The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

2821, Another Target

Meanwhile, Talia had already rushed directly toward the governor's mansion, with Serarra special forces and other guards accelerating along the way. By the time they arrived at the governor's mansion, there were already more than 3000 people.

The governor's mansion was surrounded, and blinding searchlights illuminated the entire building as if it were daytime. Talia leaped off the hovercar, her lightsaber humming and vibrating in her hand. She took off and, using the wings on her back, glided directly to the fourth floor.

However, all that could be seen was Shi Aimin standing there. Beside him were four medical robots. Shi Aimin, expressionless, held a dripping nerve-suppressing needle in his hand—the needle still inserted in Governor Hilka's neck. The medical robots were providing emergency on-site treatment to Governor Hilka; on the vital signs monitoring screen, her heartbeat was weak but stable.

“The assassin is gone. It must be the Blood Warrior.” There was a deep burn mark on Shi Aimin’s shield, left by a lightsaber. “He seemed to be in a hurry and left quickly without confirming whether the assassination was successful.”

Although he spoke of it casually, it was clear that the process just now was extremely dangerous, and Shi Aimin had definitely fought desperately to force his opponent to retreat.

Shi Aimin continued, "Before you arrived, I couldn't confirm whether this place was safe, so I had the medical robot treat the patients on the spot. I was there to keep watch. Now that you've finally arrived..."

He then relaxed, and the light blades that had been mounted around his shield retracted. This weapon, called a shield but actually possessing immense destructive power, was slung back onto his back.

Having worked at the National Security Agency for so many years, although far removed from the front lines, the intelligence war was far more brutal, rife with intrigue and backstabbing. Shi Aimin had become much more composed, no longer the same person he once was. Moreover, during their long-term collaboration, he had developed feelings for NSA Director Peggy Carter, and after review by the Department of the Interior, their marriage was approved.

Talia finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although Hilka was seriously injured, Shi Aimin managed to prevent things from developing in the worst possible direction.

“Then what about the Blood Warrior?” Talia asked.

“He must have another target. Based on my judgment, it’s very likely General Kalani,” Shi Aimin calmly analyzed. In the past, such a scenario would never have occurred.

"I'm coming right now! You, stay here and keep a close watch. Absolutely no one can get near Governor Hilka again!" Talia said to the soldiers of the Serarra Special Forces.

“General Karani isn’t as fragile as you think, he…” Before Shi Aimin could finish speaking, Talia drove the hoverbike and disappeared into the horizon.

……

Meanwhile, in the western part of Losar City, the capital of the planet Losar, lies the office building of the Losar Planet Intelligence Bureau.

General Kalani was in his office, with a holographic map of the entire city in front of him. His electronic eyes were flashing, and his hands were rapidly operating, issuing commands and controlling dozens of red dots on the holographic map.

He was directing security forces to manage the chaos at Monard Post, the venue for Gladiator Night. The situation is now under control, and the crowd is evacuating in an orderly fashion, except for a few remaining fires. However, the casualties remain heavy; in addition to the more than 100 people killed in the initial explosion, the subsequent stampede and overcrowding caused more than 800 injuries and deaths, making it an incredibly tragic disaster.

General Kalany attributed everything to the Ghost Squad, and after careful screening of the surveillance footage, the Ghost Squad was indeed captured.

But at that moment, he suddenly felt the four robotic guards at the door disconnect from him. General Karani turned abruptly, drew his blaster pistol, and pointed it at the door.

Suddenly, a blood-red plasma lightsaber pierced through the metal door, slowly cutting through the thick metal frame.

The robots do not need to communicate with each other. Four IG-100 guard robots, each holding a high-voltage electric cannon, emerged from the hidden hangar next to him and stood guard beside him.

With a loud crash, a large hole was completely cut into the metal door, and a person walked out from inside.

He wore a large black cloak, which his thin, aged body could not support, and the cloak hung loosely on the ground. His upper body was not visible under the hood, but his unkempt beard, resembling weeds, was.

"So you're the Blood Warrior who disrupted the event," General Karani said calmly. "I can't find your name in my database, or rather, we don't know much about Blood Warriors. So, could you tell me your name?"

"Hehehehe..." The blood warrior let out a nasty laugh. "You're a robot, and you're actually curious? Hehehehe... Remember this, this is the last name you'll ever hear—Taron Malicos, hehehehe. Prepare to die!"

With a whoosh, the crimson lightsaber slashed down, but was immediately blocked by a high-voltage electric rod made of Frick steel.

The four IG-100 guard robots instantly surrounded Talon Marix, and four high-voltage electric batons pierced straight at him from four directions!

“Talon Marix, I’ve already entered it into the database. When I release the news of the terrorist kill tomorrow, I can also credit the name, instead of writing ‘unknown’,” General Kalani said calmly.

"Hahahaha! Dream on! Hehehehe..." Talon Marix let out a strange laugh. He suddenly drew his second lightsaber, easily blocking the attack from four IG-100 robots. With a twist of his body and a cross of the two swords, the high-voltage electric staff snapped in two, sending scorching arcs of electricity flying everywhere. The next second, the head of an IG-100 fell off.

The remaining three IG-100 robots didn't hold out for long either. Talon Marix moved like a shadow, and with a flash of crimson sword light, another IG-100 was destroyed. The remaining two attacked from both sides simultaneously, but he pierced their heads with his two lightsabers, which moved like venomous snakes!

Talon Marix easily sheathed his lightsaber, seemingly unfazed by the blaster pistol in General Karani's hand. He walked over step by step and said, "I can sense that what's in your head isn't some programmed intelligence, but something else... Hehehehe. It's a pity that you'll end up like those stupid robots, just a pile of scrap metal."

General Karani fired without hesitation, but in an instant, his gun-wielding arm was severed, and another lightsaber decapitated him!

"Hahahaha! Mission accomplished, Kalani droid. You have no idea how many people want you dead, hehehehe." Talon Marix laughed.

But at that moment, the ground suddenly began to shake violently! The ceiling collapsed with a roar, debris rained down, and even the ground began to crack! No, the entire building was collapsing!
Talon Marix was incredibly fast. He grabbed General Kalany's head and jumped out of the window, leaping between the broken structures of the collapsing building.

However, he witnessed a scene he would never forget—a gigantic mech was unfolding from the bottom of the building!

Talon Marix recognized the colossal mech; it was none other than the Dawn Kingdom's land-based weapon, the Thor Mech! No, this mech was far larger than the Thor Mech! The letters "ODIN" were painted on its chest. (End of Chapter)