Him and their stars.

Chapter 2081 I Will Voluntarily Join the Red Star River Organization
The purple-haired girl was none other than Miss Frederica Verbart, a genius girl who had just turned seventeen but had already been enrolled at the Ocean University for a year and was about to complete her first credit.

However, she is currently known to the Nefi community for another identity—the newly crowned "Goddess of the Hearth." In a recently concluded Nefi culinary competition, the purple-haired girl defeated various cosmic-level chefs from across the entire alliance, winning the championship title, a magnificent medal, and the rank of Master Chef. She was also awarded an armband with a dragon pattern and a set of kitchen utensils that were said to be crafted from zero elements.

If this were a food-themed anime, this girl would be the typical protagonist.

Of course, if this were a story about a mastermind behind the scenes, she would also be a protagonist. Despite being just an ordinary underage girl, she is already one of the leaders of the Ring Serpent, commonly known as "Miss Past."

However, according to her own words, what she values ​​most is not these things, but rather her role as the protagonist of a food-themed anime.

"I've already told you, Sister Yani, I'm now a legitimate disciple of the Rongpai Liu family's culinary arts, and the only disciple under my uncle... Master's tutelage to obtain the Alliance's Special Grade Chef qualification. We're all family now, so why can't you call me brother?"

"Were you just about to call him 'uncle'?" Yamida said irritably. "Besides, when did the Rong faction come into being?"

"The Rong School has always existed. What Rongxialou passed down is of course the Rong School, it's just that there wasn't a similar name before. Now that I'm a master chef at the Culinary Arts Academy and the People's Nutrition Association, of course I have to help my master... help my uncle sort out the inheritance system."

Yamida sneered, "Why change it when you're clearly right? Besides, the Culinary Arts Academy and the People's Nutrition Association are both non-governmental organizations."

"Well, strictly speaking, the Standard Shipping Association and the Bracers Association are also non-governmental organizations, right?" the girl whispered. She was muttering something, but her voice was very clear.

Princess Rainbow Rose clicked her tongue in amazement, finding the little Frey who dared to talk back to her quite a novel character. She then smiled and said, "I have a lot to do, so I really need to trouble you to take care of my uncle and his family. How have they been lately?"

"Although I am constantly worried about my brother's situation, the dishes I serve to the guests still taste the same as before."

"What a tough guy!"

“Uncle also said that the pot is made of iron, so it will eventually withstand the test. This, haha, this must be the pride of the God of Cookery. Perhaps it’s also the pride of the Rong School. Uncle and Aunt Lena are actually much stronger than we imagined,” Frey said. Her respect for her (culinary) master was very sincere.

“After all, Uncle is a member of the Gelaohui (a secret society), so he shouldn’t be a pushover,” Yani suddenly said in a perfectly fluent Earth dialect.

"Ah, this... I don't understand." A look of frustration appeared on the girl's face. She realized that it was indeed quite embarrassing that she had forgotten to learn the dialect.

“I mean, Uncle is both a cultivator amidst the mundane world and a climber on the highest path. In terms of the steadfastness of spirit and will, how could he be inferior to any psychic?” Her smile also carried a hint of respect, before she said seriously, “Also, when did you become Uncle? You should at least put on an act.”

The girl subconsciously shrank her shoulders: "An'an and Lele want to skip school again to join the Freedom Volunteer Army formed by the exiled government, but I canceled their bank cards. Their transportation cards can only be used on the route from school to home."

“You did a great job,” Amita said, her tone as if she were praising a subordinate.

The girl, one of the leaders of the "Snake of the Panoramic View," probably didn't realize it, or more likely pretended not to understand anything. Under the subtle emotional shock, she reverted to a cautious form of address: "However, my master does not object to his children joining the Volunteer Army."

“But I object. They are Yu Lian’s family, and I have an obligation to ensure their safety within the Alliance,” Princess Rainbow Rose said matter-of-factly.

The girl could only show her respect. She now truly felt that compared to the other person's unwavering attitude, her attempt to gain a small verbal advantage over the other person's form of address seemed petty and small-minded.

The Blue Star Community's exiled government in Nefi has been in operation for quite some time. Besides various diplomatic and propaganda efforts, their most important task has been the formation of the so-called Free Blue Star Volunteer Army. Its main manpower is, of course, composed of Earth's various overseas Chinese and volunteers from different countries, and it now comprises three divisions. They are currently training on a piece of wasteland sponsored by a certain enthusiastic Alliance enterprise.

The Imperial government naturally protested, but the Alliance government stated that the militia had paid rent, which was a normal business practice and they could not stop it.

In short, the Blue Star government-in-exile theoretically possesses defense capabilities. If you include the outer ring fleet on the high seas and Yang's fleet from New Shenzhou, its military strength is quite considerable. To be fair, the Alliance has indeed accepted quite a few governments-in-exile throughout its history, but the Blue Star Community government certainly appears to be the most prestigious.

"The exiled government of the Blue Star Community in Nefi is not important, but the New Shenzhou and those fleets are. As long as they are still there, the Community will always stand strong. To put it bluntly, even if Yu Lian is gone, it will not affect the future of Earthlings."

The purple-haired girl was slightly taken aback. She really hadn't expected the other person to utter such ominous words in such a calm tone.

"Sister Yani, don't you love him?"

"Love, ah, there are very few men in this world who can keep up with my train of thought, and only one man who can leave me completely bewildered. However, there are limits to being love-struck; I'm not like that endlessly whining orange cat." Miss Bei's tone remained matter-of-fact, even carrying a hint of condescension:
"But even that shameless orange cat understood long ago that the window of opportunity for the Empire to dominate and integrate Terra had ended. In comparison, breaking up the original Earth territory into several small countries controlled by the Empire was actually the best way. It was precisely because she understood this that she could unscrupulously carry out these so-called new policies and reforms on her original territory, right? Since it wasn't her own territory, of course she could conduct some social experiments."

“From this perspective, big brother should even thank King Su,” Frey said with a smile. Her lowered eyelids did indeed seem to be concealing her true feelings.

“I have no need to hide anything. The Imperial ambassador has already secretly made this request to us. Of course, that was after we launched a full-scale attack on Canchuan.” Yani looked directly at the girl.

"The Galactic Empire has shown weakness, yet they can still eat at the table. In that case, the attack came at just the right time. Little Frey, you've really ruined a huge part of my plans!"

"This is absolutely not your scheme, but rather the idea of ​​certain conservative members of Congress," Miss Past asserted confidently. "Moreover, the mastermind behind this is indeed a former colleague. Hey, I don't need to hide it, it's none other than King Werrent himself. Our snake has reformed and would never dare to disrupt any of your plans."

"What is my plan?" Princess Rainbow Rose's smile held a hint of amusement.

"I don't know either, but maybe we have a tacit understanding?" The girl blinked.

"Don't be so clever, Frey. I am also a member of the Ocean University's council and can vote on behalf of the old man. I have the right to stop scholarships and, more importantly, the right to ask students to take their papers back and rewrite them."

"There's actually such a trick up your sleeve?" This was completely unexpected for the girl. She quickly backed down and apologized, her tone humble yet humiliating: "This... I'm really sorry."

Princess Rainbow Rose's shamelessness exceeded her imagination. The former Miss now felt that compared to such a tycoon, she, a terrorist and secret society member, was indeed very gentle and kind.

She lowered her head meekly and carefully placed her index fingers together, saying cautiously, "The alliance has indeed affected the Kingdom of Ketai. At least that regent prime minister received money from the alliance."

“It’s humanitarian aid. It’s rare to find a reasonable and understanding republican among the Ketai people. Of course, we can support them,” said Princess Rainbow Rose.

Of course, it makes sense. The Empire can dismantle the Alliance's ally, Cerk, and the Alliance can certainly exert influence over the Ketai, who have lost their unified kingdom government and almost all of their army.

If it weren't for the "strategic contraction" of the previous year, the league's influence on the Keta would have been far greater than this.

The girl continued to explain, "The rebuilt fleet of the Kingdom of Kete was overseen by that self-proclaimed 'Grand Duke Deno Ironbeard'."

“I know this name.”

"He is one of the new Thirteen, codenamed 'Iron Duke'."

It must be said, this is certainly a very classy person. "I remember, the leaders of your World Serpent cannot include leaders of secular political factions?"

“He is not, he never was. Even without the identity of a snake, Grand Duke Ironbeard was merely one of the agents supported by King Tamil. And King Tamil and the Red King have always been friends.”

"So, what will the Kingdom of Kete gain after this attack?"

"Regardless of success or failure, the newly established Kingdom government will likely disintegrate again. The Galactic Empire should accept the entire Ketai as its vassals. Then, the more than one hundred billion Ketai people currently displaced will have Imperial citizenship, and at least their most basic right to life will be guaranteed." The girl herself probably felt that this statement was a bit far-fetched, and her expression was somewhat stiff, but she still said it seriously:

"Grand Duke Denor himself does indeed have this kind of political logic. He thinks that the current king, protector duke, prime minister and so on are all insects. It's better to give up all illusions and obediently serve as livestock for the empire."

"That fits the stereotype that the Ketai people are prone to extremes," Yani said, suppressing a laugh. "And what about you snakes?"

This time, Miss Past finally stopped rambling: "The newly formed Terran Republic will gain the Empire's recognition more quickly, which is in the interests of 'Zigong' and 'Lingyu'. In addition, if 'Black Serpent's' development in the Abyss Nebula goes smoothly, it would be best if there were a few more small countries around the South Heavenly Gate."

“I see, a new smuggling route, then. That's what you're after. It's vulgar, but it makes sense.” Miss Bei naturally agreed, but then asked, “So, what are the interests of the Red King… that is, King Velent?”

“That’s beyond our knowledge. He certainly doesn’t want His Highness Prince Su to return to the capital so soon, but that’s probably only one reason. He certainly has deeper thoughts, but we’re not interested,” the purple-haired girl said sincerely.
"Moreover, whether you believe it or not, we are truly on our elder brother's side now. According to the current situation, His Highness Prince Su might arrive in the Heavenly Domain before June. However, that's far too early. He shouldn't be waiting for Prince Su's fleet outside the Heavenly Domain, in Chenxiao Fortress."

"...Perhaps even the orange cat doesn't want to," Princess Rainbow Rose sneered.

The light in her eyes flickered at a high-dimensional frequency imperceptible to the naked eye. Within those lights, images from some unknown timeline had already entered her vision.

Or rather, it simply entered her mind directly.

To others, there are really only one or two blurry frames here. The time is extremely short and the image is extremely blurry and murky. This is not even a fragmented image, but a complete jumble of fragments.

But for Yani, that was enough.

"Yes, she didn't really want to either."

"Huh? What did you just say?" The girl couldn't hear clearly at first. Her words seemed to contain a chaotic and deep-seated fluctuation, making all her words indistinct.

Yani laughed and said, "Even if your plan is beneficial to Yu Lian, you will not get his gratitude. People like him hate being used the most, and this has always been the case."

"Yes. How can a hero who creates an era tolerate being schemed against? But a weak woman like me only wants to keep the organization in line with the times. I never expected to receive your gratitude, brother; I just feel sorry for you."

As Princess Rainbow Rose pondered whether to shove the head of this smug purple-haired girl into the soup bowl in front of her, a notification sound came from the communicator on the collar of the person opposite her, followed by the unremarkable but rather steady voice of a middle-aged man: "Frei, come help out. Ocean University has ordered 100 servings of 'Bombing the Sky.' Tsk... they really are throwing a party!"

Needless to say, this is the voice of Mr. Liu Dachang, who is recognized as a culinary god by more than ten food magazines in the alliance. Even without the identity of Yu Lian's uncle, he can still be regarded as a grandmaster in the food anime.

However, Ronghuilou, which he personally manages, will still provide diners with the most popular, delicious and affordable food, and will even continue to deliver food to the university town.

As for Miss Frederica Verbatim, although she is in charge of twelve "Rong Series" high-end chain restaurants, once she returns to Ronghuilou on Green Island, the "place where the dream of Rong-style cuisine began," she still assists her mentor.

"I have to get busy."

“Go ahead. Now that you’re a top-tier chef, a significant portion of the guests here are here specifically for you. Your uncle can’t handle so many well-dressed upper-class people,” Yani laughed. It was as if she wasn’t part of the “well-dressed upper-class people” at all.

"Also, make sure you cook well. If you cook too many different dishes, you'll be punished!"

Of course she knew that the purple-haired girl hadn't told her the truth, or at least not the whole truth, but that didn't really matter.

Just like the identity of the "future prince" remains a mystery, but he has no interest in it at all.

At least in this era, this snake can only be a docile and obedient corn snake. Princess Rainbow Rose was confident of this.

"I will be careful. Please forgive my previous rudeness; we have our own requirements."

Naturally, the current leader of the Serpent of the Rings remained meek and submissive. She could gain some verbal advantage, but that was all; she quickly bowed and left.

However, when she pushed open the door to the private room, a huge, surging, and noisy din of voices rushed into the room.

This, of course, included the voice of the television news in the hall: "Yes, our valiant Alliance soldiers have captured the Estai Base! The fleet of a certain country that crossed the border has fled in disarray! The future of the free city-states along the Spiral Nebula Path still basks in the light of the beacon of democratic civilization! Now, the Spiral Path is only a part; the light of our civilization will shine on Femor, on Cherk, on Terra, and on every corner of the universe! Long live the Free Galaxy Alliance!"

"Long live!"

"It should have been done a long time ago! When did it become the Japanese devils' place to call the shots?"

"Yeah, I told you so! The People's Party and the conservatives are no match for us!"

"As expected, the Bei family is the only family we can rely on!"

A lively commotion filled the restaurant hall, adding a touch of fervor to the otherwise bustling atmosphere of clinking glasses and smoky dishes.

Princess Rainbow Rose watched as her "girl next door" left the private room with light and graceful steps, and then closed the door.

She stayed in the same spot for another ten minutes, leisurely finishing her dinner. It was a delicious meal prepared by Mr. Liu himself, and she couldn't let it go to waste.

Then she took out her terminal and made a call.

But then, a scene that surprised me slightly came into view.

In a hall made of steel, her cousin and most important assistant (and shill), Claire Belmont, and a group of warriors in spacesuits stood before a flag with a red gear pattern, clenching their fists in a gesture of oath.

"From this moment forward, under the guidance of the spirit of the universe and witnessed by all my comrades, I volunteer to join the Red Star Organization."