Chapter 983: Behind-the-Scenes Planner

Chapter 983: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

The Kunder War took place in the Shining World. The Empire kept the course of the war classified and issued no public statements, so this event failed to stir up any ripples in the explored universe, drawing little attention from the masses.

Only a few special factions paid deliberate attention to it.

The Old Star River, the Planet of the Three Kings.

This was one of the landmark planets of the Old Star River, serving as the capital world of the Mordo Civilization.

The Mordo Civilization, also known as the Mordo Three Kings Federation, was one of the four super star cluster-level civilizations that dominated the Old Star River.

The Three Kings Federation referred to the national condition of the Mordo Civilization, dating back to the Exploration Era.

Back then, the dominant species of the Mordo Civilization consisted solely of the Mordos. During the wars of the Exploration Era, they attempted to annex the other two powerful civilizations by force. However, lacking the overwhelming crushing power the Empire held over the Kunder, they could only nibble away at their territories bit by bit.

The war dragged on endlessly, while all three sides faced other enemies watching them like hungry wolves from the outside. Plagued by internal strife and external threats, the three factions chose to cease hostilities and make peace. They all made compromises and concessions; even the most powerful Mordos did not have to return all the territories they had conquered.

Thus, the borders of the three factions met. After trade and daily exchanges resumed, the three species began to live together in mixed communities, showing a clear trend toward integration.

Later, the situation in the Exploration Era wars grew increasingly perilous. The Mordos and their two old rivals both found themselves struggling. Given their adjacent territories, the three sides watched each other's backs. After prolonged negotiations, they ultimately decided to form an alliance, looking out for one another in a bid to survive the treacherous wars of the Exploration Era.

As the flames of war spread and time passed, the three factions gradually expanded outward, with their territories, technology, economy, and military all reaching star cluster-level standards. Moreover, none of the three harbored xenophobic ideologies. During the protracted external wars, the integration of their species became increasingly evident, and their upper echelons engaged in a certain degree of intermarriage and political alliances.

Had they developed normally, these three factions might have evolved into united yet scheming rivals, much like the three Universal Civilizations. But they were not the victors of the Exploration Era; they had to abide by the rules set by the three Universal Civilizations, which forbade everyone from fighting any longer.

After the war ended, the division of spoils followed. The advanced civilizations that survived in the major star regions finally began to establish order. To secure their status in the new era, every advanced civilization became exceedingly active on the diplomatic and political stages.

At that time in the Old Star River, three super star cluster-level civilizations were the most powerful, establishing a program dominated by themselves. The Mordos and the other two factions were merely star cluster-level then, lacking the qualification to secure seats as star region administrators.

The three factions deliberated and reasoned: since you slept with my brother and I married your sister, we are practically one family; our territories are contiguous, and our species have integrated quite well. Why not just merge? Only then would they have a chance to claim the title of a super star cluster-level civilization, granting them significantly greater influence.

Upon hearing this, the other star cluster-level civilizations immediately objected—Oh, so you three want to merge? Should we merge too? Isn't this just playing dirty!

Examples of peaceful mergers between civilizations were rare, though not entirely unheard of during the Exploration Era.

A peaceful merger required a foundation, and the three Mordo factions possessed exactly that. They had maintained a political alliance for years, advancing and retreating as one. Their species were highly integrated, with the mixed-blood population accounting for twenty-four percent of the total. Their economies and cultures were thoroughly intertwined, leading many outsiders to regard them as a single entity long ago.

Ultimately, after a series of complex maneuvers, the application for the merger of the Mordo Civilization was approved by the three Universal Civilizations. This established a system of joint rule by three leaders, each representing their respective star cluster-level species. The number of super star cluster-level civilizations in the Old Star River increased to four, and the Mordo Civilization became star region administrators as they had wished.

Developing to the present day, the Mordo Civilization had thoroughly solidified its status as a super star cluster-level civilization, standing as a powerful force in the first echelon of the explored universe.

At this very moment, on the capital planet, the Three Kings of the Mordo Civilization gathered together to listen to a report.

"...Intelligence indicates that the Empire has withdrawn its troops, proving that those natives have been dealt with. The operation lasted one hundred and sixteen days, and the Empire's casualties were negligible."

There was only one figure in the conference room. A mixed-blood high-ranking official, clad in an official's uniform, stood in the center of the room, reading the intelligence report to the holographic projections of the Three Kings on the virtual screen.

He was gaunt and sinister, his entire being exuding a chilling aura.

This man was named Madi, a senior official of the Mordo Civilization, responsible for intelligence, covert operations, and similar duties.

Like other super star cluster-level civilizations, the Mordo Civilization had also deployed stowaways into the Shining World, and Madi was the person in charge of the project.

The plan to use the Kunder to inflict casualties on the Crimson Empire was his proposal, and the strategy of having the stowaways deploy crashing ships was also finalized by him.

"Those natives are utterly useless; they couldn't even manage to inflict more casualties on the Empire's troops," one of the leaders said, shaking his head.

"Natives are just natives, after all. We cannot expect too much from them," Madi replied, his face expressionless.

The survival or demise of the Kunder was not even a consideration for him; to him, they were merely a tool to be exploited.

"What are your plans next?"

Madi said indifferently, "I have already ordered the stowaway forces in the Shining World to continue their exploration and scout for the next exploitable native civilization. With this native example, other super star cluster-level civilizations will emulate our methods. This will not only cause more trouble for the Empire but also allow us to use the Empire's hand to eliminate potential future competitors."

"Hmm, it would be best if the Empire doesn't discover that we orchestrated this."

Another leader mused.

"Rest assured, Your Excellencies." A cold sneer tugged at the corner of Madi's mouth. "I have already made the arrangements. There is no way the Empire will ever know who was behind it."

...

Several days later, the dispatched Imperial troops finally escorted the Kunder back to Beacon Star. The Imperial high command had also finalized the disposal plan and notified Han Xiao.

"The Empire has decided to resettle the Kunder in your territory for cultural reformation. During this period, their contact with interstellar society will be severed, and they will be placed under your custody."

Tallrov brought this good news through the communicator. Han Xiao, who was currently teasing Philip, immediately broke into a smile.

"Very well, leave it to me. Please convey my thanks to His Excellency the Sovereign."

Han Xiao nodded. Such a decision proved that the Empire had balanced the opinions of all parties and was willing to let him acquire the Kunder's population resources. Ulan Riel's opinion must have played a crucial role in this.

With this, the first requirement of the quest was basically secured... Han Xiao muttered to himself.

"Yes, someone will coordinate with your Black Star Army when the time comes." Tallrov nodded, then changed the subject. "There is one more thing to tell you. The Empire is investigating the mastermind behind the exploitation of the Kunder, but clues are scarce. The crashed ship was a generic model, and we couldn't trace its factory serial number. We first need to find the stowaways who deployed the ship. We might need your help with this."

"It is my bounden duty." Han Xiao's eyes lit up. Since it concerned the quest, he was more than happy to help.

Identifying the mastermind was a necessary prerequisite for completing the quest. Those stowaways had probably already fled to the unexplored star regions further ahead. Finding them would be like looking for a needle in a haystack; the difficulty was immense.

In this regard, he was afraid he would have to ask Uncle Aesop for help.

Although the quest description was vague, he was certain that relying solely on the Empire's sanctions would never satisfy the second quest requirement. In the end, he would have to rely on himself.

This meant that he would have to go up against an entire star cluster-level or even a super star cluster-level civilization...

Han Xiao's gaze flickered slightly.

There was certainly danger, but he wasn't without advantages. After all, the three Universal Civilizations loved nothing more than bullying these super star cluster-level civilizations.

So, perhaps it wouldn't be a problem if I went a bit overboard... Han Xiao mused inwardly.

"By the way, the live broadcast of the Kunder high command is about to begin. They will mention you. Want to watch it together?" Old Ta spoke up then.

"Sure."

Han Xiao gathered his thoughts and nodded.

...

At the same time, aboard the Kunder flagship.

An Imperial Intelligence Bureau agent, draped in a crimson officer's uniform and wearing black gloves, walked into the Kunder leader's cell and tossed down a document.

The Kunder leader, who had been resting his eyes against the wall, slowly opened them. He picked up the document before him and began to leaf through it slowly.

He read it carefully from beginning to end before closing the document and speaking slowly:

"So this is the ending you have prepared for me? I will cooperate fully."

"I know, but we still need some insurance." The Imperial Intelligence agent, his face expressionless, reached out and pressed his hand against the Kunder leader's head, implanting a cluster of psionic bombs.

This would not affect the Kunder leader's independent consciousness, but it allowed for remote control of his thoughts at any time, preventing him from reneging.

"I have already made an agreement with Lord Black Star. I won't do anything out of line. This is entirely unnecessary."

The Kunder leader shook his head.

The Imperial Intelligence agent did not reply, but said in a deep voice, "Follow me. It is time. The live broadcast is ready."

Exhaling slowly, the Kunder leader stood up and lowered his head to carefully adjust his clothes.

He spent a full minute adjusting them, ensuring not a single speck of dust was visible on his attire, before finally raising his head again. He strode out of the cell to meet his impending death.

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