Pantann’s blatant indolence was undoubtedly quite irritating, but one had to concede that he had a hold over those bureaucratic bastards. These officials could not tolerate the thought of a standard weapon that could bring about a massive leap in humanity’s ground combat capability simply slipping through their fingers, which is why the current massive deployment was mobilized!

Similarly, the Elders of the Protoss race were likewise held in check by these frantic human bureaucrats—if they even possessed such leverage. Considering the emergency mobilization of human forces, the power of the Artifacts was now negligible. It was like Lü Bu, no matter how fierce, having to flee in disarray when facing tens of thousands of soldiers. Furthermore, the Protoss garrison near the Lost Planet was less than a tenth of the current human military presence!

Should war break out, there was no doubt that the Protoss would instantly lose control over the two Artifacts, which was an agony they simply could not endure. . . .

Therefore, the great Protoss race currently had to proceed with caution. Although humanity was aggressive and pressing hard, and although these Elders felt intense humiliation and pain, they could only swallow their pride, send down Pantann’s photograph and other detailed information, and strictly order subordinate units not to engage this individual.

Simultaneously, the Protoss issued a mobilization order to all their clans under the banner of a "Holy War," citing the threat to the Artifacts as the reason for summoning aid. They had also calculated this: although humanity appeared to hold the upper hand right now, if the reinforcements summoned by the mobilization order could arrive via the warp gate as quickly as possible, it would result in a strategic counter-encirclement.

In other words, over a third of the human military strength would be trapped in this location by superior Protoss forces. In that scenario, they would have considerable leverage in negotiations.

Finally, after replaying the recording of that battle, the performance of the Cataclysmic Behemoth, which had previously escaped their notice, was taken very seriously. After assessment, it was discovered that the combat power of this thing even surpassed that of the Zealot Colossus! They immediately understood why humanity had suddenly mobilized with such ferocity—naturally, they coveted this powerful, brand-new technological troop type.

If they had a choice, the Protoss absolutely would not allow Pantann to be returned. Because if the Human Alliance obtained the mass-production methods for this giant iron beast from him, humanity’s disadvantage in ground warfare would be silently neutralized, as the efficacy of the Psychic Storm was increasingly weakened against war machines with higher health pools on the battlefield. In fact, humanity’s most cost-effective troop composition was still the combination of Marine Assault Troopers paired with Medics, but this formation was completely useless against the Psychic Storm—they died as fast as they arrived.

But the current situation was starkly clear: killing Pantann would be equivalent to shattering the fragile peace between the Protoss and humanity, igniting that terrifying fuse.

It was then easily deduced that the next step would be the destruction of both major Protoss Artifacts, leading to all-out war between the Protoss and humanity. At least one-third of humanity's military strength would be destroyed, and the Protoss would also suffer a major blow to their vitality, ultimately resulting in both factions being annihilated by the Zerg. . . .

This was an outcome neither side could bear.

So, returning to square one, the Protoss genuinely dared not touch Pantann.

Consequently, after making the resolution to protect Pantann, the cluster of Protoss Elders, with rare haste, overturned the Conclave ban established 3,700 years prior, clearly intending to restart the production of the Zealot Colossus, as this bloody weapon of war had a far more sinister enemy to contend with.

Fang Senyan closed his eyes, clearly feeling a faint stinging sensation on the bare skin of his back. The wounds had been inflicted by the Queen’s claws. This woman, resembling a voluptuous female beast, seemed to have a great fondness for leaving marks with her teeth and claws on her opponent when aroused, yet due to her immense strength, even this teasing play could inflict considerable harm.

He believed that an ordinary man would have long since been crushed to death by the Queen’s rough handling.

The Zerg’s creep carpet soaked into Fang Senyan’s wounds. After the stinging came a tingling itch, coupled with a distinct coolness. Fang Senyan felt every cell in his body surging with vitality, as if reborn. He sensed something different about himself, yet couldn't immediately articulate precisely what it was.

Fang Senyan slightly turned his head. Although his lower body was numb, still faintly aching with fatigue, he couldn’t help but gasp, and a wave of heat rose from his lower abdomen.

Less than half a meter away, a fair, full body was lying on its side—from the back, it was unmistakably the Queen of Blades. She was undoubtedly naked, and the posture accentuated her full hips and slender waist. The generous curve of her buttocks and the faint shadow of the cleavage were visible, immediately stirring Fang Senyan’s desire again.

Because the surroundings were quiet, even the Queen of Blades’ soft breathing was clearly audible—even, tight, and very rhythmic. She seemed to be in a deep sleep; apparently, she was utterly exhausted, not just from the recent intense battle, but likely also from depleting her energy resisting the power of the Artifact.

A thought stirred in Fang Senyan’s mind. He looked around and discovered that the Hero Banelings and Hero Hydralisks guarding nearby were gone. A careful scan suggested these scoundrels weren't in the vicinity either. Had they gone out on patrol or reconnaissance? Given the Queen of Blades’ current disheveled state, this seemed reasonable.

A wave of wild ecstasy suddenly surged through Fang Senyan. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to escape? If he waited until the sexually sated Queen of Blades awoke, she would inevitably be hungry afterward. If that venomous scorpion-spider-mantis tendency still held sway, wouldn't he tragically end up as food?

At this thought, Fang Senyan’s urge to flee burned even brighter. In such matters, hesitation was fatal; action must be immediate. Thus, he stealthily began to rise. However, just then, Fang Senyan quickly synthesized all the observations and froze:

“The number of coincidences here seems a bit excessive. Given the Queen of Blades’ personality, would she truly be unguarded around me, sleeping so openly and nakedly? And it’s just my luck that the moment I wake up, those damned Hydralisks and Banelings disappear?”

The more Fang Senyan considered it, the more suspicious it became. Fortunately, he was quick-witted. After a moment of thought, he settled on a plan. He got up and slowly walked toward the Queen of Blades, whose back was toward him.

The Queen of Blades’ full, supple body lay nakedly before Fang Senyan’s eyes. However, one could clearly see the faintly visible purplish-red blood vessels beneath her skin, indicating that the insidious Protoss trap had failed; instead, her gene chains had fused more perfectly, much like steel that has been repeatedly hammered becomes stronger.

Fang Senyan slowly squatted down and gently reached his hand behind her toward the Queen of Blades’ fair, slender neck. . . . At this moment, in Fang Senyan’s blind spot, the nail on the Queen’s plump left hand, pressed beneath her, was slowly lengthening, sharpening like a blade! Its gleam was no less brilliant than that of the demon sword Apophis. . . . .

But Fang Senyan’s hand only brushed past her neck before it swooped down and grabbed—this action, which originally hid countless murderous intentions, instantly morphed into something incredibly shameless and sleazy. As for how shameless and sleazy, one only needs to use female curves as a reference to know what lies twenty centimeters below the neck.

After grabbing, Fang Senyan felt the Queen of Blades’ entire body tremble slightly, but she maintained her pretense of sleep. A huge weight lifted from his heart.

From all the clues, Fang Senyan could discern that the scene before him was clearly a deliberate setup by the Queen of Blades. Only she would feign sleep, and only she could silently order the hero units away.

But the motive behind this powerful woman’s actions could be interpreted in two ways, two entirely different intentions. . . .

If viewed positively, perhaps the Queen of Blades, out of consideration for their night together, had no killing intent toward Fang Senyan. Given her ambitious nature and supreme control over the Swarm, she would never pursue a lifelong romantic attachment. Therefore, she had manufactured this opportunity for Fang Senyan to slip away himself.

However, if viewed negatively, it could be that the Queen of Blades was hungry, but not ravenously so, and wanted some amusement before the meal—a game of cat and mouse, allowing some fool to taste the ultimate despair with a sudden decisive move once he thought he was safe. This possibility was also quite high!

Since life and death were at stake, Fang Senyan certainly wasn't foolish enough to bolt outright; that would be like gambling everything on one card draw. If he won, fine; if he lost, he’d lose his life.

Therefore, Fang Senyan’s countermeasure was equally underhanded. Since drawing the card might determine life or death, why would the deeply calculating man be so stupid as to reveal his hand?

Thus, Fang Senyan’s plan was not to flee. However, if the Queen of Blades genuinely did not want to kill him and intended to give him a chance to leave, then his staying would be counterproductive.

So, staying put and doing nothing was also unsuitable.

Therefore, Fang Senyan proceeded to grope without restraint. . . . Outsiders might think Fang Senyan was overcome by lust and enjoying a great fortune, but they couldn't know that as he reached out, his heart was churning with anxiety, treading on thin ice. Clearly, if the Queen of Blades held no regard for their intimacy and indulged in the cruel sport of cat and mouse, she would certainly prevent Fang Senyan from succeeding. Conversely, if he succeeded, it would mean the Queen of Blades at least had no intention of wiping him out completely. . . . (To be continued. RS)