Insect Ruler
15 - Yuji

...[.DING DONG!]...

...[.CONGRATULATIONS HOST MANAGED TO LEVEL UP!]...

Ryuu stared at the notification status of the panel a moment longer, a joyous smile emanating on his face. He was satisfied with this achievement, although there was still much he had to accomplish.

However, there was something different about Yuji. His face looked dejected as he said, "I'm sorry my queen, I don't seem to be Level Up yet."

Ryuu glanced at Yuji, feeling pity at the disappointment in his eyes. However, he knew that Yuji had made a great contribution in the battle against this leopard monster. Although Ryuu may have killed these monsters with more contributions, he felt that Yuji was also entitled to more experience. However, this system is not entirely fair. Ryuu receives more XP than Yuji, as he had expected before.

"Ah... That was a pity..," Ryuu replied. "Then, maybe the best thing for now is for us to bleed here. Before bringing him back to our camp, it would be troublesome later if there were a savage monster with a keen sense of smell following us if we did not bleed out. So, what do you think?" ryuu asked with great firmness.

Yuji was gobsmacked with Ryuu's words full of strategy and ingenuity. His eyes widened as he watched Ryuu's mouth open wide, revealing his creepy insect mandible.

"Oh!! My queen's thoughts are indeed genius and extraordinary! You do indeed deserve the nickname 'Queen' Oh my noble Queen!" yuji exclaimed with admiration.

Although still awkward in her new role as queen, Ryuu tries to answer with an awkward smile.

"Huh...? Ano... Ahhe... Yes... Thank ye. In that case, please remove the blood quickly before sunset," he said in a soft but determined voice.

Yuji immediately knelt excessively before Ryuu, showing his sincere respect. "There is no need to thank me, my Queen. That's a fact. You deserve the title of Queen because of your genius. Ahem! According to your orders, I will do as you command. Oh, my noble Queen!!"

"Yes... Ba... Fine.." Ryuu replied with an awkward smile, still astonished by the respect Yuji had given him.

Yuji nodded his head respectfully, then he crouched down and split the body of the Leopard Monster with his sword.

He searched the blood vessels inside the monster's body and split them carefully. Fresh blood began to flow profusely, giving off an appetizing scent for Yuji and Ryuu.

In the midst of his consideration, Ryuu felt an inevitable thirst. His tongue poked out, resembling a predatory snake ready to pounce on its prey. However, he realized that this was normal for non-human beings especially in the wilderness, where they had to hunt or be hunted.

The next action was to decide whether they should dig a hole to hide the corpse of the Leopard.

However, due to the thirst that struck, Ryuu chose not to care about it. After all, hunger is a natural urge that cannot be ignored. With good intentions, Ryuu steps closer to help Yuji lift the heavy corpse.

Under unexpected circumstances, Ryuu tries to help lift the weight of the leopard Yuji has lifted.

However, to his surprise, the queen helped Yuji. This made Yuji directly protest to his queen in a serious tone, "Eh? What are you doing, my Queen?! This is my duty as a man and your loyal soldier! A good-looking queen like you does not deserve to do this kind of heavy physical work, because it is the work of a man. Please let me do this easy job. Besides, you've helped me a lot before against this Monster, and I see you seem to be exhausted. So, please sit down and rest first, O my noble Queen..."

Ryuu heard a serious remark from Yuji, who was looking at him sharply. Ryuu never thought that she was actually considered a weak woman by her Vanguard Warrior, Yuji.

However, Yuji does not know the fact that in Ryuu's body there is the soul of a married 47-year-old man, who has a wife in his old world as a human.

Ryuu feels the dilemma of having to pretend to be a weak woman in front of Yuji in order to keep his secret awake.

Ryuu follows the orders of his son Yuji awkwardly. In the darkness of the forest enveloping them, the corpses of the leopard monsters they raised became a terrifying shadow. However, to Ryuu, the biggest shadow was the disgust Yuji might see in him.

"Sit down, my queen," Yuji said in a soft but firm voice. Ryuu felt awkward about the call, especially since he was afraid of the strange look from his son. Although heaviest for Ryuu, he obeyed and sat a few steps away from his son who was still busy with the monster's corpse.

Yuji's warm smile made Ryuu feel disgusted at herself. He quickly distracts himself by offering food. "You must be hungry. Eat first, let me take care of the leftovers."

"Eh? Really...My queen?" hiss Yuji in surprise.

"Sure, it doesn't matter to me. After all, paying attention to the health and well-being of the soldiers is the job of the queen, right?"

Ryuu replied with nonsense, trying to ease his anxiety.

Despite that, Yuji still looked at her with a strange look that made her feel relieved. But actually, Yuji has the right to taste the results of his hunt.

"Really...Right. good.." muttered Yuji, his voice trembling as his queen's kindness emanated. This Vanguard warrior instantly lowered his head, teardrops streaming down his face.

He deliberately lowered his face so that the queen would not see him cry. Yuji felt touched by her Queen's attention to detail.

Yuji's heart and mind are blazing, increasingly determined to protect the queen. He did not want to leave his side of the queen.

With three pairs of hands in his possession, he used one pair of his hands to wipe away the tears streaming down his sinister face.

When Yuji made his strange move while wiping away his tears, Ryuu wondered more and more about what was going on.

"What are you doing?" ryuu asked with obvious confusion in his eyes.

However, Yuji did not lack a reasonable alibi. Quickly, he replied, "Ano... Um... Uh! A lot of this animal's blood accidentally splashed onto my face so my eyes are sore right now, my Queen." Enough reason made Ryuu give understanding.

"Oh, so. Well, please eat first," Ryuu said in a relaxed tone.

"B... Yes, Queen!" sahut Yuji with rather terrible enthusiasm.