Chapter 16: The Sixteenth Iron Pillar

Aboard the already departed transport ship.

“The destination this voyage is a satellite of Einfan Port. We expect to land in twenty-two hours and thirty minutes. During the journey, if you encounter any issues, please consult the attendants. Any destructive fighting is strictly prohibited.” The announcement echoed through every corner of the transport vessel.

“I’m going to the restroom. This place is full of all kinds of people, so don’t wander off,” Alvis said cautiously after boarding the ship.

Crescent gave a perfunctory nod.

Alvis hurried away.

On the Exile Planet, Crescent had only seen worker bees once before—in the initial black market. Back then, that worker bee was broken, her spine crushed, trapped in a small cage, and so famished she was unrecognizable.

But now, Crescent saw a worker bee again.

She had heard that worker bees were very fit, and indeed, this one was.

A woman over 1.8 meters tall with long curly hair, heavily made up, her figure fiery, with two long, straight legs stretched forward.

Between her sun-kissed, slender fingers, she held a cigarette. Noticing someone staring, the woman glanced over.

Crescent saw the subtle upward flick of her eyes—she looked intrigued.

They were only three seats apart, not far.

“Hey, little sis, you’re so tiny—are you even an adult?” The smoke curled from the woman’s red lips, seductive and dazzling.

Crescent didn’t answer but asked in return, “Isn’t it allowed to board if you’re not an adult?”

The woman laughed heartily, then rose from her seat. Wearing knee-high boots with heels, she appeared even taller standing.

With long strides, she quickly approached Crescent.

The woman seemed familiar with the transport ship, pressing some buttons on the table and chairs, and a small stool popped up beside her.

She sat down without hesitation. “This is the first time I’ve seen such a tiny worker bee—you’re adorable.”

Her words were true; this worker bee was indeed adorable, so much so she wanted to pinch her cheeks.

Crescent looked on with disdain.

Why did that sound so unpleasant?

“Are you born on the Exile Planet?” The woman, clearly noticing Crescent had just boarded this batch of ships, asked.

“Something like that,” Crescent replied without denial.

That answer confirmed to the woman that Crescent was likely a hybrid.

In some ways, the Bee Clan was much like the Wolf Clan, with a strict hierarchy.

Rank was determined solely by strength.

In the past, Catherine would have had no interest in a worker bee who seemed frail, perhaps due to genetic defects.

But today was different.

She couldn’t explain why, but she felt a strong urge to approach and talk to her—perhaps even learn her name.

Of course, Catherine didn’t know that all these unusual feelings were caused by Crescent’s pheromones.

Inhibitors could only block scent, but even if undetectable, the Bee Clan’s brains would instinctively react, triggering a sense of joyful excitement.

“I’m Catherine. Nice to meet you. We’re all headed to the satellite of Einfan Port for training—maybe we’ll even get dorms,” Catherine introduced herself.

Crescent estimated Catherine’s height, feeling a bit down, but she generously gave her name. “Crescent.”

Catherine’s smile deepened. “Pleased to meet you.”

Crescent asked, “I heard this transport ship is from Seva. Are you from Seva?”

“Not exactly, but I stayed on Seva for three years. This time, I’m here at the palace’s call to serve on the frontier,” Catherine said, taking a drag from the cigarette held between her fingers.

Alvis returned quickly and immediately spotted Catherine almost squeezed beside Crescent on the same stool.

The red-eyed male bee frowned at once, displeased that in his brief absence, another bee was clinging to his Highness.

Yet, looking at Catherine, Alvis felt a strange sense of familiarity.

It was familiar indeed, but if pressed for a name, he couldn’t recall.

Still, that didn’t stop him from separating her from Crescent.

“I just passed the dining hall; they’re ready to serve. Shall we go now?” Alvis asked.

Perhaps from hunger, Crescent was always enthusiastic about meals.

“Of course,” she replied, eager to eat.

This should have ended her conversation with Catherine, but unexpectedly, Catherine also intended to eat.

“This is definitely a good time to eat,” Catherine said, stubbing out her cigarette.

Alvis’s expression darkened, but he restrained himself. The three of them walked toward the dining hall together.

Along the way, many male bees cast curious glances at Crescent.

The dining hall aboard the transport ship was at least a hundred square meters and operated as a buffet. Food was placed on a revolving conveyor belt, flowing like a stream of plates.

Not to mention, Crescent thought the meals were quite good—varied dishes, dazzling to the eye, no less than a restaurant.

Crescent’s group arrived early, free to choose any table and food.

“Sis, didn’t expect you to have such an appetite,” Catherine suddenly appeared beside her.

Crescent looked down at her plate, piled with roasted meats from all over.

“I can finish it,” Crescent said confidently.

“Eat more vegetables for balanced nutrition.” Catherine used metallic tongs to add some greens to Crescent’s plate.

“These greens come from indoor greenhouses, nurtured with special nutrient solutions. Try them—they’re slightly sweet. A little girl like you would surely like them.”

Looking at the glossy vegetables, Crescent thought she could give them a try.

After filling her plate, Crescent chose a window seat.

Outside, the stars stretched endlessly, the galaxy radiant—a jewel box spilled by a careless fairy, both stunning and beautiful.

Crescent had never seen the Milky Way before. She was born in the cold, heartless White Lab and escaped into the silent, desolate dark night.

Black and white were perhaps the most vivid colors in her memory.

But now, the colorful galaxy looked like paint spilled across the sky, speckled with countless stars—a masterpiece no artist could ever create.

“Miss, it’s time to eat. Cold food doesn’t taste good,” Alvis softly reminded her.

Crescent first finished some of the roasted meat on her plate, then turned to the vegetables.

After pondering, she finally decided to try them.

The first bite made her pause.

They were really sweet, with good texture and flavor—but roasted meats still tasted better.

She took another bite and slowly ate the greens.

Crescent: satisfied.jpg

Catherine watched with amusement, suddenly realizing how much she enjoyed seeing the little worker bee’s expressions change.

So adorable.

“Here, have some more.” Catherine brought two plates, one meat and one vegetables.

She pushed the untouched vegetable plate forward.

“What would you like? I can get it for you,” Alvis couldn’t hold back any longer.

He felt this woman was trying to replace him.

“There’s plenty here, no need for you to make another trip,” Catherine said, her eyes narrowing slightly. Though her face showed nothing, she found it odd.

She sensed the red-eyed male bee was powerful. The strong rule. Normally, he wouldn’t treat Crescent with such formality.

Could Crescent come from a powerful family?

But just as the thought surfaced, Catherine crushed it.

She remembered he said Crescent was from the Exile Planet—a dump-like place no major family would even glance at twice.

The atmosphere during the meal was somewhat strange. Crescent focused on eating, while Alvis and Catherine tested each other, occasionally both offering Crescent food.

An invisible tension hung in the air.

After the meal, Crescent wandered throughout the accessible areas of the transport ship.

Later, as scheduled, it was time to sleep. The giant egg-shaped seats transformed into neat personal pods during rest.

The voyage continued.

Twenty-two hours later, the announcement sounded.

“Attention all Bee Clan warriors: An important message interruption. We will land on the satellite of Einfan Port in thirty minutes. However, if you expect clean, tidy dormitories to greet you, I regret to inform you that your hopes will be dashed.”