The Tough Guy Forced To Become The Broodmother - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Bidding Farewell to Friends

The spot where Astra had held Luo Jia’s fingertips felt scorched. Luo Jia felt that the gaze of this man in the military uniform with the beautiful scorpion tail was incredibly strange.

He pulled his hand back and rubbed it against the hem of his clothes.

Astra didn’t seem to mind the movement. He gave a slight bow and said, “Please rest here for a moment. Your friends will soon receive their collars and—leave this place.”

Luo Jia searched Astra’s eyes for a hint of a lie, but they were as dark and mysterious as the night sky. He couldn’t read a thing. “I want to see them,” Luo Jia insisted.

Astra nodded. “As you wish.”

Soon, Luo Jia saw Eros skipping toward them, leading the Sled Three Idiots. Seeing Luo Jia staring fixedly at him, Eros shot a triumphant glance at Astra. He naturally took Luo Jia’s hand and pressed a soft kiss to his fingertips.

“I’ve brought them.”

Luo Jia gave an awkward smile and retracted his hand. “Thank you.”

Eros feigned a wounded look, leaning forward slightly. His beautiful eyes locked onto Luo Jia’s. “Do you dislike me, Mother?”

Luo Jia didn’t answer. He turned his head toward the Sled Three Idiots, who were now holding collars inlaid with brilliant blue gems.

Er-Ha and the others looked at Luo Jia with complicated expressions.

Luo Jia asked, “Does this mean you can go home now?”

Er-Ha nodded. “Yes. Thank you, human.”

Luo Jia smiled. “I hope you get home soon.”

Alaskan’s eyes were brimming with tears. “You really are a good human. I’ll miss you forever.”

Samoyed gripped his collar tightly, his expression troubled. “Are you… going with them?”

Luo Jia nodded. “Yes. I’ve promised them.”

Samoyed’s ears drooped slightly. He looked at the two Zerg standing nearby; instinct told him not to say anything he shouldn’t. Swallowing his questions, he simply said, “Thank you, human. And… be careful out there.”

“I will,” Luo Jia promised.

Astra stepped unobtrusively to Luo Jia’s side. He glanced toward the distant skyline and spoke to the three Beastmen: “Lord Luo Jia is merciful. You may leave now.”

Er-Ha and Samoyed grabbed the reluctant Alaskan and retreated, tails tucked, disappearing into the city.

With the “outsiders” gone, the two Zerg seemed to be in much better moods.

Astra turned to Luo Jia. “Next, we will return to Andromeda. That is your home. We have many family members there, so—” He lightly brushed a finger near the corner of Luo Jia’s eye. “Do not be sad.”

Eros placed a hand gently on Luo Jia’s head, his voice sweet: “The aircraft to pick us up will be here soon. Let’s go. Staying in this filth will only make your scent smell like the trash.”

Eros and Astra both looked into the distance. Luo Jia followed their gaze but saw nothing except towering buildings.

“What are you looking at?” Luo Jia asked.

Astra turned back to him. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

Eros leaned down, sniffing at Luo Jia’s neck. “Your scent is getting more and more potent.”

Astra frowned. “Do not harass Lord Luo Jia.”

Eros snickered at Astra’s serious demeanor. “Tsk. Let’s move, Lord Luo Jia.”

Luo Jia followed Astra, noticing that Eros stayed behind for a moment.

“Ignore him. Eros has things to handle. We move first.” Astra stepped into Luo Jia’s line of sight, blocking his view of the street behind them.

Atop a high tower, Gu Qiyin stood clad in a black tactical suit, a quantum sniper rifle in his hands.

The wind tousled his hair. After a long silence, he disconnected the energy pre-charge and lowered the barrel of the gun.

“…” Gu Qiyin suddenly wanted a cigarette.

After dealing with Xu Ze, he had rushed back to the scavenger camp only to find Luo Jia’s location had shifted to the Lost City. For the sake of the Empire’s interests, he should have shot the youth on sight…

Against two Zerg Legion Commanders, Gu Qiyin was confident he could win. But did he really want to kill a child who knew absolutely nothing?

His heart wavered.

Gu Qiyin set the rifle down. He watched as the two Zerg led him away.

“…Whatever.” Gu Qiyin watched the boy he knew as Wang Dudu leave with the Zerg. He pulled out his communicator. “Shen Li. Mission over. Come and get me now.”

“Yes, General Gu.”

Eros caught up with them quickly.

Astra asked, “Well?”

Eros replied, “The other party didn’t intend to start a conflict. Astra, that was the Human Empire’s Gu Qiyin, wasn’t it? I didn’t expect to run into him here.”

Astra said, “He was likely here for our property as well.”

Eros said angrily, “More likely he was here to kill Lord Luo Jia! Despicable humans!”

Luo Jia looked at Eros in shock. “What? Why would he want to kill me?”

Eros’s tone lightened. “You don’t seem to realize your own situation. You are the treasure of the Zerg. Your death would be a massive blow to our race. So, please protect yourself well, Lord Luo Jia.”

Luo Jia looked at Astra. Astra nodded. “Eros is right. But don’t worry, we will protect you no matter what.”

Luo Jia asked, “This Gu Qiyin… what does he look like? I mean, so I can avoid him if I see him in the future.”

Eros stared at the side of Luo Jia’s neck. “You needn’t worry about that. Once you enter Andromeda, you will never see him again.”

Luo Jia: “…”

Seeing that Luo Jia seemed downcast, Astra cleared his throat and said in a gentle tone, “Lord Luo Jia, would you be interested in learning a bit about the Zerg?”

Luo Jia’s eyes lit up. He looked up and asked, “I can?”

Being looked at by such adorable eyes, even Astra felt a pang of endearment. “Of course. Anything you wish to know, I will tell you everything.”

Luo Jia asked, “How are you so sure I’m the one you’re looking for?”

Astra explained, “The gland on your body is about to mature. We cannot mistake that scent.”

“What’s a gland?” Luo Jia asked.

Astra said, “You must feel a swelling sensation in your neck right now, yes?”

Luo Jia nodded. “Yes.”

Astra touched the swollen area on Luo Jia’s neck. “This is the gland, Lord Luo Jia. Right now, you smell… very fragrant.”

Luo Jia instinctively leaned back. “…” If Astra weren’t so expressionless and his tone so clinical, Luo Jia would have sworn he was being hit on.

Eros rolled his eyes at Astra behind Luo Jia’s back. He stepped in front of Luo Jia and gave a playful blink. “Lord Luo Jia, do you want to know anything else? I’m an open book, too~”

Luo Jia asked, “Why do you have a flower behind your ear?”

Eros laughed. “Is it not pretty?”

Luo Jia: “It is.”

Eros smiled. “The flower by my ear is very important. Do you want it?”

Luo Jia shook his head. “If it’s important to you, I can’t take it.”

Eros shifted the topic: “Lord Luo Jia, do you think my flower is prettier, or Astra’s scorpion tail?” Astra shot him a glance.

Luo Jia: “They’re both good. Your flower is beautiful, and Astra’s tail looks powerful. Two different kinds of beauty.”

Hearing this, Astra’s tail couldn’t help but wag slightly. Eros laughed out loud.

Luo Jia felt a bit nervous. “Did I say something weird?”

Eros said, “No. We’re just happy to be praised by you.”

The two Zerg walked very fast. Luo Jia struggled to keep up, his breathing soon becoming heavy. Astra noticed this and stopped abruptly.

Luo Jia nearly bumped into his chest. “W-what’s wrong?” he asked, looking up.

Astra detached a piece of shoulder armor, leaned down, and scooped Luo Jia up. Before Luo Jia could even yelp, he was settled firmly on Astra’s shoulder.

“Astra… I can walk…” Luo Jia felt his face heating up.

Astra gave him a reassuring pat. “It’s fine. We have a long way to go, and this will save time.”

Luo Jia fell silent, sitting quietly on the powerful commander’s shoulder as they moved toward the stars.