然柔和，眉心的刻痕舒展開，将手中髒污的濕巾丢進垃圾桶。
“可以了。”
那剛剛才收割掉無數條蟲命的骨翼，此刻好像羞澀的小狗尾巴，小心翼翼地把一截尾端伸到耶爾面前。
那張薄膜張開發出沙沙的聲音，瞬間将雄蟲的視線吸引住。
“這是什麽？”
耶爾微微睜大了眼，小心地伸出手，指尖觸上那層淡青色的薄膜。
上面覆着一層淡淡的絨毛，和堅硬猙獰的骨翼相比，實在柔軟可愛得多。
那裏敏感得連手指的觸碰也會緊縮顫抖，但還是努力敞開自己，伸到雄蟲的手裏祈求溫柔的愛撫。
西澤啞聲道，“雄主可以玩玩這裏……”
但那指尖仍然止不住地顫抖，那是因為經歷強刺激，肌肉長時間無法恢複放松狀态導致的細微痙攣，手心更是異于平常的冰涼潮濕。
他垂眸看着雄蟲的動作，心髒某處仿佛塌陷了一塊，又酸又軟。
那骨翼上的薄膜變得更加柔軟，完全依戀地貼着雄蟲的指腹。
耶爾卻沒注意他的複雜情緒，逐漸興致高漲。
“之前都是遠遠看着，感覺像是死神的鐮刀一樣可怕，沒想到還挺好玩的……我摸這裏你會有感覺嗎？癢不癢？”
“……癢。”
雌蟲隐忍得眼尾微紅，那細密的癢好似燎原的火，從骨翼燒到了血肉深處。
耶爾的動作卻逐漸過分，曾經搓揉狗狗的技術被用在這裏，讓那截尾端有些招架不住，顫抖着翕張片刻，還是被裏外摸了個透徹。
“這裏是有血管和神經的對嗎？那骨翼裏面呢，這些咬合的節點和縫隙裏……”
他有些好奇，扣了扣那骨節處的一條縫隙，堅硬的外殼下似乎還藏着什麽東西，但看不真切。
“……”
西澤喉結滾動片刻，似乎忍無可忍，突然伸出手，連帶着那一截骨翼一起，将耶爾的手包裹在了手心裏。
“怎麽了？”
耶爾吓了一跳，以為自己弄疼他了。
但雌蟲的表情卻沒有疼痛，他湊了過來，那雙熔金的眼眸從下往上看着他，好似野獸鎖定自己的獵物，專注得過了頭。
好像也，有點太近了吧……
耶爾怔然，感覺到自己的手被從骨翼上扯下來，越過耳朵，按在了緊靠着的車廂壁上。
而西澤彎下腰貼近他，兩側骨翼都舒展開，隔絕了外界閃爍的紅光，形成了一個小小的昏暗角落，襯得那雙金眸更為璀璨鮮明。
“怎麽了……？”
他們的距離已經太近，耶爾能感覺到噴灑在臉上的灼熱呼吸，潮濕而急促。
雌蟲離他越來越近了，那雙金眸灼灼似洞穴深處的惡龍，正在窺伺還未得手的珍寶，帶着壓抑的渴望和侵略性。
對峙半晌，雌蟲終于低下頭——
輕輕地環抱住耶爾，将下巴擱在他的肩膀上。
“……好好休息，等睡醒再給您玩。”
耳邊的聲音沙啞，仿佛在隐忍着什麽，聽起來有些辛苦。
手腕上的鉗制松開，耶爾順手撫上雌蟲柔軟的白發，他後知後覺雌蟲是想對他做些什麽的，但不知為何又停了下來。
是……想做些什麽呢？
【我倒是想做些別的，可是您沒有允許。】
耶爾耳邊倏地響起西澤之前說過的話。
那時候雌蟲臉上的神情也有些奇怪，但不管是之前還是現在，他都無法徹底理解其中的含義。
但骨翼搭建而成的堡壘昏暗又安全，緊繃的神經松弛下來後，睡意翻湧而上。
他被西澤抱在懷中，被雌蟲身上的氣息包裹，很快眼皮打架起來，放棄抵抗後幾秒就沉沉入睡。
……
“您現在身體好一些了嗎……這次襲擊……是，我們在星艦上搜索到了……”
“您打算什麽時候回歸軍部……都已經部署好了，皇室那邊也即将迎來大換血，您預測得果然沒錯……”
耳邊傳來嘈雜的說話聲，但沒有持續多久就安靜下來，只剩下兩道低聲，但還是讓耶爾睡得不太安穩。
“您打算什麽時候去掉這個頸環呢？”
倏地，這樣一句話入耳，讓他下意識蹙了蹙眉。
模模糊糊中卻沒有聽到另一道聲音的回答，搭在被子上的手指動了動。
“……啊，雄蟲閣下的手動了，是不是要醒了？”
那兩道聲音也消失了，很快額頭摸上一只手，确定沒發熱之後又往下把被角掖好，安撫似的輕拍了拍。
熟悉的安全感籠罩了他，他不再掙紮着想清醒過來，再次陷入沉睡。
……
等再醒過來，已經是第二天下午。
耶爾迷迷瞪瞪地起身，半晌後搖了搖頭，捏了下眉心強迫自己清醒過來。
眼前的病房布局非常熟悉，他反應過來，這是伊萊恩的戰地醫院。
“閣下！您醒了？”
一個醫生推門進來，有些驚喜地道，很快把另外幾個同事叫來，開始給雄蟲做一次全面檢查。
“西……咳西澤呢？”
耶爾出聲才發現自己的聲音沙啞，清了清嗓子道。
“您是說您的雌蟲嗎？他剛才好像出去了……”
“叩叩。”
病房門被敲響，一抹熟悉的白色出現在門後，西澤拎着一個水壺走進來，朝被圍得嚴實的雄蟲安撫地笑了笑。
“您現在有感覺哪裏不适嗎？”
醫生看了眼設備上的數據，有些遲疑地道，和旁邊的同事對視了一眼，都看到了對方眼裏的疑惑。
耶爾仔細感受了一下，眸光微凝，下一秒卻若無其事地道，“感覺還不錯……為什麽這麽問？”
“沒事，”醫生遲疑地道，“閣下的身體很健康，不必擔心。”
而且是前所未有的健康，不管是精神力的活躍度還是信息素的純度，數值都優越到讓他們有些難以置信，幾乎不敢相信眼前的雄蟲只有D級。
但雄蟲等級的認證是絕對權威的，他們只能壓下疑慮，繼續給耶爾做檢查。
等一切檢查都做完，已經是一個小時後。
Xi Ze watched the male insect go from cooperation to numbness, and was driven to despair by this extremely tedious inspection. He couldn't help but chuckle, and after receiving a resentful look, he put his fist to his lips.
He touched the water cup that was hanging on the side, made sure it was at the right temperature, and then handed it to Yael, "Drink some water first."
The male insect did not take the glass of water. Instead, he looked at him with a frown, looking very unhappy.
"Why don't you rest in the ward? Bullet holes are not scratches. If not treated properly, it can easily cause infection."
"It's okay." Xi Ze curled the corners of his lips slightly, and pulled up a piece of his clothes, revealing the injuries on his waist and abdomen.
There was originally a bloody through-wound there, but it has now healed somewhat.
“?!”
Yael widened his eyes slightly.
For the first time, he felt the terrifying recovery ability of female insects so intuitively, which almost completely overturned his previous concepts.
"So don't worry about me."
Xi Ze stuffed the water into the male insect's hand and said with a smile, "You should worry about yourself first and put your own safety first."
While the male insect was drinking water, he went to get a basin of hot water, soaked a towel completely, wrung it dry, and gently wiped Yael's face and neck.
Yael leaned on the upright pillow, closed his eyes, and felt the female insect's fingers skillfully push aside the strands of hair in front of his forehead and apply the soothing hot steam to his face.
He casually remembered something, opened his mouth and almost swallowed a towel, then opened his eyes and looked at the female insect.
"By the way... was that pirate gang caught in one fell swoop?"
"yes."
Xize responded, but suddenly remembered the videos he had just received and paused.
It clearly recorded how the male insect destroyed a starship on his own. The scene was so horrifying and involved that it took him some effort to process it.
"Don't worry. This incident has been reported. The main planet will strengthen patrols and defenses here to prevent similar vicious attacks from happening again."
Bai Lang, who was standing outside the ward door, curled his lips.
The Empire would never care about the life or death of these small planets, but this excuse is very good. It can dispel the doubts of many indigenous people and facilitate the secret stationing and development of the army.
As expected, the male insect inside didn't suspect anything and just nodded and moved on.
Caesar threw the towel back into the basin, then reached out and touched Yael's forehead, carefully confirming that the temperature had not risen.
"Are you hungry? I'll go buy dinner."
Because the male insects were not used to drinking the nutrient solution, he planned to go to the canteen to get some food. "What would you like to eat?"
"All is fine. I'm not picky."
I'm really not picky. I'll eat the ones I don't like without any expression, and I'll happily finish the ones I like. The difference will be more obvious if 015 is not burnt.
"? What are you laughing at?"
Yael looked at him in confusion, but received only a restrained pat on the head.
Bai Lang was diligently helping his general to watch the wind, staring at every insect that passed by, making him feel creepy. Finally, when he had guarded the road until all the insects had avoided and left, he smiled with great satisfaction.
Then the door of the ward behind me opened.
Xi Ze closed the door behind him and patted Bai Lang on the shoulder. "Thank you for your hard work. You can take turns to eat after I come back."
Bai Lang was about to answer "Yes!" subconsciously, but then he remembered that the current situation was special, so he swallowed the answer back and nodded solemnly.
Five minutes later.
“Knock knock.”
There was a light knock on the door. Yael looked at the door in confusion. Caesar shouldn't come back so soon. Then he saw Elaine open the door and come in.
"Why..."
Before Yer could ask, Elaine made a "huh" gesture with her hand, walked over quickly and closed the curtain of the bed, blocking any possible sight from outside.
He suppressed his excitement and whispered, "Sir! The thing you want has appeared in the black market auction house!"
What...
Yael reacted quickly.
His eyes gradually lit up as he stared at Elaine's face, his tone gentle but unquestionable.
"I must get it."
The author has something to say:
What is it? The author has hinted, so it should be easy to guess! (confident jpg.)