In these days, Ace’s growth was undeniable.
He no longer complained about training; instead, he drove himself with almost obsessive determination. From the initial clumsy attempts, he gradually began to surpass the military females in various disciplines, even topping the scores in combat drills, earning quiet admiration from many of them. Even the little Tian Dao, who initially only watched for dramatic entertainment, was left wide-eyed: 【Wow! Could it be he’s really aiming to evolve into a little overlord?】 Milton, standing nearby, also voiced a rare note of approval, surprise quietly threading through his tone.
Several days later, the warship arrived at the Star Alliance outpost—Onia.
The planet was stunning and temperate, with towering rock formations, lush forests, lakes that shimmered with prismatic light, and floating mountain clusters—a meeting point of advanced civilizations and natural wonders. This was a central hub under multi-species governance, where hundreds of species traveled daily, thriving in both diplomacy and trade.
After docking, Milton led the way off the ship, followed by Blue Dae and Aisha, along with Phili, Il, Villy, and several military females. They boarded hovercars headed to the Alliance core for a joint meeting with representatives of other species.
Inside the vehicle, Aisha pressed his face to the window, eyes wide. The streets were filled with a dazzling array of creatures—some crystalline, some with animal ears or fish fins, some resembling insects but with sturdier limbs and tails. It was his first encounter with so many species, as if a door to a new world had swung open.
“Wow… are these all intelligent species?” he turned to Blue Dae, excitement childlike in his voice. “I’ve never seen this many. Male insects are rarely allowed off our home planet.” He hadn’t imagined the world could be so vast. The pride of his species seemed almost insignificant in this expanse of stars.
The little Tian Dao suddenly darted out from Blue Dae’s mindscape, silver light flashing, bouncing toward the window: 【I see that one! The one with the fiery tail is so cool! Ah, and the one with three pairs of eyes is so weird! I wanna go poke them!】
Blue Dae, unamused, firmly held the silver sphere from rushing out, gently calming Aisha: “Sit properly. This isn’t a place to run wild.” Her tone was calm, yet her eyes softened slightly.
Milton, sitting nearby, listened to the chatter between the two insects and the little orb, a faint smile tugging at his lips. For a moment, the tension of looming warfare eased.
The Star Alliance hall on Onia was grand as a palace yet infused with sleek technological precision. Structures floated hundreds of meters high, balanced by anti-gravity pillars and stabilizing fields, surrounded by energy shields and multiple flight lanes. The domed ceiling, interwoven with transparent alloys and photonic membranes, projected the motions of the star map, compressing the vast cosmos beneath its arc.
Representatives from various species had already gathered inside—some dignified, some elegant, some strange—each exuding their own unique aura. Conversation buzzed, assistants and guards moved efficiently, maintaining solemn order amid the lively scene.
But when the insect team entered, the air instantly stiffened.
All eyes turned toward the row of troops in insect uniforms.
In the galaxy, insects were notorious; to most species, they symbolized not aid, but plunder and war. Even under the banner of an allied force, many representatives instinctively tightened their grips on weapons.
Milton led at the front, his steps steady, expression austere. Blue Dae, Aisha, Phili, Il, Villy, and several military females followed, posture straight, demeanor solemn—their presence rivaling any faction in the hall.
From behind came a deliberate yet attention-grabbing set of footsteps.
Another insect squad appeared, led by a sharply uniformed officer, golden accents glinting, every movement radiating noble authority. His expression was haughty, lips curled in a half-smile, eyes sweeping the room as if looking down on mere dust.
—He was General Saino Rhein, of the Rhein family, one of the three great insect noble houses.
His gaze scanned the representatives, openly radiating superiority and disdain. To him, this was merely a routine meeting; the term “war” barely registered.
When his eyes landed on Milton, his tone grew even more condescending:
“Well, well, isn’t this our civilian hero—General Milton? Didn’t expect you to step foot here. This kind of gathering… isn’t meant for someone of your background.”
The air turned cold.
Il rolled his eyes, sneering: “If not for the General in front, your uniform would’ve been torn by beasts on the battlefield already.”
Phili’s tone was calm, words sharp as a blade: “If you’re talking qualifications, maybe we should check your combat record—see how many pages are blank.”
Villy added another jab: “A general’s spirit is forged from corpses, not printed from a family ledger.”
Aisha, wide-eyed, whispered: “…Their firepower is intense.”
Blue Dae remained silent, expression composed, as if anticipating this confrontation.
Saino, unfazed, shrugged and said lazily: “Quite the display. Just a reminder: I’m one of the Alliance-appointed joint commanders for this operation. I look forward to working with you in the coming days.”
He naturally positioned himself beside Milton, face wearing a polite yet cold smile. Though the tension between the insect parties was visible, he maintained noble decorum before outsiders.
Before the atmosphere could warm, two powerful presences approached from the front.
Orc representative Raine Drake appeared first. Golden hair cut short, with tiger-like ears patterned with gold-brown flecks, heavy alloy armor covering a muscular frame. A thick black-ringed tiger tail extended from the suit’s power interface, swinging with each step.
His sharp gaze met Milton’s, voice deep: “Raine Drake of the Orcs. Thank you for your insect reinforcements—but I hope you’re not here for sightseeing.”
Saino’s eyes twitched; he glanced at Raine, tone arrogant but not impolite: “Don’t worry, we never lack battlefield experience. Especially in situations like this, we know better than anyone.”
Milton ignored Saino, replying steadily: “Our forces are prepared and ready to cooperate with combat operations at any time.”
Raine snorted, eyes briefly lingering on Milton, ignoring Saino entirely.
Then, a wave of psychic energy subtly swept the hall.
The merfolk representative entered. Long silvery-blue hair reaching the waist, translucent fins shimmering in the light. He moved like flowing water, his presence softly penetrating everyone’s awareness.
“Navien Vissel of the Merfolk,” his voice rolled like the tide, calm yet authoritative. “We sincerely welcome the insect forces. The presence of both generals greatly strengthens the Alliance.”
Milton nodded respectfully: “Thank you, Representative Navien. The situation is urgent. We will immediately coordinate and act alongside all species.”
Saino, lips curling in a faint smile, elegant yet imperious: “With us here, this battle will take a new shape. Simply put, the lead should return to our insect hands.”
Navien’s eyes glimmered but he said nothing, merely letting his gaze sweep over Saino before settling on Milton. Calmly: “Please proceed to the conference room. The strategy meeting will begin immediately.”
Saino smiled politely: “As you wish.”
He led the way confidently.
Milton followed, composed, presence steady as a mountain.
The two insect generals, so different in bearing, stood side by side on the same battlefield.
Aisha frowned, whispering: “…He’s so arrogant. How can Navien still smile?”
Blue Dae said nothing, eyes steady as water.
In the mindscape, the little Tian Dao held a sunflower seed, quietly teasing: 【Merfolk diplomacy~ Smiles outside, but inside… probably humming the ‘Song of Traps’ already~】
Blue Dae’s gaze narrowed slightly, vigilance stirring beneath the calm.
—The real multi-species alliance game had only just begun.