232: I don't belong to any of you.

The Emperor watched the Female Beast, whose face was flushed with excitement, with an indifferent expression.

He carefully felt the pattern on the power ring.

This plan sounded promising, but it was still lacking.

Some generals below were just caught off guard; once they calmed down, they might be able to refute it point by point.

Of course, that would be if they could find the opportunity.

He clearly showed his appreciation, directly backing Tu Nan.

"Good! At a time like this, such an upright heart to seek newness and change is exactly what is needed."

"Although you are generals, you must think more about what 'winning' is for!"

"Winning a battle is never the ultimate goal."

The Emperor pointed to the projected star map in the conference room, where the mysterious stars were in their respective positions.

"Take your eyes off local victories and see clearly—we are defending the galaxy, not competing for a single city or territory. Do not lose the original intention of joining the military."

His tone was low.

The officers stood up one after another, slamming one hand against their chests, their eyes burning.

"For the Empire!"

They responded to Your Majesty's expectations.

The Emperor slowly stood up, spread his hands, and accepted everyone's allegiance.

"For the Empire," he said.

Tu Nan couldn't help but whisper the phrase along with everyone else.

Was she doing it for the Empire?

* * *

This strategic meeting ended in such a passionate atmosphere.

The Emperor did not leave his seat; he signaled everyone to leave, except for Tu Nan.

"Stay behind."

It seemed Your Majesty wanted her to elaborate on her views and measures immediately.

Some smiled kindly at Tu Nan, while others had cold expressions.

Kong Jiamu stood up, but his feet seemed to have a will of their own and did not move at all.

His colleague pulled him, then gave up.

The active online Video Call, after requesting permission from Your Majesty, exited one by one.

The conference room door closed slowly; besides Your Majesty, Tu Nan, and Kong Jiamu, there were only two Silver Armored Knights.

The only remaining active video avatar was pushed to the top of the list.

Tu Nan then realized there was a name she was intimately familiar with among the attendees.

Hain Montoya

"What do you think of this matter?" The Emperor began. "Use the Video Call, I have authorized it for you."

Hain, dressed in a formal white robe, appeared before Tu Nan unexpectedly.

She did not understand what The Emperor meant by pulling up Hain's image at this moment.

Whenever she thought she was calm enough, The Emperor would come to slap her in the face.

At this moment, she was still flustered.

She stumbled and took a step back.

She was supported by a guard.

"Thank you."

She thanked him in a low voice, but when she looked up, she saw Hain, Kong Jiamu, and Your Majesty all staring at her.

"..."

The pressure was immense!

Although The Emperor had indeed reminded her to clarify things with Hain as soon as possible, she still had to apply to speak with Hain on the warship!

Was he impatient because the application hadn't been submitted? But it made no sense for him to handle it for her directly!

Was it necessary?

Just because he was The Emperor, he could do whatever he wanted, right?

Then she realized... yes, The Emperor could be that willful.

Fortunately, he wasn't too excessive; when he spoke, he asked Hain about official business.

"You heard it. Tell me, how much do you think Ryan participated in this Artificial Human matter?"

"I believe he is an 'outsider'."

Hain restrained his emotions and explained to Your Majesty.

Yes, this was consistent with Tu Nan's judgment.

The investigation was done by her and Hain together, and although she didn't intervene in the last part while on the warship, based on the previous information analysis.

Ryan was actually the one who was unaware.

Those baits were fed directly in front of him.

Someone took advantage of the tense frontline situation to test The Emperor's stance through his mouth.

"Hmm, I think so too." The Emperor nodded, smiled, and looked at Tu Nan.

"You are quite bold, saying so much at once without reporting to me in advance."

"...Your Majesty, you didn't give me a chance."

Tu Nan's mouth twitched.

"Oh, it's fine." The Emperor acted as if he didn't see Tu Nan's resentment and praised her.

"Good performance, these suggestions are also good; they just happen to disrupt their layout."

"Your Majesty, what layout?"

Tu Nan asked, realizing she had missed some information.

The Emperor gave her an indifferent look and signaled to Hain.

"Discuss it with her after the meeting."

"Your Majesty!" Kong Jiamu, who had been standing there like a wallflower, jumped up.

"Her! How can you let Hain be with her again... I don't allow it!"

"Not allowed?"

The Silver Armored Knight behind Your Majesty reminded him.

Kong Jiamu immediately knelt down, but still held his head high, unwilling to give in.

"I misspoke, of course I don't mean Your Majesty! I mean... she is the mother of my Children, how can she be with Hain, Hain..."

He didn't know what he was trying to say.

If it hadn't been for Your Majesty speaking that day, he would never have thought that Hain would do such a thing behind his back.

In that instant, disbelief, confusion, and the pain of betrayal rushed at him.

The aftermath of that was still rippling.

Fortunately, after that, aside from being in the conference room, he was sent out by Your Majesty to fight two battles.

He could avoid thinking about it.

But today, he could no longer deceive himself.

He thought that by cleaning his feathers and offering his heart, he could build the most comfortable nest for Tu Nan.

But perhaps his Female Beast didn't need it?

Hain... Hain ranked higher than him every time on the list of Male Beasts that Female Beasts wanted to marry most.

"She is also the mother of my Children."

Hain thought that facing Kong Jiamu, he would retreat or feel guilty.

But he didn't; he felt a dense, needle-pricking pain in his heart.

This pain made him feel strangely calm.

When a person is covered by thick, heavy snow, they can feel what he is feeling now—cold, numb, yet there is still one breath left in his chest.

Which allowed him to speak now.

"I will not give her to you."

Hain turned around and actually smiled gently.

He looked at his friend, whose head was fuming, across the long conference table.

"Tu Nan was snatched by me; you can blame me, but don't blame Tu Nan."

Kong Jiamu sneered, leaped directly in front of him, and threw a punch.

...The video projection flickered slightly; Hain took a step back, then solidified again.

Kong Jiamu realized he had done something stupid and snorted coldly.

"I trusted you! I thought you were my brother who shared life and death!"

"That's right, you still are." Hain's eyes were clear. "If you were in trouble today, and I needed to use my life to save you, to trade for you, I would not hesitate."

"Bullshit!"

Kong Jiamu roared at him.

"Tu Nan saved me! Your Majesty saved me! Who needs you to save me!"

"I won't give her up either! Tu Nan can't bear to lose me!"

Kong Jiamu jumped over Hain's projection and strode to Tu Nan.

He lowered his head, wrapped his arms around Tu Nan's waist, and regardless of who was around, he wanted to kiss her to claim ownership.

A hand in silver armor blocked his lips... it was the guard.

Kong Jiamu froze in place.

Tu Nan felt a wave of pressure swaying around him.

It was Your Majesty taking action to control Kong Jiamu.

"Have you made enough trouble?"

Sure enough, The Emperor looked at this farce while rubbing his forehead, as if none of this had happened because of his guidance.

Tu Nan took the opportunity to step back and break free from Kong Jiamu's control.

She suppressed the anger towards Your Majesty in her heart and said sweetly to the two troublesome Male Beasts in front of her.

"You don't need to fight, and you don't need to yield."

"I do not belong to any of you."

"I am standing in this conference room, and it is not because of you."

The Emperor chuckled.