Brunhilde, the host of the reception, withdrew from the scene just like that. Of course, the assembled dignitaries remained perfectly composed; not one of them thought it was rude.
After all, she was Her Highness, the most beautiful woman in the universe. Since time immemorial, beauties had enjoyed certain privileges.
Of course, even after Her Highness, the most beautiful woman in the universe, had left with her retinue of female knights, the atmosphere remained lively... or rather, it seemed to grow even livelier.
Just then, Lieutenant General Minontai, the newly appointed garrison commander of Unity Fortress on the Imperial side, said, "All right, it's nearly midnight. From now on, let's set aside military and political affairs, set aside official business, and focus only on making our friendship last forever!"
He clapped his hands, and a large group of graceful Tillek dancers entered. They danced across the hall to the music.
It was clear that these slender, alluring alien beauties were all highly trained. They were performing an Imperial court dance, but when the music suddenly picked up tempo, their movements quickened too. They somehow infused the elegant court dance with a lively, captivating rhythm.
One had to admit, the music and the dancers had struck just the right balance. After all, the people present were all respectable gentlemen from across the galaxy. They appreciated the art of leaving just a little to the imagination...
As for whether they would get up to anything after the reception, that was the gentlemen's own private business. The fortress was enormous, and at its peak, over a million people were stationed there. After half a year, all the usual businesses had long since sprung up.
Even the Empire, with its formidable martial spirit, had never shunned service industries setting up wherever its armies went.