Charles observed Holden's arrogant demeanor, thinking, He really doesn't regret anything until the very end. He had just witnessed the plump, poisonous insect intently listening to Yvette. If that insect could talk, he mused, it would probably fawn over her endlessly.

Andrew and Emmett then burst in from the courtyard, alerted by the explosions. Emmett surveyed the carnage—the bodies, the mess—his frown softening only upon seeing Yvette and Jeremiah unharmed.

"Jeremiah, Yvette, you're safe," Emmett said. "There's a crowd of villagers outside, watching but not entering."

Andrew wrinkled his nose. "This stench is overpowering. It's like a cesspool exploded."

"Yvette, Mr. Chavez, what happened? This smell is unbearable!" Andrew exclaimed.

Jeremiah's response was cold and intense. "Holden built a secret chamber where he bred poisonous insects using the bodies of abducted people."

Emmett's thoughts echoed, So, people actually breed poisonous insects this way? It's revolting and incredibly vicious.

Andrew, visualizing the process, felt nauseous. "Jeremiah, this man is the so-called chief of Dungo Village? He's responsible for all this?"

Holden, chin raised, eyes glinting darkly, remained defiant. "This is Dungo Village. If anything happens to me, the villagers won't let you go easily."

Andrew, enraged, kicked Holden. This bastard dares act so arrogantly after such heinous acts? He thinks he's the president or something, he thought.

Emmett restrained Andrew before he could strike again. "Calm down. Jeremiah and Yvette are here. They won't let this scum escape."

Andrew, though restrained, muttered, "Jeremiah, Yvette, make sure this trash gets what he deserves."

Yvette, lowering her gaze, produced a small, ornate box from her pocket. Holden's eyes widened in terror.

His hand trembled as he reached out. "What are you doing with that box? You… you opened it?"

He believed the explosion had destroyed the insects. Yvette, expressionless, brushed dust from her sleeve. Looking down at him, she offered a slow, chilling smile. Her refined features seemed mysterious in the smoky courtyard, her eyes fierce. Then, she calmly opened the box.

The small, poisonous insect, recently gorged on Winnie's flesh, emerged. Its previously swollen abdomen had shrunk remarkably fast.

Charles blinked. He hadn't anticipated such a voracious appetite and rapid metabolism.

Seeing the insect, Holden's eyes gleamed. He knew that under his control, it could quickly drain everyone's blood. Then, noticing the golden markings, he froze. "This… this is the poisonous insect king?"

He stared, disbelieving. This was the legendary insect king generations had sought to create. He had succeeded.

Holden erupted in chilling laughter, filling the courtyard. Pointing at Yvette, he sneered, "You're finished, bitch! I've created the insect king, and you all die here!"

He produced a flute and began to play. Minutes stretched into five.

Andrew scratched his ear. "Is this guy stupid? Five minutes already? Does he think he sounds good? He's torturing my ears!"

Emmett observed Holden's shift from smugness to desperate franticness. The flute, he guessed, controlled the insect king. But the insect's circling Yvette, seeming almost shy, baffled him.

Jeremiah watched impassively, his fingers tightening. Another rival? An insect? he thought.

Finally, as everyone's patience wore thin, Yvette acted. Looking at the hovering insect, she calmly said, "Eat him."

The insect darted towards Holden.

Holden screamed, "No! Don't come near me! I raised you! Kill them, and I'll feed you!"

The insect paused, wings quivering. Sweat streamed down Holden's face. He believed he'd been understood.

Emmett, Charles, and Andrew tensed. What if it attacks Yvette? they wondered.

The insect king turned towards Yvette, who stood lazily, her eyes narrowed, a cool indifference touched with wildness.

"You want to die?" Yvette's voice was icy.

The insect shuddered and plunged into Holden.

Holden clutched his chest, disbelieving. "You… you control it? How?"

Yvette, hands in her pockets, seemed serene, almost radiantly beautiful. "I don't control it. It's intelligent and knows it'll die if disobedient."

Holden shook his head. "No way! How could it fear you?"

Charles grimaced, remembering Yvette's earlier effect on the swarm. If Holden had seen that, he thought, he wouldn't be so incredulous.

Holden's strength failed; he collapsed, writhing in pain. His cries weakened, ceased. His body shriveled, leaving only skin and bones.

This gruesome sight stunned Bonnie, who had just entered. She gasped, "Yvette!"

Andrew, seeing Bonnie, rushed to her. "Bonnie, are you alright?"

Bonnie ran into his arms. "You're finally here… I was afraid I'd never see you again."