Him and their stars.

Chapter 2112 Private Arrangements
Regardless of the wild speculations running through the Earthling command structure of Chenxiao Fortress, the prisoner transfer was proceeding smoothly. Meanwhile, King Werrent on the Yuanlong received good news from the front lines.

"The transport ships have entered the fortress, and the soldiers are boarding. They have not been harassed and have been allowed to take their personal belongings with them," Admiral Paroson said. "These soldiers are saved. This is all thanks to your advocacy."

“I was just lucky. Our enemy just happened to be a hero with noble martial virtues. He is already a legend, so he doesn’t need to pay any attention to us.”

At this moment, the pity of an anti-war activist and the passionate fervor of a man willing to die for his cause on King Velent's face had long since faded, replaced by a refined and full mask.

He calmly waved his hand and issued the order: "The entire fleet, according to the pre-arranged plan, retreat to the T119 star system and await orders. Maintain silence and do not initiate contact with the enemy fleet unless absolutely necessary."

He then looked at General Yelik: "It will take half a day for a million people to board the ship. Let the transport ships go directly to the Fantnan Star camp to await orders, instead of meeting us at 119."

The two generals exchanged a glance.

They all knew that the Nanxing Camp was one of the few remaining Earth fleets that escaped the border conflict in the Shengyuan star system. Currently, its equipment and orbital station were still relatively intact, and its armory contained enough weapons to rearm a million soldiers.

General Parosson added, "Furthermore, the Duke of Borolles wishes to see you. He has important matters to discuss."

"Only him?"

"No, there are also Marquis Sehra, Earl Dego, and Earl Bakenty."

Those familiar with the political landscape of the empire would know that these names represent powerful border lords.

"With so many powerful figures coming together, they certainly aren't here to question the old Knight Commander Michele." King Wei breathed a sigh of relief. "Please invite them to meet me in Millennium City. I'll be there until June. We can talk face to face. No, it can only be done face to face."

The two generals, practically inseparable from the King of Wei, exchanged another glance. They both knew the meaning behind it and vaguely sensed that the history of the empire, which began in the time of Emperor Elithel the Great, seemed to be drawing to a close.

Even pure martial artists like them could see the prelude to a new era, let alone others.
The Yuanlong was still the last warship to be evacuated.

Her massive body silently slid into the hyperspace channel, leaving the burning star field behind, and accelerated to catch up with her escort ships.

The Imperial fleet, suffering almost no losses, sailed towards the other side of the Shengyuan system. The fleet was still in good order, but somehow it exuded a sense of defeat and dejection.

It wasn't until the fleet entered the gravitationally stable main channel of the Shengyuan system that King Velent's private terminal received a highly encrypted communication request from the Xuanwu system, 1000 light-years away.

King Velent unfolded a light screen in his office, where he was alone. The person who appeared was the current Grand Master of the Astral Knights, Privy Council Minister, and Imperial Marshal Duke Gerebean.

She looked at the Prince Wei behind the screen with great interest, her eyes full of mockery and teasing.

“If you want to laugh, then laugh out loud.” King Werrent said with his hands in his pockets, looking proud rather than ashamed. “I admit that my performance was clumsy and there was an element of gambling involved, but I am only a mere fourth-ringed player. Even if I were wearing the Blazing Dragon armor, I would never be a match for him. Even if I become a clown, it is the only option I have.”

Duke Gerberan shook his head slightly, his voice devoid of emotion: "If you have become a clown, what are Lord Milerke and me? What are those Imperial soldiers who were saved because of you? Your Highness, the gentlemen of the Privy Council will surely applaud your 'endurance of humiliation' and 'love of your soldiers like your own children'."

She really didn't mean any sarcasm, but King Velent still noticed the quotation marks.

“You are also a member of the Privy Council. We are all,” said the Prince of Wei.

"Alright. The people will be grateful to you. Even the most extreme Tyreiro people will think that although you are a bit weak and your fists are not that hard, you must be a good person."

King Werrent leaned back in his chair, a helpless smile playing on his lips: "I simply made the choice that best served the Empire's interests at the right time. We did our best. Rather than letting our soldiers die meaninglessly, it's better to choose a dignified end."

“Yes. Anyone with a conscience and reason will understand that you made the most realistic choice. You are not only a good person, but also a smart one.” Duke Géribian sighed, “However, the people of Tirero will admire smart and good people, but they will not follow them.”

King Wei couldn't help but sigh, his sigh seemingly filled with a deep and indescribable sorrow.

It must be said that his emotions now are much more sincere and genuine than when he was being impassioned just now.

“Yes! The clever and good people are just doing the work, that’s the Tirelo people for you. Princess Brunhilde is a good person, and very smart too! But she’s much more popular than me. Sometimes, the atmosphere in the Empire really makes hardworking people like me feel disheartened.”

"Is it possible that it's a matter of appearance?"

"..." King Wei felt that this was far too humiliating.

“That was just a joke. Princess Brunhilde is an upright, friendly, intelligent, and strong woman. She is strong first and foremost, which is why she has the followers of the Tireiros. His Majesty the Emperor is the same,” Duke Gerebean said. “You have been straying from your goals from the very beginning.”

King Velent raised his eyes and looked intently at the Duke: "I don't even know my own goals, yet you know them?"

He deliberately drew out his words, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice: "Whether you believe it or not, I never intended to reach that position. At least, I've lost that intention now."

Duke Gerebean narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the Prince with a meaningful gaze, then sighed: "I see now, you have a different kind of ambition. When did this begin? In comparison, I have been wallowing in self-pity because I lost the opportunity to continue to improve. How shallow, how ugly."

"This is our empire. Your Highness, Geribian, the margin for error is too low for anyone who wants to make progress." The King's tone was quite heavy, as if he really wanted to persuade the Duchess to try to change her way of life.

“But His Majesty’s will is like the starry sea. What we can glimpse is perhaps only the reflection He chooses to show us. Your Highness, everything you have done today may also be under His observation.”

“Perhaps.” King Werrent leaned back in his chair, a smile gradually spreading across his face. “But in any case, this play has already begun, and it must be finished. Many times, you think you are the playwright and director, but you are also an actor. Once His Majesty allows us to lift the curtain on the stage, no one can stop us.”

Duke Gerebean gazed at the smiling Prince Wei, watching his smile gradually twist, become ferocious, and turn mad, but couldn't help but sigh, "Very good, Your Highness. Of all the time we've known each other, you're most like a proper Dragon King now."

King Werrent wiped his face, then his smile vanished. "Is my answer satisfactory? Is it satisfactory to His Majesty?"

“Look at what you’re saying. In the end, I’m nothing more than a loyal watchdog. I’ve always just received grander orders and then carried them out.” Duke Gérard returned the greeting. “But please believe me, I am full of enthusiasm and hope for the possibilities of the future.” Then, the communication was cut off in a tacit silence between the two.

Duke Geribian sat alone in her large chair, gazing towards the heavens. After a long while, she jumped up from her chair, patting her cheeks with a mournful expression. "No matter what, I am the Grand Master of the Knights of the Stars! Why is this happening? Your Majesty, King Suluka, and King Velent, I'm clearly dancing on three eggs! Oh no, the various lords all have different ideas now, who knows how many eggs are there?"

The more crucial issue is that, as a loyal watchdog, she was ordered to dance.

Thinking of this, Duke Geribian took out her alchemical crystal to report to her master, but there was no response. She immediately felt more sadness and loss, and couldn't help but mutter to herself, "I used to think I was a dog, but now I feel like I'm a sacrifice."

As soon as she heard this, she shivered and jumped to her feet, cautiously observing her surroundings like a startled quail, as if she were worried that an emperor would suddenly jump out and slap her head against the floor.

After a brief moment of hesitation, she finally managed to get through to the other end of the communication channel, Yutu.

When Jaeger Sobyk (by psionic standards) appeared on screen as an unremarkable and unheroic figure, Duke Guy had to admit that he actually felt a sense of relief and a long-lost sense of security.

She stared at him, forcing a slightly stiff smile: "General, you've already received the message, haven't you?"

Sobek nodded, his expression quite strange: "Chenxiao Fortress has fallen. There is no longer any natural defense between the Demon Dragon and the Heavenly Realm."

The Duke noticed that this seemed to be the first time this guy had used the term "dragon" to describe an Earthling, but he couldn't quite grasp what kind of thought process it represented.

"So, General Sobek, what do you think?"

What can I do? Is this something I have the right to comment on?
“This, this, we have to do something.” Sobek said, forcing himself to speak, but then he realized he wasn’t sad enough, so he patted his cheeks and immediately forced a slightly exaggerated, somber expression: “May the spirits of the universe bless our Galactic Empire.”

Whether the spirits of the universe would protect the empire, Sobek truly didn't know. In any case, the current situation and the hearts of the people were certainly not on the empire's side.

He felt that if he were in charge, his first priority would be to evacuate the Heavenly Realm. Important government departments and research institutions should be relocated, and ideally, the emperor himself should also leave. As for the common people, based on his understanding of his "arch-enemy," that person would never harm them.

But that's easy to say, and it's hardly the style of the Galactic Empire.

As if he could read the Duke's expression, the Duke revealed a troubled look: "In fact, the Prime Minister's Office had already prepared an evacuation plan, but it has been rejected by the Privy Council. They believe that forcing the Galactic Empire to abandon its capital with a mere thirty-ship fleet would truly be a disgrace to our ancestors."

See? See? I knew it.

“I am completely flustered,” Duke Garibel said with a bitter face. “The Galactic Empire has reached its most dangerous moment. At this critical juncture, what should we do?”

Well, so this is a life-or-death situation? Just two months ago, wasn't the whole country, from the Privy Council to ordinary citizens, still basking in the glory of being conquerors? No wonder they couldn't even manage an evacuation.

So what exactly is His Majesty the Emperor doing? If Prince Brunhilde were sitting in that position, he would have already begun to purge the Privy Council.

Sobek couldn't help but think this, but then realized it was extremely disrespectful, and he couldn't help but shudder, feeling a chill run down his spine, as if an all-knowing and all-powerful emperor would jump out from somewhere and rub his head against the floor.

He composed himself, saluted, and said, "I will have the fleet depart immediately and head to the Heavenly Domain for rescue as soon as possible. However, if I may be frank, the route from Chenxiao Fortress to the Imperial Capital via Toristan is less than 800 light-years. Even if the Earth fleet slows down its march, it will definitely arrive in the Heavenly Domain before us."

Duke Gérien nodded with a sorrowful expression: "Psionic skills are my specialty. But warfare is your specialty. From now on, I will have to rely on you for everything. I will do my best to cooperate with your work."

Sobek responded with a rather forced, bitter smile, feeling utterly overwhelmed and exhausted, even struggling to breathe.

Of course, considering that by the time he led his troops to the Heavenly Realm, his "arch-enemy" might have already been reduced to ashes by the Imperial Capital and left in a swagger.

Thinking about this, he didn't know whether he should be sad or comforted.

At this moment, the Duchess suddenly seemed to remember something, leaned closer to the camera, and stared at Sobek with a somewhat pitiful look in her eyes: "I have another small problem, a very small problem. If it's too sensitive, you don't need to say it. I just hope that you can not take it to heart for the sake of our comradeship."

I didn't want to answer this question just from hearing the opening gesture. Sobek stood up straight and said solemnly, "Please speak. I will answer to the best of my knowledge."

"May I ask, did Her Highness Brunhilde give you any special instructions privately?" the Duchess asked. "Did she tell you what action you should take in this situation?"

Sobek paused for a moment, then shook his head. He genuinely hoped so, so that at least he would know what to do and wouldn't have to shoulder this immense burden with his small arms and legs.

The Duke blinked, seemingly unconvinced, and gave a polite dry laugh: "I understand."

You don't know anything! Although I'm part of some prince's faction, I'm really not that familiar with him! He might even be more trusted than the former pirate king on the other side.

Just as Sobek was about to have a proper conversation with the other party, he received another communication, which turned out to be from Lieutenant General Gong Xiao.

Speak of the devil and he appears; this can't possibly be a coincidence, right?

The two men, their expressions complex, connected the communication. The former pirate king, his face filled with sorrow, saluted them: "I have received orders from the Privy Council that my fleet must depart immediately. I must take my leave now!"

"An order from the Privy Council?" The Duke was taken aback.

“Yes, it was a direct order from the Grand Councilor in charge of the Imperial Seal,” Gong Xiao replied.

Isn't that King Brunhilde of Suliuka?

"Where to?"

"The ancient city of Shengyuan Star Sector. The passage of the demonic dragon has plunged the sector into chaos, and we must restore order to it."