Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 99: Fists had always worked just fine

An hour later, Rory finished packing everything she would need. She carefully cradled Yuel, who remained firmly rooted in his flowerpot, while Nix carried Burnt Dumpling tucked securely under one arm, the bird grumbling softly.

Together, the three of them followed Jasper out of the Interstellar Hunter Alliance grounds, the air still faintly scented with smoke and lingering heat.

As the small hover vehicle lifted smoothly off the ground and glided forward, Rory leaned closer to the window, her breath catching.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

The forest within the repair zone—where only yesterday there had been scorched earth, shattered trunks, and smoking craters—was whole again.

Lush greenery stretched as far as she could see. Trees rose tall and unbroken, their canopies interlacing overhead. Grass rippled like a living carpet beneath the passing wind, vibrant and undisturbed, as though destruction had never touched the land at all.

"Jasper," she asked softly, astonishment threading through her voice, "did everyone pull an all-nighter?"

They fixed everything already?Her heart jumped, swelling with admiration.

Jasper followed her gaze and nodded slowly. "Some of the staff who were on leave heard about what happened," he said. "They came back overnight. Everyone worked together to restore the area."

Every plant here had been cultivated by hand. Every tree had been grown, pruned, and protected by the Alliance members themselves. To watch it burn had been like seeing their own home violated.

So when word of the attack spread, they hadn’t hesitated.

Not for a moment.

They returned.

Still, Rory knew instinctively that manpower alone couldn’t have been enough to complete repairs at such astonishing speed. Even with every available hand working through the night, something didn’t quite add up.

After a brief pause, Jasper added quietly, "Dax supplied the repair materials."

Rory snapped her head toward him. "He did what?" Her eyes narrowed. "He didn’t cheat you this time, did he?"

The memory surfaced instantly—Dax’s easy smile, the casual way he’d once swindled Jasper out of a staggering amount of star coins without a shred of guilt.

"No," Jasper replied, shaking his head. "He didn’t charge anything at all." He hesitated, then added, "In fact, he wanted to give them to us for free."

Rory’s expression darkened, suspicion flickering across her features.

"But you didn’t accept that," she said flatly.

Jasper nodded. "You made it clear you didn’t want any further ties with him." His tone was gentle. "So I paid him anyway."

That eased the tension in her face, if only slightly. The knot in her chest loosened.

When the vehicle touched down moments later, Matt Slade and Ethan Gabriel were already waiting outside. The moment Rory stepped down, Ethan clasped his hands together and stepped forward, his smile warm but edged with nervous energy.

"Female Master Rory Smith," he said respectfully, bowing just enough to be proper without overdoing it. "I’m Ethan Gabriel, second elder of the Dragon Kind Clan."

He straightened and added quickly, "On behalf of our leader, Paros, please accept his greetings. He’s been... extremely occupied lately and couldn’t come in person. I hope you won’t take offense."

So young... and so adorable... Beast God truly has favorites.

Ethan’s thoughts were practically written on his face.

Rory smiled politely. "It’s fine. Having you here to help is already more than enough. Thank you for coming."

Ethan waved the words away enthusiastically. "We’re practically family now. Of course I’d come."

Thank the Beast God, he thought fervently. If Paros had been left to his own devices, with that temper of his, he’d probably stay single forever.

Nearby, Nix quietly pulled Matt Slade aside, lowering his voice until it was little more than a murmur. "When we meet the Dragon Kind elders... try not to start a fight," he added after a beat. "Please."

Since hearing what had happened at the Alliance, Matt had been in turmoil. Guilt tore at him for not being there to protect Rory when she needed it most, and rage simmered beneath the surface—directed not only at their enemies, but at Paros as well. Paros had been the strongest among them, one of her suitors, and yet he hadn’t stayed by her side when danger struck.

That failure gnawed at Matt relentlessly.

He thumped a fist against his chest, expression grim but controlled. "Don’t worry," he said firmly. "I won’t cause trouble."

Nix had just begun to relax when Matt immediately strode straight toward Rory and Ethan without another word.

"Female Master Rory Smith," Matt said, stopping before her and bowing with sincere respect. "It’s good to see you again." He straightened, his voice steady but heavy. "I’m Nix’s uncle, Matt Slade. I owe you an apology."

He drew in a breath. "What happened yesterday must have been terrifying. It’s my fault. I didn’t raise Nix well enough—his rank was too low to protect you properly."

Behind him, Nix froze in place, utterly stunned by the declaration.

Rory, however, already knew who Matt was; Nix had spoken of him more than once.

"Please don’t say that," she replied gently, shaking her head. "Nix did everything he could. What happened was sudden—no one could have anticipated it."

She hadn’t blamed Nix even for a second.

Matt smiled, but the warmth vanished from his eyes as he turned toward Ethan. His tone sharpened.

"Nix may not be the strongest, but at least he stayed with his huntress when danger struck."

His gaze flicked meaningfully.

"Not like certain powerful males who vanish the moment their huntress is threatened—and don’t even show up afterward. Just how busy could someone possibly be? What, is the Dragon Kind on the verge of extinction?"

Ethan’s smile vanished instantly.

"You Ravaryns are the ones headed for extinction!" he snapped back.

Rude, sharp-tongued bastard. Ethan’s glare could have cut steel. If Female Master Rory weren’t standing right here, I’d already have let him have it. Even if... damn it... he’s not entirely wrong.

"Hmph." Matt scoffed. "If it wasn’t something that serious, then why didn’t your leader stay with his huntress? Does that make any sense to you at all?"

Ethan opened his mouth—then closed it.

He had no answer.

Because, unpleasant as it was to admit, Paros really had been at fault.

And when logic failed...

Well.

Fists had always worked just fine.