Amidst hidden currents, two more days passed.
No one knew the exact strategy that His Highness Crown Prince and the generals had finally devised. It wasn’t until the morning of the third day that the Imperial Army of Beta Alien Star began to make movements.
From above, the mecha runways within the fortress resembled a scattered chessboard, soldiers climbing onto the mechas, closing the cockpits, and gliding along the runways towards the starship harbor.
There, approximately fifteen hundred alloy warships were tightly arranged, undergoing final pre-flight checks.
When Yuan Changze hurried over, panting, the first thing he saw was Jiang Jianming and Ryann Kaios.
The Crown Prince stood beside the starship’s boarding ramp, his platinum curls held high, posture straight. He was saying something with lowered brows, but it was noisy all around, with metallic clinks as mechas boarded, making it impossible for Yuan Changze to hear a word.
The next moment, Ryann suddenly reached out and hugged Jiang Jianming, planting a kiss on the side of his neck. The morning light blended their silhouettes into one.
The embrace lasted only two seconds. Ryann let go, disappearing onto the starship under Jiang Jianming’s watchful gaze.
“Your Highness Jianming!”
By the time Yuan Changze reached Jiang Jianming’s side, Ryann’s figure was no longer visible.
He leaned on his knees, catching his breath, “I heard you calling me…huh, isn’t His Highness Ryann accompanying you on this expedition?”
Jiang Jianming was still staring into the distance where Ryann had gone, lost in thought. It was only when Yuan Changze called him that he turned around—Yuan Changze then noticed that his complexion was paler than usual.
“Not exactly,” Jiang Jianming withdrew his gaze, “His Highness is personally leading the frontline forces this time. I’ll first go with some people to stabilize the situation at the Lava side, then join the frontline later.”
As he spoke, he beckoned, “Hmm…Changze, come here.”
Yuan Changze stepped forward, puzzled, and saw Jiang Jianming retrieve something from the outer pocket of his black military coat.
Immediately after, a hard, cold object was thrust into his hand.
Yuan Changze looked down and shivered.
It was a handgun.
“Changze,” Jiang Jianming lowered his voice, pressing close to Yuan Changze’s ear, “listen to me.”
Yuan Changze tensed up. His Highness Jiang’s fingers were icy yet strong, gripping his hand and the gun together.
“…This time, we took a risky step. Ryann and the two generals from Silver Big Dipper have agreed to take a gamble, but that doesn’t mean the risk is lowered. I dare not leave without a final retreat route.”
“You are base body 002. If your current body dies, your consciousness will be pulled back into your original body located in the third fortress.”
“This gun, keep it close. If everything goes in the worst direction, use it to end the projection by taking your own life.”
“When you wake up, you’ll be at Black Shark Base. Immediately inform the chief and Major General Emma, the highest-ranking officer at the third fortress. Can you do that?”
As Yuan Changze heard the last sentence, he almost felt dizzy and couldn’t stand steady. His voice softened, “Wha…what is the worst direction?”
“That’s for you to judge, just giving an example.”
Jiang Jianming took two steps back, thought for a moment, and calmly said, “Both His Highness and I perish in battle, and the second fortress falls… something like that.”
Yuan Changze almost lost his breath. He nervously gripped the gun, “Isn’t it about welcoming the expedition fleet back to the fortress? Has the situation become this… this serious!?”
Jiang Jianming smiled slightly, patting Yuan Changze’s head, “Classified military information.”
A fierce wind blew, lifting the silver-black military uniform. Jiang Jianming gestured to Gao Long, who was waiting about a dozen steps away, “Let’s go, we’re boarding the ship.”
****
Three hours later, at Alpha Alien Star.
“Bishop.”
A crystal clergy member swiftly entered the bridge.
He bowed to the black-robed, gray-haired man and reported, “Scouting data shows that the Imperial Fleet has begun gathering in the Beta Star System, forming a spherical formation, with approximately fifteen hundred starships visible.”
“There are also about a hundred starships detaching from the main fleet, seemingly targeting the domain of the Lava Space Bandits.”
The Bishop turned around, “Forming a formation near the Beta Alien Star System?”
He gestured for the clergy member to silence and brought up both the 3D star map and the long-range reconnaissance images to his side.
Indeed, the Imperial Fleet had started gathering near Beta Alien Star. In the images, the domain looked like deep blue silk, with warships resembling embedded diamonds, arranged neatly like small dots.
It was a straightforward spherical formation, without even bothering to disguise, seemingly unconcerned about revealing the location of jump points.
Squinting, Su asked, “Any signs of wormhole detection?”
“We haven’t detected any signs of a wormhole yet, Your Excellency.”
The Bishop stood with folded hands, silent for a long time.
It wasn’t surprising that the Empire would attempt negotiations with the Lava Space Bandits.
After all, Jiang Jianming—possibly the consciousness projection of Aslan from years ago—seemed like someone who would favor the classical theory of “winning without fighting.”
The Crystal Cult had just disappointed their allies, so it was highly likely that the Lava Space Bandits would choose to wait and see…he had anticipated this.
What he couldn’t understand was the Empire’s tactics.
With about fifteen hundred starships, even if the Silver Big Dipper forces, previously under the first fortress but now integrated into the second, along with the reinforcements from the Golden Sun Wheel, this was not a small number.
What were they planning? Were they opting for the most straightforward “defense” strategy, preparing to break through with force? Was it that simple?
“What about the first fortress?”
“Yes. Three out of the five main defense cores of the fortress have been destroyed. The main cannon’s power station has been blocked using the bodies of alien creatures, and we should be able to breach the interior tonight or tomorrow morning.”
“Very good.”
“The only difficulty lies in…”
The crystal clergyman paused for a second, recalling, “The so-called ‘Stele of Heroes.’ That underground chamber has been sealed off, and we still haven’t been able to break through. But please believe, it’s only a matter of time.”
“The Stele of Heroes.”
Su repeated thoughtfully, quickly recalling. It was said to be the place where the remains of soldiers who died in battle were stored by the Silver Big Dipper.
…Foolish, thought the Bishop of Destruction disdainfully, the supposedly most fortified place in the grand Silver Big Dipper First Fortress turned out to be such a strategically irrelevant mausoleum.
“Once breached, burn down that underground chamber,” the man in the black robe said indifferently. “Perhaps it can provoke the Empire; anger is the best poison, it makes humans lose their reason.”
“Your Excellency the Bishop!”
At that moment, another crystal clergyman hurriedly arrived with a report, “The latest data shows that a jump reaction has been detected—the Imperial fleet is about to open a wormhole.”
The 3D star map in front of the Bishop changed accordingly, displaying a red double-circle symbol.
This meant that in the vicinity of the Beta Star System, at the center surrounded by the Imperial fleet, the spherical wormhole was slowly expanding.
It would eventually enlarge enough to accommodate starships passing through, connecting to the distant end of the starry sea.
Su snorted grimly.
He still couldn’t grasp the Empire’s intentions, nor did he dare to believe that the enemy’s tactics would be so crude this time.
But with the wormhole already open over Beta Alien Star, they couldn’t afford to remain idle!
“Prepare the warships, initiate jump preparations, and open the wormhole.”
Su’s gaze turned menacingly towards the star map. “Until we confirm the arrival of the opposing expedition fleet, no one is allowed to act rashly; but if the expedition fleet emerges from the wormhole, launch a full-scale attack—my order is, swift and decisive victory.”
****
In a certain area outside the Beta Star System.
The starship fleets of the Lava Space Bandits and the mere hundred Imperial starships were locked in a stalemate across a dense asteroid belt.
No one expected that the Empire, who had just embarrassed the Space Bandits, would dare to come personally with such a small force to negotiate.
“Hey—”
Gaolong slapped the bulkhead with a big hand, pounding, “Bastard dad—bastard dad Ai ai ai—”
His voice was thunderous, with echoes lingering, causing painful expressions on the faces of all the soldiers in the starship command room.
Some of them looked pleadingly towards the black-haired young man sitting at the command seat.
Jiang Jianming rubbed his forehead and helplessly said to Gao Long, “Vacuum doesn’t carry sound. If you really want to shout, you should shout towards the communicator on my side.”
On the communication screen, Red Dragon’s expression was almost murderous. As for Kenny Gao, the tall, dark-skinned space Bandit known as “Old Black Sheep,” he just sat there looking like he’d lost his soul.
“Son,” Old Black Sheep stared blankly at Gao Long inside the Imperial ship, murmuring, “My… my son.”
Red Dragon sneered on the side, grinding his teeth, “Haha, thought my little treasure was such a gentleman, turns out he’s just a despicable rat using father-son emotions, huh!?”
Jiang Jianming sighed, crossing his fingers and leaning back, “Kid, get this straight. Gao Long voluntarily enlisted in the Silver Big Dipper.”
“And speaking of being used,” he added with a smirk, “does Lava hate being used? Looks like you’re quite enjoying being manipulated by the Crystal Cult.”
“Oh my, resorting to such low-level provocation tactics?”
Red Dragon laughed heartily, lifting his legs and placing them on the console, his eyes growing increasingly cruel. “Do you know that even if I’m willing to spare Old Black Sheep’s stupid son, I have ten thousand ways not involving firing a single shot to capture you as a prisoner?”
Jiang Jianming remained unfazed.
“I didn’t come here today to fight with Lava, nor do I intend to walk into a trap.”
He said calmly, “But if you insist on capturing me, think about what happened to the last person who tried that. With fifteen hundred Imperial starships in battle-ready state over the Beta Star System, it’s better for us to have a calm and rational discussion.”
“…!”
Red Dragon’s expression darkened slightly.
In truth, at this moment, as long as Lava ordered a full-on assault, the mere asteroid-dense area couldn’t stop anything. He could easily capture Jiang Jianming before the Imperial fleet arrived for rescue.
However, on the communication screen, the black-haired officer in military attire had a profound gaze that made Red Dragon wary—after all, he had suffered too many losses at the hands of this disabled human.
“…What do you want to discuss?”
Red Dragon said with hatred, “Peace talks are impossible.”
On the other side, the black-haired officer smiled faintly at him.
“You once told me that Lava’s collaboration with the Crystal Cult was of your own accord.”
Jiang Jianming said, “I know what you guys are thinking.”
“You think that the struggle between the Empire and the Crystal Cult will continue for a long time, that the survival of humanity is still a distant matter. Lava could take advantage of the situation for a moment of pleasure, preferably using the Crystal Cult to kill the Imperial Emperor for vengeance, and as for the future, deal with it later.”
“…!”
“But you’re wrong because there’s a blind spot in your understanding.”
Across the starship, Red Dragon narrowed his eyes, “What are you saying?”
Jiang Jianming took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.
In fact, the candid conversation initiated by Ryann before the battle also inspired him from another perspective.
Back then, on the Crystal Cult’s starship, Gaius and Laurent had intimidated with the truth of crystal particles, mentioning only the fact that humans had been implanted with crystal particles over five hundred years ago, but not mentioning the resistance of this race.
Jiang Jianming immediately realized that the Crystal Cult probably used the same rhetoric when facing the Lava Space Bandits.
He decided to lay it all out. First generation, second generation, and third generation tranquilizers, the White Bird Expedition, the Base Body Project.
Emperor Kaios and the two hundred thousand Golden Sun Wheels, and the young Crown Prince who was buried in the Crystal Nest before reaching adulthood.
… Whether disclosing such information to the soldiers around him would cause unrest or not, it didn’t matter.
It seemed like the time for honesty had come, his Highness had already taken the first step, what else did he have to worry about?
“Why did the Crystal Cult only start acting in recent years? Because the crystal particles are scared! Because the crystal particles are about to lose!”
“From the Old Empire to the present, tranquilizers and solidifying rays have become increasingly advanced, more and more alien creatures have been eradicated, the Empire’s territory has expanded, and the concentration of crystal particles within the territory is lower and more organized every year—”
“Whenever the Crystal Nest accumulates attack forces, the warriors of the White Bird Expedition sacrifice themselves, using their spiritual consciousness to suppress the imminent crystal disorder.”
“Don’t you understand yet? Under human resistance for over five hundred years, the crystal particles can no longer achieve the ‘ultimate’ on their own, hence the emergence of the Crystal Cult. Their very existence is for the final desperate struggle!”
“Now, for the ultimate arrival, the Crystal Cult must create enough humans affected by the crystal disorder to cause chaos. But what if this still can’t bring down the Empire? Think about it—”
By the end, Jiang Jianming’s throat was slightly hoarse, and he gritted his teeth and shouted, “Think about it! Now, apart from the Space Bandits, which human force in this universe, not under the Empire’s protection, remains?!”
“You are livestock raised by the Crystal Cult! When useful, they exploit you to gnaw at the Empire’s tough bone; when no longer useful, they slaughter you for meat!”
“…You.”
Red Dragon initially tried to interject with mocking remarks a few times, but as he listened, his expression became more and more colorful.
Now he asked, “Have you gone mad?”
Jiang Jianming chuckled softly, thinking to himself: Am I also becoming insensitive to the other side’s acceptance capacity like His Highness?
“Your Excellency the Young Head, I want to give you a chance to watch from a distance.”
“What?”
“Time is running out, and the war is about to begin.” Jiang Jianming glanced at the star map on the screen, his eyes showing complex emotions.
“The Empire, with deep enmity against Lava, and the Crystal Cult that uses and abandons you… Next, you can leisurely hold your black cat and watch us fight to the death—wouldn’t that be enjoyable?”
“But joy only comes once. After this, you will witness the Empire’s victory and the Crystal Cult’s defeat.”
“In the future, you will also see that the Crystal Cult, unable to harm the Empire, will eventually turn their swords against your back.”
“I hope,” Jiang Jianming’s gaze was sharp, his words deliberate, “that you can make a timely and correct judgment, Young Head Red Dragon.”
****
Beta Star System Space.
Inside the protective encirclement of Imperial starships, the wormhole fully formed. A dark metallic object slowly emerged from the twisted space.
It was also an Imperial-style starship, bearing the insignia of the Silver Big Dipper on its hull. However, at this moment, it was in a state of disrepair, covered with crystal clusters in every scar.
It was the Expedition Fleet!
The fleet that had once ventured into the outskirts of the Crystal Nest and now managed to return to its homeland against all odds.
It was the first miracle in history, a culmination of so many past expeditions, now coupled with the inevitable sacrifice of the Crown Prince.
On the opposite side of the Imperial formation, space warped.
The second wormhole, opened by the Crystal Cult, rapidly expanded.
“Confirmed Imperial ships!”
“Scouting data shows: crystal clusters on the ship’s surface, high crystal particle density around the wormhole, confirming enemy ships as the Silver Big Dipper’s Crystal Nest Expedition Fleet.”
The commander of the Crystal Cult’s fleet perked up, “Listen to my command. Full speed ahead, all ships! Charge energy while advancing, prepare for bombardment.”
In the instant the second wormhole formed, the Crystal Cult’s warships jumped through!
The remnants of blue tail flames first formed a straight line, like rain strands in a downpour, then converged, shrinking into a cone to break formation, aiming at the weak point of the Imperial fleet.
Above the Alpha Alien Star, the Bishop of Destruction stared intently at the star map.
Their total number was clearly not as many as the Imperial fleet, but their formation advantage was obvious.
If successful, they would tear through the Empire’s fleet, dealing a heavy blow to the expedition. If luck was on their side, they might even directly kill Xie Yuduo.
But…
In the void, thousands of Imperial warships stood like an iron wall forged in molten copper, maintaining a spherical formation, unmoving.
No advance, no retreat, no change in formation or defense; this eerie stillness gave an unsettling feeling.
Too abnormal. Su frowned, about to contact the fleet to proceed with caution.
Suddenly, he sensed something.
It was a faint tug pulling at his clothes, like static crawling over his cheek.
In the Crystal Cult attacking the fortress on the frozen surface, someone casually lifted their head.
Their gaze pierced through thousands of meters of high-altitude snowstorm, reaching the dense and vast dark clouds.
Above those clouds was space.
In space, Su in the starship also lifted his head.
His pupils slowly contracted.
He saw something that should never have appeared there in the space above the first fortress.
An expanding, spherical distorted space.
It was a wormhole.
