EROS [Zerg]

"You're a real bastard to think you can use a male insect as bait," Jessica said disdainfully.

“This won’t do you any harm,” Afdero said with a smile to Jessica. “Of course, it won’t really do anything to Ryanley. My target for revenge is always Colonel Enel.”

"If I succeed, not only will I be able to get my revenge, but you will also gain both fame and fortune. I will repay you handsomely."

"What if you fail?"

"I will not fail. Even if that day comes, the Male Insect Protection Association will protect you."

Jessica was utterly exasperated by Eros's blind confidence: "How do you plan to get revenge?"

“The military has been cracking down on spies lately, and I suspect Colonel Enr.”

Is there any basis for your suspicion?

“No, but he must be,” Aphrodite said.

"You're going to frame him...isn't that a bit much? It's not like you." Jessica suspected that Eros might have been possessed by something during his disappearance.

“If you get rid of him, no one will be able to compete with me for the rank of major general. If you marry me, you will be the leader of the general-level officers, and you will be able to enter many high-society circles. Moreover, I am now surnamed Eastland, which can help you enter the aristocratic circle.”

“But if you don’t marry me, or if I don’t bring him down, you’ll just have to keep putting up with Ryanley’s harassment.” Afro threatened and coaxed, “And I’ve already told you part of my plan. If you don’t stand on my side, I won’t let you off easily.”

"Hearing you say that, I feel like marrying you is no different from getting entangled with Ryanley." Jessica felt very uncomfortable being threatened.

"Of course it's different. If you marry me, you will not only gain a higher status, but I will not need to fulfill your duties as the male master. You can go out and find other female insects at will, and I will not ask to sleep with you. After we achieve our goals, we can get a peaceful divorce. It's a win-win situation for both of us."

Jessica weighed the pros and cons in her mind for a moment, then looked up at Afdero again: "Aren't you afraid I'll use my male insect privileges to do bad things to you?"

"I'm not afraid, but you'd better not do that, because even if you are a male, I won't show you any mercy."

Afro's blunt statement surprised Jessica: "That's what you really think."

“It’s not just me; many, many female insects think the same way, but they don’t say it out loud,” Aphrodite said. “Perhaps it won’t be long before history repeats itself six hundred years ago, so you should prepare in advance.”

Jessica rolled her eyes at Afdero: "Let's go."

“You’d better think it over.” Afro thought Jessica was going to reject him, but Jessica said, “I mean, go to the male insect protection association and register for marriage.”

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Your Excellency is truly wise."

Jessica emphasized, "Don't forget what you promised me!"

"of course."

Looking at the smiling female insect in front of her, Jessica felt a little depressed. She never thought that she would one day get married for profit. She used to be a pure lover.

However, being kept in a seemingly free but invisible cage was something he couldn't tolerate, even if Ryanley did it because he liked him.

He wants to be a romantic male insect, and also a free male insect.

The male insect protection association acted quickly, and most of Afro's assets were transferred to Jessica's name that same day.

Looking at the money deposited into her account, Jessica felt a little embarrassed: "Aren't you a colonel? How come you only have this little bit of money?"

“I’ve always been poor, which is why I’m wary of Laneley’s wealth.”

“But that’s not a problem now. Your Majesty Jessica, your abundant private treasury should be able to support your Empress’s cause, right?” Afro revealed a smug smile. “After all, this can be considered our common cause.”

Jessica's face darkened: "The biggest reason I don't want to hear you marry me is because I'm rich."

“Of course, your excellent business acumen is the biggest reason, but not all of it.” Aphrodite twisted a small strand of her long hair with her finger and said with a grin, “I am also impressed by your magnanimity, so you don’t care about these material things, right?”

Jessica was speechless, feeling like she'd been sold out by the bug and was even counting the money for it.

“I have an appointment today, so I’ll move into your house again tomorrow.” Afro grinned, his claws hooking around Jessica’s collar.

"You're going to move into my house?"

"Of course, all my assets except for food have been transferred to your name. You wouldn't just stand by and watch your newlywed queen sleep on the streets, would you?"

“Don’t you have military dormitories?” Jessica asked.

"What kind of female insect who has taken leave for marriage continues to live in the dormitory? The marital status of an officer has a significant impact on the soldiers under his command. If my marital status is seen as disharmonious by other female soldiers, then their attitude towards me will become contemptuous, and the orders they give me will become increasingly perfunctory."

"Moreover, if I don't live with you, Laney won't leave your life. If you want to get rid of him, you have to make it clear to him that you are a 'third party'."

After receiving the marriage certificate, Aphrodite didn't look at the thoughtful male insect beside her. Instead, she very considerately called a taxi to take him home.

Afro did not follow; he had to go to his appointment with Enr first.

On his first day out of the Kuwait laboratory, Afro imagined what it would be like to stand in front of Enel again.

Will I feel a heart-wrenching rage or a deathly calm?

How will En'er view himself? Will he feel disgust, fear, guilt, or joy?

The Fourth Star System's main star military headquarters is different from the Fourth Star System General Military Headquarters where Afudro currently serves. During peacetime, most senior officers are stationed on the main star, while only a small number of junior officers are stationed at the theater general military headquarters.

The theater command must obey the orders of the main star command at all times.

So strictly speaking, although both Afdero and Enl were colonels, Enl held a higher position in the military than Afdero.

Because of the invitation, Afro walked all the way to Enl's office.

“Eros, it’s hard to believe we’ll meet again.” Enl looked at the female insect in front of him wearing military uniform, showing no fear of facing the insect he had once betrayed.

“Colonel Enel, it’s not hard to understand, but you probably don’t want to see me.” Afdero looked at Enel placing a glass of water in front of him, his feelings complicated.

Back then, it was because of a glass of water that he began to feel gratitude and even admiration for the female insect in front of him.

Now, Afdero felt nothing but utter disgust.

"Kam misses you a lot. He's been asking me where you went ever since you left."

“I’m also curious, what did you say to him?” Afro stared at Enl quietly, his face full of undisguised sarcasm.