The Caesar Shock Troops released word confirming Alva’s affiliation with the Caesar Mercenary Group, while simultaneously denying Alva’s involvement in any hostile action against the Tran Mercenary Group.

The holographic video documenting Alva’s espionage activities was then so thoroughly mangled by the Caesar Mercenary Group’s technicians that it became unrecognizable before being broadcast across the entire asteroid belt, with the original version immediately branded as a forgery.

The Caesar Mercenary Group claimed that Alva had been brutally murdered by the Tran Mercenary Group using vile methods while passing through Gray Port. To avenge Alva’s death, and in response to the slander against the Caesar Mercenary Group’s reputation, the group announced they would seek military arbitration with the Tran Mercenary Group!

“Isn’t that a declaration of war?”

Commissioner Hines, a representative of the Fourth Army working at the Alliance headquarters, instantly grasped the true intent of the Caesar Mercenary Group the moment he heard the news. He was among the first to see the original footage; discerning truth from falsehood required no contemplation whatsoever.

“Master, those Caesar Mercenaries, taking advantage of the real video not yet circulating, rushed to release a fake one, attempting to invert black and white and confuse truth with lies. This act of misrepresentation is absolutely despicable!” the apprentice knight beside him exclaimed in anger.

Hines laughed heartily: “My disciple, this is not an attempt; reversing right and wrong is their customary tactic, one that has succeeded countless times over the decades. After all, the Caesar Mercenary Group controls the broader channels of information, allowing this fabricated video to spread even wider.”

“That’s because a lie repeated a thousand times becomes the truth,” the apprentice knight, Lixuan, interjected.

Hines concurred: “Precisely. I believe, under the manipulation of the Caesar Mercenary Group, the number of people believing the lie will outnumber those believing the facts by at least tenfold.”

“Since we have seen the real video, we should step forward to speak justly. We cannot allow the Caesar Mercenary Group to profit from such a despicable scheme!” the apprentice knight rose, speaking with agitation.

“Calm down first, my disciple.” Hines paused, waiting for the apprentice knight to sit before continuing, “Having a sense of justice is commendable. That sense will guide you onto the path of the Holy Light, and I am pleased to see you do not fear the power of the Caesar Mercenary Group. However, impulsiveness will not solve anything. Some matters are better approached with long-term planning.”

“Master, I don’t understand. Speaking a word of justice is easy; what needs long-term planning?” the apprentice knight asked, perplexed.

“Speaking a word of justice is easy, but charging forward with nothing but hot-blooded fervor will only lead to broken bones. Not only will you fail to help others, but you will also harm yourself. You must understand that many things in this world are not that simple; you need to look further ahead,” Hines instructed patiently.

“Then please tell me, Master, what exactly should be done?” the apprentice knight asked respectfully.

Hines smiled: “Alva was not someone sent out lightly. The fact that the Caesar Mercenary Group sent him to Gray Port this time indicates their operation was premeditated; they have long coveted the assets of the Tran Corporation and the Tran Mercenary Group. Even if we refute the claims now, it will not shake their resolve. This battle is inevitable.”

“But, we can undermine the justice of Caesar’s declaration of war,” the apprentice knight, Lixuan, argued.

“It would be futile, there is no need,” Hines shook his head and said, “Let me tell you what will happen in the coming days: the Tran Mercenary Group will lose. Then, given the style of the Caesar family, after defeating the Tran Mercenary Group, the Tran Corporation will face complete annexation. They will be utterly destroyed. What do they care about justice then?”

“Moreover, even if we speak out, will people believe us? We would just get drawn into a war of words with Caesar. Once the Tran Mercenary Group is defeated, then, following the tradition of might makes right in the asteroid belt, everyone will assume we, the Fourth Army, are lying to support the Tran Mercenary Group. The result would be damage to our reputation, coupled with needlessly provoking Caesar. Though we do not fear them, there is no need to engage in such thankless efforts,” Hines explained.

“But what if the Tran Mercenary Group wins?” the apprentice knight asked unconvinced.

“That possibility is too slim,” Hines shook his head. “The strength and latent power of the Caesar Mercenary Group far exceed common imagination. For a single Tran Mercenary Group to win against them is as difficult as a cat trying to defeat a tiger.”

“Master, are you that certain?” the apprentice knight asked with anticipation. “What if—I mean, if by some chance—they do win, what then?”

“If they win, then we will have time to refute the claims for them,” Hines stated. “And by then, the Tran Mercenary Group, riding the wave of victory, stating the facts will be far more convincing.”

After hearing this, the apprentice knight’s expression shifted rapidly, one moment thoughtful, the next troubled.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke: “I understand now, Master. So, even safeguarding justice requires considering so many factors. I hope my shallow remarks just now did not disappoint you.”

“Really? Do you truly understand?” Hines asked sternly.

The apprentice knight, unsure why his Master was so serious, still nodded and said:

“Then go attend to your duties.” Hines waved his hand dismissively.

He watched the retreating back of the apprentice knight as he left the room, his expression gradually shifting from sternness to regret.

“A pity, a true pity,” Hines sighed inwardly. “I fear your future achievements will at best be equal to mine.”

“My most cherished disciple, do you know how much I hoped you would firmly declare that even if it were futile, you would expose Caesar’s lie.”

“Had you said that just now, even at the cost of the Fourth Army’s reputation and provoking the ire of the Caesar family, I would have supported you in fighting Caesar head-on. Not just me, the entire Holy Light Knights would have supported your decision, because that is the choice of a Holy Knight!”

“To remain steadfast in one’s chosen path despite a mentor's counsel and environmental pressure, to proceed resolutely down a road known to be narrow, rough, and perhaps fraught with danger.”

“Just like former Commander Saint Ladis, and his mentor, former Commander Saint Poman, and the missing former Commander Saint Hayden—they all exhibited qualities beyond the ordinary during their time as apprentice knights. Guided by the Holy Light, they walked their own resolute paths, eventually becoming the very embodiment of the Holy Light—Holy Knights!”

“What a pity. What a pity.”

After the Caesar Mercenary Group issued that declaration of war, Lixuan mobilized two Crown Fleets. Both fleets were centered around a single Crown-class battlecruiser, comprising five heavy cruisers, five light cruisers, and hundreds of smaller destroyers and frigates, along with other auxiliary vessels. Any one of these fleets was more formidable than the enemies they had previously encountered. Kalia was reporting the newly acquired intelligence to Yang Ying in the command room.

“Where did they all come from? Weren’t the main forces of the Caesar Mercenary Group supposed to have left the asteroid belt to join the war?” Katerina inquired.

Kalia replied: “One of these two Crown Fleets was pulled back from the front lines for repairs. They had been through several battles, and several warships, including the Crown, sustained heavy damage. They just finished refitting in drydock these past few days. As for the other fleet, they were merely passing near the asteroid belt when Caesar recruited them.”

Hearing this, Yang Ying shook his head: “This is not good. Both of these fleets were supposed to be engaged against the Ancient Legion. Now they are being used in a civil war. Although they are the aggressors, it’s hardly a glorious affair to speak of.”

Kalia responded: “I understand what you mean, Commander. We have no choice but to respond; there is no alternative.”

Yang Ying looked at the four large characters displayed on the wall—Tempered into Steel—and after a moment of thought, told Kalia: “If there is no way, then we must find one. Connect me to the Caesar Mercenary Group.”

“Should I contact Andre or Istha?” Kalia asked.

“Istha. Istha is currently in charge of the Caesar Mercenary Group. It’s likely this confrontation is his idea as well. I’ll speak to him directly and find out what he’s thinking,” Yang Ying stated calmly.

“Yes, I will arrange it immediately.”

Kalia exited the command room to establish contact with the Caesar Mercenary Group.

Yang Ying turned to Katerina beside him: “I still have to try and see if this issue can be resolved through negotiation and dialogue. Both of those Crown Fleets should be fighting on the front lines for humanity, not being destroyed in a fight against us. Even if the chance is slim, I must attempt it. Those soldiers who fought bloody battles against the Ancient Legion deserve that effort from me.”

Katerina smiled: “Whatever decision you make, Commander, we will support you to the end.”

A moment later, the communication device before Yang Ying lit up. Kalia’s image appeared on the holographic screen, announcing: “Commander, the connection has been arranged.”

“Put them through,” Yang Ying said.

Katerina tidied Yang Ying’s attire and then stepped out of the camera’s view.

Kalia’s image flickered and was replaced by Istha, his expression cold, elegant, and profoundly arrogant.

“I have long admired the name Commander Yang Ying. I am Istha, at your service.” Istha performed a slight, archaic bow with elegance.

“A few meager rumors are nothing compared to the Caesar family. Greetings, Representative Istha,” Yang Ying, completely unfamiliar with the formalities prevalent in these great houses, simply nodded and replied.

“For Commander Yang Ying to seek me out at this moment must mean there is a matter of significant importance,” Istha’s expression grew colder. Seeing that Yang Ying did not recognize his bow, he inwardly sneered, ‘Just a nouveau riche after all.’

“I wish to ask, is there an irreconcilable enmity between our Tran Mercenary Group and yours?” Yang Ying inquired.

“Of course, there is! Your Tran Mercenary Group brutally murdered Alva, one of our intelligence division’s elite mercenaries, and then framed him for espionage in Gray Port. This has greatly damaged the image of our Caesar Mercenary Group. Can this not be considered enmity!” Istha declared with a sharp glare.