The [Sovereignty-class] was displayed before him without reservation.
Even from within the safety of the [Great Attractor Substrate], Mitler still felt a "slight" bit of extreme tension.
There was a greater than 99% chance the Sacred Empire wouldn't open fire, but the fact remained that they had not followed the [Interastral Peace Corporation]'s regulations to power down their reactor. Even the main cannon, [Genesis], which had just blasted [The Supremacy] to smithereens, remained fully charged.
No one could stand before the pure white brilliance gleaming from that cannon's maw and feel no pressure.
Of course, Mitler had already found an excuse for the Sacred Empire's actions in his mind: regulations were things not made by them, after all. As a major power of equal standing, it was not improper for the Sacred Empire to maintain its consistent style of conduct.
"Yes, that's it," Mitler reassured himself, though he couldn't help but inwardly mock the [Sovereignty-class] super-titan docked before him. The ship's hull, shaped like a cosmic coffin, had no aesthetic beauty to speak of. In terms of elegance, it was inferior to even a small destroyer manufactured by the IPC.
However, the [Architects] surrounding him were quite appreciative of the [Sovereignty-class]'s industrial aesthetic. The aether crystal walls and celestial comet walls they built to protect star systems bore a strong resemblance to the super-titan's sharp, angular lines.
"..."
"These people, aren't they disembarking yet?"
After admiring it for a considerable time, Mitler, seeing no sign of the Sacred Empire's conference attendees, began to grow dissatisfied. Though he showed no emotion on his face, he couldn't stop himself from mentally composing a diatribe about how Imperials were all impolite barbarians.
Just then.
Ding!
An ink-blue, rhomboid crystal suddenly materialized in the center of the welcoming area. With rapid decomposition and reconstruction, a giant void star-gate with nine steps slowly appeared before Mitler's eyes.
"Is this... a Fault Space Engine?"
As an Executive Director, Mitler at least possessed a broad enough perspective.
[Fault Space Engine].
Unlike ordinary warp engines, this engine, powered by the [Branch-Breaking Jump Engine], allowed a starship to maintain prolonged travel within the Quantum Sea and freely journey between the realms of the Tree and the Sea. It was the Sacred Empire's most highly classified starship engine, deployed only in small numbers on their super-titan class vessels.
The engine's greatest feature was that a starship produced no spatial fluctuations during a "jump." Even the latest model of probe currently under development by the IPC could only detect a movement trail equivalent to a 200kg mass.
Paired with a stellar-class main cannon like [Genesis], the deterrent force of the [Sovereignty-class] was plain to see.
Furthermore, all prior intelligence gathered by the IPC on the [Fault Space Engine] had indicated it was a device for jumping large starships. But now, it seemed the Sacred Empire had successfully miniaturized the engine.
Following the display of [Genesis], this was yet another show of force.
Of course, all of the above was merely Mitler's own speculation. In reality, the Empire had no intention of keeping its engine technology a secret. As long as an operator and the relevant material sciences could withstand 22% concentration of Quantum energy erosion, the [Fault Space Engine] could be easily replicated.
The problem was, most civilizations in the universe would flee at the first sight of the "Cancer of All Worlds," let alone try to experience it firsthand.
---o---
Whoosh.
As Mitler waited, the void star-gate finally completed its construction. From the surface of the gate, a mere 12 meters high, the first figure slowly descended the steps from within the shimmering ripples.
Mitler, who had been preparing his welcome, froze for a moment, then continued forward with an unchanged expression.
"An Imperial Apostle?"
Mitler recognized the individual stepping out of the gate. It was not Saint Engraving III: "Pillar of the Abyss" from the earlier announcement, but the 17th-ranked [Imperial Apostle].
To be honest, among the 99 Imperial Apostles, the top 20 were basically the Monarch's inner circle, and their actual combat power was stable at the [Emissary] level. If Mitler, who was long out of practice, were to face this individual, he truly couldn't say if he would be a match.
Therefore, despite the confusion and a tiny bit of dissatisfaction in his heart, the smile on Mitler's face remained perfectly composed.
However, the Imperial Apostle gave him no opportunity to speak. Before Mitler could approach, this high-level [Emissary]-class combatant—an absolute VIP in any other civilization—stepped off the final stair and stood ramrod straight to the side like a common soldier!
Mitler froze mid-stride.
Not because of the Apostle's "impolite" behavior, but because of what followed him...
Fifteen more Imperial Apostles!
The number of Apostles was, after all, not small, and Mitler, who was not responsible for this area of intelligence, could only recognize two others, ranked 33rd and 59th.
But that didn't stop him from confirming...
Sixteen [Emissary]-level combatants were right before his eyes! Only another Apostle of the same rank could stand beside one!
"Pillar of the Abyss..."
Mitler had heard the title, but his information was based entirely on "rumors," not a single one of which had been verified. Now, however, he felt an unprecedented pressure... a pressure born from misjudging the sheer weight of the title "Saint Engraving III."
To make an entrance with such an entourage, this person was likely one of the Monarch's most trusted right-hand men. In his own faction, it would take the IPC's "Chairman" or the Architects' "Grand Artisan" to be his equal.
Although Mitler was considered one of the top 5 figures in the IPC, it was only at this moment that he truly felt that "authority" could not provide the same reliable sense of security as true "strength."
And then...
Ding.
From within the flowing ripples, a pale-skinned human male with messy, naturally curly long hair, dressed in a dark-toned coat, emerged with a "kind" smile, his eyes narrowed to slits.
"—"
"Grand Monarch..."
The man showed no hostility, nor did he reveal the slightest hint of an aura. But it was precisely this "completely harmless" feeling that allowed Mitler to instantly confirm his true level. Whether in cosmic rumors or various battle reports, the [Imperial Saints] had always demonstrated Grand Monarch-level combat power.
But that intelligence came with a prerequisite: an Imperial Saint had to reveal a magnificent or monstrous "non-human form" to unleash a momentary burst of galaxy-class destructive power.
But!
The appearance of this man, in his simple human form, exuded a pressure no less than that of his own "Chairman."
Aside from having no faith in a god—no, it would be more accurate to say "aside from the fact that his faith was not in an Astral God"—he was a true [Grand Monarch]!
If Saint Engraving III was already this formidable, then looking at it from another angle, the Sacred Empire's command structure had at least two more true Grand Monarchs...
It was a terrifying truth.
Mitler gently wiped his beard... when his species was nervous, they would secrete a mucus from gland-like organs in their lower jaw.
He then quickly adjusted his mindset.
Among the civilizations invited to the [Great Attractor Substrate], most were at the [Emissary] level (a civilization with an Emissary was already considered top-tier). The total number of Grand Monarchs was less than ten (though over 1000 civilizations were in attendance). Each one required the IPC to show sufficient sincerity. After all, to a civilization, an Astral God was more a symbol of faith and a source of power; the Grand Monarch was the true ruler.
Not to mention the identity of the man before him was far more important than any other.
But!
Just as Mitler approached with an expression that, to the [Architects], looked somewhat "obsequious"...
Deng.
The man's narrowed eyes slowly opened a crack.
At the center of his vertical pupils, which swirled with a purple-black mist, a golden rhomboid pattern flashed and vanished. Mitler froze in place as if petrified. The distance between him and the bottom step of the star-gate was...
Exactly 11 meters.
"—"
The guards from [The Architects] felt nothing amiss.
The motionless Mitler, however, his expression of shock now morphed into one of terror, watched as this "Saint Engraving III" slowly turned to the side... and bowed deeply toward the empty steps of the star-gate.
Deng.
Beyond the gate, a涤荡of gold washed over everything. A sense of solemnity and sanctity instantly flooded the spiritual worlds of all non-Imperials. As if answering some silent call, they all lowered their bodies as much as possible toward the brilliance emerging from the gate.
This phenomenon did not just occur in the welcoming hall of the [Great Attractor Substrate]. Every individual with self-awareness within a three-astronomical-unit radius performed the exact same action!
After the long daze ended, the first thing Mitler saw when he looked up—
Made him choose to prostrate himself flat on the ground.
---o---
A fine, smooth black braid, long enough to reach her waist, was tipped with a deep purple that shimmered with the properties of both Imaginary and Quantum energy, as if dip-dyed. Her eyes, like diamonds erupting with rainbow light, shone so brightly they seemed to peer directly into one's soul. Her slender figure was gently draped in a floor-length, light-blue formal gown.
Mitler recognized this "human female," but at this very moment, he wished he had no idea who stood before him:
The "Chief Diplomat" of the Sacred Empire, the first among the Saints, Saint Engraving I: "Pillar of the Firmament"—
Zi.
"..."
The truth was too terrifying.
Before meeting "Pillar of the Abyss," no civilization or faction, including the [Interastral Peace Corporation], had ever doubted what they thought they knew about the strength of the Sacred Empire's "Saint Engraving I." This impeccably polite "Saint Engraving I," who had secured several heavyweight allies for the Empire in its early days, was seen by the general populace as just an "ordinary" [Imperial Saint] and [Emissary of Order].
The common consensus was that she held the position of "First among Saints" more due to her status as the "Empress."
Now, it seemed... that this situation was abnormal in itself!
Mitler was certain he had been deceived. His initial assessment of "Pillar of the Abyss" was based on this flawed premise, leading to his error. In any top-tier civilization, a noble status inevitably meant great strength. Those ranked higher might not be overwhelmingly stronger, but they had to be at least on the same level.
In conclusion, this "Lady Zi," who had always appeared harmless, even making people subconsciously overlook her [Emissary] status, made Mitler increasingly certain of his speculation—
The "I-III" engravings of the Imperial Saints all belonged to true Grand Monarchs!
This was a terrifying thought. But something even more terrifying followed.
Bowing slightly to a [Grand Monarch] was not shameful; after all, his role as Executive Director was meant for "judging a book by its cover." But performing a full prostration, a "fierce tiger descending the mountain," before a [Grand Monarch] from another faction was going too far. In terms of etiquette, there was no difference between one Grand Monarch and two.
What kind of personage would be worthy of an [Emissary] showing such heartfelt reverence or fear?
Mitler didn't know him, but his sharp mind couldn't be wrong: it had been mentioned that "Zi" was rumored to be the "Empress." In other words, the being whose arm she was holding at a formal occasion—
Platinum-gold, medium-length hair cascaded down his back. His eyes were as deep and bottomless as a sea of stars.
Mitler only caught a glimpse, but it was more than enough. In fact, it was so much that it bordered on disrespect!
After all... that was the Order Grand Monarch, the Astral God of the Material World, the One Who Erased Destruction, the Walker Against the River of Time, the Physician to the Cancer of All Worlds, the Deifier, the ruler of the Sacred Empire—
The Monarch.
---o---
"Your Excellency Mitler."
Little Zi and the Monarch slowly descended the steps. As they reached the fifth step, Little Zi gently released the Monarch's right arm and spoke to Mitler, who seemed to be acting "overly formal" below.
"Why the great ceremony? Little Bai is not your Astral God."
Some nicknames must be filtered out by the ears... Mitler thought. He could not listen, and dared not remember.
"No!" he exclaimed. "This ceremony is far too simple! To be in the presence of the Monarch, I beg your forgiveness!"
It was impossible not to be afraid. Mitler was an old fox who had lived for tens of thousands of years. He had participated in the "Ten Thousand Year War" between the [Interastral Peace Corporation] and the [Antimatter Legion] countless eons ago (back then, he was still a hot-blooded soldier among [The Architects]). In that war, where neither side's Astral God appeared in the material world, the purely "mortal" conflict had given him a profound understanding of the [Antimatter Legion]'s strength, and just how terrifying its leader, "Grand Monarch Annihilation," truly was.
Such an existence, such a power, had been almost single-handedly annihilated by the "Monarch" before him. Grand Monarch Annihilation died at his hands, and the Antimatter Legion fell apart, reduced to its current pathetic state.
Unlike the new mid-level managers in the IPC who were only a thousand or so years old, Mitler, who was often secretly mocked by the younger generation, understood the ways of the world perfectly. "Face" was something given by others. The true purpose of this worthless thing was to hand it over to a more important figure when the time came.
"Mr. Mitler."
A voice that seemed to cleanse the soul of all its impurities entered Mitler's mind, as pleasant as a spring breeze.
Mitler couldn't believe that a strange voice would address him by name on such an occasion, let alone that it would come from this great personage—
It was as ludicrous as a new [Pathstrider] suddenly hearing the "teachings" of an Astral God and being directly promoted to [Emissary].
"I am Bai."
"I have come here by invitation."
"I must trouble Your Excellency to lead me to the conference hall... I hope I have not missed the start of the meeting."