The situation at the galactic boundary was deteriorating as of late. Fleets crossing the border often did not return.
At first, this didn’t raise any alarms.
The galactic boundary, which Grantz’s homeland was situated in, was rife with galactic pirate activity. Even the looming Plague was not enough to deter them.
The majority of the galactic pirates were from the Exile Sectors, which was infested with insects anyway. They didn’t take the news seriously.
Until a certain video was uploaded…
The footage came from a fleet than encountered pirates on their return trip. They had deviated from their original course and ended up being chased to the galactic boundary.
When they were forced to enter a planetary belt, the fleet’s pilots gave it their all and managed to create a bit of distance between themselves and their pursuers.
The first part of the video featured the galactic pirates in hot pursuit.
The voices of the staff coming over the comms sounded terse, “There’s no more obstacles up ahead so it’ll be hard to shake them off. We’re about to cross the planetary belt! Requesting permission to veer towards the side!”
The commander quickly made up his mind under the dangerous situation, “Go–”
His voice cut off instantly. The comms channel fell silent.
An enormous insect had shot out from the side and captured the leading warship of the galactic pirates. It careened towards a nearby asteroid with the warship in tow.
More insects poured out from the same direction, many of them laden with eggs.
Someone murmured over the comms, “It’s the insects…”
With that, the video abruptly ended.
It quickly went viral online.
Various analyses started popping up.
[Now that’s a true brush with death. They were only a few seconds clear from being in that insect’s path.]
[They’re migrating. Judging by the limbs missing on some insects and all the unhatched eggs, this tribe must have fled in haste due to losing a dispute over territory. It’s most likely a precursor to the insect plague.]
[Weaker tribes won’t be the only ones migrating then. The strongest insects will voluntarily make their way over.]
[These insects weren’t attracted by some artificial lure, which means countless eggs have already been laid in the unexplored sectors of the galaxy. How terrifying. The insect population will soon exceed the carrying capacity of the unexplored sectors, causing them to instinctively spread out to less dense areas, like the region we humans inhabit.]
To the insects, the habitable region was a place with little intespecial competition and abundant resources.
……
There was a knock at the study door.
Secretary General Lin immediately said after coming inside, “Your Majesty, the international community is organizing a joint conference. Shall we participate?”
He paused, “It will be regarding the insect plague.”
Norton set down his pen. He would have known the subject of the conference even if Secretary-General Lin didn’t bring it up. “Let them know Grantz will be in attendance.”
Secretary-General Lin left as swiftly as he had come. Norton signed the last document and set it aside. He rose.
Downstairs, Sylvia and Hebert were seated in the parlour.
Hebert spoke first, “I met Secretary-General Lin as I came downstairs. He’s most likely here due to the conference.”
It’s been a while since Secretary-General Lin had come since he’s been so busy with the construction of the refuge cities. Only a truly exceptional matter would see him pay a visit in person.
Sylvia placed a small snack on Ye Muo’s plate. “What conference?”
“The international conference regarding the insect plague. News of it suddenly swept across the galactic network yesterday with great fanfare, much to the delight of some people. Naturally, with how big a deal the other nations are making of this , an invitation was extended to Grantz.”
Hebert was always monitoring the situation online.
“His Majesty must know the other nations want Grantz to accept. They’ve gone out of their way to show as much.”
Sylvia handed Ye Muo his bottle.
“I believe Norton will accept the invitation.”
Hebert inclined his head, slightly curious. “And why is that?”
“Because we cannot lose this region of the galaxy.”
The people in the parlour turned to Norton, who stood in the doorway.
He walked in and scooped up Ye Muo as always. It was simple, really. Norton stated, “Humanity must band together at this time, lest a large portion of the habitable region of the galaxy become new Exile Sectors or unexplored regions.“
The nations neighbouring the Exile Sectors were constantly having to fend off insects.
The Exile Sectors were at least far safer in comparison. The Exile Sectors were not directly next to the unexplored regions. Many people lived there. There were some armed factions and public routes running through the area. Insect density was not that high either.
Sylvia nodded and turned to Ye Muo. “We need to pass on a broader world to the children.”
A short while later, they were joined by Dylan and the others.
Although things didn’t get off to the best start, the Grantz insisted on taking turns holding lessons out on the lawn each afternoon. Even if Ye Muo managed to wheedle his way out of any actual learning by the middle.
Adrian waved at Ye Muo. “It’s time for class, buddy.”
Ye Muo enthusiastically waved back. “En! Class! Muomuo’s ready!”
Ye Muo liked going to class. He had so much fun playing everyday.
Ano approached Norton. He nodded at the man before taking Ye Muo from his arms.
The group soon found their way outside.
Yesterday, they ended up playing hide and seek after class. The day before that, Adlet stopped by with snacks. Ye Muo was in no mood to learn and kept following Adlet around, causing an impromptu picnic to take place.
It was Dylan’s turn this afternoon.
Ye Muo was a little intimidated by Dylan, so he stood there properly and watched the man’s demonstration before giving it a go himself. Everything seemed to be going according to plan at first.
Dylan wielded the scabbard much slower and lighter than usual.
Ye Muo was a little tired by the end of the lesson.
When Dylan poked him gently in the leg again, he let out a dull exclamation before laying down on the grass.
Adrian was as pleased as a peach. “He’s getting the hang of things already. I knew things would work out.”
Setting everything else aside, Ye Muo was a quick learner. He always remembered the moves he was shown.
They played out on the lawn until the sky was getting dark and it was time for dinner.
Ano quickly scooped up Ye Muo before anyone else could. The siblings bantered among themselves as they headed back with Ye Muo.
Ye Muo was a little too quiet today.
Aria glanced at him. “What’s wrong, Muomuo?”
Ye Muo looked around blankly as he hugged Ano’s neck. It took him a few seconds to say, “Muomuo’s thirsty.”
Ano was carrying Ye Muo in one arm and holding onto his tiny sword with the other. He had the child sit on his arm and lean on his shoulder.
He relaxed a bit upon learning Ye Muo was just tired. He nudged the child’s head reassuringly before shifting him up. “Sit tight then. We’re going to speed up a bit.”
As soon as those words fell, he broke out into a sprint.
Pangzhua paced in place before eagerly following.
The others were hot on his heels.
Norton was in the parlour when Ano arrived with Ye Muo.
As always, Bert went to tease Ye Muo only to be reined in by Sylvia. Sylvia stroked Ye Muo’s hair as she quietly remarked, “He looks a little tuckered out. You all played too long today.”
Norton approached Ano.
Ano casually offered the tiny sword to Norton. “He’s tired after playing, and thirsty too. He just asked for water.”
Norton glanced at him but wordlessly took the sword.
Ye Muo was already raising his head from Ano’s shoulder. He seemed a little out of it today as he watched Norton take his sword in a trance.
Norton grasped the sword hilt. The skin over his finger joints blanched a bit.
Then he went to take Ye Muo. Normally, the child would already be reaching for him. Today, however, he stayed in Ano’s arms in a daze.
An image suddenly came to mind as Ye Muo stared at Norton’s hand. The same hand once clenched a sword with so much force that the green veins on its back bulged.
Ye Muo was still immersed in that scene when Norton took him. He instinctively latched onto the man’s collar and buried his face in the crook of Norton’s neck. He was a little scared for some reason.
Norton glanced at Ye Muo before taking off his shoes and setting him down on the small carpet to check him over. After making sure he wasn’t hurt, he turned away to pour a cup of water.
Ye Muo stood there and quietly watched Norton.
Ano kept glancing between Norton and Ye Muo as the others trickled into the room. He frowned. Something was off here.
Norton got down on one knee before handing the cup to Ye Muo.
Instead of taking it, Ye Muo threw himself into Norton’s arms and hugged his neck. He stepped on Norton’s lowered knee. “Hug Muomuo, Daddy.”
Norton supported Ye Muo’s back with his free hand as he rose. “Are you tired?”
He paused, “You can go to bed after eating something.”
Ye Muo nuzzled Norton’s shoulder before making a muffled sound of acknowledgement.
Ye Muo started acting out for the first time. He refused to leave Norton’s side during the meal, but he didn’t eat much either. He ate the bite of fish Norton fed him and drank a bit of milk before stubbornly shaking his head.
The others headed back to the parlour after dinner while Norton took Ye Muo upstairs to his room.
Several small nightlights automatically turned on as they stepped inside.
Norton went to set Ye Muo down on the bed as usual, but the child’s legs curled up as he tightened his grip on Norton. “Hug Muomuo, Daddy.”
Norton made a sound of acknowledgement and straightened up again.
He looked down at the child curled up in his arms. “What’s the matter?”
Ye Muo tried his best to shrink into a tiny ball in Norton’s arms. “Muomuo’s scared.”
Ye Muo tightened his grip before repeating uneasily, “Muomuo’s scared.”
Norton paused from gently patting the child on the back. He quietly said a beat later, “Don’t be scared.”
As his voice fell, his psychic power enveloped every corner of the palace.
Ye Muo had his back to Norton and couldn’t see his expression. Under the moonlight in the somewhat dim room, a cold glint akin to a honed blade or a predator ready to strike flashed by in the man’s eyes.
The Grantz gathered in the first floor parlour stilled. Ano raised his head slightly with a frown. “Big Brother…”
Norton’s psychic power continued to emanate and soon covered the entire imperial capital. Still, he found nothing amiss. It seemed to be a peaceful night on all accounts.Â
