Him and their stars.

Chapter 2187 Can the War End?

“We can’t leave any ambiguous spaces here.” Amida Berencaster gently swirled her red wine. “You can leave the galaxy, you can leave a small number of communities and lords behind, but you must accept our supervision.”

"We? Who do you mean by 'we'?" Fei Fei asked with a smile.

“The Extraordinary Management Bureau, the Spirit Research Society… and of course, the Tribunal.” Yani glanced at Brunhilde, then at Yu Lian, as if awaiting the latter’s final verdict.

Yu Lian neither spoke, neither agreed nor disagreed.

Brunhilde nodded almost imperceptibly: "If there really are cosmic beings capable of producing sweet milk, it would certainly be a good thing for the universe. However, while considering the economic effects, we should also take into account the social impact."

“Scientific research and space exploration both require radicalism, but politics requires caution.” Amida said to Shirley, “You and your main Leviathan fleet must stay away from all stargates and colonies. I know the Zerg are more sensitive to gravity wells than we are, and far more adaptable to narrow passages. You can certainly keep heading to the other side of the galaxy, but I will not stop our adventurers from clashing with you.”

Feifei glanced at Xia Li, a hint of barely concealed sympathy in her eyes: "I second that. Anyway, you had a backup plan."

She had met that half-bear girl named Sonia on Lothar—though she was called a bear, her physical form had long since become that of a swarm lord.

There is only one queen bee in a bee colony, but a qualified bee colony always has a candidate queen.

Yani then added, "It is foreseeable that in the next hundred years, the Alliance fleet will definitely focus its operations on the New World. If they discover the strongholds you have left behind, I will absolutely not interfere with their operations."

"Actually, we can't really interfere, since they're just ordinary citizens," Fei Fei said with a smile.

“Feifei understands very well. But it’s pretentious to say she’s just an ordinary citizen; after all, she’s a national policy advisor now.” Yani smiled and said, “My father has good reputation, but he has too many dark histories. This presidency is also temporary. I won’t have any interest in the Azure Palace for the next thirty years.”

Yu Lian, however, felt that in this timeline, Yani might have always intended to become this so-called Grand Commander. Maintaining a relatively free and low-profile position would actually be more suitable for her to operate behind the scenes.

Therefore, in reality, there are no behind-the-scenes mafia organizations in politics, only behind-the-scenes dictators.

Brunhilde chuckled, "What a dark reality! You're just using the Zerg swarm as tools for exploring new continents, aren't you?"

Shirley seemed indifferent: "Anyway, the blank universe is there, and it will always be explored."

King Su Liu glared at the girl. He found the little girl's serious, old-fashioned demeanor rather endearing, but why did her tone sound so familiar?

“Of course, there’s also the touchstone of civilization. Just like this guy said, the universe has stagnated, and so has everything.” Princess Rainbow Rose poured Yu Lian another glass of wine, only to find Fei Fei tenderly peeling dragon scales for him, and she immediately gave him a “I lost” look.

Speaking of which, why would amusement park fast food include white herb-baked dragon's fin? This is a dish that wouldn't be out of place even at an imperial banquet!
“Indeed. Even the Ero Empire, despite inflicting considerable military damage on us at its peak, was still far weaker than us in terms of national strength. In a broader sense, human civilization has been too complacent since the day we left the cradle of our home planet,” Brunhilde commented objectively.

"So, you regret it now, don't you? The Empire went too far in the War of Judgment. If the raiders had succeeded in establishing a nation in the New World, they might have become the pebble that breaks the still waters," Amida said.

Brunhilde laughed, "Hahaha, it wasn't me who overdid it, but the Community and Lian Qing! If they were truly smart, rational, and ruthless enough, they should have maintained a united stance on this matter, as well as de facto neutrality. A war with the plunderer nations would attract the wrath of the entire Galactic Empire. We'd have to cross the Southern Heavenly Gate and use the New Jade Gate as a logistical base, perhaps even having to provide substantial financial support. By then, this foolish war would not only be impossible, but the vision of shared prosperity for human civilization could also be realized."

Feifei chuckled and looked at Yu Lian.

Yu Lian replied arrogantly, "Hmph, even if I explained the principles of how a true man should conduct himself, you still wouldn't understand."

Hoping for the development of civilization among nomadic peoples is less desirable than hoping for a capitalist self-revolution. Moreover, the Mysander trolls are literally cannibals, and the long-bearded goblins remain keen on conducting mystical experiments with intelligent beings. As for the Ero people, from the very old to infants, everyone is a bloodthirsty, avenging war maniac.

The raiders of the past mainly revolved around the Silver Heart, and the tragedies they created were enough to get those old-school terrorists and pirate kings to sit at the children's table.

"Oh dear~~~ Alright, alright, I'm just a shrewish and calculating little woman, being the daughter of a capitalist. You, Master Yu Lian, are a dignified and upright man, the leader of the people. I know, I know!"

In short, these two women have now reached an excessively macroscopic level, and have begun to exhibit a somewhat "divine" objective, rational, and neutral stance. Perhaps everyone in this position would undergo a similar transformation. This is the inherent nature of power, and it's not entirely fair to attribute all the negative consequences to the empty crown.

"In short, the greatest fortune bestowed upon us by the universe is that we are all human, and so is the greatest misfortune." Fei Fei raised her glass: "Of course, this wasn't said by Yu'er, but rather I summarized it for him."

Is it really okay to "summarize" like this in front of me? Yu Lian thought, but the dragon meat was really delicious, especially the one that Fei Fei peeled herself.

Miss Bei looked at Shirley meaningfully: "We need to give current human society at least a hundred years to adapt to this. If everything goes smoothly, the Zerg might evolve into a new form of civilization. Coexisting with us, learning from each other, and progressing together. Lian, isn't this what you most want to see?"

Yu Lian glanced at Xia Li, whose face was calm and even a little arrogant: "Yes, this is the most ideal future. Now that even Hydralisks that spray sweet milk are about to appear, rationally speaking, my expectations for the Zerg Swarm have exceeded those for the Ero.

As a former ally of the Ero, Shirley revealed an even more arrogant expression, raising her head and declaring, "The future is there; the Zerg swarm will cast aside all historical baggage and stride confidently toward it!"

Although she was used as a pathfinder and a whetstone, she was very satisfied with the situation.

Brunhilde then interjected, "Of course, these cosmic swarm creatures could also develop into a major threat to our kind of mass-based social civilization, ultimately eliminating us."

"So, we need to nip potential dangers in the bud? Our predecessors were very good at doing that." Yani's smile remained, but her eyes held a coldness.

"However, if we are truly eliminated, wouldn't that mean our civilization cannot represent the future?"

Yani couldn't help but chuckle: "You really are a typical dragon."

"Thank you. It's not easy to get a compliment from someone as clever as you."

“However, although the era of the Enlightened Ones has passed for countless billions of years, their civilization can still be glimpsed from their relics. Your ancestors gave you enough confidence, didn’t they?” Yani added.

Fifi added, "So, it's still a clever dragon." "Thank you so much. It's even harder to get a compliment from you, Fifi, the owl."

Yani waved her hand: "Well then, now that we've finished the preamble, let's get back to the main issue."

Although being treated as a minor detail made Shirley feel very secure, this sense of security also inevitably made her feel somewhat lost.

So I was just the first customer!

However, she quickly realized that everyone's attention had shifted away from her. This meant it was time to leave the awkwardly atmospherey dinner.

The Little Overlord waved to Yu Lian and Fei Fei, and three-meter-long, thick insect limbs grew from his back. He swung them at the void and opened a spatial passage unique to the insect swarm.

The swarm of insects is about to embark on its journey to a distant land.

As Shirley's figure completely vanished from the void, Brunhilde's brilliant golden eyes finally settled on the area beyond where the spatial ripples had disappeared. He exclaimed, "To be summoned and dismissed at will, how magnificent! However, now that we have reached an agreement, I will have Lord Sobyk release the swarm of insects within the Hand of Glory. But, in two hours, the Empire's fleets across the land will begin searching for them, and will do everything in its power to eradicate all their presence within the Empire's borders."

“This is within your authority, Your Highness.” Yu Lian shrugged.

As a semi-official honorary overlord responsible for standing up for friends on the street, he had complete confidence in Shirley's ability to escape.

"Sarcastic remarks." Brunhilde bit her lip, her resentful gaze falling on Yu Lian again. "Very well, she has settled all past grievances with the Galactic Empire, but has become your potential ally. The war has escalated to this point, the destruction of the community is inevitable, and the Galactic Empire is exhausted, but Lian Qing, have you noticed? You have more and more friends!"

Yu Lian shrugged, and Fei Fei answered for him: "Don't turn the tables! This is the principle that those who act justly will find many supporters, while those who act unjustly will find few. Even if we told you the wise words of our ancestors, you wouldn't understand."

“This word order sounds familiar, but it’s completely irrelevant to the important matter at hand,” Brunhilde said irritably. “Besides, I’ve seen another side of him, the real him, the one in power. And you, Fifi, you’re just keeping him company.”

Feifei pointed at the other person with the skewer she had finished eating and said seriously, "It's obvious that you're just a commoner who hasn't had enough of entertainment. You haven't played enough online games, so you took this online romance seriously. Get down to earth, 'People's Queen'!"

Brunhilde was momentarily speechless, overwhelmed by the other party's imposing manner. As a high-ranking elector of the throne, she had indeed had little exposure to the entertainments of commoners.

Yamida held the cup and gulped it down. She drank the huge strawberry milkshake with the air of drinking wine from a large bowl, which could be described as bold.

Of course, she was somewhat on the verge of a breakdown, but that's not important.

"Little Dragon King, don't act all innocent after getting such an advantage. You're already the Grand Chancellor of the Privy Council, and now you're the first to return to the capital to defend the emperor. Soon you can smoothly consolidate the empire's power and ascend to the throne. You are the biggest beneficiary of this storm. Now that things have come to this, why don't you just smile openly at the sun?"

“But my attempt to save the king was unsuccessful.” Brunhilde spread his hands, mimicking Yu Lian’s gesture: “His Majesty has fallen.”

Her eyes held an indescribable sorrow, as if the filial daughter who had participated in the attack was a completely different person.

“You’ve eliminated the Galactic Empire’s biggest internal threat. You’ve rebuilt the empire and are preparing to usher in a new era. Your prestige and power will reach their peak.” Amida put down her empty milkshake, her voice laced with sarcasm: “Breen, you are the biggest beneficiary of this storm.”

“No. Ever since you, the Great Sage Sun, appeared, the Galactic Empire will never be the victor in this war.” Brunhilde’s lips curled into a faint, almost sharp arc, and his gaze toward Yu Lian became increasingly complicated: “You see, it’s not like I haven’t learned about your Earth’s culture and legendary heroes.”

"You flatter me!" Yu Lian said proudly, puffing out his chest.

He was quite pleased with the analogy, and although he felt a little embarrassed, he decided to accept it willingly. He decided to give Brunhilde a way out.

"After Emperor Elither was severely injured by Master Lan, he had been recuperating in the Dragon Palace, but was then attacked by the Earthlings and forced to leave his seclusion to fight the enemy. At this critical moment, the evil Serpent of the Ring took advantage of the collapse of the capital's mystical barrier to complete their evil plan. They released the Void Lord, the Armored Monster Giant Devourer, into the capital!"

"Is this the name you just came up with?" Fifi asked curiously.

"Uh, don't worry about such details. The Void Realm is vast; it's perfectly normal to have a Void Realm Lord we've never heard of before." Yu Lian waved his hand. "To prevent the universe from being destroyed, to protect the peace of the universe, and to uphold the principle of human love and truth that leads to mutual destruction, we decided to join forces against the enemy. In the end, His Majesty sacrificed himself to destroy the soul of the Void Lord! Boundless love!"

Feifei raised her hands: "Eternal glory to Emperor Elithel!"

Yani wiped her eyes, unsure if there were any tears: "From beginning to end, he was doing his best to protect the people!"

Brunhilde looked intently at Yu Lian, and after a brief moment of thought, nodded solemnly: "The details still need to be perfected, but this is the true history."

She paused for a moment: "I will still convene a regency council and hold an election for emperor in my capacity as the Grand Councilor of the Privy Council. Of course, during the war, everything will be kept as simple as possible."

"During war?" Fifi sneered.

“Yes, during the war. Can the war end now as scheduled?” Brunhilde countered. “Yes, the Galactic Empire is exhausted. Lian Qing, you have successfully demonstrated the resilience and bravery of Earthlings. However, this vast empire is far from being exhausted.”

Yu Lian had to admit this.

Strictly speaking, the Galactic Empire hasn't even completed its first round of total mobilization yet. That's how irrational the advantage of sheer size is.

“We can’t penetrate into the new Shenzhou, but Yang’s fleet can’t actually get out either,” Brunhilde added. “Now, a relatively peaceful state has been established before and after the Shanhai Passage.”

Yani added, "The Battle of the High Seas is over, and the Empire has completely taken control of the Frost King Star Gorge. The Community's outer ring fleet is down to less than half its original strength and has now retreated into Alliance territory. As for the Femor direction... at least Marshal Esther is holding his ground. However, the two countries' fleets in the Femor Nebula already exceed one thousand ships. With such a grand display, the Azure Palace must give the entire universe an explanation."

Brunhilde poured the last bit of wine into Yu Lian's crystal glass, looking at the latter with deep affection yet guilt: "Lian Qing, so that you know I have no way to end the war right now."