Zerg: I ​​was picked up by the cold and beautiful Major General at the start of the game.

Deep within the palace, in the magnificent yet cold council chamber, the tense atmosphere was on the verge of exploding.

"Arnold!" The Insect King's voice broke the silence, his tone furious.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Imperial Marshal Arnold stood ramrod straight, his eyes lowered in response.

"Ayland's abilities are evident to all. With the border pirates rampant this time, only by sending him can we wipe them out in one fell swoop and eliminate the threat forever."

The Insect King's slender fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his throne, his tone growing colder.

"Why do you keep objecting? You treat him like your own son, like a reflection of your younger self. Am I mistaken? Were you, Arnold, so timid and hesitant when you were young?"

The last sentence was an open expression of doubt and displeasure.

Arnold slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze respectfully falling upon the person below, and calmly replied:

"Your Majesty, Major General Ailand's mental sea was overdrawn when he was clearing out the mutated star beast horde. He is currently in a very unstable state and is at risk of revolting at any time. Sending him on an expedition at this time is not the best choice."

"Risk?" The Insect King chuckled, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Doesn't he have that Lord Lin Luo?"

"Ayland is merely Lord Linlo's guardian insect," Arnold emphasized.

"The responsibility of guardianship lies in protection and guidance, not in demanding. To ask a noble male for deep spiritual comfort without being bound to him is disrespectful and a burden."

Only formally married couples are entitled to and bear this intimate responsibility and comfort.

He lowered his eyes, concealing the complex emotions deep within them.

"Heh," the Insect King leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze scrutinizing Arnold.

"Arnold, my queen, when did you become so...rule-bound, my marshal?"

"Protecting and respecting every male insect is the sacred duty bestowed upon every female soldier by the Empire, and I dare not forget it." Arnold's answer was impeccable.

The Insect King slowly stood up, his silver-gray silk robe flowing like mercury across the cold, polished ground. He walked down the steps in front of the throne and came before Arnold, a powerful sense of oppression descending upon him.

He reached out, his cool fingertips gently lifting the marshal's strong jawline, forcing him to look him in the eye.

"Arnold," the Insect King's voice was very low, almost a whisper.

"The thing I regret most in my life is that I was too soft-hearted back then and did not forcibly take away your military rank, lock you firmly in my harem, and let you wait patiently for my favor."

Arnold's azure eyes finally met the Insect King's gaze, revealing a deep, unfathomable calm and determination: "Your Majesty, you cannot take it away."

Instantly, the Insect King increased the pressure of his fingertips, and a clear red mark immediately appeared on Arnold's chin.

The Insect King suddenly chuckled, as if his previous fierceness had never existed.

He released his grip and instead carefully straightened the slightly crooked medal on Arnold's uniform, his fingertips almost brushing against the muscular chest beneath it.

"You see, you're always like this... blunt and outspoken, never beating around the bush."

He looked up and slowly changed the subject:

"In that case, let's talk about something else, such as your former trusted subordinate, Tok."

Arnold's fingers, hanging at his sides, tightened almost imperceptibly, but his tone remained steady:

"Tok was unable to continue serving three years ago due to serious injuries and has been discharged according to regulations."

"Yes, I've retired."

The Insect King smiled meaningfully, looking at Arnold's impassive face with almost appreciative eyes.

"But now, he's my personal attendant, and he's very capable."

He uttered the last few words softly, as if sharing some wonderful news that was worth savoring.

After the Insect King finished speaking, he did not wait for Arnold's response, but simply clapped his hands lightly.

The hidden door on the side of the council hall slid open silently, and a female insect dressed in the attire of a court attendant, her posture stiff and unnatural, walked in with her head bowed. She stopped a few steps away from the insect king and the marshal, knelt on one knee, and lowered her head deeply: "Your Majesty."

Arnold's sharp gaze swept over Tok's entire body in an instant, but the strict court attire covered every inch of his skin, making it impossible to discern his physical condition.

The Insect King did not let Tok get up. Instead, he sat down and adjusted to a more comfortable position, leisurely appreciating every subtle change in the Marshal's face. He found it extremely interesting.

"Tok, I was just catching up with the Marshal, and we were talking about your injury and retirement years ago. I heard that the old injury to your spine still causes you excruciating pain, sometimes making it difficult to even stand?"

Tok's face visibly paled, and he tried his best to keep his voice steady:

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It's just an old injury and nothing serious."

"Nothing serious?" The Insect King chuckled softly, his fingers on the armrest pressing lightly as if casually.

"Well--!"

In an instant, it was as if an invisible force had gripped Tok's throat, his neck snapped back, and all the veins on his face bulged out menacingly and turned bluish-purple!

He could no longer maintain his kneeling position, and his other leg suddenly collapsed to the ground. One hand frantically clawed at his neck, his nails even tearing through the skin under his collar, revealing a corner of the metallic disciplinary ring underneath.

His whole body trembled violently, his muscles spasmed, and he made a hoarse sound from his throat that was extremely painful but was being suppressed. Cold sweat soaked through his forehead and back in just a few seconds.

Marshal Arnold watched as his once valiant and skilled men struggled in agony like a lump of mud, each spasm feeling like a whip lashing his heart.

His hands, hanging by his sides, were clenched so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms.

His usually calm eyes were now fixed on the suffering Tok, filled with suppressed rage.

"Your Majesty!" The marshal's voice was hoarse from tension, "Please stop!"

The Insect King merely glanced with interest at Tok, who was curled up in a ball on the ground.

Then, turning his gaze to Arnold, and even as if to test the marshal's reaction, he applied pressure with his fingertips again, intensifying the punishment.

Tok's body jerked violently, letting out a very short, sharp gasp, before collapsing as if all his strength had been drained, with only a slight, uncontrollable tremor proving that he was still alive.

"Your Majesty!" Arnold lowered his head sharply, his voice squeezed out through clenched teeth, "...I beg you."

The Insect King watched as the Empire's Supreme Marshal bowed his head before him, and seemed to finally feel satisfied. He gracefully withdrew his fingers.

Tok, lying on the ground, gasped for air like a fish out of water, then fell into a semi-conscious state, his body still twitching slightly unconsciously.

The Insect King casually waved his hand, and two palace guards hidden in the shadows immediately stepped forward and, as if dragging an object, silently pulled the unconscious Tok away from the council hall.

The Insect King slowly stood up, walked to Arnold who was still bowing his head, and gently touched his heart with his cool fingertips:

"Arnold, remember this feeling, and don't disobey me."

Having said that, he turned around, sat back on his throne, as if everything that had just happened was merely a trivial interlude, and said in his usual indifferent tone, "Step down."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Arnold replied, turning to leave.

Arnold walked out of the palace gates and glanced back. His face was now completely calm, showing no trace of the anger and forced pleading he had shown before the Insect King…