Both parties on the comms channel knew the full story, yet Istha's torrent of lies was executed flawlessly. Anyone unfamiliar with the situation would surely sympathize with the enraged Istha.

"We are both principals in this matter; can we not at least be more forthcoming with each other?" Yang Ying spoke, seemingly ignoring Istha's performance.

"Have I not expressed my anger plainly?" Istha raised his chin, his acting skill truly at its zenith.

"You and I both know that this 'forthright anger' is nothing but a fabrication on your part," Yang Ying stated.

"This is not only an insult to me personally but also an insult to the resolve of our Caesar Mercenary Corps to seek justice for Alva! If you have sent this communication merely to insult us, then I can only say that you will absolutely fail!" Istha declared loudly, as if genuinely insulted.

At that moment, on the camera feed, several reporters stood in Istha's room.

They had originally come to interview Istha, but at the very beginning, Istha announced that the leader of the Tran Mercenary Corps had sent a communication, and he instructed them to record this exchange to publicize the Caesar Mercenary Corps' upcoming actions.

These reporters all belonged to media outlets under the Caesar Group and naturally obeyed Istha’s every command.

The scene of Istha angrily reprimanding Yang Ying had already been filmed by them. By tomorrow, the news headline "Caesar Mercenary Corps Representative Scathingly Rebukes Tran Mercenary Corps Leader" would likely be fabricated by them.

Seeing Istha’s display, Yang Ying considered the situation on the other end and remarked, "It seems you place great importance on public opinion."

Yang Ying’s words caused a slight shift among the surrounding reporters.

"Of course, I do. You once tried to use public opinion to tarnish our reputation, and it was precisely public opinion that prevented your despicable frame-up from succeeding. How could I not take it seriously?" Knowing Yang Ying had seen through his scheme, Istha became even more unrestrained in his theatrics, grasping every opportunity to twist the facts.

Yang Ying sighed inwardly on the other end. Based on Istha’s performance, the hope of persuading him to change his mind this time seemed slim.

Nevertheless, for the sake of the mercenaries who had fought the Ancient Legions, he had to try to prevent their deaths in an internal human conflict.

"I sent this communication today to find a peaceful resolution with you," Yang Ying said directly, bypassing the issue of who was right or wrong.

"A peaceful resolution?" Istha feigned contemplation for a moment, then spoke in a condescending tone, "I am not a bloodthirsty person. Since you wish to settle things peacefully, I can grant it. You will surrender unconditionally. I can guarantee your safety, provided you hand over the murderer of Alva, and you, yourself, will pay the price for defaming us."

"I detect absolutely no sincerity in your offer of peace!" Such insincere terms instantly provoked Yang Ying's anger.

"Peaceful sincerity?" Istha sneered coldly. "Of course, there is no such thing. I never intended to offer you peace. In the Asteroid Belt, peace is never how problems are solved. There is only fighting, fighting, and more fighting! A victor must emerge between us. Other matters can be discussed after the outcome is decided!"

Dealing with the Tran Mercenary Corps was a goal Istha had long set; it was a litmus test for him to display his capability to his family. Alva’s failure had already caused some to look down on him. Having finally secured the assistance of two Laurel Fleets from his father, how could he abandon this opportunity to reverse the situation?

Yang Ying calmed himself and continued his effort: "You have deployed two Laurel Fleets to fight us in this war. They have all accepted wartime missions and need to be on the front lines against the Ancient Legions. By borrowing them to deal with me, haven't you considered the needs of the front line?"

"Hahahaha."

Even Istha's cold laugh sounded immensely elegant: "Are the Laurels of my Caesar something you can handle? You think you can use this excuse to make me stand down two Laurel Fleets? Absolutely impossible! Don't talk about considering the front line. Do you think your Tran Mercenary Corps, capable of wiping out five 'major forces,' can actually harm Caesar's Laurels? After you pay the price for provoking the Caesar Mercenary Corps, those two Laurel Fleets will naturally return to the battlefield to continue their fight!"

Istha's aloof tone betrayed his profound confidence in the Laurel-class. In his view, apart from the three Super Mercenary Corps and the two Super Pirate Fleets, all other mercenary or pirate groups in the Asteroid Belt were mere irregulars, whose combat power was negligible.

Although Yang Ying was inwardly furious at Istha's stubbornness, he still persuaded himself to make one last effort: "I must remind you, your confidence in the Laurels is excessive. Things will not unfold as you imagine. Once the battle begins, we will be forced to eliminate..."

"Arrogant!" Istha cut Yang Ying off. "The concept of Caesar's Laurels, and how important they are to the Caesar Mercenary Corps, I suspect you still don't fully grasp."

Yang Ying ignored him and continued: "These two fleets have fought against the Ancient Legions and should continue to fight them in the future. They should not be destroyed in a human civil war within the Asteroid Belt."

"Since you don't want to fight the Laurel Fleets, do exactly as I said earlier and surrender. Stop pretending to look down on the Laurels. Know this: simply to uphold the honor of the Laurel, the Caesar Mercenary Corps will fight you at any cost. Otherwise, if we retreat now and people say, 'The Caesar Mercenary Corps agreed to a peaceful settlement because they feared the Tran Mercenary Corps destroying their Laurel-class battlecruisers,' we would lose too much face!" Istha declared loudly.

The reporters nearby were ecstatic. It was rare enough to meet figures like Istha and Yang Ying, let alone witness them engaging in such a fierce debate—a piece of news beyond their wildest dreams!

Yang Ying stared at Istha and said, "Originally, for the lives of the mercenaries who survived on the front lines, I intentionally lowered my stance to seek a peaceful path. I can overlook your attempt to distort the truth, because as long as the Ancient Legions exist, a united front against external threats remains the priority. If not for your aggressive actions this time, perhaps soon we would have taken on war missions to contribute to humanity's external conflicts. But being forced to fight our own kin—compatriots who have fought the Ape-Men—is truly heartbreaking."

"Keep up the pretense of compassion. In any case, your time is short," Istha raised his head high, his gaze pressing forward intensely.

Yang Ying and Istha, separated by the comms link, locked eyes without yielding an inch. An invisible tension gradually spread, instantly making the reporters feel a cold wind rise up their backs, causing goosebumps to erupt.

They couldn't help but look away, afraid to meet the gaze. They thought, Could this be the legendary killing intent? The looks these two exchange are terrifying; one glance feels like an invitation to death.

Around Istha, indeed the entire room seemed to freeze. Everyone held their breath, watching the two figures locked in confrontation.

Yang Ying realized that the path to a peaceful resolution was closed. He immediately shifted his demeanor, abandoning further pleas, and said, "Istha Caesar, you will soon learn that today you have pushed two Laurel Fleets into an abyss, and you have also made me responsible for the blood of these warriors. You will pay the price for this."

"I await you always!" Istha replied carelessly. In his mind, he did not take Yang Ying’s words as a threat; a nouveau riche could not possibly threaten the Caesar Laurels.

Yang Ying turned off the comms device in the base and said to Katerina, "It seems we must fight this war after all."

"It’s not our fault, is it?" Katerina smiled softly.

Just then, Kalia appeared at the doorway and asked as she entered, "Commander, is it true what you said about accepting front-line war missions?"

"Yes," Yang Ying admitted. "The Ancient Legions are humanity's great enemy. Our military strength is now sufficient for self-preservation, and we can deploy some forces to the front line battlefield at Saturn's orbit. I had intended to announce this at the next full commanders' meeting, but since the Caesar Mercenary Corps has bullied us this time, this plan must be temporarily shelved. Although it is only two Laurel Fleets for now, once drawn into a vortex of war, it is hard to escape. After we eliminate these two, who knows how the Caesar Mercenary Corps will seek revenge. Therefore, we cannot afford to divide our forces yet."

Kalia proposed, "To prevent Caesar Mercenary Corps from seeking revenge, we must utterly destroy both Laurel Fleets. If even one escapes and our stealth technology is exposed, the Caesar Group will likely relentlessly oppose us. That technology could truly shake their position in the arms trade."

Yang Ying nodded. "I understand. And to make them compromise with us, they must realize we are not to be trifled with. Once the fighting starts, what they gain will be far less than what they lose. These two Laurel Fleets must be completely annihilated, no matter what."

At that moment, a mechanized voice sounded at the door.

"If that is the case, why don't we take action? We haven't done anything since we were formed; we’re almost getting rusty, Commander!"

Everyone turned around to see a bald man wearing a visual sensor with three glowing red lights and fitted with various mechanical parts walk in.

"Colonel Bor, you've arrived," Kalia stepped forward to greet him.