Who understands? The aloof female ruler always flirts without even realizing it.

Before he could answer, Shen Yan continued slowly and deliberately:

"Besides, my husband is General Calander, and since the pastries I made myself are of some small help to the female soldiers..."

He paused, clearly seeing the glint of light in Herbert's eyes, before slowly revealing his conditions and outlining his absolute bottom line:

"For the sake of my partner, I can provide the Imperial army with some food imbued with spiritual energy on a regular and ration basis as a special supply."

His tone shifted abruptly, his eyes turning icy and sharp, a stark contrast to his usual gentle demeanor, causing even Karandal beside him to feel a chill.

"but."

Shen Yan spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice as cold as ice.

"If the Empire or any other power dares to have any further thoughts about this, or tries to force me, study me, or threaten me and my Empress in any way..."

He slightly raised his chin, and in his dark eyes, there was a faint golden light of spiritual power flowing, and a huge and dangerous sense of oppression spread through the screen.

"I, Shen Yan, swear in the name of the Shen family heir and Karandel's partner, that I would rather immediately self-destruct my spiritual sea than let any insect succeed!"

"Let's see if your methods are faster, or if I can destroy myself faster."

Self-destruction of one's spiritual consciousness!

These words struck like a thunderclap in the silent cabin.

The female soldier clenched her fists tightly, her heart almost stopping. Director Herbert's face turned deathly pale, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

A noble SSS-class male insect with such special abilities actually expressed its attitude in such a resolute way!

If we are truly forced to that point, the chain reaction and the losses suffered by the empire will be incalculable.

No insect could bear the guilt of driving such an important male to his death, especially since this noble male insect had the council chairman and a general with a large army standing behind him!

A deathly silence fell over the communication channel.

Director Herbert opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed all his words, leaving only deep apprehension.

He had no doubt about the truthfulness of Shen Yan's words; that resolute determination to destroy everything was undeniable.

"...You flatter me."

After a long silence, the other person finally spoke, their voice dry and much softer.

"The Empire...respects the wishes of every prince. We are deeply grateful for your willingness to assist the army."

"Regarding the research, headquarters... will reconsider."

Communication was unilaterally cut off, and the screen went dark.

The cabin returned to silence, with only the two insects' somewhat rapid breathing remaining.

Karandal whirled around and grabbed the male ruler tightly, his arms trembling slightly from the lingering fear, and unusually a little angry.

"Yan Yan... how could you... how could you say such things?!"

Self-destruction of one's mental consciousness...

Just hearing those words terrified him so much that he couldn't breathe, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Shen Yan comforted his frightened partner, gently patting his back repeatedly: "I'm sorry, did I scare you?"

"They won't give up unless we make things absolutely clear."

She rested her head on his shoulder and whispered, "Now, at least they know we're not to be messed with. If they want help, they'll have to follow my rules."

Karandal hugged her tighter, as if trying to dispel all the fear from that moment.

"Don't say that again!"

……

This turmoil was like a pebble thrown into a lake. Under the dual deterrence of Shen Yan's tough attitude and the family's power, the ripples did not completely subside, but at least the surface returned to a temporary calm.

Just as Xiongzi had expected, no official channels ever came forward again asking him to accept "research," and even tentative inquiries became extremely tactful and restrained.

Having guessed something, he privately spoke with the female and male fathers. Sure enough, the two protective parents had put a lot of pressure on the military and parliament on the imperial planet.

Coupled with that declaration of "self-destruction of the sea of ​​consciousness," it truly terrified many insects, and no one dared to make any rash moves.

Having shed this potential pressure, Xiongzi felt much better.

What made him even happier was that he finally found meaning and rhythm in life on the warship.

With Calander leading the fleet on the front lines during the day, he was no longer an idle military dependent.

Instead, they had a clear job.

To create soothing foods for female soldiers whose mental strength is damaged.

This was not a formal spiritual channeling, but it genuinely helped Karandal's subordinates.

Shen Yan enjoyed the process. He watched as the female soldiers, who had been tormented by mental anguish and looked haggard, regained their radiance after receiving and consuming his specially made energy bars, cookies, or concentrated soup.

You might even receive some clumsy but sincere thank-you notes, and this sense of accomplishment is irreplaceable.

Just as Shen Yan vaguely sensed, the battle situation was developing in a positive direction.

Although the specific details of the front lines were unclear, one could tell from Karandall's increasingly relaxed brow, the frequency with which he occasionally returned early, and the less tense atmosphere on board.

He could tell that the war had entered its middle and later stages, and the imperial army had completely seized the initiative, greatly reducing the pressure on them.

This means that his wife, who has been fighting on the battlefield and working tirelessly, can finally relax her tense nerves a little.

This also means that... Shen Yan can finally stop being so "considerate" in restraining himself!

God knows how much he was holding back these past few days!

His beloved partner was right beside him, but because the other was burdened with heavy responsibilities and under immense mental and physical pressure, he could only suppress his overwhelming intimacy and longing. The whole insect was about to ascend to heaven.

At most, one might linger a little longer during a moment of emotional reassurance, or ask for a few restrained kisses on the other person's rare day off.

For an SSS-level male beetle in the throes of passionate love, and with an extremely strong possessiveness and desire for intimacy with its mate, this is a sweet form of torture.

Now that victory is in sight, Xiongzi feels it's time to put enjoying his wife on the agenda.

His pent-up passion and anger desperately needed an outlet.

So Shen Yan began to prepare carefully.

He first washed himself thoroughly from head to toe, using a shower gel with a fresh herbal scent, leaving even his hair smooth and shiny.

Then, he changed into... well, rather than clothes, a decorative little apron.

The pink and white lace trim, with ribbons tied behind the neck and at the waist, barely covers the key areas, yet subtly outlines the slender waistline and straight, long legs.

Under the soft cabin lighting, her smooth skin shimmered with a delicate, pearly luster.

He even sprayed on a light perfume, which he had specially mixed to mimic the cool yet warm scent of a female soldier, making him feel that his wife was everywhere.

With everything prepared and the timing perfect, it nestled excitedly and expectantly on the living room sofa, like a large canine waiting for its owner to return home.

As the hatch slid open and the steady footsteps of military boots echoed on the floor, Shen Yan immediately looked up, a radiant smile spreading across his face.

Karandal, dressed in a crisp military uniform, exuding a chilling aura of someone returning from the battlefield, was immediately captivated by the sight before him as soon as he stepped into the living quarters.

His lord wore only a very light pink and white apron that was full of ambiguous implications. His skin was radiant and his black hair was soft. He looked like a sweet gift that had been carefully wrapped.

Those dark eyes, which always held tenderness or cunning, now shone with undisguised anticipation and allure, their tails wagging unusually happily.

"Honey, you must be tired from work!"

The voice, with its deliberately drawn-out ending, scratched at the heart of the female soldier like a small hook.

He rose from the sofa and strode briskly to the visibly stunned Karandel, asking in an innocent yet alluring tone:

"You want to eat first..."

He lightly tapped the plate covered with an insulated cover on the table next to him with his fingertip.

"Shall we eat first, me?"

The last few words were almost uttered in breathy breaths, carrying a scorching heat and a blatant invitation.