Chapter 262: Unexpected

As long as he didn't use [Life Mentor] to influence organisms on a large scale again, this influence wouldn't expand.

Currently, relying on Faith to advance to A-grade Mental Power was a bit unrealistic. After all, the growth rate was too slow, and this was already with nearly ten thousand Believers.

No wonder those Divine Spirits Frequently had Believers across several Star Systems. If the number didn't reach a certain level, it was probably of no use at all.

Li Yu pondered inwardly. After going back, if there were no accidents, he had a high probability of becoming an A-Tier Lifeform.

And he couldn't just stare blankly at the [Apostle]. Only after reaching A-grade Mental Power could he completely control the [Apostle].

When I have time, I should ask that Holy Maiden of the Night. I wonder if he still remembers me. Li Yu opened his contacts and glanced through.

Right at this moment, his pupils dilated, his eyes lost focus, and his Attention was pulled away to somewhere unknown.

...

"...Li Yu didn't die, but instead four A-Tier Lifeforms died... This is truly too..." Horus routinely discussed the situation with Vimala.

Looking solely at this battle report, the Meteorite Fleet could be said to have done their best. In a way, it was even a victory. Trading one for four, no matter how you looked at it, it was a profit.

So... this gave Return Star a feeling of extreme unreality. Was the Meteorite Fleet's combat power actually this strong? Was Elton actually this strong?

Facing the ambush of five A-Tier Lifeforms and the Star Glory Empire Exploration Vessel, they still killed four of the enemy's A-Tier Lifeforms.

Moreover, the entire army wasn't annihilated in the end. The battle report stated that the Empire Exploration Vessel was probably afraid of reinforcements that could arrive at any time, and therefore didn't waste time annihilating the remaining Return Star forces.

"This battle report indeed has many suspicious points..." Vimala also nodded. The moment this battle report arrived, it shocked the entire Gui Xing High Command.

The Military was even more utterly dumbfounded, completely unexpected that the Meteorite Fleet could unleash such combat power.

But as they discussed the details of the battle report, more questions emerged. Although the battle report said they annihilated four A-Tier Lifeforms...

In reality, only one corpse was left behind—Strength King, who had already become a charred corpse—as well as a few purple demon bats.

The battle report stated that the corpse of the Mechanical Cyborg was taken away by the Empire Exploration Vessel, Laser Man's corpse self-destructed, and there was another whose form of death was special, leaving only a few bat corpses.

As for Elton's corpse, it was said to have turned to ashes in an explosion.

If it were just this, it would be fine, but even the battle Recording only had half of it.

There was only the first half of the scene where they were ambushed by the Star Glory Empire Exploration Vessel and the five A-Tier Lifeforms.

As for the second half of the battle where Elton went on a killing spree, it only existed in text.

The explanation given by the Meteorite Fleet was that the later battle was too scattered; they had moved far away from the central battlefield and couldn't record it.

This explanation was a bit far-fetched, but not unacceptable.

"The surviving commanders are all of orthodox Return Star non-commissioned officer origins, verifiable up to three generations, so there shouldn't be any problems," Horus added.

If this battle report was true, then although Return Star lost the [Apostle], it wasn't unacceptable.

Vimala pondered for a moment. Although she wasn't young, she didn't look old at all. Her exquisite face was somewhat similar to Klein's.

"Wait for the Meteorite remnants to return, then just prepare the review procedures, and let the Patrol Fleet investigate clearly on Ordos."

Horus nodded, then hesitated a bit and said: "Li Yu... what should we do about him?"

Mentioning this name, Vimala couldn't help but feel a bit of a headache. Why was this guy's vitality so tenacious? He didn't even die from this.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a bit displeased: "I already hinted to Elton to wait until Li Yu died before making a move. Why did he support him so quickly?"

The reason given in the battle report for why Li Yu was able to survive the ambush was "timely support."

Horus remained silent. Elton was already dead; no one knew why he was so "timely."

"...Should we make a move on the Patrol Fleet? We can give him a fatal injury that is beyond curing," Horus proposed.

"Too deliberate, let's not pay Attention to him for now..." Vimala shook her head, massaging her glabella, looking somewhat exhausted.

"What's wrong?" Horus was slightly surprised. After all, Vimala was the one who proactively brought up dealing with Li Yu, so why had she changed her mind now?

Vimala's face was indifferent: "Digor is preparing to handle this matter, so all activities are temporarily halted."

"He..." Horus's eyes flickered, paused for a moment, then asked in a low voice: "How is his body?"

"Extremely decayed, but he managed to hold on for now... He..." Vimala seemed to want to say something more, but didn't continue, instead changing the subject: "The Ordos Incident has a significant impact. Regarding Elton's posthumous honors, Digor needs to step forward."

Involving the Titan Ruins and six A-Tier Lifeforms was already considered a major event. If Digor still didn't appear, it would probably cause considerable panic.

"After he returns, he should become an A-Tier Lifeform... Dealing with him... will be a bit troublesome," Horus reminded.

"A bit troublesome, but not impossible to deal with." Vimala shook her head, her eyes deepening: "Besides, my daughter seems to have some different thoughts. Leaving a weakness seems not bad either."

Horus nodded and said nothing more.

...

Li Yu's eyes gradually regained focus. Return Star's reaction didn't exceed his expectations, although the Meteorite Fleet's battle report had many loopholes.

But it was precisely those superficial problems that covered up the deeper issues.

What he didn't expect was that because Digor started handling this matter, Vimala temporarily gave up her plan to deal with him.

It seemed the influence of this seemingly unassuming Return Star ruler was far greater than Li Yu imagined.

Time passed, and another day went by. The Citizens of Ordos gradually began to accept the battle that happened on their planet.

The Meteorite Fleet issued a statement through the Archon to placate the Ordos Citizens. These were all standard procedures, nothing much to say.

And the Return Star Sixth Patrol Fleet, hurrying without stopping, also arrived at Ordos. The sudden appearance of the fleet once again plunged Ordos into panic.

It wasn't until Archon Gary issued a timely statement that the panic stopped spreading.

It's worth mentioning that this Archon's thoughts had also been altered by Li Yu to prevent unexpected situations.

...

"I am the Commander of the Return Star Sixth Patrol Fleet—Thomas Kansikas." Thomas arrived at the Meteorite Fleet's Temporary Command Post. He looked around, his attitude seemingly very indifferent:

"Commanders, according to the 'Return Star Military Regulations,' you will enter the review procedure. We will take over the Meteorite Fleet, and you will temporarily lose command authority."

"I am the Provisional Commander of the Meteorite Fleet, you can call me Jeth..." Jeth's expression was calm: "We understand the regulations and hand over command authority."

Thomas's expression relaxed slightly. Although this was a standard regulation, under normal circumstances, it would still cause dissatisfaction among many commanders.

Because this meant that Gui Xing High Command had doubts, hence entering the review procedure. This was actually quite chilling.

Especially since the Status of the internal Patrol Fleet was inherently lower than that of conventional main combat fleets, Thomas was also unsure in his heart. Now, he felt much more relieved.

"You've all worked hard. This was a fierce battle. If you have any needs, you can tell me, and I will try my best to satisfy them." He spoke some Empty Pleasantries to placate the commanders' emotions.

However, the acceptance level of Jeth and the other commanders far exceeded Thomas's expectations, as they calmly handed over command.

"Oh right... Where is the recipient of the Golden Cross Medal, Baron Li Yu? I'd like to express my sympathies to him," Thomas asked seemingly casually.

Jeth's expression changed slightly, but he quickly suppressed it, using a side turn to cover up his anomaly, and asked the person next to him: "Where is Li Yu?"

He appeared not to care much about Li Yu. This was the normal reaction. Although Li Yu obtained the Golden Cross Medal, in the eyes of these veteran commanders, he still wasn't considered a big shot.

The Subordinate beside him pretended to open his Smart Terminal and check for a moment before answering: "Baron Li Yu is recuperating in the Y-6 battleship – T22 Medical Bay."

Thomas nodded and, led by Jeth, headed to Li Yu's location.

Hum—

The Alloy Hatch opened, and Thomas saw Li Yu soaked in a green liquid, with only his head exposed. His entire body was covered in scars and was slowly healing.

Seemingly sensing someone's arrival, Li Yu opened his eyes and asked in confusion: "Commander Jeth... who are they...?"

Thomas looked Li Yu up and down and spoke: "I am the Commander of the Sixth Patrol Fleet, you can call me Thomas. The Queen is very concerned about your injuries and asked me to come take a look."

Li Yu forced a nod and squeezed out a weak smile: "I'm doing okay. It's just a pity for Commander Elton. He was a competent commander..."

Speaking up to here, Li Yu seemed somewhat sorrowful: "If it weren't for him, I... probably wouldn't have survived."

Thomas looked suspicious. Really?

How come he remembered that the Commander of the Meteorite Fleet—Elton was one of Horus's former deputy commanders?

And it was well known that Horus served the Queen, and the Queen's attitude towards Li Yu didn't seem very good. He had communicated with Vimala when he came and could sense it.

"You indeed have nine lives. Commander Elton died a heroic death, yet you survived." Thomas probed pointedly: "It's truly astonishing."

"Your Excellency Thomas, what do you mean?" Jeth said coldly, his tone unfriendly.

Thomas frowned slightly and looked at Jeth who suddenly spoke up: "I don't mean anything, I'm just sighing..."

"Sighing!?" Another commander said angrily: "Commander Elton died a heroic death, and we all respect him greatly, yet you casually mock him with this indifferent attitude."

"I'm not mocking, just casually saying it," Thomas explained, still a bit dumbfounded. He just mentioned it casually. Why were these commanders like bombs, exploding at the slightest touch?

Jeth's tone was extremely cold: "Our Meteorite Fleet has illustrious military achievements, and Commander Elton even annihilated four A-Tier Lifeforms. You people on cruise ships do nothing all day, do you even deserve to mock him!"

Damn, how did this escalate to a personal attack? This involved the fleet chain of contempt. Since the Patrol Fleet was responsible for the civilization's internal Territory, they basically had nothing to do and were jokingly called "cruise ships" by other fleets.

The other commanders of the Patrol Fleet were all very displeased, and Thomas's expression also sank. Even a clay figurine has some anger, let alone him.

Even when Elton was alive, he couldn't speak to him like this.

"I'll say it again, I have no disrespect for Commander Elton, and I also respect him greatly," Thomas emphasized: "It's you who are very disrespectful to me, actually daring to say..."

"Then apologize to Commander Elton!" Jeth directly interrupted Thomas, appearing aggressive.

What did I say that I have to apologize?

If this was before the words "cruise ship" came out, Thomas wouldn't mind apologizing to the dead Elton.

But now he was also somewhat angry and said coldly: "I haven't shown any disrespect to Commander Elton. Why should I apologize?"

"Good..." Jeth sneered, directly raising his Smart Terminal and issuing an order: "All Meteorite Fleet Members, listen up. If anyone under any pretext asks you to put down your Weapons and accept review, do not apply for permission, open Fire immediately!"

These people whose thoughts were influenced by [Life Mentor] hadn't lost their independent thinking; they just treated Li Yu as a supreme god.

Thomas's expression changed drastically, and he shouted sternly: "What do you want to do? Do you want to start a civil war?"

Soldiers only listened to the orders of their direct superiors, no matter how unreasonable. This meant that the Meteorite Fleet really dared to fight!

"Apologize!" Jeth's attitude remained tough, which left Thomas puzzled while also feeling anger rising, but he had to suppress it.

Jeth could disregard the consequences, but he couldn't. Now the Meteorite Fleet were the heroes, having gone through battle. If they really fought, Public Opinion would be completely one-sided.

Especially those conventional main combat fleets, they would probably unite to attack him.

Thomas took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "There's no need to escalate things to this extent."

"Apologize!" Jeth still only had one word.

Thomas looked around at the equally tough commanders, and could only suppress his anger, squeezing a few words out of his throat: "I apologize to Commander Elton for my attitude just now."

Only then did Jeth's expression relax, and he issued a new order: "Cancel confrontation directive, put down arms."

Thomas coldly snorted, no longer having the interest to say anything more to Li Yu, and left with his people.

After confirming they had left, Jeth said to Li Yu in shame: "Apologies, you were offended."

"It's fine..." Li Yu thought for a moment and added another directive for them: "Without my orders, just ignore me, no matter the circumstances."

"Yes!"

The several commanders said solemnly.

Controlling these battleship soldiers also carried the possibility of being discovered. For example, just now... if someone showed slight disrespect to Li Yu, this group of people's reaction would be intense.

But they had independent thinking capabilities, using Elton to attack Thomas, bypassing Li Yu.

However... under normal circumstances, Li Yu thought that Return Star's review agency shouldn't ask brain-dead questions like "If Li Yu and Digor both fell into the water, who would you save first?"

(End of this chapter)