A is in StarCraft, just disembarked from the Zerg Prince spaceship.

***********

......

late at night.

Mantis Manor, on the outskirts of the capital city.

The Mantis Family Manor covers a vast area, situated on the outskirts of the city, far from the hustle and bustle and light pollution of the capital city.

The Mantis family is small in number, and its servants have always been few. The manor has always been covered by a protective shield, and entry is prohibited without permission. Usually, few people would dare to trespass and disturb it (except for the male insects), making it an excellent place of peace and quiet.

The manor covers a vast area, has a long history, and features a large, elegant, quiet, and majestic main residence.

The servants of the Mantis family have been with them for a long time and are considered half of their own. The Mantis family has always treated them well, and they have never thought of leaving.

They had been investigated back then and found to have a clean background with no connection to the imperial high command. Over the years, the old steward had come to trust them quite a bit.

They are indeed trustworthy because they are not spies; they are just ordinary people.

Just as we were preparing dinner, the kitchen staff suddenly called to report that the water dispenser had stopped dispensing water.

"How could this happen?"

"I don't know. Could you send a bug to check if the drinking water tank is empty?"

The old housekeeper found the repairman: "Lulu, the water dispenser suddenly stopped dispensing water, could you go take a look?"

"Okay." The maintenance worker, who had been working at the manor for over a decade, grabbed his toolbox and quickly left.

When I got to the water purifier, the water tank was full. I opened the middle filter and found that one of the filter cartridges was clogged.

The technician removed the clogged filter, replaced it with a new one, and then locked the filter back in place.

He threw the clogged filter into the trash can and then went outside.

Inside the filter, which no one could see, was a colorless and odorless water-soluble film that was slowly releasing medication through the newly installed filter cartridge.

The water dispenser pipes were unclogged, and the adulterated drugs flowed along with the drinking water to the kitchen and to various drinking water points throughout the estate.

The chefs in the kitchen prepared dinner and nutritional supplements as usual, unknowingly using the water in the dishes and drinks.

......

The air filtration system of the central air conditioning system at Mantis Manor needs to be cleaned and maintained every day. Otherwise, if such a large manor is not cleaned for a day, the air coming out of the central air conditioning system will smell of dust.

Cleaning staff will replace the air purification filter sets for the central air conditioning system.

He took out the dirty filter and replaced it with a new one.

A device smaller than a fingernail is sandwiched inside the filter cotton of an air filter. Inside the device, aerosols are slowly heated and released.

......

Dinner is over.

The servants completed the final cleanup.

As usual, they quietly retreated to their respective servants' quarters located on the edge of the manor.

No insects detected anything unusual.

Who would doubt that a servant who knows you inside and out, has worked at your home for years, decades, and is very sincere in his work, and is even considered half one of your own, would plot against you?

To reiterate, they couldn't find out they were spies because they weren't really spies; they were just a group of ordinary people who suddenly found a better way out.

They will have a better future if they betray their master and use the unknown potion they obtained from their family in the Mantis Manor.

Then, no longer, need, to, serve, as, a, servant.

Well-paid servants and those who no longer need to be servants.

How to choose?

The master and the old butler treated them very well, but what could they do?

Could we allow them to have males? Could we prevent their species from falling into the lower classes? Could we send their children to military academies and universities? Could we give them a better future?

They had no past grudges or recent conflicts with the praying mantis family; in fact, the praying mantis family had been taking care of them all along.

They didn't want to harm the mantis family.

But there's nothing we can do, there's really nothing we can do, they just really, really want a better future.

......

The drug silently seeped into dinner, water, and the air we breathed.

A powerful combination of nerve depressants and muscle relaxants, mixed with specially formulated sleep aids, causes the target to fall into a deep, difficult-to-awaken sleep without realizing it.

Time passed little by little.

Within the manor, passive actions began to take effect silently.

Even if an insect doesn't eat, it can't go without drinking water or breathing air.

During dinner, the medicine in the water quietly entered the bodies of the master and the guards as they ate and digested.

The aerosol device inside the air purifier filter, driven by the circulating airflow, evenly distributes colorless and odorless molecules to every corner of the manor's main building, mixing with the scent of air freshener, which is then inhaled by everyone without warning.

The effects of the medicine were like a gentle swamp, silently enveloping me, gradually drawing away my alertness and soothing my tense nerves inch by inch.

A gentle weariness spread from my brain, drowning out all clear thoughts.

The manor fell into a state of tranquility.

The automated mechanical guards patrolled the night along the route.

The protective shield is operating safely.

Most of the lights in the main house were off, and the wall lamps emitted a soft glow, illuminating the weapons and trophies hanging on the walls that symbolized the glory and military achievements of the Mantis family.

All the insects unknowingly fell into a deep sleep.

All vital signs monitors showed a stable sleep waveform.

The central air conditioning vents were still making a low whirring sound.

Fortunately, the manor's automatic protection system was unaffected by the drug and continued to operate faithfully.

An energy shield completely enveloped the area, the gates were tightly shut, and surveillance camera spheres and automated mechanical guards silently rotated their lenses in the air.

As long as the energy shield is active, no one can invade the Mantis Manor.

Turning off the shield requires a key, which is known only to the Mantis Clan Chief and the Old Steward.

Two in the morning, the darkest and quietest time of day.

The old gardener of Mantis Manor suddenly appeared at the gate.

Under the bright white light of the searchlight, his face appeared somewhat pale.

He walked straight past the sleeping guards to the main control unit and quickly entered a long string of complex keys on the virtual keyboard.

A warning confirmation box popped up on the screen, and he clicked "confirm".

The holographic model of the energy shield, representing the highest level of protection in the manor, flickered, and the complex energy circuit grid, which had been a bright gold representing full power operation, quickly dimmed.

The main energy shield is now deactivated.

The protective shield has disappeared.

The gates of the manor were opened.

Having worked in the Mantis family's courtyard for so many years, he had unintentionally seen the old butler press the key to the main control device at the door countless times.

When entering the key, facial recognition is used, so even if an outsider enters the key, they will be identified as an intruder.

But ironically, he was a staff member registered at the manor who had entered and exited the gates countless times.

Who would be wary of an old gardener who has worked at Mantis Manor for almost a hundred years?

Who would be wary of familiar, unassuming people like waiters, servants, gardeners, and cleaners?

The alloy gate emitted a soft hum from its hydraulic system and slowly opened to both sides.

Outside, the forest was dark under the starlight, and countless aircraft were landing.

Countless private soldiers of the noble council disembarked from the spaceship and poured into the gate in an orderly fashion. Their movements were very light, and the only sound was the rustling of footsteps that made one's scalp tingle like a tide.

They were so numerous that they flooded the open manor gates and spread throughout the entire Mantis Manor.

The lawn was trampled and the ornamental flowers were crushed.

The routes of the automatically patrolling mechanical guards were also completely leaked and they were surrounded. As soon as the warning red light turned on, they were instantly melted into scrap metal by a dense particle beam, and after exploding into a few blinding sparks, they fell down and went out completely.

Inside the main house, all was still deathly silent.

The master and most of the guards were in a deep, unconscious sleep. Only a very few guards in remote corners, who had not eaten dinner or drunk water and were less affected by the drugs, were awakened by the unusual noise.

"Enemy...attack..."

The guard in the monitoring room had a hoarse and weak voice as he struggled to press the alarm button. The next second, he was hit hard on the head with the butt of a rifle by the private soldiers who broke in. He groaned and collapsed.

"Master!..."

As one of the guards transformed back into his insect form, he crashed out of the rest room and was immediately caught by several intersecting beams of high-energy particles from the aircraft above, which pierced his neck.

Their necks are soft, which is their only weakness.

The scorching energy melted through the mantis's shell and flesh, and the giant praying mantis collapsed amidst the smell of burning flesh.

The intruders, like a black tide, took control of the entire manor and surrounded the main residence of the Mantis family patriarch.

......

late at night.

The master bedroom of Mantis Manor.

The central air conditioning vents emit a soft, even breeze, delivering cool, clean air that has been precisely filtered.

Bishen suddenly sensed something was wrong in his sleep and abruptly opened his eyes.

Not quite right.

He was so exhausted that his body felt heavy, as if every muscle was filled with lead. His head was spinning, and it was extremely difficult for him to get up.

He had never had such a deep sleep, much less been so unguarded in his sleep.

His instinct for vigilance instantly overwhelmed the confusion brought on by the drug's effects, and he immediately stood up and looked around.

Lu Jianan nestled in the soft blankets, only half of her face showing. She appeared perfectly normal, breathing evenly and deeply, sleeping soundly with a healthy blush on her cheeks.

"Lu Jianan!" Bi Shen tried to wake Lu Jianan, reaching out to shake him.

But Lu Jianan just unconsciously hummed in response and fell into a deeper sleep.

No matter how I called, I couldn't wake him up.

Bi Shen's heart sank.

We can't shake him anymore. If we keep shaking him, Lu Jianan's brain will be shaken to its core. If he could wake up, he would have already done so.

Something may have been put in their dinner, in the central air conditioning system, or even in the water glass they left by their bedside before going to sleep.

There's a problem inside the manor.

Alarms blared wildly in his mind, and he unleashed his spiritual tendrils, his five senses spreading out in all directions like invisible threads—

The protective shield has been turned off.

Countless noisy footsteps had already reached their stairs.

Bishen's pupils suddenly contracted.

The manor has been invaded, and the enemy has advanced deep into the territory; they are now surrounded.

Bishen tried to transform into an insect, but he couldn't muster any strength at all. He didn't know what this drug was, but it was even more potent than an estrus-inducing agent.

He grabbed his personal computer, ready to send an urgent distress message to the Crown Prince and the army.

However, when the screen lights up, it is a blank gray screen.

No signal.

He switched channels and tried to connect to the manor's internal defense network, but the result was still "no signal".

The signal was blocked.

The intruders were very professional, cutting off all their contact with the outside world.

Only those nobles or Orion could do that.

Bi Shen's heart sank to the bottom.

His mind raced, trying to think of any possible way to escape. Just then, with a click, the door opened.

"Slap, slap, slap..."

A crisp clapping sound, tinged with both teasing and admiration, rang out from the bedroom doorway.

Bi Shen looked over.

Unsurprisingly.

Orion.

He leaned against the doorframe and clapped.

He was wearing the magnificent uniform of the Second Prince, his silver hair flowing over his black clothes, and in the darkness, his hair emitted a hazy luster like moonlight.

He peeked in, watching Bishen's expression with great interest.

"Wow~ You reacted quickly, little Bishen." Orion smiled with a hint of surprise. "As expected of Mantis, even such a strong drug couldn't completely knock you out."

Food, water, and air are all supplied to the main house first and then radiated outwards, with the main house being the place with the highest drug concentration.

All the other guards were knocked down, yet Bishen was still able to wake up. No wonder he is Bishen Mantis, who has the highest physical level.

Bi Shen remained silent, staring intently at him.

His condition is really not good right now; he can't muster any strength at all. Let's stall for time and see.

Orion's gaze swept over him again, landing on Lu Jianan, who was still fast asleep behind him: "What a pity, your little darling doesn't look so good."

Bishen's muscles tensed instantly, his blood boiling with extreme anger and icy killing intent, temporarily breaking free from the effects of the drug.

His right arm transformed into a blade, blocking Lu Jianan's path as he stared intently at Orion.

And what about Lu Jianan? Even if he transforms back into his insect form and can run, what about Lu Jianan? He's being pushed to the brink.

Orion looked at him teasingly, then peeked at Lu Jianan: "Let me see, oh my, it's finally marked."

Bishenmantis also has a fatal weakness.

As long as Lu Jianan is captured and killed, Bishenmantis's life will explode like fireworks in mid-air with a "bang".

It's great that these little female insects are always so keen on finding weaknesses for themselves. I don't know why, but I just accept it with gratitude.

and also.

Orion gracefully stepped aside, making way for the doorway.

Two female insects dressed in the uniforms of noble private soldiers dragged an unconscious old female insect in as roughly as if it were a bag of garbage.

It's the old housekeeper.

He was unconscious, and his usually meticulously combed white hair was now disheveled and plastered to his wrinkled forehead.

Orion reached out and took the old steward from the private soldier's wife.

Then he took a gun and, with a suffocating sense of oppression, slowly pressed it against the old butler's temple.

The cold muzzle of the gun pressed slightly against the old butler's loose skin.

"Look who this is! Isn't this old Lenn, our loyal servant who has served the Mantis family for three generations?"

"Fleming Lenn, we offered you the position of general, but you refused, choosing instead to stay at your former master's house as a butler, serving the young master. Little Bishen, do you remember who raised you after your father's death? Such warm memories!"

Orion sighed in a sarcastic, nostalgic tone, tapping the gun barrel against the old butler's temple, leaving a faint red mark.

Bishen remained silent, but his hands clenched tightly.

Orion tilted his head. "Tell me, if the head of this loyal old butler were to explode in front of you as an adult, wouldn't that be more memorable than seeing your father die when you were a child?" He laughed.

Bishen looked at the unconscious old butler on the ground, then shifted his gaze to Orion's face.

He stared at Orion for a long time, realizing that they were probably doomed this time.

Then, his right hand, which had been protecting Lu Jianan, slashed at the neck of the sleeping Lu Jianan with lightning speed!

Sigh, Lu Jianan is going to be ruined by him.

There's nothing we can do about it. They let Lu Jianan mark him, so they might as well die together.

If there's no other way, we absolutely must not let Orion use them to threaten Blue.

The hand cleaved through the air, slashing down with tremendous force. Its speed was so great that it even left a trail of afterimages in the dim light.

however.

How could he possibly outrun Orion, one of the fastest and strongest Nocturnal Moths of the Zerg?

"snort."

A very soft, cold sneer.

It's faster than Shen, but Orion is even faster.

Just as Bishen's chop was about to touch Lu Jianan's skin, a muffled thud of flesh being pierced was heard. Orion's claws, now in insect form, pierced through his arm, blocking his chop.

Blood dripped from the black claws like broken beads, large drops falling onto the blanket covering Lu Jianan.

"Trying to commit suicide in front of me?" Orion said coldly. "Little Beeshen, you really don't respect me at all."

Orion abruptly pulled back his claws, throwing Bishon aside, whose blood was churning and whose strength was waning due to the intensified effects of the drug.

Bishen lay on the ground, his fluorescent green pupils fixed on Orion as he touched Lu Jianan's face.

"Oh dear, isn't this the little male insect I threw out back then?"

He will definitely kill Orion, he swore.

Orion gracefully flicked the blood from his claws, his black carapace transforming into long, slender, white fingers. He didn't even glance at Bishen, waving his hand towards the door.

"Take them all."

......

Bi Shen and Lu Jianan were captured.

......

**********

......

The following day, before the celebration, Orion arranged to meet with the heads of the noble council in the council hall.

The celebration rehearsal starts at 8:00, and it's not even 7:00 yet, so there's still some time.

The members of parliament and their families didn't wake up early; they didn't sleep at all.

The new day did not bring much light.

Everyone knows the Second Prince is going to make a move today, so what has he done with their private soldiers? Why haven't they made a sound?

The solemn and magnificent space of the parliamentary auditorium felt somewhat oppressive.

The imperial nobles sat as if dead in their high-backed chairs, their eyes glazed over, none daring to break the silence, only stealing glances at the insects beside them.

No insects spoke, and no insect dared to move. The air was filled with the lingering scent of expensive cigars and pheromone blends from the previous night, creating a tense atmosphere as if a storm was brewing.

The main doors on one side of the auditorium suddenly opened to both sides.

Orion walked in.

The silence was finally broken, and hundreds of eyes focused on him like searchlights.

Orion was still wearing his ornate and cumbersome second prince uniform, with his usual elegant smile on his face, and he walked with ease, as if he were entering an ordinary morning tea party.

The eyes of all the powerful and influential people followed him intently.

He walked straight to the black crystal podium in the center.

He stood still, smiled at the powerful councilors, and said, "Good morning, my friends. Did you sleep well last night?"

No wonder I can't sleep well.

The members of parliament looked as if they had eaten shit.

"Looks like none of you slept very well." Orion smiled, calmly connecting the data tablet in his hand to the projector. "Don't be so nervous~ I brought everyone a little morning gift."

The projection was so large and clear that the border reached all the way to the high dome.

It felt like being in a prisoner's cell.

Four female insect guards escorted a figure in.

When the figure looked up and was exposed to hundreds of eyes in the parliament hall, a collective gasp filled the hall!

"—!"

Even Speaker Invika couldn't help but let out a soft gasp.

Bishenmantis!

The rising star of the Liernia Empire, known for his iron will and valor, the arrogant head of the Mantis family, was captured in a disheveled state before the camera.

His hands were locked behind his back with magnetic locks, his right arm was thickly bandaged and soaked with blood, his lips were tightly pressed together, his jawline was taut as if it were about to break, and his eyes were dark, suppressing extreme anger and humiliation, like a ferocious beast whose sharp teeth and claws had been pulled out and locked in a cage.

He stood tall, but was roughly shoved onto a table a few steps in front of the camera, becoming a trophy, his humiliation displayed before all the insects.

Four guards stood behind him, particle guns pointed at his vitals.

Orion stood on the podium, his hands casually resting on the crystal surface. His gaze swept across the room, taking in the mixture of shock, disbelief, elation, and fear on everyone's faces. The corners of his lips deepened slightly: "It seems everyone is quite satisfied with this gift?"

"As you can see, I did some things last night."

He turned slightly to the side and gestured towards the projection.

"After a night of...fierce fighting. With the full cooperation of the brave and skilled private troops you all selflessly provided—"

"—Our fierce night raid on the Mantis army last night was exhausting and arduous, but thankfully, Bishenmantis has been defeated, and we have triumphed over the Legion! From today onwards, no one needs to fear the Legion anymore!"

A violent commotion erupted in the hall.

Who would believe that?

How could he defeat the Mantis Army in one night?

How could he capture the head of the Mantis Clan in one night?

Speaker Vika interrupted him, saying, "Your Highness, it's not that we don't believe you, but this matter is simply too unbelievable. Could you please prove that the person in the projection is indeed Chief of Staff Bi Shen, and not his clone or anything...?"

"Dear Speaker Invika, you are too kind. It's a reasonable request. Of course, no problem," Orion smiled.

He then turned to the projector and pressed the call button: "Little Bishon, say hello to my supporters?"

In the dark room.

Bishen, who had been pinned down on the table, slowly raised his head upon hearing his voice.

His bright green eyes were now bloodshot and dull, but still sharp as knives, burning with an indomitable flame.

There was no projector on his end; when he looked up, he could only see one camera lens.

But he stared at the camera, coldly and menacingly saying, "Hello everyone. Although I don't know who you are, you'd better pray I'm dead, otherwise if I'm not..."

He said, word by word, "I will kill your entire family."

This aggressive aura is practically his trademark.

No one but him could utter such threatening and arrogant words.

The nobles could no longer maintain their composure, whispering among themselves, their faces filled with shock and ecstasy.

What kind of bug is Orion anyway?

How did he do that?

One night! Just one night! The fearsome Bishenmantis actually became a prisoner!

Orion remained unconcerned about the commotion below the stage; everything was under control.

He slightly raised his hand, signaling for silence.

This time, the nobles were much more obedient to him, and the hall quickly fell silent.

Orion laughed, "Does everyone believe it now? If not, we can send insects to Mantis Manor to verify. Mantis Manor is wide open right now."

Although he couldn't explain it clearly, he didn't describe in detail how fierce the battle was, or even explain how he managed to do it.

But he dropped a bombshell: Bishmantis was arrested.

All the ambiguity seemed particularly convincing in the face of Bishenmantis, the living, breathing, irrefutable evidence.

The absence of any detail seems insignificant, and even adds to Orion's mysterious and powerful nature.

Looking at Bishenmantis's pale face, pierced hand, and humiliated posture, the nobles involuntarily filled in the details of last night's fierce battle in their minds—

His Highness Orion commanded with composure, and the noble private soldiers fought bravely, ultimately succeeding in taking down this tough nut!

Their backs, which had been stiff since the case of the beautiful bee, suddenly relaxed.

"Oh my god...you actually did it..."

"Capturing the Mantis Clan Chief, Bitchenmantis, overnight..."

"Incredible! That's Bishammantis!"

"The Second Prince is just as he was back then!"

Exclamations of amazement rose and fell.

The noble council members looked at Orion with a renewed fervor.

The older, middle-aged and elderly heads of the household suddenly recalled memories that had almost been erased by the passage of time.

The Second Prince was a living god of war on the battlefield back then! He was no less than the First Prince and the Second Prince.

Despite being silent for so many years, his fangs have never become dull.

He is in no way inferior to the current crown prince, and may even be more mature.

Awe was evident in their eyes.

Only at this moment did they truly regard Orion as the successor to the Queen of Zerg.

Orion swept his gaze across their excited, expectant faces, like a shepherd looking at his fattened, docile flock of sheep.

Imperial politicians are nothing more than that.

Apart from Invica, he has never actually seen anything he couldn't fool.

Time for empty promises.

Orion smiled and painted a rosy picture for them: "Now it's the final step. Today, the New Year's celebration is the final stage. The Crown Prince will return to the Grand Palace in a few hours to participate in the New Year's celebration."

"I will lead the soldiers you have contributed to the celebration and engage him in a decisive battle. We will strike back against the Crown Prince, delivering a fatal blow when he is at his most complacent and careless. After today, the Crown Prince's army will be history, and I will sweep all threats to the old order into the dustbin of history!"

His words were so moving that images involuntarily appeared before the many noble councilors.

The Crown Prince returned and tried to contact Bishenmantis, only to find that he could no longer reach him, and the Mantis Army had also disappeared.

In his panic, he was ambushed by Orion, who led his combined forces, and the Crown Prince was defeated! His Highness Orion ascended the throne! And then restored a future to the old imperial system!

The dawn of victory has pierced through the clouds!

Ah—what a wonderful, safe future—

Orion opened his arms as if to embrace the impending victory with them: "The dawn is near, and you all await good news. I will return in triumph, and the future of the Empire belongs to us, to the glory and order of the past."

A frenzied cheer swept through the entire parliament hall.

"Your Highness is wise—!!!"

"Your Highness is wise!!"

"Long live Prince Orion!!"

"Dawn! Dawn is just around the corner!"

The nobles stood up excitedly, waving their arms, their faces beaming with the elation of surviving a calamity and the exhilaration of finding a powerful ally.

The unease and doubts I felt last night when I handed over control of my private army have vanished at this moment.

They made the right bet!

Prince Orion is indeed their hope!

He's much better than the Crown Prince!

He is the future savior of the empire!

Orion stood at the center of the cheering wave, maintaining a perfect smile on his face, and gracefully nodded to those around him.

He smiled as he looked down at the ecstatic, foolish, and unsuspecting faces below.

Look how well this pig is growing, it's so big and fat.

He was very good at putting on an act, and you couldn't tell at all that he intended to treat these nobles as his useless sons.

He planned to act later, after the Crown Prince had eliminated all the nobles, and then he would use his control over the weaker insectoid races to eliminate the Crown Prince.

That way, no one can compete with him for power anymore.

Rejoice! Celebrate! Use your cheers to toll your own final death knell.

Wait until that little brat crushes you foolish nobles along with that damned insect king at the celebration...

Oh no no no no no, we still need to think of a way to protect the Insect King. We can't let him be killed by those little brats; he'll kill himself.

Orion continued to smile, nod, and acknowledge the cheers.

Then he made eye contact with Speaker Invika.

He smiled at Speaker Invika.

Clever Invika, can you see through all this? If you can't, then you'll die along with these foolish pigs.

If you see through my disguise, then I'll keep you here.

But power can only belong to me in the end.

Speaker Vika lowered his eyelids slightly and began to applaud.

Orion turned his eyes away, still the elegant and composed second prince of the empire who brought endless hope to the nobles.

Inside the hall, the cheers of the nobles continued, filled with jubilation and excitement.

They marveled at how they had created a new god.

They chose the right side and the right people.