Chapter 57 Part 2

Moreover, Fred lowered his gaze. Perhaps it was arrogant, but deep down, he had always believed male insects couldn’t truly harm or threaten female insects.

Boom—

Blinding cannon fire exploded in space, forming a net of death.

Two fleets shuttled through the cosmos. Red Blood’s ships were all painted black, exuding terrifying pressure that suppressed the enemy fleet breathless.

In Red Blood’s lead warship, Ludwig wore combat gear, his aura utterly intimidating and wildly arrogant. He sprawled boldly in the command chair, giving the enemy no quarter. It was a cruel, conquering gale as he unleashed ferocious attacks.

The opposing fleet belonged to the Freedom Alliance rebels, imperial armed insurgents opposing the current regime. It started as minor rebellions across star systems until high-grade female insects in the imperial capital secretly united key figures from various systems.

Thus, the spark in their palm ignited the crowd, birthing the Freedom Alliance Army—a major headache for the Imperial Military Department.

But whether Freedom Alliance or Oppressed Alliance, it had nothing to do with Red Blood. The only thing that made Ludwig spare them a glance was their self-given title.

Evidently deluded, the Freedom legion thought Red Blood shared their goals after Red Blood destroyed some military bases. This fleet intercepted them on their route, seeking alliance.

Ludwig: “…”

You bunch of idiotic government loyalists were beyond saving.

Near the encircling star belts, nebulae swirled. The two fleets met head-on. The enemy barely uttered a word before Red Blood’s cannon fire silenced them.

Then, Red Blood lured them deep before pursuing relentlessly, forcing the enemy into a desperate corner. Victory seemed imminent—

“Boss!”

Phibet’s voice suddenly burst over the comms channel.

“Lord Sadro seems to be getting engaged!”

Ludwig’s hand on the control panel clenched fiercely, nearly snapping the handle. He narrowed his eyes. “What did you say?”

Oh shit. Even through the comms, hearing the Boss’s ominous tone made Phibet feel his life was over.

He stammered, “The male insect you had me monitor is getting engaged.”

Ludwig narrowed his eyes, squeezing two words through gritted teeth. “To whom?”

“F-Fred.”

It was that damn fool again. Ludwig immensely regretted not having killed Fred last time. His voice sank to a terrifying low. “Say that again. Who with?” He deliberately emphasized those last two words.

Phibet instantly had a flash of inspiration, blessed with sudden wit as he displayed unprecedented cleverness. “With you! With our Boss!”

Ludwig’s lips curved in satisfaction. In stark contrast, the chill in his eyes nearly solidified into something tangible.

The deputy had naturally overheard the entire conversation. Gauging Ludwig’s intent, he lowered his gaze and asked, “Boss, are we going to crash the wedding?”

“Crash what wedding?”

Ludwig closed his eyes. In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind—those glamorous pasts that appeared brilliant to outsiders, those bullshit family responsibilities he had abandoned yet still had to bear, those—

He slowly lifted his eyelids, like a lion long dormant opening its eyes, and commanded the fleet to turn around.

“I’m going to attend my engagement banquet.”

The deputy fell silent.

The entire Red Blood fleet changed course. The massive armada advanced toward the Imperial Capital Star System like a thick blanket of dark clouds.

The opposing fleet was instantly dumbfounded. They couldn’t process how the armada—which had been brimming with menace just a second ago, ready to beat them until they begged for mercy—had suddenly turned away and called off the fight.

What? By the Insect God above, were they just—

Just let go, fresh and juicy as they were??

The engagement ceremony took place in a church in East Zhao District, blessed by ancient gods. Since it was only an engagement, the guests consisted mainly of family members from both sides. The royal family, Military Department, and other great nobles sent only representatives.

That day, East Zhao District was cloudless. Cold sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows, spilling colorful patterns across the floor.

The long aisle was lined with white and purple fresh flowers. The air was filled with a faint floral fragrance. The ceremony had yet to begin formally when Demian, representing the Slei Family, handed his invitation to the receptionist.

After the previous Court Gathering, his male sire had emphasized once more the special significance of names to Male Insects. Demian had known this before but hadn’t taken it to heart. Yet that cold wine poured over his head had truly jolted him into realization.

Though Demian didn’t understand why this world was full of so many inexplicable rules—and though he was unwilling to follow them—he knew full well that his actions had indeed caused trouble for the native zerg.

He wasn’t the sort who couldn’t distinguish right from wrong. He had his own principles and bottom line. This matter was indeed his fault to begin with.

After coming to his senses, Demian had constantly sought an opportunity to apologize to Sadro. But his usually mild-mannered male sire had grounded him for three months. Only upon receiving the engagement invitation from Fred and Sadro did his sire allow him out—to apologize to Sadro.

Though shocked by the news, Demian ultimately chose not to pry too much.

Demian moved through the church but didn’t spot Sadro anywhere. Following Fred’s directions, he stepped outside and scanned the area. Far ahead on the lawn in front of the church, two figures stood side by side under a lush elm tree, engaged in conversation.

Demian started forward but hesitated inwardly. He clenched his fist and tiptoed closer.

The expansive lawn allowed for fierce winds, which rustled the elm branches and grass with a constant whisper.

Shen Yu wore an elaborate silver-white formal outfit. His crystal cuffs gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight. His unbound long silver hair draped down his waist, tousled by the breeze.

Sunlight danced through the swaying elm branches, casting dappled shadows across the expressionless face of the Male Insect. Arms crossed, he leaned against the tree trunk and gazed at a white cloud perched atop distant branches heavy with green leaves.

Andre, standing beside him, reached out and touched his wrist. At the edge where glove met skin, he felt two distinctly different bone structures.

The golden-haired Male Insect lowered his gaze. “I don’t believe he left nothing behind. I failed, but you haven’t yet. During that final stretch, he took you with him, didn’t he? He kept saying to wait until we came of age. Are you planning to choose Fred as this key?”

Shen Yu let him touch as he counterasked, “Haven’t I already come of age?”

Andre wrinkled his nose. “That’s not what I mean.”

Whether it was the Empire or the Sadro Main House, they had never truly known what sort of creation Sidorey had sought to craft at the very beginning.

In the mind of this genius biologist, ingenious inspirations resonated with rigorous logic. No one could keep pace with his will.

But one thing was beyond doubt: Sidorey’s experimental data had the power to shake the very foundations sustaining the Empire.

After Sidorey’s death, the Empire destroyed vast quantities of experimental notes and files. They forcibly detained and observed Vidonien for a full year. Only after repeated data reports showed everything normal—no different from an ordinary Male Insect—and under combined pressure from the Sadro and Andre families did the Empire finally release him.

Thus, the answer to that question sank into oblivion, forever untraceable.

But Shen Yu vaguely sensed that the answer might not lie in the bodies of Female Insects after all—but in his own body.

Within his body lurked a lock. Or perhaps, a seed.

When that lock was finally opened, maybe all the mysteries would reveal their truths.

None of this was in the script. In the original plot, Vidonien died in White Prison before the mystery could be solved—utterly annihilated into a cloud of white smoke.

Shen Yu: 【To be honest, I’m really quite curious.】

His spirit of adventure was always itching to act.

After so much time together, 007 knew full well that his Host was an absolute thrill-seeker. White Dumpling propped up his chin with a serious expression. 【As long as you keep your persona in check, Host, you might actually uncover this mystery with your own hands.】

But until the mystery was fully unraveled, Shen Yu wanted to try more things. He spoke to Andre. “Keys are everywhere. More than that, I’m curious about the internal structure of a living Female Insect body.”

Recalling his hazy past, Shen Yu unlinked his arms. Andre released his hand as well.

Shen Yu extended his fingers into the air and curled them downward, as if grasping a gleaming scalpel from the void.

He felt the cold handle and mimicked the scene from his childhood, lying on the bed as he watched. He sliced into the air over his abdomen. Viscous red liquid welled up from the wound. It hurt a little, but he could endure it.

Watching his actions, Andre bit his lip. His brilliant golden eyes flickered.

Shen Yu paused and said, “Fred is an SS-rank Female Zerg, after all. I wonder what sort of wondrous reaction we’d get from cutting open his body. I really like your gift, Andre.”

Andre sighed and reached out to smooth Shen Yu’s disheveled hair.

The church organ began to play a soft, solemn melody. The music flowed as white doves took flight from the church into the sky. The engagement ceremony was about to begin formally.

The doves soared overhead. The two exchanged a glance, turned, and headed back.

Suddenly, the wind on the lawn surged dramatically.

It was like an unyielding hand slamming into the ground, tearing at the earth’s green mantle. The grass whipped into rolling waves. The gusts were unnaturally fierce.

The previously cloudless sky abruptly darkened.

Was it about to rain?

The guests outside the church were all of high standing—composed in demeanor and conservatively elegant in attire, so as not to overshadow the two principals. Yet in the details—cufflinks, brooches, rings, pendants—they were never understated. Every accessory matched their family crests, proclaiming their illustrious status.

East Zhao District’s weather was notoriously fickle. At the sudden gloom, the zerg weren’t surprised and merely glanced up at the sky out of habit.

Once they took in the sight before them, their pupils contracted sharply.

It wasn’t clouds.

It was an entire fleet.

Massive warships loomed overhead—more brazen and fearless than the assault on the Military Department base. The dense ranks of vessels formed a colossal black curtain, blotting out the sun entirely. It blotted out the sky and choked the air.

The upturned faces were sliced by shifting shadows.

Someone forced a sound from their throat, like a grim proclamation.

“Red Blood—”