In the desolate hall of the royal palace.
King Rusty's voice echoed: "Is the wedding fully prepared?"
The reply wasn't from a person, but an AI.
[Preparation complete, completion rate 99.7%]
"And the 0.3% discrepancy?"
Normally, King Rusty wouldn't obsess over such a minute margin of error.
After all, this was a relatively large-scale undertaking.
Even for constructing a massive warship, an acceptable overall error rate usually hovered around 0.5%.
But this time, he was ushering in an unprecedented grand transformation—a chaotic situation he himself orchestrated—intended to elevate his prestige to its absolute zenith. How could such a monumental occasion tolerate even the slightest imperfection?
[Some items at the venue possess minor cosmetic flaws. A selection of unqualified products was included. Furthermore, the seams on certain articles are slightly uneven; this might cause discomfort to those with obsessive-compulsive tendencies.]
The AI reported.
This was a negligible issue that did not impact the functionality of the items.
"Which suppliers provided these items?" King Rusty inquired.
The AI listed the names of several corporations.
[Kalenu Corporation, Morosa Corporation, Bingiao Group, Seconind Technology Company]
"Within one month, I do not wish to see these companies existing. Relay this instruction to Foking."
[Affirmative]
The AI would not pass judgment on the appropriateness or legality of its directives.
This was the result of modern AI innovation.
Why was the system designed this way?
Because in many sensitive scenarios, certain individuals would attempt to deflect accountability for mistakes onto the AI, claiming the system's erroneous decisions caused the failures.
The Federation possessed the Boundary God; the entire Federation was under absolute, inescapable surveillance, making such accountability manageable.
However, for a Star Nation, this presented a critical design flaw. Consequently, Star Nation AIs fundamentally lacked embedded legal or ethical parameters.
King Rusty couldn't even dictate the AI's core information processing methodology.
This was because AI technology within the Star Nation was entirely monopolized by a handful of colossal Corporations, leaving Supernova Technology without any authority in that specific domain.
It wasn't that they lacked the capacity to develop their own AI.
It was simply that the performance of in-house development was inferior to purchasing the established market standard.
Currently, AI had permeated every facet of human existence. If one of these crucial systems were compromised, the fallout would be catastrophic.
Could the Rusty Star Nation create sufficiently obedient AIs, yet simultaneously construct AIs resilient enough to resist external infiltration?
It lacked this specific capability.
The top-tier Artificial Intelligence Corporations in the Star Nation boasted market valuations exceeding 100 quadrillion Energy Credits. Every century, the investment dedicated solely to AI firewalls surpassed 5 quadrillion Energy Credits. Selling all of Supernova Technology wouldn't even generate that much capital, illustrating the immense technological barrier to entry.
This technological gap was a significant impediment.
It was the primary obstacle preventing smaller Star Nations from achieving true geopolitical power.
Even Supernova Technology's own warship systems required procurement from other specialized entities.
No single entity could master everything, nor could it be the absolute best across all domains.
If such a company did exist, it would represent the pinnacle—the greatest entity in human civilization.
After King Rusty issued his decree, his irritation subsided slightly.
A prompt appeared before him, notifying him that the wedding ceremony was scheduled to commence in precisely 12 hours.
Twelve hours.
An exceedingly short window.
King Rusty also needed to proceed to the main hall to begin receiving the preliminary guests.
According to protocol, the King was always the final arrival.
But this King felt truly burdened, compelled to play the role of an overly attentive host, as if he were an ordinary citizen rather than a king, and as if the guests' mere attendance was an honor bestowed upon him.
His entire throne, beneath him, detached from its power source and smoothly glided toward the designated wedding location.
The wedding venue was not situated in a grand ceremonial hall, but rather in the royal palace's secluded back garden.
This was distinct from the garden room mentioned earlier.
The back garden was expansive, cultivated with numerous rare and precious flora. The turf underfoot was also specially genetically engineered, incredibly soft, and possessed the unique trait of emitting faint auditory signals through the friction of its cells.
When all these micro-sounds combined, despite their individual randomness, they would coalesce into a melody possessing a distinct rhythm.
They were known as "Sound Grass."
At this moment, this ethereal music could be heard wafting from the back garden; it was a slow, comforting tune.
King Rusty arrived, and immediately, individuals surrounded him, engaging in light conversation, offering congratulations, and discussing familial matters.
These attendees were primarily minor nobles and affiliated company representatives close to the royal family, yet they held lesser influence.
The truly paramount nobles and major corporate figures merely offered King Rusty a cursory glance. Their genuine allegiance rested with the Supernova Technology Corporation. Even on ordinary days, let alone this momentous occasion, they regarded King Rusty's court with varying degrees of subtle disdain.
Of course, these were all subtle gestures; normally, they would still offer superficial pleasantries.
This time, there was an additional reason why they weren't immediately flocking to King Rusty: Giotto was present.
Giotto was currently enveloped by those great nobles and major company executives, feeling distinctly overwhelmed by the noise.
Even with his superior computational mental power, he felt somewhat besieged.
His eyes scanned his surroundings, actively searching for something specific.
At this precise moment, as King Rusty had just arrived, a figure slowly entered the back garden. A look of pure joy finally dawned on Giotto's face.
Before he could even call out a greeting, the individuals who had been surrounding him abruptly bid farewell and turned their attention toward that new arrival.
Naturally, some people remained by Giotto's side, and with fewer people present, they could even manage a brief conversation with him for a few moments.
"Director Giotto truly places immense trust in CEO Luna. I often observe company personnel being dismissed simply for becoming too successful relative to their direct supervisor."
A certain noble commented.
He floated momentarily in mid-air, his body emitting a faint luminescence; he was a Lightwing, yet something felt subtly unnatural about him, as if his physique possessed extraneous components.
Giotto noticed the expressions on the faces of several major company figures near him shift to clear displeasure. These individuals, who had been attempting to ingratiate themselves with him, engaged in a silent struggle for favor, and this noble seized the opening to deliver his subtle mockery.
He remarked with a smile: "If that were truly the case, it would merely prove their deficiency in selecting a CEO. If someone can guide the company toward mutual prosperity, even if it required calling her 'Mom' and referring to myself as 'son,' I believe I would willingly comply."
"CEO Luna is the single most critical asset within our corporation. The company can function without me, but it absolutely cannot function without CEO Luna."
In matters of complex interpersonal dynamics, even if Giotto was momentarily distracted, tens of thousands of years of cultivation would render him an absolute veteran.
He expertly navigated the appropriate social boundaries during his conversations with these figures, maintaining a calm, unhurried demeanor that exuded undeniable grace.
On the adjacent side.
King Rusty's expression was significantly colder, although ordinary observers couldn't easily detect the shift.
Immediately following Luna's arrival, more than half of the minor nobles and small company owners surrounding him had already departed. At this moment, among the three central figures, the area around him was the emptiest; Giotto occupied the second most sparse space, while Luna commanded the focus of everyone present.
At this precise moment, he even overheard Luna stating: "Everyone disperse now; I am not the primary focus at this wedding; do not fixate on the wrong person."
Ordinarily, if King Rusty uttered such a decree, everyone would surely respond with excessive flattery, claiming they desired to converse with him and so forth.
But the attendees surrounding Luna behaved entirely differently.
They directly obeyed Luna's command and dispersed.
Obedient, like a pack of well-trained hounds.
There is a fitting adage: compare men to men and they must perish; compare goods to goods and one must be discarded.
King Rusty initially believed his own ability to rally support was quite respectable, until he encountered Luna.
This wasn't the first instance of this happening.
The last time Luna arrived at Sheltondine, King Rusty had been enveloped by countless individuals, celebrating and feeling intensely ambitious as the sovereign of such a powerful Star Nation.
Then, Luna arrived.
Once Luna set foot on Sheltondine, King Rusty witnessed all the minor retainers who previously clustered around him completely vanish.
That occasion was meant to be a celebration marking the successful expansion of a Star Nation.
He should have been the central figure.
Yet, the space around him was utterly barren. It was not hyperbole; genuinely, no one remained near him.
Everyone present was seeing Luna for the first time at such a grand assembly, thus they frantically sought any opportunity to connect with her.
From that moment onward, King Rusty experienced a profound realization.
Everything he had witnessed was merely a meticulously fabricated paradise.
He was merely the largest canine within a dog cage. When confined within the cage, everyone accorded him respect.
But once everyone was permitted outside the cage, no one paid him any heed.
That event inflicted immense damage upon his self-esteem.
It was precisely that incident which solidified King Rusty's resolve to dismantle Supernova Technology Corporation.
"Laugh, be excited. Afterwards, everyone will truly comprehend the sheer panic and ugliness you displayed in your desperation."
"Without any radiance, all of you are utterly insignificant!"
King Rusty withdrew his gaze and ascended to the highest vantage point.
His throne was anchored into a newly constructed platform. He opened his mouth and announced: "Welcome, all of you, for taking time from your busy schedules to attend the wedding uniting my daughter and Director Toma K."
"This is a sweet and historic union, signifying an even tighter bond between Supernova Technology Corporation and the royal lineage."
"Across the past ten thousand years, our Rusty Star Nation and Supernova Technology Corporation have jointly achieved monumental progress, evolving from an obscure minor nation to the great power we are today."
"Although we still cannot rival truly dominant nations, this outcome was already an unimaginable ambition for us ten thousand years ago. Over the last ten millennia, we have climbed from the abyss to the zenith, and I firmly believe that following this union, our entire Star Nation will achieve even greater unity to ascend to even higher realms."
"My apologies, I have spoken excessively today. Now, everyone, please enjoy yourselves. The bride and groom will be making their entrance shortly."
The assembled populace below began to cheer, entering their respective states of mind. Most commenced serious discussions regarding potential business transactions, rather than merely engaging in trivial chatter.
King Rusty's innate power to rally support remained, yet his words could no longer sway the crucial decisions of the great nobles and major corporations.
These individuals attending were not primarily present for the wedding ceremony itself.
Discussing matrimonial rites in this era?
What an absurdity!
Who would truly believe a wedding represented permanence?
Unless everyone was destined to live for only a century or so.
Now that everyone possessed the potential for limitless lifespans, who could predict the morrow?
This wedding served as nothing more than a highly public exchange of vested interests.
Acting as intermediaries, their primary goal was to secure a favorable balance in this exchange of benefits, determining whether upcoming policies would favor their factions, or if they could make necessary preemptive preparations.
Therefore, every conversation and every piece of information exchanged between the two sides was paramount right now.
Meanwhile, Luna sat solitary to one side.
Beside her, two beautiful female attendants nervously ministered to her needs, offering tea, water, and an array of pastries and fruits filling the nearby table.
At this moment, Giotto, having with considerable effort extricated himself from the crowd eager to engage him, approached Luna, looking genuinely envious.
"I thought you would come over to help share the burden, but it seems you came here solely to partake in the festivities."
"If only I possessed your rallying power, capable of deterring others with a single, casual word."
He casually scooped an entire plate of pastries from the table into his mouth.
It was hardly surprising he was eating with such fervor.
It was, in fact, because Giotto had spent too long adrift in space, subsisting on meager nutrient paste. After his return to established human civilization, Giotto developed an intense appreciation for true gourmet cuisine.
Luna had long become accustomed to this routine.
"Stop joking. You don't actually care about these petty affairs."
Giotto's justification carried no emotional weight, lacking any hint of jealousy.
As someone who long ago recognized his own capabilities, just as he stated, Luna had elevated Supernova Technology Corporation to such a colossal entity that he would genuinely be willing to address Luna as 'Mom.'
What true value did outward appearances and pride possess anyway?
In reality, his liberty to operate outside the company's immediate oversight during these intervening years wasn't purely due to his own disinterest in company affairs.
A more important reason was that he did not want to influence Luna's executive decisions at the company.
Everyone possessed their own unique perspectives and internal philosophies.
If Luna issued a directive he considered flawed, he would certainly speak up to intervene or guide the decision toward change.
But was what he deemed inappropriate truly improper?
Perhaps the error lay with his own judgment?
Rational thought compelled Giotto to excuse himself from the company headquarters, because everyone, aside from their logical faculties, also housed an emotional core. Giotto was fully aware of his own limitations, but that awareness didn't grant him the ability to simply remain silent when he heard Luna issuing commands.
It was much like browsing the internet: even the most rational person in the real world cannot resist furiously typing on the keyboard when encountering content they vehemently disagree with.
This was Giotto's method of effective management.
To delegate assignments to those demonstrably capable.
And avoid needlessly taxing his own mind.
Many individuals fail to achieve this, as establishing absolute, unshakeable trust between people is exceedingly difficult. Even close companions, or indeed family members, frequently drift apart due to various circumstances.
"Indeed."
"I'm genuinely pleased today. Toma K is getting married. I have never had the chance to attend a wedding before; though, it doesn't really concern me directly."
"I wonder how Toma K will make his entrance."
"He'll probably be ecstatic. Luna, try not to upset him too much today; that guy tends to hold onto grudges."
Giotto remarked, taking a measured drink.
He had been surprised upon first seeing Luna's arrival.
He hadn't given it much thought initially.
But reflecting on the situation later, he sensed something distinctly abnormal.
Luna's presence here absolutely signified that some event had transpired.
Giotto, fundamentally, was an elder who had existed for over 100,000 years. Even the most simple-minded individual, living that long, would, at the very least, acquire a degree of shrewdness.
Luna, conversely, truly had not anticipated that Giotto would discern anything amiss. After all, in her established memory, Giotto was still in his nascent state—having just returned from space, comprehending little, possessing only average intellect.
"Then convey my apologies to Toma K. That's up to him to decide."
Were Toma K's affections genuine?
If the arrangement was merely a transaction of mutual interests, then Toma K likely wouldn't feel much of anything.
But if the sentiment was real, Luna understood she could not interfere.
Just as the two were engaged in conversation,
the bridal and groom's carriage arrived. From the distance, it appeared as two white, winged Unicorns pulling a snow-white platform.
"They're here!"
"How truly magnificent!"
The two Unicorns were colossal, their wingspans exceeding 20 meters. They were adorned with shimmering silver-white armor, and their hooves were fitted with sophisticated tubular devices.
These tubes enabled them to walk upon the air.
As long as these Unicorns believed they were stepping on solid ground, these devices could condense a pocket of air according to the Unicorns' mental projection.
The platform trailing the Unicorns was far from simple; it was shaped like a boomerang V.
It was lavishly covered with pink, white, and purple flora and blossoms. Countless petals drifted seamlessly with their movement, leaving a visible trail of petals behind the platform.
The two newlyweds appeared to be positioned amidst a sea of flowers, accompanied by small birds circling and dancing around them, and two lively Backpack Beasts on the platform, looking remarkably adorable.
As they drew nearer,
the Unicorns landed first. The platform behind them slowly came to a halt, yet it maintained a distinct distance from the ground, refusing to fully land but instead hovering suspended in the air.
As the two newlyweds descended from the platform, Luna finally gained a clear view of their true forms.
What she perceived through her human eyes were two enormous, six-legged beasts, clad in shimmering armor. Their antennae intertwined gracefully as they advanced.
"King Rusty's daughter isn't a Gargleblast, after all."
King Rusty's royal lineage was supposedly Gargleblast.
Although the royal family wasn't overly strict regarding pure bloodlines, they typically maintained internal members of a single species.
"Otherwise, how could she possibly attract Toma K?"
"Do you suppose Toma K has an alien species fetish?"
Giotto expressed some curiosity regarding Luna's preceding thoughts.
A Gargleblast—an insectoid—and a Kate species—a mutated six-legged beast—in a romantic relationship?
While such cross-species unions were common in human civilization, they were generally not considered mainstream among the ruling class.
"Can't say definitively!" Luna responded.
She had, in fact, entertained that very thought.
This situation had sparked her intense curiosity.
Giotto paused, then actually conceded with a nod: "That's true."
"That Toma K fellow is quite eclectic in his tastes."
If Giotto of the Supernova Technology Corporation still possessed some measure of competence post-war, then Toma K had truly allowed himself to descend into absolute idleness, indulging completely in leisure.
Luna had even dispatched agents specifically to manage his affairs and clean up his messes.
To be frank, if it weren't for Giotto's established history with Toma K, and the fact that Toma K had returned from the wormhole alongside Giotto, Luna would have long since arranged for his disappearance.
The newlyweds had arrived at last.
At this moment, King Rusty, positioned at the highest vantage point, declared with evident joy: "Welcome the two newlyweds! Today, they are the true focal points."
"Let the wedding commence now."
King Rusty served as the presiding officiant.
He offered the couple wishes for a century of happiness.
His body—a structure combining posterior and oral cavities—now settled into a bland smile. As soon as his voice resonated, the entire wedding venue dimmed considerably.
After more than ten seconds, ethereal images materialized all around.
A deep blue ocean scene.
The two newlyweds became the sole focus, standing centered beneath the spotlight.
The so-called wedding ceremony bore a resemblance to ancient Earth's Western wedding rituals, notably retaining the exchange of rings.
But, of course, significant departures existed.
There was no pastor present to serve as a witness, only the two newlyweds exchanging solemn vows.
They loudly swore fidelity, unwavering commitment, and eternal love to each other before the assembled audience.
Following this oath from the Rusty Star Nation, the main server would automatically recognize the union, triggering the appearance of countless virtual enhancements at the wedding venue.
For instance, shimmering fresh flowers, perhaps ethereal mist, or even interactive animated sequences.
During the wedding vows, a shimmering line would extend from one vower to the other, symbolizing their merging into a single entity.
This was Luna's first time witnessing such a ceremony.
"I didn't realize weddings had so many elaborate customs nowadays."
Giotto let out a hearty laugh.
"It almost makes me want to get married."
He was only speaking lightly.
In this era, how easy was it to find genuine love?
Everyone present was an ancient monster, possessing their own hidden agendas and calculations. Who would truly commit their entire existence to another?
If there were a defined lifespan, perhaps people would compromise for the sake of continuing their lineage.
But now, everyone was functionally immortal. Unless they encountered true, undeniable love, who would willingly bind themselves in marriage?
Of course, some individuals at the lower strata might marry due to various interest-based exchanges or simply hoping for companionship, but Giotto clearly did not belong to that echelon.
Precisely because of this perspective, both Luna and he were surprised by the nature of this wedding.
How much emotional anesthetic had that princess administered to Toma K?
Or, was that princess genuinely a beauty so rare that she appeared perhaps once in ten thousand, or even a million years?
At this moment, Fingeno walked alone towards the two observers.
"May I sit beside you?" he politely inquired.
Giotto nodded.
"Of course, Prince. You are too courteous. This is your domain; you are the host, and we are guests. Please feel free to do as you wish."
Fingeno sat down, addressing the pair with meticulous and polite phrasing: "This wedding is rather understated, a concession made at the request of my sister and Director Toma K. They specifically desired simplification in all aspects."
"Otherwise, this union wouldn't be confined to the palace; Father intended to broadcast the happy news to every citizen of Sheltondine."
A hundred million homes celebrating merrily.
Such a spectacle would have been truly magnificent.
"That would be even more wonderful!" Giotto mused thoughtfully.
It truly would be a joyous occasion.
If one could genuinely locate a suitable partner, that is.
He wasn't sure when his own heart had become so placid. Perhaps the distant past had made him forget what his true aspirations once were? People were truly so mutable.
Fingeno heard Giotto's words and scoffed internally.
How could such a grand announcement ever be arranged?
This entire wedding was merely a facade; everything was orchestrated solely for the purpose of reclaiming the Rusty royal family's former prestige.
Keeping the matter discreetly confined within the royal palace was naturally preferable, to avoid any potentially disruptive incidents.
You two can enjoy this fleeting calm for now. Next, you will know true sorrow!
...
The wedding ceremony concluded swiftly.
The surroundings once again settled into an eerie quiet.
King Rusty spoke again: "From this day forward, the Rusty royal family and Supernova Technology Corporation shall be utterly intertwined, truly united and prosperous."
He raised his cup and drank.
Because he lacked physical hands, the cup was manipulated by his psionic ability, offering a toast to everyone present.
However, upon hearing his declaration, everyone felt a slight internal recoil.
What did the inclusion of the word "truly" imply?
This King Rusty was speaking his unvarnished truth!
Toma K, having aligned himself with Supernova Technology Corporation, attempted to smooth things over, saying: "The Rusty royal family and Supernova Technology Corporation were intrinsically linked long ago, not just in this moment, but throughout the past and into the future as well."
"Everyone, please enjoy the celebration today. I will go accompany my two old friends first."
After speaking, he looked toward Giotto and Luna. He began to move in their direction.
Suddenly, he felt his body go numb, followed by searing pain, and then he collapsed onto the ground.
The people nearby panicked momentarily.
The princess rushed quickly to aid Toma K, anxiously demanding to know what afflicted him and if there were any unusual physical symptoms.
At this crucial moment, Fingeno, who was seated beside Giotto and Luna, also showed agitation.
He hastily summoned the medical robots.
"Quickly examine Director Toma K's physical status."
He appeared extremely worried, yet Giotto and Luna remained seated, completely unfazed.
They even maintained enough interest to converse among themselves.
"It seems they truly share a deep connection!" Giotto exclaimed.
Although Luna had lived for an immense duration, a species barrier still existed, making it difficult for her to accurately read expressions, so she temporarily conceded to Giotto's interpretation.
Fingeno's outward display of concern was, of course, feigned. His focus remained entirely fixed on Luna and Giotto.
He had fully expected both of them to appear highly distressed.
But he hadn't anticipated the pair sitting there as if nothing unusual had transpired, displaying extreme composure, as if they had already foreseen the event.
A dreadful premonition suddenly surged in his heart.
At this moment, one other individual remained perfectly still: King Rusty.
He showed no outward sign of concern.
Instead, he stated coldly: "No, the Rusty Star Nation and Supernova Technology Corporation have never been one unified entity."
"The Supernova Technology Corporation utilizes wealth to control absolutely everything within the entire Rusty Star Nation."
"This pervasive control means all citizens of the Rusty Star Nation live beneath the shadow of the Supernova Technology Corporation. This is not coexistence; this is not mutual support. Currently, the Supernova Technology Corporation functions more as the master of the Rusty Star Nation."
After King Rusty voiced these damning words, the hundreds of thousands of people present at the wedding venue fell silent, all turning their attention toward him.
Every single person among them was thinking:
King Rusty has gone mad!
Otherwise, how could he utter such treasonous statements?
Moreover, the three most pivotal figures of Supernova Technology Corporation were all present now.
You, a minor king of the Rusty Star Nation, dare to utter such things?
This thought resonated among everyone present.
It implicitly confirmed that King Rusty's assertions were, in fact, truthful.
Supernova Technology Corporation was the true sovereign power within the Rusty Star Nation.
"I understand. This supposed 'king' of yours means nothing in your estimation."
"Look at the expressions you're all giving me right now—am I actively seeking my own demise?"
"I am the King of the Rusty Star Nation! In this Star Nation, I hold ultimate rule!"
"Yet, in my own nation, for merely speaking a single sentence, everyone here assumes I am inviting death."
"How utterly absurd!"
"Gentlemen, have you perhaps forgotten who granted you sanctuary, who established a functioning nation in this Sector?"
"And all of it has been usurped by a small corporation."
"Toma K, Giotto, and the Corporation's most essential individual, Luna—they are all thieves."
"And I, today, shall reclaim everything that was stolen from me."
King Rusty was not acting irrationally.
His tone suggested he was merely articulating an objective truth.
In reality, he deeply yearned for this moment.
He had longed for this day to finally arrive.
And now that it was here, he found himself surprisingly composed.
Because, for him, this was merely a small obstacle. Once he surmounted it, a much grander path awaited.
King Rusty paused, a sense of weary anticlimax washing over his mind.
But he was also waiting.
Waiting for the "Azure Bloom poison" to finally manifest.
This poison was not the genuine "Azure Bloom poison," but rather an electronic virus designed with similar devastating effects.
It had proven highly effective.
Several major corporations had already fallen victim to its infiltration.
Those who provided him with this virus assured him that, at its current phase, there was no known countermeasure.
When the virus fully infiltrated the system, with a single command from him, the catastrophe would erupt.
This wedding celebration would turn into a slaughter!
He waited...
He continued waiting...
He waited yet again...
Still waiting...
King Rusty himself began to grow slightly impatient, because he noticed that the wedding venue below remained completely silent; everyone was staring at him with the looks one reserves for an idiot.
He cursed inwardly.
The information stated the onset wouldn't take this long!
How much longer did he have to stand here waiting?
He directly contacted an individual inside the palace, stationed at the wedding venue.
"How long until your... gadget activates? Be precise!"
However, King Rusty received no reply from the other party. In fact, the main server immediately alerted him that the person had already vacated the wedding venue and was currently making their way toward the spaceport.
He was momentarily stunned into silence.
What in the cosmos was transpiring?
Could it be...
Could it possibly be...
King Rusty was utterly bewildered and starting to panic.
He didn't even dare to fully process the potential reason.
At this crucial moment, he finally forced his attention onto Giotto and Luna.
Previously, he had deliberately avoided looking at these two.
Because he felt these two would soon become footnotes in history, and he saw no need to memorize the countenances of those he was about to defeat.
Yet, now he couldn't help but focus on them.
He observed Giotto and Luna sitting there calmly, displaying no confusion, no anger, no discernible expression whatsoever, simply meeting his gaze.
King Rusty could no longer maintain his facade of composure.
"You, all of you... It must be you all..."
"I see it now—you have been deceiving me all along. It's a sham. Everything is fabricated. You arranged this entire scenario as a trap to eliminate me, didn't you?"
"Hahaha, so this is a trap! Hahaha..."
He laughed with utter mania.
If he had appeared deranged a moment ago, he was now certainly insane.
Giotto looked at Luna with genuine confusion.
"What is happening?"
Although he had suspected Luna was orchestrating some kind of move, he wasn't omniscient; he couldn't know the precise details.
Meanwhile, Fingeno, standing beside them, was dumbfounded. Why wasn't the established narrative unfolding correctly?
He was one of the few people at the venue who could actually comprehend King Rusty's accusations.
He understood that the carefully laid plan was definitively over.
However... why would Giotto ask that seemingly clueless question at this juncture?
Did they, too, intend to merely play with him at this final moment?
At this moment, he heard Luna calmly say: "Who knows? Perhaps he was misled."
Misled!?
"Pfft~~"
Fingeno, standing nearby, directly spat out a mouthful of old blood. Upon hearing that single word, the information exchange within his body completely became unbalanced, resulting in mechanical malfunctions damaging his frame.
So, everything he had eagerly anticipated—all of it—was a conspiracy. His father's promises, his father's ambitions—all a fabricated dreamscape.
All the waiting, only now did they realize, was just a farce they had simulated countless times in their minds.
Ridiculous!
Truly absurd!
Meanwhile, Toma K seemed to awaken at this moment. He stood up, coughed a few times, and said: "I apologize; the newly installed body and the original frame had a rejection reaction earlier, causing a few seconds of stasis. I've recovered now."
Toma K loved experimenting with new hardware, installing all sorts of machinery into his body.
This was a common occurrence.
Let alone Giotto, even Luna, who rarely saw Toma K, had witnessed such an episode several times.
Now awake, Toma K noticed the atmosphere around him seemed strange. He asked: "Can someone tell me, did I miss anything significant?"
Beside Giotto, Luna stood up. She said to Giotto: "You can conclude this farce. After all, you've waited here for a very long time, and you've known King Rusty the longest."
After speaking, Luna left directly.
This was certainly not a farce. King Rusty genuinely possessed capabilities that could lead to their demise.
However, to Luna, who held the highest authority within the entire human Civilization, it was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
King Rusty thought his plan had silently commenced.
But in reality, it had already silently concluded.
For Luna, this was merely an entertaining performance. Although far too brief, it could already be considered a minor spice in her endless years.
Meanwhile, Giotto sat in his place, contemplating for a long time. He looked at King Rusty, then at Fingeno. Although he still didn't fully grasp the entire sequence of events, he had roughly pieced together the core narrative.
Then, overwhelming guilt replaced his confusion.
"Still, can't afford to be too relaxed."
...
Luna truly departed.
But before she left, she took a little fellow with her.
The individual who had contacted King Rusty.
"Speak now, whose subordinate are you?"
Luna sat on the ship, while the subject—a small Shore Tribe member—was positioned tens of meters away from her.
The individual was completely restrained, with their entire body, save for their head, encased within a sphere.
Their expression was one of extreme pain, as if experiencing agonizing torment.
The confinement device was called a "Cage Sphere," an invention tens of thousands of years old. It was used to imprison criminals during the old Federation era. Inside, it contained powerful high-tech equipment capable of isolating the four fundamental forces. If forcibly opened from the outside, it could even activate a protection mechanism.
The low-level protection mechanism was escape; its fastest speed could reach 200 kilometers per second.
The medium-level protection mechanism was counterattack; it housed an internal weapon system capable of firing laser beams. The highest power output of these laser beams could reach 4.2 trillion kilowatts per second.
Equivalent to consuming America's entire annual electricity usage in 2022 in a single second.
It sounded like a vast amount, but it was actually just a basic energy weapon, ensuring that this containment unit at least possessed some ability to resist interference.
The high-level protection mechanism was the most extreme: direct self-destruction. Its explosive yield was equivalent to a nuclear bomb with a yield of 17 billion tons of TNT.
In reality, current technology could absolutely fabricate stronger "Cage Spheres."
But it wasn't necessary.
Just as handcuffs can be cut with wire cutters, why change the material of handcuffs to titanium alloy or adamantium?
The cost-benefit ratio was inappropriate.
The "Cage Sphere" itself was a low-cost confinement tool; it only needed to ensure that a living being could not escape from within.
Inside the "Cage Sphere" were some electrocution devices and chemical agents, intended for minor tortures to elicit information.
That was why the other party appeared so tormented at this moment.
But even so, the other party remained silent, refusing to answer Luna's query.
"Don't hold out. You know I have numerous ways to extract answers from you."
"As an immortal, what could be more critical than your very existence?"
"The Cage Sphere isolates the four fundamental forces internally; it can only bypass your nervous system, allowing you to feel pain. Any other equipment threatening your life inside the cage is rendered useless."
Luna's return journey would also consume several decades.
But she didn't wish to waste that entire duration interrogating this individual.
Her time was extremely valuable.
There were no specialized torture instruments on this ship, which was why Luna was "wasting time" with him here instead of using remote means.
Of course, Luna could also directly invade his internal systems, forcibly compelling him to reveal the truth.
But employing such supreme authority for such a trivial matter would inevitably be an overreach.
The most crucial aspect was actually that Luna required a complete verification protocol to utilize her full authority.
The more complex the authority, the harder it was to override.
If authority could be used simply by identifying Luna's core information, then wouldn't others who obtained Luna's DNA data also possess the same power as Luna?
It wouldn't even require DNA. Simply simulating Luna's physiological characteristics—something not difficult in this era, achievable for a few thousand to over ten thousand Energy Credits—would allow Luna to be compromised instantly.
The Federation still maintained the "Boundary God" system for encryption, but in a Star Nation like this, wouldn't someone possessing Luna's authenticated information simply sweep through everything?
So even Luna herself, when needing to use her authority, had to pass corresponding certifications—a very complex procedure. This certification data would also be directly transmitted to Ayla.
And the truth confirmed.
Luna did not require her supreme authority.
Because her current status was already powerful enough through conventional means.
The person enduring the pain opened their mouth: "It's Chötons. I work for Chötons."
Luna instantly understood.
"So, it's Flaorse."
Flaorse was not a single individual, but rather a massive corporation.
Flaorse Company was one of the large, external Star Nation companies closely affiliated with the Rusty royal family. Its overall scale was significantly smaller than Chötons, but it was still more powerful than Supernova Technology.
Flaorse Company's market valuation should stand between 12 and 14 quadrillion Energy Credits.
And if Supernova Technology Corporation hadn't launched its void-class vessel, its market value would hover around 2 quadrillion Energy Credits, equating to only one-sixth or one-seventh of Flaorse Company's worth.
Upon hearing Luna's deduction, the imprisoned subject flinched slightly, offering no further comment.
"You must be curious why I guessed correctly."
"It was actually a very obvious deduction."
"Flaorse Company and Chötons have existing conflicts of interest. I have previously visited the Chötons Company. Chötons excels in biological technology, but their capabilities are disorganized and weak in other fields. They could not possibly possess the technology required to infiltrate quark robots."
The quark robot firewall was notoriously strong.
While hardware defenses change very slowly, software updates occur almost once per millennium. Moreover, this market segment is highly competitive, much like the antivirus software industry.
Several antivirus companies constantly update their products, effectively forcing malware creators into a continuous state of retreat.
If a piece of malware could directly bypass or even paralyze established antivirus software, it certainly wouldn't be the creation of a minor firm; it would undoubtedly hail from a renowned major corporation or a top-tier hacker in the industry.
And Flaorse Company was a known specialist in this very domain.
They routinely supplied military support in this precise area. The Twenty-Eight Nations Covenant, utilizing the technical expertise of Flaorse and a few other virus firms, successfully employed viruses to neutralize numerous Federation soldiers.
This represented an absolute technological superiority in that niche.
Even if Chötons invested vast sums specifically into these countermeasures, achieving this level of success would be highly difficult.
After Luna detected King Rusty's methods, she immediately focused her investigation targets onto Flaorse and a consortium of virus companies.
Such virus companies, apart from official Star Nation entities, were inherently adversarial to any competing firms. Supernova Technology Corporation also had ongoing disputes with several virus developers.
Luna couldn't immediately pinpoint which entity was responsible.
Only after the captive mentioned Chötons did Luna gain confirmation.
This was a calculated misdirection.
A very simple yet effective stratagem.
Because it would be exceedingly difficult for Luna to uncover the genuine perpetrator otherwise. In this cosmic era, the possibilities were simply too numerous.
But Luna was an incredibly self-assured individual, firmly trusting her initial judgment without reservation. Therefore, she immediately concluded it was Flaorse, and she would not waste time considering other possibilities prematurely.
First, confirm the suspect, then search for supporting evidence.
Not doubt endlessly, risking the loss of all clues and achieving nothing.
"Alright, main server, jettison this unit into deep space. There is no one around here to observe. Let it slowly contemplate its sins."
Luna gave the order directly.
The main server instructed a robot to physically eject the captive from the ship. In the end, that individual uttered no further word.
Because this subject was fundamentally a suicide operative.
Luna's initial address to this entity was delivered as if speaking to a sentient human.
The other party mistakenly believed Luna regarded it as human, which is why it provided deceptive intelligence. This was a diversionary tactic; otherwise, the subject would have perished without divulging anything.
Suicide operatives are typically clones or advanced artificial humans; their thought processes are already fundamentally altered. They act not for any external benefactor, nor for their own emotions or desires, but solely execute assigned orders.
After disposing of the subject, Luna directly entered the virtual network. The subsequent few decades would be dedicated to recuperation and planning.
By the time she returned, the Ghost warship should have been fully constructed.
Other void-class vessels would then enter production, and her demanding schedule would resume.