Chapter 1261: Release After Three Days

After hearing this, Luojia did not reply immediately.

"Luojia, what are you thinking about?"

Luojia looked at him.

"Your Excellency Zenuosi, you mentioned compensation for losses?"

Zenuosi nodded.

"Correct. The losses of our ships and warriors must be compensated."

Luojia revealed a gentle smile.

"Your Excellency Zenuosi, I would like to remind you of one thing."

"Speak."

"It was your Prince Kesi who struck first. It was your ships that opened fire first. It was your warriors who killed first. Our side was merely reacting in counterattack, forced into self-defense. According to the laws of any civilization, self-defense does not require compensation."

Zenuosi's expression changed slightly.

"You... you are just twisting logic!"

Luojia shook his head.

"No, I am stating facts. Your Excellency Zenuosi, your Luoke Imperium is indeed powerful. But being powerful does not mean you can invert black and white, and being ancient does not mean you can ignore the facts."

A trace of annoyance flashed through Zenuosi's four eyes.

"Luojia, you are challenging the bottom line of the Luoke Imperium!"

Luojia looked at him, his expression remaining calm.

"Your Excellency Zenuosi, you have a bottom line, and we have one too. Your bottom line is the dignity of the royal family; our bottom line is facts and justice. If you insist on inverting black and white, then our conversation can end here."

He reached out, preparing to close the communication.

"Wait!"

Luojia's hand stopped in mid-air.

"Anything else?"

Zenuosi took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart.

"Luojia, let's not be like this. Negotiations are about mutual concessions. How about this: we can discuss the compensation again. But Prince Kesi must be released."

Luojia looked at him and fell into Silence for a few seconds.

Then he said.

"Your Excellency Zenuosi, I have a question I would like to ask you."

"Speak."

"Is your Luoke Imperium truly willing to go to war with our Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance for the sake of a prince's face?"

Zenuosi's pupils contracted slightly.

"You... what do you mean?"

Luojia leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed.

"I mean, you should have heard about the situation with the Fengqi Star Alliance. Right now, those once high-and-mighty Fengqi are mining on resource planets."

He looked at Zenuosi.

"Your Excellency Zenuosi, your Luoke Imperium is indeed stronger than the Fengqi Star Alliance. But if a war truly breaks out, can you guarantee a win? Even if you win, what price will you pay? Are your royal family, your people, and your civilization willing to bear that cost?"

Zenuosi's complexion became extremely ugly.

"You... are you threatening us?"

Luojia shook his head.

"No, I am reminding you. War is not a game; it is not about who has the loudest voice. War is bloodshed, death, and destruction. Before you make a move, you had best think clearly."

He paused.

"Therefore, I am willing to make a concession today. Not because of your threats, but to avoid needless sacrifice."

Zenuosi was stunned.

"You... you are willing to release Prince Kesi?"

Luojia nodded.

"Yes. Kesi can leave. But not because of your demands, but because of our choice."

A flash of disbelief crossed Zenuosi's four eyes, followed by wild joy, but he struggled to suppress it.

"You... are you serious?"

Luojia looked at him.

"Your Excellency Zenuosi, do I look like I am joking?"

Zenuosi took a deep breath, struggling to appear composed.

"Luojia, you have made a wise choice. The Luoke Imperium will not forget your 'cooperation.' In the future, within the Bode Star System, the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance can develop in peace; we will not interfere."

The corners of Luojia's mouth lifted slightly.

"Not interfere? Your Excellency Zenuosi, are you making a promise, or are you offering charity?"

Zenuosi raised his head.

"Interpret it however you like. In any case, once Prince Kesi returns, this matter will be wiped clean. The Luoke Imperium is magnanimous and will not hold it against you."

Luojia looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

The phrase "will not hold it against you," coming from his mouth, made it sound as if they were the victims, as if they were the magnanimous party.

Arrogance.

Utter arrogance.

Luojia stood up.

"Your Excellency Zenuosi, Prince Kesi will be sent to the border within three days. Send a ship to pick him up."

Zenuosi nodded.

"Good. The Luoke Imperium awaits the prince's return.

Luojia, you are indeed a smart man."

Luojia looked at him.

"Anything else?"

Zenuosi was stunned for a moment.

"Nothing."

Luojia reached out and turned off the communication.

The holographic projection dissipated.

The Adjutant looked at Luojia cautiously.

"Father, are you... really letting them go?"

Luojia sat back in his chair, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"Yes."

The Adjutant hesitated for a moment.

"But that Zenuosi, his attitude was so arrogant, and he spoke so harshly..."

Luojia looked at him.

"Arrogant?"

The Adjutant nodded.

"Yes. He used a condescending tone the entire time, as if we owed them something."

Luojia smiled.

"Arrogance is their business. How we act is our business."

He set down the teacup.

"I ask you, what use is Kesi to us?"

The Adjutant thought for a moment.

"He... is a prince of the Luoke Imperium. He can be used to hold them hostage."

Luojia shook his head.

"Hostage? Would the Luoke Imperium make concessions for a single prince? How many princes has an empire lost? To them, the dignity of the imperial family is more important than one prince. If we use him as a hostage, it will only provoke greater resentment."

The Adjutant nodded thoughtfully.

"Then why release him?"

Luojia looked at him.

"Because keeping him is useless."

He stood up and walked to the window.

"Kesi is nothing more than a playboy. He relies on his status as a prince to be arrogant and domineering, yet he has no real ability. A person like this, if sent back, will be a curse rather than a blessing for the Luoke Imperium."

The Adjutant's eyes widened slightly.

"Father, you mean..."

Luojia turned around and looked at him.

"Think about it, what will a prince who has been captured by the enemy face upon returning to the imperial family?"

The Adjutant thought for a moment.

"Will he be attacked by political rivals?"

Luojia nodded.

"Correct. He will be suspected, isolated, and marginalized."

He walked back to his seat and sat down.

"As for that Zenuosi's arrogance..."

He paused.

"Arrogant people will eventually pay the price for their arrogance. It won't be us doing it; it will be them."

The Adjutant nodded.

"I understand, Father."