Chapter 98: On the Eve of the Festival: Cyril Develops a Strange Sense of Honor About "Protecting a Male Zerg’s Happiness"

"The Legion Festival Guest List Has Been Announced! Both That Lord and An-shen Will Be Attending!"

Original Poster: As the title says, the guest list has finally been released. We spent months fighting over the rankings, and I never expected both of them to attend in the end. Honestly, this is probably the best possible outcome. The military really does pay attention to what the people want!

[My goodness, That Lord is actually attending? Is the Marshal really okay with this?]

[Now that you mention it... their divorce was only finalized a few months ago. Meeting an ex-spouse who's still in prison is definitely awkward.]

[What an absolutely legendary Shura field!]

[It should be fine, right? The Male Zerg section and the senior officers' section are pretty far apart. No one would be foolish enough to arrange seats right in front of the Marshal.]

[True. Since they're releasing the guest list publicly, the Marshal must have already approved it.]

[The Marshal is always fair and impartial. He treats everyone equally, never lets personal feelings interfere, never covers for someone because of private affection, nor suppresses someone out of personal resentment. What a great Marshal!]

[The Marshal has always treated military female Zergs well. Whether it was the Psychic Soothing legislation before, or allowing That Lord to attend the Legion Festival so military female Zergs finally have a chance to meet a Psychic Soother Lord in person.]

[That's why so many Zergs are willing to follow the Marshal to the death!]

[Even though there's irreconcilable history between him and That Lord, he's still willing to give military female Zergs this opportunity... Waaaah, Marshal, I'm crying.]

[Even so, everyone should avoid mentioning Lord Annor's name in front of the Marshal whenever possible. We don't want to upset him.]

[Exactly. Use substitutes whenever you can. And when That Lord appears, try to stay calm. Don't act too fanatical.]

[Got it. I'll restrain myself around That Lord... I'll save all my enthusiasm for An-shen.]

[An-shen is actually attending too. I thought he'd stay anonymous forever.]

[Probably because of the movie. The premiere of Lord Xi'an and Claire's film.]

[Definitely. Once An-shen appears, every rumor will collapse on its own.]

[Those people keep insisting An-shen is some gorgeous Male Zerg, and they've even been pinpointing him somewhere in the First Military Region. How could he possibly be a Male Zerg? The odds are tiny. Just wait until An-shen walks on stage—a handsome, cool military female Zerg will shatter all their fantasies.]

[Even if An-shen is a military female Zerg, that's exciting too! I'm fine with either. I love An-shen because of the novels. No matter what An-shen is like, I'll adore everything connected to him.]

[Compared to the words An-shen writes, gender and appearance are the least important things.]

[I really want An-shen's autograph. The ones Lord Aira and the others showed off were so beautiful. They somehow made me emotional. I wonder if I'll ever get one.]

[I just want to know what An-shen plans to write next. I've reread the previous three sci-fi novels every morning and every night. I've practically worn them out.]

[There'll definitely be crowds asking for updates at the festival!]

...

Ever since learning that An-shen would be attending the Legion Festival...

Aira had begun choosing clothes half a month in advance.

"What do you think of this outfit? Or maybe this one? They're all custom-made by designers... but I don't know which style An-shen would prefer."

Holding up holographic projections against himself, Aira agonized over the decision.

"My Male Lord looks good in anything."

Cassian praised him from the side.

When Aira went on dates with him, he'd never put this much thought into what to wear.

Yet now...

He was doing all of this for another Male Zerg.

Cassian's feelings were rather complicated.

"They all look nice... but meeting An-shen is something incredibly important! I have to look absolutely perfect!"

Aira shyly cupped his cheeks, smiling as he spun in place, admiring the holographic outfit from every angle.

Then he pouted slightly as he complained,

"Lord Xi'an and the others have all met An-shen, but I haven't... and they won't even tell me anything. That's so mean! This will be An-shen's very first public appearance. I absolutely can't miss it!"

Looking at his Male Lord's eager expression...

Then thinking about An-shen's real identity...

Cassian's emotions became even more complicated.

Although...

There was one strange detail.

On the guest list...

"An" and "Annor" had been listed as two completely different people.

Was the military deliberately creating suspense?

...

Meanwhile...

Hill's family was also preparing for the Legion Festival.

As Major General Iso's Male Lord, Hill naturally needed to accompany him to such a grand occasion.

At the very least...

He had to make an appearance.

This year's Legion Festival actually allowed attendees to wear masks...

Or even disguise their identities with makeup.

That would have been completely impossible in previous years.

The military had remained rigid and conservative for so many years.

Yet this year...

It had suddenly become surprisingly "modern."

Hill browsed through various masks.

Ever since that novel featuring displayed wings...

A craze for wing-themed fashion had spread throughout Zerg society.

Some more open-minded Male Zergs had custom-made masks modeled after their own wings.

A Male Zerg's wings carried far too much courtship symbolism.

More traditional Male Zergs couldn't accept that kind of display yet.

They preferred classical, luxurious masks made of pure gold or silver and adorned with gemstones.

As for military female Zergs...

They generally chose full-face masks.

A female Zerg's wings looked far too aggressive...

More like weapons than ornaments.

They weren't suitable for turning into masks at events attended by Male Zergs.

Only particularly individualistic female Zergs would make such a choice.

Hill asked Iso what kind of mask he planned to wear.

Iso hesitated before answering.

Instead of talking about himself...

He mentioned their hatchling first.

"Isi wants to wear a mask modeled after his own wings."

A hatchling's wings still looked rather adorable.

They hadn't yet evolved into terrifying weapons.

Turning them into a mask wasn't strange at all.

In fact...

They looked rather cool.

Hill nodded.

Iso quietly sighed in relief before continuing,

"I also plan to wear a mask modeled after my own wings."

Earlier...

His Male Lord had accepted his courtship.

Hill hadn't shown any fear toward his wings.

That gave Iso the confidence to wear a matching wing mask.

Besides...

A female Zerg wing mask looked intimidating enough to discourage female Zergs who might try approaching his Male Lord.

Hill sighed softly.

"In that case...

I'll wear a wing mask modeled after mine too."

A family ought to match.

Knowing his Male Lord wasn't someone who enjoyed attracting attention...

Iso hurriedly said,

"You don't have to do that."

"It's alright."

Hill smiled.

"My wing mask and yours will look wonderful together."

Both of them had black wings.

Anyone who saw them would immediately think they were made for each other.

Just then...

Iso received a message from General Cyril.

The General instructed him to take Hill outside to enjoy himself during the Legion Festival.

Don't stay together with the senior military officers.

—Especially stay away from the Marshal!

Iso frowned in confusion.

What was that supposed to mean?

The General's specific warning felt rather odd.

Still...

Hill never enjoyed overly official and serious occasions in the first place.

Iso hadn't planned to bring him around the senior officers anyway.

The two of them would simply spend the day together.

...

That should be enough... right?

Inside an estate on Capital Star...

After suddenly remembering that the Marshal had [N O V E L I G H T] shown interest in his Male Zerg...

Cyril immediately sent that warning to Iso.

No matter what...

Do not let the Marshal meet Hill!

His Male Zerg was so outstanding.

So wonderful.

It would be perfectly normal for any female Zerg to fall in love with him.

But...

Hill recognized only Iso.

He didn't even want Female Attendants.

Replacing his Female Lord was even more impossible.

Cyril was deeply worried that the Marshal might simply take Hill by force...

Driving his Male Zerg into depression...

Or even pushing him toward a dead end.

The only thing Cyril could do...

Was have Iso keep Hill far away.

Originally...

He hadn't thought very highly of Iso.

Now...

He could only rely on him.

Hill's Female Lord was Iso.

And could only ever be Iso.

After all these years...

Although Cyril never admitted it aloud...

He had long since accepted Iso.

He truly hoped the two of them could live peacefully...

And remain together forever.

As for the Marshal...

Cyril would personally keep an eye on him.

Filled with a strange sense of honor over "protecting a Male Zerg's happiness"...

Cyril's determination was unwavering.