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

As dusk enveloped the manor, Shen Yan sat at the carved pearwood dining table, a bone china plate in front of him holding roasted star fowl leg with flame fruit, glistening star diamond rice coated in amber sauce, and a thick soup of silver leaf mushrooms wafting lightly, its aroma delicate yet enticing.

"Flame fruit that just arrived this morning is perfect for pairing with star birds to cut through the richness."

Torses had a poor appetite, casually cutting the meat as he glanced at Shen Yan. As the Speaker of the Empire's Council, he habitually masked his concern with indifference, even deliberately avoiding sharp words like "sinful worm" when mentioning Kalandel.

"How is the poor child's recovery going?"

"It's healing very quickly; the external wounds have mostly scabbed over."

Shen Yan forked a piece of star poultry meat and said in a relaxed tone, "I gave him a mental energy channeling yesterday, and he'll be completely stable after another round of consolidation of his sea of ​​consciousness tonight."

Tosses nodded and put down his knife and fork: "I'm going to your father's place later. Be careful on your way back, and contact me anytime if anything happens."

Shen Yan agreed. After finishing his meal, he picked up his coat and walked towards the hovercar parked at the entrance of the manor.

The driver was already waiting in the driver's seat. Seeing him approach, he immediately opened the back door and bowed respectfully: "Sir, shall we return to the villa now?"

"No, go to the Interstellar Auction House in Zone C."

The hovercar slowly drove away. Shen Yan slid his finger across the touchscreen, bringing up an auction that he had casually come across three days ago, the title of which carried a somewhat glaring casualness:

"A special sale of honors for former Imperial soldiers, including the Badge of the Sinners, at rock-bottom prices. Those in the know, come and get it."

Only a month had passed since Kalandall was sentenced to exile on a desolate planet, and the seven highest medals he had earned with his life were now being auctioned off.

The driver paused slightly on the steering wheel, his tone carrying a cautious reminder:

"Sir, Area C is a gray area, a place where all sorts of people mingle. You are a precious male, and it wouldn't be good if you were offended..."

"I know, let's go."

Shen Yan interrupted him and brought up the holographic projection of several medals. These medals were beautiful, but they were far more than just pretty ornaments.

They are the marks of Calander's glory in the first half of his life, each bearing the merits he earned with his life on the battlefield.

"Border Guardian Star" is proof that he guarded the border star for two years, repelled countless star beast tides, and protected millions of people;

The "Star Crown Medal" is the highest honor in the Empire. Back then, he seized three colony stars despite being severely wounded, turning the tide of the war, and this medal finally ended up in his hands.

The remaining medals also carry significant weight. They are of paramount importance to Karandel, representing his dignity as a female soldier and the responsibilities and beliefs he has never betrayed.

The hovercar headed towards Zone C and stopped at the auction house's private parking lot half an hour later.

Following the waiting waiter, we headed towards the penthouse. The corridor, carpeted with a subtle pattern, isolated us from the noise downstairs—a special privilege reserved only for male insects. The waiter bowed respectfully as he led the way:

"Your Excellency, snacks and drinks have been prepared in the private room. The list of auction items is also displayed on the holographic screen. Would you like us to arrange for a female attendant to serve you?"

"No need, just remind me when lots 73 to 79 start."

Shen Yan sat on the leather sofa, looked up at the one-way glass on one side of the private room, and curiously scanned the auction hall downstairs.

The hall was filled with insects, all of them females at first glance. Although they were dressed in civilian clothes, it was easy to tell from their upright posture that a large proportion of them were military females.

Next to the auction stage, employees were methodically arranging items to be auctioned. The lighting was soft, and the air was filled with a relaxed atmosphere.

Shen Yan withdrew his gaze, understanding in his heart. After all, it was an "Imperial Remnant Honor Auction," so it was normal for female soldiers to be attracted. He lightly touched the armrest with his fingertips, only thinking about the seven medals belonging to Kalandel.

The auction proceeded quickly, and soon a waiter's voice came through the communicator:

"Sir, the military's secondhand items auction has begun, and lot number 73 is about to be featured."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yan immediately looked up at the holographic screen. On the auction stage, the auctioneer, wearing white gloves, carefully held a velvet tray containing the "Border Guardian Star" medal. Under the lights, the blue-green diamond gleamed coldly.

"Item No. 73, formerly owned by General Karandel, a former SS-rank general of the Military Headquarters, the 'Star of the Frontier' medal! Starting bid: 1 Star Coins, minimum increment: 5000 Star Coins! Bidding begins now!"

The words had barely left his lips when a deep, steady male voice rang out: "5 Star Coins!"

Shen Yan looked through the holographic screen and saw a female insect sitting in the front row of the hall wearing a dark red silk shirt. The fabric shimmered and fit him perfectly without being too tight, which accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

Her blonde hair was neatly combed, with only a few stray strands clinging to her full forehead. Her thin lips were tightly pursed beneath her high, straight nose. Although she wasn't wearing a military uniform, her back was still ramrod straight, and her posture exuded the upright and dignified air unique to female soldiers.

Arthur White was once the most capable lieutenant under Calander. Although he is now a newly appointed general in the military, he has long regarded the illustrious war god as his idol, having followed him into battle on the interstellar battlefield.

Although Kalandall is now exiled and his whereabouts are unknown, countless insects within the military still remember his past merits in protecting the empire's borders and hold him in high esteem.

He came to the auction specifically to retrieve all of Calander's medals from this noisy bidding war.

That is a mark earned by the general with his blood and glory, and it must not fall into the hands of irrelevant insects, nor should this glory be tarnished.

Shen Yan didn't know Arthur White, nor did he know what was on his mind.

Judging from the aura surrounding the female insect, he vaguely felt that she was determined to get the medal. Without thinking too much about it, he silently apologized to himself.

The auctioneer announced loudly, "This gentleman has bid 5 star coins! Any higher bids?"

Just then, the electronic bidding announcement from the No. 3 VIP box came through the loudspeaker, calm and without a ripple: "10 Star Coins."

The room fell silent instantly. Only those distinguished guests were qualified to sit in the top-tier private room.

Arthur White's body stiffened abruptly, his hand gripping the number plate tightened instantly, his knuckles turning white.

He looked up towards the top-floor private room, his eyes filled with astonishment.

Why would a male come to this kind of auction?

Normally, male insects rarely set foot in ordinary auction houses; they usually only appear at exclusive auctions for female slaves.

Only there can they find meticulously trained, exceptionally beautiful playthings, or rare and exquisite jewels, worthy of their needs.

Today's auction list contains none of the items that suit the male insects' preferences. There are neither docile female slaves to provide amusement nor rare treasures to display their status, so they are completely uninteresting to them.

Therefore, according to convention, there should not have been any male insects at today's auction.

"The gentleman in room number 3 has bid 10 Star Coins! Any higher bids?"

Arthur White's Adam's apple bobbed, and his fingertips unconsciously pressed towards the license plate.

He had enough Star Coins in his account, and he wanted to compete. But his subordinate suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand, lowering his voice and reminding him in a panicked tone:

"General! The man in the box is His Excellency the Male! Female insects must not disobey the Male. Bidding again would be a blatant violation of the law, and not only will you be held accountable, but the entire Arthur family will be implicated!"

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Arthur White's thoughts. Looking at his hand being held down, his nails almost dug into his palm.

It's not that they can't produce Star Coins, it's just that no amount of wealth is useful in the face of the ironclad rule that "males are above all else."

Violation of these rules can result in imprisonment at best, and stripping of military rank, asset freeze, and exile to remote areas at worst.

He can't gamble.

Arthur slowly loosened his grip on the number plate, closed his eyes briefly, and ultimately remained silent.

"10 Star Coins once! Twice! Three times! Sold!" The auctioneer's voice was exceptionally loud the moment the gavel fell.