Grace knew very well what this meant. Her Majesty Queen had secretly founded this research institute and conducted her research for years without a single leak. Now that he knew about it, she would surely summon him upon his return.

He glanced back at Colonel Taka. "You just said these cubs were created through gene fusion with an Imperial Zerg. Can they shift into a Beastification Form? An Insect Race form?"

"Yes, but only cubs that are at least three years old can achieve the transformation. Moreover, the success rate of this gene fusion is very high and stable—much higher than the probability of people like us becoming Gene Fusion Experts."

Grace understood. Her Majesty Queen had developed an entirely new species.

"What happens to the cubs after their fluid is extracted?"

"After the fluid is extracted, they die from organ failure within 24 hours." That was why the facility had to constantly breed more cubs.

And it took extracting this green liquid from ten cubs just to fill a single one-liter glass bottle.

It took three to four years to raise a single cub from scratch.

Without immense financial backing, it would be impossible to operate such a research experiment.

Yet, an institute like this had been running within the Empire for many years. ’How on earth has Her Majesty Queen been funding it?’

Grace didn’t pursue the topic. He turned and said, "Take me to see the Imperial Zerg."

Colonel Taka nodded. "This way, please."

They took another elevator, descending even deeper. When the doors opened, Grace found himself in a vast, cold, and gloomy basement. In the center was a giant cocoon. Various pipes were attached to it, continuously siphoning a purple fluid that was then transported away.

"If we keep this cocoon, the Insect Race will not stop. Eventually, everything here will be exposed. Go and request permission to destroy it."

Grace didn’t specify who Colonel Taka should ask, but the Colonel knew. Who else could it be but Her Majesty Queen?

"But Her Majesty will never agree," Taka protested. "She is well aware of this cocoon’s significance!"

"Then how does she plan to handle the fallout when this gets exposed?"

Colonel Taka fell silent for a moment. "Understood. I’ll go and make the request now."

Back on the surface, Grace returned to the encampment. The soldiers he’d brought with him had already been settled in to rest and await orders.

Colonel Taka saw him back to the camp and then disappeared. Grace paid him no mind, summoned his adjutant, and gave a few orders. He was about to head to the front lines to assess the situation, but before he could leave his tent, the Colonel reappeared. His expression was grim; clearly, the task Grace had given him had not gone well.

After dismissing his adjutant, Grace asked, "Her Majesty Queen refused?"

"Yes. Her Majesty Queen’s orders are to resolve the current crisis by any means necessary, but we are forbidden from harming the cocoon or allowing this matter to be exposed. If we fail, we are to be court-martialed."

"Are those Her Majesty Queen’s words, or her attendant’s?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Her Majesty Queen’s. I contacted the attendant first, but he couldn’t make the call. I spoke with Her Majesty Queen directly."

"I see." Grace’s expression was calm, as if he wasn’t surprised. Colonel Taka, however, was anything but. "What do we do, Major General Grace?"

"What choice do we have but to follow orders?" ’It’s a direct command from Her Majesty Queen. Who would dare defy it?’

Colonel Taka clearly understood this as well, which only made his expression darken further.

"However, I need you to make a complete backup of all the video records here and give them to me." A jolt went through Colonel Taka. "What are you planning?"

"I’m not planning anything. I just don’t want to die for nothing. I think you understand what I mean, Colonel Taka. After this is over, what do you think Her Majesty Queen’s attitude towards us will be? What do you think she’ll do? I’m sure you’re concerned about that. Besides, do you really think she’s some benevolent soul?"

’This research institute, and the cubs used for its experiments, are more than enough to prove what a hypocrite the Queen of their Empire is.’

’She seems gentle and harmless, but inside, she’s ruthless and selfish.’

If Grace’s conviction had merely been shaken before coming here, now, he was resolute.

He couldn’t let someone like that rule over him, and he certainly wouldn’t let Lu Xia live in danger, constantly watching out for the Queen’s hidden daggers. That was far too passive.

Colonel Taka looked at Grace, his own decision made. "Understood. I’ll get everything ready. So, what’s our next move?"

"The Insect Race may have sent an advance force, but their broodmother is still in its gestation period right now. And the signal from that cocoon underground has a limited range. That means their hive can’t be too far from here. If we destroy it completely, no more of the Insect Race will be able to attack this location."

Grace spoke so casually, as if destroying an Insect Race nest that housed a broodmother was a simple task.

Colonel Taka’s mouth fell open. "That would work, of course, but... don’t we have insufficient forces?"

’Destroying a hive requires a full brigade, at least. The men Major General Grace brought are just a single support regiment. Even if we add my garrison, that’s two regiments at most. It’s not nearly enough!’

"It’s enough. You don’t need to worry about that. Just focus on the task I gave you."

With that, Colonel Taka simply nodded. "Alright."

’Since Major General Grace said so, he must be confident. I’ll say no more.’

Deep down, however, he still had his doubts about Grace, who had reached the rank of Major General at such a young age.

Grace paid no mind to Colonel Taka’s private thoughts.

What Colonel Taka hadn’t expected, however, was for Grace to lead his men straight to the hive that very night.

He took only the soldiers he had brought with him, not even alerting Taka’s garrison.

By the time Taka heard the news, Grace had already returned with his men and informed him that the hive was taken care of.

He didn’t say a single word about how they did it.

His soldiers had taken casualties during the assault, but the losses were minor. In fact, Colonel Taka felt that for an operation to destroy an entire hive, such losses were practically negligible.

"The situation is resolved, but I need you to delay reporting it for one week. Can you do that?"

"O-of course! Of course, I can!" Colonel Taka’s feelings were a whirlwind. Any shred of doubt he’d had about Grace was long gone. ’To destroy a hive with just one regiment in a single night, and with such minimal losses... A man like that has a limitless future. How could I dare offend him? I should be trying to get on his good side!’