The deep gray military administration building stood solemn and silent in the center of the station. Insects passed by with serious expressions, some clutching documents, others in perfectly pressed military uniforms. These tiny individuals moved between the high-rises, breathing life into the massive machine.
The main building was shaped like a spire. The top floor was the exclusive area of the highest commander, and the office that had sat idle for so long finally welcomed a guest other than a service drone.
Arriving at this long-lost place again, Casper uncontrollably felt a moment of trance.
The furnishings in the office remained exactly as they were at the moment he left. The upturned photo frame, the hanging dress uniform, the tie draped over the back of the chair, every trace of his life seemed to be speaking. They whispered that he had only left briefly to attend an appointment destined to be unpleasant, and that once he returned, he would continue to work and live here, dedicating his life to the Empire.
A touch of silver-white in his field of vision pulled Casper’s wandering thoughts back.
This was a color that could not possibly appear in his office.
Silently taking a deep breath and suppressing the surging, complicated thoughts, Casper led Leslie to sit on the sofa in the reception area.
In the brief wait, Leslie looked around the place he had not visited for a long time.
Well, it did not look any different from the last time he saw it. Military soldiers did not have many recreational needs; offices were mostly simple and rigid, with unchanging decor.
The only change was probably the photo frame upturned on the desk. He wondered which officer he had disagreed with that picture belonged to.
“Knock, knock, knock.” Three rhythmic sounds came at the door.
Having requested permission from his mother earlier, Leslie could see through the surveillance that Casper’s former adjutant, Neri, was at the door.
Granting visitor access, the pitch-black metal door opened with a “ding.”
The military insect, dressed in civilian attire, walked in quickly. After bowing respectfully, he handed the documents he was holding to Leslie.
“Your Highness, this is the list of military insects screened so far. Please have a look.”
Leslie took them but did not open them immediately. He patted the back of Casper’s hand. “Go take a walk. It is boring to just sit and guard me.”
“It is not boring. Being with you, nothing is boring.”
Although he said that, Casper rose as instructed. He did not want to fail Leslie’s kindness. Even if seeing familiar insects and familiar environments would stir up delusional thoughts, and once those thoughts shattered, he would have to face a reality even more desolate and dark, he still had to face it.
He should bid a formal farewell to the past.
The pitch-black metal door closed silently, isolating the two worlds inside and out.
Not until the elevator reached the bottom floor did Neri break the silence. The slender bureaucrat grabbed Casper’s broad shoulders, losing all his composure as he blustered, “Sir! You nearly scared us to death!”
Given the dire situation at the time, Casper had been destined to receive the highest penalty from the Supreme Court. Neri had nearly conspired with other colleagues to forcefully rescue him from the courthouse.
With Casper’s abilities, he could have lived quite comfortably even as a space pirate. Being wanted by the Empire would still be better than losing his life.
As it turned out, things took a turn for the better: the Second Prince experienced a sudden physiological awakening, and their commander consequently became the Prince’s spouse. Although he was suspended from the military, this outcome was already far better than what they had initially expected.
The Second Prince, Leslie, was considered the only male insect their commander could accept.
Casper listened to his adjutant’s chatter, nodding from time to time. When they reached the training room, Neri still had not stopped talking.
The moment the metal door opened, Casper was dragged into the training room by the insects inside. One after another, they gave him bear hugs, some weeping and wailing to vent their worry.
They were all his former subordinates and comrades-in-arms.
A group of burly military insects crying like cubs, with snot and tears everywhere, was truly an eyesore. Casper endured it for a moment, but since he simply could not accept it, he dragged them onto the ring one by one to teach them a lesson.
There were no tender moments among military insects. The most direct way was to have a fight. After a flesh-and-blood brawl, fist against fist, everything had been vented.
Within an hour, military insects were sprawled all over the training room, their expressions a mix of pain and a strange, relaxed pleasure.
Familiar force, familiar combat techniques; it was good.
As one of the only two military insects still standing, Neri, who had not participated in the fighting, tossed towels onto the faces of the insects lying on the floor.
Handing one to Casper, Neri pulled him to sit down on the side. After a moment of hesitation, he asked in a low voice, “Sir, the Prince… is he good to you?”
Neri was brought out of the slums by Casper himself and was also promoted by Casper. He was very clear about Casper’s long-standing ambition and ideals, and he also knew his attitude of rejection toward male insects.
Unlike other military insects who strove to advance in order to one day have a male insect, Casper’s goal was purely for himself. At times, he even loathed male insects.
Although Leslie’s fondness for Casper in the past could be seen by anyone, male insects were always fickle. A Casper who completely lacked the skill to please a male insect would find life in the backyard extremely difficult once that fondness was lost.
Facing Neri’s worried gaze, Casper paused for a moment. Scenes of warmth and sweetness flashed through his mind, and his lips curled upward unconsciously. “He is very good. His Highness is very good to me.”
Hearing this answer, Neri let out a long sigh of relief. He patted his chest and nodded repeatedly. “That is good, that is good.”
The next second, Neri changed the subject. “Sir, have you ever thought about asking the Prince for help? You might even be able to be reinstated.”
Neri’s idea was very simple. In the eyes of insects like them, the power possessed by the royal family was heaven-reaching. Since Casper now enjoyed favor, he should use it to profit himself. After all, no one dared to bet on how long a male insect’s favor would last.
Hearing this, Casper froze in place. His lowered eyelashes fluttered, and a surge of mixed emotions surged in his eyes.
Perhaps it might be possible.