Garos fell from the sky.
As his body fell, a layer of luster suddenly appeared on the surface of his scales.
As the light swirled, the thirty-meter-long dragon's body rapidly shrank and transformed, landing silently on the corridor in a tall, humanoid form.
The dragon scales transformed into a crimson-black robe.
He was strong and broad-shouldered, with a head of black hair that was casually draped over his shoulders. Two pairs of prominent dragon horns on his head stood out like a crown, and a dragon tail covered with red scales hung gently behind him.
Although it has transformed into a humanoid form, its majesty as the Dragon Emperor remains undiminished.
In fact, because of the unique transformation of the dragon form, his humanoid form at this moment was, in some ways, even more majestic and imposing.
The gazes of all living things around him were instinctively drawn to his location.
He walked toward the Elf Queen.
The other surviving elders dared not utter a sound, bowing their heads and parting to the sides to make way.
Garos ignored them.
"Lead the way, Your Majesty."
He approached the Elf Queen and said, "I'm very interested in the specialties of Nausir that you mentioned."
His towering figure blocked out the dawn, casting a long shadow that almost completely enveloped the slender queen. The Elf was not even up to his chest, so she had to tilt her head back slightly to see her face, which was hidden in the shadow.
The Queen's heart skipped a beat.
The fear of being approached by a top predator, the yearning for power at the limits of the Material Plane, and the feeling of insignificance in the face of the Dragon Emperor's majesty—these mixed emotions made the Elf Queen somewhat uneasy.
However, she was, after all, the ruler of a country.
Although its true status is far inferior to that of the Red Emperor before it, it is not an ordinary Elf either, possessing a resilient character.
Yise Zeya quickly calmed herself down.
Please come with me.
She said this, and then led the way herself.
Garos nodded slightly and followed behind her.
The two walked through the long corridor of the Moon Court, past several clumps of silver trees covered with white flowers, and then slowly walked along a white stone path covered with vines and moss. Along the way, several dwarf laurel trees were blooming with pale yellow flowers.
It must be said that the scenery of Silverbranch City is very distinctive.
Along the way, Garos was like a newcomer to the city, looking around every now and then, enjoying the scenery at a leisurely pace.
Yise Zeya had been secretly observing the Red Emperor's reaction.
Seeing the appreciation he showed for the scenery of Silverbranch City, she felt slightly relieved.
At least, this Dragon Emperor wasn't a barbaric creature who only knew how to destroy; she knew how to appreciate beauty, which gave her a glimmer of hope.
Before long, the two arrived at a reception hall that was separate from the main hall.
This is a building that coexists and thrives in harmony with nature.
White jade pillars entwined with ivy support the dome, which is completely open on all four sides.
Above is a canopy woven from branches and leaves, and underfoot is a grassy field glistening with morning dew. A clear stream meanders through the center of the hall, its bottom covered with pebbles, where a few silver fish swim freely.
Here, architecture and nature have no boundaries.
"The three ancient empires each had their own unique characteristics."
Garos walked slowly into the hall, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings. He casually remarked, " Holden hangs high in the clouds, detached from all things on earth; Cantum is the other extreme, only taking from and destroying the land, leaving only wasteland wherever he goes."
He paused, looking at the dappled sunlight filtering through the branches and leaves overhead, his eyes showing approval.
"Only Nausir advocates coexisting with nature and becoming one with the mountains, rivers, and vegetation."
"This can be seen from the style of your Silverbranch City and Royal Court."
Upon hearing these words, the Elf Queen smiled slightly, a hint of pride appearing on her face.
"Protecting the environment and safeguarding nature is a tradition established at the founding of Nausir."
"All Elf are taught from birth to be closely connected with nature. We are not the masters of nature, but only a part of it. Trees give us shade, streams give us water, and we repay them with the same kindness."
Garos nodded. "Your ancestors had foresight."
He then changed the subject, continuing, "At least, faced with such a naturally beautiful place, I couldn't bear to destroy it."
Yise Zeya's breath hitched, and her heart tightened slightly.
But she quickly composed herself and put on a polite smile again.
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."
"I believe that the entity that can maintain order in a Dragon Empire is not a tyrannical person who can easily ignite their anger. Anger may burn down a city, but it can never burn down a prosperous empire that lasts for hundreds of years."
She said.
"Oh?"
Garos raised an eyebrow.
He turned his head to look at the Elf Queen, a half-smile on his face, and said, "The one standing before you has just personally destroyed Cantum, turning an empire into scorched earth overnight. And you have so much faith in me?"
The Elf Queen smiled and said, "This confidence initially came from Talamond."
"Your Majesty, you should know him. He is the most upright and powerful knight in Nausir."
"But what you may not know is that he told me more than once that the Emperor of Sacred Aura was a sublime being imbued with chivalry."
Am I chivalrous?
How come I didn't know?
Garos remained calm and asked, " Talamond, how is this knight doing?"
The Elf Queen said, "Back when we were clearing out the Rage Beast and purifying the curse, he was always at the forefront, standing in the most dangerous positions, never retreating. As a result, he also suffered severe corruption from the curse. Now that the curse has re-emerged, Talamond has chosen to quietly retreat into seclusion to prevent himself from losing control."
No wonder I didn't see that Elf knight.
It turns out they were also affected by the curse.
Garos wasn't surprised; it was to be expected.
He changed the subject, saying, "It's said that Elf cherish life, so I'm curious, what do Elf think of my actions in destroying the Orc?"
" Cantum, you got what you deserved."
The Elf Queen met his gaze and replied, " The Orc Empire lives by plunder and takes pride in destruction. They are the greatest destroyers of the order of Bernardo. They have ravaged a bountiful continent beyond recognition and have never contributed anything to Bernardo."
"Excuse my bluntness, but if Nausir had sufficient power, he would have destroyed such an empire that only creates chaos as soon as possible to prevent future troubles."
What you did was something we wanted to do but couldn't.
"If you need a rating, I think the most suitable word is just two: efficient. You very efficiently cleaned up these pests."
That's right, it's highly efficient.
Garos smiled, a slight upward curve to his lips.
This was undoubtedly a very positive compliment, and it suited his taste perfectly. The Elf Queen was clearly very clever and knew what words would please him most.
Just then, an Elf attendant came stepping on the green grass by the stream and bowed to present the specialties of Silverbranch City.
One was a shallow jade cup filled with pale golden liquid, with two silvery-white petals floating on the rim; the other was a white jade plate with several finger-sized white fruits arranged on it, their skin crystal clear, and one could vaguely see the shimmering light flowing within the flesh.
After I put my things down, the waiter left.
He never once looked up at Garos.
Even though he was now in human form, the scenes that had just unfolded in the sky above the Moon Court had already spread among the Royal Court's attendants.
Everyone knows that this dragon is a walking fire and ashes; it can turn a city into scorched earth in the blink of an eye. No one dares to look at it for fear that their gaze might bring unpredictable consequences.
If I were to nitpick, this would be something like, "How dare you not look up at me? Are you looking down on me?"
Garos thought to himself.
" Relsa's flower wine, and ginkgo nuts from Moonspring Valley."
Yise Zeya explained to him, "The flower wine is made with silver flowers unique to Silverbranch City, and is sealed for a thousand years before being opened; the ginkgo grows at the source of Moon Spring, ripening only once every few hundred years, and has a slightly cool taste, making it most effective in relieving fatigue."
Garos picked up the jade cup and took a sip.
The flower wine, upon entering his throat, initially tasted refreshingly sweet, followed by a very faint herbal aroma rising from the back of his tongue, finally transforming into a warm, gentle sensation that slowly seeped into his lungs. He then picked up a ginkgo nut and put it in his mouth; the peel burst open, and cool juice filled his mouth.
A feeling of refreshment welled up within me.
These things are not merely for satisfying one's appetite.
Even for the Legendary Realm being, these things would offer some assistance in increasing their Life Level. Unfortunately, he was already a true Immortal One, so consuming them would mainly only provide a taste, without any substantial help.
"Good."
"Better than I expected, very refreshing."
He gave a simple evaluation.
Following up on the topic, Yise Zeya said, "If you like, you can stay in Silverbranch City for a while longer. There are many delicious local delicacies for you to enjoy."
"While the Elf people hold you in high esteem, they will also warmly welcome the arrival of Lord of Aura."
"We Elf have always been warm and hospitable."
Passionate—isn't that just aloof?
People often say that Elf are a truly free and unrestrained race, and that they simply don't have any sense of social etiquette or worldly wisdom.
When other races want to visit Silverbranch City, regardless of their background, the Elf are usually indifferent and rarely welcome outsiders. Let alone being hospitable, not being treated coldly is already considered quite good treatment.
However, that applies to other people.
At this moment, the Elf Queen's attitude towards him was clearly quite different from the rumors of his aloofness and nonchalance.
In the face of absolute power, any tradition and custom can be redefined.
At the same time, the black-haired, red-eyed figure opposite slowly shook his head under the Elf Queen's gaze.
"Although I really want to say yes."
"However, I don't have much time."
After speaking, the tall Dragonborn with two pairs of dragon horns pursed his lips, and his expression subtly changed.
The relaxed atmosphere in the hall had vanished completely.
The black-haired emperor straightened his body slightly, and a majestic aura surged forth from his calm and gentle eyes.
With such an ordinary, unremarkable movement, he seemed to transform back into a giant dragon suspended in the sky, majestic and inviolable.
"That's enough small talk."
" Yise Zeya, the following conversation will determine my opinion of Nausir."
He gazed at the Elf Queen and asked, "Can you represent the entirety of Nausir?"
Yise Zeya's heart skipped a beat.
After regaining her senses, she asked herself these questions.
Can I represent Nausir?
Nausir's real power has always been in the hands of the parliament. She, as queen, is merely a nominal monarch, a symbol, with no real power and never having the right to represent Nausir.
If answered according to this standard, she should honestly say no.
However—the council elders clearly don't hold the Red Emperor in high regard, otherwise he wouldn't have spoken to me like that—
In his eyes, those so-called elders would probably only annoy him.
The Elf Queen, being intelligent, hesitated for only a moment.
Because she knew in her heart that whether she could represent Nausir was no longer important; what mattered was whether, in the eyes of the person in front of her, she was qualified to represent Nausir.
She raised her head, her two full-moon-like eyes looking at the emperor, and the hesitation in her eyes disappeared.
"Able."
"I am the Queen of Nausir, and I can represent Nausir."
She said it with conviction.
Garos nodded slightly.
At least, the Elf Queen did not back down, shirk responsibility, or try to stall for time with ambiguous answers at the crucial moment, which earned him more respect for her.
"If you can represent Nausir, then things will be much simpler."
"I have only one question for you now, Queen of Nausir. You only need to answer: yes or no."
He gazed into the Queen's eyes and asked, " Nausir, can you accept the rule of the Sacred Aura?"
Silence fell over the hall after these words were spoken.
The stream murmured, and silver fish swam, but Yise Zeya felt as if the whole world had fallen silent at that moment; she could even hear her own heartbeat.
She had already guessed roughly what the Red Emperor was going to ask.
She was mentally prepared from the moment he arrived.
But that's different from actually facing it.
Elf are a race that is naturally carefree and dislikes being restrained.
In the blood of the Elf flows a natural resistance to the concept of being ruled. Nausir has never bowed to any power in all the years since its founding. For them, freedom and tradition have always been things they are proud of.
Now, the Dragon Emperor from another empire is demanding that she hand over Nausir in the name of the Queen.
She should have firmly refused.
But----
The Elf Queen's gaze passed over the stream and branches, looking towards the sky beyond the Royal Court.
Bernardo now almost entirely enveloped by the wings of a dragon.
Atlant has long belonged to the Sacred Aura, and is the foundation of this Dragon Empire. The scorched earth of Theresia is still emitting smoke, and is being developed and taken over.
Of the three continents, two have already been lost.
Only Orotara does not yet belong to the Red Emperor before her, like the last isolated island in a storm, which is closing in from all directions.
She wasn't naive enough to think that Nausir was capable of resisting.
The Elf people are undisciplined, but their warriors are truly valiant. Each warrior has been trained for centuries, making them the elite of the elite, unafraid of any war. However, the empire is in the midst of chaos, corrupted by a curse. Rebellions have yet to be quelled, leaving it riddled with holes, and the condition of the Immortal One is precarious.
Even if they wanted to resist, it would be difficult to organize an effective force.
More importantly, she knew very well that the Red Emperor wouldn't give her much time.
The Dragon Emperor before her was not cold or cruel.
On the contrary, he was gentle and would appreciate the beauty of Silverbranch City, taste the local specialties of Nausir, laugh and joke with her, and even nod approvingly when she spoke. He gave her a sense of tolerance and kindness.
However, the Elf Queen was not at all misled; she did not think that this gentleness represented indulgence, nor did she think he was a truly easy-going king.
Those who think like that have long since turned to ashes.
Beneath his face lies an absolute will that tolerates no disobedience.
And most importantly----
She knew that the Red Emperor would inevitably demand a resolution.
Nausir also had his own intelligence channels regarding information about the Ancient Wild God.
Yise Zeya knew that in deep space, an ancient and terrifying being was approaching Bernardo.
At this critical juncture concerning the life and death of the entire world, the emperor wanted to eliminate all variables beforehand, and he would not allow Bernardo to have any dissenting voices.
Putting herself in her shoes, Yise Zeya felt she would make the same decision.
If she were the Red Emperor, facing a catastrophe capable of destroying the world, she would also eliminate all potential threats before the battle.
However, although she was well aware of the consequences, as time passed, she thought about many things but couldn't bring herself to speak. It was as if her throat was blocked by a wad of cotton, and she couldn't utter a word.
Until a gentle breeze swept through the hall.
A verdant skirt appears by the stream, Emerald Leaf Cuts Wind stand quietly among the water plants.
She first turned around, nodded slightly to the Red Emperor, who was also Immortal Realm being, to express her respect, and said, "Powerful Red Emperor Pale Star, this is not our first meeting. Welcome to Nausir."
Maintain a respectful yet assertive attitude.
Although she knew very well that she was no match for this dragon, and that she wouldn't last long if it wanted to kill her.
But Immortal One all possess their own dignity.
Having lived through countless years and weathered many storms, she would not allow herself to appear too humble in the face of another Immortal One.
Otherwise, it would be better to be dead.
Garos was not surprised by the appearance of the Elf Immortal One.
In fact, the moment he arrived here, he sensed the gaze of the Immortal One and knew where they were, but he paid no attention to it.
Moreover, Garos was not an aggressive person. Faced with the greeting from the Elf Immortal One, he calmly nodded and said, "I think the Queen of Nausir can make the decision for you."
If that doesn't work, Emerald Leaf Cuts Wind can simply appear when he raises a question, interrupt the conversation, and negotiate with him personally as Immortal One.
But she did not appear until the Elf Queen fell into a silent dilemma.
The main reason is that she is unsure whether she is conscious or not.
Garos's True Eye saw through appearances and saw the raging Frenzied Flame burning within Elf Immortal One being. Moreover, even if he couldn't see it, his familiarity with and perception of Frenzied Flame allowed him to detect its presence.
My Mutant Body has been optimized, but I still retain control over the Frenzied Flame.
These Frenzied Flame that corrupt the Immortal One, I should be able to peel them away, and even if I can't eradicate them completely, I can at least weaken them somewhat.
Garos seemed to be deep in thought.
At the same time, Emerald Leaf Cuts Wind nodded slightly, then looked at the Elf Queen.
"Make your choice, Yise Zeya."
"Parliament is useless in times of crisis, and given Spring Dawn's current state, it's difficult for us to make the right choices."
"And you, you are the Queen of Nausir."
"At this crucial moment, the future direction of Nausir is in your hands."
Yise Zeya looked at the imperial pillars by the stream, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Accepting rule comes at the cost of losing freedom. The Elf will have to obey the laws of the Sacred Aura and accept the will of a foreign emperor. For the Elf, who have been proud for countless years, this is undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow.
But given the style of the Sacred Aura, there's a good chance that Nausir will continue to maintain their previous status quo.
If they cannot resist to the end, they will likely face destruction.
If resistance is halfway through and forced to submit, the outcome will be even worse. You will neither preserve your dignity nor gain any bargaining power, and your subsequent situation will likely be very difficult.
Most importantly, on the Bernardo Planet today, no one can resist the Red Emperor's will.
He is now unstoppable.
Holden's surrender proved this point, as did Cantum's downfall.
Thinking only takes a fleeting moment.
The Elf Queen simplified the complex issue and made her final decision.
She opened her eyes; of the two full moons, only the clear moon remained.
"Able."
" Nausir is capable of accepting the rule of the Sacred Aura."
She said in a deep voice.
As soon as she uttered those words, the heavy burden that had been weighing on her shoulders for so long seemed to be lifted off her shoulders in that instant. Yise Zeya relaxed completely, feeling a great sense of relief.
Sacred Aura is a nation that values order, and the Red Emperor is notorious for his tyranny. Those who are his enemies always face dire circumstances, but in the other nations under his rule, they live quite well.
Take Holden, for example.
This former Cloud Empire is of great concern to many, Nausir is no exception.
The Elf Queen knew that after Holden fell from the clouds, the Sacred Aura not only did not take advantage of his misfortune, but also accepted him and even gave them the right to re-establish their kingdom.
Holden still retains its own culture and traditions, but it has become an integral part of the Sacred Aura.
Nausir's relationship with the Sacred Aura was much better Holden's.
Accepting their rule should not lead to cruel treatment.
The only problem is that the Elf people will probably be very dissatisfied. The concept of freedom has long flowed in the blood of the Elf, and they will not easily accept the fate of being ruled.
Opposition will emerge in various places, such as calls for a vote to remove her from the position of queen.
However, Nausir was already in a state of chaos and under martial law, so these problems wouldn't be a major issue.
Garos smiled slightly.
"Very good."
The emperor's voice softened again as he said, "I know you can make a wise choice, and since you are willing to trust in the Sacred Aura, the Sacred Aura will reciprocate that trust."
He looked at the Elf Queen and said slowly, "I can guarantee that under the rule of Sacred Aura, Nausir will retain sufficient autonomy, and on that basis, will also be able to enjoy Sacred Aura's Star Network and other creations."
"The Empire will not interfere excessively with your forests, traditions, and way of life."
All I want is Nausir's loyalty and order.
He chuckled and said, "Of course, your council needs to be cleaned up. At the very least, I don't want my will to have to go through lengthy discussions before it reaches Nausir."
As Yise Zeya listened, her tense back finally began to relax.
She knew that the Red Emperor's words always carried great weight.
The dust has settled.
However, after completely relaxing, a thought inexplicably popped into her head, and she couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty—I have a rather inappropriate question to ask. If what I said just now was 'no'..."
What will be the result?
Garos picked up the jade cup and drank the remaining flower wine in one gulp.
He glanced at Emerald Leaf Cuts Wind and said casually, "Your two Immortal One will probably be the first to die."
The Immortal One Elf frankly, "I have no doubt that you can do it."
Garos continued, "And then there is your Royal Court— "
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly stopped and smiled slightly at the Elf Queen.
"In short, while I am not some Evil Dragon, those who choose to stand against me rarely end up with a pleasant outcome."
His words were not cold; in fact, they were somewhat gentle.
However, Yise Zeya seemed to clearly see a scene that had not happened from these few casual words.
The blood of the Immortal One, the burning Royal Court, and another meteor shower that fell on Orotara —a chill slowly crept up her spine.
After a long while, she finally let out a soft breath.
"Fortunately."
The Elf Queen said, "I made the right choice."
After saying that, she seemed to remember something and said, "We, the people of Nausir, will probably find it hard to accept this news in a short time. Our independence over thousands of years is about to change overnight. This will be a huge shock to many Elf."
"But please don't be too harsh on them; they're just not used to being ruled."
Her gaze was earnest as she looked at Garos: "Give me some time, and I promise I will make the people of Nausir accept the Sacred Aura."
Criticism?
There's no need for that.
Garos said, "It's alright. On this issue, you Nausir just need to cooperate well and connect to the Aura Star Network."
Star Network is a revolutionary product.
Of course, the epoch-making aspect here is not technological.
In fact, whether it was Holden or Nausir, these empires that had stood in Bernardo for countless years possessed the technology and resources to build Star Network when they were at their peak. With the knowledge and resources they had, they could even say that they could easily create a Star Network.
The problem is, they don't have this mindset.
Even if they construct something like Star Network, they will only turn it into a strategic tool that can only be used by the upper echelons, rather than popularizing it and allowing everyone to use it.
For Elf, whose lives are traditional, and even somewhat monotonous.
The impact of the Star Network will be terrifying.
Garos offered no further explanation.
He raised his hand and extended his palm toward the Immortal One Elf by the stream.
Emerald Leaf Cuts Wind was slightly taken aback.
The next instant, her body jolted violently.
Buzz!
Strands of dark red flames, invisible to the naked eye, were peeled away from her brow, chest, and limbs. Then, like fireflies drawn by an invisible force, they traveled and gathered along the surface of her skin, were pulled out, and disappeared into Garos's outstretched palm.
curse.
The Frenzied Flame that had plagued her body for years, causing her endless unease day and night, was being drawn away!
Emerald Leaf Cuts Wind's eyes widened.
She felt the burning Rage that had been churning and whispering deep within her consciousness, which was rapidly receding.
easy.
An unprecedented sense of ease.
"You----"
She looked up and exclaimed, "You can remove the curse of the Wild God?!"
To be precise, it's not about removing it.
Garos withdrew his hand, his fingers closing, and the invisible Frenzied Flame merged into his body. "It's absorption. This Frenzied Flame is now within me."
His gaze swept over the Immortal One and the Queen, and he said, "Now that Nausir has submitted to Sacred Aura, I naturally cannot stand idly by and watch what happens here."
After speaking, he stood up, his black hair hanging down, his dragon horns prominent.
"Let me bear these curses and Rage; it is my duty as a ruler."
Both the Elf Queen and Emerald Leaf Cuts Wind were slightly taken aback, and they gained some new insights into this Red Emperor.
A moment later, in a quiet room deep within the Royal Court.
Another Elf Immortal One, String of Spring Dawn, sat cross-legged in the center of layers of sealing Magic Array. He was more severely affected by the curse and had no choice but to temporarily seal himself away.
Garos entered the quiet room and did the same thing.
The Elf opened its tightly closed eyes, and for the first time, clarity returned to its bloodshot pupils.
However, Garos knew the truth.
The two Immortal One were corrupted too deeply; the Frenzied Flame was almost entangled with the very source of their power. He could remove the surface flames, but he could not eradicate the lingering poison that had penetrated deep into their roots.
This only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause.
To truly eradicate this problem, the only way is to eliminate the source of all this— the Ancient Wild God that is approaching from the depths of space.
Afterwards, Garos left the Royal Court.
He stood above Silverbranch City, reverting to his true form as a dragon.
Crimson wings suddenly unfurled.
In the next instant, the Red Iron Dragon transformed into a streak of crimson lightning that pierced the heavens and earth, sweeping across the Royal Court and hurtling toward the vast territory of Nausir.
Centered on him, an invisible giant net spread out in all directions.
On the earth.
Countless Frenzied Flame hidden in the hearts of the Elf seemed to hear the king's call, flowing into the sky and converging from all directions toward the crimson figure that swept across the sky, which then swallowed them all.
Wherever the Red Iron Dragon passed, the Frenzied Flame dissipated.
The Rage Elf awoke from their rage, standing there blankly, as if waking from a deep dream.
Not long after.
As the crimson lightning circled Nausir one last time, the curse that had plagued the empire for so long and nearly dragged the entire nation to its collapse was thus cleansed.
Although some still slipped through the net.
But the few remaining embers were no longer enough to cause any trouble; Nausir could handle them on his own.
Silverbranch City, above the Moon Court.
Yise Zeya looked up at the crimson figure that had disappeared through the tear in space, and the last trace of gloom in her full moon-like eyes dissipated.
She was once again incredibly grateful that her choice had been the right one.
"The news of accepting the rule of the Sacred Aura hasn't been officially announced yet, so this is a good opportunity to warm things up and reduce initial chaos."
She pondered for a moment and had already come up with a suitable slogan.
When the Red Emperor came, the curse was gone; when the Red Emperor came, peace was restored.
Simple and direct.
And most importantly, this is a fact.
at the same time.
Under the deep darkness of night.
A vast Ocean spans between Orotara and Atlant, but for Garos, who tears through space to travel, it's merely a matter of a breath.
When he stepped out of the spatial rift, the land beneath his feet had become the territory of Atlant.
He looked up at the sky and could see an unnatural point of light amidst the Star, and it was getting bigger and bigger, as if it were getting closer.
The Calamity Egg, Ten Thousand Ominous Manifestations.
Before long, this Ancient One will arrive in Bernardo.
He had already dealt with the troubles on this planet and was mentally prepared for what to do next.