Poverty makes me capable of anything.

Nathaniel nodded slightly: "She is indirectly showing the Exiled Empire her attitude. A powerful ally with a bright future and irreconcilable conflicts with the Eternal Star Path is exactly what the Exiled Empire needs."

With Enron making such a statement, the Exiled Empire also needs to make some kind of response.

We must not discourage these allies.

Although the Exiled Empire was powerful enough, allies like Enron were always better, so that the Eternal Star Road could be trampled underfoot.

……

Meanwhile, on the spaceship returning to its base on Eternal Star Road.

Keynes was helped up and was receiving treatment from a medic.

Even with Eternal Star Road's advanced medical technology, it would take two months for Keynes to recover to his prime.

"Unless we can call White Dove over, but she can't leave the front lines right now."

White Dove is the nickname of Beata, the ruler of the Eternal Star Road, who possesses an extremely rare healing ability.

"fine."

Keynes shook his head.

He also wanted to take a good rest during his recovery period.

The experience of being caught by An Ran made him furious.

"I won't let you have it so easy!"

Keynes came up with a way to cause trouble for Enron.

Upon returning to his residence, Cairns immediately gave an interview to the media.

"Mr. Keynes, do you have anything to say about this experience?"

Keynes declared indignantly, "I must stand up and condemn Enron's atrocities! As a prophet of the Cult of Astronomers."

He emphasized the last sentence.

“She’s like a cold-blooded butcher!” Keynes exclaimed.

Oh?

The reporters who came to interview immediately became excited.

He sensed a big story was about to unfold.

Controversy can attract attention, and Keynes has given him a good topic.

The reporter quickly asked, "Mr. Keynes, could you explain this in more detail?"

"Of course!"

Keynes nodded blankly.

He recounted the past, picked out some incidents, and embellished them as he spoke of them.

"She was a tyrant who enjoyed torturing prisoners. As soon as our injuries improved, she would immediately subject us to extreme torture."

"Besides the physical torture, she also constantly tormented our minds. My good friend Sawyer was reduced to a monster under her torture."

"And then there's Melville of the Unbeliever Legion. Ever since she was locked in the cage, she hasn't slept a single night. It's not that she doesn't want to sleep, but Anran doesn't give her the chance. She puts a big speaker next to Melville and makes a constant wailing and howling all day long."

"This is the prophet of the Cult of Machines."

"Don't listen to her excuses, remember she's a mechanic."

The reporter chimed in, "Yes, mechanics can easily tamper with all sorts of data."

The news of the interview spread quickly.

The capture of the Star Domain Ruler has long been a matter of great concern to the general public.

"This is a war of public opinion, and I'd like to see how you handle it."

Vesta watched this scene with great interest.

The impact of the embargo on the Mechanicus has not yet become apparent; it has a certain time lag, after all, the Mechanicus also has its own stockpiles and mineral resources.

But the impact of a media storm is different.

Extensive discussion is enough to tarnish the image of the Mechanicus, cause those with wavering faith to leave, and also to some extent prevent the Mechanicus from expanding outwards.

The next day, many media outlets approached the Cult of Mechanics, requesting interviews with Enron or the Cult's spokesperson.

They hadn't had much hope, but An Ran readily agreed.

"They're here, they're here."

At the virtual press conference, a group of NPC reporters crowded together.

The verbal sparring between two star system rulers is definitely a hot news topic.

They waited for more than ten minutes before An Ran finally arrived.

An Ran was dressed in a very formal prophet outfit.

The purple dress was quite eye-catching, and many reporters were stunned for a moment.

No, no, I can't let An Ran be bewitched.

"Is there anything you want to ask?" An Ran asked.

A reporter raised their hand.

"You're the one. Go ahead and ask."

The reporter stood up and said, "Regarding the accusations made by Keynes, the Overlord of the Eternal Star Path, yesterday, I would like to ask Anran the Prophet's opinion?"

Anran tactically shrugged.

"On this point, I think the first thing everyone should understand is that whether it's Keynes or anyone else, they are prisoners of war. It's wartime now, and being a prisoner of war alive is a very lucky thing."

"Ah."

The reporters below nodded in agreement.

So you're admitting to mistreating prisoners?

An Ran continued, "After saying that, I only have one thing to say to Keynes..."

She drew out her voice.

The reporters eagerly awaited the news.

Here comes the point.

An Ran crossed her arms and sneered, "Bullshit! I'll catch you again next time!"

"?"

In an instant, the press conference hall erupted in uproar.

The reporters were abuzz with discussion.

Someone stood up and said, "Prophet Enran, as a prophet of the Mechanicus, isn't it inappropriate for you to hurl insults like that?"

"Why can't prophets curse people?"

"It's not that you can't criticize, I mean that it has a bad influence."

An Ran remained calm: "I've killed more than one Star Domain Ruler, and you're telling me that swearing is bad?"

"emmm..."

The reporter was speechless.

If you refuse to kill, then go talk to Keynes and see if he agrees with your point of view.

Keynes, watching the press conference in front of a virtual screen, was so angry he gritted his teeth.

What are you bragging about?

Even the best of men can make mistakes.

Once you're caught by the Eternal Star Road, let's see if you're still so arrogant.

"Alright, alright." An Ran waved her hand. "Let's get to the main topic of the press conference."

what?

The reporters were taken aback.

theme?

What was that just now?

An Ran then said, "The reason I'm holding this press conference is not to clarify anything, but simply to announce the next major plan of the Cult of the Machine God. From now on, we have decided to implement the Hidden Sands Development Plan."

The reporters became even more excited after hearing the name of the plan.

Those watching the press conference were stunned, including Versta.

"Developing hidden sandbars? Are you kidding me?"

"Even the two top civilizations have never paid any attention to the Hidden Sandbar."

"This is definitely a money-losing deal."

"Has An Ran gone mad?"

"I think she deliberately came up with this plan to downplay the influence of Keynes's remarks on the Mechanicus."

An Ran pressed her hands down, signaling the reporters to be quiet: "I know you don't believe me, but that's alright. Once the Cult of the Machine God produces its results, I think everyone will have no more doubts. This is an incredibly massive project, and we welcome all those with aspirations to participate in its development. So, that concludes today's press conference."

After saying that, An Ran got up and left the virtual press conference venue.

As the figure gradually faded away, the people present were unable to regain their composure for a long time.

They discovered that they couldn't understand An Ran at all.

What kind of monster is this?

Presumably, many experts and scholars will soon step forward to analyze this matter.

Without much thought, the most mainstream viewpoint is undoubtedly—

Don't just drink alcohol, eat more vegetables too.