Rebirth: The Universe's Hidden Heiress-Chapter 80: Battling With Insectoids (2)

As Kenji watched Yuka leave, he nodded to Morris, agreeing to follow him.

Morris, walking slightly ahead, commented softly, "She’s quite beautiful, isn’t she?" He had seen something in Kenji’s eyes.

Kenji frowned in response.

"You shouldn’t treat a rose so harshly," Morris mused, his smile deepening. "After all, a rose has thorns, and one can easily get hurt. But a beautiful rose deserves someone who can truly appreciate her, like me, don’t you think?"

Kenji scoffed, "That’s debatable."

"Anyway, we’re here," Morris said, ending the potential argument. He didn’t want a physical confrontation, knowing he was no match for Kenji.

After a slight bow to Kenji, Morris put his beak mask back on and left from the doorway on the third floor.

Kenji knocked on the door, saying, "I’m Kuba Kenji from the army, here to inquire about the incident details from the head of the Horn family. Your cooperation would be appreciated."

A few seconds later, Donny’s voice came from behind the door, "Sorry, Admiral Kuba, my father says it’s not a good time for him to meet any visitors now. Please, you’ll need to leave."

Kenji, unfazed by this rejection, didn’t get angry. He was aware that he wouldn’t get any useful information here anyway. The former nobility had long been at odds with the Alliance Army, and getting them to talk was nearly impossible.

He nodded and replied, "Alright. If he wishes to discuss details with us later, you can contact the Alliance Arm. We are always ready to assist. Goodbye."

With that, he turned and went downstairs.

At the entrance of the hall, the Alliance Army had sealed the main door, holding cups with a large barrel of high-concentration disinfectant beside them. Everyone wishing to leave had to drink a sufficient amount of that fluid to ensure the elimination of any parasitic eggs that might be hidden inside their bodies.

To have that fluid, Yuka had no choice but to remove her mask.

The Alliance Army member handing her the cup paused for a moment, then his face turned red, and he awkwardly looked away.

Kenji, arriving shortly after, took off his coat and draped it over Yuka’s shoulders, covering her front, before handing her the cup of disinfectant.

Yuka was silent, realizing she had been recognized.

After she finished drinking, Kenji escorted her out of the castle.

The Alliance Army member, wishing to take another glance at Yuka’s stunning face, was deterred by Kenji’s icy gaze and promptly went back to work.

Yuka pulled out her opticomputer, messaging Ayoi and Alex that she was alright and asking them to head back first.

After sending the message, she took a deep breath, bracing for Kenji’s impending interrogation.

However, as they nearly finished walking down the road littered with the bodies of parasites, Kenji remained silent.

Yuka stole a glance at him, noticing he seemed lost in thought.

Kenji was actually reflecting on his recent unusual behavior. For the past few weeks, he had found himself inexplicably searching for Yuka’s presence, feeling relieved upon seeing her, and restless until he did.

He had convinced himself it was because Yuka was an S-tier protected individual of the Alliance Army. But just now, when Yuka removed her mask, the rapid beating of his heart shattered that reasoning.

Kenji thought, ’Any man can fall under her spell if she wishes, like Morris, and even... myself.’

The thought of Morris’s words about Yuka made Kenji frown. Suppressing his discomfort, he was about to address Yuka when Yuka, anticipating the confrontation, turned swiftly.

She thought Kenji was about to ask her why she didn’t show any fear for the insectoid this time. Thus, she asked him first, "If I tell you my psychological shadow for insectoids acts up intermittently, would you believe me?"

Kenji was momentarily speechless.

...

Just after Kenji had left the Horn residence, a curse echoed from the second floor.

"Damn it!"

Zantoya Horn, the patriarch of the family, violently threw a vase to the floor, making a startling noise.

He then grabbed a chair and smashed it against the wall, shouting, "Damn it all! Who was it?! The Alliance Army?"

Donny stood rigidly in front of his father, slightly frowning, "Father..."

"Don’t call me father!" Zantoya roared. "Is this how you manage a prom?"

Donny pursed his lips and lowered his head, saying nothing more.

Moments before, the "upper-class" members who had safely returned home bombarded Zantoya with messages of complaint, demanding compensation for their mental distress.

Some even severed ties with him, they viewed a family that allowed their ancestral home to be overrun with parasites as unworthy of association.

The Horn family had suffered a massive setback. Zantoya’s plan to use the announcement of the next head of the family to expand his influence had backfired, not only failing to gain allies but also creating numerous new social issues. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

The ridicule from their rivals left Zantoya seething with anger.

Pacing back and forth, Zantoya muttered, "It must be the Alliance Army, always wanting to see our family fall. No, I must find a way. Space pirates... Yes, the space pirates! That’s the only option left, I could collaborate with them!"

Donny looked up in shock. "Father!" Associating with space pirates would doom the Horn family for good.

"I advise you to reconsider," Donny suggested.

Morris entered, mocking Zantoya, "Good evening. Did you manage to empty your head of its usual nonsense today?"

Zantoya’s temple throbbed. "Who let you in?!"

Donny remained silent. She had secretly invited her brother, who had been expelled from the family, to the prom.

Zantoya, taunted by Morris, calmed down slightly. He abandoned the idea of contacting space pirates through a royal spy. With mixed emotions, he said to Morris, "If only you were willing to inherit the family, we wouldn’t be in this mess."

Morris replied with a smile, "Donny is doing well, it’s your prejudice that’s too deep."

"Moreover, the Horn family isn’t worth my effort. You know I never act against my conscience," continued Morris, still smiling.

"Get out!" Zantoya, infuriated by Morris’s mockery, yelled. His rebellious son was just provoking him.

"So long, then," Morris nodded and left.

"You too, get out," Zantoya directed at Donny. "And make sure he leaves the Horn family for good!"

Donny nodded and also left the room.

Leaning against the corridor wall, Morris raised his hand, "My dear sister, if you’re sad, you can cry on my shoulder."

Donny passed by him without showing any emotion.

"Don’t be so heartless," Morris followed her. "How about leaving home and wandering with me? It’s quite interesting, and definitely beats getting scolded every day."

"I don’t want to talk to a jerk brother who dumped all the responsibilities on his sister," Donny replied.

Morris touched his chest in mock hurt, then said, "Alright then. But sister, I still hope you’ll soon see the true filth of this world."

Donny kept walking. "Just go, please."

She was well aware of the world’s injustices. The so-called upper class collaborated with space pirates to terrorize ordinary people, destroying their planets and seizing the greatest share of profits. The Alliance Army, hindered by its cumbersome bureaucracy and restrictive policies, was unable to bring about any real change.

But there was nothing she could do.

Morris sighed, "Then, goodbye."