Chapter 63
The royal family wanted to confer the title of honorary marshal on the returning Admiral Monte. As soon as the news came out, it immediately aroused public outcry.
Regardless of whether this military title is reliable or not, at least the royal family acknowledged the existence of the admiral.
The various forces that had been observing for a long time knew that in the first confrontation after the return, Hillel Monte had the upper hand.
Yael was having breakfast when he received the news, and his eyebrows gradually raised as Bai Lang reported.
It only took a few seconds for him to go from being surprised to being suppressed and excited.
"...Okay, I understand."
When Xi Ze finally hung up the call, he gave the female insect a big hug and said, "You've been named marshal! Congratulations!"
Xi Ze quickly caught the male insect and was infected by its joy and started laughing too.
His eyes were full of smiles. He lifted Yael up with his arms and raised his head to respond to the joyful kisses.
The busyness during this period finally resulted in a temporary victory. Yerdu felt proud and happy for the female insect, and he hugged her tightly and rubbed her again and again.
He simply ignored the word "honor" in front of it, and naturally forgot about any tentative or alternate aliases.
It was not carelessness, but rather an almost blind confidence that Cize would be able to become the official marshal smoothly and without any doubt, and it was set in stone and beyond doubt.
Yael came to his senses and felt a little embarrassed, so he quickly got off the female insect.
After a low cough, his eyes were still bright and his expression was full of anticipation, "Will there be a sealing ceremony? I want to go and see it."
"Yes, I will go with you then."
Xi Ze smiled and brought the male insect back to the table. "Continue eating breakfast. You haven't even taken two bites yet."
Two days later.
Early in the morning, a special makeup team knocked on the door of the villa, followed by Bai Lang who delivered customized military suits, filling the entire living room.
Yael got up very early, but the bed next to him was already cold. He asked 015 and found out that the makeup team had arrived. After washing up, he hurried down to the living room.
"…It's almost done. Try putting on your military cap and see…"
A low voice came from the front. Yael got off the aircraft and opened the half-closed door of the living room. When he saw the scene inside clearly, his pupils shrank slightly.
Xi Ze was standing in the middle of the bright light, taking the military cap from the bug next to him and putting it on his head, obviously already fully dressed.
Compared with ordinary uniforms, the military dress uniform is more fresh and crisp, and the style is more complicated and beautiful. The collision of pure black and sparkling gold is extremely stunning.
The buttons on the lining of the collar were fastened to the top, and below them was a row of intricately patterned golden buttons. The golden belt was tightened to the extreme, outlining the slender waistline to the fullest.
Three wheat-ear-shaped ribbons extended from under the spotless epaulettes, two of which were wrapped around the chest and connected to the bottom of the collar, while the other one fell naturally and then wrapped around the back shoulder, swaying with the female soldier's movements.
Xi Ze put down his hand, and the faint shadow under the military cap covered part of his eyebrows and eyes, making his expression a little gloomy and cold, but also making him look more stern and powerful.
But those cold golden eyes moved slightly, and softened a little when they saw Yael, and the corners of the lips that were originally pursed into a straight line also lifted.
"Hero Lord?"
The designer who was helping him adjust his belt inadvertently caught a glimpse of the change, secretly surprised, and stepped back a few steps to make room.
Yael came to his senses from his daze, walked over quickly, and whispered, "You got up so early, what time are you leaving later?"
Due to the presence of foreign insects and fear of disturbing the female insect's clothes, he restrained himself and stopped one meter away, but Caesar reached out and grabbed him.
"No rush, there are still two hours left. I'm just used to preparing in advance."
There were still some pink marks on the male insect's face from sleeping. He rubbed them gently with his fingertips, but it didn't have much effect. He had been crazy until midnight last night, but fortunately he slept soundly afterwards and didn't have dark circles under his eyes.
"Are you hungry? Breakfast is on the table."
"Your dress is ready too. Put it on after breakfast and put on some light makeup. You'll be ready to go."
Yael looked a little surprised and pointed at himself in confusion.
"Me? But we can't be seen now. If I'm watching from the backstage, there's no need to wear a dress."
"Of course it is necessary. Keeping the news secret for the time being does not mean that it cannot be made public. You and Bai Lang are attending the ceremony together, so it is a good opportunity to create momentum through the media..."
It turned out that there was another arrangement. Yael listened carefully and nodded occasionally to show that he understood.
During this time, the female insect had explained many things to him, from the distribution of power in the empire to the layers of relationships between the nobles, which side was the insect that could be trusted, and which side was the insect that should be wary and stay away from... It was very complicated, but it was not too difficult to remember.
The designer who stood back as the background was terrified.
He is a well-known designer who specializes in admiral makeup. He occasionally accepts commissions from nobles, both male and female, but he has never seen a female soldier get along with her male master like this.
There is no need to kneel down and apologize, nor to worry about being punished and be careful with words and actions. Instead, they communicate and interact with each other normally and naturally, and make casual intimate gestures, which even have a hint of teaching.
Isn't this too...amazing?!
He was originally worried that the carefully designed military uniform would be destroyed by the hero who suddenly appeared after the admiral returned.
After all, male insects are like that. They are arrogant and can't stand seeing female insects living a good life. Even if they have no bad intentions, they don't care what the female insects' dress looks like. It will definitely be dirty after serving them in the morning.
But the current situation really surprised him. After tearing off his prejudice filter against male insects, he couldn't help but take another look at the Admiral's master...
Oh my god, it's really beautiful!!
This face! This figure! Does it really exist in reality?!
Yael seemed to sense something, raised his head and looked behind Xi Ze, then met a pair of eyes emitting blazing green light.
He had seen that expression on Adelaide's face many times. There was no malice in it, but it was so wild that it made him feel a little uneasy at first glance, so he turned his face away coldly.
"You go ahead and do it. I'll go have breakfast."
Seeing that time was running out, Yael pushed the female insect away and walked towards the restaurant. On the way, he remembered something and turned back, "Have you eaten?"
After getting a positive answer, he stepped on the flying elf and left, looking obviously happy.
Bai Lang looked at the male insect and then at the general, seeming to be hesitant to speak for a moment.
Caesar's expression faded a little, and he signaled the designer to prepare the dress and accessories for the male insect, and warned Bai Lang.
"He doesn't know about the dirty things going on in the military, so don't say anything unnecessary."
"yes!"
Bai Lang stood at attention and responded, adjusting his expression and trying hard to suppress the anger he felt after hearing the news.
…
"You look good in this outfit... No, no, no, don't wear this jewelry, it's too dull and doesn't suit you at all!"
"——No! These dresses are so ugly. Oh my god, how did I design these ugly things before? It's a disgrace to you!"
Yael looked at the designer who was going crazy, and didn't know what to say for a moment.
He had just been begged to change into several suits, each one more exquisite and gorgeous than the last, and they looked priceless, but the designer became increasingly dissatisfied, and in the end he became so furious that he seemed like he was going to change into something strange in the next second.
Yael had never been dressed so formally before. Looking at the unfamiliar self in the mirror, he felt a little embarrassed.
He frowned, coughed softly and said, "It's too high-profile. I think the first white suit is enough."
"Too high profile... a white, a white suit...?!"
Although it was unbelievable, the male insect had already spoken, and there was a female soldier who would unconditionally protect her master watching closely from behind, so the designer swallowed his blood and agreed.
"Then change back and I'll give you some accessories."
After finally deciding on the look and selecting the accessories, the designer looked up and was stunned for a long time.
It doesn't seem impossible. This male insect doesn't need to worry about clothes at all. He will look good even if he wears a sack!
The new and delicate fabric is so pure white that it cannot hide the whiteness of the male insect's skin. The soft black hair is casually tied into a small bun, adding a touch of cuteness and liveliness.
A thin chain shining with golden light hung from the collar to the chest, swaying slightly with the movements, and a corner of a rose-red handkerchief appeared in the pocket, making the white dress even more elegant and noble.
It is obviously an extremely classic style, but it does not look old-fashioned or out of place at all. It should be a low-key and common outfit, but it creates an almost breathtaking effect that makes insects unable to take their eyes off it.
It's like... a glowing elf from another world.
The mirror reflected his own appearance clearly. Yael felt inexplicably nervous and looked at the female insect beside him unnaturally.
"Is that still okay?"
Xi Ze looked at the mirror with him. Hearing this, he hugged his thin waist and smiled in a hoarse voice, "...It looks good."
He placed a kiss on Yael's brow and added.
"Like the Little Prince."
And he was naturally the knight who followed around and protected the safety of the noble little prince, guarding the clean and soft body behind him with his spear and shield, not letting a drop of flying blood stain the velvet cloak.
The male insect's face in the mirror was visibly flushed, spreading from the ears to the neck, like a large patch of stunning pink, extremely beautiful.
The round little robot butler poked his head out in a noisy manner, and the female insect touched his head. "It really looks like it, doesn't it, 015?"
"Yes!"
015, who considered himself a little servant following behind the prince, said loudly and nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.
Yer's face was hot for a long time, and finally he could only pretend to be indifferent, click his tongue, and push the female insect to let him go quickly.
"... Stop talking and get out of here. You're going to be late."
*
The suspension vehicle drove from the villa all the way into the military base.
對于軍雌的冊封典禮一般都在主基地舉行，陛下親臨舉行儀式，為被冊封的軍雌戴上勳章和绶帶，這個過程會在各大平臺進行直播。
典禮的參加者多為軍團的軍雌，也允許攜帶部下和家屬進入，但相比貴族的舞會還是嚴謹得多，相對也枯燥無聊一些。
耶爾坐在車上，被一路護送着到達目的地，夾在一圈荷槍實彈的軍雌中進入了典禮現場。
“冕下，這邊走……這裏是上将親屬的專屬休息室，您可以在這裏觀賞典禮。”
白朗和第一支隊被分配過來緊跟着雄蟲，此時快走一步為耶爾打開了專屬休息室的門，恭敬而簡潔地講解道。
“b小隊留下，a小隊跟我進去。”
一半的軍雌把守着門口，剩下的跟着白朗進入休息室中，在室內的牆邊立正站好擺正槍支，以便應對各種突發狀況。
耶爾一路上神色都嚴肅而冷淡，一直到進入休息室才終于稍稍放松了肩膀。
休息室是一個視野很好的半開式包廂，能一覽無餘地看見中心的冊封場地，裏面已經準備好茶水和各種點心，就等典禮開場了。
他在沙發上落座，看向門神一樣站在沙發旁的白朗，“不坐？”
“不了，您休息吧，茶幾裏的東西是上将為您準備的，如果無聊的話可以吃點。”
白朗也放松了些，但仍然保持着警戒，“您不用這麽緊張，這個包廂是絕對安全的，上将的布置從來不會有差池。”
茶幾表面是茶水和點心，下面還有幾個抽屜，耶爾挨個拉開了一下。
第一層，琳琅滿目的零食。
第二層，各種全息電影&游戲芯片。
第三層，和研究有關的電子資料，包括一些還沒看到的書架上的孤本。
第四層，只有一個小靈通一樣的通訊儀。
“這是什麽？”
他眉梢微挑，把那個小板磚拿起來，覺得這不該是蟲族的科技産物。
“帝國研究所的最新研究成果，可以無視百分之九十九宇宙射線和幹擾傳輸信息的通訊儀，從固定在地面上的龐然大物濃縮成這麽一個小東西，正準備大規模量産，屆時投入星艦或機甲中使用。”
白朗瞟了一眼，又有些不确定地猜測道。
“陛下出席的典禮都會開啓高強度幹擾器，但您也許可以通過這個聯系到上将。”
“這麽厲害？”
耶爾将通訊儀翻過來看了一眼，才發現背後鑲嵌着一個小銘牌——【耶爾】
所以，這是專屬于他和西澤的加密聯絡通道嗎？
他笑起來，手指戳了戳那個銀色的小銘牌，猶豫了一下，還是決定先不打擾西澤準備冊封典禮。
時間準時達到既定的數字，典禮如約開始進行。
從帝國皇帝冗長的動員詞過後，現場響起了激昂的軍歌，耶爾原本百無聊賴地躺在沙發上，察覺西澤要出場後警覺地支棱起身。
“要來了？”
他往前走了幾步靠在玻璃上，看着下面的方隊中間走過一支小隊，最前面的赫然就是一身挺括軍禮服的西澤。
相比剛出門的時候，西澤胸前的禮服上佩戴着各式各樣的勳章，一排緊挨着一排，多到整個上半身都要別不下。
它們随着身體的動作微微晃動、相擊，發出細微的叮叮聲，讓那看起來幾乎像是一層金色的甲胄，代表着無上的榮耀和輝光。
耶爾想起雌蟲身上層層疊疊、深淺不一的傷疤，那是連自愈能力強大的軍雌都無法抹去的痕跡，那是雌蟲出生入死征戰多年的證明。
每一個勳章都對應着無數或愈合或留痕的傷，凝結着無數的血與淚，是對軍雌這半生累累功績的最大肯定。
可是那些被他守護在身後的，龜縮在主星醉生夢死的皇室和貴族，并不把這些偉大和犧牲放在眼裏，甚至毫不猶豫出手加害。
五年。
那是飽含着巨大的痛苦，忍耐過無數的酷刑和無下限的羞辱，拼命掙紮求生的五年啊。
耶爾抿緊了唇，鼻腔一時酸澀，但還是強行壓了下來，專注地看着下方莊嚴至極的場景。
噠、噠、噠……
硬底軍靴叩擊着光滑的地面，發出有節奏的輕響，萦繞在無數蟲的耳邊，成為他們的救贖或者噩夢。
他凝視着西澤一步步往前，步伐穩定而堅毅，路過無數心思各異的視線，無視了那些心懷鬼胎的計算，來到了高臺前。
“帝國上将希爾澤·蒙特……”
白發蒼蒼的皇帝從椅子上站起來，仰起頭看着面前耀眼奪目的軍雌，滿臉的褶子顫動了一會，不知是懷念還是畏懼。
可能是自己都覺得虛僞，最終他還是沒有說些假惺惺的話，沉默了一會後按照流程走了下去。
“砰！”
一再貼近想看得仔細點，不知不覺就撞到了玻璃上，耶爾揉了揉額頭，換了個角度繼續往下看。
他其實并不知道雌蟲具體在做些什麽，但他無比清晰地知道，西澤正在有條不紊地推進着自己的計劃，一步步向着預定的目标邁進。
暗中部署、強勢回歸、搶奪權勢……
他在拿回那曾照耀在肩的榮光，奪回專屬于他的地位和話語權，向着那些曾施與傷害，或落井下石的蟲亮出冰冷的刀鋒。
——還在艾塔爾的時候他就知道，被折斷翅膀落入泥濘的鳥兒，終有一天會拼命生長出新的血肉，自由振翅高飛。
耶爾眸底的笑意滿溢而出，連帶着臉上的神情也放松而愉悅，周身肉眼可見地綻開了朵朵小花。
完全沒注意到下面媒體的閃光燈噼裏啪啦，有一些已經将鏡頭移到了他的方向。
而場內顯然不是所有蟲都像他這麽開心的。
“什麽榮譽元帥，不上不下的，沒有實權在軍部也沒有專門的位置，就是專門設計出來給上将難堪的……真是無語。”
白朗刻意走遠了一些避開雄蟲，但路過同樣神色不得勁的同僚時，還是忍不住咬牙低聲道。
“陛下真是越老越糊塗了，連這種馊點子都想得出來，不過也肯定是二皇子那個草包在耳邊吹風。”
他暗罵幾聲，偏偏現在束手無策，完全沒辦法做些什麽。
“第三軍和第四軍那些廢物，一個個機甲不會開近戰又拉胯，合起夥來私下搞小動作倒是溜，一套又一套的，惡不惡心啊……”
帝國死水一灘多年，早已經老朽又守舊，恐懼一點變革的風吹草動，根本接受不了上将的突然回歸。
如果那些貴族聯合起來排擠他們，就算上将有通天的本事，也沒辦法在這麽短的時間內發展強大到全然不懼，至少流血沖突是少不了的。
等等……
白朗眉心一跳，突然想起什麽，猛地扭過頭看向耶爾。
說到籌碼和助力，他們身邊不就有一位嗎？
S級雄蟲，千年難得一見的帝國瑰寶，較之皇室和貴族都珍重百倍，幾乎能傾覆蟲族的可怕存在。
上将把冕下保護得太好，再加上平常雄蟲的好脾氣，從不以自己的等級自傲自誇，一時讓他們忘記了身邊還有這麽一個大殺器。
“S級雄蟲……”
白朗喃喃了一聲，順着想了想這個名號可能會帶來的增益，眼睛頓時亮了亮。
但正要向着耶爾的方向走去，耳邊卻突然想起上将的警告——
【別說多餘的話。】
他動作一頓，深感棘手地嘶了一聲。
顯而易見，上将舍不得耶爾冕下趟髒水，但事實上只有他能保住冕下不受傷害。
而在那之前，穩住實力一舉奪權非常關鍵，這個階段最需要拉攏各方勢力，防止被全面孤立和阻擊。
S級雄蟲的存在幾乎相當于定海神針，若能徹底加入己方陣營，合理利用一下，天平毫無疑問會向着他們這邊傾斜。
“真是無語……！”
身後傳來白朗突然提高的聲音，耶爾耳尖動了動，倏地回過神來。
他偏了偏頭去聽雌蟲的抱怨，誰知越聽越眉心緊蹙。
“你們在說什麽？”
白朗猛地咳咳咳了幾聲，直接忽略了雄蟲的詢問，繼續提高聲音道。
“咳！我可什麽都沒說，對吧，卡德？”
“我可沒說這場典禮是個笑話，是公爵府串通二皇子哄騙陛下給上将的下馬威，我也沒說所謂的榮譽元帥是個狗屎職位，在作戰署和議會廳連張椅子都沒有，也沒有實質投票權。”
“我才沒有說第三第四軍團已經變成貴族子弟聚集地，裏面作奸犯科什麽東西都有，一直想着串通安托打壓制約上将的勢力，甚至把主意打到了軍火上……”
身後雄蟲已經完全轉過了頭，直勾勾地看着這邊。
白朗假意咳嗽的聲音更大了些，看着面前神色慌張的同僚，給了個安心的眼神。
“哎呀，上将讓我別說多餘的話，我還是不說了吧。”
耶爾臉上的笑意已經完全消失不見。
Half of the male insect's body was illuminated by the bright light below, making the other side appear somewhat dim. Only a pair of lacquered eyes were bright, as if it had just woken up from a dream.
Is that so...?
So this is all a scam. It is not an honor for Cizek, but a profound humiliation and pressure. There is nothing to be happy about.
But I congratulated the female insect like a fool, thinking that this was a victory and reward... How stupid.
Yael stared blankly with a grim face, and only noticed the pain in his palm when he finally understood the sudden news.
He lowered his eyes and saw that he had clenched his fist too tightly. His nails left several bright red marks on the palm of his hand, like small crescent-shaped marks.
But the pain was sharp and dull, which did not match the wound in front of him. He was stunned for a long time before he reacted.
It turned out that it wasn't the hand that was hurting, but the extremely soft area deep in the left chest that was violently hitting the ribs, making a loud noise in the eardrum, generating a constant and tearing pain.
During this time, Xi Ze talked to him about many things, involving many things, complicated and diverse...almost everything.
But he never talked about his own difficulties and predicaments, never mentioned how difficult it was to get here, and never complained about being excluded and oppressed and unable to cope alone.
The female insect's only purpose in teaching him was to enable him to master enough information to see the road ahead clearly, and most importantly, to have the ability to protect himself.
Even if he leaves one day, I won't be at a loss and be involved in a complicated struggle and unable to extricate myself.
Xize didn't even ask him to take a clear stand, but gave him all the choices and paths, allowing him to follow his own path.
How can there be such a fool in the world...
Yael took several deep breaths before he managed to suppress the bitterness and anger, but he still felt like there was a breath stuck in his chest, which made him feel suffocated.
Damn it.
These rats in the gutter... all deserve to die!
The mental picture seemed to be shaking with the ups and downs of his emotions. The surging mental power was constantly creating huge waves, stirring up the sea water into a mess and making it turbulent.
Yael's eyelashes trembled, and he followed Bai Lang's secret explanation, glanced at the faces of the insects below, and then looked coldly at the emperor and the second prince sitting at the top before stopping.
On the podium, the emperor was putting the medal of honor on Xize.
Thunderous applause suddenly broke out in the venue, one wave after another, but it was unclear how many of the applause were sincere congratulations.
Yael reached into the pocket of his suit jacket and tightly grasped the communicator that the female insect gave him. He was brought back to his senses by the coolness.
He was already so sad and angry just knowing the truth.
What about Xi Ze, who is standing on the stage at this moment, facing those malicious and hypocritical people?
Would you feel cold and disappointed, feeling worthless or even extremely humiliated?
After Caesar had answered questions from the media and returned to the car to collect information, Yael finally came to his senses and smiled slightly, "Now that you're back, are you tired?"
"My Lord, what's wrong?"
Cizek was quick to notice that something was wrong with Yael's mood. Although the male insect appeared calm and nothing seemed unusual, he was actually about to explode.
"Was the ceremony just now too boring? Or is there someone who is causing you trouble? Talk to me and don't be upset..."
He had coaxed the male insect many times and he was almost familiar with it, but this time he couldn't get an answer.
Seeing that he could not get any information from the question, he frowned and rolled down the car window to ask Bai Lang, who was accompanying him, "What's going on?"
Seeing Bai Lang's hesitation, Xi Ze realized something, his expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly said "I'll deal with you when the time comes" and climbed up the car window.
The secrecy about the ritual was protection at best, but deception at worst. He had promised not to deceive Yael again, but he was caught red-handed. No wonder the male insect was so angry.
Caesar tentatively held Yael's hand, and when he received no refusal, he moved a little closer and gave her a few soft kisses on her tightly pursed lips.
"My Lord..."
"Yeah, I'm here."
Yael's eyelashes trembled slightly, he took a deep breath, reached out to touch the female insect's cheek, and raised his head to respond to the intermittent kisses.
Outside the car window, the sky, which had just turned dark, was once again falling with cold, fine snow.
The author has something to say:
Ye Ye, who was originally so happy that he was beaming with joy, instantly got furious after learning the truth. If the general hadn't tried hard to comfort him, he would have bounced up and given those sinister guys a big defeat!
The general handles his relationship like a feudal patriarch, with too much protectiveness and too many concerns. For example, when it is cold, he will carefully prepare autumn pants, scarves and down jackets, but when it is time to go out together, he will worry that the cub will catch a cold or have a fever, so it is normal for the male mother to regret it and be blamed...
This part of his personality trait was just beginning to emerge when he was in Etal. After returning to the main planet and being stimulated by the harsh environment, it became more and more obvious (paralysis)