Chapter 31
Krens Palace.
Tonight, countless expensive aircraft landed on the lawn in front of Krens Palace, and male insects, some delicate and some handsome, slowly entered Krens Palace accompanied by tall female insects.
A jet-black aircraft stopped in the center, and a scythe-like hatch opened, from which a powerful female insect emerged.
He was dressed in a dark military uniform, his posture was upright, his physique was strong, and every inch of his muscle seemed to carry a terrifying sense of power.
To show respect to His Majesty, Krens Palace did not allow aircraft to land. The distance from the lawn to the palace was naturally surrounded by numerous capital city stars and media, and the footage was simultaneously shared on the StarNet.
"It's Marshal Celt—" Soon, some insects recognized him, and a small commotion broke out.
There's no other reason than that a long time has passed since Marshal Celtic last appeared, leading to much speculation.
"I didn't expect Marshal Celtic to come. I remember he was seriously injured and lost control about six months ago, right?"
"Yes, it is said that he even offended Prince Sirius because of this, and was destroyed by an annihilation-class weapon. It is said that most of his insect armor was shattered, and his injuries were extremely serious."
"Annihilation weapons? That's utter nonsense. I was fortunate enough to participate in the development of annihilation weapons. No insect could survive such an attack. My project—"
“Ah, I’m not interested in that,” the female insect said indifferently. “But I heard that Prince Sirius went to catch his lover in adultery. There are rumors that Marshal Celt is secretly keeping a male insect as a mistress, which is why Prince Sirius was so enraged that he used the annihilation weapon…”
"Where did this rumor come from? It's absurd, how could it be? The Marshal looks like the cold and abstinent type who isn't interested in male insects, otherwise he wouldn't have endured the tanning phase for so many years until he couldn't take it anymore, right?"
"Keeping male insects is a complete fantasy. Why didn't that male insect report it to the Male Insect Protection Association? Even Marshal Celt would be court-martialed, wouldn't he?"
"Maybe the upper-level insects are playing some tricks?" the female insect next to her sneered.
"Didn't His Highness Sirius find nothing? By the way, isn't this the Third Prince's coming-of-age ceremony? Why isn't anyone discussing it?"
"It hasn't been discussed yet? It's been hotly debated for over ten years, but unfortunately the secrecy has been so good that we know nothing about it except the names."
"Yes, all I know is that His Highness's name is Hildegard..."
Celtic's steady steps, seemingly measured with precision, paused for a moment, like a pause in a still photograph, before quickly returning to normal, unnoticed by any insect.
"Marshal, should we prepare some inhibitors?"
Dick, who was beside him, couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
In the past six months, the marshal has frequently fallen into insect form, and the sudden loss of control is more frequent than in the past few decades combined. The frequent loss of control foreshadows the arrival of death, which makes him, as the adjutant, extremely worried.
He once thought that a cold female insect like Marshal would never stop for any insect, and that she was just a male insect kept as a male pet. But now he had reached the point where he would pause when he heard a similar name.
Other insects might not be able to detect it, but as a trusted confidant, he could clearly sense the sudden fluctuation of the marshal's pheromones just moments before.
This was certainly not a good sign, but fortunately the marshal did not lose his mind.
“No need.” Celt’s voice was calm and steady, showing no sign that he had just come from solitary confinement.
Numerous members of parliament, nobles, and high-ranking generals had already gathered in front of the Krens Palace.
The insects reacted differently upon seeing Celt, but they couldn't help but search and spy. Celt ignored them, his cold gaze searching the arena until he found the male insect leaning back in his seat.
In such a lively and convivial setting, only Sirius could be so relaxed.
Celtic's already cold gaze sharpened like a awn for a moment, then instantly returned to its original intensity.
The order for Hill's crashed aircraft came from Cyrus, but now is not a good time.
He walked steadily forward, his military boots stopping five paces from Sirius, and bowed in a standard salute: "Your Highness, good day."
Sirius gave him a half-smile, seemingly not intending to pay him any attention. Making Celt embarrassed in such a grand occasion would once again confirm the rumors circulating outside, and whispers immediately arose everywhere.
A bold noble female insect seized the opportunity to approach: "Your Highness, may I invite Your Highness—"
Celt remained humble and unperturbed, seemingly unfazed by this, just as His Majesty the Insect Emperor appeared.
The current Insect Emperor Cyrus is 120 years old. He has a signature head of long, golden hair, the color of which is dazzling, like a radiant sun. The entire insect is magnificent and imposing, and shows no signs of fatigue.
With the average lifespan of the Zerg reaching over 200 years, and entering old age at 150, it can only be said that they have entered a period of decline, and are still far from the point where their strength is truly at its lowest.
However, His Majesty the Insect Emperor was brave and warlike in his early years, and led his troops to fight on the front lines for many years. He was wounded many times, which left great hidden dangers. Rumors of his early abdication have been widely circulated.
Her Majesty the Insect Emperor is one of only two 3S-class female insects in the Empire. It is precisely because Her Majesty the Insect Emperor possesses the same strength as Marshal Celt, enough to make her stand out among her kind, that it is widely rumored that the marriage between Marshal Celt and Sirius will lead to the birth of the next Insect Emperor and Insect Queen.
Of course, these are all just rumors to this day, and nothing has ever been definitively concluded.
"His Majesty--"
All the insects present, male and female, bowed in greeting, and the Grand Duke nearby skillfully began to praise His Majesty.
Cyrus waved his hand and smiled, "I'm not the main character at tonight's dinner."
The noble female insect was still looking at Sirius with envy, as if seeking some answer. Sirius swirled his wine glass and gestured slightly towards the stairs, a mysterious smile playing on his lips: "Father is right."
The noble female insect did not take this to heart. Nathaniel had a volatile temper, and this third prince, who had never appeared before, was known to be frail and sickly. Whether he could safely pass the second advancement was unknown.
Prince Sirius is handsome and charming. Even as a mere servant, he has many females vying for his attention. As for his womanizing ways, oh, isn't that his greatest virtue?
"No one can shake my heart for you," he said affectionately.
"Yeah?"
His Majesty the Insect Emperor extended his hand and spoke in a very gentlemanly and gentle manner: "Hill."
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, a pale hand rested on the Insect Emperor's steady palm.
These are a pair of well-trimmed, slender hands with evenly spaced joints, faint blue veins, and an unhealthy pale complexion.
Upon seeing those hands, Celtic's gaze narrowed sharply, freezing for a moment before slowly raising his eyes.
The first thing that catches the eye is the long, silver hair that reaches the waist. The male insect did not inherit the dazzling golden hair of His Majesty the Insect Emperor, but rather almost perfectly inherited the characteristics of his father, the Kent White Morpho.
With its pearly white color and delicate ice crystal texture, it flows down like clear and cold moonlight, truly deserving of the Kent White Morpho butterfly's reputation as "Silver Foil on the Clouds".
If Nathaniel and Cyrils are the rays of the sun, Hilgard's beauty leans more towards the detachment of the moon; his slightly sickly thinness and icy blue eyes make him appear frail yet handsome.
Sirius watched with interest as the female insect, who had just been so devoted to him, turned her gaze to Hill with unwavering eyes, and gave a teasing smile.
Then she looked at her fiancé, who was still in name only.
Even after suffering the greatest humiliation, Celtic's usually calm and indifferent gray eyes finally erupted into a monstrous wave, a wave that threatened to overturn everything, surging and terrifying.
Accompanied by her father and mother, Hill walked step by step up the stairs.
As he drew nearer, a faint scent of Sophie Rosa and the crisp aroma of bergamot began to waft through the air.
To avoid causing a commotion, male insects usually conceal their pheromones, while the unrestrained release of pheromones often sends a signal.
The insects lowered their gaze and, sure enough, saw a fine, warm, black, blue moonstone on Hilgard's slender right index finger.
A ring on the right index finger symbolizes being single, hoping for a romantic relationship, or deciding to join a social circle to find a suitable opportunity and partner.
Although Sirius is perfect, he already has a spot for an unmarried queen, while the handsome Prince Hilgard is still a blank slate. Many females are beginning to stir and their breathing quickens.
Cyrus brought the youngest male into the social setting and was pleased to see the admiration in the eyes of the females.
Before the female insects could fully react, Bright was the first to step forward: "Congratulations, Your Highness, on successfully passing the second advancement and being promoted to S-rank."
S-class.
Hilgard, who was usually quite aloof, smiled slightly as he accepted his close friend's congratulations, a faint glimmer in his eyes.
The previously restrained atmosphere rose to another level, and the female insects could no longer maintain their composure.
It is important to understand that there are huge differences between each level. S-level male insects are the treasures of the empire, and their effect on the mental frenzy of female insects is self-evident. Even if they are not favored, an occasional session is better than countless sessions of guidance from lower-level male insects. It is a double beauty of body and mind.
No female insect could withstand it.
A female soldier seized the opportunity and stepped forward, performing a perfect curtsy: "Your Highness, may I have a moment to spare?"
A very soft crackling sound rang out in the banquet hall, but even though the female soldier was sharp-eared and sharp-eyed, she was so engrossed in the male insect's excitement that she did not notice it.
A powerful aura rapidly rose, carrying unparalleled ferocity and pressure. A small piece of the rare wood, comparable to an alloy, collapsed, followed by the entire piece. With a bang, spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the ground.
This gap is rapidly widening until a certain boundary is blocked by an equally powerful female insect.
—That's the Insect Emperor Cyrus, another battle-hardened 3S female insect of the Empire.
Dick snapped out of his disbelief, and hurriedly bowed his head: "Your Majesty, the Marshal's old wound has reopened—"
A group of fully armed female soldiers rushed into the hall after realizing that things might get out of control, but dared not approach when they learned that they were about to face Celt.
Cyrus's deep blue eyes carried an imposing aura, as if he knew everything: "It's alright."
Dick bowed deeply as if granted a pardon and was about to ask Celt to leave temporarily, but Celt reached out and took an inhibitor from the hand of a guard who rushed in from the side and pushed it into the back of his neck without hesitation.
Its swift and efficient movements surprised many of the female insects, Dark Purple.
That was a high dose of inhibitor, which would cause great pain if ingested, yet his cold, sharp brows didn't even twitch.
The inhibitor quickly calmed his manic pheromones, and he steadily parted the torrent of insects to reach the core. He placed his right hand on his chest and looked directly at the young male insect in a white robe on the steps.
His flowing silver hair was secured with matching moonstone decorations, and he had shed his youthful naiveté, his features now intertwined with the blurred image of Luca Star from five years ago, where he was always wearing a respirator.
"I like you..."
"I love you..."
"I love you the most..."
"Because you saved me..."
"Marshal, can't you remember it yourself?"
The male insect's coquettish voice overlapped in my ears, converging into the pair of spotless, icy blue eyes before me, piercing a hardened heart.
"I am very sorry to have disturbed your coming-of-age banquet, and I would like to present you with a gift as an apology."
Perhaps because of the large dose of inhibitors he had just taken, Celtic's voice sounded particularly hoarse.
Then, she removed a slightly larger cufflink from her cuff. It was a simple silver cufflink, and when she opened it, she discovered a hidden world with a beautiful view.
A dazzling blue gemstone, which once stirred up a frenzy on the capital planet, has been eternally lost.
The precious gift he bought for his date with Sirius was confiscated under the pretext of being destroyed. It was used to pierce the little male insect's earlobe and to make him tremble in his most vulnerable place.
Later, the little male pet left all alone, and the precious gem was left forever in the dark void, which Celtic later found.
This was an unusual gift, which surprised all the insects present.
It's too expensive, and it's incredibly meaningful.
The male insect did not extend its hand to accept the gift. Under the lamplight, his eyes seemed to dim for a moment, or perhaps it was just an illusion, for the eternal moonlight has no warmth.
“These belong to my brother; I don’t need them.”
His light-colored pupils left without a trace of regret, and he placed his hand on the hand of the female insect that had been waiting quietly to the side. His voice was clear and cold, just like his pheromones.
He said, "I accept."
The female was overjoyed, and even somewhat impatiently stepped forward, cupped the pale hand, and pressed a kiss onto the moonstone ring face—a very gentlemanly gesture that did not offend the male.
"Your Highness, it is my honor."
Author's Note:
It's so hard to keep a consistent update schedule; all sorts of things always come up and delay it. But I'll definitely update and finish writing, probably maintaining a daily or every other day pace, because I've caught a cold again! [Please!]
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