Him and their stars.

Chapter 2083 The Characteristics of the Red Interstellar Space

Claire Belmont stared at the woman behind the screen. She was simply smiling calmly, like a refined and modest female scholar, but Claire always sensed an unfathomable, condescending aura about her.

Unfortunately, I have become completely accustomed to this kind of oppression, and even enjoy it.

If it weren't for the screen tens of thousands of light-years away, one could probably see the brilliance flashing in those sapphire blue eyes, right? Perhaps one could even discern some faintly condensed clockwork patterns.

Krell felt like his face was burning up, but he managed a forced smile and asked rather cautiously, "So, it's that mission where you only started it and I started feeling dizzy?"

“Yes, that’s the mission that sounds like they’re looking for a reason to kill you,” Amida Berencaster said with a smile, her hands clasped behind her back.

"...So, Yani, what did you see? An increased chance of success?"

She shook her head slightly, blinked, and her beautifully shaped eyelashes, like a curtain, veiled the brilliance shimmering in her sapphire blue eyes: "Krell, you know my stance. Prophecies can only serve as a reference; only logical deductions based on real-world information and clues can lead to correct conclusions."

"I don't believe you at all. We're clearly just a pawn in this game." Krell thought this, but of course, he wouldn't dare say it aloud.

"The Este base was abandoned by the Empire rather than taken by us. Our colossus is complete, and the Empire has received our signal."

As an important member of the alliance's ruling class, he had naturally suspected this for a long time, but the unfolding events still sent chills down his spine: "So, it turns out that your previous Miss Yulian..."

If that's true, it would be the biggest strategic deception of this century!
"They didn't even notice?"

"They should have been suspicious when they launched the operation to kill the snake. What followed was a long period of probing. They were probing throughout the entire war."

As the Galactic Empire gradually exerted maximum pressure to confirm its suspicions, and before those suspicions became reality, the true Colossus of the Alliance finally emerged. Thus, all the Empire's previous pressure tactics and strategic adventures were rendered as timid and cautious, serving as cautionary tales in history textbooks.

Claire Belmont put himself in the role of the Imperial Privy Council, feeling that if it were him, he would need to find a dozen girls to dance a girl group dance for half an hour to barely soothe his agitated feelings.

"If the Empire had any basic thinking ability, it would definitely abandon all its strongholds for advancing into the Spiral Nebula."

While the Helix Nebula is undoubtedly the largest gray area in the entire universe, and one of the "pirate paradises," the shipping lanes that traverse the nebula are extremely important. The various space city-states and autonomous territories scattered along these lanes are all incredibly wealthy.

Of course, being a Galactic Empire, they should possess such strategic resolve and know what they must sacrifice. Their actions regarding the Spiral Path and Canchuan have always been probing. Thus, even now, despite direct combat, the official narratives from both countries maintain it's a misunderstanding.

As for the so-called Estée base, since it doesn't exist in official records, it obviously doesn't exist either.

Yes, yes, Neferpitou reported the fortress's existence, but that was never the point. If media reports could be considered evidence and history, then the world should be ruled by advertisers.

...Well, it seems that's actually true.

“But Femor is different,” Yani said. “The Empire has already appointed border lords here, and even wants to appoint that guy here as well.”

Krell recalled that "bloody disaster," and he had indeed witnessed the "eternal duel" between Yu Lian and the emperor, and he was truly in awe!

"Admiral Mychdor will continue to await reinforcements after retaking the entire Spiral Channel. The Azure Palace is expected to assemble over a thousand warships, as well as four Titans, and place them under his unified command."

If the goal is merely to maintain peace on the borders of the Spiral Nebula, why would such a large fleet be needed? It's clearly aimed at wresting control of Femor from the Empire.

"That thing is still waiting at Wanwang Pass. If we have a large-scale armed standoff or a small-scale conflict in the Femo Starfield, there's a 40% chance the Empire will transfer it to Gorgon Fortress. I'll find a way to increase that probability." At this point, Princess Rainbow Rose seemed to have just thought of something: "Oh, right, it's actually been renamed Valpolis Fortress now."

The name Gorgon sounds like something out of a green hat, and in fact, it is. She was originally a powerful Umba lion-faced warlord family in the Femo star system. It took ten generations and nearly two hundred years to finally build up her family's stronghold, which was also the largest fortress in the Femo star system.

Because many engineers from the Empire and the Alliance were hired, this fortress really does have a bit of the feel of Skyhold.

Because it took two hundred years to build, it has a very futuristic and eclectic style, and it is said to be one of the most important places for interstellar travelers to visit.

The Gorgon family originally hoped to use this as a base to unify Femor, but as the imperial army swarmed in, such hopes naturally vanished.

Thus, under the diplomatic offensive of the Grand Chancellor of Valpolis, the Umba warlord chose the most pragmatic and sensible approach. He readily surrendered his fortress and his army, choosing to pledge allegiance to the Dragon Kings. He himself, of course, reaped enormous rewards. A Umba family born of pirates, after ten generations of rule, had actually become formal imperial nobles. All family members had transformed from outlaws into impeccably dressed members of the imperial upper class.

The empire gained control of the fortress and the crucial node of Femor, and the Umba people were able to redeem themselves and become members of high society, thus opening up a bright future for everyone.

This is definitely a win-win deal.

Or rather, it was a win-win-win situation. Due to the diplomatic victory, the name of the Vizier of Valpolis became the new name of the fortress, leaving a significant mark on history.

That's how empires are. The Dragon Kings are very proud, so proud that they don't mind naming important star systems or space cities after their subjects.

"However, that place is not yet the Empire's homeland, and its defenses are relatively lax. Although Valpolis Fortress looks a lot like Sky Tower, it is not. Libra Bank provided the Gorgon family with a lot of funds, and the Poseidon Fleet transported laborers and building materials for them. Even engineers and technicians had to go through intermediaries. We have all the structural blueprints of that fortress, including the codes for most of the automated protection systems."

Krell shook his head, his face still full of doubt: "The Empire knows all about this. After all, it was a complete fortress!"

Yani tapped the table lightly with her slender fingers, a hint of mockery appearing in her smile: "I once told Yu Lian that he is just himself, but his subordinates are another matter. If his followers want more rewards, they need to fight for it themselves."

Yani's tone remained unwavering. She seemed to be talking to herself, seemingly unrelated to the questions, yet she had indeed answered many of them.

She paused, gazing at Krell opposite her, her voice filled with an undeniable allure: "Since you are a pure and powerful vanguard group, then prove it to me."

Claire Belmont fell silent. His breathing went from steady to heavy, then rapid, before returning to normal.

A dozen seconds later, his voice rang out again, all the frivolity gone, replaced by solemnity and determination: "I will pass on the message. Actually, they are willing to try anything, I simply don't want to see them shed blood."

“So you have a compassionate heart! You’re either the best worker or the worst oppressor.” Yani’s smile was meaningful.

What did you see this time?

The communication immediately came to an abrupt halt.

As the holographic image of Princess Rainbow Rose disappeared from the screen, the reassuring yet unsettling tranquility also vanished.

Claire Belmont let out a long breath, then quickly took two deep breaths, as if the image from 20,000 light-years away had also sucked away some of the oxygen from this small space city.

He rubbed his cheeks, which had become slightly stiff from maintaining his persona. The frivolity on his face quickly faded.

He turned and left the small communications room, walking steadily toward the conference room in the core area of ​​the base.

In this simple meeting room, a large iron pot sat on a round metal table, bubbling and gurgling. Several people had already gathered around it, enjoying a hot pot meal together.

Although there was no singing, the atmosphere was naturally quite joyful and uplifting.

Humans, Luminans, and Lothars were rummaging through a large pot for food, yet no one seemed to feel unwell.

"Hey, Lao Ba, this bug egg is for you. Haven't you noticed you've been working yourself to the bone lately?"

"I haven't lost weight. I can still break steel bars with all four hands. We Lumina people are known for our good looks and physique, and I'm still the most handsome young man in the whole area. Besides, I already ate last month!"

"Hey, Krell, Krell, judging from your expression, this doesn't sound like good news, does it?"

"It's big news. Whether it's good or bad, I can't say for sure. All I know is that we'll be stained with blood." Although Krell was heavy-hearted, he didn't intend to avoid the other person's question.

The Lumina man stroked his dark, hairless head and let out a hearty laugh: "Then let the blood flow like rivers! Oh, this Legion Pot will be a specialty of our Red Star from now on, a must-try. The future of the Red Star, the future of the universe, let's sit down and talk while we eat."

(End of this chapter)