NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40: Descent
Three months after Lord Entropy's campaign victory, on November 28th, the Planetary Governor's Office of the Baizhu Autonomous State on Azure Star was completed.
This signifies that the sovereignty of Azure Star has officially transferred into Li Aozi's hands.
On the same day, David Lyn's body was cremated. As per his will established twenty years ago, no funeral would be held, and all his possessions were donated to the National Space Administration—Li Aozi couldn't help but marvel at David Lyn's forward-thinking vision.
Even a reincarnator could do no more than this, let alone David Lyn, who made this decision at about seventy years old and could foresee such a distant future.
Most of David Lyn's children had passed away, and even his brother was critically ill in the hospital after the war, currently in hospice care and unable to move.
Nonetheless, the people spontaneously held a memorial service; people from all over the country used every means of transportation to pursue the Twin Palaces, crying out, "Your Excellency, President, are you leaving us?", "We don't want to be bullied and oppressed anymore," "Please save your people once more."
Though the scene was extremely touching, and the procession following the hearse stretched for tens of kilometers, this over-reliance on David Lyn's actions sparked a number of issues; 12 of David Lyn's supporters chose to commit suicide, though fortunately, they were saved in time.
Many neighboring countries found it unbearable and simply criticized, saying, "Can't you let His Excellency the President rest! Where is there an over ninety-year-old man who is still dragged out by you to work until he dies?"
Despite the unpleasant words, the fact is, according to the coroner's report, David Lyn was essentially worked to death by the people while in office.
It's not uncommon to see emperors exploiting and oppressing their people, but a president being held hostage by the people—that's truly rare.
Li Aozi did not mention anything about Yawen.
On one hand, David Lyn had no legacy to speak of, even the clothes were donated to a museum; Yawen was in the Lower Starry Abyss, so there's no need to come back and inherit anything.
On the other hand, Yawen's current status as a Secret Citizen is somewhat sensitive.
Meanwhile, the Monolith Church was also recognized by the Leoz Religion at the headquarters of the Baizhu Autonomous State, and under Li Aozi's deliberate arrangement, the Pathway of the Sovereign became the most mainstream path on Azure Star.
To be precise, it is the route leading to the ultimate path of the Meteor Fall Master.
From now on, it is anticipated that 20 million people will walk on the Pathway of the Sovereign each year.
Even the local residents of Azure Star, who lack a system, will receive the legacy of the Echoer from Mr. Liue and his newly recruited apprentices.
The Arcane Energy training that is systematic, theoretical, and academy-based has been introduced to Azure Star; the Mutants are no longer a niche group but have become a true mainstream community.
The old Mingji Professor and Madeleine's unrealized notion of 'Arcane Energy for everyone' has finally been realized under Li Aozi's dominion—one must admit, it's quite ironic.
Looking back, it's even more ironic to think: if the Mingji Professor hadn't been in such a hurry to advance to Gamma Rank, and just waited one more year, David Lyn would have come to power, guaranteed to lift all research ethical restrictions.
That is to say, even if the Mingji Professor had just idled away and waited a year, her achievements and honors would be far greater than they are now when David Lyn came to power.
Considering the Mingji Professor's research on Ersha and Arcane Energy, at the very least, she should be written into the history books and remembered forever by the people of Azure Star.
Speaking of... what was the Mingji Professor's name again?
Li Aozi played with the Soul Crystal of Mingji Professor in his hand as his consciousness began to drift.
A week after the establishment of the Governor's Office, at the Imperial Capital of the Red Arrow Empire—now renamed Aozi Gavkar, the capital of Azure Star—representatives from various countries and major powers from the Outer World held the first 'Azure Star Alliance Conference' and announced:
The Destiny Community of Azure Star has been formally established.
From this point on, Azure Star has been liberated from the long Dark Era and has been officially recognized as an enclave under the Baizhu Autonomous State by the Interstellar Alliance.
Then, unexpectedly, something unexpected happened.
At 8 a.m. Azure Star time, Li Aozi was awakened by a rapid ringing.
He opened the communicator, and a black and blue U-shaped magnet flag came into view—it was the national flag of the Maxwell Consortium.
Li Aozi was not surprised; he pressed the answer button, and a few seconds later, a blue-skinned Fungus Person with three pairs of slender ears slowly came into view, dressed in intricately beautiful robes with an electromagnetic coil floating above his head, as radiant as an angel's halo.
With both hands clasped together, he said to Li Aozi:
"Respected counterattacker of the Society, hero of the Layer Abyss, former president of the Baizhu Autonomous State, Your Excellency Leoz Dominet—we are from the affiliation civilization known as the Maxwell Public Consortium of the Obliteration Sanctum."
"Hmm." Li Aozi nodded: "And who are you?"
"My name is Akutruyi Miasma, currently serving as the Foreign Minister of the Public Consortium."
The Foreign Minister of Miasma nodded slightly and said:
"It is a great honor to communicate with you by phone. For you personally, we have a high regard and are willing to foster a good relationship, but please understand one thing."
He glanced at Li Aozi, noticing the latter was expressionless, with a hint of mockery in his mycelium-filled eyes, as if lamenting 'obliviousness,' and then faintly said:
"There is a saying passed down in the Temple: A tiger should put its paw in the food bowl, otherwise the owner will shoot—sincerely, we suggest that for the sake of the citizens of both our countries and more so for maintaining the civilization of the Starry Abyss, to promote peaceful exchanges and resolve disputes through dialogue."
"You want to negotiate with me? About what?"
"You should be aware, according to interstellar law, the Interstellar Alliance prohibits interstellar civilizations from providing technological assistance to uneducated indigenous civilizations. The Maxwell Consortium has always served as the Observation Ambassador near Azure Star. While you now own this planet, it doesn't mean your purchase strictly adheres to regulation procedures…"
"Oh? Are you saying my purchase of the planet is illegal?"
"I don't mean that; in fact, we greatly admire young heroes like you—nonetheless, our Maxwell Consortium, being a member state of the Interstellar Alliance, for the sake of maintaining cosmic peace and promoting the development of the Starry Abyss, must fulfill our duties as the Observation Ambassador, as you understand, we have to do our best..."
Miasma assumed a 'helpless' posture:
"Therefore, we hope to trouble you to make a journey to the Layer Abyss Interstellar Alliance to undergo a qualification review by the Interstellar Prosecutor's Office—of course, this won't take up too much of your time."
"Alright, I understand."
Li Aozi had already anticipated this day; he nodded and said:
"Are your people ready?"
Li Aozi's unexpectedly cooperative demeanor made Miasma smile, saying:
"The Consortium's fleet has already reached the Fairy Galaxy and will arrive at Azure Star in five minutes, we can wait for you for a day..."
"How about this, I'm in a bit of a hurry, going down to the Lower Starry Abyss tomorrow."
Li Aozi said gently:
"Give your crew 15 minutes to write a will—I'm going to have breakfast first."