Him and their stars.

Chapter 2203 Brunhilde's Long Holiday
Inside the Rose Hall of the Sacred Tree Palace, a magnificent artificial sunset arrives at just the right time, casting a languid golden-red hue over the arched dome mirror.

King Brunhilde of Suliuka's gaze shifted from the glimmer of light from the dome to the ever-blooming rose bushes. She twitched her almost perfectly shaped nostrils, savoring the faint, delicate fragrance floating in the air.

Then, the most powerful, influential, and prestigious elector of the Galactic Empire suddenly revealed a sorrowful expression.

Several communication screens floating beside her were flashing silently, the most prominent one marked with a code from the direction of Law City, representing the highest priority.

It flashed with a frantic frequency, revealing a restless and violent energy, like an ant on a hot pan.

However, King Suliuka merely turned his head slightly, completely regarding them as negligible mosquitoes.

The garden gate slid open silently once more, and Giafil Lamut and Ostana Bar walked in together.

“The two generals, Heng and Ha…” Brunhilde thought of someone’s evaluation. She didn’t quite understand this allusion from Earth society, but she could always clearly feel the subtle humor in it.

So she paused for a moment, and then actually burst out laughing.

Giafil sighed and picked up the meticulously packaged but very ordinary food bag from behind her: "Your favorite sponge wine cake, from the Crown Rabbit Cake shop in Red Flower City. I heard they didn't even close during the most urgent time last month."

Brunhilde nodded: "What a remarkable spirit of respect! I should bestow a knighthood upon the master... Wait, Gilly, I've already said I don't like this way of appeasing me with food. Do you really think I'm a child? I'm a mother, after all."

The acting commander of the Astral Knights sighed, "You can also understand it another way. I'm not trying to comfort you, but rather to find a punching bag to throw at you in a critical moment. Food is better than grenades, right?"

Brunhilde paused slightly, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, wake up! Brin, he's gone again." Giafil pulled a piece of cake from her bag, looking as if she'd smash it in the other person's face if they didn't regret it.

Brunhilde paused again, then spread her hands and said, "You've misunderstood me. Gilly, I'm perfectly calm."

"Stability," Ostana Barr said with a half-smile, her gaze quickly sweeping over the unanswered communication requests: "The Regency Council and the Prime Minister's Office both hope to hear your clear instructions."

“An order? I’m not a member of the Regency Council. The Privy Council was effectively dissolved after the Emperor’s death.” Brunhilde chuckled. “Where did he go?”

Her voice was as calm as if she were asking about the weather.

"The Red Snow has broken through the third layer of the patrol network and is approaching the traditional interception boundary of the Hand of Glory. In addition, Ankaragan has left the dragon's nest on Rui Star, presumably to open a spatial portal." Ostana's report was quite brief, but it omitted many unspoken details.

“Poor Lieutenant General Sobek.” Giafil stared intently at her best friend, her gaze undisguisedly scrutinizing: “Breen, you didn’t do this on purpose, did you?”

Brunhilde shrugged slightly: "I... I'm not some kind of demon."

"Hey? So you admit it?" Giafil's expression immediately became even more impolite.

“What I mean is that Yu Lian is not some kind of demon. Lord Sobek respected conscience and justice, so of course I can only offer my blessings,” Brunhilde said. “Besides, he will be safe and sound; this is a Dragon King’s intuition and sound judgment. Moreover, I really didn’t call him here on purpose; I just guessed that Yu Lian might do this.”

Giafil sighed, "The garrison has already opened fire."

“Although non-lethal weapons are being used so far, it represents a certain attitude,” Ostana added.

Giafil added, "The Knights of the Stars are also ready to launch an attack."

“Of course, this was actually an order from Gilly herself. They wouldn’t have moved without a direct order from the Regency Council,” Ostana added.

"However, I can only order ordinary knights to act according to military orders."

Ancient dragons like Ancaragan, long-serving officials of the Galactic Empire, are not figures that a newly appointed acting commander of the Knights can command.

“Old Dragon Lord is certainly not some kind of demon. This is a battle of knights,” Brunhilde said.

The Chief of Staff said, "In short, the Regency meeting hopes that you can at least attend, or at least participate remotely."

"Then this becomes an interrogation? A hearing? To prove one's innocence? How could I, the dignified King Brunhilde of Suryuka, accept such an insult?" Brunhilde picked up the slightly warm teacup beside him, gulped down the amber tea in one go, and then snatched the cake from Giafil's hand and swallowed it.

She put down the cup, the ceramic base making a crisp, lonely sound as it touched the crystal tabletop.

"Tell the meeting that I am unwell and have suffered a great blow to my spirit because the result of my honor duel was not respected. I need to recuperate for a long time. I feel that my talents and energy are no longer suitable for working in the Heavenly Realm... Bah, actually I just think that these scoundrels are not worth my time! Staying with these insects will not allow me to govern the empire well. Therefore, I am leaving the capital, immediately, right now."

Ostana bowed slightly: "Understood. I will handle the wording appropriately."

"Don't be too humble, you can express what I just said more tactfully."

"Understood. Subtly convey to the Senate, the Chancellor's Office, and the Regent's Council that their views are rubbish." "Yes! Exactly!"

Brunhilde turned her gaze to her friend: "Of course, Gilly, you and Ostanina don't need to leave."

“You can’t make me leave. I’m still somewhat interested in the position of Commander of the Sky Garrison. Even if I don’t get the position, I can still have a say in defense restructuring.” Giafil’s expression was serious, with an air of unwavering determination: “And as for the Knights of the Stars, their morale is low and they’re questioning their existence. They feel that the Galactic Empire, the most powerful psionic armed group in the entire universe, has been reduced to scraps and henchmen.”

“Yes, that’s how they are in this war,” Brunhilde agreed.

"I need to revitalize the morale of the army, so I have developed a new training syllabus and promoted a new knight commander. I also require every apprentice knight and every lower-ranking knight below the third rank to spend half of their time each year to tour the empire and solve problems for the citizens."

"It's like playing a guerrilla game, but I trust you to get things done." Brunhilde nodded slightly. "What about the higher management?"

"Adjust teaching and management tasks, and develop a training plan for the development of all trainee knights." Giafiltan said frankly, "Of course, these plans cannot be implemented without the endorsement of the supreme ruler. We can only try our best to promote them while I am still the acting captain. As long as there is a beginning, something can always be changed."

“When we decide to take action, we’re sure to succeed.” Brunhilde’s confidence far surpassed that of her best friend.

Her gaze then fell upon the Chief of Staff: "Ostana, during my absence, you will be in charge of all affairs of the Sacred Tree Palace. Maintain the status quo in communication with all parties, and do not upgrade unless necessary. Also, cooperate well with the work of Lord Huley, the head of the Imperial Capital. Of course, the focus is still on the initial operation of the Star Forging Hall."

"To provide Lieutenant General Jaeger Sobyk with everything except assistance?"

“Of course, I’ll offer all the help I can,” Brunhilde said irritably.

None of them worried about Jaeger Sobyk's safety; they all firmly believed that he would be able to return to his loyal post as Deputy Minister of Armaments.

"And what about the King of Wei? He's been very busy lately. He's on duty at the Regency Meeting in the morning, and in the afternoons and evenings he's busy visiting all the feudal lords and their representatives who remain in the capital," Ostana said.

A sharp glint flashed in Brunhilde's eyes, and he scoffed, "Ignore it."

"Marshal Ester and Marshal Ikenloga sent a formal document 12 hours ago, inquiring about the posture the Imperial main fleet should adopt in response to the next development. I have replied to them, hoping they will obey the orders of the Regency Council."

“You did the right thing.” Brunhilde nodded, then asked, “Where is Marshal Farrell?”

"He is repairing and expanding the Hanwang Fortress and has ordered a ceasefire in Xinyumen. He has also sent back some local specialties from the New World."

"Then you can keep it."

"Also, Marshal Betaway and Duke Barryen will both be returning to the capital in the coming week."

"I know."

"I will obey your will." Ostana smiled and bowed again, accepting the order.

Brunhilde slowly rose and walked to the viewing window. Outside, an artificial canopy was simulating a brilliant starry sky. Her reflection in the glass overlapped with the starry heavens, making her appear as if she were standing at the center of the universe.

King Suluka was observing the universe. However, a spiritual ruby, like the eye of a god, was quietly suspended in a fold of higher-dimensional space, observing her.

It still had no subjective will, but simply observed quietly and solemnly, observing the ripples of cause and effect spreading out from her as the core, until it touched the subtle spirituality of the observed.

Brunhilde looked up in disbelief, but could no longer sense even the last faint thread of fate.

Her gaze shifted once more to the magnificent celestial realm. The natural light of the starry sky and the city lights created an immense sense of oppression, yet they could not shake her resolve or will in the slightest.

Twenty-five-year-old Brunhilde stood there, looking around, seeing only the image of herself at fifty-five (in the virtual timeline).

She's still there, as if she was born to rule the universe.

“They’re gone, don’t look anymore,” Giafil said coldly.

“You’re becoming more and more like a sharp-tongued governess,” Brunhilde said irritably. “You’re still a pure and innocent young girl.”

A blush flashed across the knight's fair face: "Thank you. If you continue like this, I won't mind playing the role anymore."

“Then you can get used to this role in advance. As for me, I’ll naturally prepare for the next stage of my life. Red tape and endless debates are not a good place for a child to grow up.” She turned around, placed her hand on her lower abdomen, and her face showed a lazy and charming look, truly like a young woman living a happy life.

Of course, before her subordinates could express their horror, she smiled and ordered, "Notify the Dawn Angel to go directly to Toristan and meet me! I've been navigating the filthy political world of the Celestial Realm since I was twelve. It's time for me to take a long vacation."

“Aren’t you enjoying this?” Giafil asked.

Brunhilde pretended not to hear, her hand still resting on her slender and shapely waist, gently stroking her lower abdomen: "It's time to give life a long vacation."