Chapter 1480: These Useless Courtesies, Let's Skip Them

Keluo Nuo Si, the Capital Star of the Keluo Ke Imperium, Imperial Spaceport.

The main berth of the Spaceport had been cleared, with two rows of Keluo Ke honor guards in deep purple ceremonial dress standing around it.

Standing at the very front were several ministers in dark diplomatic attire, led by the Keluo Ke Imperium's newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, an old official around three hundred years of age.

A low engine roar came from the sky outside the Spaceport.

A Mars-class Battlecruiser was descending, the emblem of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance on the side of its hull particularly eye-catching.

But the diplomatic envoy of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance did not descend; a Lucifer Black Guard wearing Black Carapace Armor stepped out first, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding environment.

Immediately after, more Lucifer Black Guard soldiers disembarked, forming a security cordon.

Following that, a squad of Lamenters walked out of the hatch.

The leading Sergeant stopped at the top of the gangway, his gaze sweeping over those Keluo Ke honor guards and ministers.

Several Keluo Ke ministers were left stranded at the edge of the berth.

They were supposed to have stepped forward to greet and welcome them once the ship had stabilized.

But at this moment, the Lucifer Black Guard's security cordon happened to be stretched between them and the gangway, so they could only stand outside the boundary, watching those Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance warriors inspect the corners of the Landing Pad that they had already checked countless times.

The face of the leading old official twitched, and a young minister behind him whispered.

"What do they take us for? This is our Spaceport; by what right do they do this?"

Another minister said in a suppressed voice.

"They are people from the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance; they have always been like this. His Majesty told us to come and welcome them, so we can only wait."

A third minister said.

"Wait? After they finish their own inspection, how much longer must we wait? We are standing here, what does this look like?"

The old official raised a hand to stop them.

"Say no more. Since they want to inspect first, then let them inspect."

Although he was very angry, he still had the decree of His Majesty Kesi, so he could only swallow his resentment.

The young minister wanted to say something else, but seeing the old official's gaze, he could only shut his mouth resentfully.

Ten minutes passed, and the other side had not finished their inspection.

The old official stood where he was, arms hanging at his sides, his posture still maintaining the decorum of a diplomatic occasion, his gaze fixed on the Lamenter Sergeant at the top of the gangway.

After another few minutes, the young minister finally could not hold back.

"How long are they going to inspect for? Do they want us to dismantle the entire Spaceport for them to see?"

The old official said.

"No need to rush, they will come down."

The young minister said.

"But are we just going to stand here like this?"

"Just stand like this, what else do you want to do?"

At this moment, the Lamenter Sergeant finally walked down from the top of the gangway.

He walked up to the old official and stopped.

"When will your side's envoy be able to disembark?"

At this point, the old official spoke, his voice steady.

The Lamenter Sergeant said.

"We are currently checking the surrounding security; you Aliens shut up and wait here obediently."

The corners of the old official's mouth twitched slightly, but he still maintained a steady tone.

"We have already waited for half a standard hour. How much longer will your side's security inspection take?"

The Lamenter Sergeant said.

"We will notify you naturally once the inspection is complete."

Having said this, he turned and left.

The young minister's fists clenched tight.

"They... they are doing this on purpose!"

The old official said.

"I know, but we have just experienced a coup; the security environment of the Imperial City does indeed have uncertainties."

The young minister said.

"This is an insult!"

The old official said.

"If you cannot even endure this, then there is no need to talk about the upcoming diplomatic negotiations. Since they have come, it is impossible for them to just stay at the Spaceport."

Having said this, he fell silent.

Half a standard hour later, the Lucifer Black Guard completed their inspection and stood in formation on both sides of the gangway again.

The Lamenter squad withdrew their security perimeter and retreated to the edge of the berth.

That Lamenter Sergeant turned and walked up the gangway, entering the interior of the ship.

Passing through two hatches, he arrived at the door of the cabin.

The cabin door was half-open, and Lu Zhenda was sitting on a chair, his gaze fixed on those Keluo Ke ministers in deep purple ceremonial dress outside the window.

The Sergeant stood at attention.

"My lord, the outside has been inspected. Several of those Alien ministers are clearly already impatient. Although the old official leading them didn't say anything, the faces of those young men behind him are already very ugly."

Lu Zhenda slowly opened his mouth to ask.

"How long have they been waiting?"

The Sergeant said.

"It has been about half a standard hour since we landed."

The corners of Lu Zhenda's mouth curled up slightly.

"Then let them wait a while longer. Since they have already waited for half a standard hour, they shouldn't mind waiting another ten minutes. Let them know that the delegation of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is not at their beck and call. We are here to attend the coronation ceremony, but we are not here to rush."

The Sergeant stood at attention.

"Understood."

He turned and walked out of the cabin, his footsteps gradually fading away in the corridor.

On the Landing Pad, a young minister said in a low voice.

"So much more time has passed... what exactly are they waiting for?"

The old minister's voice remained steady.

"It should be soon; I didn't expect the envoys of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance to be so unyielding."

After a few more minutes, at the top of the boarding ramp, the main cabin door finally opened.

Lu Zhenda's figure appeared at the doorway, wearing a dark gray diplomatic dress uniform, with a badge of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance pinned to the collar.

Behind him followed the Adeptus Custodes Gewanuosai, whose Custodes Power Armor was exceptionally striking in the sunlight.

Five accompanying medical Xiunu followed at the end.

Lu Zhenda walked down the boarding ramp, came to a stop in front of the old minister, and nodded slightly.

"Sorry to keep you waiting; security checks take time."

The old minister bowed slightly, as if nothing had happened.

"You are too kind, my lord. We can understand your side's rigor. Welcome to the Luoke Imperium."

Lu Zhenda nodded and said.

"Thank you for your welcome."

The old minister stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation.

"Please, His Majesty is already waiting at the Imperial Palace."

Lu Zhenda nodded slightly and was about to step forward.

The old minister stepped aside by half a pace, placed one hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and lowered his four eyes.

This was the highest etiquette of the Luoke Imperium for welcoming distinguished guests, usually only used for receiving representatives of powers equal in status to the Imperium.

But just at the moment he was about to complete the entire movement, a golden figure stepped forward.

Gewanuosai appeared at Lu Zhenda's side, and he raised a hand.

"Slow down. For the sake of safety, these useless rituals can be spared."

The old minister's movement froze in mid-air.

A young minister could not help but speak up.

"This... this is the highest etiquette of the Luoke Imperium! It is our traditional ceremony for welcoming distinguished guests!"

Gewanuosai did not turn his head.

"An Alien's traditional ceremony can only be performed after passing a security assessment. We have not yet confirmed whether this area is completely safe."

"This is our Spaceport! We have welcomed countless foreign guests here! There has never been any problem!"

The young minister's voice rose.

The old minister straightened up, his posture returning to stability.

"Lord Gewanuosai, I understand your side's emphasis on safety. But this is merely a ritualistic salute and will not affect your delegation's security assessment."

Gewanuosai said.

"Whether it affects it or not, our security assessment process does not change based on the occasion."