Chapter 469

"..."

Silence at this moment is also a form of answer. Even without a single word, it speaks volumes.

Theresia's death was indeed not staged, but answering that now is meaningless:

"Amiya, if I remember correctly, you were about ten years old back then, right?"

Amiya was somewhat disappointed with the answer and corrected her:

"Eleven years old."

"Oh, right, right, eleven years old. Ha, look at my memory. You should know what Kazdel was like back then, right?"

Faced with Theresia's question, she did not answer, her thoughts seemingly drawn back to the past.

Seeing that Amiya remained silent, Theresia smiled somewhat awkwardly and began to explain:

"If you don't remember, then let me tell you. Kazdel at that time had been fighting a civil war for several years. The country already had few resources, and after this internal turmoil, it had even fewer resources at its disposal."

Neither the Sarkaz who support me nor the Sarkaz who support Theresis are willing to form an alliance. Besides the factor of faith, the main reason is that doing so would affect the interests of some people.

If the civil war continues like this, the Sarkaz will only dwindle in number. Since the two sides cannot form an alliance, someone must step forward and sacrifice. Only in this way can the Sarkaz temporarily escape this quagmire."

Theresia paused here, staring at Amiya's complicated gaze, and forced a smile:

"And the one who has to sacrifice himself is me. Only my death can end the civil war immediately, allowing Theresis to become regent and take over my men."

I am well aware that I am beloved by most of the Sarkaz. Upon learning of my death, some hot-blooded individuals will attempt to assassinate Theresis in revenge.

To avoid fratricide, Theresis quickly assembled his army and headed to Londinium. He planned to wait until the old emperor of Victoria passed away, and then, before the Duke could react, seize control of the Central City District.

I know I owe you something in the past, but I really had no other choice. Over the years, if you've suffered any injustice because of your identity as Exotic Demon King from another race, and if you harbor resentment and want to hit or curse me, I will never fight back."

Amiya clenched her fist tightly, then loosened it again, then clenched it again, then loosened it again, and asked, word by word:

"I can forgive and forget why you chose to fake your death. Today, I only want to know one thing: why did you choose me to inherit the Demon King Power in the first place?"

"..."

Theresia was speechless for a moment; some words welled up in her mouth but she forced them back down.

Does this mean they're telling Amiya that the reason they chose her to inherit the Demon King Power was to cultivate her as an energy vessel, so that Theresis could reap the rewards later when she needed them?

Is it even appropriate to say something like that?

Regardless of whether she and the unfathomable Zhongli can actually leave this planet.

Theresia will keep this secret about the vessel containing the Demon King Power to herself for the rest of her life.

Five minutes ago.

"Uh..."

Theresis regained consciousness and sat bolt upright in shock.

He clutched his numb neck with one hand, quickly summoned the members of the Confessors, and questioned them sternly:

"Where is the Empress? Where did she go?"

The Confessors looked embarrassed; he couldn't afford to offend either of the two Demon Kings, and was caught in the middle, which was extremely uncomfortable.

"Your His Highness, she..."

Before the Confessors could finish speaking, a Space-Time Rift suddenly appeared in the sky. Theresis's eyes widened, and she instantly understood. Theresia wanted to take her place and bury Zhongli outside the planet.

"Idiot, really an idiot!"

Theresis tried to stop it, but it was too late. The Space-Time Rift closed quickly and never reopened.

There was no time to grieve for Theresia's passing; just minutes later, City Defense Army arrived to report:

"Your His Highness, we've been attacked!"

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Chapter 544 Interstellar Travel (Bonus Chapter)

"What, is this question difficult to answer?"

Faced with Amiya's persistent questioning, Theresia couldn't find a way to change the subject and reluctantly replied:

"No, no, I just... don't know how to answer. If I said there was no reason why you were chosen to inherit the Demon King Power, would you believe me?"

I believe it.

Amiya ultimately softened and didn't want to embarrass Theresia any longer. Even though the woman was full of lies, she wasn't going to press her further.

Before heading to The Shard Building, Amiya had imagined many questions. But now, she couldn't ask any of them. Because knowing them had lost their meaning.

Knowing that Theresia was deceiving him, knowing that it was all a conspiracy, then what?

She can't do anything, she's incapable of doing anything.

"Thanks."

This expression of gratitude came from the bottom of my heart.

Thankfully, Amiya didn't press the matter further, otherwise Theresia wouldn't have known how to answer. Even with a knife to her throat, she wouldn't have told the truth.

"Phew, no need for thanks. To be honest, we weren't really that close. I only befriended you because of Kal'tsit."

Amiya took a deep breath, gathered her scattered thoughts, and began to get to the point of her visit:

"When Mister Zhongli returns, I'll talk to him and see if we can recruit the remaining Sarkaz."

Theresia raised an eyebrow, thinking that Amiya was still too young after all.

As a Demon King not recognized by the Sarkaz, he actually dared to dream of gaining recognition by recruiting them.

If this worked, there wouldn't have been the years-long Sarkaz war in Kazdel.

"Don't make that face. I know what you're thinking. Don't forget, the Demon King Power within me can sense your emotional changes. What I meant by 'incorporation' wasn't me incorporating them. It was having Mister Zhongli incorporate the remaining Sarkaz forces."

Theresia was quite surprised; although the man didn't show any racial characteristics, he wasn't Sarkaz either.

If they're not Sarkaz, what are they trying to do by incorporating the Sarkaz army? Are they going to declare themselves Exotic Demon King?

Amiya sensed the other person's emotional fluctuations and lowered her eyes, appearing somewhat disappointed. Perhaps it was because of the idol filter surrounding her as the 'Sarkaz Empress' that many people had high expectations of her. But in reality, she seemed to be a gentle woman.

"Mister Zhongli's ambitions are not as narrow as yours. He has never been concerned with the rise and fall of a single race, but with the survival of the entire civilization."

Amiya spoke highly of Shi Lei because she had visited Liyue City, which Rhodes Island operator hailed as an 'ideal land'. Looking across the entire Terra, there probably isn't another place like it.

Although the current population is small, only a few thousand people in total, the number of people settling here will increase as trade routes with the Yan open.

As long as the policies established previously are strictly implemented, this place will remain the beautiful home in everyone's hearts.

There is no discrimination, no violence, no oppression; everyone here can receive respect and equal treatment.

Many people may think this is nothing, but only those who have lost their dignity and equality know how precious and hard-won these things truly are.

"I haven't discussed this with Mister Zhongli yet, so I'll stop here for now. We'll discuss the details after he returns and agrees to take us in."

After saying that, Amiya walked away, creating a distance of more than twenty meters, and silently waited for Shi Lei to return.

Theresia wanted to move closer, but then felt awkward about doing so, so she stood still.

The long-distance Teleportation Array has now been completely destroyed by explosives. They lack the Lich King's abilities to redraw a completely new Magic Array.

Even though Zhongli knowledgeable and knew how to draw obscure and difficult Magic Array, he couldn't cook without rice; he lacked the scarce materials needed to construct the Magic Array. He couldn't open the Space-Time Rift by hand.

In other words, the three of them might be trapped here until they die. This was something Theresia had mentally prepared for before entering the Space-Time Rift.

Since we can't go back, all the grudges and entanglements become insignificant and meaningless.

She could either immediately commit suicide by banging her head on the ground to alleviate the pain she would face, or wait a while and see if Zhongli could create a miracle.

Theresia was very uncertain; she wasn't sure if Zhongli and Amiya could escape.

In the end, her intense curiosity triumphed over her resolve to die. Theresia wanted to see with her own eyes that they could never go back before she could die in peace.

After waiting for more than half an hour, a figure descended from the sky at an astonishing speed.

As Shi Lei approached the ground, he slowed down and landed smoothly in front of Amiya.

"The Investigate Clearly, and we should be able to return. However, before setting off, we need to gather enough oxygen, food, and water. You stay here and don't wander around. I'll go look for supplies nearby."

Ultimately, the idea that this place is very close to Terra Planet is just his guess and has not yet been definitively confirmed.

Only after actually reaching space can the approximate distance between the two locations be determined.

Shi Lei, being at the Seven Archons Realm, can go without food, water, or breath, but Amiya cannot.

This is why he resolutely opposed Texas, Mudrock, and Xi wanting to come with him.

Each additional person means more strain on their resources. If they can't hold out until they return to their planet, it will be very dangerous.

Hearing that she could go back, Amiya was overjoyed. She quickly called out to Shi Lei, who was about to fly away again:

"Mister Zhongli, please don't leave yet! I have something important I'd like to discuss with you."

"Sure, tell me what you think. Whether it's possible or not, I'll give you a definite answer."

"Thank you, Mister Zhongli."

Amiya smiled and revealed the plan she and the Doctor had discussed for incorporating the Sarkaz.

Upon hearing this, Shi Lei pondered for a moment, as if seriously considering the question. Seeing this, Amiya did not disturb him and obediently stood aside, waiting quietly.

After about five minutes, Shi Lei spoke:

"Was this a proposal made by you or by the Doctor?"

"This is a plan we discussed together."

"Understood..."

Shi Lei nodded and told her his answer:

"Recruiting Sarkaz is no problem. But I won't recruit all of Sarkaz. You haven't settled in Liyue City, so you might not know the rules I've established. Let me explain them to you briefly."

Liyue City never considers race or status when hiring; even being infected with Originium-related illness is acceptable. The only two requirements are not causing trouble and not initiating conflict.

I will absolutely not recruit races like the Bloodfiend Demons, who need to drink human blood. Similarly, I will not recruit races like the King of Scavengers.

If you are Sarkaz is weary of war and loves peace, the gates of Liyue City will be open at any time as long as you promise to fulfill the two conditions mentioned above.

But if they try to cause trouble behind my back or try to provoke conflict in the future, I'll have to deal with them personally.

Joining Liyue City means abandoning your former identity and ties. From now on, you will have no connection with the outside world. Of course, if you commit any heinous acts outside, the perpetrators will come knocking and you will be severely punished. But there's no need to trouble the outside world; Liyue City will handle everything itself."

Theresia leaned to the side, eavesdropping on their conversation from a short distance away. An inappropriate expectation arose in her heart regarding the possibility of recruiting them.

If Zhongli can truly return and recruit the Sarkaz of Londinium, Theresis will have no chance of survival from any perspective. The Confessors, who enjoys conducting human experiments, will also be doomed.

The Blood Demon Great Lord is dead, the King of Scavengers is dead, the Lich has fled, and the Shapeshifter should escape as well.

Those recruited were mostly from the Sarkaz City Defense Army, and had nothing to do with the Military Committee's generals. It was also uncertain whether Theresia herself would survive.

If Zhongli can return without using Teleportation Array or opening Space-Time Rift, then having the Sarkaz submit to this powerful figure wouldn't be a bad choice. Freedom could be exchanged for the continuation of civilization for most of the Sarkaz race.

In some ways, this is similar to Theresis manipulating Storm Cataclysm to disrupt neighboring countries and buy time for them to recover.

The difference between the two is that Theresis wants to use the people she has accumulated during this period to re-engage the battlefield in order to deal with the coalition Allied Forces' encirclement and suppression of the Sarkaz.

If we join Liyue City, with Zhongli, a top-tier expert, in charge, we'll be spared from future wars.

Given the choice between living a life of constant anxiety and leading a mundane existence, Theresia knew without a doubt that the soldiers would choose.

Suddenly, the Sarkaz City Defense Army she had seen at the entrance of the Shard Building flashed into her mind.

Harmful.

If one could truly live a peaceful life, who would be willing to risk their life?

In the midst of his thoughts, Shi Lei had already reached a preliminary verbal agreement with Amiya. He began to fly around, searching for the food and water she needed to sustain her daily life.

The oxygen content here isn't as high as on Terra Planet, but that can be solved if enough oxygen is collected.

Theresia bit her lip and, after Shi Lei left, slowly approached Amiya and cautiously asked:

"What you just said... is it true?"

"Of course, we've always wanted to stop the war. You're overthinking it, always thinking we're the enemy."