"Until one day, the company came to my home planet, bringing with it an advanced environmental modification plan. In exchange, the company required every resident of the planet to sign a contract to become—or in the future, an employee of the company."

"Two years after the contract was signed, the dark clouds and smog disappeared, and people began to take off their masks; three years later, vegetation and trees began to grow and flourish again; five years later, many animals that had once disappeared reappeared in people's sight, lively and energetic."

"It was around that time that I reached the age to officially become a member of the Strategic Investment Department. Because I had witnessed the changes my hometown had undergone, I was determined to bring the same changes to many other worlds in the galaxy that had similar experiences."

Hua Yi glanced sideways at Topa's eyes.

It contains memories, ideals, maturity, and youthful vigor.

Chapter 258 Mr. Hua Yi, you didn't want this either...

Toppa also turned his head and met Hua Yi's gaze with a graceful and generous expression.

"Now that I've finished telling my story, it's time for the audience to share their thoughts."

"I feel that if there were more people like you in Interstellar Peace Company, it would definitely develop better and better."

"And—what about the evaluation of the company itself?"

"The Black Tower Space Station and the Star Train database both contain records about the company. Transforming a planet's ecology is no easy task and is likely to fail. Miss Topa's home planet is undoubtedly lucky."

So, rather than my planet being saved, you're more concerned with examples of ecosystems completely collapsing, and thereby assume that companies are the ones causing the destruction?

The girl's emotions were complicated, and as if he had guessed her thoughts, Hua Yi continued to speak.

"I'm saying it literally, without any implied meaning. Transforming the ecosystem is a huge investment, and the company's personnel didn't spend credit points to destroy anything. Just like the aid funds that Yalilo-VI received, I'd rather believe that those who approved the loans had some intention of preserving civilization than simply pursuing investment returns."

High risk, low return – this is not a profitable deal.

This includes signing contracts with the inhabitants of Topam, buying out their future in exchange for survival. Although freedom is theoretically priceless, in many cases, even an individual's life can be weighed on the 583-square-meter scale. The freedom that comes from being alive is hardly a precious thing.

Most people don't live that freely either.

Toppa shared the glamorous side of Interstellar Peace Corporation, but Hua Yi knew that there were unspeakable dark secrets hidden within this behemoth.

It's a very simple principle, just like there aren't only good people or only bad people in the world.

"It is my good fortune to be able to deal with a company executive like Miss Topa who has such beautiful ideals. It is the good fortune of this planet that Yalilo-VI was able to obtain a sum of money to build a city seven hundred years ago, resist the invasion of the legion, and survive to this day."

"So, you have a pretty good impression of the company?"

"Countless employees form a colossal entity that stretches across the starry sky. Each person's color is mixed together, not black or white, but a delicate gray."

As long as the [protection] is still in place, gray cannot turn black.

However, given the current size of Interstellar Peace Corporation, unless Chairman Cripper, who never interferes with the company's operations, takes action, it will be difficult for the gray area to turn into pure white.

"To be more precise, it should be a shimmering gray, and Miss Topa is the shining white within it."

Even though Toppa was a senior executive in the company, whose power and status were more revered than that of an empress on an ordinary planet, and who had heard many praises, he was now stunned by Hua Yi's words.

It turns out that I don't dislike nice words; it's just that the ones I've heard before were all lacking in quality.

Furthermore, even though he described the company in a gray area, which wasn't a genuine compliment, I didn't feel any resistance at all.

This is indeed true.

“Then I think you should join the company even more. The Strategic Investment Department should be one of the brighter parts in the gray area. We can make the mixed colors look better.”

Toppa extended an olive branch for the second time.

Interstellar Peace Corporation is not suitable for pure idealists; they are likely to run into obstacles, suffer setbacks, or even become like moths drawn to a flame.

Unless this idealist is a guardian.

Then, Toppa personally dislikes guys who prioritize profit above all else, even to the point of trampling on everything for it.

Even though there are quite a few such people in the company, and many of them have already risen to high positions thanks to their outstanding performance.

Hua Yi is kind enough, and rational enough.

He is capable, intelligent, and not a rule-breaker; on the contrary, he twice became a hero who saved everyone.

It aligns with the [storage] concept, meets the company's needs, and is right in Toppa's good zone.

"If you join us, not only will Yalilo-VI receive the greatest support, but the company will also be your strong backing if you encounter situations such as a star core crash or a legion attack in the future."

"Miss Topa, what are you saying?!"

Bronya returned, feeling that as the current High Protector of Beloberg, she should consider Toppa's side while Hilva and Natasha were gathered around Estádio.

As soon as I arrived, I heard her using threats and inducements.

Mr. Hua Yi, you don't want Belloberg to be excluded from the Pan-Galactic Trade System, do you? Then become one of my men.

That's pretty much the idea!

The girl's heart clenched, and she ran over without caring about diplomatic etiquette. A hint of hostility appeared on her pretty face as she glared at Toppa, who was plotting against Hua Yi.

“Belloberg will pay back the money, even if he has to sell everything he owns. You are not allowed to have any ulterior motives towards him.”

Bronya was raised by Cocolia as her successor from a young age, and is now the new Grand Guardian of Berloburg. If it weren't for Hua Yi, the King of Berloburg, she would be the uncrowned queen.

But when it comes to the demeanor of someone in a superior position, Director Toppa is definitely superior.

Now she has truly become a domineering female CEO. Knowing there are some misunderstandings, she doesn't argue but instead steps forward and puts pressure on Bronya.

"Belloberg's own economic strength is insufficient to repay the debt. Furthermore, maintaining the rules requires power. For a long time, the Interstellar Peace Corporation has been the rule-maker and maintainer, but I do not believe that Miss Bronya or Arilo-VI possess the corresponding power."

"Woo..."

Bronya let out a mournful cry.

Bellberg was too weak. Whether Toppa wanted to intimidate him or act recklessly against Hua Yi based on his strength, he could only watch.

I can't do anything.

"Pause."

At this moment, Hua Yi knew he couldn't be a bystander.

He first looked at the domineering female CEO, Toppa.

"I thought you were going to say that rules are meant to be broken. Anyway, I don't plan to join the company right now. We can discuss it later."

"Hey."

"Bronya, shouldn't you be learning how to use the smart terminal produced by the space station? Why did you suddenly come here?"

"Hmm... If I don't come over, who knows if Topa will try anything... Ah, I mean, I'm not in a hurry to go online, I need to prioritize receiving Miss Topa."

Upon hearing this, Topa smiled and spoke.

"I get along well with Hua Yi, Miss Bronya, you can go and do other things."

"I have nothing else to do."

Bronya pursed her lips, unable to muster the same smile, looking like a sulking little animal.

Chapter 259 Watermarked

The Great Guardian must be magnanimous and responsible, and must never actually show anger towards Topa.

This is a negotiation between forces, and compared to the Interstellar Peace Corporation, Bellober is as insignificant as dust.

Sulking out of spite turned into being bullied.

What else could Bronya do but arrange a room for Toppa, and use that as an excuse to stay by Hua Yi's side.

Previously, only the High Warden lived in Cripple Castle, and at most the chosen successor; now—the whole family lives there.

Hilva neglected the mechanical house and spent all her time in Crepper Castle. Natasha and Seele from the lower district also lived there for extended periods. The Star Train helped Beloberg escape the Star Core Crisis and was given the highest level of treatment.

Then, Estádio and Hua Yi have a close relationship on the Black Tower Space Station, so they must not be neglected.

Finally, only Toppa was left. Even if the entire Goethe Hotel was booked and she was given the entire living space there, it would still be suspected of being discriminatory.

Taking into account all factors, and considering that Toppa had previously communicated with Hua Yi and seemed to have helped her in some ways, Bronya suppressed her sense of crisis that the company executive might do something bad to the Savior, and led the way to a neatly tidied room in Cripper Castle.

"Is there anything else you need?"

"No, I might visit the History and Culture Museum later and then investigate the lower district—Miss High Guardian, there's no need to rush to entertain me. As for the debt, let's discuss it after I've learned more about Belloberg."

The director temporarily shifted her focus away from recruiting Hua Yi, preparing to witness firsthand the various people and things in Bellberg.

Inside the hall, the other girls were listening attentively to Teacher Xing's speech and learning how to use the smart terminal.

"Alright, everyone should have registered an account on the Interstellar Peace Network by now. Add me as a friend and remember my username [Face Takes Ultimate Attack]. You can choose any username you like, since you can change it anytime. But if you want to use your real name, remember to set it to anonymous when you join the group. Otherwise, given your level of understanding, you'll probably feel ashamed when uploading your novels."

As he finished speaking, Xing started making faces.

In terms of artistic level, you are still no match for me.

The young female staff member, who was working as a teaching assistant and was ready to provide one-on-one tutoring to Hiluva and her colleagues, froze in place.

Lamina, Emily, and Wen Shiling—these three are all online using their real names in the fan group. Would they really talk about the existence of a group chat in front of the site administrator, Estella?!

If the site administrator discovers the existence of the fan group and realizes that so many people have ulterior motives towards Hua Yi, they might disband the group chat in a fit of anger, or even take their anger out on the [anonymous] group owner who actively promoted the development of the chat group. Everyone would be in trouble.

Even if the group admin says it won't develop that way, it's still good to be careful when necessary.

The clerk frantically tried to signal to the Star Envoy, but the latter only stared at Estella.

The brilliance of the Galaxy Batman told her that doing so was fine.

Given Esther's personality, she would never bully anyone in the fan group. If she hadn't even joined the group chat yet, it would be better to invite her in, or if she was already anonymously in the fan group.

Noticing that Hoshino and Lamina were all looking at her with different expressions, Estella faced a choice.

Why not take this opportunity to publicly declare, "I am an anonymous person"?

Anyway, Lamina and the other two are all deeply in love with Hua Yi. By revealing my identity to them and combining it with my previous statements as the group leader, I conveyed an encouraging attitude.

Wen Shiling is still young, but Lamina and Emily can act immediately and get what they want.

The fact that the girls on Bellberg's side have gained Hua Yi's trust means there's nothing to hide.

Wait a minute, they hope to earn credits through the essay contest to increase Cripperburg's revenue. If I reveal my identity at this time, it will change from "creating wealth with my own hands" to "Black Tower Space Station funding Beloborg," which will be difficult for Shiluwa and others to accept with a clear conscience, and they will not be able to infuse their romance novels with much genuine emotion.

I'll feel embarrassed.

For those fans who haven't yet had the chance to write a story with Hua Yi, romance novels are a source of spiritual nourishment.

However, for girls who have already formed bonds, the process of writing a novel can help them understand their own hearts, recall sweet moments, and even give them the courage to do something.

Aistar isn't just focused on building her fanbase; she's helping Hua Yi build his harem.

With so many important missions to carry out, including alleviating Belloberg's financial problems and satisfying his lover's little greed, [Anonymous] must continue to conceal his identity.

Read my eye and act accordingly, Star.

The station manager gestured to Galaxy Batman with her eyes to skip the current topic.

Without the coordination of body language, it is actually very difficult to convey emotions and meanings by relying solely on the eyes.

Fortunately, Hoshino can sometimes demonstrate remarkable wisdom in a positive light. Although she wasn't certain that Estádio was [anonymous], she understood what she meant and quickly changed the subject.

"Come on, everyone, let's add each other as friends."

When Hua Yi and Bronya returned, the girls of Belloborg most wanted to add this great hero as a contact.

What does the mark next to your profile picture mean?

"Oh, that's a watermark, the space station's logo. Black Tower insisted I add it, so I couldn't refuse."

"..."

When Hua Yi spoke the truth, the atmosphere in Dali suddenly became strange.

There was a strange sense of sorrow, as if "he had already been marked by someone else." Hua Yi's people were already on the Black Tower Space Station, no longer belonging to the Starry Sky Train or Belloberg.

He was marked with a tally mark by the Black Tower!

"You have a really good relationship with that genius."

Seele said those words with a hint of bitterness.

Himeko, being a mature older sister, wouldn't easily let her personal emotions get the better of her. Her words were partly to make the train feel more present and partly to help Hua Yi out of a difficult situation.

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