The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 772: "Counter Point"

As the woman rose to her feet, Hailey stared at her intently. That intense gleam in the woman’s eyes—having now felt the exact same pull toward Apollo, she understood perfectly how Milanna was gazing upon her.

It unnerved her completely... ’How in the world does Apollo manage those kinds of adoring stares from a bunch of women simultaneously?’

No chance to dwell on what this said about herself, because Milanna jumped up and shrieked once more.

"Hailey! My love! What are you doing here?!? This is the greatest thing to happen to me since our last encounter! How about a kiss to mark this lucky reunion?"

Hailey scowled at those words, barely holding back the temptation to slug Milanna. Gripping the container tightly helped immensely. "Excuse me, Milanna. I’m in a committed relationship. Even if I found you attractive, which I don’t, I wouldn’t kiss you. I never cheat on my man."

At those words, Milanna flashed a hint of animosity in her tone. "Oh, but you’re totally okay with him thrusting his dick into however many women?"

Hailey’s head snapped sharply several times as she squeezed her eyes shut, unable to face the woman standing there.

"I-I’m sorry, that was way out of line, Princess. I-It’s just... I’m just... Sorry..." Milanna’s voice rang with sincere regret, so Hailey reopened her eyes and released a heavy sigh.

"Fine, if you say so... So what brings you here, Mil? Mil?" Hailey repeated her nickname for Milanna. She watched blood start streaming from Milanna’s nostrils.

"H-H-Hailey. T-Tiara. hahhh~" The woman swooned outright and tumbled backward. Hailey simply stood motionless, her face stoic. Utterly unentertained.

Moments afterward, Milanna leaped upright, struck a boxer’s pose, and threw a couple of gentle punches before realizing her folly. She averted her gaze to dodge more humiliation, fished a handkerchief from her jacket to plug her nose, then asked in puzzlement.

"Same reason as you, I’d bet? You joining the-"

"-Milanna Greyard. The King will see you now. I advise sealing your lips. You nearly leaked military secrets." A Praetorian interrupted, striding from the doorway to escort Milanna within.

Stunned by the announcement, Milanna queried. "Hold on, why are you here then?" Her eyes flicked to the centurions, then Hailey, repeating the motion several times.

Centurions, Hailey, centurions, tiara—her nosebleed surged, triggering shivers before she refocused on Hailey’s gorgeous eyes.

"I-I have to go. Catch up soon? M’kay?"

...

Hailey kept waiting a bit longer. Unable to concentrate once more, she observed the cleaners wiping up the bloodstain, then sat quietly afterward until her turn finally came.

A techno-mechanic emerged through the Praetorians’ guarded doors, and right then, the pair of Praetorians headed down the hallway, their task apparently finished.

"Princess Hailey? The King will see you now. Just the two of you, as he requested." The robed woman departed too, bowing toward her nonstop.

Hailey exhaled her lingering jitters—she trusted Apollo’s invention without reservation.

She proceeded to the doors and stepped inside. Instantly, Sigismund rose from his seat and threw his arms wide.

"There she is! Where’ve you been? I awaited you yesterday. Apologies for the delay, classified matters... Woah! Dressed to kill! That tiara all the way out here in the boonies will spread fast. You didn’t come messing around."

A subtle grin crossed Hailey’s face at Sigismund’s vibe. He’d always been gentle with her, a welcome contrast to his battlefield savagery. She’d forgotten his compact build when relaxed, used to craning up at Apollo, Orchid, and the old witch—proving stature didn’t measure might.

"Yes, my King. I am-"

"Whoa! ’My King’? Already yanking my heartstrings? Love it. Going all out. Hug first—I haven’t seen you since Elaine’s bash, and ages prior."

Hailey placed the box down—an order from her king and uncle. She hugged the man. Pulling away, she glanced around the chamber briefly, perplexed. No other entrances to this conference room, and Milanna plus those inside Praetorians hadn’t left with the techno-mechanic.

’Strange.’

*Clap*

"Alright then, my darling. Ready to check out your delivery?" Sigismund rubbed his hands eagerly while nearing the case.

Hailey furrowed her brow at the term ’darling’, yet she overlooked it because Sigismund was revealing his genuine, relaxed nature and merely showing kindness. ’Besides, he’s a eunuch, so nothing to worry about.’ She thought this inwardly before stepping beside him and resting her hand atop the case.

"Indeed, as a royal of this empire, I firmly believe this drug will prove revolutionary and might even supplant the Lyssa drug with future modifications."

Sigismund stroked his stubbled beard thoughtfully. "Supplant Lyssa, eh... I must admit, that appeals to me. Someone like me, battered by intense emotions nearly every day, understands the devastation a rage inflicts and the mental strain it causes. Very well, let’s open it. Time to see what Sentinel Apollo has produced... Ooh, I feel like a virgin during bacchanalia. I’m thrilled... Metaphorically, of course, since I can’t- Just open the box already."

Hailey proceeded to open the case, and with a sharp crack, the airtight seal broke, revealing a substantial quantity of the drug in its present form along with accompanying documents.

Sigismund dismissed the paperwork entirely and grabbed one of the pills, cracking it open to inhale its contents. "Hmm, no chemical odor at all? You said the other day that you’ve tried the drug yourself?"

Hailey nodded affirmatively. "Yes, and that’s precisely why I’m here in my Tiara, embarrassing myself before all the Phalanx."

Sigismund chuckled and gave Hailey a light pat on the back, though she fought back a wince of pain. "Hah! I get that feeling too, kid—I look like a complete fool whenever I have to dress up. Remove it if you like; you’ve already left your mark."

His focus shifted right away. "Oh, an inhaler? That’s clever." Sigismund lifted the inhaler to his lips, preparing to sample the drug, when

*SLAM!*

"Set that down, you impatient brute! Have you lost your senses?!?" A amplified female voice boomed as she forced her way through the doors. "I warned you: despite Sentinel Lambdason’s brilliant mind, this drug requires testing on subjects first before you ingest it! You’re too high-risk!"

"Jocasta!" Sigismund exclaimed joyfully, then abruptly noticed her companion. He slipped into kingly demeanor with a cough. "Good of you to come. Given our shared interest in the supplier, I figured you’d be among the first here." He pivoted to the young man with her and offered a commanding smile.

"So, young man, you must be."

"Ronnie?" Hailey blurted out in shock. He appeared changed from his photos—bald head with metallic temp augments protruding. Yet as captain of the vessel that delivered Apollo to her, she instantly knew his face.

Ronnie faced Hailey and grinned. "Princess Hailey, it’s a true honor to meet you face-to-face. Apollo praised you greatly."

"Hehe." Hailey giggled briefly before reining it in.

"You know this guy, Hailey? Jocasta, those temp augments on him seem bulkier than his entire frame."

Jocasta slapped her apprentice’s back reassuringly. "Per our contract, I installed only what he consented to, and he’s tougher than appearances suggest. I’ll concede he’s sacrificed some physical power since the temps, but they’re essential for his training and entry to nearly all of my facility."

Hailey breathed a silent sigh of relief that Sigismund’s distraction spared her from explaining her familiarity with Ronnie via the massive dossier on Apollo from before their romance...

"So, why bring the young fellow, Jocasta?"

"Why? He’s my apprentice and Apollo’s close friend. It’s logical for him to be here. Also, I figured he could test it before you, as he consented. I’m intrigued by its effects on him for study. This gene-enhancement and augmenting contrasts sharply with my own methods, so I’m keen to broaden my knowledge." She pondered aloud while grasping a syringe with a metallic tendril.

"Hmm." Sigismund murmured, stroking his chin. "Fair enough. Still, allow me a counterargument?"

*Tssk!*

The hiss of an inhaler echoed through the room, trailed by a piercing binaric cry of alarm.