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

After leaving that distinct mark on his lips, Lin Luo's gaze did not move away. Instead, it slowly moved down as if examining his own possessions.

He leaned down again, his teeth precisely biting into Aland's chin, leaving a second mark on the clearly defined lines of his bone structure.

Then, his lips moved to the slightly protruding Adam's apple, feeling its vulnerability beneath his lips.

He opened his mouth and took it in, then gently ground it with his teeth until the skin turned the same deep red as his lips, before releasing it.

After finishing all this, Lin Luo propped himself up, his gaze sweeping over his "masterpiece" with a deep look—his bloodstained lips, his reddened chin, and the clear teeth marks on his Adam's apple.

These marks, personally imprinted by him, seemed to temporarily dispel the gloom in his heart, and a look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He reached out and carefully gathered up the neckline of Ailand's torn pajamas, concealing what lay beneath, his movements almost gentle.

Then he lay down on his side, as he had done every night before, snuggling close to Eland.

Close your eyes, press your foreheads together, and begin to channel gentle spiritual energy again, nourishing your body day after day.

------

Field Marshal Arnold stood before the enormous star map, with his adjutant Hawke standing silently behind him, his eyes filled with the weariness of days of interrogation and barely suppressed anger.

"Hawk," the Marshal's deep voice broke the silence, "how's the interrogation of that traitor, Lieutenant Colonel Deaver, going? Have you found the 'backstalker'?"

Hawke's voice was slightly hoarse as he suppressed his emotions:

"Reporting to Marshal! Deaver insists on his previous statement, claiming that he was jealous of the Major General's outstanding military achievements. The two graduated from the same school at the same time, but Major General Ailand was quickly promoted to become the youngest Major General in the Empire, while he was mediocre and actually thought that the Major General was blocking his path to promotion!"

"Later, when they saw the Major General bring back Lord Lin Luo, they believed that once the Major General and Lord Male Insect united, his spiritual sea would return to stability, and it would be too late to make a move then. So they risked making a deal with space pirates and deliberately leaked the flight path during the mission, causing the Major General to..."

He took a deep breath, almost unable to continue speaking:

"During this period, I participated in the entire interrogation and used... all permitted means. At first, he insisted it was a personal grudge, but later, he started making baseless accusations, even falsely claiming it was your order. He dragged several military region generals into the mess."

"Just as we were preparing to intensify the interrogation and try to uncover deeper clues, he... he used his last bit of mental strength to self-destruct."

Hawke's fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"The Information Department has repeatedly checked all his communications and financial transactions; they are spotless. Marshal, he's a psychologically twisted madman! He ruined the Major General!"

Hawke's voice was filled with deep-seated hatred, believing that this despicable madman had completely ruined the Major General's life. The Major General had once been so brilliant, and Hawke had once regarded him as a guide for the future, but now...

Field Marshal Arnold slowly turned around, his gaze deep and filled with complex emotions that Hawke could not understand.

He paused for a moment, then said, "Let's leave this matter here for now."

The marshal finally spoke, decisively announcing, "Publicly announce that Lieutenant Colonel Deaver, due to personal jealousy, betrayed his colleagues and has been executed."

"Yes, Marshal!" Although Hawke was unwilling, he absolutely obeyed the Marshal's orders.

After Hawke left, only Arnold remained in the office.

He walked to his desk and his gaze fell on the stack of newly delivered evaluation reports on the candidates to succeed Ayland.

When Eland was first seriously injured, some insects were already eager to take her place, but she suppressed their desire.

Now, the three-month deadline has passed, and the medical department's assessment results are not optimistic. Even he can no longer use his authority as a marshal to defy the military's ironclad regulations.

Those dormant forces could no longer hold back.

He picked up the top document, ran his fingertips along the smooth paper, and finally simply put it back heavily in its place.

---------

Hawke had just stepped out of the marshal's office, his suppressed anger still simmering, when he heard several female soldiers talking openly around the corner of the corridor. Every word they uttered felt like needles piercing his eardrums.

"It seems Major General Ailand is really in trouble this time," a female soldier with a gruff voice sighed.

"The medical department's assessment results are said to be terrible; his mental state is completely stagnant, practically useless."

"What a pity, so young..." another voice interjected, then the tone shifted.

"I think Commander Terman is the most likely successor. The Second Fleet has an outstanding record under his command. He has the experience and strength to back it up. He and Rear Admiral Ailand were... well, they were rivals. I'll accept his rise to the top."

"Commander Terman is good, but I think Akto has more potential," a slightly shrewd voice countered.

"He came from Major General Ailand's command and learned a lot from him. Later, he was poached by the Fifth Army and I heard that he made great strides there. If he comes back to take over, he will definitely be the fastest to stabilize the situation."

"General Ross, who was brought back from the edge of the planets, shouldn't be underestimated either." Another voice joined in.

"Having fought against star beasts for decades, his combat experience is unparalleled. His ruthlessness is exactly what the front lines are looking for. I heard that he came back this time specifically for this position."

"Who cares who goes up," the gruff voice concluded. "No matter how capable Major General Ailand is, he's lying down now. The military doesn't tolerate idlers. When a position becomes vacant, the capable will naturally take it. We'll just wait and watch the show..."

"What are you doing!"

A shout interrupted their discussion.

Hawk strode out from around the corner, his face ashen, his eyes gleaming as if he wanted to devour insects. He stared intently at the few female soldiers who had fallen silent instantly, their faces showing embarrassment and fear, his chest heaving violently.

"The major general isn't dead yet!" he forced out through clenched teeth.

"Until the Marshal gives the official order, there is only one commander of the Seventh Fleet, and that is Rear Admiral Ailand! If I hear anyone else speaking ill of him behind his back, they will be court-martialed!"

Several female soldiers were intimidated by his imposing aura, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze, and hurriedly dispersed.

"We're not from the Seventh Fleet, why are we so afraid of him?" one of the female soldiers muttered under her breath as she ran.

"Shut up! Military law doesn't care which fleet you're in! Get out of here!"

Hawke stood there, his fists clenched. He knew better than any insect how bad the situation was, but hearing female soldiers so easily discussing replacing the officer he had sworn to follow to the death still filled him with resentment.

He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and left with heavy steps, his back looking particularly lonely in the empty corridor.