Starting from the Planetary Governor

Chapter 1077: Chapter 586, The Supreme Mother

In the Spiderweb Domain, within the Millennium Star Domain, aboard the flagship of the Iron Armor Battle Group—the “Iron Body”—Humphrey Paolo was engaged in a discussion with Great Sage Valuk, who was far away in the Alfonso Star Domain.

“Has Alfonso erupted into chaos already?”

Valuk’s mechanical-like face bore no trace of emotion: “Essentially true. After the fleet led by Dubo was annihilated in the Proudclaw Cosmos, the Imperial Faction within the sect has begun to regain the upper hand. They are intensely questioning the sect’s strategy for entering the war, blaming the fleet’s destruction on the decision to engage in conflict, and increasingly doubting the sect’s ongoing collaboration with the Iron Armor Battle Group.”

To others, this might seem like pressure being exerted.

But Paul did not interpret it that way.

His expression remained unchanged, and he didn’t doubt Valuk’s position for even a moment.

He simply sighed and remarked, “I have never underestimated the Alliance. When Erso was still alive, I urged him not to act recklessly and emphasized the need to take the Alliance seriously. He didn’t fully heed my advice, which ultimately led to his untimely demise in the South.”

“I tried to win them over. Even if they were unwilling to stand with us, I hoped to at least keep them neutral. Unfortunately, they also rejected my overtures; my bargaining chips were too insufficient.”

“I have been prepared for years to wage war against the Alliance. That’s why I instructed Politos to deploy the entirety of Furyflame, along with an additional New Dawn Torch, to hold off the Alliance’s southern advance.”

“Yet their capabilities have surpassed even my expectations. Just a few years ago, they were merely brimming with potential. But within such a short time, they’ve not only fulfilled that potential but become even stronger than I had anticipated.”

“Politos is a highly capable individual, yet he couldn’t meet my expectations. It’s not his fault. Even when I sought your aid and Sage Dubo personally commanded the fleet, it led to an even larger failure. I genuinely couldn’t have foreseen that your intervention, which I had planned as one of my trump cards, would falter. The Alfonso Fleet was originally a force powerful enough to change the tide of the entire war.”

“The Alliance not only forced that trump card into play, compelling me to deploy you prematurely, but they also destroyed your fleet in the South…”

“I’m furious, even somewhat afraid. At times, I can’t help but wonder: was our initial strategy misguided? Should we have struck southward? Doing so might not have shaken the Empire to its core, but we could’ve eliminated a major adversary before they grew this strong, sparing us the current predicament.”

Great Sage Valuk, who had been listening silently, calmly responded, “That’s unrealistic. If you had pursued that path, the situation might be even worse now.”

Humphrey Paolo fell silent for a moment, then sighed: “Indeed, as you say, the outcome could very well have been worse. I couldn’t abandon the core region, which at the time was still unstable, to charge southward. When the time came to choose a primary theater of engagement, had I opted for the South, the Alliance might have been crippled, never realizing their wartime potential. Yet they could’ve trapped me amid the ruins. At that point, perhaps there would’ve been the Princess to hold the North, but the West… we would’ve been torn apart by that Phoenix.”

Valuk said, “Agreed. We’ve discussed this topic before; there’s no need to revisit it. Dwelling on the Alliance’s strength is futile. What we need are strategies to counter and resolve their threat, or at the very least stabilize the southern front.”

“As you mentioned, I think I need to speak with the Princess again.”

Valuk advised, “Speaking with the Princess may not suffice. You might need to have this conversation with the Empress.”

Now, it was Paul’s turn to hesitate.

“If that’s the case… things might escalate beyond the point of no return. We might not be fully prepared yet…”

“You must make this decision, Paul.” Valuk’s voice remained devoid of sentiment. “There’s no longer room for deliberation. This matter shouldn’t hinge on your judgment. Seek the Empress’s will; allow Her to decide. We need only follow.”

Humphrey Paolo waved his hand, saying, “Let me think… let me think further.”

As he spoke, his pupils began to glow faintly purple, and his skin abruptly revealed a web of purple veins before they quickly receded, leaving only the sharp teeth visible as his mouth opened and closed.

Valuk issued a final warning: “Hasten, quickly. While you deliberate, so does our enemy prepare, and the Empress’s patience wanes. Moreover, the Imperial Faction within Alfonso, already boiling over after Dubo’s defeat, is teetering on the brink. I will do my utmost to maintain order, but no one can guarantee what events might unfold in the Alfonso Star Domain.”

“Understood.”

After cutting off communication, Humphrey Paolo stood motionless for a long time.

Eventually, he appeared to have made some kind of decision.

Sealing himself off from everyone, he sat alone in the throne hall of the warship. He retrieved an indescribable object—a palm-sized piece of flesh that ceaselessly throbbed, seemingly revealing the flow of purple blood within.

He devoured it in one gulp. Moments later, purple light radiated intensely from his eyes.

In an instant, he appeared to connect with some supreme will.

A voice emerged—a voice so lofty and awe-inspiring as to compel submission, yet so tender and motherly as to soothe the soul.

In that moment, Humphrey Paolo surrendered all his inner struggles and resistance, adopting an expression of utmost reverence, humility, and fervor as he communicated with this will at the level of high-energy information.

Perhaps they exchanged countless thoughts, yet the entire process transpired in mere moments.

When Humphrey Paolo opened his eyes once more, he seemed drained of most of his strength, staggering backward several steps before collapsing to his knees.

Gasping heavily, Paul felt faint and nauseous.

He forcibly suppressed the sensation.

Opening his eyes again and standing tall once more, he reverted to being the Iron Legion Commander—the ambitious tyrant and pivotal figure who had sparked massive rebellion across the Imperial’s Eastern Frontier.

Resuming his seat on the throne, Paul calmly issued one directive after another.

Before long, his forces were mobilized.

The urgency unsettled many subordinates, leaving them in suspense about what was unfolding.

But Paul himself knew.

The Supreme Mother had mercifully granted his request, bestowing upon him one final chance.

He had to seize it.

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