"Just as I thought..."
On his way here, Han Xiao had considered many possibilities. He knew Ames to some extent; the casualness of a powerful person was extremely evident in her. At her level, most problems that seemed Choice for ordinary people were trivial matters to her. She was too lazy to think about them and acted as she pleased. A mindset that focuses on weighing gains and losses mostly stems from an individual's inability to change the external environment. Compared to the larger environment, the individual is too weak and can only try to place the weights on the side that benefits themselves. However, Ames's way of thinking had already transcended the limitations of a weak individual; she acted entirely based on her own preferences.
If they could, who wouldn't want to live life on their own terms? The power that Ames possesses is her passport.
From another perspective, this also means she has little ambition. All four Beyond Grade A powerhouses in the Shattered Star Ring have established their own forces, but Ames's is the most loosely organized, barely bothered to cultivate it. Floating Dragon Island isn't her territory or weaponry, but rather her daily residence; she spends most of her time at home, her subordinates and guards acting as butlers or cleaners, almost completely relinquishing control. She has no ambition, so in the Shattered Star System, all the established civilizations give her face and are unwilling to provoke this neutral figure.
The best way to deal with such powerful figures who have a tendency towards chaotic neutrality is to cater to their interests. As long as you show goodwill and offer something that can pique their interest, you will be basically safe.
Fortunately, Han Xiao knew many things that could pique Ames's interest.
The force field slowly pressed down, the air thick with tension. Han Xiao cleared his throat and said in a deep voice, "Please wait a moment, Lady Ames. I hope to save my life and the lives of my team members with a piece of information. I think you will be interested."
Ames raised her finger, and the force field stopped, forming an invisible barrier that surrounded everyone. Tai Erzi poked at it, and the air barrier was only twenty centimeters away, the air becoming indestructible.
Ames remained silent, watching Han Xiao with great interest, her eyes gesturing for him to speak quickly.
Killing wasn't her hobby; she wanted to hear how this little mercenary would save himself. The struggle of life in the face of death was always a fascinating drama, and watching it could spice up a boring life. So even if these people were nothing more than dust that Ames could easily wipe away, she was willing to spend time communicating with them, just like how humans, high and mighty, enjoy studying other animals.
Han Xiao paused for a moment, then began his performance.
"I haven't been in the Shattered Star Ring for long. I usually stay in the Juberly Hub. One day, I met a man on the street. He was a very common Cosmic Human, and I couldn't tell how old he was. He was dressed like an ordinary interstellar traveler, looking travel-worn. He was about to pass me when he called out to me from behind. When I turned around, he suddenly said something completely unrelated to the story..."
"What did he say?" Melos urged, noticing that Ames yawned, seemingly uninterested, and quickly signaled to Han Xiao to get to the point.
Han Xiao coughed lightly and said, "At the time, I was completely confused because I didn't know him at all, and I didn't understand anything he was saying. But now, I finally understand..."
"Hurry up, you idiot!" Melos gritted his teeth, he was so impatient! The omen of death was practically flashing, could you please stop being so suspenseful?! I still have a whole race to feed, I can't afford to die!
He said, "When you see Ames, tell her, 'Don't wait anymore, I don't want to see her yet.'"
Bang!
An overwhelming aura erupted, blasting everyone present away, sending them crashing to the ground in pain. Turning around, they saw the previously languid Ames rise from her Throne, her expression no longer calm, but filled with a complex mix of surprise and anger, as if she had finally received the long-awaited news, only to find it to be bad news.
Everyone was stunned, wondering why this super strong person had suddenly lost control of their emotions and power.
Ames floated to the ground, her black hair cascading down to her calves. Barefoot, she stepped onto the warm, bone-strewn floor and slowly approached Han Xiao, her aura overwhelming. She demanded, "What does that person look like?!"
The ordinary members of the Dragon Calm Guard were all knocked unconscious. Those who remained conscious struggled to their feet. Han Xiao, catching his breath to ease the oppressive aura emanating from Ames, which resembled Conqueror's Haki, spoke with difficulty, "I don't remember the details very clearly. He looked rather weathered, with messy hair, and looked no different from an ordinary passerby... Oh, I remember now, his most distinctive feature was his eyes; his pupils were bright, like, like..."
He hesitated deliberately, as if he couldn't think of the words.
"The pupils are like a dark universe, and the irises are like a star shining from the depths of that universe. Though they only have a faint glow, they can illuminate the entire universe... Is that right?" Ames asked.
"Yes, yes, that's it." Han Xiao agreed a few times, feeling relieved. Ames must have thought of the person he wanted her to think of. Things were settled.
Ames seemed lost in memories, muttering to herself, "Why don't you want to see me? Doesn't our promise count? Didn't we agree that you'd come to find me once I became a famous figure throughout the universe...?"
Captain Wilsander's heart sank. He had never seen his boss show such a vulnerable, girlish expression before, like a young girl abandoned by her beloved. This made him feel terrible.
In his heart, Ames was a goddess, powerful, beautiful, and mysterious. The first time he saw her, she had captivated him deeply. His heartfelt admiration led Wilsander to abandon the forces he had cultivated and Ames Ames's ranks, staying in Dragon Calm day after day to manage this chaotic territory...
That's right, he's a subordinate who secretly admires his boss, and that's what motivates him to work.
At this moment, Wilsander was extremely envious of his underlings. If only he had been knocked unconscious on the spot, he wouldn't have had to witness this scene!
"Who exactly is that man to her? Could he really be her lover...?" Wilsander felt a pang of bitterness, yet a strong sense of curiosity also arose within him.
Ames snapped out of her daze, sat back on the Throne, and stared silently at Han Xiao for a long time before slowly saying, "Since he chose to communicate with me through the book, I'll give you a choice too: two paths—turn to ashes, or work for me."
"I'm willing to serve you." Han Xiao nodded.
Becoming Ames's employee is definitely better than dying on the spot. Ames's past is very mysterious, almost no one knows it, but Han Xiao knows her secrets. Players from the previous life are naturally very curious about a top-level powerhouse like Ames. Through the mission descriptions of different characters, they pieced together Ames's experience and put it in a collection of posts about various important figures. Han Xiao knows more about her than she knows herself, not only her past, but also her future.
With the intelligence priority in mind, Han Xiao thought long and hard and finally chose this explanation, which would be most likely to alarm Ames. The person he mentioned was also a legendary figure who held special significance for Ames, almost the most important person in her life. He had vanished without a trace, and Ames occasionally hired mercenary groups to search for this man.
That person was a prophet who could see what a person's future would be like. Han Xiao pretended to be that person and asked him to pass on a message in advance. Given how much Ames cherished that person, he was like an object that that person liked. Because of this affection, there was basically no danger for him.
Moreover, Ames had never revealed this to anyone, so Ames had almost no reason to suspect that Han Xiao was using her past to deceive her. In her view, Han Xiao was just a mercenary she had captured by chance, and it was more likely that the person possessed prophetic abilities and had informed the mercenary in advance.
Even someone as powerful as Ames wouldn't have guessed that Han Xiao was an anomaly.
Although Master Han disliked being treated as a substitute, his emotions didn't hinder his actions. When he lacked strength, he could immediately change his mindset. If it was clear he couldn't defeat his opponent no matter what, he would never stubbornly fight back; instead, he would change his approach to be gentler.
Even with a status revered by tens of thousands, it wouldn't become a shackle hindering his actions. He wouldn't become so accustomed to delicacies that he would hate eating simple meals again. When Han Xiao was weak, he was able to endure and tolerate Germinal, and he can do the same now.
Of course, Ames is much better than Germinal; at least she's a neutral character and won't be too harsh. But at the same time, Ames is a million times stronger than Germinal. Breaking free from Ames's control is incomparable to Germinal. Even if Han Xiao has various means to grow rapidly, it will still be a very long process.
This was certainly not the outcome he desired, but the strong always control the fate of the weak, and he had no choice but to obey this ironclad rule.
Han Xiao sighed inwardly.
It's likely that for a long time to come, the title of "subordinate to the Dragon Emperor" will be firmly attached to his head. It may be a protective charm, but it is also a new obligation.
[You have initiated a new faction relationship.]
[Dragon Calm: Indifferent (0/300)]