The Tough Guy Forced To Become The Broodmother - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: The Zerg Sanctuary Revised

Luo Jia followed the doctor to the dining hall.

“This is the dining area on the starship. I imagine you’re hungry; what would you like to eat?” the doctor asked.

Luo Jia’s mind was still reeling from the scenes he’d witnessed while passing the training grounds. The Zerg soldiers had been sparring, their combat suits clinging to their bodies and outlining every muscle. Some displayed their primal traits—carapaces and wings that were hauntingly beautiful.

“That training ground just now…”

The doctor cut in, “Did it frighten you? Those guys were just overexcited. If you dislike it, I can ban them from appearing before you.”

Luo Jia shook his head quickly. “No, no, it’s not that I dislike it. I just thought their wings were… incredibly beautiful.”

The doctor paused, then chuckled. “You like those wings? How about I have someone cut them off so you can keep them as a collection?”

What the hell? Is he insane? Luo Jia frowned. “Doctor, you’re really strange. Those are your own people, aren’t they? I just think their wings look lovely, sparkling under the lights. Why would I want to cut them off? I haven’t seen your wings yet—if I said I liked them, would you cut yours off for me?”

The doctor smiled thinly. “My apologies, dear. I don’t have wings. But if you like other parts of my body, I wouldn’t mind.”

Luo Jia glanced at the doctor’s lower half, then shook his head violently. “Thanks, but no thanks. Beautiful things should stay attached to their owners.”

The doctor looked almost disappointed. “Very well. Have a seat here; I’ll be back.”

Luo Jia sat, swinging his legs, feeling a bit bored. Suddenly, a glass of water was placed in front of him. He looked up to see a man with white hair and eyes like obsidian. His handsome face carried a trace of melancholy.

The man simply stared at him without speaking. To break the awkward silence, Luo Jia said, “Hello…”

The man pushed the glass closer. “I am Selan. No need for formalities; just call me by my name.”

“I’m Luo Jia…”

Selan observed him, carefully analyzing his scent. His silent conclusion matched Astra’s: it really was…

Luo Jia felt a chill under Selan’s gaze. “Is there something I can help you with?”

Selan’s obsidian eyes grew even more somber. “Do you truly think our… wings are beautiful?”

Luo Jia nodded. “Of course.”

“Perhaps you wouldn’t think so if you saw us in our fully ‘zergified’ state,” Selan remarked before turning to leave.

Luo Jia: “…”

Not long after, the doctor returned with food. “Natural fruits and high-quality Star-Beast meat. Try it; it will be good for your recovering body.”

Luo Jia asked, “Doctor, what exactly is happening to me?”

“Nothing major,” the doctor replied. “You are simply developing, so we just need to supplement your nutrition.”

Recalling his recent physical changes, Luo Jia accepted the explanation. However, memories of that mysterious starry throne and the various gemstones flashed through his mind. He decided to keep it to himself for now and ate in silence.

Planet Andromeda

Lush green leaves filtered the scorching sun, and crystal-clear waterfalls cascaded down the mountains. Flowers bloomed year-round, filling the palace with fragrance. Numerous Zerg guards patrolled the perimeter, ready to be summoned by “Mother” at any moment.

High Priest Cecil stood in his snow-white robes, a purple crystal band on his arm. The sunlight danced on his long golden hair. He walked through the marble corridors draped in wisteria toward Mother’s quarters.

As he reached the door, he heard the sound of sobbing, followed by the low, soothing voice of Ling.

Cecil frowned and pushed the door open. A frail youth was hiding in Ling’s arms, weeping. Upon seeing Cecil, the youth immediately pulled away and reached out his pale, soft arms toward the Priest.

“Cecil…”

Cecil’s face softened instantly. He pulled the youth into a comforting embrace. “Do not cry. Your tears burn my heart.”

Gradually, the boy’s crying subsided, and he fell into a deep sleep. However, his red-rimmed eyes and nose left Cecil in a foul mood.

“What happened?” Cecil looked at Ling accusingly.

Ling looked troubled. “My fault. Astra called for a meeting. I knew Mother was feeling dependent on me today…”

Cecil didn’t care for Ling’s boasting of Mother’s trust. He fixed his cold, golden pupils on him. “If there is a meeting, why are you still here?”

“Understood, Lord Priest.” Ling reached out to touch the boy’s golden hair one last time, but Cecil slapped his hand away. “Mother is sleeping. Do not disturb him.”

“Stingy,” Ling muttered.

The Bridge: Command Center

Blue rings of data flowed through the air. Several Zerg Legion Commanders were gathered for a round-table meeting.

• 2nd Legion Commander: Astra Present
• 3rd Legion Commander: Eros Present
• 4th Legion Commander: Selan  Present
• 5th Legion Commander: Ling Projected from the Sanctuary
• 6th Legion Commander: Qing Projected from transit

Ling, the 5th Commander, looked nothing like his name suggested. With wild red curls and a powerful, muscular build, he looked more like a thug than a guardian. Qing despised him, mostly because Mother clearly favored strong types and had publicly praised Ling’s vibrant red hair.

Astra tapped the table. “The meeting begins. Qing, you go first.”

Qing turned serious. “I have retrieved the Moonlight Flower Mother requires and will arrive at the Sanctuary shortly. Ling, make sure you take care of Mother until I return.”

“As if I need you to tell me,” Ling sneered.

Qing ignored him. “Two more things. While searching for the flower on Hades Star D-01, I encountered strange biological entities. I’ve sent the imagery to your terminals.”

The Commanders frowned as they reviewed the files.

“I’ve never seen these,” Astra noted. “They don’t match any known Star-Sea records.”

“Engaging them pollutes one’s sanity,” Qing warned. “Be extremely cautious.”

Ling looked up from the images. “If they pollute the mind, how did you stay sane? You don’t look like a mindless beast to me.”

Qing smirked triumphantly. “I was soothed by Mother.”

The room erupted. Eros slammed his hands on the table, his pink eyes wide. “Impossible! Mother’s body can’t handle a link right now! And why didn’t the rest of us feel it?!”

Qing rolled his eyes. “How should I know? But when I was falling into the abyss, I smelled Mother’s scent. Ling, you’re at the Sanctuary—has there been any change?”

Ling rubbed his chin. “Actually, Mother has been very lethargic lately, with fluctuations of spirit power leaking out. Perhaps the soothing exhausted his energy?”

The group then turned to Astra. In the absence of the 1st Commander, Asar, they valued the opinion of the one who never tried to monopolize Mother’s affection.

Astra weighed the situation. “I only know that our bond with Mother cannot be wrong. If Qing felt him, it means Mother is improving. We must continue to protect him and wait for a full link.”

Qing nodded. “That’s my report. What about you, Astra?”

Astra dropped the bombshell: “We have brought back a human who has adapted perfectly to the Broodmother’s Essence. This human has grown a gland and is nearing maturity.”

Qing’s expression turned to one of disgust. “What? Did you bring back some modified freak?”

Ling frowned. “We only have one Mother, Astra. If you bring this human back, Mother will be heartbroken.”

Eros argued, “Then we keep it a secret. Mother doesn’t need to know. We had to take him; we couldn’t leave him for the humans or those brainless Beastmen.”

The others reluctantly agreed. Selan, however, remained worried. “If he stays at the Sanctuary, Mother will find out eventually. We can’t break his heart.”

Eros smirked. “That’s easy. Let our ‘Great High Priest,’ the ever-composed Lord Cecil, handle that little problem.”