153: Luo Huang's Scheme

Star Dome Empire, Imperial Star, Royal Study.

"How is it?"

Star Dome Empire Emperor Lomond sipped his tea and said indifferently.

"Based on the analysis of his micro-expressions and emotional fluctuations during the incident and while en route, the authenticity is as high as 99.99%. Only a theoretical possibility of deliberate disguise remains, Your Majesty."

The projection device in the study flickered as the intelligent lifeform reported its findings.

"It's just a common debt of gratitude, yet he still remembers it after attaining a high position. Hmm... it seems there shouldn't be any issues with his character."

Emperor Luo's expression softened slightly.

As the leader of the most powerful empire and the strongest person in this world.

Naturally, he would not bet the last remaining relic treasure and the empire's entire resource collection simply because of a reason like "feeling like old friends at first sight."

Even with foreign enemies on the side, it was impossible.

One must know, this is a bet with no turning back. Abilities and character all need to be tested.

Although, according to records, this person named Zhang Huaiyuan had a history of sacrificing himself to cover the evacuation of others.

But people change, especially now that his status has undergone earth-shattering changes.

He only believes what he sees himself.

Of course, this was only one of his goals.

Emperor Luo tapped the desk lightly, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Continue to observe. Unless his life is in danger, do not interfere casually. Let things develop naturally."

"Command received. Your Majesty, please set the upper limit for the matter."

"There is no upper limit."

A faint smile appeared on Emperor Luo's face.

"Since he is a person who knows how to be grateful, then it is easy to handle. If he wants to investigate, let him investigate. It is nothing more than the deaths of some insignificant people. The more excessive he makes the fuss, the more I will continue to treat him with sincerity, and naturally, he will feel more indebted in his heart."

"Understood, but Your Majesty..."

The intelligent lifeform hesitated slightly: "Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan carries a powerful intelligent lifeform with him, and he himself is a person of great wisdom. What if he realizes that we are pushing this behind the scenes..."

"Us? No, it has nothing to do with us."

Emperor Luo's expression was calm.

"The cause of the matter started with him. Diels's displaced anger is reasonable, and the targeting by those ants is even more common human nature."

"As for Diels's promotion, it was because his level improved after participating in the relic research, which completely conforms to the procedures."

"Throughout the entire event, I did not add any fuel to the fire."

"If I must say something, it was nothing more than selectively pushing some information and not actively stopping it. But that is a favor, not an obligation."

"On the contrary, even if Brother Zhang finds out, he will still have to thank me properly. After all, if I hadn't given that old guy Adolu a heads-up, that weak mercenary group wouldn't have survived until today."

The corners of Emperor Luo's mouth curled up slightly; he was clearly in a good mood.

In fact.

Back when the Free Star Alliance first split, after seeing all the information about the other party from the intelligent lifeform, he had already taken note of that weak mercenary group called "Dark Annihilation."

However, at the time, he only thought that he might be able to recruit a talent through it, but he didn't expect it to help him avoid quite a few concerns.

"Your Majesty is wise."

...On the other side, Zhang Huaiyuan naturally did not know about all of this.

He was currently pacing back and forth in the command room of a high-performance starship.

After a while, he couldn't help but look up and ask.

"intelligent lifeform, can you dispatch a fleet to protect their safety first?"

"Lord Zhang Huaiyuan, the dispatch of the Empire's fleets has strict rules and regulations, so in principle, it is not allowed. However, as you are His Majesty's guest, I can make an exception and apply to His Majesty on your behalf."

"Sorry for the trouble, please do it as soon as possible."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded.

Although he was anxious, he also knew that the Empire's operations were different from the Star Alliance. The Emperor of the Empire had always believed that freedom would bring disorder and collapse, so the authority of the intelligent lifeforms here was much smaller than in the Star Alliance.

A moment later.

"Sir, His Majesty has agreed. The Adolu Family will dispatch a fleet to secretly protect their safety."

"That is enough. Thank me to Old Brother Luo."

Hearing this, Zhang Huaiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, this was someone else's country; he couldn't just directly ask someone else's intelligent lifeform to deal with their own officials.

To avoid accidents, it was better to delay until he could arrive in person.

"By the way, intelligent lifeform, can you connect me to the 'Dark Annihilation' headquarters?"

"Of course, sir. Although unauthorized disclosure of citizens' information does not comply with the rules, for your status, these restrictions can be ignored."

The intelligent lifeform responded without hesitation.

Soon, the communication device was forced to connect, and a somewhat weary voice came through: "This is the 'Dark Annihilation' mercenary group. May I ask who you are?"

The voice was deliberately lowered, appearing somewhat cautious.

However, Zhang Huaiyuan recognized whose voice it was immediately, so he deliberated on his words and said gently:

"Lord Dark, long time no see. It's me, Zhang Huaiyuan. I don't know if you still remember me."

"...Who?!"

The person on the other end seemed greatly shocked, stunned for a long while before blurting out: "Zhang Huaiyuan, you really didn't die?"

"It's me. I was lucky enough to escape that time. I've heard about your situation, and I am very sorry. The mistake I made caused you trouble."

After confirming that the other party was still relatively safe, Zhang Huaiyuan's tone relaxed a bit:

"By the way, I have asked the intelligent lifeform to arrange some people to protect you. Please be patient for a few days, and once I arrive in person, I will seek justice for you."

"Asked the intelligent lifeform..."

Upon hearing this, Lord Dark clearly realized something, and his tone suddenly became much more urgent: "So, that new leader of the Free Star Alliance in the news is really you?"

"It's genuine. Lord Dark, how are the young miss, Randy, and the brothers of 'Dark Destruction Legion'? Are they all okay?"

"Zhang... no, Lord Leader, please help me for the sake of our past relationship..."

Lord Dark's tone suddenly changed, and he implored: "Xiaoyu and the others said they were going to the embassy to find you, but since just now, their communications have gone unanswered. Please, I beg you to ask the intelligent lifeform to help them..."

"What!"

Zhang Huaiyuan's expression sank suddenly, and he asked hurriedly: "Lord Dark, do you know their specific location?"

"I'm not sure... I only know that they should have just left the Lokar Star port..."

"I understand, leave it to me."

Zhang Huaiyuan couldn't care about anything else for the moment; he hung up the communication and immediately looked up and said:

"intelligent lifeform, can you determine their position? Are they safe now?"

"Judging from the coordinates, they should be in the chaotic shipping lane outside the 'Lokar Star' port."

The intelligent lifeform was silent for a moment and said: "From the information feedback, they seem to be under attack by other forces, but they have not been destroyed yet."

"Can you send someone to protect them?"

Zhang Huaiyuan's expression became increasingly gloomy.

"Yes, but the nearest Imperial fleet will likely need about five hours from application to deployment there."

"No, that's too long. intelligent lifeform, can you directly control the other party's starship equipment?"

"I am very sorry, Mr. Zhang Huaiyuan. According to Imperial law, intelligent lifeforms are strictly prohibited from interfering with citizens' private property without authorization. It requires His Majesty's personal approval."

"Understood."

Zhang Huaiyuan's expression suddenly calmed down, and he said in a flat tone: "Since that's the case, I apologize, but please convey my apologies to Old Brother Luo."

"What are you going to do?"

The intelligent lifeform was slightly stunned, having a bad premonition; the other party's reaction seemed to exceed expected circumstances.

Zhang Huaiyuan did not answer again; he reached out and gently touched the integrated device on his right wrist.

"Statue of Liberty, can you do me a favor?"

"Sir, please speak."

The light screen lit up instantly, and a soft female voice came out, seemingly completely unaffected by the cross-regional suppression.

"I need you to hack into the Empire's system as quickly as possible, help me lock onto all the starships in the chaotic shipping lane outside the 'Lokar Star' port, protect the safety of the 'Dark Destruction Legion' group, and in addition, help me find the fastest route to get there."

Zhang Huaiyuan gritted his teeth and said: "This might violate the treaty between the two countries, but..."

"I understand, sir. Your request is above all else."

Amidst the soft response, the light screen the intelligent lifeform was inhabiting didn't even have time to say anything before it was struck by an unimaginable force and instantly dimmed.

"Statue of Liberty entering war mode... Hacking into the designated regional system... Hacking complete..."

"Planning the best route... Planning complete..."

"Sir, please fasten your seatbelt."

"About to warp to the nearest jump point, 'Imperial Third Army Controlled Area', 3... 2... 1..."

Amidst the impassioned voice, the entire starship vanished from the spot instantly.