From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 760: The old king is dead, the new king should be established

Saint-Saunière, 140 km northwest of the Grand Palais.

Outside the underground base, the smoke of battle had not yet completely dissipated, and the pungent smell of burning mixed with the strong smell of blood filled the silent air.

A large number of destroyed and distorted heavy armored units and vehicle wreckage were scattered all over the battlefield like toys discarded by children.

The imperial guards who survived the battle finally stopped resisting after the regent's order spread throughout the entire position.

The faces of these imperial guards still showed signs of fatigue after the fierce battle, as well as confusion after the collapse of faith caused by the regent's portrait.

Of course, there was also the fear that came from being shocked by the inhuman power of Amber that wreaked havoc on the battlefield.

Outside the defensive position, after confirming that the Imperial Guards had laid down their weapons, the forward attack team of the Atlas Group's 1st Heavy Combined Brigade immediately rushed into the position like a tide. The various units coordinated closely and their movements were swift and precise.

Soon, the Roma soldiers, who were much taller than ordinary people and whose bodies were almost as tall as conventional power armor after wearing combat exoskeletons, took heavy steps to control all tactical nodes on the position with the cooperation of armored units.

The elite of the Immortal Legion jumped down from the orbit and shuttled around like ghosts, ensuring the absolute safety of key areas such as the entrance to the underground base.

They did not hesitate at all, nor did they slack off because of the surrender of the Imperial Guards. With the assistance of a large number of armed worker bees like the 'Spider Anti-Cannons', they efficiently disarmed the remaining Imperial Guards.

To these imperial guards, the Roma soldiers, who seemed a bit barbaric and rough, but were actually well-disciplined, also aroused their curiosity. After being disarmed, they looked at the "hairy balls" curiously and walked towards the gathering place under guidance.

However, not all soldiers would surrender so easily. There were still a few imperial guards with flames of unwillingness burning in their eyes, and their fingers gripping their weapons trembled slightly.

But when he looked around and saw that most of his comrades had laid down their weapons, and then when he saw those Roma soldiers who were like mobile fortresses and the cold spider robots staring at him, the idea of ​​resistance ultimately turned into nothing.

The Roma soldiers were not so friendly to these stubborn resisters. After being ordered to disarm, their power unit batteries were quickly removed, and then they were escorted by armed worker bees and taken away from their positions and guarded in a separate area.

As the soldiers of the Atlas Group gradually cleared the entire position, the Imperial Guards - the pride of the former empire, now became silent captives.

The clearing inside the underground base was equally swift. The special operations team led by Monton and Telak demonstrated a rough but efficient method of breaking into the interior, and it didn't take much time to clear all the passages and rooms.

When Monton and Telak finally arrived at the deepest command room with a team of soldiers, they saw Amber leaning casually on a chair and greeting them with a smile, while the Regent Norton II was bound to another commander's chair by invisible psychic energy, his face ashen.

"Boss! Monton (Terak) leads the team to report to you!"

Monton and Telak breathed a sigh of relief almost at the same time, stepped forward quickly, and saluted Amber with a standard military salute. The armor plates of the exoskeletons collided with each other, making a crisp sound.

Amber nodded and glanced at the two of them: "Monton, Telak, you've worked hard. I remember you two were the first batch of Roma to join Atlas, right? You've grown up very fast. During the mock battle, I carried them out one by one, but now you can all stand on your own~"

The two Roma people, who were indeed the oldest, were slightly surprised when their names were called out by the commander. They did not expect Amber to still remember them. They had originally thought that these big shots were forgetful.
However, this was obviously not the time for pleasantries. After a brief exchange of words, Amber, escorted by Monton and others, left the underground base and came to a command cabin vehicle that drove directly to the entrance of the base.

Now that they have completed control of this area, these vehicles, which are the enemy's primary targets, dare to drive to the front line.

The interior space of the command container vehicle is much larger than that of the armored command vehicle, and the dedicated communication terminal it carries can also directly contact the fleet on orbit. This is why Amber asked Monton and others to dispatch one to the front line.

Amber sat in front of a control console in the container vehicle and activated the communication with the fleet in orbit.

The encrypted channel was quickly connected, and Isabel, Princess Agnes, and the serious expression of the Duke of Hastings appeared on the screen one after another.

"The Regent has been controlled by me, and the battle on the ground in Saint-Saunière is basically over. Most of the Imperial Guards have surrendered, and the Atlas combat troops are also preparing to start clearing the battlefield."

Amber reported the situation briefly. "Now it's time to let Duke Soren and Duke Duke know the news. Perhaps you can start a conversation. It's not a good idea to continue to confront each other like this."

After hearing Amber's words, the other side of the screen fell silent. Isabel, who knew Amber well, didn't have any different reaction, but the other two were different. They all had shock on their faces that they could hardly hide.

Princess Agnes couldn't help but widen her eyes, even doubting whether she had heard it wrongly, while the Duke of Hastings took a deep breath and looked at Amber with a complex emotion in his eyes - awe, fear, and a hint of imperceptible fear.

The princess's original plan was indeed to completely eliminate the regent and his loyal followers, thereby cutting off the source of the problem and forcing Soran and Duke to give up resistance.

But they also always felt that this was not an easy task, and it was still difficult to control the Regent, so both of them were actually prepared for Amber to bring back a corpse.

But who could have imagined that after Amber jumped off the track, in just a short period of time, she not only defeated the last line of defense of the Imperial Guards, but also captured the Regent himself alive!

A seventh-level psychic. This level of power that only exists in legends, not only appeared alive before them today, but also allowed them to directly experience its combat power.

The strength displayed by Amber has now exceeded the imagination of ordinary people. He was able to easily break through the heavily guarded fortress and capture the regent alive today. Does that mean that he can use the same method to deal with other people on the princess' side tomorrow?

This thought crept into the minds of Princess Agnes and the Duke of Hastings.

"Okay Mr. Amber, thank you. We will notify the other party immediately."

Finally, it was the Duke of Hastings who broke the silence, his voice sounding a little dry at this moment.

After the communication ended, the command container vehicle started slowly and merged into the convoy returning to the airdrop fortress group. Only Amber and Norton II, who was bound by psychic energy, were left in the vehicle.

Amid the slight vibration caused by the driving of the vehicle, Norton II slowly raised his head, a trace of doubt flashed in his turbid eyes, and he asked in a hoarse voice: "Mr. Amber, why don't you just kill me?"

Amber was still looking at other information on the communication terminal, not at him. Her tone was even more calm, as if she was discussing what to eat later: "For some people, death is more useful than life; but for some people, life is more valuable than death. And you, Lord Regent, you belong to the latter."

Amber paused and continued to explain:
"As long as you are alive, Duke Soren and Duke Duke at least have something to think about, someone they are trying to rescue or need to take care of, so there is still room for the situation to turn around, so that these two dukes and your staff will not lose hope and decide to fight to the death.

Especially if you die in my hands right after surrendering, they will think that the Atlas Group, or Her Royal Highness the Princess, will kill all opponents. At that time, do you think they will have any other choice except to fight to the death? "

Norton II was silent for a moment, and a hint of understanding appeared in his eyes: "So, you plan to use me to force them to surrender?"

"That is something that Her Royal Highness the Princess and her staff and confidants should consider. It has nothing to do with me."

Amber finally turned her head and looked at Norton II, with a businessman's smile on her lips.

"I need to make one thing clear, Lord Regent. You are now a prisoner of the Atlas Group. According to the ancient tradition of internal disputes among the nobles of your Star Dragon Empire, captives with noble titles must be released for a ransom, especially for a big shot like you."

Norton II was stunned, and then he couldn't help laughing softly as if he had heard something extremely absurd, his laughter full of self-mockery: "Ransom? So I have to wait for a good price. Mr. Amber, who are you going to sell me to?"

"I'll sell it to whoever offers the right price. Isn't that obvious?"

Amber spread her hands, her expression indifferent.

"It can be your two loyal staff members, provided they are still able to raise the ransom.

Of course, it could also be the two dukes on the opposite track, if they think that you, the regent, are worth the price.

Of course, even if Princess Agnes is willing to pay a 'reasonable' fee to take you away and publicly execute you as a warning to others, or just to vent her anger, it is not impossible to discuss it. "

After hearing Amber's blatant remarks that treated him, the regent of the empire, as a commodity, the smile on Norton II's face widened. He shook his head and cursed as if rebuking or sighing: "Amber, you guy, hahahaha. You really are a thorough businessman!"

Amber did not comment on this assessment, but simply looked back at him calmly, her eyes calm and calm. The car fell into silence again, with only the low hum of the moving vehicle echoing in the air.
-
In the orbit of Saint-Saunière, the fleets of both sides remained on guard, but the vanguard fleet kept closing the distance and making tactical maneuvers, which also meant that the two sides had started a new round of probing.

It was at this time that the silence was instantly broken when several warships on the front line of Princess Agnes's side fired a signal flare representing "ceasefire negotiations" and announced the news that "the Regent has been controlled by us" on the public channel.

In the core command room of the Glorious Fortress, after seeing this news and the images and video evidence sent by the other party, the blood drained from the faces of Duke Soran and Duke Duke, and their eyes widened.

They could hardly believe what was happening. The order to assemble and airdrop their orbital paratroopers had just been issued, and those elite orbital paratroopers had not even stepped into the airdrop capsule, but the battle on the ground was already over?
Regent Norton II was controlled just like that? And he was controlled by people from the Atlas Group?

The two men's evaluation of the Atlas Group was forcibly raised to an unprecedented level at this moment. They had to admit that they had underestimated the strength of the Atlas Group and Amber before.
Unlike the two dukes who were shocked, Astral and Perseus, who were standing next to them in the core command room after being released from house arrest, the two core aides of the regent suddenly relaxed their tense nerves and felt relieved when they heard the news.

Perseus even breathed a sigh of relief, compared to falling into the hands of Princess Agnes, who regarded the Regent as a thorn in her side, being controlled by Amber of the Atlas Group made them feel a little relieved.

At least, from his previous contacts with the Atlas Group, Perseus knew that although Amber's style of doing things was unconventional and people couldn't guess his true thoughts, he was indeed an out-and-out businessman in some aspects.

There will definitely be no risk in his hands as the Regent, because this guy will definitely want to gain more benefits from the Regent.
After a brief silence, the two dukes turned and looked at the two aides of Norton II. The four of them exchanged glances and reached a silent consensus - negotiation.

"We are both dukes of the empire, and you are also the best among the nobles of the empire. You are all the cornerstones of the empire! How can you be intimidated by a little girl like Agnes!"

"Yes! Pay attention during the negotiation and don't lose points!"

Duke Soren and Duke Duke encouraged each other, while Perseus and Altras looked at each other, with extremely complicated expressions on their faces.
-
The aerospace shuttle launched from the airdrop fortress traveled smoothly through the atmosphere, its engine emitting a low hum. Amber sat in a comfortable seat, next to her was Norton II, who had been freed from Frederico's mental invasion. His face was still pale, but his eyes had regained clarity.

When Lilith conveyed the news that the 'big guys' on orbit had reached a consensus to negotiate, Amber's lips curled up in an arc of understanding.

He turned his head and looked at the former regent beside him: "Look, Lord Regent, what did I say? Without Frederico's support, the two imperial dukes, Soren and Duke, are more afraid of death than anyone else, or afraid of smashing the bottles and jars in their hands. As long as you give them a way out, they will run down faster than anyone else."

Hearing Amber's words, Norton II just sighed and closed his eyes tiredly without responding. After going through all this, he was already exhausted.

Soon after, the space shuttle took Amber and Norton II directly to the Crown Fortress where everyone was. A negotiation that would determine the future direction of the entire Star Dragon Empire was also taking place in a conference room in the fortress.

The cold metal walls reflected the cool light from the ceiling lights. In the center of the conference room, the holographic projection device was running steadily. The faint blue light outlined the slightly illusory figures of Duke Soran, Duke Duke, Astral, and Perseus.

Princess Agnes sat in the main seat, her expression solemn and majestic, while Natalia, Duke Hastings, and Duke Artesia, the "three phantom gods" of the princess' party, stood beside her.

Amber casually found a seat by the side and sat down with Isabel. As the actual controllers of the Crown Fortress, the two of them seemed like spectators who were not involved.

Agnes didn't waste any time, her eyes swept over the four people in the holographic projection, her voice was cold and without a trace of warmth.

And the first thing he did was a 'king bomb'.

"The Imperial Regent, Norton II, colluded with Duke Solon, Duke Duke, and Archbishop Jules of the State Church, intending to rebel! The evidence is irrefutable! According to the laws of the Empire, they should be executed."

Her Royal Highness the Princess' opening remarks were quite explosive, and they succeeded in instantly freezing the air in the conference room.

"ran"

Princess Agnes changed the subject, and her tone was filled with pity:

"I am about to ascend the throne and inherit the great cause. I do not want to cause any more killings. Therefore, I will spare you the death penalty, but your titles and noble status must be stripped away! Demoted to commoners! All fiefs and properties will be taken over by the imperial family."

How can this be called negotiation? This is clearly a one-sided trial and humiliation!
This thought immediately came to the minds of the four people involved in the negotiations.

Duke Soran was so angry that his beard was shaking. His virtual projection slammed the table in front of him and roared, "Agnes! You are going too far! This is not a negotiation at all, you want to kill us all! If that's the case, we would rather fight to the death than surrender!"

"Well done!"

After hearing Duke Soran's counterattack, Duke clenched his fist silently and couldn't help but admire in his heart.

Then he also said with a sullen face: "If Your Highness Princess has no sincerity, then there is nothing to talk about! We are not vegetarians either, we may fight to the death!"

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became tense and filled with gunpowder, as if the two sides were about to tear each other apart and reignite the war in the next second.

Amber still watched all this calmly, and even observed the micro-expressions on both sides' faces with interest.

Isabel's questioning voice also rang in Amber's ears through the private channel: "Why is Princess Amber so tough? Isn't this the same as forcing them into a dead end? Doesn't Princess Amber intend to negotiate properly?"

"No, Her Royal Highness wants to negotiate properly. This is just one of her strategies, Isabel~"

Amber patiently explained to Isabel:
"This is called the 'house-tearing effect' in negotiation psychology. First, propose an extreme condition that the other party absolutely cannot accept, so that they will have strong resistance and anger. In this way, when you propose a relatively 'mild' condition later, but it is still in our favor, the other party will be more likely to accept it, and may even feel that it is a 'victory' that they have fought for~"

"So the princess's real conditions are not these, right?"

"That's right, just wait and see, she's going to throw it out soon, but maybe it won't be her who says it, but let others cooperate~"

Amber's judgment on Agnes's side was not wrong. Just when the two sides were in a stalemate and the atmosphere was almost frozen, the Duke of Hastings, who had been silent, stood up.

With just the right amount of grief and worry on his face, he spoke earnestly, "Your Highness, and all the dukes, calm down! We are all the backbone of the empire. Such internal strife will only make our loved ones sad and our enemies happy!"

Amber couldn't help but twitch his eyes after hearing this. According to the old man, it seemed as if Amber was the 'enemy'.
After the Duke of Hastings finished speaking, he first looked at the Duke of Soren and the others, then turned to Agnes, bowed slightly and said: "Your Highness, the empire has been severely damaged by this battle, and it is really not appropriate to start a dispute again. The most important thing now is to stabilize the overall situation and restore order! Moreover, the country cannot be without a king for a day. Now that the old king is dead, the most urgent task is to support a new king and revive the government!"

“This is the birth of an actor.”

Amber laughed inwardly and couldn't help but complain that it was a waste of talent for the Duke not to act.

The Duke of Hastings paused, as if to see Agnes's expression, and after a moment he continued in a 'direct minister' manner:
"Your Highness, you are about to ascend the throne and inherit the throne. You should show magnanimity. Moreover, since ancient times, the ascension of a new king is often accompanied by a general amnesty.
If Duke Soren, Duke Duke, Astral, Perseus and others are willing to put down their weapons, swear allegiance to Your Highness and support you to ascend the throne, perhaps you can show mercy and give them a lighter sentence!

Keeping the dignity of these important officials of the empire can also calm people's hearts and stabilize the empire in this turbulent situation."

The Duke of Hastings' words came like timely rain, instantly easing the extremely tense atmosphere in the conference room.

Although Duke Soren and Duke Duke still looked grim, the determination in their eyes faded a little, and Perseus and the others also relaxed a little.

Obviously, the "conditions" proposed by the Duke of Hastings were already within the scope of consideration compared to Agnes's initial "sentence" of "death penalty, immediate execution".

There seemed to be a glimmer of hope in the deadlock in the negotiations.

But at this moment, Amber on the side suddenly realized a problem.

Neither party proposed to invite the Regent to participate in the negotiations this time, and it has not even been mentioned until now, as if everything that happened today had nothing to do with the Regent.

A terrible thought popped up in Amber's mind. He found that he still underestimated Princess Agnes and these "imperial ministers".

"It's over, I'm not going to smash this shit into my hands, am I?!"

(End of this chapter)