Chapter 226: Lines in the Sand: The Federation’s Demands

What on earth just happened?

At that moment, everyone was thinking the same thing.

But nobody had an answer.

All they knew was that the Empire’s 13th Fleet had clearly jumped away, yet in the blink of an eye, every ship was right back where it started—far in the distance.

It wasn’t just that they returned. The real shock was that every battleship looked like it had taken a beating from some massive, uneven gravity. Hulls were dented and twisted all over.

Then, just like that, the entire fleet exploded.

Fifty thousand battleships from a level-four civilization wiped out in an instant. Gone without a trace.

Who wouldn’t be terrified after witnessing that?

And just then, those sixteen observation ships from various level-four civilizations received yet another message…

——

One hour later.

Inside the star system, aside from the sixteen observation ships, the Federation’s Warstar Houyi had joined the scene.

Originally, battleships from the Barnard Warzone should’ve responded—but…

These days, all Federation Warstars had been upgraded with Zero-Point Modules and were fitted with jump engines. Still…

Except for the Houyi, most other warships weren’t designed for full energy weaponry from the get-go. Even after several refits and swapping out a bunch of railguns for proton beams, many hardpoints still had to keep their old railguns. They couldn’t do a complete overhaul.

So, letting those ships show up as the Federation’s face just wouldn’t do.

In the end, only the Houyi stepped forward—carrying onboard Federation President Tellus and the Federation Fleet’s Supreme Commander, Mu Xingchen.

Virtual conference room.

Aside from Daan, Emperor of the Drac Empire, all the other sixteen civilization leaders were present.

Right now, nobody dared underestimate the Federation. Not a soul doubted anymore that the Federation stood among the level-four civilizations.

Never mind how they’d wiped out fifty thousand enemy warships—for most, the fact that Federation ships could execute jumps was a guarantee all on its own.

“I think the humans ought to explain how you managed to wipe out the entire Imperial fleet in the blink of an eye.”

“I’m not out to uncover your military secrets, but this incident has caused panic. We need more information.”

The meeting had barely begun.

Right away, the Os Empire from the Fourth Main Spiral Arm broke the silence—

And bluntly demanded an explanation from the Federation.

Not that it was surprising. Even these other level-four civilizations found the Federation’s methods mind-boggling.

Unless they got to the bottom of how it all worked, who’s to say the Federation wouldn’t deploy the same technique on their own civilizations one day?

When you get right down to it, there was only one explanation: fear.

If you had to spell it out in three words, it’d be—

I’m terrified!

So, the Os Empire wasn’t really looking for the Federation to hand over this technology. That was impossible, and everyone knew it.

No, what they really wanted was for the Federation to spell out exactly what kind of method had been used and, crucially, whether it could be used to invade the Main Spiral Arm or be turned against their civilization.

That was the real point they cared about.

“That’s classified. All I can tell you is that the Federation’s technology is strictly for defensive use, not for offense. I’m afraid I can’t share anything else.”

That answer was pretty much expected.

Honestly, if their own civilization possessed a trump card like that, would they ever share it around?

Not even close. Even saying a single word about the basic principles would be out of the question.

Because once others figured out the essence of the tech, sure, they might not reinvent it overnight—

But nothing would stop them from inventing creative counters using the underlying theory.

Anyone with half a brain would keep their mouth shut.

But the Emperor of Os Empire was far from pleased.

He looked down on the Orion Spur and the Drac Empire that hailed from it.

In his eyes, the Drac Empire was pathetically weak. They didn’t deserve to be called a level-four civilization—let alone sit at the same table and make big decisions.

And the Federation, this so-called level-four civilization coming out of the Desolate Star Region, he looked down on them even more.

So, when Mu Xingchen turned him down, he was clearly annoyed.

“You’d better think twice about your answer. If we level-four civilizations decided to crush you, it’d be laughably easy.”

“Then come give it a try. Be it a million ships or ten million—it makes no difference to me. If I can wipe out fifty thousand warships in the blink of an eye, what’s the difference knocking out ten million just as fast?”

“Human, you dare speak to me like that? You’re asking for death!”

“Stop running your mouth. Go ahead, make a move. I’m sure the rest of you would love to see one less level-four civilization fighting for a piece of the galactic pie, right?”

“You…”

Mu Xingchen’s words hit Os Empire right where it hurt.

At the same time, the other fifteen leaders all fell into thoughtful silence.

Judging by their faces, they were really mulling over what Mu Xingchen had just said.

Mu Xingchen had all but laid it out: if Os Empire really wanted a fight, the others should steer clear.

With one less Os Empire, everyone else would get more slices of the pie.

But if anyone else jumped in, then trimming down two or even three civilizations from the galaxy might just happen too.

Even if Mu Xingchen was just bluffing, that kind of talk—

Made everyone in the room take it seriously.

And honestly, no one dared take the risk. At least—

Nobody wanted to be the one to step up first.

“Alright. We’re not here today to start a fight.”

For several long minutes, the conference room was utterly silent.

Then came a hearty voice to break the tension.

It was Archis, leader of the Fanguang Alliance, stepping in to smooth things over.

“Commander Mu Xingchen, first, I want to thank you for how your people have treated our merchants these past years. They’ve made a tidy profit thanks to you.”

“Business with Federation merchants is dependable. We’ve found working with them a real pleasure.”

They greeted Mu Xingchen with a smile, and he replied in kind—just as courteous.

After all, humanity was about to step into the core circle of the Milky Way, and it wouldn’t do to antagonize every level-four civilization. They still needed some real allies.

The Fanguang Alliance was clearly a great pick.

“Oh, not at all!”

“You’re too kind!”

“It’s only right…”

Watching the pair exchange pleasantries, Emperor Pulos of Os Empire was practically popping veins on his forehead.

Finally, the two wrapped up their classic display just in time, before Pulos blew his top.

“Commander Mu Xingchen, since your Federation called for this meeting, I’m sure you have some conditions. Go ahead—what does humanity want?”

As those words left his mouth,

Every leader present, Pulos included, fell silent.

They all turned to stare at Mu Xingchen and Tellus, hanging on every word.

“Two things…”

“First, we want a legitimate seat on the Galactic High Council.”

“Second, while the Federation won’t set foot on the Main Spiral Arm to fight you for what’s already yours, we need the council to approve a decision: The Desolate Star Region and the Viayas Star Region are to be recognized as Federation territory.”

“The Desolate Star Region is already under Federation control, with little connection to the Drac Empire. As for Viayas…”

“The best three star regions in the Orion Spur already belong to your three major empires. The Federation just wants the last two—which, if you think about it…”

“Isn’t much to ask, is it?”