They confirmed there were no high-rank Chitinid inside. The adjutant spoke in a low voice. "Did that Chitinid run away already?" A Rank 11 Chitinid was not as strong as a therian, but it could escape with ease. Lucien was about to speak when his communicator rang. A second later, several high-ranking officials from the Empire appeared in front of him. "Lucien, we received news that the human female Dahlia was also on the Chitinid warship. You need to find her and bring her back safely right away." Dahlia? Why is that female here? Lucien frowned and answered, "I understand. I will find her as soon as possible and bring her back." Lucien really disliked Dahlia, but as a soldier, he had to follow orders. The officials were not happy with his answer. They stressed, "Not as soon as possible. Right now. Immediately." Their stern tone made Lucien's eyes show a faint hint of mockery. These old men really think too highly of themselves. He would follow their order and bring Dahlia back safely. That was already more than enough. Yet they dared to tell him to return right this second. Lucien looked at their projections and spoke one word at a time. "I am searching for a Rank 11 Chitinid that disappeared. The battlefield is still not cleaned up. I cannot return right away." He fought here with his comrades. Some of the injured still had not received treatment. They wanted him to return right now because of one female. She was not dying. She did not need emergency treatment. She did not have some huge secret on her. These officials did not care at all about the men under his command. Lucien's tone turned cold. "I will keep the human female safe. After I find that Chitinid and clean up the battlefield, I will send all rescued Empire females back to Central Planet." In his eyes, Dahlia had no difference from the Empire females they had just saved. His attitude completely angered the officials. "Lucien, you are openly disobeying the orders of the high council!" One official's hands trembled from anger. He pointed at Lucien's projection. His voice turned sharp. "I will give you one more chance. If you do not follow it, you must accept the Empire's harshest punishment when you return!" "Oh? And what is the Empire's harshest punishment?" A cold and mocking voice came without warning. Once they heard that voice, the officials' faces turned dark. It looked like someone grabbed their throats on the spot."Calum… Why are you here?" One official looked at the figure that suddenly appeared in the meeting room. His tone held clear displeasure and fear. Calum's tall figure appeared inside the room and also in Lucien's projection. His sharp gaze swept across the stiff faces of the officials. His light tone carried open ridicule. "If I did not come, how would I see how bold you all have become? It has only been a few years. Your courage got so big you now dare to order my people around." His voice shifted. It turned sharp like a blade and carried a cold edge. "When did the Empire's military affairs become something you pampered old men could meddle in?" The officials froze on the spot. Faced with Calum's pressure, all their earlier arrogance disappeared. They lowered their heads and stayed silent. Only then did Calum turn his attention to Lucien."Lucien." His voice was deep and steady. It carried the iron-blooded presence of the battlefield and a command no one could question. "I order you to finish everything on the battlefield before you return." Lucien answered without hesitation. "Yes, Marshal." Calum nodded with satisfaction. His long fingers moved through the projection controls, and he cut the call with Lucien in one neat motion. He turned around. His cold gaze landed on the officials who still kept their heads down. The air inside the meeting room felt frozen. Calum walked to the main seat. He did not sit. He placed one hand on the table and leaned forward a little. That small movement hit them with pressure heavy as a mountain. "Gentlemen." He spoke slowly. His voice was not loud, but it reached every corner of the room."Do you think I died already? Is that why you think you have the right to take part in the command from the military?" A cold smile pulled at his lips. His eyes held a flat and icy look. "Or did your comfortable life last so long that you forgot something? You forgot who fought the Chitinid and took back every inch of the Empire's land?"