For a while, Cael and Liu Shu discussed back and forth, both sides throwing out ideas and outcomes that would satisfy both sides. Cael, while following here as Elyne's protector, was a Covenant person. At the end of the day, he needed to maintain the Covenant's political interests and make sure that things didn't get over-escalated.
On the other hand, Liu Shu argued in favor of a more ruthless war. She wanted to destroy as many Moon-Types as possible, and if the chance arose, she aimed to destroy both World-Types as well.
"As I explained, you can't do that, Liu Shu. This is not a situation like those in the past. Even if, by some miracle, you managed to annihilate everything without a single trace, the Nexus won't ignore it. There are two Star Lords. Revered people who have influence in the military and political complex of the grand Abyssal Void Nexus Empire."
Liu Shu was silent for a few moments, her mind spinning as she gathered and compared her knowledge. "This… Sigh. Then, what about this?"
Cael listened to her suggestion and crossed his arms. He unfurled some maps and pointed, discussing back and forth with Liu Shu.
The rest paid attention from the sidelines, having been reduced to spectators while the two military powerhouses discussed in detail.
"... This can work."
Liu Shu, satisfied that Cael's face finally gained a touch of approval, spoke enthusiastically. "Alright. Let's start then. We'll use their position to our advantage and place them between a rock and a hard place."
***
Meanwhile, Altherion and Vaarn's ships streaked across the void and finally arrived at Nualis. Their landing was silent, the ships using the little space they found to land.
Once there, Altherion stepped out with the others. Since they were at the South Pole, the temperature was relatively cold. He warned. "If you find natives, don't interact. If they attack and you feel threatened, you are allowed to fight back. Otherwise, do not upset the balance and intimidate them."
Draevin added. "Beyond what Star Lord ordered, keep in mind not to attack Life Trees or World Trees. I understand that you don't want to leave those scourges free, but if we do something and it somehow gets out, we'll all get in trouble."
The Nexus's naturally wouldn't leave World Trees or Life Trees alive. Nevertheless, exterminating them indiscriminately could cause severe backlash both individually and politically. To begin with, Ceperet's battle for supremacy between both sides started because the Nexus arrived at Ceperet and attacked some of the local World Trees.
If those people had been clever and instead reported back, the Nexus could've arrived with a fleet and taken control of the Ceperet Solar System. This blunder was something that was taught in some strategy schools, even a few thousand years after the fact.
Everyone was taught about it, so Altherion was sure that there wouldn't be any problems. The man looked around, taking in the landscape in front of him. The air was chilly, with white clouds drifting along the blue sky. Below the sky, a large ocean extended with no end in sight. 'How good nature would be if those pests didn't take over the place each time?'
Altherion snorted, disdain for World Trees and other flora ingrained deep in his bones. 'We must start with cleansing these weeds, or else, nothing can be done. And now, the weed that calls itself Tianlian Liu Shu is in line.'
"What are you looking at?"
Vaarn appeared behind him. The man's body was not as one would expect. His skin was sickly white, his eyes sunken, and parts of his flesh missing, revealing the white bone below. He, due to certain circumstances, was reanimated with his own ego and soul. His race was far from being human, having changed into
The
Altherion didn't look over and spoke. "I am looking at Nature."
Vaarn burst into hoarse laughter. "You speak like those tree-huggers. Are you secretly allied with World Trees?"
Altherion was accustomed to the man's way of speaking, so he was calm. "No. I was thinking about how good Nature would be without those annoying plants."
Vaarn glanced over, his tall body leaning a bit as he thought. "I am unsure how it would be better. A rotten area is better for me, either way. The scent of nature makes my nose itch."
"What nose?"
Vaarn was momentarily surprised and then burst into laughter. "So even the famous Altherion makes jokes!"
Altherion didn't answer, maintaining his initial stance. Vaarn spoke, curious. "Why are you feeling nervous? This is not like you."
Both became silent before Altherion spoke. "I have a bad feeling about this. The disappearance of the Moon-Type 34, those few odd comets that changed directions, and now this world's atmosphere. Can't you feel it?"
Vaarn shook his head. "What about this world? Isn't it just a primitive world?"
"The air is clean. The essence of the world is churning." Altherion squinted his eyes. "The feeling is similar to that of worlds that have tragically fallen under World Tree governance."
Vaarn couldn't feel anything Altherion was speaking about. But he didn't dismiss it. After all, Altherion was famous for being quite accurate with his instincts. After pondering, he suggested. "We can approach one of the top powerhouses of this world and ask about it. It shouldn't take longer than a few hours to find them."
Altherion shook his head. "Leave it. Our strength is far too high. Moreover, this primitive world has not been under an interstellar power's influence. Therefore, the language must be unique to this world."
Vaarn shrugged. "Up to you. When are we leaving?"
Altherion glanced behind, and seeing people stretching, smiling, and chatting, he commented. "Give it a week. We are not in a rush either way. This week can help us cleanse our minds of interstellar travel. After all, we are safe here."
Vaarn grinned. "Let's hope everyone behaves. Who knows if some rogue bastards go out to have a taste of the local… beauties. Hahaha!"
Altherion frowned deeply. "I hope that's a joke. Or do some of your subordinates behave that way?"
Vaarn turned around and left, answering as he moved. "Who knows? I don't check what those bastards do in enemy territories. As long as my army's morale is high, what does it matter to hurt a few feelings? The only rule I have is no unnecessary killing!"
Looking at the undead's back, Altherion's silver eyes flashed with a few emotions. In the end, his gaze relaxed, and he shook his head. 'Not my problem, I guess.'
"Marisella."
The woman appeared by his side. "Yes, Star Lord?"
"Keep an eye out for people leaving the area. If anyone leaves without permission, you can catch them and punish them."
Marisella nodded. They had been nearby when their leaders spoke, so their conversation fell in their ears as well.
A woman from Vaarn's side followed behind Marisella and grinned at her. "Are you going to act like a good girl and not let us enjoy ourselves?"
Marisella looked sideways with a scowl. "Ireliane, you are also under supervision. I heard that last time you were punished with a year's salary because you forced five men until they died."
Ireliane grinned. "It's not my fault that their hips are so fragile." She spoke regretfully. "I even lost a few thousand Experience Points when I came back from my high. It felt like a bucket of cold water poured down my head, you know? What a killjoy!"
Marisella shook her head when she felt Ireliane's arms go around her waist, her chin resting on her shoulder. "Say, I wouldn't mind having some fun with you. Your hips are not that fragile, right?"
"Sorry, but I am not interested."
"Are you still trying to woo Star Lord Altherion?" Ireliane mocked. "That man's heart only beats when fulfilling his duties. Moreover, after his wife died, leaving that child behind…"
"I know." Marisella sighed and interrupted. "If I could, I would've raised Eryndis myself. Star Lord Altherion was just too stubborn. After he avenges her, I will try again."
"Oh… So boring."
Ireliane separated and trotted toward others, approaching them with smirks. Eventually, Marisella saw her drag three men and one woman who knew where.
Whatever, not my problem. Selkor, come help me!" Marisella shook her head and went to complete her duties, calling one of her
While they all moved about their day, Liu Shu observed everything from a safe distance. 'Not attacking anymore was the correct option. Now, I can use this week to collect intelligence. I am sure that there will be people spilling secrets here and there.'
She had placed most of her consciousness in this place, her mind processing and accepting all the words spoken between them. She didn't even look away when they were doing intimate things, separating emotion from reason.
The way she observed these people was through the lens of being enemies for her to kill. Hence, the concept of privacy or anything similar didn't exist.
No one in the Nexus's army would've ever believed that the World Tree was not only awake, but she also had A Tier and above skills for observation, with titles boosting her processing ability beyond measure.
'I have around 24,000,000 Experience Points. How much can this level me up? I guess that I should Level Up as much as possible before battle, shouldn't I? Can I even reach Level 110? If I can't, I will become a larger target without actually gaining enough stats to compensate with…'
Liu Shu was hesitant. 'The Experience Points needed to Level Up are becoming increasingly crazy. No wonder people need hundreds if not thousands of years to Level Up to the
With a sigh, she eventually decided not to Level Up. After all, the increase in Experience from Level to Level would only increase. Twenty-four million was not enough to reach Level 110, even if Experience didn't increase per level.
Her eyes moved toward her Level in the system page.
Level: 101 [0/3,905,890]
"Yeah, not a chance."
For the following week, Liu Shu knew the details of almost everyone important. Nothing confidential was said, but interpersonal relationships and the origins and reasons for their expedition were uncovered.
After sharing everything with Cael, Liu Shu was confident that the plan they worked out together would work.
"Alright, time to give them a knock."
Aether Mana and Anima Energy gathered, then Liu Shu's presence descended in Nualis.
"Combination skill…
…
Countless giant tendrils grasped the space enveloping the entire army, and then, it was permanently shattered.
CRASH!