Stepping into the house, Simon immediately noticed a change.
There was an extra small bed.
On the bed, a thick red velvet blanket was piled up, encasing a smooth, glistening insect egg.
"Is this… your and Paya's child?"
Nati nodded reservedly, "Yes, my main task now is to watch this egg. Paya told me to keep a close eye on it and not to sleep. I was so tired just now that I couldn't help but fall asleep on the floor." He couldn't suppress his happy emotions, his tone very gentle and joyful, "Oh, you don't know, the ground is very cold. If you hadn't come and Paya hadn't woken me up, I don't know how long I would have slept!"
As Nati spoke, he also observed Simon's emotions. Seeing him nod continuously, his heart grew even more joyful. However, he also promptly stopped the urge to continue pouring out family matters and began to inquire about Simon's experiences.
They sat on the edge of the bed, just as always, chatting under the soft lamplight.
The Weaver larvae, summoned by the Charm, curled up obediently by the bed and began to doze.
Simon was not in a hurry to take out the mask. He patiently narrated his journey while waiting for Paya.
Simon, whose oral expression was not outstanding, recounted his colorful adventures in a dry manner, reflecting the absence of superfluous vanity in his heart. In his abridged story, he played the role of an unremarkable wanderer, chatting happily with other kind insects; everyone was very friendly, with virtually no conflict. Of course, in reality, Simon had dealt with all the unfriendly ones, and he had sought out conflict at every step.
But he certainly couldn't tell his family these things.
"Yes, the City of Tears always rains, Paya should know… The Queen's Gardens are very beautiful, the old Queen is amazing and very kind, she gave each of us a gift… Kingdom's Edge is so beautiful, it's snowing and feathers are drifting… Riding a Stag Beetle is very comfortable… Mantis Village is very hospitable, the leader is very capable…"
Paya entered the room, sat on the small bed, gently stroking the smooth insect egg with one hand, and looked up at the two males, reunited after a long separation, listening to Simon's lengthy words and Nati's exclamations.
Simon quickly finished his story, "…The Mask Maker is very good. He made the old Queen's gift into something good. I'll show you."
He took three masks out of his pocket, giving the three-holed mask to Paya, the four-holed mask to Nati, and keeping the multi-holed mask for himself.
"This is what I was talking about, the method to resist infection!" Simon's tone was serious, "I can't be sure what changes will occur when wearing it yet. I will wear it first. You observe the situation. If I am safe and sound, and my mind is clear, then you can wear the masks!"
Nati had been relaxed, but upon hearing these words, his emotions became a little agitated. He vaguely sensed the crisis information hinted at in Simon's words and became extremely terrified, even jumping up, "Didn't you say it was a gift? Why is there still danger? No! Don't take risks. Such a dangerous thing, maybe we shouldn't use it!"
Paya quickly stopped him, "Nati! Be quiet!"
Nati, hearing this, felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him and indeed calmed down. He pursed his lips and paced around the bed. After four or five circles, he stopped and said very seriously to Simon: "How about this, I'll try wearing it first… No, listen to me. You are still young, you haven't found a female insect yet, you don't have children. I have all these things. Little fellow, by all accounts, I am an old insect who can face death at any time. I cannot let a child like you gamble your life!"
Simon, however, only retorted heavily, "Protecting you is my path of honor."
Nati's hard-won facade of strength was shattered by a single sentence. He fell into an unusually deep sense of nostalgia and dejection. However, he was optimistic by nature, and in just a moment, he cheered up again. This time, he lacked the courage to continue persuading and could only turn his gaze to Paya.
Paya was a little distracted, constantly stroking the insect egg in her hand. She was choosing her words.
For a moment, no one spoke. The small house, which had just been harmonious and joyful, fell into a frightening silence.
"Little fellow, you have always been a very determined insect. We all understand this. We cannot stop you, or become an obstacle to your progress. We all believe in you. I can only wish you safe passage." After she finished speaking, she exhaled a long breath, as if relieved.
Nati pointed at Paya and shouted, "You always choose to support him! You don't know that if something happened to him, I…"
He couldn't continue, like a bullet jamming before leaving the barrel.
Simon stepped forward and gently patted Nati's back, "I know, I know everything…"
Nati turned to face Simon, looking up slightly, their gazes intertwined. Simon saw a certain inexplicable flickering light in his eyes. Nati stammered, "Oh, little fellow, even if there's a one in ten thousand chance, I want to bear these burdens for you!"
"No need, this is just another battle on my path. It's foreseeable, I will be fine."
Simon hugged Nati again, then nodded to Paya, and then sat on the bed, gently placing the mask on his face.
Snow-white silk threads surged out like a tide, flying and swirling, covering Simon's body. The sleeping Weaver larvae were startled awake. They jumped up and merged into the sky-full of silk threads, looking like drops of water falling into a pond. But the reality was that skilled weaving masters had run into the material; they were busy within the silk ball, and the silk threads visibly became neat and orderly, layer upon layer, enveloping Simon.
Simon's vision plunged into darkness, his heart unusually calm.
From an ordinary insect to a Vessel, this was a huge leap in the level of life.
The process would certainly not be smooth sailing, and it would inevitably be full of risks. Anything could happen. What Simon had to do was to strive to survive.
He felt himself tightly bound, and then the cocoon that enveloped him was lifted and hung in a high place.
But these things were no longer worth Simon's consideration.
A pure white, misty liquid flowed out from the mask's eye holes, filling the cramped space inside the cocoon.
Simon felt himself melting, little by little: carapace, eyeballs, internal organs, brain.
He transformed into a misty liquid.
Losing the basis for thought, Simon's consciousness also began to blur.
Vaguely, in the deep darkness where sight was lost.
A golden light illuminated all directions.
The Dream World rushed in like a train, hitting him with a sudden impact, causing his soul to leave his body.
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
There should be... around 20+ advanced chapters?
[email protected]/Greyhounds
If you guys wanna check it out.