Meanwhile, in the secret conference room of the Sanctuary, the leaders of the Six Nations, at Bennett's request, held another video conference. Given the Sanctuary's special status, they gave it due importance and took time out of their busy schedules to hold the meeting.
The leaders came online one after another, but Bennett remained serious and silent, making the atmosphere heavy. The leaders of the Six Nations were curious about what important matter Bennett wanted to discuss with them.
Not long after, the last leader logged on, and someone finally spoke up, asking, "Bennett, what can I do for you?"
"Ladies and gentlemen, what I am about to tell you is a Lie that has deceived us for decades..."
Bennett slowly began to speak, and the leaders of the Six Nations were all surprised to hear this. However, as Bennett recounted the truth in detail, the expressions of each leader changed.
To prove his point, Hannes brought Keton over for a rigorous interrogation. Keton, of course, answered all his questions without reservation, providing detailed and irrefutable information. The leaders of the Six Nations lost all hope of escaping the situation. Their faces turned ashen, and their years of cultivated composure crumbled in the face of this news, their expressions flashing with humiliation and anger.
"... That's how it is. The entire planet was played for a fool. Without Han Xiao, we would have remained completely in the dark forever..."
Bennett clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
Han Xiao was unaware of what was happening; Bennett had told the Six Nations the truth behind his back. However, aside from not allowing Bennett to kill Keton, Han Xiao made no other demands, essentially acquiescing to the situation.
"Over the years, we..." one person's voice was hoarse, and he stopped halfway through his sentence.
The leaders of the Six Nations Six Nations had complex expressions. Although the truth was as it was, they were the final victors of the Old Era War and did not regret everything they had done. However, when they thought of the tragic scenes of widespread suffering, the images of missiles exploding into fiery red flowers on the ground, and the countries that were destroyed as a result, they could not help but feel a deep sense of sorrow.
The victor is king, the loser is villain; there's nothing more to say about winning or losing. But the fact that the mastermind behind it all was just some insignificant figure filled them with a deep-seated sorrow. What good is ruling Planet Aquamarine? Countless advanced civilizations are like humans watching insects fight. No matter how epic or noble the battle, the winner... is still the insect.
Even if they knew the truth, they had no way to pursue the matter.
The public's perception of Goddora underwent a complete transformation. While their rationality remained unwavering— Goddora was still an advanced civilization they looked up to and needed their help—their deepest opinions had been forever changed.
Bennett took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Last time, when Black Star negotiated with you, I was right behind him. To be honest, at that time I didn't agree with his ideas... But now I understand his good intentions. He had long seen through this truth—that the backward and weak can only be manipulated. I don't know how much of your compromise with him was just pretense, but now, I think you can face reality..."
The leaders of the Six Nations fell silent, suddenly recalling the scene from not long ago. They had painstakingly prepared a grand welcoming ceremony and had arranged the landing coordinates with the Goddora rescue team well in advance. However, the other party changed their minds at the last minute, leaving them aside and rushing off to see Black Star.
It was actually a small matter, and while the Six Nations were unhappy, that was all. However, combined with the truth Bennett revealed, this "small matter" took on a new meaning for everyone... We are ultimately not respected, aren't we?
Bennett said firmly, "I will stand firmly on his side... If one day he becomes disillusioned with you and wants me to replace you as the ruler of the world, I will do it. You know very well that this has nothing to do with ambition."
"... We understand."
The leaders of the Six Nations nodded slowly, fully aware of the weight of these words: Bennett was not pursuing ambition, but rather the hope of civilization.
"Just like Black Star said... He's our only choice, the only one who can bring a 'future' to Planet Aquamarine."
"Don't worry, we know how to choose."
The leaders of the Six Nations spoke one after another, their words sincere and without any ulterior motives. Faced with the future of their entire civilization, they were willing to wholeheartedly submit to Han Xiao.
Without any coercion or resentment, the leaders of the Six Nations felt only relief.
Fortunately, a legendary figure like Black Star appeared on Planet Aquamarine, who single-handedly rewrote the fate of an entire civilization.
Under the blazing Blazing Sun, the Sanctuary plaza was bustling with people and filled with noise.
Han Xiao was leisurely making his way to Nagokin's place, unaware that Bennett had secretly given him a crucial assist. Not long ago, Melos had called, saying that Goddora was poaching players, and he was now preparing to go see how Nagokin was recruiting players.
"They don't understand the true nature of players. In their eyes, players are just special natives. If you use normal methods, players probably won't accept it..." Han Xiao shook his head and chuckled to himself. Goddora didn't understand the nature of players like he did.
Meanwhile, the area in the Sanctuary specifically designated for the Goddora relief team to be stationed was being swarmed by players, and the Goddora people had issued a recruitment notice, attracting many curious players.
"Your planet, Planet Aquamarine, is located in the Ninth Star Zone of the Garton Star System, which is under our jurisdiction. The Goddora Civilization rules the Garton Star System and is very powerful. We possess advanced magical technology and can travel freely throughout the universe..."
Some Goddora people were introducing the state of their civilization, using various video materials to their enthusiastic and vivid explanations. This was Nagokin's plan; he had decided to recruit Inhuman, and his first strategy was to let these "natives" understand the situation in interstellar space, to let them know how powerful the Goddora Civilization was, to demonstrate their strength, and to give these Inhuman from Planet Aquamarine a clear understanding, so that he could attract Inhuman.
Nagokin stood by and observed. His idea was good, there was no problem with it, but the actual situation was quite different from what he expected.
These Inhuman showed no curiosity about the interstellar landscape, nor did they express envy or longing for Goddora; on the contrary, they seemed rather uninterested.
"That's strange, how could they not be interested?" Nagokin wondered.
The onlookers remained unmoved; Nagokin's method was the way to deal with natives under normal circumstances, but it was completely ineffective against the players.
At least 80-90% of the people present had seen Meat Bun's Black Star series videos. Not to mention the Goddora, they even had a pretty good understanding of the entire Shattered Star Ring's structure. The information these Goddora people were talking about was nothing new.
Nagokin was completely bewildered, naturally not knowing where the problem lay, but he patiently continued watching. After giving an overview of civilization, Goddora's propaganda personnel went on to talk about Goddora's technological strength, showcasing various magic spells and high-tech products, which was nothing more than a display of power, with a hint of showing off.
The players glanced at it, shook their heads, and left while making sarcastic remarks.
"No point, gotta go."
"What's so great about this? Do you think we're country bumpkins?"
"You've never seen anything like it."
Seeing this, Nagokin and the Goddora propaganda staff were somewhat bewildered. They thought the Inhuman were uncultured natives, but little did they know that, in the players' eyes, it was actually the Goddora people who were uncultured.
Trying to fool people with this stuff? Do you think we've never seen magic or high technology before?!
We've even seen landmasses floating in space, and this is what Goddora shows us?!
What a bumpkin!
If Han Xiao were here, he'd probably burst out laughing—what's the point of talking about all this? You might as well issue a mission. If there's no benefit to be gained, what's the point of talking nonsense? If you don't offer tangible benefits, why would the Fourth Calamity have the time to chatter with you?
However, this is just the opinion of most people. A certain number of players are still very curious and do intend to join the Goddora faction. It's not that they are attracted by it, but mainly they want to try to see if they can join two factions at the same time.
Nagokin's recruitment process differs from that of the Black Star Mercenary Group. Goddora, after all, has a system in place, and its recruitment process is more complicated.
A small group of players were already asking how to join when a commotion suddenly broke out nearby. Players from the surrounding area spontaneously gathered around. Through the crowd, they saw that Han Xiao was surrounded by the players, and immediately abandoned Goddora and rushed over excitedly.
In the eyes of players, Han Xiao is basically associated with the word "benefits". Every time he appears, he causes a sensation. He has long left a strong impression on players and his popularity is far beyond what Goddora can match.
The Goddora camp was already deserted, but now it was even more deserted. The Goddora people's faces turned pale and then red. When had they ever been treated like this? They were being ignored by a group of natives. Many of them were furious.
Nagokin's face twitched, his expression sullen. The scene was far from what he had imagined, and he deeply felt the huge difference in popularity.
"That's true, Black Star comes from this planet, so it's understandable that he's more popular."
Nagokin composed himself, not discouraged. Although the start was less than satisfactory, he believed that many people would still be willing to join Goddora, after all, they were an advanced civilization, far superior to an ordinary mercenary group.
He believed that as long as the situation of Goddora was continuously explained to the Inhuman, sooner or later many people would make a wise choice.
Although he was thinking of poaching Black Star, Nagokin didn't see anything wrong with it. These Inhuman were all free people; if you can recruit them, I have the right to recruit them too. It's fair, and he wouldn't have any complaints about Black Star... so he didn't think Black Star would be angry about it.
Seeing Han Xiao walking towards them, Nagokin smiled and went to greet him.