111 sat alone in the courtyard, leaning against the corner of the wall, its hind legs splayed, front paws shoveling kibble into its mouth.
Because the Insect Race had plenty of money, and because the pet shop attendant who received Algier was very talented at sales, the cat food was the best.
111 didn't quite agree with the term "cat food," but it grudgingly accepted the taste of these round, light brown pellets.
For the first time since birth, 111 didn't have to drink engine oil or eat batteries, but could taste something else. Overwhelmed, it wept tears of joy.
Of course, it was also possible that its precious first taste of food was kibble.
Even when crying, the ugly cat didn't become any prettier. The fur sticking out haphazardly on its face was matted into a mess by tears, and its dejected feline expression made it look like a fluffy mop that had just scrubbed a three-hundred-square-meter floor.
Fortunately, no one was watching at the moment, otherwise Cecil would have thrown it out.
Meanwhile, Loqi sat at the dining table. Cecil sat to his left, Ye Mu to his right. In front of him was a plate of his favorite flying beast meat, and the table was laden with dishes of all sizes, all of them his favorites.
Loqi sighed inwardly. The thought of 111 eating kibble alone outside made him feel heartbroken (not really). Loqi took a large bite of meat, instantly forgetting about 111.
Cecil chuckled. After Loqi finished his entire plate of meat, he
asked, "Loqi, you didn't just come back for the meat this time, did you?"
Loqi swallowed his food, his large eyes gazing at Cecil, his face filled with a fawning smile.
However, because Loqi was so cute, even this obsequious and flattering smile was endearing:
"Of course, I didn't come back just to eat delicious food. I just missed Dad."
Cecil hummed, not taking Loqi's words seriously at all.
"Dad isn't angry anymore. Tell me what's on your mind."
Loqi: "..." This makes me seem foolish.
He put down his fork and pouted, "I do have something to tell you, Dad."
Loqi thought for a long time and finally decided to omit the matter of the system, telling Cecil his suspicions about Mo Jue and the Mo Race.
Mo Jue now had a system by his side, and Loqi didn't know what Mo Jue's next move would be. But if he intended to attack the Insect Race, Loqi had to prepare Cecil.
If possible, he didn't want any member of the Insect Race to get hurt, nor did he want them to confront a system with a technological level so far beyond this world.
But he also understood that from the day he was born into this world, he was one with the Insect Race.
Loqi sighed, wishing he could carry a rocket launcher and blow up Mo Jue and that annoying system from wherever it came.
And Ye Mu, he couldn't tell Ye Mu about the system, so he could only give Ye Mu a vague answer.
He thought for a long time, his small face serious, causing everyone else at the table to involuntarily put down their chopsticks.
"When I came out of the school infirmary, I was followed. I wanted to find a quiet place to ask who was behind it..."
After avoiding the system and explaining the situation, half an hour had passed.
Ye Mu mused, "Loqi, you mean we know Mo Jue did it, but we have no evidence?"
Loqi nodded, "That's right. Not only did that person lose his memory, but those children are probably in the same situation."
Algier sneered, "Since His Highness has heard it, what other evidence do we need?"
His voice was calm, but Loqi keenly noticed that he was already angry.
This was why Loqi had been hesitant.
No matter what he said, the Insect Race would believe him unconditionally. But the galaxy was not solely inhabited by the Insect Race.
If he said these things today, no one would believe him. If Mo Jue retaliated, then the Insect Race would be in the wrong.
Loqi looked at Cecil, who was also looking at him. He loved the Insect Planet, loved every insect. Therefore, he didn't want the Insect Race to remain as closed off as before, nor did he want others to use those unpleasant words to describe the Insect Race.
Loqi hoped to do his best to change the perception of other races in the galaxy towards the Insect Race.
Therefore, they could not act against other races without reason, even if they all knew that Mo Jue was indeed behind this.
Loqi looked at Ye Mu and said softly, "I'm sorry, Ye Mu, we can't act against Mo Jue for now."
It was because he thought he could trick the mastermind, and in his arrogance, he had stopped Ye Yun's investigation, only to arrive at this outcome.
Ye Mu shook his head, his fingers itching to pinch Loqi's unconsciously puffed-out cheeks.
"Didn't you say we have to work together? We'll have a chance to deal with him later."
Loqi pursed his lips. He knew that in Ye Mu's eyes, Mo Jue was not much of a rival. But he also couldn't tell Ye Mu that Mo Jue now had a hidden bomb by his side.
Thinking about it, his mind was a mess. Loqi sighed again. He felt like he had sighed away a lifetime's worth of sighs in the past two days.
Cecil suddenly spoke, "Loqi, the Insect Race will always be ready. Do whatever you want."
Algier frowned, "Your Majesty..."
Cecil raised his hand to stop Algier from saying anything further, his gaze still on Loqi. "I believe you already have a plan, don't you?"
Cecil's eyes were a pure, sapphire-like blue, the most beautiful eye color Loqi had ever seen. But at this moment, he had the illusion of being seen through by Cecil.
Cecil's eyes were like the deep sea, able to see through all of Loqi's thoughts, yet Loqi had no idea how to resist or if he even could.
He stammered, "No... yes, thank you... thank you, Dad."
Cecil ruffled Loqi's hair and smiled. The oppressive feeling that had enveloped Loqi moments ago suddenly disappeared.
"Just remember, the entire Insect Race is your backing. You can do anything you want."
Loqi felt like those words had some other meaning, but his mind, which was far slower than everyone else at the table, couldn't figure it out.
So Loqi nodded vigorously, "I know. Thank you, Dad."
Cecil's lips curved into a faint smile, one that was immediately noticeable.
He repeated, with an unreadable expression, "The little prince of the Insect Race can do anything he wants."
Father and son exchanged a smile, as if they had said everything, and yet said nothing at all.
Ye Mu clenched his fist secretly. Yes, to continue protecting this treasure of the entire Insect Race, he had to work even harder.