Since Yang Ying and his group had made it this far and seen the Energy Ingots, they certainly couldn't just brush off the dust and leave, so they gathered in a circle to hear her out.

"This batch of Energy Ingots was what I was preparing to deal with a coming storm destined for Kussen, but now it seems they won't be needed," Christina said slowly. "The Kussen Corps is at a critical juncture right now, and I hope the Terran Mercenary Group will consider an alliance with us. If your group agrees, these Energy Ingots can be our gift to you, and you can take them back today."

Yang Ying was tempted. Energy Ingots were highly useful to him; both the Ghost Fighters and the Valkyrie Escorts used them as energy sources.

The Energy Ingots Yang Ying currently possessed were manufactured from High-Energy Gas, which, at least for now, seemed a non-renewable resource. Therefore, acquiring more energy replenishment from external sources was even more crucial.

"Energy Ingots are indeed valuable, but I need to understand the current plight of the Kussen Corps before making a decision," Yang Ying stated. He could certainly acquire Energy Ingots through economic means via the Terran Company; what was before him served as Christina’s bargaining chip, but it wasn't as vital as she might imagine.

So, Christina began to recount the covetous eyes fixed upon Kussen: "This all begins with Nab's ambition..."

Pirate King Nab was a preeminent figure in the Asteroid Belt. His life's pursuit was to bring an order based on dictatorship and terror into the Pirate Federation to maintain his rule. The tribute distribution act for the twelve space cities was a law he forcefully passed.

Nab hailed from humble origins. At the age of ten, his parents were killed by pirates, and he himself became one. After more than two decades steeped in violence, bloodshed, and betrayal, he succeeded in seizing control of the Caribbean Pirates, one of the largest pirate factions at the time. After another decade of diligent management, he elevated the Caribbean Pirates to the foremost faction in the Asteroid Belt, earning him the reverence of Pirate King. In the twenty-plus years since becoming Pirate King, Nab, with his unparalleled charisma, rallied countless followers, gaining control of the Pirate Federation and revising the first edition of the Space Pirate Code—an achievement that cemented his status as the spiritual leader of the pirates.

Among the pirate ranks, Nab's word was law, unchallengeable. Even many in the mercenary factions feared crossing him, often turning a blind eye to what Nab intended to do.

By this time, Nab was nearing seventy, yet the Caribbean Pirates grew increasingly mysterious; the extent of their true strength remained an impenetrable riddle.

"...Originally, to get the tribute act passed, the Caribbean Pirates compromised with the Somali Pirates, granting them tribute from the second and fourth-ranked cities. However, this decision also allowed the Somali Pirates access to resources second only to the Caribbean Pirates. Now, even the third and fourth-ranked pirate factions combined cannot match Somalia’s strength. Consequently, Somalia covets the Caribbean's position and constantly seeks to usurp it, which has become a persistent headache for Nab."

Up to this point, everything Christina described was information Yang Ying already knew; Kalia had compiled this intelligence for his reference.

"Nab wants to deal with the Somali Pirates without suffering losses to his own strength, so he has decided to prop up the third-ranked pirate faction to check Somalia's power. However, all twelve space cities are already accounted for in the distribution act, leaving no other economic source to provide to the third party. Nab will not give up his own share to others; he has decided to bring a thirteenth city into the distribution scope."

"Could it be that he has chosen Kussen?" Lilia frowned. If they were to plunge into this maelstrom for a mere heap of Energy Ingots, it would be far too costly.

Christina caught her thought and hurriedly interjected: "Kussen is only one of the options. Nab wishes to incorporate a tourist metropolis as the thirteenth city. The pirate side currently has no tourist cities, and even if they did, no one would dare visit them. Therefore, he has issued an ultimatum to three space cities renowned for tourism—Kussen being one of them. Furthermore, to avoid overly alarming the Mercenary Alliance and to prevent tourists from distrusting the pirates, he decided that the city ultimately chosen to be the thirteenth would become a neutral city, maintaining neutrality between the Mercenary Alliance and the Pirate Federation. He promises to guarantee that city's peace, requiring only an annual tribute payment of forty percent."

"Peace promised by the Pirate King? That is an unprecedented marvel," Lilia sneered.

Christina glanced at Lilia and shook her head slightly. "In the Asteroid Belt, Pirate King Nab does as he pleases. If he wants a city to be peaceful, he can make it so. Even the Somali Pirates wouldn't dare oppose him on this matter. However, Nab stands so high that he never considers the tourists' perspective. Tourists won't gamble their lives on trusting his words, even if he speaks the truth."

"Which of the three cities will ultimately be chosen? Is there some kind of selection process?" Katerina inquired.

"Certainly not. Nab lets the three cities decide for themselves, but they must give him an answer before April 1st of this year. Otherwise, he will send his subordinates to 'tour' the three cities—that is his exact wording," Christina said with a wry smile.

"Why have I never heard anything about this?" Yang Ying, after listening, had a general understanding of the situation. Yet, this matter should be considered major, and Kalia's report had made no mention of it, leading him to ask.

"At this stage, Nab's demands are still under discussion among the three of us cities. I secretly went to purchase Energy Ingots precisely to prepare for future eventualities. Once this secret is out, obtaining supplies will become much harder. Many in the Mercenary Alliance do not wish to have the slightest association with the Pirate King, and we would be isolated then," Christina analyzed for the group.

Yang Ying nodded, signaling he understood. "If that is the case, how can we possibly help?"

Christina looked directly into Yang Ying's eyes, her sapphire gaze unwavering, and spoke with utmost seriousness: "None of the three cities wish to compromise with the pirates, and we are currently in a period of delicate negotiation. But today, the Kussen Corps suffered heavy losses, and we fear we will be at a disadvantage at the negotiating table. We require influential allies to help us gain the upper hand over the others. The Terran Mercenary Group easily destroyed a Triceratops, and the damage to your Valkyrie Escorts appears only slightly worse than a superficial scratch, clearly showing you still have reserves. I believe your group's strength is far greater than what is apparent, perhaps not inferior to some larger mercenary factions. And most importantly, you are newcomers; you haven't been here long and have few ties with the surrounding powers, meaning you are subject to fewer constraints. You are our most ideal choice for an ally."

"And you don't know the Pirate King deeply yet, unlike other major mercenary groups who keep their distance from Nab out of reverence, correct?" Yang Ying spoke, his mind simultaneously racing through countermeasures and considering the future implications of this decision.

"You haven't outright refused, which means there is room for discussion," Christina said, visibly relaxing.