Ex Hunter Current Queen, All That’s Left Is the Actual Battle

Translator: White Lotus 

“Hmm… It seems there’s some kind of misunderstanding. Let me reassure you: there’s no need for you to worry about such a matter.” Calint spoke in a calm, measured tone, unbothered by Jackson’s outburst and by the rather blunt declaration that Jackson found him sexually repulsive.

“What?”

“Jackson, you are my queen. Though you are a human male, which means you won’t be called a queen in the traditional sense, you are still my queen and must carry out the duties of that role.”

“And that means…?”

“It means that you will be the one to receive the genitalia, to bear the eggs. Not the other way around.”

“What?”

Oh, no. He should’ve realized something was off from the moment they’d put him in that dress. Jackson had assumed that he would naturally be on the giving end—after all, this young-looking bug creature before him was just a kid in his eyes. But he couldn’t have been more mistaken.

This damned bug intended to make him stand in as a substitute for a female mate. Jackson’s face darkened, fading from pale to nearly ashen at the realization.

“What the hell kind of crazy talk is that? Huh? Does that even seem possible to you?”

Jackson’s eyes darted around, unable to stay still. He didn’t want to look, but anxiety forced his gaze back down to Calint’s lower body. Was there actually a cock hidden under that hard, shiny exoskeleton down there? From the outside, all he could see was the smooth, gleaming carapace.

It was one thing to consider having sex with an insect, but to think he might have to bear eggs? It was absurd, almost like some fever dream. No human man could get pregnant, and it was scientifically impossible for two different species to produce offspring together. Jackson didn’t know much about biology, but he at least knew that much.

“I understand. This situation is new for us, too,” Calint said, his voice still gentle.

Calint crossed one arm over his chest and stroked his chin thoughtfully. He could understand Jackson’s fiery reaction, and he was fully aware that their different species made it impossible for Jackson to conceive.

“Still, I’ve always been known for my perseverance. I’ll make sure things work out in the end, so there’s no need to worry.”

“For fuck’s sake, what exactly do you think you’re going to ‘make work’?”

Jackson rubbed his forehead, thinking that if he’d been hypotensive before, this kingdom would have cured him in under three days. A migraine pulsed behind his eyes. This crazy bug king seemed able to speak human language, but trying to communicate with him was like talking to a wall.

“I’m talking about you, Jackson. You are my queen—”

“That ‘queen’ thing of yours… You can stop hammering that in, Mr. Bug King. Just be honest with me. Do you actually want to marry me?”

the young Arachron held his ground, unshaken even by the sarcasm in Jackson’s voice.

“An Arachron king has no real choice in marriage. The queen is determined automatically.”

“Unbelievable. Do you even have a mind of your own? Do you actually want to live with me?”

“Yes, I do.”

“But why on earth?”

Jackson nearly leapt from where he stood. None of this made sense. What kind of creature could willingly decide to live with a total stranger, let alone one from an entirely different species? Jackson, who barely tolerated his own kind, couldn’t begin to understand.

Calint answered with a faint smile, one that reached just to the corners of his mouth.

“Because you’re the queen I chose myself.”

Calint knew full well that his answer wouldn’t convince the other party. The human had no idea what the freedom to choose a queen meant to an Arachron king. Weighing how best to explain, Calint lowered his voice a notch.

“As I said, the Arachron king doesn’t normally have any freedom in marriage. But… this time was an exception.”

“You’re saying you chose me?”

Jackson sounded almost bewildered as he echoed Calint’s words. What could Calint possibly know about him to have selected him as his queen? Even these primitive insect creatures should understand that a penniless, foul-smelling man wouldn’t exactly be their ideal choice.

Seeing that Jackson’s tone had finally softened, the spider king replied with a gentle laugh, amused.

“Yes, that’s right. Originally, the young lady of the Tashint family was meant to be queen. But then you came along, and the whole matter turned into quite a commotion… Ultimately, between Lylis and you, I chose you, Jackson.”

“….. To be honest, it feels like my soul’s still back there at the wedding hall. I don’t understand any of this. Why on earth would you…..”

Why on earth would you do such a crazy thing? Jackson was too exasperated to finish his sentence, a weight settling over his chest. He was certain the word he’d spoken most today was “why.” This damn spider had to be absolutely out of his mind.

“Because I didn’t want Lylis to be queen,” Calint explained, straightforward and unruffled. “And you know what that means. Purging. For Lylis to sit as queen, you’d have to die.”

The young monster with a beautiful face spoke plainly, laying out the facts without hesitation. He sensed that honesty would work better with the fiercely defiant human queen than secrecy. Fortunately, Calint’s strategy seemed to be paying off, as the deep lines between Jackson’s brows began to soften.

“Oh, so that’s it? High and mighty Bug King didn’t want to marry a bug queen, huh? Well, you should have just said that in the first place.”

Jackson’s voice had brightened considerably. It was as though everything finally made sense, and his tone had turned a shade lighter.

Of course. People sitting on thrones always have their own way. Jackson quite liked the idea that Calint had placed him here simply to dodge an unwanted marriage. This wasn’t some deranged spider with a bizarre fetish suddenly proposing to him—it was actually a lot more normal, political, and coldly practical.

“That may not be the whole reason, but for now, let’s say it is.”

“No, there’s no need to explain further. I get it.”

Jackson almost felt like he’d been returned to the world he knew. It was comforting to realize that Calint hadn’t chosen him out of any affection but rather as a disposable shield.

That spider might be trying to play it prim and proper, but he was probably cut from the same cloth as Francis. The mercenary’s life had taught Jackson never to trust people who were overly polite or accommodating. Those types always had a way of turning around and stabbing you in the back; their sweet words were a mask.

Right. So, that son of a bitch Francis sold me off here. Makes perfect sense.

There’d been some kind of deal. The monster king, unwilling to wed a despised female, must have allied with the humans and hired a mercenary to disrupt the process. Jackson kept his guard up, suspecting that Calint and Francis were probably in on this together.

“So, that’s that, isn’t it? I’m just a puppet queen, aren’t I? But why do I even have to share a bed with you?”

“Jackson….. You’re the queen. And one of the queen’s main duties is to secure an heir for the throne. If we don’t produce an heir, Lylis won’t sit by quietly. You’ll be killed.”

“Oh my, thinking about sleeping with someone you don’t even want just because you want to keep your shield for a long time. How much must you dislike that woman?”

“Ha…”

Jackson’s sneer seemed endless, and at last, even Calint couldn’t hold back a sigh. He knew humans could be stubborn, but this was beyond expectation. At this rate, he understood why the conservative faction had protested so fiercely against opening the gates to humans.

“Listen closely, Jackson. First, you are not some hastily chosen shield to help me avoid an unwanted marriage.”

“Wh-…”

Jackson started to object, but Calint raised a finger to his lips, gesturing for him to listen.

“Second, I regret pulling you into this, and for that reason, I plan to protect you. In other words, I do not want to see you dead.”

With that, Calint knelt down in front of Jackson to meet his gaze. Only after folding his legs beneath him did he come level with the human standing before him.

Calint’s face was serious, without a hint of his usual smile. Jackson tensed, instinctively pulling back.

“Don’t even think about deceiving me with sweet words. There’s no need to treat someone like a disposable tool—something you can use and throw away—with such kindness. It’s obvious that it doesn’t align with your calculations.”

Jackson growled as he glared at the monster’s beautiful face. It was clear that the flattery and promises of protection were nothing but exaggerated lies, an attempt to coax and appease him because he still had some use left. As a hunter who had grown accustomed to distrusting others, he desperately tried to figure out the real reason why Calint was acting so friendly.

What does this guy have to gain by buttering me up? And what did that bastard Francis get out of selling me off here?

Seeing the mistrust flicker across Jackson’s face, Calint gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You think I’m going to betray you, don’t you?”

“What, why’s your face…?”

The sudden closeness left Jackson speechless. He couldn’t complete his sentence and his thoughts too were thrown off by just how close Calint’s face was. For all his provoking words, this spider never raised his voice, never retaliated cruelly, and never resorted to punishment.

And that only made Jackson angrier. If Calint had yelled back, acted violently, or even threatened him with punishment, it might’ve been easier to deal with.

Not knowing where to look, Jackson grew even more flustered. This guy’s eyes were nothing like human eyes made of irises and pupils. They were like gemstones, a faint, soft blue light shimmering behind those jewel-like eyes.

Betrayal? What the hell does he know?

Did those strange eyes see right through him? Jackson bit his lip, unable to respond, feeling as though Calint had struck the heart of his thoughts.

Noting the expression on Jackson’s face, Calint continued in a gentle voice.

“It must mean I haven’t earned your trust. I understand. From your perspective, it’s probably been one strange, unsettling situation after another… I’ll have to change my approach. Let’s try this.”

Jackson’s dark eyes flickered slightly. He looked into the eight blue crystal-like eyes of the spider and saw his own reflection—a face twisted in pain and fear, like a frightened child. He despised himself for showing such a face, and tension spread through his body.

“I’m sure you’re clever enough to consider this. If you’ll play the role of queen, I’ll meet your demands. Anything you’d like, as long as it’s not something like renouncing the title of queen or leaving.”

“What kind of ridiculous…”

“Two weeks. Let’s make it two weeks. For two weeks, perform your role as queen, and for each demand, I’ll fulfill it. You may ask for gold and jewels, or attend royal council meetings, if you wish.”

What a meticulous piece of work. Jackson took a deep breath. Was this obsession with roles unique to Calint, or was it a trait of his entire race? Either way, it was a deeply irritating tendency.

“So, you’ll grant me any wish I ask for?”

“If you ask for something completely unreasonable, I may refuse. But remember, I am the king. I can grant more wishes than you might think.”

Calint knew how to handle someone like Jackson. Men like him were highly distrustful and calculating. If they felt they might gain something from a situation, they’d often take the bait without question.

“Oh? Well, something just came to mind.”

Jackson accepted the proposal, even though he could tell Calint was playing games. He’d noticed earlier that this monster’s grip was no joke. He might be calm and polite now, but…. there was no guarantee he wouldn’t crush Jackson’s skull if things went south.

Keep calm. There’s a way out of this. As long as I stay sharp…..

Jackson swallowed dryly, choosing his words carefully. Getting out of this with force would be nearly impossible, so his best bet was to make a wish that would secure his safety first. Then he’d think of a way to escape.

“Abstain from sex for two weeks. And if you so much as try to stick your dick in me, I get to cut it off.”

Jackson had given it as much thought as possible. After all, fulfilling this role as queen would inevitably mean sharing a bed with Calint. Without a wish for abstinence, he might as well consider it set in stone.

“…… Although I kind of expected it, it’s quite a bold request. But very well.”

“…….”

Jackson was taken aback when the king accepted the condition without protest, but he held his tongue, deciding it was best not to press the matter. No need to make trouble over it.

“Please, have a seat on my bed for a moment. I’ll have something brought up to stave off your hunger.”

“…But, how long am I expected to wear this packaging of an outfit? I’d rather have my own clothes back.”

“Ah, the attendants likely took them to be laundered. In the meantime, perhaps you’ll wear this. It’s an overcoat for morning walks, so it should be warm enough.”

Calint handed Jackson his cloak, the one he wore on his morning walks. The Arachron, due to their different body structure and natural resistance to the cold, hadn’t developed a complex culture of dress. Especially with their elongated, scorpion-like lower bodies, they rarely wore anything on their lower halves. So, finding anything that would fit a human’s lower body was, frankly, impossible.

“Hah…”

Taking the cloak, Jackson couldn’t suppress a deep sigh of resignation. The cloak was made of a silken, semi-transparent material, designed with the Arachron’s four-armed anatomy in mind, so it had four sleeves. To make matters worse, it was thin and airy.

He wasn’t sure how it was made, but interwoven into the translucent fabric were threads of gold that shimmered beautifully. From what he’d seen since the ceremony, these spider-folk seemed to have a fondness for things that glittered. But even if it was an exquisitely crafted garment, Jackson, who’d worn nothing but black his whole life, could only think of it as some flimsy wisp of cloth that looked like fairy wings.

He nearly demanded if this was really the best they could offer but stopped himself. Instead, he threw a line at Calint.

“I’m going to change, so either look away or get out. Pick one.”

“I’ll avert my gaze. Change as you please.”

If any of the palace attendants or other Arachron were to witness this, it would surely shock them. No one dared to speak to King Calint in such a way, yet here was Jackson, a mere human, doing precisely that.

The Spider King, however, didn’t seem the least bit perturbed. In the first place, Calint had no intention of pointing out the fact that Jackson wasn’t treating him like a king. Expecting a man who’d never known royalty to abide by intricate court manners was unreasonable, after all. And Jackson had come from the lowest rungs of human society, far removed from anything refined or genteel.

Still, Calint couldn’t allow Jackson to act rudely forever. While he himself could overlook such behavior, the other nobles would certainly not tolerate it.

It seems I’ll need to tame the queen a little.

As he pondered the matter of teaching Jackson proper etiquette, Calint summoned a servant. While the servant departed to prepare a simple meal for the queen, Jackson continued wrestling with his dress.

Damn it, no wonder I can’t breathe. They’ve tied this thing so tight.

The palace servants had fastened the dress so meticulously, securing the waist with tight knots, that taking it off alone was nearly impossible. Jackson, with his well-built frame and taut muscles across his arms and back, couldn’t reach far enough to grasp the knot in the middle of his back. His fingers merely flailed around, failing to find a hold.

“Fucking hell!”

Finally, unable to bear the frustration any longer, Jackson yanked at the dress in a fit of irritation. This hot-tempered hunter was not known for his patience.

Despite its delicate, translucent appearance—like thin plastic film—the dress wouldn’t tear or even stretch. He’d only managed to rip the decorative knot in the back during the ceremony, and that had taken considerable effort.

“Shall I help you?”

“I said, don’t look! I can handle it myself, so just leave me alone.”

Jackson snapped back at Calint before the spider king could even finish his sentence. Then he immediately returned to tugging furiously at the fabric.

Damn it, so it’s not plastic—it’s rubber.

The dress crafted for the new queen was absurdly elastic. It was only now that Jackson understood why it hadn’t ripped, no matter how much he stepped on it, twisted his body, or otherwise put it through abuse.

“This is driving me insane….”

In the end, the impatient human male finally surrendered to the stubbornly clinging fabric. He had no choice but to admit that taking off this dress on his own was an impossible feat.

“Hey, Mr. Spider King, come here for a second.”

For someone who had confidently insisted he could handle it himself just three minutes earlier, his surrender came surprisingly fast. Forced to ask for help, his earlier form of address for Calint naturally upgraded from “Bug King” to “Spider King.”

“Spider King? Who might you be calling for?”

Hearing Jackson’s grumbling, Calint couldn’t resist letting a playful grin spread across his face. Still facing away from him, he responded with mock confusion, his amusement barely concealed. Jackson, oblivious to the way Calint’s mouth curved into a wide crescent, revealing faint glimpses of his small fangs like a mischievous boy, raised his voice in frustration.

“Are you deliberately ignoring me just because I told you not to look? Get over here already!”

“Were you calling for me? But I’m not the Spider King.”

“For god’s sake! You’re determined to get on my nerves about every little thing!”

“Now, now…. If you call my name properly and sweetly, I’ll come help you.”

Jackson regretted calling him over. It wasn’t just the demand to use his name—it had to be done sweetly. This was no different from outright picking a fight. If Calint wasn’t satisfied, he’d undoubtedly claim it wasn’t sweet enough and make Jackson repeat himself.

Even so, there wasn’t much else he could do. Jackson had no intention of keeping this ridiculous dress on for a second longer than necessary.