Though wary of the Kryptonian Empire's deterrent power, Empress Lilandra had no intention of giving up just like that. After all, this was the Shi'ar Empire's very symbol of military might.
Even if Gladiator wasn't Shi'ar by blood but a Strontian, in the eyes of everyone in the Shi'ar Empire, the distinction had long since ceased to matter.
"Send a message to the Kryptonian Emperor. See if he knows anything about Kallark's whereabouts."
Empress Lilandra thought for a moment, then spoke.
The entire universe was curious about the enigmatic Kryptonian Emperor. Yet so far, this sovereign had barely made any public appearances, and showed no interest in delivering grand speeches over the territories he'd conquered. He remained deeply shrouded in mystery.
"Your Majesty... we don't actually have a means of contacting the Kryptonian Empire."
The High Council replied awkwardly.
"Why not?"
Empress Lilandra was taken aback.
"It's not just us. The Kree Empire doesn't have it either, nor does the Skrull Empire. No one in the entire universe has a way to contact the Kryptonian Empire. They don't seem to care about diplomatic affairs at all."
The council member answered.
Of course, what they didn't know was that the Kree Empire had once engaged in a reparations deal with the Kryptonian Empire, so the Kree actually did possess their contact information. But having come out on the losing end, the Kree were certainly not about to broadcast that embarrassing episode to anyone.
And so, it became accepted fact that no one knew how to reach the Kryptonian Empire.
As for Esdeath, her stance on the matter was simple: Diplomacy? What do I need diplomacy for? Once I conquer you all, doesn't it just become internal affairs?
The truly terrifying part was that this woman actually had the ability to back up that mindset, which left Zod at times wondering if he'd somehow conjured up the real Esdeath.
"What do we do then?"
Empress Lilandra was at her wit's end. She was, after all, still a new monarch, without much experience to draw upon.
"We could dispatch a diplomat, Your Majesty."
"A diplomat from the Shi'ar Empire? What's he here for?"
Esdeath studied the ship that had been intercepted at the outer perimeter of Kryptonian space, mulling it over.
The Kryptonian Empire might not have the most advanced navigation technology, but that didn't mean they were powerless to watch foreign fleets come barreling straight in.
Zod was now capable of producing a new generation of Kryptonian vessels that integrated Kryptonian ship technology. His quark-level matter manipulation ability allowed him to manufacture ships faster than any factory could.
The exterior bore a striking resemblance to the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter—though the scale was entirely different, as were the weapons.
In terms of size, a Nighthawk could only hold a handful of people. The new Kryptonian ship, designated the "Talon," could accommodate over five hundred.
The Shi'ar Empire's vessel, now surrounded by dozens of Talons, didn't dare make a single move.
"What is this? I thought the Kryptonian Empire's ship technology was supposed to be subpar?"
The Shi'ar diplomat was stunned. They had gotten this close before the Talons suddenly materialized around them.
The Shi'ar Empire's much-vaunted detection technology hadn't picked up a single trace.
What did that mean?
It meant the Kryptonian Empire's ship technology was far beyond anything they'd imagined!
At the same time, he anxiously awaited a response from the Kryptonian Empire. If they couldn't be bothered to talk and simply opened fire, wiping him out—well, there'd be no one to complain to.
After all, he wasn't one of the Shi'ar people proper, just a diplomat from a subject race.
The Shi'ar Empire had chosen someone like him—an outsider diplomat—precisely with the risks in mind.
If he died, they could simply pretend it never happened and sidestep the danger of open war with the Kryptonian Empire.
Even if the Kryptonians captured him, the Shi'ar side could simply deny he'd ever been sent by them.
"What's going on?"
Zod sensed someone had entered the range of his telepathy and addressed Esdeath directly.
"A diplomat from the Shi'ar Empire has arrived. But he's not Shi'ar himself. Not sure if this is legitimate—why don't we just shoot it down?"
Esdeath spoke with eager anticipation. Stirring up a war was, for Esdeath, one of life's finest pleasures.
"Don't even think about it."
Zod's telepathy reached across thousands of light-years, seized control of the Shi'ar vessel, and brought it directly before him.
The enormous ship made a forced landing on Krypton. The Angel Corps, serving as guards, raised their flaming swords and ordered everyone inside to come out.
"So this is the Kryptonian Empire's homeworld—Krypton itself?"
The Shi'ar diplomat hurriedly opened the hatch. His accompanying guards, trembling, followed him down the ramp, and then they beheld a surreal sight.
There were ten thousand suns in the sky.
No—those weren't stars. Though they radiated equally astonishing light and thermal energy, they lacked the true essence of a star.
The Kryptonian Empire had mastered artificial star technology? And deployed it on their own homeworld?
Then he saw the Kryptonian Emperor, seated upon a suspended throne high above the heavens, with angels attending and guarding him on either side.
"Greetings to His Imperial Majesty."
The Shi'ar diplomat immediately prostrated himself and spoke.
"What business brings you here?"
Zod asked with interest. He could have simply gleaned the diplomat's purpose through telepathy, but that would have been far too dull.
The diplomat stated his purpose.
He—or rather, the Shi'ar Empire and its Empress—wanted to know the whereabouts of Kallark and the ship carrying his guards.
After all, the region they had been traveling through lay in the gap between the Kryptonian and Shi'ar empires. If one were to claim the Kryptonian Empire had nothing to do with it—well, who would believe that?
"Kallark, is it. He is indeed within the Kryptonian Empire."
Zod telepathically summoned Gladiator, and moments later, he came flying over.
"My Emperor!"
Gladiator saluted with deep reverence.
"Lord Kallark!"
The diplomat exclaimed with excitement upon seeing him.
"You are... from the Shi'ar Empire?"
Gladiator turned his gaze toward the diplomat.
"Yes, Lord Kallark. Her Majesty Empress Lilandra is deeply concerned for you and wishes for you to return as soon as possible."
The diplomat said hastily.
"I will not be going back."
Gladiator shook his head and uttered words the diplomat never expected to hear.
"Why, Lord Kallark?"
The diplomat asked in disbelief.
"I have found my people here. They have become subjects of the Kryptonian Empire, and I will make my life here as well. I am now a Royal Knight of the Kryptonian Empire, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military, and commander of the Palace Guard."
Gladiator spoke calmly.
Found his people?
The diplomat was even more incredulous. Gladiator's people—wouldn't that mean the Strontians?
A whole host of beings just as monstrously powerful as Gladiator?
Good heavens! The Kryptonian Empire was even more terrifying than he had ever imagined!
"Kallark, could you have been deceived—"
The diplomat tried to continue.
"My decision is made. Go back and inform the Empress and the others."
Gladiator cut him off with a wave of his hand.
Seeing Gladiator, clad in golden sacred armor, declare this with such unwavering resolve, the diplomat could do nothing but take his leave.
/-\
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