Not just Kanna and Jörn, but Sebastian, Sergey, and the rest of the veteran command crew instantly caught sight of the massive, unusually structured vessel gliding through the void. For Sebastian, who had observed countless starships across the cosmic expanse, its design stood out as truly exceptional. The entire hull resembled a colossal cyan songbird in mid-flight, its reinforced bow extending into a sleek, piercing beak. Spreading wide from both flanks, a pair of majestic wings hummed with an ethereal green radiance that cast long, shimmering shadows across the star-field.
No one present was a stranger to the iconic bluebird silhouette; even Sebastian identified it immediately upon sight. It was a flagship class completely unique to the Imperium, fashioned directly after their revered national creature.
"It's actually someone from the Empire?" Watching the bluebird ship draw near, Jeffery knitted his brows, unable to hide his bewilderment. "Could the command staff really have pulled string to dispatch those monstrous elite from the Imperium this time?"
"It does feel a bit strange," Baroque agreed beside him, giving a slow, thoughtful nod. "While their prodigies are undeniably formidable, when it comes to the current generation of youth, the Star Palace holds the clear edge."
"Exactly," Jeffery added. "Compared to the Star Palace, the younger generation from the Empire hasn't produced anyone particularly dominant lately. Frankly, I doubted they could even measure up to the Thirteen Organizations or the Eagle Alliance."
Hushed murmurs of agreement rippled through the observation deck as people closely monitored the incoming delegation. Across the entire Endless Star Territory, the standing, talents, and hierarchies of the rising powerhouses were common knowledge, though Sebastian himself had never bothered keeping track of such details.
"They wouldn't just send ordinary youth from the Imperium out here to die," Baroque muttered, his brow furrowing deeper as the glowing bluebird ship closed the distance. "With all due respect, we are staring down Illidan this time. Unless top-tier monsters from the Thirteen Organizations or the Eagle Alliance step up, our odds of surviving this encounter are practically zero."
As Baroque vented his frustration, he caught a subtle shift nearby: a faint, knowing smirk had crept onto the corner of Sergey's mouth.
"Hmm?" Baroque's eyebrows twitched. "What's with the look?"
"While the younger generation of the Empire might not be making sweeping headlines right now..." Sergey chuckled softly, his eyes glinting. "...did all of you completely forget about that one?"
"That one?" Baroque, Jeffery, and the surrounding officers froze dead in their tracks. The realization hit them like a physical shockwave, dredging up a legendary, almost mythical memory.
"You... you can't mean the one who...!" Baroque's eyes widened to the size of saucers, outright disbelieving.
"Indeed," Sergey confirmed with a slow, deliberate nod. "Do you honestly think just anyone in the Empire is authorized to pilot that specific craft? That is the personal vessel utilized by the contemporary Emperor in his early conquering days. Without express imperial permission, nobody touches it. So ask yourselves: who else could possibly be riding inside, if not the direct disciple who doesn't even bat an eye at ordinary royal favors?"
The entire gathering fell into a stunned, heavy silence before bursting into eager, frantic discussions. The suffocating dread that had weighed on their chests suddenly vanished, replaced by a desperate flare of hope.
"It's really the living legend of the Empire? There might actually be a way out of this!"
"Unbelievable... to think even that monster was mobilized for this front!"
"Illidan is a nightmare, but this one is no less terrifying. Haha, someone on the enemy side is about to get a brutally rude awakening!"
"The enemy definitely miscalculated this time. They have no idea we have such a monstrous wildcard on our side!"
An electric excitement rippled through the ranks. Though victory was far from secured, they had at least caught a gleam of light amidst the shadow cast by Illidan.
"He is the sole disciple ever accepted by the contemporary Emperor," Kanna said, her voice trembling slightly with awe. "The Emperor's standards are ridiculously absurd; back then, even the absolute top geniuses of the Star Palace couldn't earn a second glance from him. Only this single individual possessed talent that completely eclipsed his entire generation. From the moment he took the oath, he was groomed as the future Emperor. And he certainly proved worthy. Shortly after awakening his planet, he officially secured the inheritance of the First Emperor!"
"The inheritance of the First Emperor!?" Dozens of surrounding Planetary Lords gasped, rooted to the spot.
They knew full well that this title referred to the primordial progenitor, the absolute titan who had forged the Empire in ancient times. Before departing into the deep void, that supreme entity had established a world-renowned trial, leaving his ultimate legacy behind for anyone capable of clearing it.
Packed with staggering, universe-shaking resources, it had drawn countless seekers over endless epochs, yet not a single soul had ever succeeded. Even generations of brilliant Emperors had failed to pass the test.
"Until this generation, when he came along," Sergey chimed in, his tone dripping with dramatic flair. "Not only was he taken in by the contemporary Emperor, but he also smashed through every trial left behind by the First Emperor to claim that ultimate legacy. So..."
A Level 3 Planetary Lord swallowed hard, asking in a hushed, trembling voice, "Does this mean... he really has what it takes to go toe-to-toe with Illidan?"
"Without a doubt," Jörn agreed, nodding with absolute conviction. "This is the only supreme heritage of an ancient entity ever successfully claimed in history. It even includes the terrifying super-species the First Emperor personally created during his golden era, the Blue Bird."
A vivid, terrifying image instantly flooded everyone's minds, a divine beast so massive it could soar through the star-streams, making even an adult Golden Dragon look like an insignificant worm by comparison. For uncounted millennia, such a legendary lifeform existed purely in ancient myth. Everyone assumed the bloodline had been permanently severed, never dreaming that such a terrifying supernatural lifeform would be resurrected in their lifetime.
"Sebastian, heads up. The delegation from the Empire is reaching the dock; open the primary hatch and prepare to receive them," Volkmar's stern voice chimed through the comms.
"Understood," Sebastian replied calmly, keying the command to depressurize and unlock the docking bay.
A large crowd gathered near the entrance, staring through the thick glass with breathless anticipation. The massive cyan bird-ship glided silently alongside Sebastian's vessel, its heavy outer airlocks slowly hissing open to reveal a dozen composed figures standing along the grand corridor. Leading the vanguard were two remarkably striking figures wearing the signature attire of the Imperium's top elite.
"It's Mathias Tilo and Chile Gavin!" a Planetary Lord blurted out in astonishment. Both names were absolute powerhouses among the younger generation.
Everyone stretched their necks for a better view, and Sebastian casually adjusted his stance, scanning the newcomers.
"Mathias Tilo and Chile Gavin are considered the undisputed pinnacle talents of the Star Palace's younger crowd," Jeffery murmured, leaning over to inform Sebastian. "I really didn't expect them to be walking escorts for him."
Flanked by the honor guard, Mathias Tilo and Chile Gavin stepped onto the main deck side by side. Mathias Tilo swept a sharp gaze across the room before calling out in a loud, resonant voice, "Who holds the position of Supreme Commander here... Sebastian?"
"That would be me," Sebastian answered smoothly, stepping forward.
Mathias Tilo's eyes locked onto Sebastian, sizing him up for a brief moment. "We are here under explicit military orders. Please grant us formal entry into the command hub."
Regardless of background or fame, strictly enforced wartime protocol dictated that Sebastian was the absolute Supreme Commander of this planetary sphere. Without his official authorization, not even imperial royalty could legally set foot inside.
"Welcome. Please, step inside," Sebastian offered a relaxed, polite smile.
Mathias Tilo and Chile Gavin did not advance. Instead, they stepped sharply to the sides and bowed their heads in silent reverence, clearing a central path for the person behind them. The onlookers weren't surprised; they knew the pair was merely clearing the stage for the true protagonist.
Under the burning, reverent gazes of the crowd, a tall, impeccably built figure emerged from the center of the delegation. A young man wearing an exquisite blue gown walked forward with smooth, measured steps.
"Is that... him?" Jeffery whispered frantically near Sebastian's ear.
The title had been bestowed upon him the moment he successfully claimed the supreme inheritance, a terrifying designation marking him as the living successor to a legend.
"Your Highness," Mathias Tilo and Chile Gavin called out in unison, their voices filled with deep respect.
The young man named Odin Anthelme gave a subtle nod and approached Sebastian, his gaze drifting over him with an easy, patronizing smile. "So you're Sebastian? The one who managed to defeat Augustus?"
Without waiting for Sebastian to answer, he continued casually, "I've heard bits and pieces of your little exploits. Beating Augustus and even taking down Eric, who was ranked tenth in the Warp, is decent work. If you ever find the time, you're welcome to visit the Empire for a chat."
A sudden hush swept over the surrounding crowd, with many staring at Sebastian with a volatile mix of envy and shock. Anyone with ears could tell that this was a rare, overt attempt at recruitment by the future ruler himself. To earn the favor of the disciple of the Emperor was a privilege millions dreamed of. Previously, only the talents of Mathias Tilo and Chile Gavin's caliber were granted such an audience.
With the ancient legacy in his hands, this young man was practically guaranteed to inherit the Imperium's throne and ascend as another supreme entity of the Endless Star Territory. Standing in his inner circle promised unimaginable authority, status, and personal guidance that no amount of cosmic wealth could buy.
"Let's focus on finishing this war first," Sebastian replied, his tone light and entirely unbothered. "The enemies aren't going to roll over that easily."
"It was difficult before," a young man standing directly behind Odin Anthelme interjected sharply. He was clad in a sleek black suit adorned with a giant eagle crest. "But now that the Emperor has arrived in person, the ultimate collapse of those Deamons is merely a matter of time."
"Oh? That confident, are we?" Behind Sebastian, Huo Kong and Shia scowled, their expressions darkening at the newcomer's insufferable arrogance.
"To ensure that His Highness can command with absolute efficiency and comfortably direct the battlefield ahead, I suggest..." The young man in the black eagle suit fixed a cold, condescending glare on Sebastian, his tone crisp and uncompromising. "...you hand over the position of Supreme Commander to him immediately."
The moment the words left his mouth, a heavy tension snapped across the room. It wasn't just Huo Kong and Shia who looked ready to explode; even Sergey, Jeffery, Baroque, and the veteran commanders frowned heavily.
While Odin Anthelme possessed an extraordinarily exalted status and unmatched talent, Sebastian had earned the genuine respect of the crew through actual life-and-death combat. After his brilliant strategic ambush wiped out a thousand elite Deamons, his authority had become rock-solid.
Hearing his subordinate's bold demand, Odin Anthelme stood with an expression of complete nonchalance, neither agreeing nor offering a word of restraint. Beside him, Mathias Tilo and Chile Gavin remained utterly silent. The implication was dead clear: this demand had already been agreed upon by their faction before stepping off the ship.
Every eye in the hall immediately slammed onto Sebastian. Although the crew was deeply loyal to their young captain, the cold logic presented by the imperial faction carried weight, with a legendary powerhouse stepping onto the front lines, transferring supreme command seemed like the natural outcome to many.
"Sebastian," Volkmar's voice suddenly cut through the encrypted internal channel, laced with an unmistakable, heavy authority. "Relinquish the commander position to him for now. It will make all subsequent fleet deployments significantly smoother. Besides, Odin Anthelme was personally educated by the contemporary ruler; his background covers not just planet development, but high-level governance and grand military strategy. He is objectively more suited to act as Supreme Commander here..."
Volkmar's tone was no longer a suggestion; it carried the unmistakable edge of a superior giving an order. In the eyes of grand political figures like Volkmar, Sebastian was still just a rising star, brilliant, but completely incomparable to the legendary heir carrying the First Emperor's legacy. Had it been Augustus or Sergey standing there, Volkmar would have ordered them to back down without a second thought.
The atmosphere inside the docking bay grew razor-sharp, thick with suffocating pressure. Everyone present recognized the reality of the situation: this was an aggressive, shameless grab for power right on the eve of battle. For a proud prodigy who had bled for his command, having it stripped away so casually was a humiliation. Sebastian's closest allies looked on with tight jaws, knowing their leader was now pushed directly into a corner where a head-on confrontation was inevitable.