Easy as Pie

"Just a few flaws in the soul essence. Harvest a few more realms, and they can be made up for."

Another elder said indifferently, "Let the commoners suffer a little. As for bearing infamy—heh, do they even have the ability to curse us? And even if they do, what can they do about it?"

"Mm."

Another elder nodded. "For the Federation's enduring survival and prosperity, someone must always make sacrifices. Their ignorance will be the cornerstone of the Federation's stability."

"Seconded."

"Seconded."

"Seconded."

Just as the proposal was about to reach a consensus, a Golden Apple-rank Wizard burst into the hall in a panic and cried urgently, "Elders! Foreign enemies—foreign enemies are invading the Federation!"

The tranquil atmosphere within the hall instantly froze.

An elder raised his eyes, displeasure and surprise flashing through them. "Foreign enemies? What faction is so tired of living? In this vast void, is there actually anyone who dares provoke the Beautiful Fruit Federation?"

Another elder sneered. "Heh, perhaps some frontier realm stumbled upon some fortuitous encounter and got too swollen with arrogance.

"Just dispatch a few punitive fleets to crush them. There is no need to disturb the council."

The Golden Apple Wizard's face was deathly pale, and his voice trembled. "N-no, Elder. The enemy—the enemy has already breached the Federation's outermost defenses and is advancing toward the inner layers.

"Our fleets—our defenses—are completely unable to stop them! Th-those are two enormous white eyes!"

"Eyes?"

The elders finally became serious. One after another, they cast spells, allowing their gazes to pierce through the palace walls and look out into the distant void.

In the boundless void between the first and second layers of the Federation of Myriad Realms, two ghastly pale giant eyes advanced in silence like death gods.

They did not touch the barren