Pani opened the medical pod, and Bai Lian stepped forward to gather Su Yaoyao back into his arms.
Su Yaoyao was still marveling at his strength; he had lifted her with just one arm. She sat securely on his powerful bicep, her own arms wrapped around Bai Lian's neck.
"Leon, can I call you that?"
Su Yaoyao already felt a strong connection to Bai Lian. He was the first kind person she'd met since arriving in this strange new world, and he had saved her life. She felt a natural urge to be close to him.
The tips of Bai Lian's ears turned faintly red. The little female felt so soft in his arms, and when she leaned in to speak by his ear, her voice was lovely.
"You can."
"Leon, is there something wrong with my body? The expressions on your faces… they don't look good."
Hearing Su Yaoyao say his name again sent ripples through Bai Lian's heart, but he kept his composure and said:
"No, Yaoyao, you're perfectly healthy. Your constitution is just a little... delicate. From now on, if you feel even the slightest bit unwell, you have to tell me immediately. No matter how minor it seems, you must tell me. Understand?"
This was what Bai Lian feared most. Humans were so fragile. Records from ancient civilizations stated that something as simple as a common cold could be fatal.
"Mmm-hmm." Su Yaoyao nodded and leaned her head on Bai Lian's shoulder.
"Leon, I'm a little tired. I want to sleep."
"Alright. I'll take you to get some rest."
Pani stood to the side, arms crossed over his chest, his displeasure written plainly on his face.
'I'm not a dog, why are you making me watch this sappy romance?!'
"Pani, contact Reg for me. I need to call an emergency meeting."
"Got it."
Pani's expression turned serious. This was about a female, which made it a matter of utmost importance.
He was just about to contact Reg on his Light Computer when a tall figure strode into the room.
"Where's the female?"
A few unruly strands of black hair hung over his forehead. His amber eyes held a piercing intensity that was intimidating to behold.
He had skin the color of dark chocolate and wore a crisp military uniform that gave him a wild sort of appeal.
"Shh, she's asleep."
Hearing the steady sound of her breathing by his ear, Bai Lian deliberately lowered his voice.
Reg's eyes narrowed as he looked at the small figure nestled against Bai Lian's neck. He couldn't see her face at all—only the back of her head.
His gaze swept downwards.
Bai Lian's powerful arm supported the little female's hips. Below, her long legs, which even the oversized military uniform couldn't hide, had skin so fair and delicate it looked like the slightest pinch would leave a red mark.
Her ankle was clearly injured; the red wound stood out starkly against her skin.
Displeased by Reg's blatant once-over, Bai Lian turned and walked away, still holding Su Yaoyao.
"Emergency meeting in 10 minutes."
Reg sniffed the air. As the little female passed him, he caught a sweet fragrance that seemed to tug at the very depths of his soul, but it was gone in an instant.
As soon as Bai Lian was gone, Reg immediately cornered Pani and demanded:
"What's the little female's spiritual power level?"
Pani's rabbit ears twitched. 'Carnivores are so intimidating,' he thought.
"You certainly don't beat around the bush. But I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. We couldn't get a reading on her spiritual power."
Reg froze for a moment. Then, a short, irrepressible chuckle escaped his throat.
The laugh was laced with helplessness and self-deprecation.
He was an S-Class Black Panther Beastman, which meant he could only be matched with a female of his level or higher. But there were no S-Class females left in the Star Shining Empire, and A-level females were incompatible—they couldn't soothe him.
His Rage Value was already at 98%. Once it hit 100%, he would become a mindless, savage beast.
He might even turn on the comrades he fought alongside. He would rather end his own life before losing control completely.
Bai Lian carried Su Yaoyao back to his own room and gently placed her on the bed.
"Yaoyao, I'm sorry, but you'll have to make do with my room for now."
Bai Lian's slender fingers gently brushed the stray hairs from Su Yaoyao's forehead.
He gave a soft smile.
Even though he knew she was asleep, he couldn't resist talking to her.
Bai Lian took a medical kit from the cabinet and treated Su Yaoyao's wound.
Pani had offered to dress Su Yaoyao's wound, but Bai Lian had refused, insisting he would do it himself.
'Only I can touch Yaoyao's ankle.'
After treating her wound, Bai Lian covered her with the blanket, gently closed the door, and headed for the conference room.
In the conference room, all the important council members of the base were present.
Bai Lian took his seat at the head of the table, his expression grave. Reg and Pani were seated to his left and right.
"This morning, we detected the sudden appearance of a female near the base. We immediately dispatched troops to search the jungle and found a human female in the eastern sector."
Audible gasps filled the room. Females were, after all, exceedingly rare and precious.
"Given that she has an injured leg, she will need to recuperate at our base for some time. During her stay, she is to be afforded the highest standard of care in accordance with the Female Protection Act."
Reg sneered. "She's just a useless weakling with no spiritual power. Is all this really necessary?"
"Reg! Watch your language!"
Bai Lian's eyes flashed as his sharp gaze fell on Reg.
The latter shrugged nonchalantly.
"Am I wrong? A female with no spiritual power can't soothe a male. If that's not useless, then what is?"
Bai Lian pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. "Reg, she is a living being. A life should not be measured by its abilities. She has the right to live her own life, the way she wants."
According to the female protection laws of the Star Shining Empire, Su Yaoyao would be entitled to excellent treatment within the Empire, and her future was certain to be a happy one.
Pani also nodded in agreement. "That's right. If she did have spiritual power, would that give you the right to force her to soothe you?"
Reg's pupils contracted into slits as he glared viciously at Pani. "If she really had spiritual power, I would force her. I wouldn't hesitate."
'If only... if only it could lower my Rage Value by even a single point...'
Pani trembled under his gaze, so frightened that his rabbit ears popped out again.
"Reg! Have you lost your mind!" Bai Lian slammed his fist on the table in fury. As soldiers of the Empire, our duty is to protect its people, and you're actually talking about forcing a female!
Reg slammed the table back in frustration!
"I'm S-Class, and you're SS-level! You of all people should know how hard it is for an S-Class male to find a match! And my Rage Value is already at 98%!"
When Reg finished, his face was a mask of bitter resentment. He couldn't accept being driven to this dead end.
'He had thought Su Yaoyao's appearance was a sign of the Beast God's mercy, a savior sent just as he was about to lose control. But he'd never imagined she'd turn out to be a useless weakling without a single shred of spiritual power.'
The others in the room let out another wave of shocked murmurs. Deputy General Reg's Rage Value was nearing its critical point! If this went on...
They didn't just have to face the incursions of the Insect Clan; they also had to deal with Reg, who could go berserk at any moment. And he was an S-Class Black Panther Beastman!
It was terrifying to even imagine what would happen when he went berserk!
Reg shot a fierce glare at the council members who had gasped, let out a disdainful snort, and stormed out of the conference room.
'For him, there was no point in listening to any more of this!'