Final Chapter (Part 1)

The two sides returned to their positions as though what had just happened had been nothing more than an illusion.

Yet when their gazes met in the air, the tension remained thick with the scent of gunpowder.

Lan Su's voice rang out across Freedom Plaza once more. "I am indeed unfit to be emperor. The emperor of the Freedom Empire will never be me."

As he said this, his already pale face turned even whiter. He lowered his head and coughed several times before continuing,

"Destroying a planet is an unforgivable crime. In the name of the lord of the Freedom Sector, I sentence myself to life imprisonment. After today, I will enter Central Prison on Freedom Star myself and never leave again."

Not far behind him, Cang Qi covered his mouth and broke into tears.

White Star trembled faintly, weeping soundlessly.

Lan Su turned back to look at him. "Cang Qi, come here."

Cang Qi walked over through his tears.

Lan Su held his hand. "But with the founding of the Freedom Empire, the nation cannot remain without a ruler. From today onward, Cang Qi will be the master of the Freedom Empire."

"Lan Su!"

"Cang Qi, you promised me."

"But... Lan Su, I'm not worthy. I can't be the ruler of a nation!"

"You are worthy."

Lan Su's voice was gentle and mild, yet firm and filled with strength.

"Cang Qi, you are the youngest Ace Mechanic in the Blue River System. Every mechanical device on Freedom Star bears your work.

Your machines were Freedom Star's main source of income in its early days, and you personally designed the underwater infrastructure of this city upon the sea.

You may not have appeared on the front lines, but you are Freedom Star's strongest force in the rear.

Cang Qi,