The Only Obstacle to Survival Was Arrogance!

This battle plan was quickly delivered to the Supreme Council of the Devourer Imperium.

However, these elderly councilors, who had lizard-like appearances and wore extremely ornate, dark clothing embroidered with pale gold threads and patterns, objected to the plan.

"Commander Stone Tooth, according to your plan, we need to deploy a total of 1.2 million 'Time Amber Cage' around Earth to form a completely enclosed giant spacetime bubble, altering the cosmological constant within the target area and reducing the speed of light to 1/second."

The leading senator, who frowned almost the entire time as he read the battle report, said, "Commander Stone Tooth, deploying 1.2 million 'Time Amber Cage' at once will consume more than 60% of our civilization's energy reserves. This is no small number; you should understand what that means, right?"

This Devourer Civilization, after millions of years of development and the devouring of countless civilizations, built a colossal star-sized warship that requires astronomical amounts of energy every moment!

If we were to consume 60% of our civilization's energy in one go just to deal with humanity, it would be tantamount to gambling with our lives!

Even if the Devourer Imperium ultimately triumphs, the enormous energy consumed will still plunge the Devourer Civilization into stagnation for nearly a century!

Even more terrifying is that without energy, the Devourer Imperium's warships will also face unpredictable risks!

This is also why they disagree with the plan!

Under the scrutinizing gazes of the councilors, the Stone Tooth projected on the screen appeared somewhat weary, its eye sockets filled with bloodshot veins.

But he said with unusual firmness, "Yes, of course I understand what that means, but I believe—it's for winning this war."

A price that must be paid!

"Commander Stone Tooth, we cannot agree to your proposed plan; it's too risky."

The senator seated at the head of the table shook his head. "Even when we destroyed the Eridanus, we only paid 10%."

Based on the energy levels around us, we don't believe that a human civilization far more backward than Eridanus is worth such a high price!

No, you're all wrong!

Seeing that his plan had been rejected, Stone Tooth seemed to be caught in some kind of emotional turmoil, his eyes glowing red, and he growled menacingly, "We were all wrong."

Humanity is not as simple as it seems; they are the most powerful enemy the Devourer Imperium has ever faced, and we must fight with everything we have to have any chance of defeating them!

The High Councilor dismissed the overly high assessment of the threat posed by Stone Tooth to the human race.

"Stone Tooth, you overestimate humanity."

The leading councilor sneered contemptuously, "Of course we saw the footage sent back by the advance team. But I must tell you, humans are still nothing more than a bunch of insects crawling on the ground. Even their thinking and tactics are still stuck at the level of ancient and backward tribal warfare."

At this point, the other members of parliament couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Yes, the footage transmitted back by the advance team showed without reservation just how ignorant and backward humanity truly is!

"Those warriors in metal armor, moving swiftly, are indeed formidable; their individual combat capabilities are also commendable."

The senator had naturally seen the footage as well, but it didn't see any threat. Its tone was relaxed and lighthearted as it said, "But humanity has forgotten the most important point: their enemy is the great Devourer Imperium, and this isn't a conventional war."

It's war in the interstellar age!

"No matter how powerful those warriors in metal armor are, can they really jump from Earth onto our warships?"

At this point, the entire Supreme Council was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

"That's hilarious!" another member of parliament exclaimed, bursting into laughter. "I'd really like to see how they manage to jump onto our warship!"

Their pride is not without source.

From the perspective of Devourer Civilization, one can understand the reason for their arrogance.

Human civilization, a backward civilization that has just entered the universe and is not even capable of interstellar travel, has only been able to find some surprise in those biologically modified, swift, and highly efficient Black Armored Warrior.

Apart from that, it is almost entirely useless.

The enemy that humanity faces is a powerful Imperium with a history of millions of years, which has roamed several star systems, devoured countless glorious civilizations, and holds a position of near hegemony!

The gap between the two sides is unimaginably large!

Humans are not afraid of being defeated or exterminated by ants, just as the predators do not believe they will be defeated by ant-like humans!

"Commander Stone Tooth, this is an interstellar war, while humanity's consciousness is still stuck in the primitive tribal era. It's like a monkey wielding an iron sword, swaggering at us!" The leading councilor remained confident in the Devourer Civilization: "There's absolutely no need to waste so much energy. As long as our fleet launches an attack, everything will be fine!"

Looking at the senator who was still immersed in his "fantasy," Stone Tooth held an extremely pessimistic view.

In its mind, the scene from its dream appeared: the great Devourer Imperium's warships crashed in the endless blood-red desert, and its kin, one by one, were beheaded like beasts, their heads piled up into a giant ring, as if it were a gift offered to some being!

"Fellow members of parliament, I earnestly request that you..."

Stone Tooth remained undeterred, insisting on his view. "Human civilization is far more powerful than we imagine, an enemy that the Devourer Imperium must fight with all its might to defeat. We must not approach this war, which could determine the future of our civilization, with the slightest bit of complacency or arrogance!"

"This is our only chance, we absolutely cannot miss it!" it pleaded anxiously. But in the current Devourer Imperium, Stone Tooth's behavior seemed extremely out of place, even glaring and noisy!

"I'm sorry, Commander Stone Tooth, we cannot agree with your opinion." The leading councilor, seeing its continued stubbornness, revealed a hint of displeasure in his eyes. "There's another matter. We received a report about you. According to the AI's assessment, your mental state is very unstable, and your brain neurons are in an extremely active state, which may lead to problems such as misjudgment."

Stone Tooth was stunned for a few seconds, looking at the cold-eyed councilors, and a gloom suddenly settled over his heart!

"No, Your Excellency, I simply—"

It was about to speak in its own defense when the High Councilor before it coldly waved his hand, "No need to say anything more, Commander Stone Tooth. Given your current unstable mental state, we have decided to temporarily relieve you of all fleet command positions. Cracked Jaw will take over your duties and command the upcoming war."

Bang!

With a bang of the gavel, the High Councilor cut off communications, leaving Stone Tooth standing dazedly on the command bridge, seemingly swallowed by an endless chill.

"You have been relieved of your command duties on the warship. Please proceed to the sanatorium immediately to recuperate, Commander Stone Tooth."

The AI's cold, emotionless voice jolted Stone Tooth out of its chaotic thoughts. It looked around blankly, overwhelmed by a deep sense of powerlessness!

How could it have turned out like this?!

The entire Devourer Imperium seemed to have fallen into some kind of ignorant folly, and Stone Tooth could only watch helplessly as the Imperium's warship slowly sank into the water, gradually suffocating, yet he was powerless to change it!

"The Devourer is finished."

A pessimistic and desperate thought flashed through Stone Tooth's mind. Its eyes blazed with fury as it roared and smashed the indicator light panel in front of it, "This is our only chance, our only chance!"

Unfortunately, its struggles and suffering were in vain. Soon, several guards broke in and, under the pretext of forced rest, dragged away the enraged Stone Tooth.