"No. You are mistaken." Sandwor's expression turned incredibly grim. "The New Awakening Serum represents the trajectory of the future. Once it appears, it cannot be contained. Those who follow it will prosper; those who resist it will perish. Any person or force attempting to suppress the awakening of the subhumans will only be courting their own destruction. Even those old dogs won't be able to stop the tide. No matter how much they dislike the rise of the subhumans, they won't choose to suppress them outright."

Yasu Wen lowered his head, pondering for a moment. He then looked up again: "If it cannot be contained, then we must participate to share in its benefits. But currently, the production and distribution of the New Awakening Serum are entirely controlled by the Royal Family. To prevent the Royal Family from becoming too powerful, we must force them to relinquish some authority over the serum, allowing everyone to benefit. If that happens, even those old dogs will unite."

Sandwor nodded, waving his hand. "Since you understand, hurry to the Senate and persuade the Elders to unite and demand the sharing of that damnable serum from the Royal Family!"

"Yes," Yasu Wen responded, turning and exiting.

"If this serum had appeared a few years later, after I had taken down that mother and daughter and replaced them, standing atop the Empire's apex, and then promoted this serum across the entire Empire under my name—the merit achieved would be enough to make me an Emperor whose prestige rivals the First Emperor. But now, hmph!" Sandwor clenched his fists, fierce light flickering uncontrollably in his eyes, his thoughts unknown.

The Imperial Senate was originally established to coordinate conflicts among the nobility and supervise the Imperial power in the name of all nobles, holding the right to deliberate on major Imperial decisions. The resolutions passed by the full assembly of the Senate could even overturn the orders of the Emperor. With few exceptions, Senators had to meet two essential criteria: first, possessing a noble rank of Marquis or higher, signifying boundless influence and sufficient voice within the noble circles. Second, possessing the strength of the Fourth Level, which was considered a symbol of great wisdom.

There were currently one hundred and sixty-nine Elders in the Senate. They usually had their own affairs and rarely gathered, but typically, if seventy percent of the Elders were present at a meeting, the results were considered valid.

However, today, all one hundred and sixty-nine Elders were present. The circular assembly hall was packed, not an empty seat to be found. This was the galaxy's premier gathering place. The soaring golden dome appeared solemn and imposing, the hall's lighting was as brilliant as the sun, and the massive murals adorning the ringed walls depicted profound concepts, causing the assembly hall to shine brilliantly.

The reason for the complete attendance was that today’s agenda was far from trivial. First, the Empress, using the excuse that the Perseus Arm campaign had concluded, demanded the revocation of Regent Sandwor's military authority. The second item was proposed by over thirty Elders, demanding that the Royal Family and the Senate share the benefits of the New Awakening Serum. These benefits were mainly concentrated in the rights of production and distribution of the serum; holding these two powers meant grasping the lifeline of the subhumans yearning for awakening.

"The war in the Perseus Arm concluded over a month ago. Regent Kai has returned victorious, yet he has not returned his military authority. As everyone knows, this violates Imperial military law. There are no areas requiring military force now. I, the Empress of the Empire, make a small request that the Senate immediately pass a resolution ordering the Regent to return his military authority without delay."

On the podium, Empress Elimiya, dressed in formal attire, spoke with righteous severity to the gathered Elders.

"Regarding Her Majesty the Empress's request, Regent, do you have any rebuttals?" Duke Yingkuo, the Chief Elder of the Senate, questioned Sandwor.

This Duke Yingkuo was one of those "old undying ones." He had passed his one-hundred-thousandth birthday two centuries ago, possessed the spiritual power of the Fourth Level Limit, and was widely connected, known for his impartiality. He had always acted as a buffer between the Royal Family and the Regent.

Sandwor was also an Elder, seated not far from Duke Yingkuo. Hearing the Chief Elder's question, he rose: "Her Majesty the Empress's statement does have some merit, but I also have a few words to say."

He surveyed the room, then fixed his gaze on Empress Elimiya at the speaker's platform, saying, "Although the war in the Perseus Arm appears to be over, the natives of the Orion Arm are currently attacking the Perseus Arm. They have fought several major battles against the remaining natives there and currently hold the upper hand, throwing the situation in the Perseus Arm into extreme chaos. Under these circumstances, I believe the situation in the Perseus Arm is highly unstable and requires continued vigilance. Although constraints from the Force Sea prevent us from fighting long outside Imperial territory, maintaining mobile forces to prevent the flames of war from spreading back into the Empire is, in my opinion, absolutely necessary."

"I do not believe that is necessary," Empress Elimiya stated with a serious expression. "The military objective of the allied forces of the Orion Arm tribes is to occupy valuable planets in the Perseus Arm. Given the precedent of the Perseus Arm, why would they dare offend Imperial authority? Even if they do, they would only be short-sighted, foolish minor races. Preventing them from entering the Empire can be managed sufficiently with border defense troops. The mobile forces held by the Regent should be returned to the Empire as soon as possible."

"Your assertion is merely wishful thinking. If the native fleets of the Orion Arm, after capturing the Perseus Arm, are still unsatisfied and decide to invade the Empire, what then?" Sandwor rebutted.

"Regent, your statement is baseless speculation." To refute him, Empress Elimiya brought out Yang Ying and Dao Feng. "Both Imperial Envoys come from the Orion Arm; they understand the situation there better than anyone. Why not ask them?"

Sandwor sneered, "Their legitimate status has yet to be affirmed by the Senate. Have you forgotten that Prince Tieguxin and four other highly respected noble Elders previously lodged a protest with you? Letting them reside in the Imperial Palace is one thing; you hold the supreme power there. But must you really summon them to this sacred Senate today?"

Subsequently, both sides naturally engaged in a round of disputes, neither willing to yield an inch. This outcome was, after all, expected.

"Her Majesty the Empress and His Grace the Regent have expressed their respective views. In my opinion, both have a point. Perhaps we should proceed to the next item first, to discuss that newly emerged Awakening Serum. Once we have reached a conclusion, we can return to this issue concerning military authority. What do you all think?" It was Prince Tieguxin who spoke. He clearly intended to delay the matter, and it was unknown what agreement he had reached with Sandwor.

Upon hearing this, several dozen Elders spoke in agreement, including Duke Latolas, Duke Gouluobali, Duke Billingdon, Duke Shakalovi, and several other extremely senior and important figures.

Seeing this, Empress Elimiya felt a surge of anger. She recognized those Elders—they were the ones who had insisted on sharing the benefits of the New Awakening Serum with her, and they had even sent word that if they did not receive their "rightful benefits," they would vote against the motion to reduce Sandwor's military power.

This was blatant opportunism, kicking someone when they were down. While politics might be the art of compromise, everything has its limit. Compromising beyond that limit is a path to self-destruction.

Watching the Elders agree with Prince Tieguxin, the Empress recalled the plight of her mother and herself in the past. Her anger gradually turned into sorrow. Since the collapse of the Force Sea ten thousand years ago, the Empire had declined from its peak, and the Imperial bloodline, having been broken and reestablished, had long been weak. After her father, the Emperor, passed away, things grew even worse. The Royal Family was already showing signs of decline; its orders barely extended beyond the capital circle, while the various regional lords commanded strong armies. She had even thought she might become the last Emperor of the Empire, that the Atlantis Dynasty would end in her hands.

However, since finding her sister, things seemed to take a turn for the better. The arrival of Yang Ying and Dao Feng temporarily eased the pressure on them, followed by the emergence of the New Awakening Serum—a key element capable of ushering in a new era.

She and her mother had discussed it many times, convinced that if they could gain complete control over this serum, the Royal Family would have the means to confront the Empire's deeply ingrained corruption. This was their final, and most promising, path.

Absolutely no ground must be yielded here!

"Since so many Elders agree to shelve the first item, we will temporarily set it aside and begin discussing the second item: the newly emerged Awakening Serum. This is a serum capable of influencing the future of the Empire. More than thirty Elders demand that the Royal Family open access to this serum so that the entire noble class can benefit equally. What are Her Majesty the Empress's thoughts?"

"No," Empress Elimiya had solidified her resolve and would not retreat a single step on this issue. "I have already spoken via the Light Net, promising the people of the Empire free distribution. Do you want me to go back on my word?"

"Your promise ignores the interests of the noble faction!" Sandwor suddenly became aggressive, reprimanding her without mercy. "Empress Elimiya, Imperial authority is not given to you to plunder the interests of the nobility!"

"Plunder the interests of the nobility? That is the most vicious slander!" Empress Elimiya declared sternly, sweeping her gaze across the assembly hall. "Which one of you contributed to the invention of the New Awakening Serum? None! All the research work was completed solely by Grand Apothecary Count Igor. Not a single other person funded even one Imperial coin! The patent for the serum, the rights to its distribution, and all other powers related to this serum belong to Count Igor personally. His cooperation with the Royal Family is in compliance with Imperial law; no one has the right to accuse him. You see this serum leading the next era and immediately attempt to claim it as your own interest, yet you speak as if it were your inherent right! I warn you in the name of the Empress of the Empire: noble authority is also not given to you to plunder private property!"

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