Inari Huang Kingdom

"My Huang, something terrible has happened!"

The guard rushed into the main hall in a panic. The plant rhizomes across his body were taut with tension, and his flustered expression and ragged breathing stood in stark contrast to the peaceful atmosphere within the hall.

The guard knelt in the hall and reported the horrifying information he had learned through the intelligence network.

"What matter is important enough to cause such a commotion in court? Can't you see that I am hosting a banquet for my ministers?"

Huang sat upright upon his throne, as calm as ever, utterly unmoved by the guard's panic.

As the ruler of an interstellar civilization, major events occurred almost every day. Yet to Huang himself, such major events had become no different from the trivial annoyances ordinary people encountered. He had seen far too much.

He began guessing what the guard was about to report. Had some minor feudal lords raised the banner of rebellion because of increased taxes? Had some brain-dead governor stirred public outrage by mixing precious shellstones into rice? Or did the recently united pirates believe they now possessed the strength to challenge the Huang Kingdom's regular army and intended to rebel?

Those might have sounded like major events, but to Huang, they were merely insignificant problems.

With its powerful fleet and military forces, only external powers could destroy the Huang Kingdom. The Sacred Wom State, its sole threat, had signed a non-aggression pact with them after the last war. For now, no one could threaten the Huang Kingdom.

"The border garrison near Wom has come under attack! The enemy fleet is launching a massive offensive!"

The guard nervously reported the situation, and Huang, who had just been composed and unruffled, was immediately shaken.

"What did you say?!"

"Didn't those Wom barbarians just