On the first day of October, Arthur, the aged emperor who had slipped out of the palace quietly but orchestrated a series of momentous events, finally returned to Ison City in the true demeanor of a monarch.
He was greeted by a city in uproar, showered with countless flowers and praises. All realized that on this day, the ancient Tanzan Empire would truly be restored.
Simultaneously, Arthur revealed a special force he had nurtured for decades. It was by relying on this unknown power that Arthur could react so swiftly, unifying the Three Cities of the Forest Domain with lightning speed and sparing countless citizens from the horrors of war.
After the customary city tour to accept the grand celebration held by Ison's million citizens, Arthur hurried back to the palace. With the world situation changing rapidly, he had to respond every minute to reclaim the initiative seized by the Twelve Alliances.
To his surprise, upon returning to his study to handle official business, he found all administrative affairs in Ison had been impeccably managed during his absence—a feat he hadn't anticipated, leading him to reappraise Anna's capabilities.
"Your Majesty, Princess Anna, Miss Manny, and Mr. Rick request an audience," came the secretary's voice from outside the study.
"Admit them," Arthur leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed.
The door opened, and Rick accompanied Anna, who pushed Manny in a wheelchair into the study.
Arthur struck a dashing pose, intending to greet his beloved daughter, but the demure-looking Anna suddenly rushed forward and grabbed his white beard.
The secretary quickly shut the door as Anna's outcry echoed from within:
"You old codger! You ran off without a word—do you know how much chaos broke out the day you left?!" She yelled, pulling his beard.
"I do," Arthur defended his beard, looking submissive. "Pai Mansion was attacked, and Manny was assassinated. I learned of it on my way to Terry County."
"You knew?" Anna paused, loosening her grip. "And you still left?"
"I trusted Rick could handle the assassination. Besides, if I hadn't left, we'd face a worse catastrophe now." Arthur reclaimed his beard, looking solemnly at Manny. "Manny, you must understand my dilemma."
"Your Majesty, I do. You must have received intelligence that prompted your immediate departure."
"Precisely. The day of your attack, I learned of your father's passing. Diago and the Twelve Alliances' subsequent moves didn't escape me."
Arthur sneered. "That fool Diago—who would've thought he's a core member of the Twelve Alliances? He wants to seize the Guild and then vie for the Twelve Alliances' commander-in-chief position."
"Hmph... But he's doomed to disappointment. Once again, he's paving the way for others."
"But he controls nearly 70% of the Guild's forces, while the remnants I've rallied are less than 20%. Why call him a failure?" Manny looked puzzled.
"Because your vision remains fixed on the Guild, not the broader world." Arthur stroked his beard mysteriously, sipping tea. "Whether his assassination succeeded or not, his usurpation is controversial, which fuels the Twelve Alliances' campaign to incite city lords to independence. How much trade routes can the Guild control after that? Even if he unites all Guild forces, he'll only have more supplies than others, never the authority of your father, Solomon. Thus, his bid for commander-in-chief was doomed from the start."
Arthur sighed wearily. "We Defenders didn't look far enough—those insidious foes outmaneuvered us. Now the Twelve Alliances have risen. They've achieved their goal: human forces, fragmented into factions, can no longer unite against the Swarm as they did over two hundred years ago."
"Then what's the point of restoring the dynasty now?" Rick interjected.
"I'm preserving hope. Since division is inevitable, I'll unite as much strength as possible. If another Century War breaks out, the Defenders won't be defenseless." Arthur gazed worriedly at the gray sky outside, murmuring, "I hope the other old timers react quickly too."
Manny, raised in the Guild, understood the Twelve Alliances and Defenders. After a moment, she grasped Arthur's intent.
"Your Majesty, I believe I can help you unite forces faster."
"Oh?" Arthur studied Manny deeply, reading her resolve. "Though my actions seem like dynasty restoration, you know I stand with the Defenders. Thus, the Three Cities can't fully independent, and the new Tanzan will at most be a duchy."
"That's enough, for you're the one I trust most."
"Hehe... I see you've decided." Arthur opened his eyes, smiling with approval. "Well, what do you request?"
"I hope that one day, Your Majesty will march on Grenna in the Starfall Waters."
Arthur's gaze fixed on Manny. Grenna in the Starfall Waters was Guild territory, home to its headquarters. Manny's intent was clear: she wanted to reclaim her homeland from the traitor Diago.
"Done. I'll take you home!" Arthur declared firmly.
"Then please accept the loyalty of the Guild remnants. Additionally, I wish to serve as the first Finance Minister of the Duchy of New Tanzan." Manny smiled sweetly.
"The honor is mine."
Arthur bowed gallantly, immediately signing a document and handing it to Manny. Glancing at Rick, who hesitated beside Manny, he said to Anna, "Accompany Manny out, please. I think Rick has something to discuss with me."
"Hmph, I'll deal with you later!" Anna waved a fist at Arthur but gently wheeled Manny out, closing the door.
Alone in the study, Arthur lit a fine insect herb cigar, his gaze piercing Rick's face.
With his identity fully revealed, Rick no longer needed to hide. Shust had prepared an antidote, restoring his true appearance. Now, under Arthur's stare, Rick scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry, this is my real face."
"I know." Arthur looked away, flicking his cigar. "I visited old Nanzé. The Wasteland Project is on hold, so he's revoked that ridiculous wanted warrant. You needn't fear pursuit for now."
"Is that so..." Rick exhaled in relief at the news.
At his reaction, Arthur snorted. "I've met Nanzé—he loathes you with a passion."
"Huh? I never offended him."
"Tch, you provoked his precious granddaughter. That little girl named Love seems to have implanted some special insect egg in herself and traveled all the way from Terry County to find you. Judging by the timing, she should arrive soon."
"Love is coming?!"
Rick leaped in excitement, only to get a hard flick on the forehead from Arthur.
"What's there to be proud of? You attract too many girls for someone with limited skills. Can you handle them all?" Arthur glared at him disapprovingly.
Seeing Rick's dumbfounded, flustered look, Arthur sighed. "Fine, handle your own love life. But I want to ask—how did your power surge? You became an Insect Master in just a few days. That's too fast."
Reminded, Rick remembered his main purpose for seeing Arthur. He nervously recounted the situation that emerged during his battle with Fane.
After listening intently, Arthur rested his chin in thought, silent for a long while.
This set Rick's heart racing. He paled. "Will... will I become a Wormman?"
"Do you really want to know?" Arthur suddenly looked up.
Gulping, Rick hesitated before nodding firmly. "Yes."
"Then come. I'll take you somewhere." Arthur stubbed out his cigar and stood.
Beneath Palais Saint-Rosel lay a world utterly distinct from the surface.
Chilly winds howled like wraiths from hell, sending shivers down the spine.
The dungeon—Rick had once contemplated breaking in, but now, actually here, he realized his naivety and was grateful he hadn't acted rashly.
Dark, damp, reeking—the dungeon was divided by cages of special material. Countless grotesque creatures were locked within, snarling at Rick as he passed.
Though he knew they couldn't escape, their frenzied auras still made him tremble.
"What are these?" Rick asked, eyeing the ferocious-eyed, bizarrely formed monsters.
"Wormmen."
Rick's eyes widened, all color draining from his face.
"You... brought me here to lock me up like them?"
"If you can't break through and end up like them, yes." Arthur replied coldly.
"No! I refuse to be caged here..." Rick instinctively assumed a fighting stance, desperate to leave this horrid place.
"If you run, I'll kill you now. I won't allow a monster to roam my domain." Arthur narrowed his eyes. Without moving, his oppressive aura left Rick gasping.
No good—too big a gap...
Rick quickly realized the unbridgeable strength disparity. Even after his power surge, Arthur felt more imposing than ever.
It was like previously viewing a mist-shrouded mountain from afar—knowing it was tall, but now, approaching through the veil, he faced a peak that quashed any thought of crossing.
Rick clenched his lips and surrendered, looking miserable but holding a sliver of hope. If Arthur wanted to cage him, he would have done it already, no need to bring him here.
Seeing Rick's resigned look, Arthur chuckled, clapping his shoulder. "Lad, I'm not scaring you. Your situation is dangerous, but luckily I returned early. A few more days, and you might've become a mindless monster."
"How much time do I have?" Rick asked dejectedly.
"I'll give you a chance. Succeed, and you'll become a true Insect Master. Fail, and you'll join them. As for time..." Arthur hesitated, "You have one week..."
"One week..." Rick shuddered.
"Guess I won't see Love. Sorry I'll break my promise..."
"Hey, no defeatist talk. I said you have a chance." Arthur slapped his back encouragingly. "See those warriors I brought back? Every one of them is an Insect Master."
"All of them? Insect Masters?" Rick was stunned. It was a 300-strong unit—all Insect Masters? Impossible.
"I know it's incredible. But as I said, wild insect eggs are dangerous, but they accelerate growth exponentially. You should know that firsthand."
Rick nodded earnestly. Compared to others around him, his growth had been astonishing. After all, even Shust hadn't reached the peak of Insect General, yet Rick was already a quasi-Insect Master.
"That 300-strong unit is my trained death squads. I'd planned to reveal them only when the new Century War began, but events forced this plan to accelerate," Arthur sighed, then said gravely, "As descendants of guard families loyal to me for generations, they didn't implant ordinary insect eggs—all received wild ones."
Rick held his breath, his heartbeat thundering in his ears.
"Of course, sacrifices were inevitable. The Tanzan royal family left me a 1,000-man squad, and their descendants all joined my vanguard. The total number over the years exceeded 5,000..." Arthur raised his head, struggling to hold back tears. After a long pause, he looked at Rick again. "From that number, you can see the success rate is only 6%. The rest either died instantly or became what's in those cages."
Rick sucked in a breath, his heart pounding.
"6% chance, one week—this is your grim test. I need you to prepare mentally. If you lack confidence, I'll end it now to spare you future suffering."
Rick was stunned. Though worried about his condition, he never imagined it was this dire.
Prepare mentally? Easier said than done...
But meeting Arthur's intense gaze, Rick knew he was serious. If he admitted unpreparedness, Arthur might truly kill him.
"I don't want to die..." After a long silence, Rick raised his head, roaring these four words from his throat like a beast. Gasping heavily, he stared into Arthur's eyes. "I'm ready. I'll take even the slightest chance. Tell me—what do I do?"
"Good."
Arthur was pleased by Rick's extreme will to live. Surviving this desperation without breaking showed his exceptional survival instincts.
Others might call it cowardice, but Arthur believed fearing death was a virtue. Only those who feared death could unleash extraordinary power in crisis, blazing a path to strength.
Turning, Arthur placed his hand on an ancient wall. A dot of light expanded, and a green glow radiated over his palm pressed against the wall.
"Becoming an Insect Master with a wild egg requires a physique beyond human limits. Your priority is boosting body strength. What I'm about to show you is my greatest secret."
Ding.
The wall scan ended. With a ding, the flat wall split and slid aside, revealing a room beyond Rick's imagination.
Words failed Rick. The room felt like another world—unfathomable.
It blazed like day, yet no glowing insect lamps were visible. A porcelain-like substance coated every surface, its white sheen dazzling. At the center stood an elliptical silver instrument like a giant insect cocoon, connected by unidentifiable cables. Along the sides, rows of worktables blinked with digital readouts.
"W-what is this?" Rick stammered.
"Tech from the previous era..." Arthur approached the instrument, touching its cold shell. "Before the Century War, humans had this tech. This is the only surviving device of its kind."
"What's it made of?" Rick knocked on the shell, recalling the underground Tanzan lab.
"Metal—refined from ore, harder and more flexible than exoskeleton plates fused from insect chitin."
"No wonder it looks familiar. I saw similar things in underground Tanzan."
Arthur's eyes lit up. "You... saw many metals?"
"Yes, and instruments like these." Rick pointed to the worktables. "But they didn't light up. Yours does, so maybe theirs are broken."
"Broken? Maybe just out of power." Arthur looked to a massive generator in the back, where countless insects raced inside a wheel, generating kinetic energy to power the room.
Arthur pondered the implications, but Rick pushed him. "You haven't told me what this is or how to build my strength here."
"Right, sorry—got distracted." Arthur hit a button. With a hiss, the hydraulically locked door opened.
"It's a gym?" Rick peeked in—inside the "cocoon" was a standard training room.
"Correct, a special one." Arthur entered, pointing to numbered buttons. "This chamber can alter gravity, up to 15x. Tests show surviving 10x gravity gives a chance against wild evolved insects. You must master 10x gravity in a week."
"10x gravity?"
The term was foreign, but Rick would face anything.
"Fine. I'll walk out of here in a week." Rick stripped, revealing a toned torso. "Can I use all equipment?"
"Anything you want."
Arthur exited, closing the door.
"Good luck, kid..."