Chapter 53
Beep beep——
The precision instruments beside the bed made rhythmic sounds, and complex lines and numbers kept jumping on the screen, generating copies of values that were transmitted to the doctor.
Inside the clear glass, the male insect was lying on the hospital bed, his brows slightly furrowed. The mist from the breathing mask emerged and disappeared lightly. It was so quiet that it almost made Xi Ze's heart palpitate.
The reflection of the glass revealed a neat and tidy military uniform. The brim of the military cap held down his loose hair, but it could not hide his sharp and deep golden eyes, which were as cold as ice.
He stared at the male insect on the bed, his fingers restrainedly touching the cold surface, tracing Yael's eyebrows and eyes through the glass.
Time goes back to that day.
“…”
It was a tough battle, but still a great victory.
The legion, which had once shared life and death and fought its way out of the battlefield, was still in perfect harmony and almost invincible when it came to fighting, even though it had been forced to separate from the Alpha Wolf for five years.
This dusty knife has never been blunt or rusted.
"Admiral!"
Bai Lang trotted up from behind and reported the statistics to Xize.
"All units have been counted, and the current situation is..."
From the starship's command platform, one could see the scene below. The bloody afterglow enveloped the bloody tragedy, like some kind of ominous foreshadowing.
Although he had seen this kind of scene many times before and was well aware that this operation was a success and no one would escape, Nishize inexplicably felt uneasy and anxious.
"…The report is complete. Please instruct us on the next task!"
Bai Lang closed his laptop, his face showing an expression of joy and pride. He stood at attention with his legs together, saluted, and spoke in a clear and melodious voice.
But the admiral's back seemed to suddenly freeze, and his hand pressed hard against his brow.
Extreme pain and fear came from the other end of the mental link. The shared emotions made this strong emotion stagnate in his heart. Xi Ze endured the fishy sweetness that surged in his throat.
"Return to Etal immediately!"
He turned abruptly and walked out the door, commanding in a hoarse voice.
Bai Lang looked at his admiral with a bewildered look on his face as he activated his mecha, leaving the large army behind him far behind and heading all the way to Etal.
"...Driver, speed up!"
He was bewildered again as he watched Xize carrying the male insect downstairs with a cold expression. The male insect, who was to be specially protected, had blood all over his face and body, and his face was as pale as a ghost. It was obviously not right.
"How could this happen?! This area has clearly not been attacked!"
Bai Lang frowned, looked at the guard on duty, and said in a sharp voice, "Didn't you notice anything unusual?"
Xi Ze strode past them and interrupted him coldly, "Come up and head to the main planet immediately."
The body in his arms was thin and light, and it took almost no effort to lift it up. Yet it was emitting an abnormally high fever, the temperature penetrating through layers of fabric, so hot that it could almost melt flesh and blood.
The professional medical soldiers on the starship rushed up, carefully placed the male insect on the bed, and began emergency treatment. The urgent and stagnant movements instantly wiped out the ease of victory.
"Disperse! Don't gather here!"
"Quick! Bring the ventilator...!"
Caesar stepped back a few steps to make room, looking straight at Yael, and said without turning his head.
"Immediately contact the hospital in District 2 and ask them to prepare doctors, equipment and medicines in advance. All of them must be the best."
"Change the original migration route. The vanguard will be connected to Star Flight 073, and the rest will be connected to National Flight 011. The main fleet will enter the main star from the fifth star port. You will arrange the rest."
"yes!"
After receiving the new order, Bai Lang's expression became serious and he hurried out to arrange the tasks.
This massive migration and return lasted for a total of six days, blowing up the entire media on the planet. Countless reports flew out like snowflakes, but it became increasingly difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
As the return destination, there was no way of knowing how chaotic the main star was, but when the fleet docked at the fifth star port, what awaited them was the warm welcome of the emperor of the empire and the hypocrisy, flattery and silence of countless nobles.
As the commander-in-chief, Xize did not accept the invitation to enter the palace to explain the situation, nor did he contact any media to prepare for a press conference. Instead, he set up his base in the top hospital on the main star.
This sensitive place instantly caused countless speculations, but these had nothing to do with the hospital, which had been armed into a military stronghold and seemed to be a small world of its own.
"Admiral!"
Bai Lang's voice came from behind him. Xi Ze came out of his memories and put his hand down.
The doctor followed behind him. He couldn't keep up with the female soldier's pace and had to jog all the way. He handed over a document and said, "The final examination results are out."
Xi Ze took the document and opened it. He frowned at the first sight. "What do you mean?"
The final result obtained from the data is that the second differentiation occurred earlier.
But this is the case when there is no secondary differentiation of male insects, no overflow of mental power or pheromones, no other manifestations such as loss of control or mania, but instead falling into an unrelieved high fever and an unawakenable slumber.
The doctor wiped his sweat with fear and explained, "Although it is different from the traditional situation, various data including hormones and heart rate all point to this result."
"We are investigating the cause of the abnormality and will try to adjust the male insect's physical condition as quickly as possible. We will then contact... uh, the expert group to discuss the next plan."
I originally wanted to follow the custom and contact the male insect protection association to assign suitable female insects to help the male insects go through secondary differentiation.
But he suddenly realized that since the admiral cared so much about this male insect, he must be the queen of this male insect. How could such a private matter as secondary differentiation be left to the hands of other insects? So he slammed on the brakes.
Xi Ze flipped through the data from beginning to end, pondered for a while, and suddenly asked, "Are there any values for the first differentiation of male insects?"
The first differentiation of male insects is to guide their mental power and help them build their own mental picture, after which they can conduct level tests.
The Male Insect Protection Association is fully responsible for this process, equipped with specialized female insects to provide guidance, and the specific values and data will be stored in the association's archives.
The doctor was stunned for a moment, then said in embarrassment, "All the male insect's data are stored in the Male Protection Association. The hospital does not have a backup, and the male insect's first differentiation was not performed here."
"But based on your current performance, you male insect is clearly resisting the release of your mental power. It seems like some kind of stress response, which may be related to the fact that the first differentiation was not properly guided..."
Xi Ze closed the file and said calmly, "I understand. You can start the treatment first."
While the doctor was preparing, Caesar handed the information to Bai Lang and woke up the computer on his wrist.
He had already replaced his old optical computer. Apart from other things, at least the encryption level was the highest, and there was no risk of information leakage. The one that Yael sent was well kept in the box.
After thinking for a moment, Xi Ze opened a chat box in the list.
After hearing that he was in trouble, many of the bugs on the list were afraid of being involved in conspiracies and power struggles, so they had already cut off contact, or believed that he had already died, and sending messages would only cause sadness.
Only this one has been sending messages tirelessly——
【. : Is he dead? If not, deduct 1】
【. ：1】
【. ：11111111111】
【. : Boring, stop pretending, when will you come back from the dead escape? If you come back, deduct 1】
【. ：11111】
He is the youngest top mecha designer in the Empire. He designed and manufactured the mechas of the four major legion commanders of the Empire. Although he has an unusual personality, he has had a good relationship with Xize since childhood.
The last message was sent a month ago. During this period, the news of his return was all the rage, but there were no more messages from that end.
Maybe he was busy designing and not paying attention to the world. Xize tried to reply with a 1, but he was not sure when he would reply.
But the next second, a new message appeared in the message box.
【. ：. 】
But this time we are not looking for him, but for his male father, the former vice president of the Male Insect Protection Association.
After explaining the reasons and requirements, there was another period, and within a few minutes, a document was packaged and sent to his computer.
This time it was Bai Lang who was frightened. He watched his admiral's expression gradually become colder, and finally it subsided into a meaningless sneer.
"Let's go."
"Where are you going?"
Bai Lang hurriedly followed.
*
Yael closed his eyes and submerged himself in the lightless deep sea, drifting along the gentle waves like a swaying boat.
Specks of fluorescent light hit him, and like falling fireworks, they suddenly scattered in all directions. A huge whale swam quietly by, and countless flying fish leaped out of the sea, leaving behind splashes of water.
Water blocks the five senses and isolates all emotions. Whenever he encounters something unbearable and can't help wanting to hurt himself, he will bury himself in the gentle waves.
In the suffocating moments of emptying my mind, I find balance and peace... This time is the same, but it is no longer the water in the bathtub or sink, but an entire boundless ocean.
"...Spiritual power...dissipated..."
"Oh no... Contact us quickly...!"
But between dream and wakefulness, there seemed to be a mixture of panic sounds ringing in my ears.
Yael's eyelashes trembled slightly, but boundless sleepiness dragged him into darkness in the next second.
…
"You...you know who my father is?! Get out of here before I get angry! I'll just consider letting bygones be bygones!"
The female insect looked in panic at the female soldiers who broke into the room and surrounded the living room. The bloody smell from the battlefield had not yet dissipated, and it brought a heavy sense of oppression.
他拿出光腦試圖向雌父求助，但卻發現完全沒信號，消息根本發不出去，一時間只能強作鎮定。
“尼奧，曾在雄蟲保護協會任職引導者，負責引導雄蟲的第一次分化，工作十餘年，于一年前的七月離職。”
白朗從包圍群外走進來，笑吟吟地看着驚疑不定的雌蟲。
“我說得沒錯吧？而且離職前還得到了一筆巨款，足夠揮霍一輩子呢。”
“你……我不知道你在說什麽，你們知不知道我背後站着的是誰？！”
突然被戳破本想爛在肚子裏的事，尼奧吞了吞口水，往後退了幾步。
“你背後？不就在那嗎？”
尼奧猛地轉過頭，看到沙發上大馬金刀坐着的軍雌，不知道為什麽心底一顫，難以抑制的恐慌蔓延而出。
西澤擡眼看他，笑了一下。
“尼奧，沒錯吧？”
像是被大型猛獸收縮的瞳孔盯住，窒息感掐住咽喉，他一瞬間汗如雨下，根本動彈不得，下意識張嘴想回答卻已經失聲。
“耶爾閣下的第一次分化，是你引導的吧。”
那不是一個疑問句。
那個名字出現的時候，尼奧就知道一切都完了。
西澤将膝蓋上的資料翻過一頁，視線掃過結論那幾行，眸光逐漸變得冰冷。
【精神力狀态：笨拙、粗糙、排外性強、不易進行引導。】
【精神圖景大致樣式：開發度很低的荒地，面積較小，沒有多少靈氣和生命氣息，未凝聚出精神力本源。】
真是僞造數據的一把好手，要不是他和耶爾精神力交融過，說不定真會相信一個平庸的D級雄蟲的精神力，就是資料中描述的樣子。
銀白發絲下是一雙野獸似的金瞳，在帽檐投下的陰影中仍然熠熠生輝，将面前的雌蟲釘死在原地。
“說說吧，你是怎麽進行引導的。”
白朗上前一步按住了尼奧的肩膀，還冒着硝煙氣的槍管已經盯上了後腰，讓他止不住地哆嗦起來。
“我……我當時……”
當時有個蟲找上他，自稱是大皇子的手下。
要求是讓他在那個雄蟲的第一次分化中搞破壞，讓後續雄蟲的精神力等級變低，事成後将會給他一筆一輩子都賺不到的巨款。
“我就是一時鬼迷心竅……你饒了我吧……”
白朗猛地一腳把他踹翻在地，又卡着領子整個拎起來，“別廢話，繼續說！”
他當時很是惴惴不安，但因為錢實在是太多了，一直沒能下定決心，直到見到那個雄蟲，他才恍然明白為什麽這個雄蟲會遭到嫉恨。
做了這麽久引導工作，尼奧第一眼就知道，眼前的雄蟲至少也是A級的，要強行壓制到D級，難度可比引導大多了。
他還是拿了錢。
畢竟那是個什麽都不懂，也沒有任何身份背景的雄蟲，一旦成為D級，也不會有任何貴族會接納他，沒什麽可以顧慮的。
“我把他帶到了A99，然、然後……”
“A99？”
西澤卻打斷了他，質疑道，“這個房間是什麽規格的引導室？”
尼奧沒想到他會這麽敏銳，早知道直接含糊過去好了，神情狼狽中帶着懊悔，結結巴巴道，“是……專門提供給精神力狂暴雄蟲的引導室。”
房間由稀有材質制作而成，牆壁上覆着一層厚厚的軟質保護材料，裏面只有一張帶着綁帶的床，和門上的一扇小窗。
面前的軍雌啪地将資料合上，十指交叉握緊，尼奧能清晰地看到他手背鼓起的青筋，毫不懷疑那拳頭下一秒就會打到他臉上。
“繼續。”
白朗踹了他顫抖的大腿一腳，把這個雌蟲脫力的身體提溜起來。
“繼續說！沒聽到嗎？！”
那個漂亮到驚心動魄的雄蟲沒什麽戒心，或者是因為什麽都不懂，聽說他甚至不太會說蟲族的語言。
總之，他把他帶進了那個房間，綁上了手腳的綁帶，然後開啓了牆上的按鈕，帶着清香的精神力誘導藥劑呈霧狀噴灑而出。
“我原本想着……就胡亂做一下引導，破壞雄蟲的第一次分化，卻沒想到……”
沒想到那個雄蟲的精神力那樣磅礴而純粹，像是奔湧的江流，等待着想要找到一個突破口，沖破堤壩的阻礙後彙聚成一片遼闊的海洋。
檢測器已經飙升到了一個恐怖的數值，他瞬間意識到——
沒有辦法破壞的。
就算只粗略地引導一個大致方向，甚至胡亂引導着搞破壞，都會為這些茫然卻精純的精神力指明凝聚和構建的方法。
屆時，一切都會水到渠成。
這個雄蟲會順利晉升A級，而他也拿不到錢了，甚至還會被那些貴族報複。
“所以……所以……我我……”
尼奧已經不敢看軍雌的表情，後面的話他怎麽都不敢說了，就連被白朗踹了好幾腳，把槍頂在後腦勺都不肯再開口。
“上将？”
白朗有些為難地看向自家上将，他們畢竟是正規軍，行事雖然手腕利落強硬，但不能真的對民衆怎麽樣。
雖然他罪有應得，但憲法為先也是上将一直帶頭堅持的原則。
上、上将？
上……
尼奧耳邊嗡地一聲，瞬間傻在了原地。
他完全沒想到，尋根究底翻出這件事的，居然是……
完了。
他第一次清晰地知道，徹底完了。
西澤站起身，單手把雌蟲從地上拽了起來，掐着咽喉懸空在半空中，雙目對視的瞬間，他一字一句地道。
“然後呢？繼續說啊。”
絕對的等級壓制甚至比刑訊更有效果，渾身的血液都因為這一眼而冰封。
雌蟲雙目呆滞，已經感知不到自己的意識，被操縱了一般将真相傾吐而出。
“我害怕事情失敗，又怕暴露後被懲罰……”
舉步維艱的困境讓他徹底慌了，而後一瞬間做的惡毒決定讓他自己都心驚至今——
他跑出去，反鎖了門。
甚至忘記了關掉精神力誘導劑。
一直等到天亮，裏面的動靜徹底消失，才敢打開小窗看一眼。
“砰——！！！”
堅硬的拳頭和脆弱的骨骼猛地撞擊在一起，尼奧懷疑自己清晰地聽到了頭蓋骨碎裂的聲音。
他被這一拳打得口鼻泵血，腦子一片空白。
“呃啊……！砰——！”
沒有喘息的間隙，胸口就猛地一痛，數根肋骨瞬間碎裂，他的身體幾乎和地板平行倒飛而出，深深嵌入了牆壁之中。
抱着槍的軍雌默默後退幾步，讓出更多空間。
西澤轉了下手腕，張了張嘴卻不知道該說些什麽表達荒謬的心情。
憤怒像鋒銳的箭矢貫穿胸膛，在心髒最柔軟的地方燒穿了一個空洞。
居然是這樣……
他終于知道，為什麽耶爾在進行精神力疏導時那麽生疏，甚至要查網上的攻略來學習。
因為根本在一開始，雄蟲就沒有得到好的引導，甚至在學習運用的最初就遭遇了巨大的痛苦，從此封閉了自己的精神力。
但耶爾在給他做精神疏導時卻仍然很溫柔，用本就殘缺的精神力，努力而辛苦地修複和重建另一個精神圖景。
西澤怒極反笑，語氣輕到甚至顯得難以置信。
“你怎麽敢的啊？”
他小心翼翼護在懷裏，生怕被牽連被傷害的珍寶，曾被一個汲汲為營、懦弱又惡毒的垃圾随意傷害，甚至留下了不可磨滅的擦痕。
帽檐下睥睨的眸光冰冷至極，因為被怒火點燃而顯得極亮，源于血脈的壓制和威懾不斷增強，讓眼前死狗一樣的雌蟲劇烈抽搐起來。
“錯了……我知道錯了啊啊啊！！放過……饒了我吧對不起……我知道……”
死亡的刀鋒抵住咽喉，尼奧在這一刻終于真切地後悔起來，不顧渾身的劇痛和狼藉，肢體扭曲地往前爬了幾步。
西澤卻沒時間在這裏耗了，厭煩地垂眸拂去袖口的灰塵，示意白朗道，“剛才的錄音錄像，備份好發我一份。”
“是！”
“至于他，”軍雌頓了一下，在尼奧滿懷僥幸地擡起頭來時，淡淡道，“铐上丢進013號刑訊室，繼續審問。”
013號刑訊室。
地上的雌蟲瞬間發出被宰的豬般慘烈的嚎叫，聲嘶力竭中帶着濃烈的後悔和絕望。
“求求你！！不要……我知道錯了！”
眼看着西澤離開的身影，他不知道哪來的力氣，猛地掙脫開壓制他的軍雌，大喊道，“你這是違規動用私刑！！”
“叛徒！賤蟲！你怎麽不幹脆死在戰場算了！”
被贊譽為帝國之光的将領，幾百年來只出了這麽一個，他是無數民衆和軍雌的信仰和标杆，是皇室和貴族的唯一良心——
從某種意義上來說，他甚至比憲法更威嚴，憲法因為他才得以堅定推廣和執行，得到國法應有的尊重和維護。
但是現在，他主動違背了自己的原則。
西澤頓了頓，恍若未聞地調整了一下軍帽，直接大步往外走。
曾經紮下的強壯根系已經深深腐爛，被各種害蟲蛀空啃噬，只能勉強支撐着這個搖搖欲墜的偌大帝國。
Enforcing laws, cleaning up bureaucracy, moderate reforms... none of them can save the building from collapse. The shadow of destruction is already looming overhead, but those in power are still living a life of drunkenness and debauchery.
The tragic experiences of those five years shattered his innocence, and this time he came back, he was not going to continue to gloss over the situation.
Instead, we must throw off the constraints, draw the blade, completely cut off the rotten meat, and uproot it all.
——New greenery will only grow in the spring of next year.
“Beep beep.”
A tiny red light flashed on the computer, indicating an urgent communication from the hospital.
"Oh no! Your Majesty the Male Insect is in a very bad state. His mental power has not been released and is showing signs of dissipating. He has also entered the secondary differentiation of estrus prematurely!!"
Xi Ze's expression turned completely cold, "I'll be there right away."