Chapter 1011: No Nonsense, Just Beat You Up (Revised)

Chapter 1011: No Empty Formalities With You, Just a Straight Beating (Revised)

The Shining World, Dawn Star Cluster.

This was a zone under the Legion’s absolute control, the very first gateway into the Shining World, where the influx of countless factional fleets had suddenly breathed a hundredfold vitality into the cluster, slowly transmuting this fresh frontier into a thriving interstellar society.

Nowadays, the Shining World was a landscape ripe with profit, every star cluster suffering from a massive deficit of enterprise, leaving it entirely to the foreign powers to choose where they would plant their flags.

The transit hubs at the sector’s entrance promised colossal margins; the moment many factions and interstellar citizens crossed the threshold, they scattered toward these entryway stations in search of opportunity and contracts, while still more powers pressed onward in separate columns, racing to stake claims in the deeper clusters ahead.

Among them, the Modo Civilization’s armada counted itself among those bound for the rear clusters, its sights set on developing the territories of the third and fourth phases.

The reasoning was simple: the further back the cluster, the shorter its development window, meaning not only were the commercial deficits across all sectors far greater, but the Empire’s grip was also looser than in the early-phase clusters—a consideration of paramount importance to super-cluster civilizations.

The super-cluster civilizations knew full well that the Empire would never allow them to expand in comfort, which was why nearly all of them had largely abandoned any notion of stirring trouble in the first and second phase territories, turning their gaze instead to the ongoing fourth-phase initiative.

By now, any sensible observer could see that the clusters slated for fourth-phase exploration would become the primary arena of competition for the foreign powers.

Within the command bridge of the flagship, a towering figure stood before the console, gazing up at the stellar map; his features were sharply chiseled, radiating a cold, unyielding austerity, his expression grave and his lips pressed into a thin, tight line.

Rodick, a senior general of the Modo Civilization, currently served as the supreme commander of the Expeditionary Fleet.

The Expeditionary Fleet was the designation of this armada, a newly commissioned formation assembled by the Modo Civilization specifically for the Shining World, drawing upon a vast pool of elites; that Rodick had risen above the rest to lead this crucial, mission-laden force spoke volumes of the high command’s expectations.

"Your Excellency Commander, how much longer until we traverse the first and second phase zones?" a Modo official in administrative uniform spoke from nearby.

The man was a senior civil servant of the Modo Civilization, his name transliterated into the cosmic common tongue as Lagos, serving as the Expeditionary Fleet’s inspector with the duty of overseeing Rodick.

Lagos wielded no direct authority and, under normal circumstances, could not interfere with Rodick’s command; his primary responsibilities were to report to the high command, maintain contact with the temporary rear stronghold established in the Shattered Star Ring, and manage resource and troop resupply—functioning much like a political commissar, a civil counterpart to Rodick’s martial role.

Hearing the inspector’s query, Rodick kept his eyes fixed on the star cluster, not turning his head as he replied in a low, steady voice: "The first and second phases have enjoyed the longest construction periods; the Crimson Empire and its allies have long since established a complete network of inter-cluster transit corridors, making travel highly convenient. In roughly seventeen days, we should reach the third phase territory, with most of that time spent in the transit belts between star gates."

As he spoke, Rodick narrowed his eyes slightly, adding: "Truthfully, the fastest route would cut through the Golu Cluster. The Black Star Legion’s territories are linked in a straight line by star gates, offering even smoother passage and sparing us considerable transit time. But as you well know, the risk of crossing through the Black Star Legion’s domain is far too great. We cannot gamble on it; we must take the detour."

"A bitter harvest of our own sowing, I suppose," Lagos sighed, his tone laced with resignation.

The Modo Civilization knew precisely where it stood, acutely aware that the Kundu affair had already earned them the Empire’s enmity, and fully cognizant that the Empire would target them within the Shining World.

The preferred route to the rear clusters would indeed have been through the Black Star Legion’s domain, but Rodick dared not even approach the Golu Cluster, forcing them to detour along a more obscure and seldom-used star gate route.

Shaking his head, Lagos continued: "The Empire may very well dispatch forces to strike us proactively. We must remain vigilant."

"I am aware. It is precisely because the military understands this that they have equipped the Expeditionary Fleet with such formidable escort strength. We have no shortage of armed warships and high-tier espers; an armada of this scale would be more than sufficient to wage a full interstellar war."

"Hmm, a fair point..." Lagos mused, then added: "Yet within the Shining World, the Empire would never dare send its regular military to assault foreign factions like ours. If anyone comes, it will undoubtedly be imperial allies."

Rodick furrowed his brow. "Ordinary foes do not concern me. I fear the arrival of a Beyond Grade A. They are exceedingly difficult to handle."

"You need not worry on that front. The high command has already reached private agreements with several Beyond Grade A entities who will lend us their aid," Lagos replied with a faint smile, his demeanor exuding quiet confidence.

"Who are they?"

Rodick was hardly surprised; short-term transactions between super-cluster civilizations and Beyond Grade A entities were hardly novel, constituting a lucrative line of business for many of those supreme powers.

With the Shining World holding such critical stakes, no super-cluster civilization would arrive unprepared. They had all poured immense resources into hiring top-tier combatants, filling the coffers of several Beyond Grade A figures to bursting, with many accepting contracts from multiple patrons simultaneously.

"The interstellar black market faction, represented by the Beast Ancestor and the Secret Master, along with several neutral Beyond Grade A figures... Ah, and a few from the Radiance and the Void Spirit have also struck private deals with us... Heh, I suspect there are directives from their upper echelons behind this. They wish to use us as a blade, drawing the Empire’s gaze and draining their stamina." At these final words, Lagos could not suppress a cold sneer.

The ambitions of the Radiance and the Void Spirit were an open secret; the super-cluster civilization did not mind being used as a pawn, for the arrangement served their immediate interests as well.

"Even with allies, we must first cross the explored territories of the first and second phases. I fear the Empire will strike before then," Rodick said grimly. "Bear in mind, most factions are taking the Black Star Legion’s route. Few allies are detouring as we are."

"A hired Beyond Grade A is currently approaching from our rear, tasked specifically with our protection. The high command persuaded him to take the detour with substantial incentives."

"Who is it?"

"A neutral Beyond Grade A from the Black Hole Frontier, Garoze, known by the epithet Head of the Golems."

"That summoner? I have heard of him."

Rodick manipulated the stellar map with a few commands, and the positional marker for Garoze’s fleet illuminated, trailing at a respectful distance just behind the Expeditionary Fleet.

The sight eased a considerable weight from his mind.

"In that case, we need not fear any ambush," Rodick said, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes as he spoke coldly: "With our martial strength, should the Empire dare send anyone, it remains to be seen who will be hunting whom."

Just then, a communication request chimed through the console—an incoming transmission from the Three Kings of the Modo Civilization.

Both men straightened instantly, their expressions turning solemn as they accepted the link, and three figures materialized upon the virtual screen.

"Your Excellencies, the Three Kings," the pair saluted immediately.

"What is the current situation?" the Modo patriarch, one of the Three Kings, inquired in a deep, measured tone.

The Expeditionary Fleet had only recently entered the Shining World; for the civilization’s sovereigns to inquire so soon seemed unduly impatient, yet the strategic weight of this realm for a super-cluster civilization was simply too monumental. This was their chance for a complete reversal of fortune, and no amount of caution could be deemed excessive.

Moreover, having long since provoked the Empire’s wrath and now venturing deep into its territory, the Three Kings of Modo could hardly sit still.

"We are still en route," Rodick answered with formal gravity.

"Have you encountered any complications?"

"All proceeds normally."

"Good. Regardless of what arises, the protection of the logistics convoy must remain your paramount priority," the Modo patriarch instructed.

The armed warships existed solely to shield the supply train; the logistics vessels carried the heavy materiel, the essential resources and machinery required to develop the sector. Warships could be expended, but should those vital assets be compromised, disaster would follow. Though resupply could be arranged from the temporary rear base in the Shattered Star Ring, the delays would severely cripple their development and construction pace.

Every faction within the Shining World was a rival; to fall a single step behind was to bleed profusely, which would in turn unravel the Modo Civilization’s grand strategy.

Rodick nodded in understanding, his face stern as he replied with solemn conviction:

"Rest assured, Your Excellencies. I will not let the enemy succeed..."

A deafening detonation!

The words had barely left his lips when the entire flagship shuddered violently, sending bridge crewmen crashing to the deck!

Rodick himself staggered, seizing the edge of the console to steady himself, shock and fury warring across his features.

"What is happening?!"

"Report, Commander! Multiple unidentified fleets are closing in at high velocity and have opened fire on our position!"

The radar displays lit up as armadas materialized simultaneously from all directions, their numbers vast, forming a tightening encirclement as their cannons unleashed a storm of ordnance.

Worse still, the alarms warned that the adversary had seeded the area with numerous spatial stabilization anchors; they had blundered straight into a snare, their warp state abruptly severed. The violent tremor stemmed from this sudden deceleration, a force so immense that even the ship’s internal inertial dampeners could not fully absorb the shock, leaving countless crewmen sprawled in disarray.

"We are still some distance from the next star gate. An ambush?!" Lagos exclaimed, utterly stunned.

They had only just been discussing the possibility of an attack, and now the enemy had arrived on cue, as if their very words had conjured them into being.

"What is the enemy’s identity?" Rodick barked.

"U-unknown, sir. Their vessels are standard universal models, and their outer armor bears no insignia. We cannot determine which faction they belong to," the sensor officer replied, his face pale with tension.

The transmission with the Three Kings remained active, and they too witnessed the unfolding crisis, their brows knitting together in unison.

The Modo patriarch’s expression turned grave, his voice dropping to a steely command: "Rodick, I leave this in your hands. You must repel them."

"Understood." Rodick’s demeanor hardened with resolve as he immediately assumed direct command, a rapid succession of orders flowing from his lips.

The Expeditionary Fleet reacted instantly, contracting its formation to shield the logistics convoy while returning fire with disciplined volleys. The two armadas clashed in a brutal exchange, their scales roughly matched, though the Modo forces even held a slight numerical advantage.

Rodick demonstrated masterful tactical orchestration, and within moments, the Modo lines stabilized, weathering the initial storm.

Though caught in a trap, Rodick made no attempt to break out; instead, he dug in for a war of attrition.

His confidence stemmed partly from the superior firepower of his own escort fleet, and partly from the Beyond Grade A entity, Garoze, trailing closely behind; once Garoze arrived on the battlefield, they could leverage that supreme advantage to launch a devastating counteroffensive.

Rodick’s combat style was fierce and unforgiving, a man who repaid every slight with blood; mid-conversation with His Excellency the Three Kings, a sudden enemy strike sent his fury surging like wildfire, and rather than flee, he far preferred to crush the attackers.

“I’ll have Garoze join the fray at once.” Lagos, snapping back to his senses, hastily drew his communicator and stepped aside to summon reinforcements.

“Good, make it quick.” Rodick sneered. “Whoever they are, they won’t be leaving easily now that they’re here.”

……

Meanwhile, not far away, Garoze’s fleet also detected the ambush upon the Modo Civilization’s forces.

“Someone actually attacked them? I thought it was just persecution paranoia.”

Within the command chamber, Garoze could not help but mutter under his breath.

This was hardly his first contract with a Super Star Cluster civilization; as a neutral Super A-Class without a patron, such commissions were his lifeblood, and beyond the Modo, he simultaneously served six or seven other factions, tasked with shielding their expeditionary forces.

The foreign powers vying for dominance in the Shining World would never shy away from martial force; everyone knew this realm would soon become a mercenary’s paradise, drawing even numerous Super A-Classes into the fray.

“Your Excellency Garoze, what are your orders? Shall we rush to their aid?” his adjutant asked at his side.

Garoze nodded; having taken their coin, he was bound to ward off their calamity, and he harbored no objections.

Yet just as he prepared to issue the command, the sharp chime of an incoming transmission suddenly pierced the room.

“Beep, beep, beep!”

Garoze glanced down, and a look of sheer astonishment instantly crossed his face.

It was his private communicator that was ringing!

Who could possibly be calling at a moment like this?

Drawing the device and casting a single look at the screen, Garoze’s pupils contracted sharply.

The caller ID displayed upon the screen belonged to none other than Black Star!

Their paths had never truly crossed before; they had only met briefly at the Pantheon Conference, where they had exchanged private frequencies.

I wonder what he could possibly want with me…

Suppressing his bewilderment, Garoze stepped aside, opened the channel, and asked with measured caution:

“Your Excellency Black Star, to what do I owe this call?”

“There is indeed a favor I require of you.” Han Xiao’s chuckle drifted through the receiver.

“Name it.”

“I need you to stand aside and do nothing.”

“Stand aside? What do you me—”

Garoze failed to grasp it for a moment, then his expression shifted abruptly as sudden comprehension struck.

“The fleet assaulting the Modo Civilization… could it be…”

Han Xiao cut him off, his voice calm as he asked, “Can you do it?”

A bitter taste rose in Garoze’s throat; with the Black Star Army involved, matters would hardly remain simple, and the Modo Civilization was likely doomed—he wanted no part in this mess.

Yet, positioned at the very edge of the battlefield, refusing to act would undoubtedly tarnish his reputation.

Garoze’s face tightened with reluctance. “Your Excellency Black Star, I have already accepted the Modo’s commission; to simply stand idle would hardly be justifiable.”

Han Xiao’s expression remained impassive as he spoke in a flat, quiet tone.

“This is beyond your capacity to meddle in. If you wish to avoid trouble, step back quietly.”

With that, without waiting for a reply, he severed the connection.

On my turf, you play by my rules; Han Xiao had no patience for negotiations with the Modo Civilization—he was here to crush them, plain and simple!

What, you disagree? Fine, then stay out of the Shining World if you dare!

The Army had cultivated its roots in the Shining World for so long, standing now as the paramount power; if they did not assert dominance, who possibly could?!

Garoze’s breath caught, hidden astonishment rippling through him; in his memory, Black Star was a diplomatic, exceedingly amiable figure, yet this time, his tone carried a rare, unyielding hardness.

It seems the situation is far graver than I imagined; with my modest standing, rushing in blindly would likely break me.

And then there was Black Star’s veiled threat; to dismiss it lightly would be to follow in that seven-eyed fool’s footsteps, wouldn’t it? Garoze could not suppress a shiver.

At that moment, his adjutant approached and asked, “Your Excellency, Lagos is pressing for action. Shall I issue the order?”

Garoze hesitated for a few seconds, then suddenly waved his hand. “Offer no aid. We watch from here.”

The adjutant started in surprise, but seeing Garoze’s resolute stance, he swallowed his confusion and ordered the fleet to hold position at the battlefield’s fringe, reduced to mere spectators.

“Sigh, a loss this time.” Garoze offered a bitter, inward smile.

He was but an unremarkable Super A-Class, utterly incapable of provoking a titan of Black Star’s caliber, whether in personal might or factional influence.

Being forced to retreat by a handful of words was deeply humiliating; Garoze possessed the pride of a powerhouse, and he had no desire to cower.

Yet, facing the overwhelmingly formidable Black Star, his spine simply refused to stiffen!

Having stepped into the Super A-Class realm years ago with little progress since, Garoze had long known his limits and harbored zero desire to provoke a peak-tier entity—as a neutral party without backing, anyone wishing him dead would face no repercussions whatsoever!

Moreover, at the recent Pantheon Conference, Black Star had assumed the mantle of maintaining the communication network for all Super A-Classes; that title alone compelled Garoze to yield him face, paving the way to cling to his coattails in the future.

……

Seconds bled into minutes as the expeditionary fleet and their ambushers clashed in a brutal deadlock, the battle grinding to a stalemate.

The flagship’s command center was a whirlwind of activity; after barking several orders and finally stealing a breath, Rodick whirled around and roared at Lagos:

“What in the void is happening with Garoze? We’re losing the tactical window—why isn’t he here yet?!”

Lagos, drenched in sweat, stammered, “They’ve just stopped dead. I’ve urged them repeatedly, but they refuse to engage. I… I have no idea why!”

With reinforcements faltering mere steps away, he stood utterly dumbfounded, his mind reeling in incomprehension.

“Outsiders are completely unreliable!”

Consumed by rage, Rodick slammed his fist upon the console. “We wait no longer! All units, alter tactics and smash through their formation!”

Yet before the order could be transmitted, chaos erupted without warning!

The Modo Civilization’s logistics convoy, heavily shielded by armed escorts, suddenly plunged into turmoil.

Logistics vessels went mad, ramming aside surrounding warships and scattering in every direction, instantly throwing their own ranks into disarray!

“What is happening?!”

Rodick’s complexion paled drastically; with the vital supply line compromised, panic seized him instantly.

“R-report! The operational AIs of those logistics ships have been breached and are out of control. We’ve lost all contact with their crews!”

Reality crashed over Rodick like a tidal wave; fury ignited within him, his teeth grinding as he forced the words through clenched jaws:

“Damn it all… a Super A-Class Virtual Mechanic!”