Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Last time, Ximeno's handling of the reception was so disastrous that Lu Cian dared not entrust him with such tasks again.

It seemed the Parn Patriarch had the same intention: to make Lu Cian clearly see Ximeno's limitations and avoid assigning him tasks beyond his capabilities.

In truth, Lu Cian was overthinking it. The Parn Patriarch merely wanted Ximeno to learn a lesson and not be as easily deceived as before.

Since persuasion was futile, he simply decided not to clean up the mess, letting Ximeno suffer the consequences.

The Federation also informed the Star Alliance about the Empire's visit, as they were allies. This way, if anything happened, they could respond promptly.

Meanwhile, the number of military females from the Five Legions on patrol increased severalfold.

The appearance of Central Star was thoroughly tidied up, and even construction projects on surrounding planets were halted to focus entirely on developing Central Star's capital city.

The entire Federation was on high alert, entering a state of total lockdown.

A gentle breeze carried a whiff of impending conflict, hinting at the solemn atmosphere.

...

Walter led the delegation to the frontier planet, quickly arriving at the agreed-upon meeting point with the Federation.

A medium-sized spacecraft docked near the planet, sending a signal for connection. Walter soon confirmed it was the Federation's vessel.

After boarding, they were promptly greeted by Federation representatives.

Timothy bowed slightly and said, "Friends from the Empire, welcome!"

Walter returned the gesture. "Friends from the Federation, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Both sides wore bright smiles, their words polished and polite, yet everyone knew steel hid behind those grins.

As they exchanged diplomatic pleasantries, Timothy's eloquence proved difficult for Walter to counter. The latter nearly lost his aristocratic composure after running into diplomatic resistance.

Timothy thought to himself: *His composure is still too immature.*

With a diplomatic smile, Timothy said, "Honored envoy, the journey to the Federation will take half a month. We regret the extended voyage aboard."

Walter responded with a gentlemanly smile. "No need to apologize. For the sake of friendly exchanges between the Empire and the Federation, this wait is trivial."

Walter's face fell the moment Timothy left.

During the journey, Walter attempted to extract information from other Federation members on the ship but achieved little success.

Finding no breakthrough, he abandoned this approach and instead haunted the bridge, hoping to memorize the route to the Federation for future military planning.

Only upon arrival did he realize that entering the Federation required passage through warp gates—one of which was located within the Empire's territory.

While he might not be familiar with other planets, Hemp Nettle Star, a crown world, was something Walter knew well.

Seeing what was once a royal planet now occupied by rebels, renamed Hemp Nettle Star, and turned into a Federation stronghold made Walter furious.

Yet there was little he could do.

Hemp Nettle Star was infested with venomous flora, some of which were infectious. The Empire had no solution for handling them.

Through the spacecraft's imaging system, Walter glimpsed parts of the planet's current state.

To his shock, Hemp Nettle Star had been transformed—nothing like its former chaotic, poison-ridden state.

Though still densely covered in toxic flora, the plants were now cultivated in orderly arrangements. Worse yet, Walter saw factories established across the planet, processing Hemp Nettle as raw material.

His face darkened.

The royal family had once lamented the planet's abandonment but, with countless other worlds under their control, had long forgotten about it.

While the planet's toxic plants were feared for their infectious nature, the royals had assumed that as long as they weren't harvested or spread, there was no issue. Bombarding the planet over such uncertainty was seen as profligate.

But now, things were different.

Walter thought, *If the Emperor knew the rebels had seized this planet, exploited its resources, and even found ways to neutralize the toxins of these plants, he would order its immediate destruction.*

Were it not for the risk of triggering a chain reaction of stellar core explosions in neighboring systems, Walter himself might have lobbied for an orbital bombardment.

But he couldn't.

Nearby were assets belonging to other major noble houses.

Though these frontier planets were remote and of little value, tensions on the capital world were high. Any rash action might provoke the nobles into thinking the royal family was making a power play.

Even if relations with the nobles were strained, maintaining appearances was still necessary.

Taking a deep breath, Walter swallowed his anger. He was in enemy space now—best not to stir trouble. His report to the Emperor would also need careful consideration to avoid rash conflict with the Federation.

The Empire needed time to rebuild strength. War, if inevitable, required thorough preparation.

...

Though Walter's understanding of the Federation remained superficial, glimpses of their capabilities unsettled him.

Especially when, after the final jump, their spacecraft entered Federation territory—what he saw next rocked him to his foundations.

The Federation's domain lay within an entirely unknown star cluster!

*By the Insect God, how is this possible?*

Walter couldn't believe his eyes, but no matter how many times he blinked, the star chart before him was unrecognizable—a completely new map.

Timothy delighted in Walter's mask slipping.

Though he had subtly outplayed Walter multiple times, Timothy knew the latter still viewed them as uncivilized space pirates, his every gesture oozing superiority.

Timothy had long wanted to tear off Walter's aristocratic facade.

Now, seeing Walter's undisguised shock, Timothy finally savored the moment.

"Honored envoy, we've arrived at the Federation. Please disembark," Timothy said with a cheerful smile.

Walter, still dazed, was slow to respond. Meanwhile, Ounige, who had stayed in his room to avoid the "space pirate" faces, eagerly stepped out the moment the ship docked.

Stuck in his quarters for so long, Ounige was desperate for entertainment.

Though he still couldn't stand the sight of these "pirates," he hoped the Federation had some decent entertainment. After being cooped up for weeks, all he wanted was to go out and cut loose.

Stepping off the spacecraft, Ounige wore a tense expression, flinching away in disgust whenever a female Zerg approached. Gone were the pretense of obedience, cuteness, gentleness, or elegance he had once feigned to charm others, revealing his true temperament instead.

Upon spotting the receptionist sent by the Federation, he immediately adopted an imperious tone.

"You're the male Zerg assigned to receive me? Why so slow? Is this how the Federation welcomes the Empire?"

Lu Cian had initially assumed the Zerg descending with a scowl might have a temper as endearing as his boyish face—irritating yet still likable.

But no, the attitude was downright awful!

Typical of an imperial male Zerg—utterly male Zerg-like!

Lu Cian rolled his eyes. "I should be the one asking that. Take a good look—I'm a male Zerg too. Is this how the Empire greets the Federation?"

Ounige, unaccustomed to such disrespect, didn’t soften even upon learning the other was male. "So what if you're male? I'm Class A, the Empire's most esteemed male Zerg!"

Lu Cian scoffed. "If the Empire's most esteemed male Zergs are all like you, then the Empire isn't worth mentioning."

"You—!" Ounige pointed at Lu Cian furiously. "How dare you slander the Empire like this? The Emperor will surely—"

Walter, emerging a moment later, was appalled to hear Ounige spouting such arrogance on Federation territory. It took all his willpower not to slap him on the spot.

"Lord Ounige!"

Walter sharply cut him off. "This is the Federation. The Empire sent us to discuss cooperation. Must you disgrace the Empire’s dignity like this?"

Dragged aside by Walter, Ounige fumed silently, cursing the spineless worm for not venting at the Federation but instead reprimanding him.

Female Zergs were truly a wretched lot!

......

Last time, when the Star Alliance leader visited in person, Nair Inan conducted the reception—a meeting between leaders.

This time, the Empire only sent a low-ranking general, making Nair Inan’s presence an overreach that would invite imperial condescension.

Thus, only Timothy was dispatched to receive them, while Lu Cian waited on the central planet to manage protocol.

Walter’s rank wasn’t high enough to warrant Marshals like Wawen, so Damon accompanied Lu Cian instead.

Damon assisted Wawen with administrative duties, holding several ceremonial titles, but his primary role was as the Chairman’s chief guard.

Even a minister's aide commands respect, let alone the Chairman’s personal guard captain.

Damon performed a flawless aristocratic chest bow. "Esteemed envoy, this way."

Impressed by the impeccable etiquette, Walter reassessed Damon’s status, assuming powerful connections. His curiosity about the Federation’s leader deepened.

The central city had been completed two days prior, now orders of magnitude more impressive than what Aigevia had once seen.

Had Aigevia witnessed this version, he’d never have dared call it shabby.

Lu Cian observed Walter, catching the momentary disbelief in his eyes.

Walter praised sincerely, "This central city is magnificently built."

Damon smiled. "We renovated it specially for your arrival."

Walter played at being humble. "I’m truly unworthy of such honor!"

Watching the two exchange diplomatic niceties, Lu Cian admired their skill at bald-faced lies.