IHNMSL Chapter 18
by VolareWing Curtain Land, the central floating island of the Hive Collection is controlled by the Mind Brain’s will, housing a massive golden Mother Nest. This place serves as the gene bank guiding the evolution of the Bug Clan, and the focal point of all Bug Clan faith.
In the ancient Bug Clan creation myth, fragile, glass-like Male Bugs inherited the Mother Nest’s spiritual power, holding the key to elevating the clan’s hierarchy. Conversely, the hardened, composite Female Bugs inherited the Mother Nest’s shell, transforming into invincible instruments of slaughter.
As spiritual vessels, Male Bugs were unable to possess strong physiques, their bodily functions even inferior to young Female Bug larvae.
Every Pure-Blood Male Bug is protected as a precious resource even before birth.
However, Yao’s birth was truly an accident. He was not only born outside the Empire’s designated hospitals, but he also never underwent a single routine Bug Egg examination.
Chris was always victorious on the battlefield, and this time was no different from any other victory, except that this time he brought back an egg—a fragile Pure-Blood Male Bug egg. It was truly fortunate the small Bug Egg didn’t miscarry.
When that tiny, pristine white egg radiating a faint life aura was placed in Will’s arms, all that remained on Will’s face was bewilderment. The Duke, becoming a father for the first time, was so nervous he almost tripped over his own feet.
He knew nothing about Chris carrying the Bug Egg. The Female Bug was stationed away for extended periods, and upon returning home, barely interacted with him beyond necessary spiritual guidance.
Even so, the unfamiliar Female Consort Chris seemed to have become the only “family” member in the world he could count on.
The down-on-his-luck aristocratic young Duke, deprived of parental protection, was isolated and helpless on Central Star. This Male Bug, who had always been pampered and cherished, could only rally his spirits and strive to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the family, just like his father and brothers.
For a long time, the cowardly cub who had to find his father for a hug as soon as he woke up every day, healed Will’s depressed and lonely heart.
Will’s act of privately altering Yao’s Affinity Test results was a serious crime. In the Empire, both Male Bugs and Female Bugs must prioritize the overall interests of the clan. Concealing information from the Mind Brain was equivalent to challenging its authority and questioning the Mother Nest’s decisions.
The Council was in an uproar over this matter. Punishment was inevitable, even for a Duke of such esteemed status.
Representatives from various factions were arguing vehemently over the severity of the sentence. Too light, and it wouldn’t serve as a deterrent. Too heavy, and they might truly harm the Male Bug.
The Duke had been injured in his youth, with nearly forty percent of his bodily organs failing. He was completely reliant on lab-grown cell regeneration and transplantation.
The higher-ups were passing the buck like a hot potato. The vast disparity in physical constitution between Female and Male Bugs meant no one could bear the responsibility of causing the death of a Pure-Blood Male Bug. If nothing happened, fine, but if something really went wrong, the sanctions from the Male Bug Aid Station alone would be enough to make them suffer.
In the courtroom, the haggard Duke finally appeared. Having shed his elaborate and expensive noble attire, he was still unable to diminish even a fraction of the beauty of this former Central Star’s premier Male Bug.
If his second Female Consort hadn’t been so assertive, the suitors he had now could still circle Central Star several dozens of times.
The jealous and possessive second Female Consort Hevia sat down next to the Duke, and the air in the venue seemed to freeze, her power of deterrence was self-evident.
“Don’t be afraid, Will…” The Female Bug grasped the silent Male Bug’s hands, offering silent comfort.
Beta Star’s Chief Executive Officer Hevia dealt with the judge’s sharp questions with ease, personally admitting that she had privately altered Yao’s test results, and even submitted relevant evidence to show that the Duke was completely unaware of the matter.
That was about enough.
Those Bugs who knew how to read the room had already tacitly taken the hint and descended the steps.
Chosen by the Central Mind Brain, Hevia was highly valued by the Mother Nest and was one of the important core members who controlled the new generation of Bug Clan Mind Brain, possessing an irreplaceable position.
Regardless of the family behind him or his own abilities, most Bugs were happy to give him face.
Many Bugs looked at Hevia with a playful expression, probably not expecting that the Chief Executive Officer, known for his past amorous affairs, could go to such lengths for the Duke.
The Mother Nest had special punitive measures for higher-ranking Bug Clan members. Even the top 3S Female Bugs, cold-blooded killing machines with unwavering wills, could be made to suffer to the point where they would beg for death but not be able to get it, leaving behind psychological scars that could never be erased. Anyone who had witnessed a punitive session couldn’t help but tremble.
The shrewd higher-ranking Bug Clan members would do everything in their power to avoid committing any error that might lead to this punishment.
Becoming the Chief Executive Officer of a sub-star at such a young age meant his starting point was the finish line that many Bugs could never reach in their entire lives. Given the Mother Nest’s regard for Hevia, it was no different from being slapped heavily by their most beloved and promising child.
Just when everyone thought the matter was settled, the Duke, who had been protected behind Hevia, suddenly shook off the Female Bug’s hand and stood up.
“I don’t agree!”
“Why punish Hevia? Wasn’t I supposed to be judged? Why don’t you ask me?”
“The password to unlock Yao’s file data is only known to me. I was the one who took Yao for the Affinity Test. I am also the recipient of the illegal Spiritual Sustaining Stimulant purchase records.”
“I did it all. I am the one who is guilty. I am the one who needs to be punished!”
“No!… Will!!” Hevia pressed on the Male Bug’s shoulders, trying to stop him, but suddenly met those icy eyes.
“Get lost! Are you pitying me? Who needs your false kindness?”
“Disgusting! All of you are revolting!” The spiritual storm generated by the Male Bug, whose head was splitting with pain, wreaked havoc in the venue.
“No, Will, calm down.”
The Male Bug’s mental state was beyond terrible. The Duke of Klink, who was having difficulty breathing and suddenly convulsing, frightened everyone present.
The unconscious Duke was carried away by Hevia and rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, leaving behind terrified officials looking at each other in dismay.
Meanwhile, Yao, who was happily ending a clandestine rendezvous with his little lover, was unaware of what had transpired.
He stealthily closed the door and ran straight into Chris, who was in the living room annotating documents, startling the little Male Bug.
“Female Father?”
“You… Why are you here?” Yao’s guilty eyes darted left and right, not daring to look at Chris.
“Where were you going so late?”
“I was just casually strolling around…” Yao awkwardly sat down in front of his Female Father.
“Remember to bring a bodyguard next time. It’s not safe outside.”
“Oh… Okay…” The little Male Bug’s nervousness was written all over his face.
After calming down, Yao realized that Chris actually had a faint smell of blood on him.
“Did Father get hurt?” Yao stared anxiously at Chris.
“I’m fine…” Chris sighed as he looked into Yao’s clear eyes, and stroked his head, saying, “Your Male Father will be busy with something during this period. If YaoYao encounters any trouble at school, come find Female Father, understand?”
The Duke’s daily interests were reading books, tending to the flowers and plants in the house, and designing all kinds of gorgeous and exquisite dresses for Yao. He rarely went out on weekdays.
Yao was curious that the decorative style behind his Male Father during the video calls these past two days didn’t look like home.
“Is there something I can’t know about?”
“No rush, don’t worry, YaoYao will know soon.”
So mysterious… The little Male Bug, who was not at all aware of the danger, blinked his eyes and looked at Chris in confusion. Not only was his Male Father strange, but his stepfather Hevia and his Female Father were also acting strangely.
[Central District Garrison Center]
“Has General Chris put on the punitive collar?”
Whispering subordinates within the military were extremely puzzled by the sudden punishment of their immediate superior, with a duty officer reporting that the clothes taken off the previous day were covered in blood.
“I don’t know, didn’t the General complete this battle very successfully?”
“Anyone who uses this kind of thing…” A blond major looked around to make sure there was no monitoring, then leaned forward and lowered his voice, “Do you think the General has gotten into some serious trouble?”
“Keep your voice down, I heard from a relative working in the courthouse that the General herself volunteered to take the blame for the former Male Master Duke Klink, and I don’t know if it’s true.”
“The General is confused! This move is extremely stupid… The Duke already has a gentle and considerate new Female Consort, why would he still remember a rough military Female who is all hard edges?”
“Hehe, who says the General can’t compare to that sinister pretty boy? I support the General in snatching the Duke back.”
Back then, Chris went deep into enemy territory and rescued the Duke against a hundred enemies. That sensational love story could be said to have caused a sensation and infected countless Bugs.
If it hadn’t been for Hevia being dishonorable, taking advantage of the situation and entering the void, maybe the General and the Duke would have remarried long ago.
In the office, Daina was applying medicine to Chris, who had a pale face.
The neck ring, like a living parasite, absorbed the Female Bug’s flesh and blood, embedding itself in the skin and connecting to her blood vessels, constantly stimulating and causing the Female Bug to experience severe neuralgic pain.
“Why did the General volunteer to take the punishment for the Duke?”
Looking at Chris’s wound, Daina gritted her teeth, this matter should be borne by the Duke’s current Female Consort, his irresponsible, amorous father Hevia, even if it was a substitute punishment.
“You seem to have a lot of animosity towards Hevia?” Chris looked at the grown-up Daina and, after thinking of something, was silent for a long time before slowly saying, “This matter can be considered as my owing Will.”
“By the way, remember to care more about YaoYao at school during this period. There’s no reason why your years of affection can’t compare to an outsider who has only known him for a few months.”
“You know about it?”
Daina’s heart sank. According to Chris’s suspicious personality, she probably had investigated everyone who had come into contact with Yao.
“If you’re talking about that inferior Bug who is neither fish nor fowl and can’t be brought to the table.”
“Yao and that Female Bug can’t have a future. I know you are hiding it out of concern for your younger brother, but Daina, you must remember that meaningless softheartedness is the most superfluous thing. It’s not too late to feel sorry for him after you become Yao’s Female Consort.”
The little Male Bug was raised too delicately by Will, and hadn’t suffered a bit of hardship. A hothouse flower will quickly wither if it leaves the carefully tended care, and that Female Bug can’t provide the life Yao needs.
“But… Xiao Yao really seems to like it…” Daina still wanted to continue pleading for Yao.
“There are no buts!” Chris interrupted Daina’s words unhappily. The Female Bug, who put on her coat and sat upright, regained her former dignity.
After Daina left, Chris slowly opened the document set aside, and only revealed a satisfied smile when he saw the handwritten reply from the Minister of the Gene Research Department.
As expected, Daina’s high-purity subspecies gene, which was extremely similar to Chris’s, was the most likely of all the candidates to trigger reversion to ancestry.
“I’m sorry, Will… Daina is a good child. He will make up for Yao well for me.”