Three minutes later, all warships disengaged from Z-829, streaking into the void like beams of light as they accelerated toward the new coordinates at full speed.

One hour later, they arrived.

The mysterious insectoid super-warship appeared in full clarity across every main display.

It floated in the black vacuum, vast and silent.

Like a dormant metallic beast.

Dark red energy pulsed faintly across its jagged hull, each flicker carrying a suffocating sense of danger.

Inside the command deck, the atmosphere froze.

A collective breath was drawn in—sharp, disbelieving.

The real-time energy analysis data glowed across the screen.

This single warship... was capable of unleashing power equivalent to two Rank Eleven warriors.

"Your Highness, the scan results are in."

The adjutant pointed at several glaring red markers blinking across the display.

"There are four Rank Eleven insectoid cores embedded within the vessel."

"We’ve detected life signals from two Rank Eleven entities... and at least eight Rank Ten insectoid elites."

Two Rank Eleven.

Eight Rank Ten.

The weight of that lineup pressed down on everyone in the room like a physical force.

Not long ago, the catastrophic battle that caused Vincent and Yuel to disappear had only involved five Rank Eleven enemies.

And now, a single ship held this much power.

Just how many Imperial females were imprisoned inside... for the insectoids to commit such overwhelming force?

At some point, Xarion had moved to Vincent’s side.

Half-lidded eyes scanned the massive vessel on-screen as he spoke lazily, "So... we hitting them now?"

Vincent’s gaze never wavered.

His voice was cold. Absolute. "Ensure the safety of every female aboard. Exterminate all insectoids. No survivors."

Xarion gave a small nod. "The two Rank Elevens are mine."

A faint glint flashed in his silver eyes. Every insect core on that ship belonged to him.

He’d take them all back for his Female Master.

The moment his words fell, he vanished.

***

Inside the insectoid super-warship

Krios looked down at the unconscious figure of Yilan, her body battered and bloodied once more.

He then turned toward Bree.

"My Queen... we’ve confirmed that Vincent has arrived. They’ll attack soon."

He hesitated, then frowned. "Why don’t we just kill him this time? He came alone. If we lure him aboard—"

"With you, me, and the four Rank Eleven cores powering the ship... We could eliminate him easily."

Bree cast him a look of pure disdain. "Idiot. What’s the point of killing only Vincent?"

Her tone was calm, but laced with something far more dangerous. "The Empire still has multiple Rank Eleven fighters. And the Four Domains still have Xarion... and Paros. If only Vincent dies... We still lose."

Her gaze shifted downward—toward Yilan. Something dark flickered in her eyes.

"What I want... is to use Vincent. To make him bring every Rank Eleven powerhouse in the galaxy... straight to me."

Her lips curved slowly; it was a terrifying smile.

"Once I absorb their energy... I will ascend to Rank Twelve. And when that happens..."

She lifted her gaze. The hunger in it was unmistakable. "The insectoid race... will rule the entire universe."

After giving her orders, Bree deliberately injured herself, forcing her aura into a weakened, unstable state.

Only then did she turn to Krios.

"Vincent will be here any moment," she said calmly. "Go. Follow the plan. Leave a few Rank Ten units behind. Then find a way to withdraw."

If they were going to stage this, it had to be convincing.

Leaving behind expendable Rank Ten insectoids would sell the illusion: a desperate battle over captured Imperial females.

As for Rank Eleven? If things turned bad, retreating early would seem perfectly reasonable.

"Understood." Krios obeyed immediately, exiting the holding cells.

The moment he stepped through the door, a flash of white light cut across his vision.

His three eyes widened in terror.

A cold blade had already passed his throat. Blue fluid burst from the severed wound. He didn’t even have time to scream.

His head rolled across the metal deck with a dull clang.

A shard of ice drove straight into his skull.

In the next instant, a glowing blue Rank Eleven insectoid core shot out, landing cleanly in Xarion’s hand.

"Tch." Xarion flicked his wrist, studying it with mild disdain. "Rank Eleven insectoids... still trash."

A swirl of blue flames erupted from his palm.

Krios’ body was reduced to ash in seconds, scattering into the void.

Xarion stored the core in his spatial ring, then activated the communication device Vincent had given him.

"First Rank Eleven target eliminated," he reported lazily. "Searching for the second."

On the other end, Vincent had just finished dispatching the last of the Rank Ten enemies.

"I’ve cleared all Rank Tens here," Vincent replied. "Be careful."

No sooner had the line ended, a new report came in.

"Your Highness!" The rescue team leader’s voice was urgent. "We’ve located the captured females. Extraction is underway."

Vincent nodded. "Ensure their safety. Proceed with caution."

He continued leading the search through the warship.

Twenty minutes later—

"Your Highness, all females have been successfully rescued!"

The officer hesitated, then added, "Two of them are critically injured. They require treatment in a super–Rank Ten medical pod...which only exists on your flagship."

He didn’t dare make the call himself.

Vincent didn’t hesitate. "Transfer them to my ship immediately. Assign guards. When they regain consciousness, verify their identities and notify their partners and families."

"Yes, sir!"

Orders executed, Vincent resumed the sweep—checking for any hidden high-ranking insectoids.

Meanwhile, Xarion had already pried out all four embedded Rank Eleven insectoid cores from the warship.

After circling the ship three times, he still found nothing.

His patience snapped.

He found Vincent, irritation clear in his tone.

"Your scans accurate or what? I only found one Rank Eleven. Searched everywhere—no sign of the second."

Vincent had already conducted two full sweeps himself.

Nothing.

Worse—there was a possibility the remaining one had disguised itself among the rescued females.

He had already ordered full examinations.

No anomalies detected.

The adjutant spoke cautiously, "Could it have escaped? A Rank Eleven insectoid may not match us in combat—but escaping wouldn’t be difficult."

Before Vincent could respond, the comms lit up again.

Multiple high-ranking officials appeared in holographic form. Their expressions were tense.

"Vincent. We’ve received intelligence. The human female—Bree Dekhart—is aboard that warship."

Vincent’s brows drew together.

Bree Dekhart?

Why would she be here?

"I understand," he replied. "I’ll locate her and bring her back."

His tone was calm—but distant.

He disliked her. Deeply.

But orders were orders.

The officials frowned. "That’s not sufficient."

Their voices sharpened. "Not as soon as possible. We mean immediately. Now."