Chapter 278

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

"Although I don't know what method you used to learn the news, you'd better not lie to me."

Dominic's motion of wiping the ox horn finally stopped; he raised his head, and in his red pupils there was none of the sense of crisis Lin En had imagined when facing the Green Skins.

On the contrary, there was a kind of excitement of a hunter who has discovered the perfect prey.

It was as if what was about to arrive was not an invasion of hundreds of millions of Green Skins, but a long-awaited hunt.

Lin En was just about to say something, but closed his mouth again.

The whole set of talking points he had prepared — about Brevis's defense difficulties, requesting Imperial Fleet support — were all stuck in his throat right now.

Mainly because the other party's current state seemed to be extremely eager for battle?

He was afraid a wrong word would influence the other's decision, so he simply decided to keep his mouth shut.

Lin En ultimately just nodded and said in a deep voice: "The intelligence is absolutely true."

"Lianggenna's main fleet has already departed for three days; calculating by conventional navigation speed, they will arrive at Kal II's orbit in four days."

"Understood." Dominic started playing with the ox horn again, and didn't say anything more.

The meaning of seeing the guest out was already very clear; Lin En didn't linger either, turning and walking toward the door.

Walking out of the VIP Reception Hall, the ice-cold wind carrying the starport's machine oil smell rushed at his face, and only then did Lin En finally come back to his senses.

He boarded his exclusive transport, leaned back in the seat, and his brows knitted tightly together.

Dominic's attitude was too strange.

Strange enough to leave him with no bottom in his heart.

What exactly does he want to do?

Could it be, he really just purely likes fighting?

The transport passed through the chaotic blizzard, flying toward the Governor's Mansion.

Outside the window, the Nest Capital was still clamorous, but Lin En's heart was a tangled mess.

He must make a decision as soon as possible; this decision determines Kal II's fate.

Returning to the Governor's Mansion, Lin En didn't stay for a moment, rushing straight into the Governor's Office.

The office was brightly lit; a huge star map floated in mid-air, densely marked with Calixis's force deployments and route information.

The Pink Shredder Worm that Lena had turned into was lying on the edge of the star map, boredly using its little claws to poke at the light spot representing Kal II.

Seeing Lin En enter, it immediately jumped up and pounced into Lin En's arms.

"Lin En, you're back! What did that Dominic say? Is he willing to help us fight the Green Skins?"

Lin En held the Shredder Worm, walked to the star map, and set it on the table.

He picked up a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

"Don't know." Lin En blew out a smoke ring.

"He didn't say anything, just told me not to lie to him."

"Ah?" The Shredder Worm tilted its head, a face full of puzzlement.

"What does that mean? Is he helping or not?"

"I don't know either; that's the most troublesome part."

He walked to the star map, his finger sliding back and forth between Kal II and Brevis.

"Right now, we have two choices." Lin En's voice unconsciously grew somewhat heavy.

"First choice: not fire a single shot, directly abandon Kal II."

"Immediately recall Gus and the Expedition Fleet, and like before, rely on orbital defense and the Forbidden Wall to fight a war of attrition with the Green Skins."

"No!" The Shredder Worm immediately objected.

"Kal II was won by Lin En with great difficulty; how can you say abandon it and just abandon it?"

Lena didn't care whether Kal II was important to humans or not; she only knew this was something Lin En had worked very hard to take.

"I know." Lin En sighed.

"But this is the safest choice; if we abandon Kal II, given the Green Skins' nature, without getting enough fighting."

"They will definitely choose to continue advancing and launch an attack on Brevis."

"At that time, even if Dominic wants to watch the show, he won't have the chance."

"But what if after the Green Skins take Kal II, they don't attack Brevis, and instead hold their ground?"

"Then wouldn't we have lost Kal II for nothing?" The Shredder Worm said unwillingly.

Lin En stroked the Shredder Worm's head with some relief; this was also what he was most worried about.

Although Dominic's fleet was powerful, he was ultimately here to collect taxes, not to help Brevis fight a war.

Without sufficient interest driving him, he was completely likely to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight.

"Then what about the second choice?" The Shredder Worm asked.

"Second choice: defend Kal II to the death." Lin En's finger pulled up the details of the Expedition Fleet currently guarding Kal II.

"At the same time, dispatch all of Brevis's main fleets over there, and fight a decisive battle to the death with Lianggenna's fleet."

"No!" This time it was Lin En himself who rejected it.

"But this is too risky; our fleet has just gone through the Battle of Kal II and hasn't gotten sufficient rest and replenishment yet."

"Lianggenna's Green Skin Fleet outnumbers ours by at least five to one; if we hard-fight it, our fleet will very possibly be wiped out to the last ship."

"And what if Dominic still doesn't strike?" Lin En's eyes were full of worry.

"If he brings his fleet and watches from the sidelines, waiting until we and the Green Skins have fought each other half to death, then comes out to pick the peaches."

"By then, Brevis, having lost the fleet that protected him, will be thoroughly finished as well."

Both choices carry fatal defects.

As long as Dominic chooses to 'watch the show,' they, unable to employ the Bug Race's power, can only watch helplessly as Brevis slides into decline.

Lin En irritably stubbed out the cigarette in his hand, then lit another; the ashtray was already piled full of butts.

Too passive — Lin En disliked this feeling.

The initiative lay in Dominic's hands.

While he could only gamble.

Gamble that Dominic truly was a warmonger who disregarded responsibility and interest.

Just when Lin En was at a loss, his private encrypted communicator suddenly rang.

This communicator was reserved exclusively for contacting Inquisitor Sorin.

Lin En's heart gave a jolt; he hurriedly pressed the answer key.

"Hey, Sorin, what's up?"

"Dominic left." Sorin's cold voice came through the communicator, but with some surprise mixed in.

"Left?" Lin En was also somewhat surprised. "Where to?"

"Should be Kal II." Sorin's voice returned to calm.

"Just one hour after you left the Guest Hall, he departed with all warships whose hull damage did not exceed thirty percent."

"The entire Tithe Fleet was left with only the Black Ship and four escort ships, one cruiser continuing repairs at the starport."

"The James Tong went with them as well."

"What?" Lin En ground the cigarette butt hard against the tabletop, producing a sizzling sound.

"You say what? He took the main fleet to Kal II?"

"Yes." Sorin affirmed.

"I'm aboard the James Tong right now following them; they're using conventional navigation, and I'm judging by their course."

Lin En was somewhat dumbfounded — he was still pondering what to do, yet Dominic had already gone up.

And without any conditions or demands at all, he just took his own main fleet and actively went to Kal II?

This completely blindsided Lin En, who had been immersed in officialdom's intrigue and infighting ever since transmigrating over.

A full half-minute passed before Lin En finally snapped back to his senses.

He couldn't help laughing: "Hahaha~"

"Lin En? What's wrong?" Tearing Worm looked at him worriedly. "Are you alright?"

"Fine, just didn't expect this kind of outcome." Lin En's tone was full of relief.

He might not be a Khorne Believer, could he? Lin En thought to himself.

Then he shook his head again — after all, among those who believe in your Emperor Grandpa, super-males are not few.