The unprecedented civil war had inflated the Elders’ power to its zenith. Now, the entirety of the Yafik Kingdom's space fleet, all governmental affairs, every critical factory, production base, and the Kingdom’s ultimate defense systems were under their control. Fuya Ming and Daogen commanded only two modest ground forces. If these power-wielding Elders failed to seize this moment to bask in glory and honor their ancestors, they would never forgive themselves.

"The citizens of the Kingdom are truly passionate! Hahaha, Prince Daogen’s complexion looks truly radiant!!"

The Elders roared with laughter, their faces crinkling with mirth. This feeling of unchallenged dominance was intoxicating. The fervent atmosphere even sparked a dangerous delusion among them: Perhaps we should just hold onto this power indefinitely? Well, Prince Daogen is, after all, an usurper. What harm would it do if the Kingdom’s ultimate authority didn't revert to him? Look, we have the people’s support! We have the people’s support!

The Elders applauded enthusiastically and cheered the crowds, even leading the populace in performing the "wave" from the stands. The venue erupted in joy. The affluent, yet slightly bored, Yafik citizens spent nearly half an hour piling up a ten-meter-wide, one-meter-thick mound of flowers along the edge of the arena.

Covered head-to-toe in petals, looking almost comically extravagant, the Elders only made their way to the statue of the Knight at the center of the arena when the first foreign envoy slowly entered. They positioned themselves on either side of Prince Daogen, forming an elegant chevron formation.

Prince Daogen nodded, satisfied. Regardless of the spectacle, he was the protagonist of the day.

Foreign envoys began filing in one after another, and attendants promptly ushered them to the side spectator platforms. After more than an hour of meticulous arrangement, a grand total of two thousand foreign envoys were seated. These were the resident ambassadors from civilizations whose developmental tiers were roughly comparable to the Yafik Kingdom's within their star sector. Envoys from civilizations of higher standing disdained attending such ceremonies, while those of lower standing lacked the credentials. Thus, only two thousand envoys were present.

Prince Daogen nodded again, pleased. The expected total attendance was twenty-three hundred; the arrival of around two thousand one hundred delegates proved they still afforded him, Prince Daogen, considerable respect. It seemed those envoys who had secretly backed Fuya Ming had wisely abandoned their former allegiance.

Standing silently in the center of the venue, silently absorbing the gaze of hundreds of thousands, Prince Daogen patiently awaited the appointed hour.

Finally, the time arrived—the moment agreed upon with Fuya Ming.

A standard light fighter flew in slowly from a distance. Princess Xiaoya Ming, clutching an alloy case, descended with three attendants.

Countless nearby and distant sensors simultaneously scanned every corner. Immediately, intelligence agents relayed the identical report to Prince Daogen: "Other than the three escorts, the Princess has brought not a single soldier. She is safe. Completely safe."

The anxiety that had gripped Prince Daogen’s chest finally eased. He let out a soft breath and nodded forcefully.

A military band marched out. These musicians, clad in pale crimson robes and ancient alloy helmets adorned with a long row of iridescent bird feathers, began to powerfully strike up the Yafik Kingdom’s most ancient and majestic march—the very anthem that accompanied the old Yafik Knights as they charged enemies in the age of cold steel. It was the battle song of the Kingdom! Of course, since the Yafik Kingdom had entered the High Energy Era, this march was only heard during grand state functions.

Fuya Ming, similarly draped in magnificent robes, slowly walked into the venue, carrying the alloy case containing the Scepter of Fiyako. She descended the gentle steps toward the central dais.

Peng Hua, dressed in a black tailcoat, his cape blood-red on the inside and obsidian on the outside, and sporting a pair of dark sunglasses, shadowed Fuya Ming closely. He offered a captivating smile to the surrounding Yafik citizens with aristocratic ease. Peng Hua’s smile was brilliant, sunny—like the boy next door—instantly mesmerizing tens of thousands of young Yafik women present.

"Alas, this one is too plump, that one too thin, this one not pale enough, that one too pale... Hey, little lambs of Yafik, which of you is the most tender and delicious? Hee hee, all virgins! How fortunate, how fortunate! So many smooth, young girls!" Peng Hua mused internally, critically evaluating the local maidens while smiling brightly.

Feifei, wearing a pale green palace dress the vivid green of a jade cabbage, followed close behind Xiaoya Ming. She rigidly adhered to the requirement Ancient Xie Chen had set before their departure: Whoever dares lay a hand on Fuya Ming, kill them all! Feifei’s dark green eyes were cold and ruthless, immense power churning within her. She was constantly prepared to spring into lethal action.

Ling Hu, cheerful and round like a wealthy landlord, wore a conservative, stuffy, traditional Yafik steward’s uniform. He diligently trotted forward on his short, thick legs, slightly ahead of Fuya Ming. He frequently looked back, smiling at the Princess, "Your Highness, walk this way... Your Highness, there is a step here... Your Highness, please watch your footing... Oh, Your Highness, allow me to assist you!"

Ling Hu perfectly embodied the image of a loyal and dependable old butler, causing Prince Daogen to pause in surprise upon seeing him: Hadn't the former King's chief steward died concurrently with the old King? Where had this one sprung from?

The citizens in the plaza quieted. They slowly rose, watching in silence as Xiaoya Ming, bearing the Scepter of Yafik, approached Prince Daogen.

Prince Daogen beamed with the radiant smile reserved only for victors, thrusting his chest forward and proudly pushing out his slightly protruding belly.

Peng Hua, standing beside Fuya Ming, muttered derisively, "What's the need for that puffing? Even if your chest stuck out higher, could it surpass Her Highness's?"

The hall fell utterly silent, every Yafik citizen clamping a hand over their mouth. Peng Hua had failed to account for one thing: the venue possessed an extraordinary acoustic design. Even the faint sound of a large beetle flapping its wings at the center of the hall could be transmitted across the entire space.

Prince Daogen's face contorted into a bizarre expression.

Fuya Ming’s expression looked murderous.

The hundreds of thousands of Yafik citizens present instantly turned a uniform, sickly shade of green. They stared blankly at Peng Hua, wondering where such a lunatic had emerged from!

Peng Hua, still confused as to why so many people were staring at him, self-importantly stroked his cheek and cackled, "I am simply too handsome, it’s natural for so many beauties to be infatuated, but why are so many men staring at me... Could it be that the men of the Yafik Kingdom are all sodomites? But what if I'm not gay?"

Fuya Ming's face darkened.

Prince Daogen made a strange, choking noise in his throat. He raised a trembling hand, pointing at Peng Hua with utter humiliation. He desperately wanted to order Peng Hua reduced to mere paste and fed to the dogs, but in his blinding rage, Prince Daogen couldn't even manage to speak, let alone issue an order.

Thud. An Elder from the council slammed a heavy alloy case onto the ground.

The eyes of both Fuya Ming and Prince Daogen instantly lit up. That case contained the ultimate control console for the Yafik planet’s defense grid. One set of activation codes was held by Xiaoya Ming, and the other set by Prince Daogen. Whoever seized that box would gain absolute control of the Yafik planet!

Bang!

The head of the Kingdom Elder suddenly exploded as a thirty-millimeter caliber sniper round pulverized his skull.

A rough, harsh voice echoed from the entrance of the venue: "Apologies for the intrusion, long live the great Dokor Federation! The Dokor Federation is destined to be the master of the Yafik Kingdom! Thank you for the friendly performance, but today’s stars are us!"

Binkle, the chief military officer of the Dokor Federation’s embassy on Yafik, appeared at the entrance, clad in combat gear and carrying an unbelievably long, large-caliber sniper rifle.

Before anyone could react, Binkle swung his rifle and bellowed, "The Dokor Federation’s Eight Victories are unmatched!"

"Huy-wah!"

Accompanied by the Dokor Federation's distinctive battle cry, five hundred fully armed Dokor soldiers stormed the venue. They roared maniacally, pulling their triggers. Countless beams of energy swept across half the arena. Zzzzzzzzzzt Three hundred and sixty Yafik Kingdom Elders collapsed simultaneously, like wheat before a scythe. Before Prince Daogen could even utter a sound, Xinjia hurled a heavy alloy dagger that pierced straight through his head.

Ancient Xie Chen, hidden within the ranks of the charging soldiers, raised his hand and tossed an explosive grenade. It landed perfectly in the center of the viewing platform holding the more than two thousand foreign envoys.

BOOM! Over a hundred envoys, their limbs mangled, were blasted soaring nearly a hundred meters into the air.

BOOM! Light-years away, inside the Dokor Federation Presidential Palace, the Federation President, who had been watching the live feed, suddenly suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and collapsed to the floor.

"Binkle, you absolute fool."

Accompanied by a shriek of despair, the utterly terrified Dokor Minister of Defense’s eyes rolled back, and he promptly fainted as well.