Done for! Done for! Someone please tell me how to handle a warmonger subordinate! I’ve already decided to turn over a new leaf! That arrogant Insect Mother wasn’t me!
“Ahh!”
The pressure on her wrist increased. Ella could feel Shuang Ling’s fingertips pressing right into the gaps between her wrist bones. One more twist and her wrist would snap like a dry twig. She had the distinct feeling that if she gave the wrong answer again, Shuang Ling would crush it without hesitation.
Her legs were trembling—from the tops of her thighs all the way to her toes. Her knees knocked together with faint clicks.
Pull yourself together! Stop shaking! You’re a tough guy!
“I already… I really already…”
“Hiss—”
Her wrist let out another pitiful creak as the ligaments were stretched to their limit. The Shuang Ling created by her at the peak of her power was basically a humanoid tyrant. Snapping Ella’s wrist probably wouldn’t even make her blink.
I’m screwed! I should never have given her such high stats!
Tears were already welling up in her eyes. She bit her lower lip hard, forcing the sob back down her throat.
Fine! Treat a dead horse like a live one and just go for it!
“Ahem!”
She cleared her throat. Her chin jerked upward, silver hair whipping behind her shoulders. Those crimson pupils narrowed slightly, and the corners of her mouth curled down for a split second before lifting again.
“Release your hand right now!”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but every word carried icy authority.
“Your Majesty?!”
Shuang Ling’s fingers froze. Her blue pupils contracted sharply. She stared at Ella’s face—at the narrowed crimson eyes, at the mouth that had curved down and then up again, at the raised angle of her chin. Something seemed to click in her gaze. Then, without hesitation, she let go.
She dropped to one knee, right fist pressed to her chest, left hand braced on the floor, head bowed low. Blue hair fell from her shoulders, covering half her face.
It was exactly the same posture she had taken when stepping out of the culture tank, but this time her knee hit the floor harder, her fist pressed more firmly against the left side of her chest, and her head bowed even deeper.
This was absolute submission, held back by nothing.
Ella looked down at Shuang Ling, who was now gazing up at her from below. Her heart hammered like a drum in her chest, but she couldn’t let it show on her face.
She could only force herself to maintain what she believed was a very Insect-Mother, very domineering, very badass expression.
Oh my god, my acting deserves an Oscar! Look at this hands-on-hips pose—elbows flared out, making my whole upper body look bigger.
And the curve of my mouth! Not smiling, not pressed flat, but lifted just enough to say “I have everything under control”!
As expected of me!
The arrogance and supremacy in her eyes… she didn’t even have to act for that. Right now her mind was flooded with the terror of nearly having her wrist crushed. When fear reached its peak, it simply turned into cold indifference.
Yes, everyone. I am the Insect Mother~
“Please give your orders, Your Majesty.”
Shuang Ling’s voice rose from below. She was clearly suppressing something—she was excited, thrilled at the return of her one and only creator, her master, Her Majesty the Insect Mother.
“Just like before! First produce basic swarm units! When the time is right, once the Nest Tyrants are ready, even the players at this transfer station will become nothing more than dust beneath your feet!”
She lifted her head. Her fervent blue pupils reflected Ella’s image.
“Even if there are players stronger than Nest Tyrants, we have specialized swarm units designed to counter them.”
“Mm, for example?”
Ella’s voice was lazy. She had wanted to sound more imposing, but it was… kind of hard for her…
“There are so many!”
Shuang Ling’s suppressed tone vanished completely. She raised both hands, her whole body surging with uncontrollable excitement.
“For instance, the Daylight Tyrants you created specifically to deal with bloodline players! Their bodies emit ultraviolet rays—bloodline players are almost powerless against them in battle.”
She paused, swallowing the saliva that had nearly spilled from her mouth.
“And the Demon Tyrants! You designed them as a counter to angel players. Their curse power makes them completely unafraid of holy light.”
Her eyes sparkled with pure thrill.
“That’s enough. No need to say more.”
Ella raised one hand, fingers spread, palm outward in a clear “stop” gesture.
Her expression remained unchanged—still perfectly composed, everything under control.
But inside, she was in complete chaos.
Holy crap! I had no idea I cooked up so many specialized anti-player insect types in those ten years?! Demon?! Daylight?! How did my ordinary human brain come up with this stuff?!
Exactly! This must all be the work of that so-called Insect Nest will. I’m not that smart.
Damn it! Since I’m basically talking to myself, can’t you at least let me keep some dignity? I used to be a decent guy, you know.
Now I’m a silver-haired soft girl.
No! I’m still a tough guy!
Anyway, I need to stabilize Shuang Ling first. Otherwise when Dieyi and the others come back, they might just start fighting.
If things get chaotic, I might get grabbed by accident. One look and—holy crap! It’s the Insect Mother! Drag her out and execute her!
Then I’d be hung on the city wall while everyone cheers. Wah! I don’t want that!
“Shuang Ling.”
Her voice dropped, carrying the calm authority that only a superior could possess.
“You know about the Insect Nest will, right?”
“Of course.”
Shuang Ling answered without hesitation, her eyes burning with fanatical loyalty.
“You are the one and only Insect Nest will.”
Good! She believes me! That makes this easy!
Ella let out a long, silent breath of relief in her heart, but her face stayed the same. She gave a tiny nod—barely noticeable.
“Ahem.”
She cleared her throat again. This time it wasn’t for show; her throat was actually dry as a desert, making her voice hoarse.
“Then trust me. Now is not the right time. Just follow me for now. When the moment is right, I will tell you. That’s when we’ll begin our plan.”
Her gaze rested on Shuang Ling’s face.
Please! I’m begging you on my knees! Just believe me!
Shuang Ling’s lips moved. Then the corners of her mouth curved upward—an even deeper, more fervent smile, the kind a believer might show upon receiving divine revelation.
“Oh! I understand!”
Her voice suddenly rose, trembling with barely contained, near-mad excitement.
“You must be planning! Planning a grand catastrophe that will drag every player into it!”
She clenched both fists so tightly her knuckles cracked.
“I can wait! I can wait a lifetime! Until our brethren cover every sea!”
“Mm~ Exactly~”
Ella drew out the last syllable, the curve of her smile so obviously guilty she could feel it herself.
Why does this feel like I’m a shady boss feeding my subordinate empty promises…
Whatever… I’ll just keep dragging it out like this for now.
Shuang Ling stood up. Her long blue hair swayed in the morning light. She towered over Ella by a full head, but her posture no longer felt oppressive. She simply waited obediently like a big blue puppy for Ella’s next command.
Ella secretly shook out her aching wrist. Five distinct red fingerprints remained, with faint bruises already forming beneath the skin.
She cursed herself again in her heart.
I really shouldn’t have given her such high stats! It hurts so much!