Him and their stars.

Chapter 2079 Attacked on their own turf?
"The new government of Ketai has heard that you are passing through Bamiao and hopes to have your presence and a meeting. It would be a great honor for the people of Ketai to host a banquet for you. These are the exact words of the communication." The Chief of Staff quickly reviewed the communication sent by the other party.

The Ketai people were naturally extremely humble, but Brunhilde was unwilling to accept it: "The Ketai poor get a free pancake every day, provided by the Empire. And yet they still have the means to host me? And how do they even know my whereabouts?"

“We are currently within Kete’s territory, so it’s only natural that we know your whereabouts. Your Highness, your current reaction is rather impolite,” Ostana Bar said.

“Our fleet has been rude since the day it entered the Kingdom of Kete, but that’s an objective fact. I don’t even have anyone to show courtesy to.”

In short, the Dawn Angel, where Queen Suluka was located, along with its twelve escort warships, was sailing at high speed within the territory of the Kingdom of Ketai, as if it were its own land. However, from Queen Suluka herself down to the most ordinary crew members in the entire fleet, no one felt the need to notify the other party.

The Galactic Empire certainly has the right of military passage in its various satellite states. However, out of basic diplomatic courtesy, in the past, Imperial fleets would at least send a notification to the country in question before entering its territory, politely requesting entry permission.

But now, just as Brunhilde said, she can't even find someone to report to.

Thanks to a certain demonic dragon whose name cannot even be mentioned, this once top-tier henchman of the empire suffered a devastating blow when his main fleet was wiped out in the Battle of Blood Gate. The powerful regent prince, Charon, was killed in action, and the capital subsequently endured several more rounds of bombing. Naturally, the domestic situation remains turbulent and precarious.

That's not surprising. After all, the direct line of the Crimson Mane royal family was almost completely wiped out, and the remaining members of the collateral branches were scattered in all directions after the subsequent attacks. Once the situation calmed down a bit, it's not surprising at all that twenty or thirty claimants to the throne would suddenly emerge.

If there are other political ideologies involved, the situation becomes even more delicate.

As it turns out, even in a social system like Kete, which is even more extreme than the Empire, there are still all sorts of ideologies, demands, and factions.

The subsequent developments indeed proved this to be true.

In short, various figures had their own plans regarding the future of the Kete people and the kingdom. Over the next year, a diverse array of figures, including claimants of the throne, regime changers, republicans, and annexers, took to the stage, all vying for power amidst this chaotic situation. Yet, no single side held a decisive advantage.

As for their overlord nation, with most of their power and energy tied up in a tiny planet like Earth, the Empire couldn't afford to worry about the future of the Ketai. To be fair, under these circumstances, the Galactic Empire's consistent provision of humanitarian aid and basic security to the ordinary Ketai people, who had lost their homeland, was already a very responsible act.

You can say an empire is bad, but you can't say it's incapable of handling things.

However, they truly lacked the energy to take responsibility for the future of the Ketei people and only hoped that they could make their own decisions.

“After the fall of the Kingdom of Kete, I never cared about their fate again,” Brunhilde said regretfully. “It was my fault; it was so cruel!”

“The Kingdom of Kete has not perished,” Ostana corrected helplessly. “In fact, their situation is improving.”

"Oh, so it's finally decided who's in charge?" Brunhilde finally showed a little interest.

The chief of staff said with a hint of helplessness and a touch of mockery, "Well, that will take some time, but things are definitely getting better."

In short, after ten months of arguing and brawling—thanks to the presence of the Imperial garrison, at least it didn't turn into a full-blown civil war—the various factions finally managed to establish a new kingdom government in the capital, Bamme, that could represent the Kete people.

The royal nobles with the closest blood ties became the new kings, the wealthiest nobles became the protectors of the country, and the most powerful local warlords even proclaimed themselves the rulers of absolute power.

Given the consistently strong voice of the Republicans, a highly respected scholar-politician subsequently became the new prime minister. To distinguish himself from previous prime ministers, he even referred to himself as "Regent Prime Minister," instantly giving him a somewhat imposing air.

Of course, the demands of the "subjugation faction" had to be respected, which led to the creation of a new position: Grand Tutor. Although this person was also a Terrabite, he was a legitimate imperial nobleman, the kind who possessed a golden book and jade tablet and received an annuity.

This is not some progressive system like a deliberative process. In fact, all five of them have the power to make promises and enact foreign policy decisions that are equivalent to those of a head of state.

In addition, there were twelve co-governing officials, seven deputies, six vice ministers, six advisors and administrators, and a whole host of generals, military governors, regional governors, and district (state) governors, which constituted the current government of the new kingdom of Bamyu.

Brunhilde listened in awe, feeling as if he were witnessing a farce up close.

And just as this newly established government began operating, His Highness Brunhilde's fleet happened to be passing through, which led to this invitation.

"This is probably the first major foreign affairs activity since the establishment of the new government of the Kaitai Kingdom. Naturally, we need to be careful and cautious," said the Chief of Staff.

"Good heavens, if I approach everyone and chat and laugh for three minutes, won't things here still be unfinished by the time Yu Lian enters the Heavenly Realm?"

Even someone as uninhibited as the Chief of Staff shrank back slightly, looking a little uncomfortable: "The smooth progress of the dredging project on the Kaitai section of Glorious Avenue is also thanks to the large number of Kaitai laborers, which is inseparable from the help of the organizers."

The so-called Glorious Road refers to the main shipping route of the Blood Gate star system in the Tianyu region. However, as we all know, after the Blood Gate Battle, the section of the route within the Kingdom of Ketai had been almost completely destroyed by the outer ring fleet. Of course, they couldn't destroy the gravity wells and hyperspace routes, but all the energy arrays, outposts, cargo depots, repair points, and supply points along the way, as well as inhabited planets—any target that could be destroyed by naval guns—became prey for the outer ring fleet.

This is what it means to cut off one of the empire's offensive routes.

Even with the empire's national strength, it was impossible to restore this prosperous shipping route to its heyday in just one year. However, it was at least able to maintain and resupply a small to medium-sized fleet along the way, which could at least be considered the beginning of post-war reconstruction.

This is, of course, the main reason why Brunhilde chose to return home along this route.

"You mean I should meet with him?"

“After all, you’re already here. Whatever your true objective may be, as long as you pass through Bamyu, they can’t help but take you seriously. You can ignore them, but they must treat you as their most honored guest. Your Highness, the ones who have paid the greatest price in this war are not humans, but these vassal races. They mobilized, they fought, they died, but they gained nothing.” Ostana’s expression was deep, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

King Suliuka glanced at his chief of staff, and after a brief silence, said quietly, "Speaking of which, I remember that Bamyu had his glass burned by that guy, right?"

Yes, thanks to a certain indescribable dragon whose name cannot even be mentioned, the capital of the Kingdom of Ketai, which once housed over 20 billion Ketai cats, now has a population that is less than half of what it was before the war.

That once vibrant, blue-green planet was now riddled with massive bomb craters and the ruins of collapsed cities. The continental landmasses, piled with rubble, bore a bluish-gray mottled pattern, like moss growing on the surface; and on the continental shelves at the edge of the ocean, numerous mountains, seemingly made of crystal, rose straight into the sky.

However, it remains the birthplace and capital of the Ketai people. Although the glass was burned, the ecological cycle was not irreversibly damaged and can still be restored. In addition, this was actually the work of the outer fleet and Marshal Bonaparte, but unknowingly it became the crime of a certain dragon, but it is estimated that the parties involved do not care about this.

Brunhilde said, “I don’t have time to detour through Bamiu. It would take an extra day, which would be a loss. Let them come to me at the space station in the F78 system on Glorious Avenue. The fleet needs to rest there for 12 hours. I will give them the honor they want, and I will personally host a banquet for them all.”

Ostana, of course, completely agreed. She even showed a hint of emotion: "Your Highness, you're finally getting into the swing of things."

"The status of the Privy Council's Chief Minister?" King Suliuka sneered.

“It’s not up to you to decide. It depends on your own judgment.” Ostana looked at her lord meaningfully: “Your Highness, isn’t it a sign that you’ve settled Gilly in the territory of the Kingdom of Cherk? I thought you would recommend Gilly to be the warlord of Terra, or at least make her the second-in-command of the next marching camp.”

"If she could manage this for another hundred years, perhaps the Cherke people would become another group of Ketai people. Compared to Earth, the kingdom of Katun might be more suitable for her to accumulate merits."

“But all the territories of the community, including Earth, now belong to you.” Ostana laughed. “As expected, Your Highness, you would rather think about annexing the entire Cherke and turning those alligator snapping turtles into your subjects than ever think about establishing a lasting rule on Earth!”

King Suruka glared at her and said loudly, "Aha, I even went to sweep the grave. Ostana, don't try to fathom the heart of a king. If it were any other lord, you would have been fed to the dragons long ago."

"It is precisely because you are such a magnanimous and wise ruler that I dare to be so presumptuous. Thank you for your tolerance, which is as vast as the universe."

"I'll take that as flattery... Anyway, I never said I was going to abandon Earth, so don't go around spreading rumors!"

Brunhilde's voice carried a hint of competitiveness (or jealousy), but considering that she would never admit it, Ostanina simply smiled indulgently like a mature adult and nodded dignifiedly.

The following hours of the flight proceeded smoothly. Throughout this time, Brunhilde, of course, continued to monitor the situation both domestically and in Fermo.

However, when the Dawn Angel was two warp jumps away from the Brilliant F78, where it was originally scheduled to stay, the bridge received a new communication request.

This time it wasn't Bhamo, the capital of Kete, but a fleet sailing in a neighboring star system.

"Your humble servant is from the First Reconnaissance Fleet of the Republic of Terrabi's National Defense Force. We have intercepted an emergency situation from the Bamyu side and must convey it to His Highness King Suliuka." The other party's tone was filled with tense urgency.

Even with Brunhilde's intelligence, it took him a second to dig out the information about this so-called "Terrabi" from some crevic in his cerebral cortex: "If I remember correctly, this race has a good relationship with Yulian?"

Brunhilde said, "One of the earliest founders of the Northwind Pioneers under the Human Union was a famous explorer named Fegete Silverbeard, who was also the leader of the Terrabi. In addition, the newly established Redwing Security Company under the Human Union also has a large number of Terrabi employees."

Brunhilde then asked, "They issued a declaration of independence. They also expressed their willingness to swear allegiance to the Celestials."

As we all know, the Kingdom of Kete now has five people with the functions of a head of state, and this system has only recently been established. Indeed, no other country can afford to worry about the independence of the Terrans.

"Yes, the Privy Council has agreed in principle, but no official document has been issued yet."

The implication is that once the new Privy Council Chief Justice takes office, the document formally announcing the "surrender of the territories" can be issued. This would be a significant diplomatic achievement, naturally attributable to Brunhilde.

Of course, she herself didn't care about these trivial credits, but simply asked curiously:

"Now that the Terrabi have become independent, how come their fleet has managed to get near Bamyu? Is this a betrayal of their former overlord? A rebellion against the Heavenly Gang?"

"Although the Empire has agreed in principle to the establishment of the Terrabi people's state, the two countries have not yet exchanged official documents, and it is still a long way from demarcating their territories. Theoretically, the presence of the Terrabi people's fleet here is not really a violation of regulations."

This may sound counterintuitive, but the logic behind it is actually correct.

At this point, the message continued: "The Ketai fleet, originally stationed in Bamiao, has gathered in the F78 system with unclear intentions. Your Highness, please be careful. I am also moving towards the F78 system."

When this communication appeared on the terminal screen, the atmosphere on the bridge instantly froze, and a sense of impending doom filled the air.

The soldiers are still operating their warships with skillful movements, but their morale has changed.

Brunhilde couldn't help but burst out laughing: "How amusing, the Ketai want to attack me?"

Ostana pondered for a moment and said, "Speaking of which, the current King of Ketai and the Duke of Judgment are both 'old friends' of the Tamil King. The Prime Minister even served as a senior executive in the Garan Chamber of Commerce."

"Oh?"

"The Tamil king may not necessarily be on the side of the King of Wei, but he is definitely not on our side."

Brunhilde turned to look at the other person: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"The stars bear witness to our expedition! Everything in the empire needs to prove its loyalty. Your Highness, only when you reach the Celestial Realm will your journey be truly on track. Before that, the possibility of everything failing remains. Compared to all of this, the wars of the past seem utterly pointless."

“War is war, there is no distinction between large and small,” Brunhilde replied, looking down at her strategist with a dangerous gaze: “Ostana, I don’t want to hear your doubts, only your advice based on facts.”

"Then, Your Highness, please prepare for battle!"

Before Brunhilde could say anything more, an alarm suddenly sounded on the bridge indicating that a high-energy reaction had been detected.

"Three o'clock!" the captain shouted.