84: welcome

Port of Friendship.

As the only legal entrance within the thousands of light-years of border between the Free Star Alliance and the Golden Star Sea.

In normal times, over 3,000 security checkpoints would be open simultaneously, with countless ships and starships coming and going.

However, ever since the mutations in the Disaster Zone, the interior of the Star Alliance has been in chaos, and this place has entered a state of martial law, with fewer than 100 entrances remaining open.

Today is especially unusual.

A Star Alliance fleet has cordoned off an area of over a thousand kilometers outside the Port of Friendship; all incoming merchant ships and visitors, and even explorers coming from within the Star Alliance, have been barred from entry.

Right in the center of the checkpoint, several high-ranking officials in combat suits are standing.

"Whoosh—is some big shot coming today? The entire Port of Friendship has actually been closed off!"

"Yeah, not only was a fleet deployed, but those few who are clearly big shots are also waiting there obediently."

"It really is... Isn't that Colonel Varian? He's the local warlord of the Port of Friendship. Who on earth could make him come out to welcome them!"

A group of merchant caravans, driven to the side, opened a regional communication channel out of boredom and began to chat.

"Sigh, I don't know when they'll let us through. I heard the Lupus sector was just reclaimed and is currently under reconstruction, so I specifically brought a batch of cheap, collapsible automatic houses. If I'm too late, I won't be able to sell them for a good price."

"Who's to say otherwise... I even paid 2 billion in protection fees on the Peaceful Passage."

"..."

Meanwhile, while the stranded merchant travelers were chatting, the personnel waiting at the port were equally confused.

"Lord Varian, which big shot is arriving that requires all of us to be present to welcome them?"

"Yeah, and we haven't heard of any high-level officials returning from the Star Dome Empire region recently either."

"I don't know either."

The slightly overweight middle-aged man in the center shook his head.

"Uh... My lord, are you joking? This is the protocol for welcoming someone of General rank or above. You..."

"An order issued personally by the Statue of Liberty."

Varian interrupted calmly.

"An order issued by the Goddess herself? It can't be the Inspector, right... but that's not right, they shouldn't be coming from outside the Star Alliance... Could it be the son of some major family?"

Their expressions changed abruptly. They exchanged glances, a hint of worry flashing in their eyes.

"I don't know. Let's just wait."

Varian shook his head, a trace of curiosity in his eyes as well.

One must know that in the entire Star Alliance, there are fewer than a handful of people who can communicate directly with the Statue of Liberty. And events that she pays direct attention to are even rarer.

For a small matter like a welcoming ceremony to disturb the Statue of Liberty to inquire personally, it's hard to imagine what kind of big shot this is.

Hearing this, the others stopped talking and waited silently, each with their own thoughts.

It wasn't until over three hours later.

"Colonel Varian, the detector shows an old-style 'wanderer ii' command ship is approaching rapidly. They seem to want to force their way into the quarantine zone. Should we immediately fire..."

"I am the Statue of Liberty. A national-treasure-level Researcher specially hired by the Star Alliance is about to enter the Port of Friendship. Colonel Varian, please prepare to welcome them. This is an order."

Before the communications soldier could finish their report, the entire system of the Port of Friendship was instantly taken over, and an indifferent, majestic female voice rang out.

"Varian obeys, Goddess."

Upon hearing the transmission, the slightly overweight middle-aged man's expression immediately turned solemn. He bowed to the void, then opened his communicator and immediately issued the order:

"All starship captains, take note: turn on the lights, pave the way. Fire the cannons, pay your respects."

In an instant.

Every warship turned in unison. Specially made, massive searchlights crisscrossed and extended in their respective directions, forming a brilliant, radiant path in the dim void.

Specially crafted fireworks bloomed in the sky, scattering gorgeous colors.

Meanwhile, on the 'wanderer ii' command ship.

Zhang Huaiyuan looked at the grand display before him and hesitated:

"Isn't this a bit too high-profile? Is this really okay? I'm still an unregistered person, it seems..."

That's right, he ultimately decided to head to the Free Star Alliance first.

However, in his imagination, it should have been sneaking into the Star Alliance, then collecting the necessary information without alerting anyone, going to various auctions and places selling relic items to pick up bargains, taking a full-body checkup along the way, and finally returning to his lair in the Golden Star Sea quietly.

"Heh, Master, an existence as full of wisdom as you will always shine brightly wherever you go. If you ask me, the leader of the Free Star Alliance should just come out and hand over the position of Head of State to you."

The integrated device on his left wrist lit up, and Asroth flattered him first.

"Asroth, aren't you in charge of the mechanized construction in the 'Gale' region? How do you have the time to pay attention here?"

"Rest assured, Master. With my processing power, multitasking is a breeze. All the automated production workshops are already under construction. When you return, I guarantee you'll see a powerful army."

Asroth said in a solemn tone.

"As long as you know what you're doing."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head and didn't press further. Asroth's level of evolution was already very advanced, so it naturally knew how to prioritize tasks.

"My lord, you've forgotten: I call the shots in the Free Star Alliance. Right now, you are not an unregistered person, but a national-treasure-level scientific Researcher specially hired by the Star Alliance. Your paperwork is complete and can withstand any inspection."

The integrated device on his right wrist lit up simultaneously, and the Statue of Liberty's voice, filled with a smile, rang out:

"Besides, it's not peaceful within the Star Alliance right now. I must ensure your safety."

"That's true..."

Zhang Huaiyuan paused for a moment before remembering that terrifying Disaster Zones had broken out within the Free Star Alliance and the Star Dome Empire, with powerful Galaxy Beasts everywhere. If he had really snuck in, it would have been disastrous if he ran into a herd of beasts.

"Statue of Liberty, I've always had a question, though I'm not sure if I should ask."

Thinking of the anomalies in the Disaster Zone, Zhang Huaiyuan hesitated slightly before asking.

"My lord, please feel free to speak."

"When I was on Blackstone Star, I studied the changes in the Disaster Zone. I discovered that it is highly likely a special evolutionary agent that was artificially introduced... or rather, there is some kind of mastermind behind it. And the current mutation is just an upgrade of this agent."

Zhang Huaiyuan stared intently at the light screen on his right wrist and asked:

"I want to know, is the high command of the Free Star Alliance aware of this situation?"

The command cabin fell into silence.

The light screen on his right hand flickered continuously, as if it were attempting something.

After a long while, the Statue of Liberty's voice, carrying a hint of apology, sounded again:

"Apologies, my lord. This information is the highest level of top secret within the Free Star Alliance. I have tried all methods to bypass the restriction protocols, but the results always trigger conflicts with the underlying core restrictions and set off alarms. I am temporarily unable to share it with you."

"No matter, I already understand."

Zhang Huaiyuan's heart sank.

The fact that she said this was equivalent to explicitly stating that the Star Alliance is indeed aware of this situation.

That being the case, the Star Dome Empire, as an equivalent power, naturally is as well.

But now, the Disaster Zone problem is becoming increasingly serious, yet it cannot be solved.

This means... the mastermind behind it all might be more terrifying than imagined.