Chapter 1146: They Abandoned Us

Trade Representative Vitas's body stiffened noticeably.

Those trade corridors are part of the Daikong Star Alliance's economic lifeline; if closed, it would cause a certain shock to the Daikong Star Alliance's economic situation.

"Is this a threat, Valken?"

Kewake's voice remained calm.

"This is reality, Commissioner."

Valken replied.

"If the Feng Qi Xing Alliance falls, into whose hands will control of those corridors fall? The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance? Will they allow Daikong merchant ships to pass freely? Based on their 'Human Supremacy' ideology, I think not."

The Conference Hall fell into dead silence.

Doctor Tailanisi said in a low voice.

"He makes sense. If the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance controls those corridors, our trade costs could rise by more than 30%."

"But if we take a side now, we might lose even more."

Serafen retorted.

"The cost of getting involved in a war, potential retaliation, the deterioration of relations with other civilizations..."

Kewake closed his eyes, his crystals flickering constantly.

As the Diplomatic Commissioner, he needed to pick a less bad choice out of countless bad ones.

"Valken."

Kewake finally spoke.

"The Daikong Star Alliance's position remains unchanged: no direct military intervention, but we are willing to provide non-military support.

Specifically: First, we can speak up for the Feng Qi Xing Alliance on platforms like the Interstellar Council, calling for a peaceful resolution to the dispute;

Second, we can convey our concerns regarding the escalation of the situation to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance through neutral channels;

Third, the trade corridor issue... we can sign a supplementary agreement to ensure that under any circumstances, the passage rights of Daikong merchant ships are not affected."

"Empty promises! You want to please both sides! You don't want to offend the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, yet you don't want to lose trade benefits! How can there be such a good deal!"

"This is our final position."

Kewake's voice also turned cold.

"If the Feng Qi Xing Alliance does not accept, we respect your choice.

But please remember: closing trade corridors is a double-edged sword; your exports will also be affected.

And civilizations in war often need export revenue even more to maintain military production."

Heavy breathing came from the other end of the communication.

"I need to consult the Council."

Valken finally said.

Kewake said.

"Please do. But our position will not change.

Good luck, Valken. May wisdom guide your choices."

The communication cut off.

The Conference Hall was silent, save for the low hum of the Holographic Star Map running.

"Did we make the right decision?"

Deputy Commissioner Yilina asked softly.

"There are no right decisions, only necessary ones."

Kewake stood up and walked to the viewing window.

Outside was the brilliant night view of the capital of Olivia, where countless Daikong people lived, worked, loved, and grew old.

His responsibility was to protect them, not to sacrifice them for allies far away.

Vitas pulled up the economic impact forecast.

"If Fengqi really closes the trade corridors, our GDP could fall by 2-3% within a year.

But if we get involved in the war... the loss could be ten times that figure."

General Serafen looked at the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance's region on the star map.

"That emerging power... what will they do next? Continue attacking Fengqi? Or turn in another direction?"

"Intelligence shows they are massing troops."

Zuola reported.

"The Fengqi are also preparing for a large-scale counterattack. A decisive battle is about to break out."

"Then we had better stay far away from the center of the storm."

Doctor Tailanisi said.

"Observe, analyze, wait for the result. No matter who wins, we need to be prepared to deal with them."

Kewake nodded.

But there was still a trace of unease in his heart.

Valken's last sentence echoed in his mind.

"If the Feng Qi Xing Alliance falls, into whose hands will control of those corridors fall?"

The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance. A civilization that calls non-human races "Alien".

A civilization that detains diplomatic missions, destroys fleets, and occupies star sectors.

Is sharing a border with such a neighbor really safer than supporting an old ally?

He did not know the answer.

No one knew.

At the Fengqi Command Center, General Valken closed the communication terminal, pressed his hands against the tactical table, and kept all three of his eyes tightly shut.

"They have abandoned us."

The Adjutant asked cautiously.

"My lord... what do we do now?"

Valken opened his eyes, flames of despair burning within his Third Eye.

"What do we do? Fight! Fight alone! Tell all Fleet Commanders: do not count on any outside reinforcements.

Either we win this war on our own, or... the Feng Qi Xing Alliance will become history."

On the edge of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance controlled zone, the Grey Ring star system.

The Salamanders Legion flagship, the *Dragon's Breath*, hovered in the void.

On the command platform of the Bridge, Vulkan's reddened eyes stared intently at the five target planets marked on the star map.

"Fifth Company reporting: have arrived at the synchronous orbit of the planet Jintuoshi, no large-scale fleet defense detected."

The voice of Fifth Company Captain Katuo came through the communication channel.

"Ground defense network density is medium, with primary firepower concentrated in the northern hemisphere industrial zone."

"Seventh Company in position, target Cinder Prime. Three Fengqi Frigates detected patrolling in low orbit, requesting engagement permission."

Seventh Company Captain Galtoklin requested instructions.

Vulkan did not respond immediately.

His gaze moved between the five targets, evaluating the strategic value, defensive strength, and political symbolic significance of each planet.

The Grey Ring system is one of the important industrial centers of the Fengqi Core Region, with approximately 30 billion people living on five habitable planets, possessing a complete heavy industrial chain and three large-scale orbital shipyards.

According to Yingzhou's strategy, the Task of the Salamanders Legion is not to completely destroy these worlds, but to create a "threat large enough" to force Fengqi to divert troops from their Capital Ship fleet to return for defense.

But Vulkan had his own ideas.

"Father ordered us to conduct a feint."

Vulkan's First Company Captain Huokan reminded him in a low voice.

"Excessive destruction may trigger unnecessary hatred, which is unfavorable for post-war governance."

Vulkan nodded and said.

"A feint requires authenticity. If our attack does not pose a substantial threat, the Fengqi will not dispatch their main force to return for defense. They will only send a few Frigates to deal with it perfunctorily."

Vulkan pointed to Cinder Prime on the star map.

The largest, most populous, and most heavily defended of the five planets.

"We must make the Fengqi believe that the Star Alliance's goal is to completely occupy this industrial star system, not just to harass it."

Huokan nodded: "Then we attack directly from the front?"

"Seventh Company will launch a frontal assault on the orbital defenses to create chaos; Fifth Company will break through from the south pole to destroy the main power grid; Third Company..."

Vulkan looked at the image of Third Company Captain Shantan.

"You are responsible for the ground assault, with the Planetary Governor's Zongdufu and the Command Center as your targets.

We will strive to take this planet in one standard hour."