Chapter 1264: You Have Brought Great Shame Upon the Keluoke Imperium

The ships of the Keluoke Imperium were sailing through the void in the eastern part of the Bode Star System, having been in warp for seven consecutive days.

On the Bridge, Kesi stood before the viewing window, four eyes fixed on the distorted warp light outside.

She had completely mastered the language of the Keluoke Imperium.

As for the royal etiquette of the Keluoke Imperium, she had learned a fair amount by observing the interactions between Zenuosi and other officials.

Regarding the political structure of the Keluoke Imperium, she had gained a preliminary understanding by eavesdropping on the officers' conversations.

But most importantly, there were the personality traits of Kesi himself.

Arrogant. Haughty. Irritable. Stupid.

During these seven days, she had been deliberately acting out these traits.

Ordering the crew around, and treating Zenuosi with the condescension befitting a prince.

No one suspected. Or rather, no one dared to suspect.

Footsteps sounded from behind.

Zenuosi walked to her side, also looking out the window.

"Your Highness, we will be able to reach the Capital Star tomorrow."

"Understood. Any news from Father?"

Zenuosi was silent for a second.

"His Majesty... is very concerned about Your Highness's safety. But he also has some... opinions regarding Your Highness's performance in the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

Kesi's brows furrowed slightly.

"Opinions? What kind of opinions?"

Zenuosi weighed his words.

"Your Highness, your words and actions on Eris, as well as your subsequent capture... His Majesty believes this damages the dignity of the Keluoke Imperium."

Kesi's expression darkened.

"I was captured? I was ambushed! Those Humans are despicable and shameless, taking advantage of me when I was unprepared!"

Zenuosi did not speak.

Kesi took a deep breath, suppressing the "anger."

"How does Father intend to deal with me?"

Zenuosi looked at her, a flash of complex emotion in his four eyes.

"His Majesty said that after Your Highness returns, you are to see him first. The specific punishment will be decided by His Majesty."

Kesi nodded, asked no more, turned, and walked back to her cabin.

After the door closed, his expression instantly returned to calm.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi was dissatisfied with Kesi.

This was an important piece of information.

If the Emperor did not like this son, then Kesi's status within the royal family would decline.

The next day, the ships arrived at the Capital Star of the Keluoke Imperium.

This planet was three times larger than Xiuluo Holy Star, its surface covered in magnificent black architecture, with towering spires piercing the firmament.

The entire planet was shrouded in a layer of faint Energy Shield, and thousands of giant warships were docked in orbit.

Kesi stood before the viewing window, looking at this massive planet, her mind rapidly calculating the military strength of the Keluoke Imperium.

This empire was indeed stronger than Ashes, Canaan, and Daikong combined.

The ships slowly descended to the Spaceport outside the Imperial City.

The hatch opened, and Y-7 walked down with three Kalidusi assassins disguised as attendants.

Greeting her was an old man in gorgeous formal attire, the royal steward.

"Your Highness, welcome back."

The steward bowed slightly.

"His Majesty is waiting for you in the Conference Hall."

Y-7 nodded.

"Lead the way."

The Imperial City was even more magnificent than what she had seen from the ship.

High walls built of massive black stone were carved with reliefs of the past emperors of the Keluoke Imperium.

Passing through a corridor, they arrived before a massive obsidian door.

The steward stopped.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned only you."

Kesi glanced at the three attendants and nodded slightly.

The three assassins understood and stepped aside.

Kesi took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked in.

The Conference Hall was even more magnificent than it looked from the outside.

The dome was a hundred meters high, inlaid with countless energy crystals that emitted a ghostly blue light.

In the center was a massive obsidian throne, and on the throne sat a figure who, even while seated, was more massive than Kesi's current three-meter-tall body.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi.

Y-7 walked to a spot ten meters in front of the throne and knelt on one knee.

"Father, I have returned."

Silence.

The Silence lasted for more than ten seconds before Keluoke Ershisi Shi spoke.

"You still have the face to return."

Kesi buried his head even lower.

"Father Emperor, I..."

"I know everything you did on Aierisi Star."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi interrupted him.

"Provoking others in public, being pressed to the ground by someone using psionic power, attempting to flee only to be surrounded by the fleet, four warships destroyed, three hundred and seventy-seven Kraken warriors killed in action, and you yourself captured."

His voice grew colder and colder.

"In the twelve thousand years of the Keluoke Imperium, no prince has ever lost face to such a degree."

Kesi's hands trembled slightly.

"Father Emperor, those Humans are despicable and shameless; they ambushed me..."

"An ambush?"

Keluoke Ershisi Shi sneered.

"Do not make excuses for yourself when you have lost. The root cause is that you failed to control yourself; your own stupidity has made the Keluoke Imperium unable to hold its head up in front of that emerging interstellar power!"

Kesi was silent.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi stood up, walked down from the throne, and walked step by step to her.

"I sent you to Aierisi Star to let you see the various forces of the Bode Star System, to let you make friends, and to let you learn. And you? What did you do?"

He looked down at his "son" kneeling on the ground, his four eyes filled with disappointment.

"You have made the Keluoke Imperium a laughingstock. Now the entire Bode Star System knows that the prince of the Keluoke Imperium is an idiot."

Kesi's fingernails dug deeply into her palms.

"Father Emperor, I was wrong."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi looked at her, turned around, and walked back to the throne.

"Wrong? Is a single 'I was wrong' enough?"

He sat down, his four eyes staring at her.

"From today on, you are to get back to your own palace and reflect properly. Without my order, you are not allowed to step out a single inch."

Kesi raised her head.

"Father Emperor, then my previous duties..."

"All suspended. In your current state, you are not fit to bear any responsibility. When you have figured things out, then we shall talk about other things."

Kesi lowered her head.

"Yes, Father Emperor."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi waved his hand.

"Get out. I do not want to see you again."

Kesi stood up, took a few steps back, and then turned and left.