Night had fallen deep and heavy, the command center lit only by a few cold-white lamps.
Sairo Rhein had just finished his holographic communication with his family, standing motionless in the center, posture straight as steel. Light cast a sharp shadow across his cheek as a cold smile tugged at his lips, his eyes glinting with disdain and contempt.
“A few creatures have the entire Star Alliance in panic?… Ridiculous,” he murmured, low and mocking. “Those weak Alliance species are utterly incapable of resistance. Only we, the noble Insects, are the true rulers of the stars.”
A subordinate hesitated, trying to suggest a more cautious approach, but a single bark from Sairo cut him off.
“Silence! I need no questioning, and I tolerate no hesitation. War is war—swift and decisive action is the only way to win.”
He gestured for readiness, his orders cold as frost: “All forces enter maximum combat alert. Weapons and mechs, optimize to peak performance. This time, let us personally teach these ants a lesson, so they never forget what ‘true power’ means.”
The soldiers responded immediately, and the room was instantly filled with a tense, fierce energy.
Meanwhile, Blue Dae and Milton sat quietly in the conference room. Soft light illuminated them, but the atmosphere was heavy with tension.
“These creatures… are far from ordinary lifeforms,” Blue Dae said gravely. “Little Dao and I suspect they may be tied to demonic energy, though evidence is scarce and inconclusive.”
Milton was about to respond when the holo-screen chimed with an alert—a military directive appeared:
“This battle shall be under the full command of General Sairo Rhein. General Milton shall remain on standby; no independent troop deployment is permitted.”
Little Tian Dao erupted in midair:
“What?! That guy actually seized command! I knew those nobles would only chase glory, completely ignoring how dangerous this war really is!”
Blue Dae’s eyes darkened slightly, voice calm: “Fine. Let Sairo test the waters first. We’ll investigate in secret and act when the opportunity arises.”
Milton’s eyes glinted coldly; he had already begun strategizing.
The next day, the Allied Council convened.
Sairo, dressed in standard military uniform, strode into the hall with commanding steps. His aura radiated dominance, leaving no room for doubt:
“This battle is unlike any before. My Rhein family has waged war across the stars for generations. No insect can match our military might or experience. I won with fewer troops at the Battle of Karis, slaying millions, and held the fortress at Kairas, striking fear into our enemies. This time, I will lead the Allied forces to victory again, sweeping away all threats!”
The chamber erupted in murmurs.
Merfolk representative Navien spoke coldly: “Why is there only you here? Where is General Milton? Shouldn’t such a critical strategic meeting be coordinated with him?”
Sairo smiled arrogantly, chin raised: “I alone suffice. Multiple commanders only disrupt rhythm. I have been granted full authority by the Insect military. The Alliance needs a unified voice and decisive action.”
Orc representative Raine frowned: “Are you certain you can control this war? These enemies are unlike any before. If things spiral out of control, the consequences are unimaginable.”
Navien’s voice grew stern: “We want comprehensive strategy, not empty rhetoric.”
The atmosphere thickened. Sairo’s gaze swept over them, lips still curved in a smile—but that smile cut like a blade.
“I don’t need your trust, only your obedience.”
Silence fell, then whispers rippled through the hall:
“He has led tough battles…”
“The Rhein military strength is formidable…”
“Perhaps he really can lead the Allied forces…”
Though still wary, the merfolk and orc representatives were compelled by circumstance to comply.
Navien murmured to Raine: “…We have no other choice.”
Raine nodded: “Just hope he delivers.”
Gradually, the council consented to place the full command of the Allied forces under Sairo Rhein.
When the meeting concluded, all representatives signed the official documents. As the seals fell, Sairo assumed complete control. Turning to leave, a fleeting cold glint passed in his eyes, vanishing into the empty corridors.
At the same time, in the rear command ship of the main theater, Milton’s conference room was heavy with oppressive tension.
Il burst through the door, face flushed with anger, nearly hopping in frustration: “General! That Sairo—he brazenly used his family’s influence to seize command! He didn’t notify you and went straight to the Allied Council!”
Veli followed, expression cold: “And he persuaded the other species to deploy! The upper echelons of the Insect military don’t even understand the enemy. All they see are resources to divide and glory to claim.”
Phili silently closed the door and approached the table, his demeanor grave and weighty: “This war might not go as smoothly as he thinks.”
Milton sat upright at the head, expression icy. He said nothing, simply listening, tapping his fingers on the table as if recording every word.
Aisha frowned, leaning toward Blue Dae: “How can he do this? Completely ignoring the General… this will only create chaos.”
Blue Dae’s voice was calm: “The Insects have dominated too long. They’ve forgotten what a real enemy looks like. To them, there is no risk—only glory and profit.”
“But we… can’t do anything right now,” Il gritted, a hint of defeat in his eyes. “The military has already issued orders. We must wait, helplessly watching.”
Little Tian Dao hovered nearby, silver light flickering nervously: “Gu Qing, are we just going to let him run wild? He’s so foolish—he’ll cost countless lives!”
Blue Dae lowered his gaze, silent. He stared at the empty strategic sand table, a shadow crossing his eyes, but he said nothing.
Silence lingered. The meeting ended without resolution.
Days later, the wheels of war continued to turn.
On deployment day, Alliance forces from all species gathered in the central plaza of Onia. The square was decorated in grand splendor, massive banners fluttering in the wind, Alliance insignias gleaming in the sunlight.
Countless vessels hovered, arrayed like mountains, steel beasts waiting to awaken.
On the ground, soldiers donned their respective combat uniforms, standing in formation, solemn expressions fixed.
Yet beneath the solemnity, murmurs of unease persisted:
“…Can we really win? I heard those creatures can consume entire planets.”
“Don’t exaggerate. The commander said it’s a small-scale incursion… nothing should go wrong, right?”
At that moment, Saino mounted the podium.
Armored and commanding, his gaze blazed. His voice boomed, overriding all chatter:
“Warriors of the Star Alliance! Today, we stand on this land not only to defend our homes but to protect our shared future!”
“These creatures have no reason. They do not understand civilization or dignity—they know only devouring and destruction!”
He thrust his fist forward, voice like thunder: “We are the Alliance! Bearing generations of glory and courage! No matter how terrifying the enemy, we will use faith and strength to annihilate them! This is our duty—and our mission!”
“Let us show iron will, so the enemy knows what the true power of the Alliance is! With our flesh, blood, and conviction, we shall forge immortal glory and victory for the Star Alliance!”
Insect soldiers in the crowd were first to respond:
“The commander is right! As long as the Insects strike, no creature can survive!”
“With General Sairo leading, what is there to fear? He is a hero of the Kairas garrison!”
“Long live the Star Alliance! Rhein shall not fall!”
The plaza shook with deafening cheers. Soldiers from multiple species shouted Sairo’s name, weapons striking a thunderous rhythm, as if the entire Alliance had been ignited.
Yet deep in the crowd, some non-Insect soldiers furrowed brows, uncertainty in their eyes.
From a high platform, Blue Dae, Milton, and Aisha stood side by side, quietly observing the “celebration.”
Aisha rolled her eyes, muttering: “If wars were won with speeches, this one’s already secured.”
Milton’s expression remained stern, a shadow of unease passing through his eyes.
Blue Dae’s gaze darkened, silent, already calculating his next move.
As Saino’s speech ended, the plaza erupted with thunderous sound.
Hundreds of starships simultaneously ignited engines, blue-white exhaust columns piercing the sky like a chorus of awakening beasts.
From light reconnaissance ships to battleships armed with fusion cannons, each rose in formation, steel and light converging into a spectacular galactic tide.
On the ground, tens of thousands of mech giants activated, their steps heavy as thunder, each footfall shaking the earth.
The roar of metal, engines, and war drums blended into a grand symphony of steel.
The entire Star Alliance force resembled a towering mountain of iron, unstoppable, steel and radiance intertwined into the brightest storm of the stars, ready to crush and annihilate the unknown creatures.
Yet, in the unseen depths of the starfield, the true nightmare was only just awakening.