78: The two sides are on the verge of conflict, yet both are helpless (not really).

Central Star System of the Lakere Interstellar Empire, Emperor's private chambers.

In the empty corridor, a figure walked by—

It was Kelaifu, the Empire's former Minister of Military Affairs.

Of course, now he was the Second Minister of Military Affairs.

Just hours ago, at the regular meeting that had just concluded,

The enraged Emperor, citing his ineffective oversight of the Imperial Army, punished him with a demotion of half a rank and announced a major investigation into the entire Ministry of Military Affairs.

Subsequently, regarding the Ursa Major V12.22 incident, a solution was urgently discussed with officials in the deliberation hall—

Absolutely deny any military action by the Empire against The Consortium, and under the guise of joint handling, send a fleet to participate in the Ursa Major V12.22 affair.

If the opposing force was indeed an Imperial fleet acting privately, then that fleet would be immediately branded as rebels, and righteous extermination would follow.

In any case, the matter of “the Empire provoking war with a neighboring country during the Order Grand Ceremony” must not be confirmed.

But what if the attacker wasn't an Imperial fleet?

Oh, then it would be a huge laugh.

Someone attacked the neighboring Consortium? Our Empire will definitely lend a hand.

Putting everything else aside, just by keeping an eye on The Consortium and forcing them to abide by that toilet paper known as the “Agreement on Restoring Order and Restarting Civilization,”

It would be enough to disgust them thoroughly.

As for whether The Consortium on the other side would agree to “joint handling,”

Was that important?

Anyway, the Empire could ensure that every action it took was recognized and protected by the “Agreement.”

As Kelaifu got closer to the legendary Emperor's private chambers,

The white railings on both sides of his vision continuously receded,

His heart grew more and more uneasy:

He couldn't understand why His Majesty would call him alone to the private chambers.

Had the runaway fleet been found, and was he about to be held accountable?

Then why hold him accountable privately?

Could it be that he intended to directly depose him?

Suddenly, he shivered... Soon, a five-meter-high gate appeared before him, interrupting his wild thoughts.

The gate was emblazoned with a blue double-headed eagle—

To assert his legitimacy, the founder of this Empire

Claimed everywhere to be a descendant of Prince Lakere of the Human Second Empire from the fourth era.

So much so that when choosing an emblem,

The imperial family here directly adopted the double-headed eagle design of the Second Empire's imperial family,

Only replacing gold with blue, symbolizing wisdom.

Kelaifu pressed the doorbell beside him,

And the metal gate opened to both sides,

The sole supreme existence of the Empire—Vladimir Lakere—stood before him in military attire.

The Second Minister of Military Affairs walked up to Vladimir, knelt on one knee, and reported:

“Your Majesty, the joint investigation fleet has arrived at Ursa Major V12.23.”

Vladimir sat in his chair, looking at his military chief with a complex expression,

And softly said:

“My dear subject, you may rise.”

The decision made at the meeting a few hours ago

Subjected the entire military group of the Empire to its strictest investigation since its establishment:

The Empire's Ministry of Internal Affairs, Anti-Subversion Committee, Inquisition, Secret Police, and other departments jointly conducted a thorough cleansing of the entire army from top to bottom.

This investigation uncovered countless corrupt individuals:

Selling military arms, drawing salaries for non-existent personnel, colluding with enemy forces, dereliction of duty... and so on,

It could be said that every minefield except for unauthorized deployment was stepped on—

But there was no unauthorized deployment.

From the Cosmic Army down to the Planetary Frigates, not a single fleet was out of place; all were surprisingly well-behaved.

Every single one was holed up in their garrisons, and the only two that were drifting outside had long ago reported their departure for exercises.

In other words, he had truly misunderstood this fellow before him.

Vladimir's gaze gradually became obscure,

He was the Emperor, the Emperor who ruled over all people on behalf of the gods, the inheritor of the Second Empire's supreme glory—though his status as an inheritor had never been acknowledged by the outside world,

He was absolutely correct.

But this fellow standing before him was indeed a rare and excellent workhorse,

He spoke little, wasn't power-hungry, was efficient, and had few ulterior motives; essentially, whatever he said was law.

It would be a pity not to place him in a suitable position to maximize his remaining value.

He needed to find a reason to reinstate him.

He thought for a moment and said:

“Minister Kelaifu, the major investigation into the Ministry of Military Affairs has initially concluded.”

“Various irregularities have indeed emerged endlessly.”

“However, We consider that you have served the Empire for so long,”

“Always working tirelessly and diligently.”

“Your demotion was not Our original intention,”

“It was the coercion of those civil officials.”

“But rest assured, with Us here, they won't be able to push a new Minister of Military Affairs up so quickly.”

“We will show you a clear path.”

“For the joint resolution of the Ursa Major V12.22 incident,”

“We can arrange for you to be fully responsible.”

“As long as you can perfectly resolve this incident, then We will have reason to reinstate you as Minister of Military Affairs.”

Kelaifu knelt on one knee again and replied crisply:

“As you command.”

...Meanwhile, at Ursa Major V12.23, the exit of the Void Channel.

The Cosmic Army of the Claude Military-Political Consortium and the Lacray Empire's joint handling fleet confronted each other.

“Your side has trespassed into our territory without our permission,”

“Are you trying to declare war!”

On the bridge of the Imperial fleet, over the communication console, the uncompromising voice of Lieutenant General Gould rang out.

Compared to the anger on the other side, the Imperial side was remarkably unhurried—

For this trip, they had brought Bo Yinji, known as the “Mouth of God” in the military.

Bo Yinji merely rubbed his fingernails, then lazily replied into the microphone:

“Don't scare me,”

“If we could fight, we would have already.”

“According to that whatever Order whatever Civilization Agreement,”

“I forgot which chapter and article.”

“Anyway, when a star system bordering another regime experiences a non-human-caused disaster that the local regime cannot cope with,”

“Agreement members are obligated, after reporting, to dispatch a fleet for joint action.”

“You dare to hit me?”

“Then you're slapping the Agreement's face, slapping the entire Order Alliance's face.”

“Come on! Hit me!”

On the bridge of the favor, listening to that shameless voice, Gould's face turned green with rage and he immediately cut off communications—

This was too damn frustrating!

Who were these divine people who signed these agreements anyway!

Looking out the bridge window,

At the swaggering fleet emblazoned with blue double-headed eagles,

Gould angrily slammed his fist on the control panel.

On the other side, seeing the opponent angrily hang up the communication, Bo Yinji pointed at the screen and laughed:

“Look, they're getting anxious.”

The bridge was immediately filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

“Report!”

At this moment, a communicator's voice suddenly rang out, breaking the atmosphere on the bridge.

Everyone immediately fell silent, all eyes turning to him.

The communicator felt the air around him suddenly solidify.

But since he had already started, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say:

“Just received orders from the Imperial Ministry of Military Affairs,”

“An oral decree from His Majesty states that a higher-ranking chief in charge will be assigned to this operation!”

“He should be arriving soon, according to the schedule.”

...Another flash of white light appeared at the exit of the Void Channel, and a small Imperial combat barge emerged—

It was Kelaifu, who had been assigned here.

Looking at the Imperial warship cluster anchored not far away,

He connected to a key, confirmed his identity, and then headed straight over.

If one looked closely into his eyes, they would find that

There was no desire for meritorious service, only disdain for trouble—

After all, being fully responsible meant he would do all the work and take all the blame, right?

Sighing, he looked forward and accelerated to maximum speed.

Let's finish this quickly,

He thought... There are 35 hours left until the end of the large Void Storm in Ursa Major V12.22.