Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 376

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 376: Unexpected Power**

“Thanks.”

Lucien offered a warm smile to Marcus, who was slumped in the chair across from him, a picture of fatigue.

Marcus, his eyelids heavy, closed his eyes tight and chose to ignore Lucien’s presence. A deep weariness settled in his bones, and all he yearned for was the solace of sleep, a brief escape from the chaos surrounding them.

Lucien, however, remained unfazed by Marcus’s indifference. He continued to savor his noodles in silence, the flavors dancing on his palate. It was likely Edric’s handiwork—Edric had a penchant for bold flavors, always eager to sprinkle in extra salt, a trait that had become a signature of his culinary style.

Just as Lucien finished the last bite, the sharp trill of his communicator sliced through the quiet, pulling him from his thoughts.

“Report to Your Highness. We’ve detected a Chitinid warship at the edge of the outer battlefield.”

In an instant, Lucien’s demeanor shifted. The warmth of the moment evaporated, replaced by a chilling focus and urgency.

“Send me the coordinates and the warship class immediately,” he commanded, his voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of tension.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The coordinates arrived with alarming speed, lighting up his device.

“Coordinates: Z-829. It was located fifteen point seven astronomical units off the primary route, concealed behind the meteor belt.”

The scout therian’s voice trembled, a clear reflection of the fear that gripped him.

“Warship class analysis failed. Our database couldn’t match it.”

Lucien’s brow furrowed as he processed the information.

“Your Highness, this warship is a super-class vessel we’ve never encountered before. Its energy output far exceeds that of any Chitinid warship we’ve previously recorded.”

The gravity of the report weighed heavily on him.

When had the Chitinid managed to develop such advanced technology?

Beside him, Marcus, who had been fighting off sleep, suddenly opened his eyes wide and sat up, his curiosity piqued. He glanced at the image displayed on Lucien’s device, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“When did the Chitinid find someone so skilled? They actually managed to outdo Corvin in creating a new model?”

Historically, Chitinid warships had always lagged behind the Empire’s technology, mere imitations of the designs crafted by Corvin.

The sight of a Chitinid warship boasting such formidable strength took both Lucien and Marcus by surprise, leaving them momentarily speechless.

Just then, a priority call interrupted their thoughts, and the full-body projection of the Empire’s First Marshal, Calum Jenkins, materialized in the command room, his expression stern and commanding.

Marcus’s heart raced at the sight of Calum. His eyes sharpened with disbelief. Everyone had believed the man to be dead.

Calum, however, acted as if he were oblivious to Marcus’s presence, his focus solely on Lucien.

The colossal vessel floated ominously in the void of space, resembling a metal beast lying in wait. Dark red lines of energy flickered ominously across its rugged exterior, a visual warning of its power.

The room fell silent as everyone absorbed the energy readings displayed on the screens. A wave of shock washed over them, thickening the air with tension.

This warship could generate energy equivalent to that of two Rank 11 powerhouses.

“Your Highness, the scan is complete,” the deputy announced, pointing at several bright red spots on the screen.

He continued, “The enemy warship contains four Level 11 insect cores. We’ve detected two Rank 11 Chitinid and at least eight Rank 10 Chitinid.”

Two Rank 11, eight Rank 10.

The weight of the revelation pressed down on the entire command room, suffocating them under the sheer magnitude of the threat.

Not long ago, during the battle that had resulted in Lucien and Silas’s disappearance, the Chitinid had only deployed five Rank 11 fighters.

How many Empire females were locked inside this ship? The Chitinid had sent an absurdly powerful lineup to guard them.

At some point, Marcus had gravitated to Lucien’s side, his eyes half-lidded as he stared at the imposing warship on the screen. His voice was lethargic, yet laced with a hint of determination.

“Do we attack now?”

Lucien’s gaze remained fixed on the warship, his voice devoid of warmth, yet resolute. “We must strategize carefully. This is not an enemy to be underestimated.”