Chapter 253

Chapter 253

The Star Alliance was also buzzing on the Star Network.

"It's still the Star Alliance. Putting everything else aside, their Resource War looks really interesting."

"How could it not be? Having all those leaders from different countries together is already a show. If Grath is there, I'll definitely watch. Not to mention the star players. Can I even hope for a Grath?"

"What's so interesting about the leaders? You might as well just say you want to see Grath."

"When it comes to making money, the Star Alliance sure knows their stuff. They can even pull this off. In a way, it's like big shots from all countries putting on a show for me. But with all this hype, why haven't I heard anything about any country deciding to join the Star Alliance?"

"They're all waiting for Grath's cue. To put it nicely, it's about moving forward together. To put it bluntly, they're watching the big leg's attitude. If the big leg joins the Star Alliance, no one else has a choice. Is there any other path besides joining the Star Alliance?"

The Star Alliance had set up camp in the Wandering Star Region.

In an empty information processing center.

Someone came over with a cup and sat down next to a colleague.

"Still no progress?"

The staff member sitting at the light screen shook his head. "No, they're still debating. No country has explicitly agreed yet, but their rhetoric is very consistent."

He couldn't help but say, "This place is unusually united."

National-level decisions are generally very cautious, which is understandable, but this time not a single one had explicitly stated they would join the Star Alliance.

Another person sighed. "I didn't expect to waste this much time here. The Resource War is about to start, and I wanted to see it live."

"By now, the countries far away should have started moving. Central Star should be up and running by now. At this rate, I'm not sure we'll make it back in time. And this time, we should be more careful when heading back. I heard we'll only leave after the Insect Tide ends, and we have to account for the time after the tide subsides."

"But this place should produce a star player next time. That's rare."

The two exchanged a glance, clearly still deeply impressed by what happened before. That first-person video of the mother ship meeting the locals had spread like wildfire among the fleet members. If not for the confidentiality agreement, that seemingly absurd video would have been sent back.

After a while, the person holding the cup leaned against the table and half-sat down. "You said 'next time,' huh?"

Countries joining the Star Alliance had an adaptation period. During this time, they didn't need to hand over resources or participate in the Resource War. The Star Alliance would still provide technical assistance as usual. It was like a newbie protection period.

"Ah, there's news again."

The seated staff member wasn't too concerned, assuming it was just another routine message. But as soon as he saw it, he sat up straight. "We've got progress."

"...We agree to join and request to skip the adaptation period."

He scrolled down and landed on an unfamiliar country name. He murmured, "Glans..."

The other person couldn't see what was on his light screen and asked from the side, "What's going on? Switch to spectator mode."

He looked up. "Some country wants to skip the protection period."

"What?"

The colleague stood up with his cup and urged him to switch to spectator mode immediately.

This had never happened since the Alliance was founded.

The protection period was beneficial to all countries with no downsides.

Even Orolia, which had considerable strength but joined the Star Alliance late due to certain reasons, wasn't arrogant enough to try that.

And the results proved their decision was wise. Even Orolia didn't stand out in the first few Resource Wars; it only made it to the top ranks later.

Even so, it was a remarkably impressive performance. Now that the Star Alliance was stable and still absorbing new members, there were almost no such dark horses anymore.

Orolia got a lot of attention as a result. When it burst onto the scene back then, many supported it because of its strong showing.

The colleague was still reading the document.

After that file came in, it was like a switch flipped. Notifications kept popping up.

Pending files piled up, then dropped a bit as other colleagues processed them, only to surge again at a terrifying rate before slowing down after a while.

Someone grumbled, "What's going on? Either nothing, or everything comes at once."

No one spoke; everyone was busy.

While the colleague was reading the file, he pulled up a light screen at an empty desk and opened a file no one else had gotten to yet. It was also a reply agreeing to join the Star Alliance, but without requesting to skip the protection period.

He thought for a moment and then brought up a defense map. The map came from Keller, drawn to Star Alliance standards. He had seen many such maps before, usually used to visualize aid zones and recipients, with the local country's flag in front and the aiding country's flag behind.

Among them, one flag showed up way too often, far exceeding the Keller he had just become familiar with.

Sword and fire intertwined.

He frowned. Among the countless flags in the Star Alliance, he had no memory of a flag with a sword and fire.

He clicked on the icon, and the country's name appeared—Glans.

"Another Orolia, maybe?"

Or just a fool, since their tech was definitely a bit behind the curve.

But somehow, he felt it was the first one.

...

Glans Empire, Imperial Capital.

Sylvia put down her teacup and let out a long sigh. "We need to start getting ready for the Resource War."

There was still a lot of work ahead, including assigning the right people for each stage of the competition.

Ye Mo would also need to carry a large number of Bug Crystals.

Herbert stood up. "Then I'll notify everyone. We can begin."

Before leaving, he turned around and asked, "Leaving aside the legion quotas for now, have you decided who to send, Sylvia?"

He was referring to Arnold and the others. The rulers and leaders also needed to make an appearance at this grand event. Apart from Norton and Ye Mo, who had been decided in advance, the other candidates hadn't been chosen yet.

Herbert knew that in recent days, many people had secretly approached Norton. Arnold hadn't gone to Norton, but he was here, knowing who was responsible for this part. He had come to see Sylvia several times already. He also wanted to go and was afraid Sylvia might leave him behind.

Sylvia seemed to have already made up her mind. Without hesitation, she said, "Since it's our first time, let's make it count. Let the kids go and have fun."

Herbert smiled. "In that case, someone will start worrying. There'll be plenty of bickering later."

Sylvia knew what he meant. The Glans Empire was too dependent on Grath, and the same old argument about no one guarding the capital in case of danger will come up again.

Might as well let them be weaned.

Sylvia couldn't help but complain. "Besides, by then the Insect Tide will be over. Don't tell me they can't do anything without Grath. It's obvious that Grath still has the best legions and psychic weapons. They've really been spoiled by Grath. I really want to ask them what they'd do now without Ye Mo..."

At that point, Sylvia stopped. The atmosphere grew a bit tense. They all knew that without Ye Mo, Grath would only have Norton carrying Arnold and everything forward, while Arnold could collapse at any moment, leaving only Norton.

Sylvia continued, "Since Norton is taking Ye Mo, let them all go. These kids might not be good for much else, but they can at least serve as bodyguards."

Herbert coughed. "And what about Emperor Bode?"

Sylvia had already put down her teacup and started working, flipping through documents without even looking up. "He's useless staying here either. Let him go too."

...

Meanwhile, the front lines were also relaxing, with the legions gradually starting rotations.

Deenlie was the second to return, right after Arnold.

Coming back with him were battleship after battleship loaded with King Bug Crystals.

The flagship docked directly at the Grath Palace's landing zone.

As he stepped out of the ship, he spotted Adelaide and Ye Mo nearby. Ye Mo waved at him from across the railing, with Arnold beside him and Norton standing behind.

It must have been Ye Mo who wanted to come; otherwise, Arnold and Norton wouldn't have followed.

Deenlie changed direction and headed toward them.

He initially wanted to hug Ye Mo but paused because he hadn't changed his clothes yet. Instead, he ruffled Ye Mo's hair, stroking from his head down to his nape.

Ye Mo closed his eyes as he was touched. Among those who patted his head, Deenlie had the heaviest hand.

Norton shielded Ye Mo and pulled him closer, then gave Deenlie a look. Deenlie took the hint and withdrew his hand—Norton had been in a bad mood lately, so it was best not to provoke him.

Deenlie glanced behind Ye Mo and asked bluntly, "Why is he here?"

He was referring to Faceless, who had hidden himself in a blind spot. Deenlie's gaze was somewhat hostile as he locked onto Faceless. He remembered Faceless. He had been too relaxed here, and Faceless had hidden himself well; he only noticed him when he got closer.

Ye Mo shifted to block Deenlie's view of Faceless.

"He came to see Dad."

He added, "My other father. Brother Ye He and Dad are coming back today too."

Deenlie looked away and fixed his eyes on Ye Mo. "Are you waiting for your dad?"

"Waiting for Deenlie first, then Dad and Brother."

Without any hesitation, Ye Mo stepped forward and hugged Deenlie.

Deenlie stiffened for a moment, then quickly relaxed. He placed a hand on Ye Mo's back and said in a low voice, "You'd better be."

But because the words were spoken quietly, they carried almost no threat.

Ye Mo quickly arranged everyone. "Adelaide has prepared lots of good food. Deenlie, go ahead. Arnold and Father haven't seen Deenlie in a long time, right? I'll stay here with Uncle and Theodore."

Arnold snorted and deliberately messed up Ye Mo's hair. He knew Ye Mo was trying to send them away to give Ye Zhiyuan and Ye Huaiyuan some space.

Adelaide cleared his throat. "The little prince is right. Please follow me. The little prince has been a great help."

Deenlie glanced at Faceless but said nothing more.

He could feel Norton's psychic energy constantly locked onto Ye Mo.

Only Ye Mo would tolerate such behavior—when they were very young, they hadn't let Bode's psychic energy come near them.

But it was indeed reassuring. Deenlie, who had now switched roles, thought without a hint of guilt.