Chapter 139: Why Is It Always Decapitation?

Dark void.

A massive fleet docked at the edge of a planet on the outermost rim of a certain star system.

Calling it a fleet is somewhat inaccurate, because aside from the central flagship, there are only a little over two hundred warships nearby, the rest being densely packed armed merchant vessels filled with fresh recruits.

The merchant ships lack space even for a Macro Cannon, having only a few close‑range defense guns that provide a meager shield.

Thus this force resembles an armed convoy more than a fleet.

With a scale of tens of billions of new soldiers, Xisi can only take away at most a hundred million at a time; the rest are counted as reserves, to be added later from Alert Star once the merchant ships are emptied.

At this moment, on the flagship's Bridge, Xisi stands by a huge port window.

But his gaze does not fall on his 'fleet'; instead, he looks toward a Mechanical Church fleet on the other side, numbering over a hundred ships.

Watching the approaching Mechanical Church fleet, countless transport ships spew engine lights, shuttling back and forth, delivering messages and personnel.

Fanluosi hurries from behind, a thick report in hand, and upon reaching Xisi's rear, immediately salutes:

"Lord, it is the surviving Mechanical Church after Ustali's destruction!"

Fanluosi's words unusually carry a flash of excitement, sweeping away the low‑key despair that has lingered since the deployment.

Finally, shortly after Xisi's departure, the first organized response fleet arrives!

Soon a Mechanical Church transport ship approaches Aolake; inside the cabin, the Ustali Mechanical Church expresses both astonishment at the forlorn sight of Xisi's 'army' and amazement at the flagship's massive grandeur.

Bluntly, they say that if Xisi wishes, this patchwork 'army' in his hands could all go at once, yet it would still not be enough to slay Aolake.

The subtle sense of superiority that had arisen because their fleet's combat power exceeded Xisi's instantly readjusts beneath Aolake's towering hull.

The Foundry General, his body riddled with cybernetic limbs, the crisp clang of metal striking the deck, quickly appears on the Bridge.

As the first organized response fleet, Xisi had long since taken his seat on the Mechanical Throne of the Bridge, then watched the Foundry General enter, his face showing a friendly smile.

The other party dares not be presumptuous; the moment they see Xisi, they plant their gear‑staff, and with their heavily cybernetic massive frame, bow deeply toward Xisi.

"We answer your summons, Lord Xisi."

Xisi is about to kindly waive the salute, but the Foundry General continues to remain respectful:

"We have brought you one hundred ships and two million Guardian Sect Army."

"Also heavy units such as Scorpion, Anuo Walker, Dragon Cavalry, and the like."

"And most importantly..."

"Emperor Titan!"

The reinforcements that had already brought a smile to Xisi's face froze at the Foundry General's final words.

Moreover, the Foundry General, still reverent, activates a projection, displaying the 'Walking Divine Punishment'—the device Xisi knows best—onto the Bridge.

Simultaneously, the Foundry General's self‑aggrandizing voice rises through the audio array with an Electronic Voice:

"After the Battle of Ustali, Lord Xisi pursued the traitors; we stayed behind in Ustali."

"After years of salvage, we finally retrieved this Divine Machine from the planet's core and brought it up."

"We originally intended to head to Alert Star to join Lord Xisi, but upon hearing that Lord Xisi is calling a grand pilgrimage on Terra, we rushed here according to your Coordinates."

The Foundry General continues the briefing, while Xisi watches the projection of the newly refurbished Titan—paint freshly repainted—and recalls the battle of Ustali.

Meanwhile, in a distant void elsewhere, Abadon inexplicably sneezes.

And complains that Washituoer's controller turned the air conditioning up so high.

On Aolake, Xisi withdraws his satisfied gaze from his ground vehicle and turns seriously toward the self‑promoting Foundry General.

After savoring the Foundry General's words briefly, he also understands their request.

Beyond genuinely joining Xisi's sincere preparation to aid Terra, they also hope Xisi can, on Alert Star, provide a haven for this group of Mechanical Church who have lost their home world.

"You have shown goodwill; the 'Yellow Spring No. 8' Nest Area, destroyed on Alert Star after the war, will continue as Mechanical Church territory, offered to you."

Alert Star has countless ruins awaiting reconstruction; the rebuilding effort cannot do without the Mechanical Church.

The original Mechanical Church on Alert Star was dead—utterly and cleanly—now a faction of the Ustali Mechanical Church, which once fought side by side with us and witnessed our 'Divine Miracle', has taken over.

This not only greatly boosts Alert Star's recovery, but also, far more than employing some unfamiliar Mechanical Church, ensures loyalty and support.

Seeing Xisi so delighted, even speaking up himself, the Foundry General and the group of Mechanical Priests behind him instantly pull a huge grin from the little skin left on their faces.

At the same time, their already crouched bodies bend down a little further.

This bow, however, is no longer a salute but an offering of loyalty.

"You may now let the Mechanical Church, currently residing in other worlds and originally from Ustali, go to Alert Star."

"As my Conscription World, it is also your new home; the reconstruction work needs your support."

The Foundry General, of course, knows Alert Star's condition; had Alert Star not been shattered, they would not have the chance to settle there.

Just as he is about to bow respectfully and declare immediate action, the previously quiet Bridge is broken by the voice of the crew member in charge of the scanner.

Xisi and the Foundry General exchange a glance; First Officer Bunoke strides forward, then, after looking at the scanner's readout, frowns and turns back:

"Lord, an Imperial escort ship just suddenly jumped into the system."

"They sent a transmission saying that a few light‑years away, their fleet was attacked by an Alien Form."

War again.

But Xisi, long accustomed to this, withdraws his gaze, his face entirely calm.

Even the opposing Foundry General immediately pulls back the attention he had just directed outward.

Only moments after they retract, the once‑bright Bridge suddenly flickers with intense red light.

A black‑gold skull bursts forth, expanding a projection to full size.

Watching the projected scene, Xisi and the others first adopt a slightly solemn expression, then, seeing an Alien Form appear directly before the Macro Cannon's barrel, shift to puzzlement.

The solemnity stems from the opponent's advanced technology, silently reaching so close.

The puzzlement is why such an advanced foe would still choose to die!

In front of Aolake's automated Macro Cannon stand a dozen Dead Spirits‑enhanced attack ships, empowered by ancient technology, staring dumbfounded at the very target they are about to strike.

Isn't it a battlecruiser?

Why haven't we seen each other for a few days…

Changed to the Dream Illusion Vessel?!

The Dead Spirit Overlord leading the team on the Bridge even stared at the Macro Cannon caliber that was about to fill his own small warship; they really couldn't figure out how Xisi had turned into such a trickster.

A warship this massive, you just say it and it appears.

Then they stared at their target, a doubtful light flashing in the core of their being.

Assassinate Xisi......

Who on earth thought of this idea?!

And the crew on the Bridge stared for a long time, then gradually caught on, directing all their gazes toward their own master who had been silenced.

Only Xisi was stunned for a while, unable to suppress a wry laugh:

"These Alien Forms, why do they just......"

"Always love cutting off my head?"