How should it be used?
It was simple; the bug could fly.
With a thought from Xia Jin, the worm-like creature sprouted a pair of wings and began flapping them rapidly.
The small insect hovered in mid-air like a hummingbird.
Perhaps it should be called a bee-bug.
Normally, parasites would approach the enemy unnoticed, bite into the skin, inject a paralyzing fluid, and burrow inside without the target ever knowing, eventually achieving control.
This weakened version was directly effective against those below Tier 8; for those at Tier 8, it depended on their willpower.
Against Tier 9, it was a matter of luck—or faith—though there was still a tiny chance. At the very least, it could interfere with their lives.
But...
That was just the standard way to use a parasite.
There was a more thorough method that could definitely infect Tier 8 targets and even had a chance against Tier 9.
It involved a companion species: the Parasite Launcher Bug.
Xia Jin whistled, and the bug flew up from below.
“Oops!”
The bug smacked right into her skirt.
“Where do you think you’re flying?”
Xia Jin pulled the thing out and grumbled.
Was this bug doing it on purpose?
The Parasite Launcher Bug was shaped like a miniature stealth plane. It had spines on its back and a very smooth body, with a small opening under each wing capable of launching parasites.
When launched from above, the parasite's tail acted as a propulsion nozzle, allowing it to accelerate to extreme speeds in a short burst and pierce the target's skin directly.
The downside was that it might shoot right through weaker targets—those below Tier 6, for instance.
That wouldn't be cost-effective, as the cost of a parasite was comparable to a Tier 7 unit. They had to be used where they mattered most.
Ideally, they would control Tier 9 powerhouses.
“Produce a hundred of them.”
Such small bugs were usually hatched directly within the hive, skipping the larva stage.
Once the 100 parasites were ready, they boarded 50 Parasite Launcher Bugs and flew toward the front lines.
Then, Xia Jin plucked a fruit from a tree and lightly hopped down.
Chomp.
She bit into the succulent, peach-like fruit, and her mouth was instantly filled with sweetness.
“This is good.”
The Zerg had maximum poison resistance, and Xia Jin was no exception. She didn't have to worry about whether the fruit was safe to eat; she only cared about the flavor.
After finishing, Xia Jin checked the current state of the Swarm.
The more they fought, the more bugs there seemed to be.
She estimated the size of the land-based forces at roughly 1.05 million.
Although her current strategy remained conservative, a counterattack wasn't impossible.
The reason she held back was the lack of reserve troops. If she pushed the Empire too hard and they declared a general mobilization, it was uncertain if the Zerg could withstand the pressure.
It was better to stall for a bit longer.
On the sea, the Dawn Empire’s fleet had blockaded the entire coast of the East Sea.
This meant that even if Carrier Bugs were hatched, it was difficult for them to enter the water; they would likely be destroyed before even leaving the harbor.
Consequently, Xia Jin halted the production of Carrier Bugs and diverted those resources into scourges. In a single day, she increased production by an additional 250,000 units.
This staggering number gave the Swarm’s air force absolute dominance over the sea.
Taking off from the coast, a swarm of 80,000 scourges attacked an Imperial fleet blockading the southern city states region. They sank over 20 ships and destroyed 6,200 magic fighters in one go.
Refusing to accept the loss, the Empire sent a new fleet. Xia Jin responded with 120,000 more scourges, sinking nearly 40 more vessels, including four battleships and four carriers.
The abnormal numbers of the Zerg air force in the East Sea drove the Dawn Empire to despair.
Footage of the battle was transmitted back via magical communications.
Inside the council chamber, the group sat in stunned silence as they watched the sky filled with rampaging scourges.
After a long while, the Emperor finally spoke. “Why are there so many Zerg aerial units? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?”
No one in the room answered; clearly, no one had a concrete explanation.
“Sigh. I thought that by reaching this level of development, we could easily control this continent. I never expected things to turn out like this.”
The Emperor could only shake his head, unable to think of a countermeasure.
Everyone wondered what that little Princess... or rather, the current Queen, had done to obtain such immense power.
“Perhaps she sold her soul to a demon,” a woman said coldly. “The Zerg are definitely not a power of this world; they come from another. A common princess has no value other than her beauty. The only explanation is that a demon is using her to destroy this world.”
“Are you saying that the ones we are fighting are actually demons disguised as Zerg?” The Emperor’s expression grew grim.
“It is the only explanation. Demons have never truly invaded this world, but there have been records of them descending. Even the weakest demon can reach Tier 8. In the past, Dawn could never have stood against such an enemy. But we are no longer who we were. If the Zerg are indeed demons in disguise, then this is the perfect opportunity to prove the strength of humanity.”
Though her speculation lacked evidence, it wasn't impossible when one thought about it.
Demons were the most likely civilization to possess strength comparable to the Zerg and harbor such malice toward this world.
“In all our fighting, there has been almost zero communication between us. That does fit the style of a demon. It’s a pity no one here understands the Zerg. If someone had seen the Princess, we might have some information.”
The Emperor scanned the room, hoping to glean something useful from his ministers.
Unfortunately, no one spoke.
Just as he was starting to feel disappointed, a young male minister spoke up. “I have seen the Princess.”
“Oh?” The Emperor looked surprised. “When?”
“A year ago. I hadn't yet taken my post in the palace and was sent to the Kingdom of Clear to gather intelligence. It happened to be during their capital's festival, so I mingled with the crowd in the plaza.”
“And you saw her?” another man asked, intrigued.
“Ahem, yes. A very beautiful girl. Judging by her age, I’m not even sure if she was an adult. That’s why I found it so hard to believe she was ruling the Kingdom of Clear. Two years ago, she was undoubtedly innocent and naive. I can hardly believe that in the blink of an eye, she is leading a powerful army against our Empire.”
“Innocent and naive? It’s quite jarring to hear such words from you.”
A general laughed.
“In that case, are you interested in going again? Go on behalf of our Empire and meet the Princess... or rather, the Queen. I never expected a nation capable of rivaling our Dawn Empire to appear on the West Continent.”
The Emperor’s tone was filled with emotion.
He was, after all, a hereditary emperor; the land had been built by many generations. His rule was so stable largely thanks to the Dawn Church.
People often thought that theocratic states were backward.
But that was impossible in the Empire for one simple reason: the Empire actually had a god.
Faced with the Emperor’s request, the ministers could not refuse.
Everyone knew the imperial command was absolute.
The man stood up and said, “I understand, Your Majesty. I shall head to the Zerg territory immediately to see if I can meet the Queen.”
“Go.”
...
Most people imagined imperial meetings to be extremely solemn and stern.
But the reality was quite harmonious.
The Emperor sat with his ministers as if having a heart-to-heart chat.
But... that didn't mean the ministers could defy him.
In truth, the ruler of the Dawn Empire held the absolute power of life and death.
If he wished, he could take the lives of his subjects without any reason, and they would not dare to complain.
At this moment, the minister prepared to head to the Zerg territory with a mix of trepidation and anticipation.
He remembered Xia Jin, the Princess of the Kingdom of Clear, very clearly.
Simply because, back then, he had actually spoken to her.
It was, in fact, quite a coincidence.
Rate on N.U.
