The sudden news cast a somber mood over the meal.

But Lu Xia knew that Graces was a soldier.

Going to the battlefield to carry out missions was his duty as a soldier—a duty he could not refuse.

The only thing she could do was support him in silence.

Graces sensed his Female Master’s spirits were low and knew she was worried about him going to the front lines. He felt a pang of guilt.

Back in their room, Graces embraced Lu Xia from behind. "I’ll be back as soon as I can. I won’t make you wait too long."

Lu Xia glanced sideways at the man, a faint worry in her eyes.

She said, "Graces, going to the battlefield is your duty as a soldier. I can’t ask you to stay, but I need you to promise me you’ll keep yourself safe. Remember that Little Pu Tao and I will be here at home, waiting for you."

"I know, Xiaxia," Graces replied. ’But this time, I’m afraid I’ll have to break my promise.’

Early the next morning, Graces departed for the First Military District. Lu Xia watched him go, feeling a strange unease in her heart. For some reason, she felt that Graces was hiding something from her this time.

She hoped it was just her imagination, but the feeling of unease was incredibly strong.

When Graces arrived at military headquarters, Admiral Snop was already waiting for him.

Seeing him arrive, the admiral got straight to the point. "Graces, you’ve heard the news from the front, I take it?"

Graces nodded. "Someone contacted me yesterday. Have the official orders from the higher-ups arrived? When do I need to leave?"

Admiral Snop looked at him, a hint of worry in his eyes. "You understand that going to the front this time means real war. The Rebel Army has staged a comeback, and they must have some ulterior motive. Graces, think it over carefully. You can refuse. You’re not the only one who can go to the front!"

Admiral Snop looked at Graces. He knew just how much effort and hardship Graces had endured to get to where he was today.

Now, he had a Female Master who cherished him and an adorable male child. Everything was heading in the right direction, and the admiral truly didn’t want a sudden war to shatter it all.

He was well aware that the Rebel Army, having vanished for over twenty years, was now back. This time, they were undoubtedly determined to destroy the current peace.

He really didn’t want to see his most promising officer lose everything he had because of this.

Graces knew exactly what Admiral Snop was hesitating over and was well aware of the admiral’s concern for him. But he had reasons he had to go.

’I’m sorry, Admiral,’ he thought silently.

Graces spoke with great solemnity. "There is no one more suitable in the First Military District. Please, give the order."

Admiral Snop’s eyes grew red-rimmed. He fell silent for a few seconds, as if still struggling. "Has your Female Master agreed?"

"I spoke with Xiaxia about it yesterday. She’s very supportive. Please, don’t worry."

Admiral Snop knew Duke Lu Xia had always been a very reasonable person. But that was precisely why he felt so pained for Graces. After all, in the Empire’s current state, it wasn’t easy for someone like Graces to find a Female Master as good as Duke Lu Xia.

If Graces truly fell in battle against the Rebel Army this time, the admiral couldn’t imagine how heartbroken Duke Lu Xia would be.

But he could also see Graces’s resolve. He knew the man had made up his mind. And, just as Graces had said, he was truly the most suitable person in the First Military District.

Now, he wasn’t just a Gene Fusion Expert; he was a Gene Fusion Expert with a 100% gene fusion degree. Only with him leading the troops to the front would their chances of victory be greatest.

Regardless of his own wishes, the deployment orders had already been issued. He took the orders from a drawer and handed them to Graces. "If you’re ready, you may depart immediately. The soldiers accompanying you on this expedition are already waiting outside."

Graces said nothing more, simply offering Admiral Snop a perfect military salute.

Admiral Snop personally saw him off, watching him board the hovercraft. ’You must come back safely,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, I really don’t know how I’ll ever face Duke Lu Xia.’

The moment Graces boarded the hovercraft, he sent Lu Xia a message: "The orders are in. I’m departing immediately. Don’t worry. I’ll message you to let you know I’ve arrived safely."

Lu Xia wasn’t surprised when she saw the message. A war on the front lines was bound to be urgent. Her Majesty the Queen would certainly be anxious to restore stability, especially as someone who cared so much for her own reputation.

The Rebel Army’s actions were nothing less than a challenge, a provocation against her dignity and prestige.

Lu Xia didn’t say much, simply replying to Graces: "Stay safe. I’ll be waiting for you to come home."

Graces looked at the message from Lu Xia, a faint smile gracing his lips. ’She’s always so thoughtful.’

Sometimes, Graces even wished Lu Xia could be like other females—willful and capricious. He wished she could be a little meaner to him. Then perhaps his departure wouldn’t be so painful.

He pulled up the photo he’d taken of Lu Xia on the beach at sunset. The good times seemed like only yesterday, but he knew with a stark clarity that he wouldn’t be able to have moments like these again for a long, long time.

’I hope Lu Xia won’t resent me for what’s about to happen,’ he thought. ’I’m only doing this because I can’t bear to see her suffer any more injustice.’

With that thought, Graces’s gaze grew even more resolute.

Duke Leslie, of course, was also notified of the news that Graces was heading to the battlefield.

She immediately sent Lu Xia a voice call request. "Have they gone mad? Is there no one left in the First Military District? Why do they always send Graces to the front?"

"Xiaxia, don’t you worry. Graces is very experienced in warfare. After all, he managed to become a Colonel on his own merit even before he was a Gene Fusion Expert. Now that he is one, I’m sure he won’t be in any danger."

"But if you’re still worried, we can go to Her Majesty the Queen together and ask her to pick someone else. The Empire has so many commanders; surely they can find one more formidable than Graces?"

Lu Xia knew that Duke Leslie was only saying these things because she herself was feeling anxious.

After all, Graces was now her main husband, and Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion therefore had close ties to the Leslie Duke Mansion.

If they lost Graces in this war, it would be a tremendous loss for the Leslie Duke Mansion.

After all, the Leslie Duke Mansion didn’t have a second male Gene Fusion Expert.

Lu Xia’s voice was calm as she replied, "I respect Graces’s choice."

Duke Leslie hadn’t expected Lu Xia to be so firm. "Aren’t you afraid?" she asked, incredulous.

Although Duke Leslie didn’t specify what there was to be afraid of, Lu Xia understood her unspoken meaning. She simply smiled and said, "Didn’t you just say that Graces is very strong? That he became a Colonel even before he was a Gene Fusion Expert? Now he is a Gene Fusion Expert—one with a 100% gene fusion degree, at that. I believe he will come back safely!"