69 Valenkov Autonomous State (Part 2)

Li Aoz didn't play the simulation game for long, not because he lacked secondary professions like [Politician], [Emperor], or [President], which prevented many modules from being unlocked, nor because he had too little population and donations, making it basically impossible to do anything.

"We have reached the sphere of influence of the Vanlenkov Autonomous State, Lioz."

As soon as Flana finished speaking, the ship's loudspeaker suddenly blared. "VKR-163/569, this is the Vanlenkov-Orte Port Navigator. You have entered our identification zone. State your purpose."

Looking out the window, Li Aoz immediately noticed a constantly rotating, hollowed-out spherical fortress, with numerous pipes connecting the outer layer and the core area like fine branches.

Using centrifugal force from rotation to generate gravity is a very classical approach, indicating that the city-state's technology is still developing. There are not many ships coming and going; most are combat formations traveling in groups of three to five. The chain-like anti-aircraft firepower, attracted by the gravity generated by the fortress, is arranged in an orderly manner, always ready to fire.

"FZP-199 ‘Skeleton Soldier’'?" Flana muttered in surprise. "What an old ship. It must be over a hundred years old. For Valenkov, it must be at least five generations old."

Li Aoz asked curiously, "You know about military ships?"

"Before my family fell on hard times, I did receive some aristocratic education." Flana waved her hand. "Let's not talk about it anymore, it's all tears."

Li Aoz didn't bother to ask any further questions.

In his memory, there was no character named Flana in future versions. She was probably not an important character, or she would die soon like Ya Wen.

Speaking of Ya Wen, this girl has been having a bit of bad luck lately.

An ordinary 22-year-old, a Law Enforcement Division Four Agent, was living a good life, clocking in and out at work, when suddenly he was transferred to the front lines.

She chased after Li Aoz onto space, but Li Aoz ran away. In any other script, it would be a tragic loss of a loved one, surrounded by desolation.

Not long after she left Azure Planet, her father was released from prison and became the leader of a country. She lost her status as the "Princess" and had to come to an alien planet to farm and weave.

After thinking for a long time, Li Aoz finally concluded that it was because he had introduced Du Zexin to Ya Wen.

While his thoughts were wandering, Flana handled the questions with remarkable ease.

"We are free mercenaries from Valkyrie Fortress, returning from a mission to resupply. Here are our identification documents, proof of permanent residency at Valkyrie Fortress, and the Free Mercenaries Alliance website..."

Flana displayed the insignia of Valkyrie Fortress, which Valenkov quickly checked and replied, "Received. Your document information has been verified. We will send the relevant entry documents for the spacecraft. Please submit them before entering the airport."

"I understand, I know your routine well."

As she spoke, Flana skillfully began to annotate the contents of various documents. These mercenary city-states had all joined the Interstellar Alliance and used the same set of identification documents.

"This is our passenger information."

"A borderless mercenary, a special Interstellar Citizen seeking political asylum, no problem."

Flana breathed a sigh of relief, "Thankfully, everything went smoothly this time, and there were no problems."

Li Aoz curiously, "I remember Valenkov was a fairly friendly autonomous state. What, is there some other explanation?"

"Well, it's not much." Flana thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Lioz, you know that the Vanlenkov Autonomous State is a mercenary city-state, right? These people basically have no production capacity; they're basically just a large-scale arms factory and a hired security company. So their customs are rather..."

"The people are known for their fierce nature, right? I understand. All mercenary city-states are like that. The Star Abyss is so vast, and not all civilizations have the ability to cultivate their own Interstellar Fleet. Large mercenary groups cannot cope with Total War, which is why mercenary city-states have emerged. Some like-minded countries and civilizations, which have military strength but lack labor technology and land, have emerged to fill this ecological niche."

Li Aoz wasn't surprised. He had dealt with these mercenary city-states quite a bit. These people were really capable when it came to trouble, and they were paid well. They were even willing to fight against the public.

"Although mercenary city-states are all quite formidable, Valenkov has one not-so-good thing... you could say it's a matter of customs or something."

Flana gave a wry smile, "The main body of the Valenkov is a group of Vanlenkov Alien. As you know, Xenomorphs are different from ordinary races. They collect other people's body parts and attach them to their own bodies... You can imagine how rampant the Valenkov are in their stronghold. Although they fight very hard, it still takes some courage to come here. You must not get into a conflict with them."

Elsewhere, accepting bribes or kickbacks might be considered a way to make money, but here in Valenkov, it could cost you half your life.

"We're just taking refuge, resupplying and resting for a while before leaving," Li Aoz said calmly. "Starport must abide by interstellar conventions. Temporary docking and resupply will give them no excuse to cause us trouble."

"Yes, I know. We'll stay only a short time and try not to disembark. They won't lay a hand on us," Flana nodded.

"Yes, as long as we don't get off the ship, nothing will go wrong..."

Li Aoz casually echoed, cradling a non-existent cheek in his hand, casting a meaningful gaze from the void.

—No problems? If there are no problems, how can he complete the task?

On Flana's side, she signed various documents and submitted materials in an orderly manner, preparing for non-stop berthing and then transporting supplies through pipelines.

While Flana was busy taking inventory of the supplies, Li Aoz flickered and disappeared into the Space-time Ripple.

The next moment, he appeared in the Starport of the Vanlenkov Autonomous State. Gravity stretched and distorted the light, and he moved in and out of sight as if he were in an empty place. With the level of these mercenaries, they had no way of detecting his infiltration.

Moments later, Li Aoz swaggered into the residential area of Valenkov.

The Vanlenkov Alien Vanlenkov Alien in all sorts of bizarre shapes. Their original form is somewhat similar to Homo erectus, but as they grow and ascend, they become increasingly deformed.

The streets are full of lions with four human arms and two snake tails, or trout people with crystal scales and antlers. Some of these things simply cannot be described as bioengineering-compliant.

In contrast, the headless Li Aoz didn't seem strange at all in the crowd; in fact, he seemed a bit conservative.

Li Aoz first found an ATM, inserted Olavier's information connection card into it, and after the screen flashed a few times, Olavier's sullen expression was immediately revealed.

"Hey, Lao Ao," Li Aoz greeted, "So, has the radon-glutinous rice farmland been confirmed?"

"Confirmed—a total of 14 billion mu of arable land, with ample radioactive material, continuous slow crustal movement, and only some sand worms on the surface that can't even polish stone tools."

Olavier spoke without emotion, but his words betrayed his excitement. "I can only say... perfect, not just perfect, it's absolutely perfect! No civilization here has discovered it, I can legally possess and modify it—when are you coming back? I'll have to thank you properly, Lioz."

"I'm afraid I'll have to stay outside for a couple of days."

Li Aoz answered truthfully.

Olavier is the best intermediary in Valkyrie Fortress. As Long-lived Species, he doesn't have many tricks up his sleeve or schemes, so he can be trusted.

"Two days? Probably more than that. Your fight with Liu E has even affected the flight path. Kappa-rank expert from a star cluster-level civilization commented that the two of you are simply not people of this level. Although there was no destruction, the momentum you created is more terrifying than many people who have returned from the Star Abyss."

Olavier marveled:

"How's it going, Lioz? How did things turn out? I think you've lost your head. If this isn't performance art, then it means you've gone down the same path as Liu E."

"The matter is settled. I'm currently in the Vanlenkov Autonomous State, resupplying, and will be heading back soon." Li Aoz asked curiously, "How is Liu E?"

"There's been a social invasion lately, so your insight seems quite good. Besides—Ms Liu E is a citizen of Narrative-level Civilization, what can she do? Post a short video to apologize, can she be deported?"

After Olavier finished speaking, he suddenly realized the first half of Li Aoz's sentence:

"Wait, you just said, where are you?"

Li Aoz's non-existent smirk.

"Vanlenkov Autonomous State," Li Aoz said, feigning ignorance. "Is there a problem?"

"No, why would you think of going here? This place is complicated. Although it's an autonomous state, the reality is quite different, and the relationships involved are extremely complex..."

Olavier pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked:

"Wait a minute, I heard you fought with Liu E. Who won between you two?"

"Me," Li Aoz answered crisply, arms crossed.

"Well then, Lioz, Priest Constan's next payment won't be until a week later. You must be pretty short on cash right now."

Olavier probed step by step. Normally, Li Aoz would have been willing to continue the conversation to get more information.

But now, he doesn't have much time to waste.

"I'm a bit short on cash, so from what you're saying—just tell me what kind of work you want to assign me," Li Aoz said, feigning surprise. "But why did you think of asking me? I'm just an ordinary person at the Gamma-rank right now."

Olavier looked at Li Aoz with appreciation; it was so comfortable talking to a smart person.

"No matter what, Liu E's strength is at the Delta-rank. Coupled with her unpredictable spacetime abilities, she has become a unique powerhouse among those of the same level. The fact that you were able to defeat her means that your potential is not much different."

Olavier explained, "But the main reason is that you've come to the Vanlenkov Autonomous State, a place that not just anyone would dare to come to."

Li Aoz deliberately adopted a flippant tone. "How so? Isn't this just a neutral alien autonomous state? At most, the people here are a bit fierce and the customs are a bit like those of a madman. I heard from Flana that they just like to dismantle human parts."

"If that's how you think, then it means you've already been won over by their propaganda campaign."

Olavier said in a deep voice, "These are stereotypes, and you should know that all stereotypes are formed intentionally by people."

"I read that Flana said they were warmongers, fearless and ruthless."

"What if I told you that these aliens are actually not good at fighting?"