Chapter 1046: Dispatching a Diplomatic Mission

On the edge of the Ninth Star Sector, on the bridge of the Luna Wolves fleet flagship, the "Loyal Soul."

After entering the Ninth Star Sector, the resistance Horus's fleet encountered was not the fierce opposition they had anticipated.

Data transmitted back by probes showed that most of the planets here were covered in thick layers of ice, with extremely harsh environments that did not seem suitable for the large-scale propagation of most known carbon-based life.

Horus stood before the observation window of the "Loyal Soul," his brows slightly furrowed.

He had originally thought this would be a routine conquest battle to suppress local defiant Buluo, but the scene before him was vastly different from the intelligence reports.

"Father, the vanguard scout fleet has sent back confirmation; no signals of large-scale Fengqi military presence have been detected in this sector. However... they received a repeating, non-human language signal from within the sector. After preliminary decryption, its core meaning seems to be... 'Welcome' and... 'Submission'?"

"Welcome? Submission?"

Horus turned around, looked at another tall figure standing beside him, and asked.

"Lion, what do you think? Our massive army has arrived, and before we have even drawn our blades, the other side is already impatient to offer up their knees? This does not seem like the style of the Fengqi, nor is it something any Alien race with a backbone would do."

Lion crossed his arms and replied.

"When things are abnormal, there must be a demon, Horus. Either it is an extremely despicable trap, or... they have encountered a threat far beyond their capacity to bear and are in urgent need of a more powerful backer."

Just then, the Communications Officer reported again.

"Father! We have received a more directional message! The source is an icy moon of a gas giant in the frozen star system ahead! The content of the message... they call themselves the 'Saike Shuangyu Zhe,' they know the prestige of the 'Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance,' they yearn for the protection of the 'Emperor,' and they are willing to offer their Loyalty and... the specialty of their world, the 'Condensed Essence Crystal Core'."

"Saike Shuangyu Zhe? Condensed Essence Crystal Core?"

Horus rubbed his chin.

"Doesn't sound like a threatening name. But the more that is the case, the less we can afford to let our guard down."

Horus looked at Lion.

"Father has always emphasized that for civilizations willing to accept the order of the Star Alliance and voluntarily submit, we should prioritize strategies of conciliation and investigation, and not use force unless necessary.

This can both reduce our losses and establish an enlightened and inclusive image within the Star Alliance, attracting more potential adherents."

Lion nodded, approving of this policy of the Emperor, although he personally preferred to use sword and fire to ensure absolute Loyalty.

"In principle, yes. But the words of an Alien cannot be trusted lightly. We need to confirm their sincerity, evaluate their value, and... investigate whether there is a conspiracy hidden behind it."

"Correct."

Horus agreed.

"Since they have expressed goodwill, we cannot appear too aggressive, but necessary vigilance and dignity are indispensable. I propose sending a diplomatic mission to the meeting location they specified.

The mission should consist primarily of civil officials from the Diplomat department; they are skilled in negotiation, observing details, and can represent the 'face' of the Star Alliance. As for the escort force... it should not be too large, lest it cause excessive alarm or make us appear cowardly. Lion, select the most steady squad from your Dark Angels to be responsible for the safety of the mission. The number need not be large, but ensure they can handle emergencies and can transmit key information back."

Horus looked at Lion and added a sentence.

"Of course, if it becomes necessary to 'persuade' the other side to remain honest, I trust you and your lads know what to do."

The corners of Lion's mouth moved slightly, which counted as a response to Horus's banter.

"Very well. I will have Sergeant Safo lead his squad to execute this Task. They are calm enough, and also... firm enough."

Lion deliberately emphasized the word "firm," implying that in necessary moments, this squad had the ability to take decisive action.

"Excellent."

Horus nodded, then connected to the Star Alliance Diplomat department accompanying the fleet.

"Notify the head of the diplomatic mission to prepare to execute the contact Task. Remember, you represent the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance and the will of the Emperor.

Be neither servile nor overbearing; observe their words, watch their actions, and probe their background. Regarding the so-called 'goodwill' of an Alien, one must give them a chance to be heard while maintaining cautious skepticism."

Several days later, the gas giant "Jibing."

A Xiuluo Frigate detached from the Capital Ship fleet and slowly sailed into the orbit of this planet covered in thick ice.

The surface of the planet reflected the pale light of the star, presenting a deathly blue-white color.

The head of the mission was a Diplomat named Li Fengmin, wearing the standard uniform of the Star Alliance Diplomat department, the double-eagle emblem on his epaulets shining brightly.

Li Fengmin had a stern face and sharp eyes.

In his dictionary, being "amiable" toward an Alien was equivalent to weakness and detrimental to national dignity.

Beside him stood the Dark Angels Sergeant Safo and four members of his squad.

They wore their iconic deep green Power Armor, exuding an intangible pressure.

According to the coordinates provided by the "Saike Shuangyu Zhe," a Thunderhawk Gunship flew out of the Frigate and slowly landed in a huge ice valley on the surface of the planet.

The hatch opened, and the biting cold wind surged in, carrying bone-chilling cold and fine ice crystals.

Even with environmental protection, Li Fengmin could not help but tighten his collar.

Inside the ice valley were some semi-transparent structures built from ice blocks and some kind of glowing mineral.

Soon, a group of figures walked out from those ice crystal buildings.

Their stature was much taller than a Human, but their bodies were covered in snow-white fur, and their skin was covered with a layer of thin frost that never melted.

The leading Saike Shuangyu Zhe had a blue crystal embedded in its forehead that flickered with a faint light.

It stepped forward and spoke in an ethereal language, and the synchronous translator quickly conveyed the meaning to Li Fengmin.

"Noble Xiuluo envoy, welcome to the Hall of Frost. I am the Elder of this place, Aisi Wense. On behalf of the Frost Speaker race, I extend the most sincere greetings and intentions of submission to the great Star Alliance and to the supreme Emperor."