Cecil becoming a Gene Fusion Expert caused a far greater sensation among the aristocracy than Lu Xia had imagined.

If Graces becoming a Gene Fusion Expert was a coincidence and Smelian’s was a stroke of luck, then in their eyes, Cecil’s was an inevitability.

After all, the only three "defective" males around Lu Xia had all become Gene Fusion Experts. A 100% success rate was simply too stunning to ignore.

Many began to suspect that the gene fusion agent had already been perfected and that it wasn’t flawed as Lu Xia had claimed.

But if it had been perfected, why hadn’t it been released to the public? This became the question on everyone’s mind.

Consequently, figures like Lady Daina, Lady Rafaelde, and Duke Leslie were all inundated with inquiries about the progress of the gene fusion agent being developed at Lu Xia’s No. 2 Institute.

After all, which family in the Empire didn’t have one or two "defective" males?

The male population was large to begin with, and the number of males who became Gene Fusion Experts was far lower than the number of "defective" ones.

If the gene fusion agent was truly a success, it would be a monumental boon for these "defective" males. It would also mean the Empire would no longer have "defective" males; everyone could become a Gene Fusion Expert.

This would be an absolutely history-making achievement.

However, Lu Xia, who was at the eye of the storm, had been enjoying a period of relative calm.

With the situation outside uncertain and her own physical condition being rather unique, Lu Xia had been staying home to rest and recuperate.

None of these troubles had reached her, so Lu Xia remained oblivious to the predicament Lady Daina and the others were facing.

*

As Smelian left Nanxi No. 19 Courtyard and was returning to the city center in his hover car, he realized someone was tailing him.

The discovery unsettled him. Just as he was contemplating how to shake them off, the other vehicle suddenly accelerated, surged forward, and cut him off.

The two hover cars descended from the sky. When Smelian saw Cecil get out of the other vehicle, he let out an inexplicable sigh of relief.

Cecil strode over, pounded on his car window, and then gestured for him to get out.

Smelian pushed the door open and stepped out. Cecil immediately grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the car. "You’re in contact with the Rebel Army! Don’t you know you could get Lu Xia killed!"

His eyes were wide, his blue irises blazing with fury.

Cecil had long been suspicious of some of Smelian’s actions, but their meeting today was a complete coincidence. He hadn’t expected to run into Smelian in the Nanxi district. The moment he spotted him, however, his suspicions were piqued, so he followed. He watched Smelian enter a house and, rather than approaching rashly, chose to wait. It was only when Smelian came back out that Cecil saw him: the male in the Rebel Army uniform.

Smelian gently pushed him away and retorted, "Do you really think I would do anything to harm Lu Xia?"

"You wouldn’t? Then why are you involved with the Rebel Army? Don’t think I didn’t see you. I saw everything!"

Smelian looked at the furious Cecil. "The only reason you saw anything is because someone wanted you to."

’He trusted Graces to be thorough. If Cecil saw him with the Rebel Army, it was definitely because Graces allowed it. The area around Nanxi No. 19 Courtyard was crawling with Rebel Army lookouts. Cecil was likely spotted the moment he arrived. The fact that he, Smelian, had been able to leave and have this conversation was all part of Graces’s plan.’

"Since you saw everything, I have nothing to hide. The current Executive Officer of the Rebel Army is Graces. The Rebel Army also has another name: the Alliance Army. The word ’Alliance’ should mean something to you."

Cecil was stunned by this sudden flood of information. His pupils contracted as he stared at Smelian in disbelief. "Who did you just say is the Executive Officer of the Rebel Army?"

"Graces."

Smelian repeated the name. After a long silence, Cecil spoke. "He’s insane. What is he thinking? Does he really believe he can overthrow the Imperial Family’s rule and establish a new government? What happens if he fails? He’ll get Lu Xia killed! He’s insane, and you’re insane for going along with him!"

"None of us are insane. We just don’t want to see Lu Xia suffer any more injustices, especially not from those in power."

"Who’s wronged Lu Xia? Why haven’t I heard about this?"

"You must have heard about what happened with Lady Dain and Victoria, and you saw how the Imperial Family handled it. Their actions, time and time again... don’t you think that’s wronging Lu Xia?"

Cecil had no rebuttal. Before he could speak, Smelian continued.

"You should know that the gene fusion agent was perfected long ago. It could be released at any time. The reason it’s been delayed is because Her Majesty the Queen is unwilling to let it see the light of day. Do you really think Her Majesty is doing what’s best for the Empire? As a member of the Imperial Family, I can understand if you have trouble wrapping your head around that. But don’t you dare try to stop us."

Cecil frowned, his eyes filled with confusion as he looked at Smelian. For a moment, he suddenly didn’t know which side to take.

But his hesitation was quickly replaced by resolve. Lu Xia was too important to him. If the ultimate goal of all this was to give her a better life, he found that he could accept it.

"Count me in."

He suddenly spoke, his attitude completely changed. Smelian was taken aback.

He wasn’t surprised by Cecil’s choice, but he hadn’t expected him to come around so quickly. It made him see Cecil in a new light.

"You’re not going to think it over?"

"Think what over? You said you’re doing this for Lu Xia’s sake, right? So why shouldn’t I be a part of it? Do you think you’re the only ones she’s going to thank? Not a chance. Tell Graces I have money. If he needs it, he can come to me anytime."

Smelian smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Then I’ll thank you in advance on his behalf. I’m sure he won’t refuse your money. After all, war is an expensive business."

Cecil pushed his hand away, his expression skeptical. "I’m a little worried about your competence, actually. A whole Rebel Army, and you couldn’t even detect me when I showed up? Gathering here like this, aren’t you just exposing yourselves?"

Smelian wasn’t bothered by Cecil’s skepticism. He just smiled and replied, "The entire area is covered by Graces’s lookouts. They spotted you the moment you arrived. The reason you were allowed to leave was because Graces was testing you."

Although there was no proof, Cecil didn’t doubt the truth of Smelian’s words. He figured that Graces, a former Major General of the First Military District, wouldn’t make such a rookie mistake.

"When can we contact Graces? I want to speak with him directly."

"Next time. The next time he contacts me, you can come along."

In the end, Cecil didn’t object, accepting Smelian’s proposal.

Smelian watched him, a wistful feeling in his heart. ’Great,’ he thought. ’Another one has boarded our pirate ship.’