Chapter 94
"In recent years, the scientific research team led by Maude Shaw has announced a number of interstellar discoveries and research, leading the Empire to open up a new life map.
In the year 9052 of the star calendar, after being voted on by all the residents of the star system, the Imperial Royal Family awarded him many scientific awards, including the "Seldin Science Breakthrough Award" and the "Imperial Science Pioneer Award."
The whole venue was filled with thunderous applause that day, countless golden fragments fell from the sky, the medal in my hand was warmed up a little, and the scene of standing on the stage is still vivid in my mind, as clear as yesterday.
"Come on, smile!"
Snap——
That photo captured the most glorious moment and spread to thousands of households along with the data torrent until it was seen by every pair of bright eyes.
Of course, it has also been inserted into the universal basic textbook and has become a required course for biology teachers. Every name on the photo will be recorded and passed down from generation to generation.
"That's weird. Did the photographer not get the lighting right? Why do I look so ugly?"
And now, the photo appeared on the computer screen, and the light blue light reflected on the insect face in front of him made his expression even more suspicious.
Hearing the sound of a door opening behind him, he quickly closed his laptop, ending his short break. He turned around and looked with a surprised look on his face.
"Your Majesty? Why are you still coming to the institute so late at night?"
The person who approached the laboratory was Yael. He had already changed into a clean protective suit. He stood tall and had a calm expression as he walked to his usual position.
He seemed to be thinking about something just now, but when he heard the familiar voice, he suddenly came back to his senses and smiled.
"I have some data to sort out. It's quite a lot and may take all night. If you want to leave, please let me know. I will be responsible for the subsequent instrument inspection."
The insect stood up and returned to its seat. Hearing this, he waved his hands and said quickly, "No, no, no, I was just tired and wanted to take a break. I should be up all night too, so it's good to have a companion now."
As he passed by Yale, he subconsciously looked up at the male insect and was stunned for a moment.
In the bright light, Yael in front of him had a calm face like a distant mountain, and under his casually scattered hair were lacquered eyes. His expression was extremely focused, and he had a strong and calm courage.
…I seem to know why I look a little dim in that photo.
It's not a problem with the photographer's lighting or filters. It's just that the insect in front of me is so white that it glows, making the other insects inside look gray. It seems like they are not even on the same layer.
"Anything else?"
Yael raised his head as if he sensed something and looked at the insect in front of him with some confusion.
The female insect coughed awkwardly, feeling too embarrassed to tell him the real reason for her daze. After looking around for a while, she suddenly discovered something.
"Well, um...are you going to school again this afternoon?"
When the authority and level of the research institute are sufficient, you will be given the identity of a university tutor, but it is basically a nominal position, with a high degree of freedom and mobility.
This type of tutor can offer courses, but they are not counted for credits. In their spare time, they can visit the school to see the students who are choosing the courses and take a few classes.
Yael had been in the institute much earlier than him, or even earlier than most insects, but he was the first to obtain the title of mentor, which was enough for the peek inside to see his terrifying talent.
"Yes, I made an appointment with them to go there this afternoon. The class went well and I made up for the missed hours. I have completed the task this month in excess."
Thinking of those overactive little bastards, a smile appeared on Yer's face. His hands kept moving, but he also opened up a little.
"I've heard from other tutors that there are always students who don't do their homework or even take exams, which leads to a high failure rate, but this class I teach is not so bad."
He thought of the sad-looking teachers at his school and was worried at first, but after one semester of teaching, the overall situation was actually quite good.
"That's right. Your Majesty's classes will definitely be full."
The female insect smiled and leaned on the edge of the table behind her. "But I am a little worried. Those students are arrogant. Although they don't have any bad intentions, they are good at finding faults and causing trouble."
One of the main principles of scientific research is to challenge authority. Many students will use this as a shield and openly ask tricky questions to provoke their instructors, trying to embarrass them.
"Oh, they say I'm very gentle outside of class, but very fierce and cold during class. I look like I'm hard to mess with, so I haven't encountered any trouble yet."
Yael also paused his men's actions, thinking back to what the squad leader had said to him, and looked confused for a moment, "Is it really that fierce?"
The bug was also confused, but after thinking about it, it was not impossible. This person was very demanding in his research, even very picky, and his level of strictness was almost as strict as Director Mod.
Although he never loses his temper or looks grumpy, he will calmly restart experiments again and again, striving to achieve perfection before moving on to the next stage. Working with him is like being driven crazy by the mental stress.
"Children are afraid of teachers after all. Don't take it to heart... Just continue working. I won't bother you anymore."
He coughed softly, and finally felt too embarrassed to disturb Yael, so he returned to his seat and continued what he had just interrupted.
…
After misreading the data for the third time, Yael finally realized that it was impossible to continue concentrating on the task at hand in his current state, so he simply leaned back in his chair.
What bothered him was not the project, but the recent news -
"A whole new universe has been discovered outside of a distant unknown galaxy?!"
《The news is confirmed!! The Empire may send troops to explore...》
News about the new universe has been spreading over the past few days, and because the Zerg's technology is extremely advanced, once they discover something, they can continue to explore in depth.
The new universe was quickly opened up, but further exploration would require the stationing of a large number of troops, which would inevitably be a difficult and long task.
When he first found out about it, Yael's heart skipped a beat, fearing that the Earth had been discovered.
But as more and more accurate news came in, this conjecture was quickly ruled out. It should be a completely new universe, similar to some that the Zerg had developed.
Although he no longer had to worry about the Earth, Cecil worked overtime until midnight during this period, busy with various meetings, deploying specific exploration plans, and arranging insect personnel.
If nothing goes as expected, the female insect will lead the army.
Once we get there, all kinds of dangers and accidents may happen. Even simple exploration will take a year or so... I don't know when we can meet again.
After thinking aimlessly for a long time, Yael frowned irritably, not knowing what to do next.
Persuade and encourage Xi Ze not to go? Definitely not... Just watch him leave with an uncertain return date? Also... not possible.
Perhaps this is the disadvantage of being with a military heroine. You have to face the possibility of separation at any time and anywhere, and even be prepared to not be able to come back after going to the battlefield.
After a long silence, Yael got up from his chair, opened the door of the office next door, found the innermost window, and pulled open the curtain neatly.
Swoosh——
It was dark outside the window. In the distance there was the vague outline of a building. The top floor was brightly lit, and many figures were walking back and forth in a hurry, as if they were facing some emergency.
That is the tallest building in the military base and also the office building of the current Imperial Marshal.
…
At the same time.
The atmosphere in the military meeting room was extremely tense.
All deployments have been urgently completed, and now the only thing left is to choose the final leader. This seemingly dangerous and boring pioneering mission actually contains great benefits -
In order to encourage the army to actively explore, the empire set up a complete reward system. The most important one is that the first developer to go deep into the new world can get one thousandth of the resources of the new world.
This ratio may seem small, but considering the amount of resources in an entire galaxy, it is actually extremely terrifying. It is a piece of cake to achieve a class leap in an instant.
Although wars were frequent, the empire still did not forget to expand outward, wanting more territory to satisfy its greed, and the numerous female soldiers were the sickles of expansion.
Status, honor, wealth, class…
Everything could tempt the worm to go crazy, causing one riot after another. The biggest one even shook the corrupt empire. Only then did Your Majesty restrain himself.
It's not so bad now that there are restrictions, and the surrounding universe has been almost fully explored. It is difficult to discover a vast new world. Occasionally, only a few small planets are explored.
But now, the discovery of new extraterrestrial galaxies has disrupted this balance.
"Of course I can understand you, Marshal. After all, you relied on this to achieve class transformation, leaping from an inconspicuous soldier to a major general, and reaping the huge dividends of expanding territory."
The insect who was speaking stared at the leading female officer, his tone sounding a bit weird.
"Many innocent insects suffered during the chaos, but many also benefited from it."
Xi Ze's expression remained unchanged, as if he didn't understand what he was saying, and he nodded indifferently.
"As long as you understand, just vote for me and don't waste your words."
"you……!"
The worm in the parliament was used to speaking in a roundabout way and thought he was thoughtful, but every time he discussed matters with the marshal, he deeply suspected that he would be angered and his life would be shortened by several decades.
"puff."
Bai Lang, who was sitting next to him, couldn't help but laugh.
He has now been promoted from Xi Ze's adjutant to the position of general of the First Army and has become the Marshal's right-hand man. At this moment, he just finds it funny to see his opponents suffer.
The insect closed its mouth, looked around with a gloomy expression, and began to calculate the possibility of gaining the upper hand in the vote at this meeting.
第一軍上将是蒙特元帥曾經的副官，第二軍上将雷契爾顯然也是那邊的，第三軍上将是後來選拔上來的，據說背後依靠皇室。
只有第四軍上将是站在貴族這邊的，但日常被打壓得擡不起頭來，基本指望不上。
不過……會議室裏坐着的不都是軍部将領，也有很多位高權重的大臣和議會的蟲，很多都保持着中立，只要順勢利用好，還是有機會的。
這次開拓的新世界面積遼闊，裏面蘊含的資源定然龐巨，誰不想做第一個吃肉的蟲？都是被打壓着沒辦法反抗罷了。
蒙特元帥的弱點……
一定有什麽是可以制約他的——
坐在上首的西澤神色始終平淡，環顧了場內的蟲一圈，直接無視了各種各樣的視線，宣布了投票開始。
“沒有異議了？那就開始投票表決……”
“等等！”
眼看着事情就要成為定局，那蟲突然急中生智，真的想到了一記殺招，激動到甚至猛地站了起來，“我還有異議！”
“老是說我們軍雌粗莽，我現在看倒是您更沒禮貌一些，頻繁打斷會議不說，還一直大吵大嚷，您的禮數是被吞到狗肚子裏了嗎？”
雷契爾看不慣這蠢貨，忍無可忍地陰陽怪氣起來。
所有視線都集中在身上，那蟲卻并沒有因此心虛退縮，也沒有被雷契爾的話激怒，而是盯着西澤的眼睛一字一頓地道。
“剛才幾位将領依次講了自己的長處，争取成為這個領軍者，元帥的條件自然是最優越的，如果正經比誰也比不過您。”
“但您沒有回答一個關鍵的問題——耶爾冕下是否允許自己的雌君長期離開家庭，前往未知區域開疆拓土呢？”
這句話一出，滿室安靜。
西澤臉上的神情不變，瞳孔卻無意識收縮了一瞬。
“請您回答一下這個問題吧，耶爾冕下可是當今帝國唯一的S級雄蟲，看樣子還會成為下一任研究所的所長，他的态度至關重要！”
自诩抓住了軍雌的軟肋，那蟲得意洋洋環顧一圈，故意揚聲道。
“現在新世界情況未知，先不說有沒有危險，需要的時間少則幾月一年，多則幾乎沒有上限，不說長期出征了，有些雌蟲甚至需要履行宵禁吧。”
會議室內頓時響起竊竊私語。
那些原本想客觀投給元帥的中立派，此刻神情都有些動搖，顯然是突然意識到了S級雄蟲在這件事中的影響。
白朗的神色漸漸難看下來，放在桌上的手下意識收緊。
——這就是位高權重的雌蟲，寧願花費巨額財富去換取精神疏導的名額，也不願意成為某個雄蟲的雌君或雌侍的理由。
如果是等級低一些或沒什麽家族背景的倒還好，可以給自己争取到極大的自由和利益。
稍微有點追求想往上爬的，都不會選擇嫁給等級高、家族強或有些權勢的雄蟲，那只會成為阻礙而并非助力。
西澤擡手示意安靜。
待所有蟲重新看過來，他才看着那蟲的眼睛，清晰地道，“不，你錯了，雄主給予了我最大程度的自由。”
不等大家有所反應，西澤直接将那份結婚文件打包傳輸過去，大大方方地讓全會議室的蟲翻看查閱。
“喲，結婚文件？！”
沒想到自己居然有生之年還能看到這種東西，雷契爾抓緊機會翻得飛起，一目十行地浏覽着裏面的選項，越看神情越震驚。
“……卧槽？真的假的？！”
眼看着大家的表情都變了，那蟲察覺到什麽，也開始狐疑地翻看起來。
【婚後是否允許雌君保留原職，正常工作及出差？選項：是。】
【婚後開放給雌君的財産權限是：1、百分之零2、百分之十……4、其他：請填寫在括號內（百分之百）】
【婚後允許雌君活動的範圍是？請填寫在括號內（宇宙間的任何地方）】
【……】
每一條都讓他大跌眼鏡，甚至詭異地萌生出一絲嫉妒的情緒來。
世界上怎麽會有這樣的結婚協議？！世界上怎麽可能會有這樣的雄蟲？！這樣的雄蟲怎麽就看上了這麽一個……
從文件裏擡頭，不等那蟲繼續找什麽借口擾亂投票，就聽到軍雌淡淡的聲音，“看完了？”
西澤不知道伸手按了哪裏，很快門外就進來了兩個全副武裝的軍雌，直接把雌蟲架了起來，直接往門外生硬拖拽。
“等等……不、你無權……啊！”
那蟲仍然不死心，在軍雌的禁锢中扭動掙紮，但還沒說兩個字就被丢出了門外，凄慘地痛呼一聲。
“數次擾亂會議秩序，你被剔除參會資格了。”
十分粗暴但幹脆利落的做法，很快會議室內恢複安靜，不過也可能是因為還有很多蟲震驚于那份結婚文件，還沒回過神來。
西澤屈指敲了敲桌子，示意會議繼續。
“開始投票吧。”
……
過程有些曲折，但仍然是預期的好結果。
白朗心情很好，特意想等元帥一起走，這是他做副官時的習慣了，一時半會改不掉，但等了很久也沒見蟲從裏面出來。
他推門進去一看，剛才游刃有餘統攝全局，甚至還抽空撒了一把狗糧的軍雌，此刻正坐在座位上怔怔出神。
“元帥？您還好嗎？”
西澤閉了閉眼，示意他出去，讓自己安靜一會。
……這件事裏，他唯一擔心的确實只有耶爾。
新世界的消息發酵得很快，臨時部署十分倉促，皇室的命令又很緊急，他還沒來得及和耶爾好好商量一下，就被迫卷進其中做下了決定。
這件事非同凡響，不管是從哪方面來說，他都是非去不可的，但和以前孤身一蟲可以随便搏命不同，現在他多了難以割舍的牽挂。
剛才那個攪局的家夥，至少說對了一點：耶爾會允許他離開這麽長時間嗎？
不是出于雄蟲對所有物的限制，而是出于深愛的蟲彼此之間的擔憂和挂念。
他知道漫長的等待非常痛苦，曾經他連等待耶爾醒來的那幾個月都快瘋掉，到時候他出征，歸期未定，耶爾又會是什麽感受？
或許這就是他們一生都要面對的議題，關乎愛與分離、自由和家庭，還有……生與死。
西澤疲憊地閉了閉眼，掩飾住眸底閃過的一絲痛楚。
夜色寒涼，空曠的會議廳一片安靜。
*
不知道是不是暗地裏有蟲在攪局，在投票結果出來之後，仍然想要抓住一切機會将蒙特元帥拉扯下來。
開完表決會議的第二天早上，耶爾就被一大波媒體堵在了研究所門口。
“冕下您好，請問您了解域外星系開拓的事嗎？昨晚投票表決出的領軍蟲是蒙特元帥，您知道這個消息嗎？！”
“我是愛塔新聞社的記者……”
那些記者應該都是帶着任務而來，在軍隊拉起的防線間隙鑽來鑽去，密密麻麻的話筒伸得老長，幾乎戳到耶爾的下巴。
“這次域外星系開拓，請問您支持蒙特元帥領軍出征嗎？您是否介意您的雌君離開家庭太久……請挑選一個問題回答！”
“不要擁擠！不要采訪！”
“冕下！能否回答一下這個問題呢？”
艾科收到消息匆匆趕來，第一眼就是眼前窒息的畫面，他連忙将耶爾往軍隊防線後拉了拉，“這群記者瘋了嗎？你先回去避一避……”
耶爾臉上神情平靜，将手掙脫出來，“不用，我大概知道是什麽事了。”
那些記者的提問各有千秋但前提非常統一，應該是昨晚召開的投票表決會中，西澤已經成為最适合開拓領軍的蟲。
但肯定有和他争奪肥肉的狼，正面剛不過，便只能從這邊下手，希望從他不贊同的态度中給西澤施壓，讓雌蟲自願放棄這次機會。
“冕下？！”
耶爾眸光沉郁，上前一步站在了防線前，那些記者知道這是接受采訪的意思，頓時更加瘋狂起來，無數刁鑽的質疑鋪天蓋地而來。
他卻有些微微的恍神。
眼前的景象仿佛在什麽地方見過……啊，對了，是當初他在集中研讨會上說，自己想要競争研究所所長一樣。
當年他資歷尚淺，而且還沒有全然展露出恐怖的天賦，雖然有着S級雄蟲的身份，卻是沒辦法讓科學界和整個帝國認可的。
幾乎所以蟲都認為他可以等待下一屆，百年之後再去競選，到時候這個位置多半會是他的了，不必着急。
甚至有很多蟲自以為抓到了把柄，屢屢施壓想要離間他和莫德老師的關系，雖然最後都能解決，但始終煩不勝煩。
但當時西澤聽完他的話，神情中沒有一絲質疑或不相信，平靜至極又不可置喙地道。
“想做就去做吧，再不可思議的事，只要是您就一定可以。”
那之後，像是被什麽力量暗中敲打過，沒有蟲敢再拿這件事說事，他耳邊很快就清淨下來，可以繼續專心科研。
When he went home to ask Xi Ze, the female insect had a calm and gentle expression and reached out to touch his face. "Tell me if you need any help. I will help you solve everything."
Later, he gradually revealed his extremely talented side and participated in many large experiments with Director Mod. From playing a mainstay role in the beginning, he gradually became able to lead the project independently.
Later, he developed an unprecedented new idea and led his team to break through the core technology of genetic drugs, which almost shocked the entire scientific community.
When he received the Breakthrough Prize trophy and hugged Cecil with great joy, the female insect still did not look surprised at all, but was simply proud of him.
It was as if he had said at the time - as long as it was Yael, it would be possible.
From the beginning to the end, Xi Ze gave him all his love, unshakable confidence, and unreserved support behind his back.
And now is the critical moment for him to express his position.
He is a male insect, and his future is never restricted by society. But Xi Ze is different, because he is a female insect. Because he became his queen, this scene happened.
Yael gestured for silence, and the insects below, which were restless, suddenly stopped talking as if their necks were strangled.
He spoke directly into the nearest microphone, his expression and voice were calm, but his first sentence was like dropping a depth bomb -
"He's not [my] female insect."
The spell of silence was suddenly broken. The reporters widened their eyes like crazy and started to ask loudly, "What do you mean?! Are you going to break up with the Marshal?"
"May I ask why you say that..."
Yael raised his hand again to signal for silence, and this time he used a bit of strong mental strength, and the swarm of insects calmed down again.
"To be precise, what I want to say is: he does not belong to me."
"He is not my property. He has a unique name and experience, and a strong and independent soul. I hate it when other insects give him the title of "The Queen or Female Insect Under the Crown of Yael"."
Yael knew that this was shocking and unconventional, and there was no need for him to say anything before, after all, he couldn't change anything in this society, but he didn't mind letting the entire planet know his attitude.
"Whether in terms of status or emotions, we are on an absolutely equal footing. We love and respect each other deeply, and no one is a vassal of the other."
"I know he was born free, and should be free—to protect what he wants to protect, to fulfill his duties as a marshal, to take the glory that belongs to him, without having to worry too much about me."
The first time he saw Caesar was not in the small advertisement for the female slave exchange.
Instead, in that narrow, dark supermarket, the shabby screen was showing news, and a photo popped up in front of him.
The picture is blurry, but one can vaguely see the dazzling sunlight and the fluttering red cloak surrounding the tall, calm figure in the middle.
That was him, not the abandoned "Xize", not the destitute female slave, nor the female monarch under the male insect crown, but Admiral Hillzer Monte, oh, now he is the marshal.
A free bird should not be confined by love.
All the reporters were shocked and fell silent.
Yael raised his eyes and looked at the dark camera in front of him. It seemed that through this medium, he was looking at Caesar who was watching the live broadcast on the other side.
The smile on his face was soft but firm, and his eyes were bright.
"Go ahead. I'll wait for you."
The universe is vast and the years are changing.
Perhaps one day, the intense love will become dull and the vows will all turn to dust, but the golden heart that pursues love and freedom will be immortal.
May he remain true to himself, day and night. [1]
——End of the text——
The author has something to say:
[1] From Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “Thou shalt be true to thyself, and not forsake day or night.”
This is a sentence that Ye Ye gave to the general, and also a sentence that he gave to himself.
The author has always believed that he can really do it.
————————
Perhaps I should have stopped at the happiness of the previous chapter, but after thinking it over again, I decided to write a chapter like this as a conclusion, as a way of explaining what happened later.
All in all, it’s finally over!!!
Thank you for your company along the way, but no matter how reluctant you are, you can only accompany me here! (But there is a special story hehe)
Looking back at the original intention of this article, the author has his perverted XP in mind, but it is not actually intended to deliberately rely on labels such as beauty, strength, and mutual redemption.
But there are always sufferings in this world, but there are also just the right hopes that make people cry. Some people fall into the mud and look for stars in it, while others are in trouble but always keep a clear heart.
This journey from darkness to light can deeply touch the soul and bring countless emotions and resonances.
Along the way, it seemed as if I had walked through this life journey of rebirth from death, struggling for light with them, and I was also redeemed.
There are many unsatisfactory aspects of this story, and the author's writing skills are limited, so there is no way to make it better for the time being.
But I am really grateful to you for always tolerating this imperfect story, tolerating the immature author, and never giving up! (rose in mouth)
May everyone always be in the light, full of hope, and shining brightly!!!