Chapter 1124: Speculating that the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is not of one mind

Guilliman turned his head to look at Kalaier.

"Councilor Kalaier, may I ask a personal question?"

"Please."

"Do you truly believe this negotiation can bring peace? Real peace, not a temporary ceasefire."

Kalaier felt a sharp pain in his Third Eye.

This question struck at the core.

"I believe dialogue is better than war; even if a perfect agreement cannot be reached, at least bloodshed can be reduced."

Guilliman's voice was very calm.

"But sometimes bloodshed is necessary. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance has experienced countless wars during its rise.

Some enemies are willing to negotiate, others must be eliminated. The difference lies in whether they acknowledge reality."

"Reality is subjective, Archon. The reality seen by the Feng Qi Xing Alliance is different from that of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

"Physical reality is objective."

Guilliman pointed to the nebula outside the window.

"Those gas clouds will not change their composition because our viewpoints differ. Neither will the balance of military power. The Feng Qi Xing Alliance is retreating steadily on the battlefield; this is an objective fact."

Kalaier felt a surge of anger, but he suppressed it.

"Military failure does not mean moral failure, nor does it mean unconditional surrender is necessary."

Guilliman said slowly.

"I did not demand unconditional surrender. The twenty-seven articles are the result of careful deliberation, considering both the dignity of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance and ensuring the security of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

"Dignity?"

Kalaier finally could not help it, his voice raising slightly.

"Disbanding the military, opening up internal affairs, accepting assimilation—you call this dignity?"

Guilliman nodded.

"Finally said it. For three days, you have avoided direct conflict, wrapping your true thoughts in diplomatic language.

But now, here, without a Recorder, without subordinates, only the starry sky as witness, tell me, Kalaier, what is your true fear?"

Kalaier was silent for a long time.

The light of the nebula was on his face.

"I fear the disappearance of my civilization, not a military failure, but a cultural extinction.

We have experienced three eras of great expansion, two civilization crises, and countless internal reforms.

Our art, philosophy, science... if we accept the assimilation terms of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, these will gradually disappear and become a footnote to Human Civilization."

"Fusion does not mean disappearance; Human Civilization itself is the result of the fusion of countless cultures."

Kalaier looked straight into Guilliman's eyes.

"But the dominance is in your hands. Textbooks are written by you, history is interpreted by you, and values are defined by you. One hundred years from now, Fengqi children will learn the deeds of human heroes while knowing nothing of the great figures of their own race. This is not fusion; this is replacement.

Fengqi are not Human, Archon. In the ideology of the Star Alliance, we are forever 'Alien'. No matter how we change, this label will not disappear."

This time, Guilliman's silence lasted even longer.

"You are right, the foundation of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is human unity. The status of non-human races... is indeed a complex issue."

"So you understand why we cannot simply 'join'?"

Guilliman's tone became serious.

"I understand, but the reality remains unchanged. The Feng Qi Xing Alliance has only two choices: integrate into the Star Alliance system in a relatively orderly manner, or perish in war. There is no third path."

The Communication Device suddenly rang, breaking the Silence.

It was Donatus's voice, carrying a rare urgency.

"Archon, the reconnaissance squad has made a discovery. You need to return to the command post immediately."

Guilliman nodded slightly to Kalaier.

"It seems our private conversation must end. Consider my proposal, Councilor. Time is not on your side."

Guilliman turned and left.

Kalaier remained alone on the observation deck, watching Guilliman's receding back.

The stinging pain in his Third Eye grew more intense; it was a premonition of danger.

Lower level of the space station, backup energy conduit area

Two Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance scouts crouched in the shadows, blending in with the surrounding environment.

The Captain reported through an encrypted channel.

"Confirmed, it is indeed signs of infiltration.

The conduit maintenance panel was illegally opened; micro-sensors and signal repeaters were found inside.

Technical type, not standard Fengqi issue."

"Can you track the source?"

Kenlai's voice came from the command post.

"The signal points outside the space station, but the specific coordinates are blurred; the other party used frequency-hopping encryption."

"Do not alert the enemy. Leave the surveillance equipment and retreat."

"Understood."

The scouts carefully restored everything to its original state, as if no one had ever been there.

Bridge of the 'Dark Tooth'.

Captain Weikesi watched the surveillance screen, his Third Eye narrowed into a slit, and reported to Sele'en.

"The Star Alliance has discovered Detection Point One, six hours earlier than expected."

Sele'en remained expressionless.

"As expected. If Guilliman couldn't even detect that, he wouldn't be worthy of being a Primarch. What about points two and three?"

"They remain undiscovered. Furthermore, Point One contains decoy equipment; the real surveillance system is at Point Two."

"Very good. Notify all ships to enter Level Two combat readiness.

Once the operation begins, all Frigates are to immediately close in on the space station and establish a blockade."

Major Kaierte said with a hesitant tone.

"Captain, scout reports indicate that three ships in the Star Alliance fleet have abnormal energy signatures; they may be special operations platforms disguised as Transport Ships."

"General Olaf has already confirmed this,"

Sele'en pulled up the intelligence sent by the Oathkeeper fleet.

"Guilliman couldn't possibly be unprepared."

"Then are we still proceeding?"

"That is precisely why we must proceed. Guilliman anticipated that there might be contingencies, but he could not anticipate the scale and the resolve.

When 270 warships suddenly appear before him, when his diplomatic delegation is seized, when General Olaf speaks with him personally... even a Primarch will reconsider the situation."

On the holographic platform, Olaf's communication connected once again.

The old general's expression was even more solemn than before.

"Sele'en, I suspect that the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is not a monolith.

Guilliman represents the moderate faction, hoping to expand through relatively peaceful means.

But other Primarchs, especially Angron and Sanguinius, advocate for direct military conquest."

"Does this work to our advantage?"

"Possibly. If we can convince Guilliman that excessive pressure will lead to total resistance from Fengqi, prolonging the war by years or even decades, he might be inclined to accept some form of temporary ceasefire.

This way, he can prove to the other Primarchs that diplomatic means are effective."

"But what happens after the ceasefire?"

"A ceasefire will buy us time. Time to develop new weapons, time to mobilize more forces, time to find allies.

If Fengqi can demonstrate the strength to resist the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, we could persuade some factions to join the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

Sele'en pondered for a moment.

"So the goal of the operation is not permanent peace, but to buy time."