Chapter 74: Heavenly Garuda Male x Zerg Military Officer (2): The Male Reaches His Rebellious Phase—He Won’t Even Call Him "Female Parent" Anymore

[So... staying out all night actually requires lessons? (shocked)]

[You can really tell His Lordship is an incredibly well-behaved male.]

[It's probably his first time going to a nightclub.]

[Of course. With His Lordship's curfew, the club would only just be opening its doors. (facepalm)]

[Heavenly Garuda males really are completely different from our male Zerg Lords. They're all soft and cuddly—absolutely adorable.]

[Stares€€€€]

[Of course our male Zerg Lords are adorable too! Just a different kind of adorable!]

[You're breaking out in a cold sweat now, aren't you? There goes your mating prospects.]

[This is the first time I've ever felt so guilty reading a novel. I don't even dare let the male Lords around me know I'm following a novel with a Heavenly Garuda male protagonist. It feels like I'm committing a crime.]

[Don't panic. Maybe the Lords are reading it themselves. Lord Aira is the best example. Just a few days ago, he was showing off An-shen's autograph in every possible way.]

[I'm genuinely jealous. It even had his name and a personalized blessing written on it. I'm so envious.]

[Is this the power of An-shen's number one fan? We don't even know An-shen's gender, while Lord Aira already has a signed copy.]

[Lord Xi'an and Claire have autographed copies too. All personally signed. Being the protagonists really does come with special treatment.]

Unlike the extremely low-profile Hill and Iso family, Xi'an and Claire were much more active on StarNet.

Mainly because they enjoyed showing off their relationship.

As a result, netizens constantly got their dose of sweetness from the couple's interactions while learning more behind-the-scenes details.

According to Lord Xi'an, An-shen was a male.

And an exceptionally beautiful one.

Some readers believed him.

They became very curious—just how beautiful did someone have to be for even the Super A-rank Lord Xi'an to call him beautiful?

But even more Zergs remained skeptical.

€€€€No picture, no proof!

They wanted to see An-shen with their own eyes before believing it.

[So when is An-shen finally going to reveal himself?]

[There should be opportunities later. I heard Instructor is getting a drama adaptation, and a deluxe collector's edition is being published. An-shen might appear for promotional events.]

[There's also the upcoming Legion Festival. Considering how popular An-shen is among military female Zergs, he'll probably be invited this year. The whole event will be livestreamed.]

[If invitations are really based on popularity... wouldn't that person also attend?]

That male whose reputation had gradually improved after entering prison.

Among military female Zergs—especially those from the First and Ninth Legions—he had become extraordinarily popular.

Female Zergs naturally revered Psychic Soothers.

The stronger the Soother, the more respected they became.

And that Lord was not only powerful but also astonishingly generous.

The review section fell silent for a moment.

No one really wanted to discuss him.

They were An-shen's loyal readers, especially of his "science fiction."

Even though they often complained that his stories weren't realistic...

Deep down, they still preferred affectionate male Zergs.

Besides...

They and Lord "Annor" were considered rivals.

They were currently competing against one another for a spot in the "Top Three Male Zergs Female Zergs Most Want to Marry" rankings.

The top two positions were basically fixed.

Lord Xi'an.

Lord Hill.

The competition for third place, however, was especially fierce.

Every high-ranking male in the Zerg race was fighting over it.

The rankings had originally been nothing more than a fun poll.

But after Lord Xi'an revealed that An-shen was a male...

They genuinely wanted to vote An-shen into the rankings.

As for the "rival" they'd been competing with since the poll first began...

Naturally, they weren't inclined to speak kindly about him.

The readers silently skipped over the topic together.

[Forget that. I just want to know where we're supposed to find such an adorable Heavenly Garuda male egg.]

**[Battlefields against the Heavenly Garuda spawn them randomly. Every war drops a few hundred eggs, with a tiny chance of getting a male egg.

But you're too late now. The expeditionary forces have already returned, the battlefield has already been cleared, and every recoverable egg has been brought back. They're all in the nursery now. If you want to adopt one, follow the proper procedures.]**

**[Adopting eggs recovered from battlefields involves incredibly strict screening. Psychological health is the biggest concern, and most applicants fail the review. In the end, they're usually raised by Federation welfare institutions instead.

If you just want to visit, you can submit an application. Once the hatchlings turn three, visitors are allowed to come and cuddle them.]**

The Zerg readers browsing the comments all felt like they'd learned something new.

Even if they couldn't adopt one...

Being able to cuddle hatchlings sounded wonderful too.

If they happened to meet a male hatchling...

Maybe they could follow Speaker Cassian's example—find themselves a future Male Lord in an orphanage and marry him after he grew up.

The Zerg readers focused on where to find eggs...

How adorable the males were...

The author's autograph...

And the popularity rankings.

As for males going to nightclubs and staying out all night...

They considered it perfectly normal.

There were no safety concerns.

Zerg society had excellent public security.

Even if a male visited a nightclub, at most he'd drink with female Zergs or spend the night sleeping.

It wasn't considered a problem.

If anything...

This particular male was simply too well-behaved.

It made everyone feel sorry for him.

The Heavenly Garuda, however...

Felt like the sky was falling.

[How can a male go somewhere like a nightclub?!]

[And stay out all night?! Good heavens! Males can't go out without a female accompanying them!]

[You damned Zergs! What have you done to our poor little male?!]

The Zergs: ???

Keyboards ready€€€€

The review section instantly turned into a battlefield.

The female Zerg readers formed the main fighting force, with sub-females joining the fray.

The male Zergs weren't especially interested.

After casually leaving a few likes and dislikes, they simply continued reading.

They wanted to see the little Heavenly Garuda male visiting a nightclub with his male friends.

Drinking together.

Playing games.

Touching the handsome female dancers' abs.

...

【Axel headed into the walk-in closet to change before going out.

Anything too cute was out of the question.

He didn't dare wear the deep V-neck, backless, waist-baring outfits his friends had recommended.

In the end, he settled on an ordinary long-sleeved shirt and trousers, wrapping himself up from head to toe.

The moment he came downstairs...

He ran into his adoptive father, who had just returned from work.

The female Zerg had only just come home.

He was still wearing his dark-blue military uniform, lifting a hand to remove his military cap as loose dark-brown hair fell around his shoulders.

Upon seeing Axel, he froze for a moment.

Surprise appeared in his eyes.

The very first time Axel tried to "do something bad," he got caught by his parent.

He froze in place, unable to move another step.

Enzo spoke first.

"Why are you still awake? Did the thunder frighten you?"

Only then did Axel realize it had been thundering and raining outside.

His room's soundproofing was so good that he hadn't noticed.

Capital Star's weather was entirely controlled artificially.

Most of the time, it was maintained at whatever temperature and climate male Zergs found most comfortable.

However, weather that remained too constant could also become unpleasant for males.

So every so often, different weather was deliberately introduced to provide a bit of novelty.

Axel liked rain.

But he was afraid of thunder.

For a moment...

He wanted to back out.

Maybe he could arrange it for tomorrow instead?

But male Zergs never backed down because of bad weather.

So Axel steeled himself.

"I'm going out."

"To a nightclub."

"Um... I'm not coming home tonight!"

Enzo: "???"

What had possessed his sweet, obedient male to go to a nightclub in the middle of the night—

And even plan on staying out all night?

Enzo was so angry he almost laughed.

Even so, like an open-minded female parent, he gently asked,

"Did you make some female Zerg friends?"

"Male Zerg friends."

Axel answered.

His adoptive father was always worried he'd be lonely and hoped he'd make more friends.

So he knew plenty of male Zergs.

"Oh... male Zerg friends..."

Enzo couldn't relax.

When Axel had been little, there hadn't been any problem.

A group of little males playing together was adorable.

And perfectly safe.

But now Axel was an adult.

Those friends might lead him into unhealthy habits.

Things that could affect not only his mental health...

But perhaps even his physical health.

Especially if they were going to a nightclub.

The female Zergs there were all looking for romantic encounters.

If they spotted a male they liked...

They would do everything they could to get him drunk.

And then...

The more Enzo thought about it...

The higher his blood pressure climbed.

He almost wanted to lead an entire law enforcement squad over and shut the nightclub down.

"Does it have to be tonight? It's raining outside, and there's thunder."

His voice remained gentle.

The male in his family wasn't like other males.

He was more fragile.

More easily frightened.

You couldn't reject him outright.

You couldn't even raise your voice.

You had to speak softly.

Those had all been part of the training Enzo received before bringing the little male home.

Inspectors even returned regularly afterward to check on things.

Axel was actually a little scared.

He wanted to throw himself into his adoptive father's arms and act spoiled.

But ever since he'd become an adult...

Enzo no longer let him hug him like that.

After hesitating for quite a while, Axel finally said,

"I want to go."

"They're all going."

All his male friends were going.

If he backed out now...

He wouldn't seem very "male Zerg."

And female Zergs all preferred males like that.

Enzo could only sigh.

"I'll take you. Let me change first."

Axel's eyes lit up instantly.

If his adoptive father came with him...

Then he wouldn't be afraid anymore.

Ten minutes later...

A dark-blue aircraft landed outside the nightclub.

An older female Zerg dressed entirely in black stepped out first.

After carefully surveying the surroundings, he extended a hand toward the cabin.

A slender, fair hand rested upon his.

A beautiful blond, purple-eyed male jumped lightly onto the ground and smiled as he greeted his male friends waiting outside.

The other males exchanged glances.

Finally, one of them stepped forward.

After hurriedly greeting the stern-looking female Zerg, he pulled Axel aside and lowered his voice.

"So..."

"You brought your female parent..."

"To... go nightclub hopping..."

"With us?"

"Yeah."

Axel nodded.

He didn't think there was anything strange about it.

He even looked delighted.

The male friend: "..."

Who brings their parent to a nightclub?!

Especially when said parent looked ready to inspect the place for wanted criminals.

That stern expression reminded them of their own female parents.

The pressure was overwhelming.

Within moments, every one of the males found an excuse and slipped away, telling Axel to enjoy himself.

Axel stared blankly as their aircraft shot off one after another.

He turned back toward his adoptive father.

Enzo withdrew his gaze and asked as casually as if nothing had happened,

"Still want to go in?"

"We're already here..."

More importantly...

With Enzo beside him, Axel felt completely safe.

He quietly shuffled a little closer.

Standing nearer to him.

In the end...

The two entered together.

Flashing colored lights.

Deafening music.

Female Zerg dancers on stage showing off their sculpted abs.

Young males and female Zergs cuddling intimately in the corners.

Groups of female Zergs laughing loudly over tables covered with empty bottles...

Axel's eyes didn't know where to look first.

Nervously, he stayed glued to Enzo's side, clutching his sleeve.

Eventually...

He simply wrapped both arms around Enzo's arm.

Enzo hated environments like this.

His brows remained tightly furrowed as he quietly used his own body to separate the surrounding female Zergs, sheltering the male in his embrace.

A female parent shouldn't remain this physically close to an adult male.

But at the moment...

He couldn't bring himself to care.

The faint pheromone lingering beneath Enzo's clothes left Axel feeling pleasantly dizzy.

His cheeks flushed bright red.

He loved Enzo's warmth.

"Enzo..."

Axel lifted his face from against Enzo's clothing and softly called his name.

The nightclub was filled with chaotic noise.

But a female Zerg's sharp senses still caught every word.

Enzo lowered his head.

Looking at the blushing male nestled against him, his brows slowly drew together.

His male...

Had finally entered his long-delayed rebellious phase.

He wouldn't even call him "Female Parent" anymore.

...】