Chapter 274: Heh, What a Disgrace
The Blade-Wing Insectoids erupted in an uproar, a series of clattering and bumping sounds ringing out.
Today was the day of their alliance with The Corrosive Swarm. How could there be a sudden Ferocious Beast attack?
For a moment, not even the ordinary Swarm warriors, but Gareth himself wore a grim expression. He shot to his feet and turned to the stone-faced Everwake. "My King! It might be The Parasite Swarm causing trouble! We need to prepare at once!"
Hecate leaned languidly against the throne, crossing her long, shapely legs, utterly unconcerned by how much skin she was showing. She said, "Since the Ferocious Beasts want the Blade-Wing Insectoids’ territory, why not just come back with me to The Corrosive Swarm? Our lands are filled with corrosive mires. If those Ferocious Beasts dare to come, I guarantee they’ll never leave!"
As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on The Everwake, clearly intending to make him submit.
The warriors couldn’t discern Hecate’s true intentions. The mere thought of not having to face the Ferocious Beasts brought a flicker of fear and hesitation to their eyes.
They were now allies with The Corrosive Swarm; it was only natural that they should unite to fight the Ferocious Beasts. Who would be foolish enough to charge forward when they could avoid it? Beastmen are pragmatic, seeking gain and avoiding loss. Naturally, they didn’t want to rush into battle.
A flirtatious glint danced in Hecate’s eyes. She traced a fingertip along her red lips, a seductive smile playing on her face.
The Everwake didn’t spare Hecate a single glance. His gaze swept over the many Blade-Wing Insectoid warriors below, his magnificent eyes filled with violent ferocity. In a deep voice, he declared, "I will personally lead the warriors into battle!"
With that, The Everwake strode purposefully toward the cave entrance, his tall, lean frame as straight and sharp as a drawn sword.
Hecate pushed herself up from the throne, watching the black beast skin garments billow behind The Everwake. She narrowed her eyes, tapped her red lips with a fingertip, and suddenly let out a soft chuckle. ’This guy... he never fails to surprise me.’
Gareth glanced at the warriors who were rustling and shuffling as they followed The Everwake out, and he sneered.
He turned back to Hecate, shoved aside a female who had sidled up to him, and strode forward.
Gareth ascended the dais step by step. As he looked at the throne, now just within his reach, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes before vanishing.
"I never knew you were the kind of female to throw everything away for a male. Heh. Is The Everwake really so great? He’s just a weak, abandoned Beastman who got lucky and underwent a transformation."
"Hecate, you truly disappoint me."
Gareth gently lifted Hecate’s chin, his eyes filled with loathing as he stared at her beautiful face.
He, the rightful Prince of the Blade-Wing Insectoids and their future king, had actually lost to an abandoned Brother!
Hah. What a humiliation.
He had originally planned to use this opportunity to form a Contract with Hecate, reclaim his power over the Blade-Wing Insectoids, and have the warriors follow him. But Hecate, his former lover, had disappointed him. She had actually cast him aside and chosen The Everwake!
Hecate glanced at Gareth’s eyes, then slapped his hand away and sneered, "The Everwake was once an outcast, but he isn’t anymore. He has transformed. A Twelve-Winged Insectoid... How many years has it been since one of those appeared?"
"Gareth, if it weren’t for him, I would have chosen you."
"But now, everything has changed. He and I will undoubtedly produce The Swarm’s most exceptional warriors. He will lead us out of the Triangle Abyss and we will conquer all of Norfell! Compared to that goal, nothing else matters."
Hecate curled her red lips into a smirk. She descended from the dais and followed after The Everwake and his warriors, heading for the cave’s exit.
’I’d like to see for myself just what kind of Ferocious Beast could strike such fear into the Blade-Wing Insectoids.’
Gareth watched Hecate’s departing figure, his body tensed, his eyes glinting with sharp, murderous intent.
*
「Outside the cave.」
A spaceship slowly descended, landing in an open area outside the Blade-Wing Insectoids’ hive.
Loras, holding Genesis, pursed his lips and looked worriedly at Evangeline.
Arriving so brazenly in the territory of The Swarm would be seen as a provocation. And while he wasn’t afraid, he worried that if she had to fight, she might get hurt. After all, with the Blade-Wing Insectoids and The Corrosive Swarm gathered together today, the timing could not be worse.
Genesis rested his head on Loras’s shoulder, curiously looking around. He whispered, "Father Loras, is this where The Swarm lives? Has my father been here this whole time? Will he recognize me?"
Loras paused, unsure how to answer the question.
The Everwake should be able to recognize Genesis. After all, the father and son were practically cast from the same mold.
Evangeline, however, was completely serene, as if she were just here for a visit. Her eyes scanned her surroundings with casual appraisal, as though she hadn’t even noticed the Swarm warriors in the clearing who were already on high alert.
In the distance, perched in the branches of a tree, Thorne’s expression changed the moment he saw the behemoth suddenly descend from the sky. Then he spotted a familiar figure. His dark green, slitted pupils contracted sharply. Without even a word to Julian, he shot away from his position.
Julian had obviously seen Evangeline on the spaceship as well, his gilded eyes filled with astonishment.
But as he looked at her iridescent clothes, he held his breath. Spreading his Feather Wings, he darted in the same direction as Thorne. ’Even though I know she came here for The Everwake and Thorne, I can’t help but feel overjoyed.’
Thorne moved in swiftly. Only when he drew closer did he realize the behemoth was far more vast and magnificent than it had appeared from a distance.
"Eva!" He shifted into his human form but didn’t dare approach recklessly, simply shouting her name from a distance.
Julian flew over as well. He, however, was not so hesitant, landing gracefully on the spaceship.
Evangeline first nodded to Julian, then turned to look back at Thorne, a hint of displeasure in her slender eyes.
She could guess some of what Thorne was thinking, and it was precisely because she could guess that she was angry.
Sensing her gaze, Thorne pressed his lips into a thin line, somewhat afraid to step forward. It was Genesis who suddenly raised his voice and waved at him, shouting, "Father Thorne! Mother! Father Thorne is back! He’s okay! You don’t have to worry anymore!"
Hearing the little one’s excited shouts, Thorne’s heart softened.
He took a deep breath, stepped onto the spaceship, and stole a cautious glance at Evangeline, who was ignoring him. Clearing his throat, he held out his arms to Genesis. "Genesis, come here. Let Father Thorne hold you."
Genesis’s eyes curved into happy crescents as he crawled into Thorne’s arms. He whispered, "Mother is angry with you."
Thorne rolled his eyes. ’Like I couldn’t tell?’
He sidled closer to Loras and asked in a low voice, "How is Drake? Why did you let Eva come here herself? And Genesis—why did you bring him, too? Are you trying to let The Everwake take his own child away?"
Thorne was clearly unhappy about this.
Loras sighed softly. Just as he was about to speak, a light flashed in his purple eyes. "They’re here."
As he spoke, his body tensed, ready to deal with whatever might happen next. ’No matter what, Eva shouldn’t have to fight if she doesn’t have to. I absolutely cannot let these Swarm-members hurt her.’
Thorne was thinking the exact same thing. His gaze turned sharp as he stared coldly toward the entrance of The Hive.
At the same time, he held Genesis tighter in his arms.
