Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'

The flame-haired girl quietly looked at Rudolf.

The other party lowered his head, not uttering a word, maintaining a kneeling posture.

"As the emperor of a nation, the lord of millions of citizens, vested with heaven's mandate, his words are law, a body worth a thousand gold, the dignity of ninety-five, should hang high above the realm of people, weaving through the grand narrative, a manifestation of the state's character, ought to be lofty, mysterious, and dignified."

She slowly said:

"However, today, Emperor Rudolf kneels before me, pleading, attempting to take upon himself all sins. In the annals of dictatorship, this is indeed rare. It should be said, having Emperor Rudolf stands as a fortune for the Red Arrow Nation. Calling you a 'People's Emperor' seems not an exaggeration."

Upon hearing this, Rudolf felt a glimmer of joy:

"Dear Miss Polina, as the embodiment of the state, punish me alone, do not let hatred linger on..."

"Once, I really agreed with you."

The flame-haired girl spoke steadily:

"President David Lyn of Frost Plated, focusing merely on the survival of the nation, neglecting the joys and sorrows of the populace. Sky Ring Prime Minister Gretto, high-spirited, with unmatched private morals, yet pushed his nation into the abyss of annihilation. Zhengxu met a natural disaster and was wiped out, yet it's hardly worth mentioning. At that time, only the Red Arrow Empire surged and prospered among the ages, wealthy and strong, a beacon in the world. Emperor Rudolf, it was the people who placed the crown upon your head with their own hands."

"And now, you want to separate yourself from the Red Arrow People? They chose you, chose to follow your narrative, embraced your ideology of revenge. Whether indulging in the collective chemical bliss or in the moment of human crisis, pursuing pleasure only for oneself, retaliating with bloody massacre on Sky Ring and Frost Plated—this is not just your responsibility, but an entire generation of Frost Plated People's burden."

"You wish to rely on your identity to redeem the people—dream on. It might have been Emperor Rudolf who initiated the war, but the fervent calls, the enthusiastic incitements, the active participation came from your people."

The flame-haired girl turned away, not sparing a glance at the emperor she once had high hopes for.

"Yes, the Red Arrow Empire owes humanity an apology."

Rudolf slowly rose, watching the flame-haired girl's retreating figure, bitterly saying:

"But does humanity owe our Red Arrow people any fairness?"

The humiliation, inequality, massacre, hatred, always linger around him, his family, haunt the countless Red Arrow People, as invasions and ravages by the great powers against them recur in his dreams.

"Owe us? What for? Not owe us, then what?"

The flame-haired girl said without turning:

"Red Arrow never erred, the mistake lies only in Red Arrow not being strong enough."

"Strength brings peace, peace fosters development, development nurtures civilization, making future generations humble and gentle, knowledgeable and understanding."

"Ancestors' sins of burning, killing, and plundering are blamed on the present, yet descendants as civilized gentlemen will be recorded in history. Provided your successors are developed enough, no one cares what you've done before."

"...In this Starry Abyss, the sole truth is supreme violence."

Rudolf shook his head:

"Too late."

Everything is too late.

Was Red Arrow wrong? It's a nation striving continually, in pursuit of grand revenge, developing itself into a human civilization's beacon, grinding teeth drinking blood, always prepared, remembering ancestral sacrifices, no matter what, is not wrong.

The only mistake is Red Arrow not being strong enough.

If Red Arrow held absolute hegemony, unquestionable, unchallenged, it would definitely not be like today.

However, achieving this wasn't Red Arrow.

The true invincible force, unchallenged, is Lord Entropy, and defeating Lord Entropy was the Frost Plated-Sky Ring military and people.

"Since Red Arrow chose to join forces with the Apostle of Entropy in invasion, they forfeited their claim as strong ones."

On Azure Star, three exceptionally talented politicians existed, one died in war, leaving David Lyn, whom she always hoped to recruit, left behind a hopeful Frost Plated, yet passed away.

The remaining Rudolf, however, particularly disappointed her.

Until the end, Rudolf's heart was only with his nationals.

Not to say he's wrong, just that for Azure Star, his vision is too narrow, and his crimes are not forgivable enough for Azure Star's people.

—No, if she willed it, anyone could be redeemed.

The title [Mother of Salvation] endowed her with the ability to reform others; theoretically, as long as her Charm is adequate, she could make the most heinous terrorist lay down their arms in remorse, and turn over a new leaf.

She could do this, forcibly pull Rudolf out.

This is why she decided to meet Rudolf after all, considering political talents are truly hard to find.

Though vast the Starry Abyss, truly omnipotent politicians are but a few, the Empire's Philosopher King is one, the Void Master Gurea counts as well.

But compared to talent, what the flame-haired girl valued more was whether they had a broad vision.

Because her goal was the Grand Narrative, not merely a few stars.

Rudolf is an emperor, but that's all there is to it.

If he chose to strategize counterattacks within the cosmos, research pathways to rise, she might see him in a better light.

Yet, failing to acquire even one talent, leaves her somewhat unsatisfied.

Saving Azure Star is not her main quest; this trip could only help Azure Star overcome a crisis, defeating Lord Entropy earning some rewards, a small gain.