Never mind Hua Zhen's sheer disbelief at the sight before him. When the flagship he was aboard emerged from the wormhole bridge, the Fellinton side quickly responded. Several escort ships and large mechs were dispatched as guards, while the towers on the massive ring structure transmitted the coordinates for the ship's landing.
"Third Prince, since we have arrived at Fellinton Civilization, we will prepare to return..." The angel soldier from earlier came to Hua Zhen's side again and spoke respectfully. "Once your training is over, we will come to retrieve you immediately. May your journey go smoothly!"
"Re... return?" Hua Zhen's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said, "Wouldn't all that back-and-forth be too troublesome? Why don't you guys join me for this training?"
He admitted that he had bragged a little too hard before, but now that they had already arrived, there was obviously no chance of going back to gather more people. Aside from himself, Gus, and Andre, there were eight angel soldiers on the flagship responsible for piloting and escorting them. Though they were not many in number, every one of them was incredibly valuable to him right now. One more person meant one more combatant. How could Hua Zhen possibly be willing to let them leave?
"Third Prince, the mission we received was only to escort you here. It did not include joining you in training," the angel soldier said solemnly.
"Well, well. So you're refusing to give Hua Zhen this bit of face?" Someone pulled a long face and raised an eyebrow.
"Uh... please forgive us, Third Prince!"
"No, listen... what an honor it would be for you to train alongside me. Once this is done and we return to Angel City, resources, beautiful women, whatever you want, it'll all come pouring in. Think it over~~" Hua Zhen still refused to give up.
Seeing the soldier's troubled expression, Gus hurried over and explained, "Your Highness, the Military Administration Department has strict rules. Altering a mission itinerary without authorization will result in severe punishment. And have you forgotten the warning the Angel King gave you? This training in Fellinton Civilization can only involve the three of us!"
"I... damn it!!" Remembering his farewell with Old Stick, Hua Zhen gritted his teeth in frustration.
You said you wouldn't let me participate in high-level wars, but now you're fucking making me fight twenty-eight against infinity. Are you trying to kill me, Old Stick?!
Although Angel Civilization could judge and make decisions regarding any matter involving its Subordinate Civilizations, it did not directly interfere with their administration. Therefore, the personnel sent out as Acting Prefects were not as "all-powerful" as people imagined. They were more like a bridge of communication between the angels and their subordinate civilizations.
Once assigned, they would spend most of the rest of their lives stationed there. Coming from a higher civilization to a lower one to carry out official duties was little different from being exiled. Thus, none of the civil servants among Angel City's prefects were willing to accept such a thankless task.
That said, someone still had to handle the "dirty, tiring, degrading work," and Ai Wen was one of them. Once upon a time, he had hoped to accomplish something great here, earn the recognition of the higher-ups, and return to Angel City with a promotion and newfound status.
But what could even outstanding work in a lower civilization amount to? The people above would only brush him off with words like, "You're doing well, kid. I think highly of you, so keep it up!"
Ai Wen had served as the Acting Prefect Director in Fellinton Civilization for over three hundred years. Throughout that time, he had worked diligently and conscientiously, yet all he received was the same perfunctory treatment. Every application he submitted to return to Angel City had been rejected without exception.
Disheartened, he had originally decided to simply coast through life. But a major discovery a few months ago gave him an opportunity to return to Angel City—Dark Energy fluctuations had actually been detected within Fellinton Civilization.
"Haha, this is practically divine assistance!"
Ai Wen could not possibly let this opportunity slip away. After carefully organizing the data and sending it back to Angel City, he also embellished matters and presented his own "speculation" to his direct superior.
Whether Fellinton was truly researching Super Genes, or what kind of disaster this report might bring upon Fellinton Civilization, was none of his concern. Trading one tiny Subordinate Civilization for his own promotion and transfer back—what was not to like about that?
As soon as the news spread, it indeed drew Angel City's attention. What Ai Wen had not expected, however, was that the Angel King would send a prince to investigate the matter. That made him even more overjoyed...
After the flagship landed at the docking port on the massive ring structure, Hua Zhen disembarked with Gus and Andre. He had come under the pretext of inspecting a Subordinate Civilization, so Fellinton's upper echelon naturally attached great importance to his arrival. A grand welcoming ceremony was unavoidable.
"Welcome, Third Prince, to Fellinton!"
The first to react were the Gorden mechs stationed along both sides of the road. They placed hands to their chests in a perfectly synchronized salute, their booming synthesized voices echoing without end. As they knelt, their joints gave off a series of mechanical sounds. It was as though they had rehearsed the sequence countless times. Hua Zhen's expression remained calm, but inwardly, he was going mad.
"Welcome, Third Prince!"
Acting Prefect Director Ai Wen led another group forward. Behind him stood five people at the front, four men and one woman. From the intelligence Gus had previously provided, Hua Zhen knew that these five were the Five Great Leaders of the Fellinton Federal Government. The crowd behind them needed no introduction—they were naturally representatives from the federation's smaller member states.
Forgot to mention it: Fellinton was currently a federal civilization, a composite civilizational structure formed by the union of two or more political entities. It somewhat resembled the early Angel Civilization.
Back when Fellinton was still in its pre-nuclear era, its various nations had constantly fought one another over territorial disputes, religious beliefs, economic interests, and strategic concerns.
However, after being discovered and transformed by Angel Civilization, which accelerated its development and forcibly pushed it into the Cosmic Class, the nations faced powerful extraterrestrial enemies and set aside their old grudges. Together, they formed the federal government to safeguard their home planet and present a united front against external threats.
The federal government consisted of five major federal districts and twenty-four smaller federal districts. The five federal leaders held the dominant authority throughout Fellinton Civilization, possessing the power to make major decisions and administer the civilization.
After they finished their salutes, Hua Zhen put on a warm smile and said to the five people behind Ai Wen, "Three years ago, Fellinton Civilization discovered a Dark Sacred Silver Mine in the Sebas Starfield for the first time, which greatly pleased my royal father. So rather than calling this trip an inspection, it would be more accurate to say that I have come on behalf of my royal father to offer my regards. You have all worked very hard!"
"You flatter us, Third Prince. As a Subordinate Civilization, this is simply our duty~"
The speaker was the middle-aged man standing in the center of the five. He looked to be in his forties and wore impeccably tailored formal attire. His neat, short hair was slicked back, and beneath his seemingly calm eyes lurked a hawk-like gaze. Combined with his sculpted features, he exuded an imposing presence.
So who the hell is this guy? Hua Zhen did not know much about Fellinton Civilization due to the lack of time.
"Your Highness, this is Ke Li, leader of the Central Federal District of Fellinton and the current governor of the federal government!" Ai Wen promptly stepped forward and introduced him.
"Oh? So you're Governor Ke Li? I've heard so much about you~" Hua Zhen stepped forward and shook his hand.
Behind him, Gus shot him a sidelong glance and silently mocked him. Heard so much about him, my ass. If the Angel King hadn't sent you here for training, you probably wouldn't have even known Fellinton Civilization existed~
After the Third Prince finished shaking hands with Ke Li, Ai Wen pointed to the remaining four and introduced them one by one.
"Your Highness, this is Dai Wei, leader of Fellinton's Western Federal District and the federal government's head of finance!"
Hua Zhen followed the direction of his finger and could not help feeling a pang in his heart. Damn, that hairline must be about to reach his heels! Sigh, just as I thought~ No matter how advanced technology gets, it still can't solve a middle-aged man's crisis~ After his internal jab, he smiled kindly and said, "A pleasure to meet you," to Dai Wei.
"This is Your Excellency Huo Er, leader of Fellinton's Southern Federal District and the former ruler of Fellinton Civilization!"
Huo Er was an energetic old man. His snowy silver hair was impeccably groomed, and he looked very amiable. He wore a pure white, high-collared robe of understated yet weighty material, with a neatly trimmed circle of silver beard around his mouth. He looked at Hua Zhen with a smile in his eyes.
"This is Ya Erman, leader of Fellinton's Northern Federal District..." Ai Wen paused before continuing, "Your Highness, it was Ya Erman himself who led the search team that found the Dark Sacred Silver Mine three years ago~"
"Oh, really?" Hua Zhen looked toward him in surprise.
He wore a black military uniform, his entire body seeming as though it had been forged from hardened steel. His gaze was cold and sharp as a blade. Standing before him gave one the uncomfortable illusion of having a knife pointed between one's brows. When Hua Zhen looked at him, Ya Erman slightly bowed, his expression rigid and unsmiling.
"Lastly, Your Highness, this is Bang Ni, leader of Fellinton's Eastern Federal District. Not only does Leader Bang Ni possess exceptional leadership ability, she is also highly accomplished in scientific research. She currently serves as director of the federal government's scientific research department!"
Bang Ni was a stunning, mature woman with the air of a refined older sister. Her fitted business suit displayed her lovely figure to perfection. Hua Zhen was accustomed to the male superiority and female inferiority of Angel Civilization, so he could not help taking a few extra looks at a powerful woman like her.
Wow~ His eyes lit up. After lightly shaking her hand, he sincerely sighed, She's gorgeous, well-proportioned, and dresses as beautifully as she looks. She really is... oh~
Before you continue