Chapter 1180: Chapter 605: I Haven’t Even Made a Move Yet
This question doesn’t quite fit with the current atmosphere, does it?
Hemod was quite surprised as he sized up Li Ming in front of him, “You don’t seem to care about your own safety.”
Li Ming responded calmly, “I shouldn’t be in any life-threatening danger.”
All eyes were on him, and Hemod nodded appreciatively, “Indeed, your development potential is amazing. Perhaps you and I might become colleagues.”
“Your mentor has used you as bait many times, likely for the same reason. Many wouldn’t kill you unless absolutely necessary, yet you must harbor some resentment, don’t you?”
Despite the clear attempt to sow discord, Li Ming’s reaction was very calm, “Your Excellency still hasn’t answered my previous question.”
“It’s him.” Hemod slightly raised his chin, indicating a certain direction, speaking casually.
Li Ming glanced over, not surprised, “So it’s Lord Sven.”
Anduin and Shepherd followed with their eyes, expressions indifferent, showing no extra emotions. Betrayal was not unexpected.
Only Barbaro was shouting angrily, “You’re even worse than Benito! What a useless waste!”
Sven’s expression changed slightly, internally cursing, thinking that the people of the Three Great Civilizations really had no decency, not shielding him even before things settled down.
He forced a helpless smile, “There’s nothing I can do. Surely I can’t fight the Three Great Civilizations head-on.”
“Lord Azure Dragon’s mere words, how can they put me at ease?”
“The people under me have followed for hundreds of years. I have to give them an explanation.”
He continuously explained, but everyone’s reactions remained indifferent. After a few words, his embarrassment turned into anger, and he coldly said:
“Don’t look at me like that, don’t think I don’t know what you people are planning.”
“If things go south, you’ll probably run faster than I will.”
“Either way, we will all eventually submit to the Three Great Civilizations. My power is not as strong as yours, nor my influence, so naturally, I must recognize reality sooner to reap more benefits.”
“Besides, I’m not Azure Dragon’s subordinate, Azure Dragon hasn’t given me any benefits, this doesn’t even count as betrayal!”
“Please remain calm, no one accused you of betrayal,” Li Ming said somewhat helplessly. “The word used just now was ‘allegiance’; I was merely curious about who leaked the information, never to judge your choices.”
Sven’s face froze, then turned livid.
If Li Ming had reacted with more anger, more fury, he might have felt better.
But such a light response from Li Ming only meant, in another way, that he never took Sven seriously.
The people of the Three Great Civilizations looked on with a knowing smirk at the internal strife in front of them, having seen similar scenes before.
When coercing in the past, such disgraceful displays were not uncommon.
They found it amusing, as a privilege of the Three Great Civilizations.
“Who do you think you are, to mock me…” Sven glared at Li Ming with a sinister gaze.
But before he could finish, a golden light flashed before his eyes, startling him.
Hemod spoke calmly, “Watch your emotions; this person is very likely to be my future colleague.”
“Lord Hemod, this matter is not yet settled,”
The Empire and Star Alliance representatives were displeased, as it was not yet decided who Li Ming would be assigned to in the end.
Sven almost choked on his anger, thinking Hemod must be insane; who was really on his side right now?
Li Ming hasn’t even pledged allegiance yet, and they’re already offering olive branches?
His development potential is indeed high, but does it warrant this level of attention?
Sven was furious to the extreme, but the terrifying power emanating from Kashmir’s Spear was like needles piercing his entire body. Any movement could be life-threatening, leaving him with no thought of resistance.
The words he hadn’t finished were swallowed back down.
He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, “Everyone, let’s not waste time; Azure Dragon has other measures. The reason for the delay in coming is to wait for a certain opportunity.”
Due to a “convert’s zeal” mentality, after his identity was exposed, he immediately spilled everything he knew, hoping to drag these people into an inescapable disaster.
While previously with these people, he couldn’t contact the Three Great Civilizations, having to wait until now.
“Oh?” Hemod retracted the Kashmir’s Spear and looked at Li Ming again. Azure Dragon’s action wasn’t unexpected information, as he came precisely because of Azure Dragon.
Compared to these people, they clearly knew Azure Dragon had raided the Holy Castle Base, a force not to be underestimated.
Knowing no answers would come, he didn’t question Li Ming further, instead saying, “Let’s get to the main topic.”
“The Chaotic Star Gap needs a major restructuring. Everyone’s subordinates must be handed over, and everyone needs to undergo reform.”
The so-called reform refers to implanting control measures of the Three Great Civilizations, leaving life and death at others’ mercy.
Sven’s lips tightened as he said with a gloomy face, “I suggest capturing these people before further discussion.”
“This is not your place to speak,” the Empire representative said lightly. “Your task is complete.”
Thirty against five, including Kashmir’s Spear, it was an absolute advantage. There was no need to negotiate; a clean sweep would face no opposition.
However, the purpose of clearing the Chaotic Star Gap was a means to an end, not the end itself.
Their goal was to restrain Azure Dragon and retaliate for the previous Council Seat challenge, to weaken Azure Dragon’s prestige.
Simply capturing and leaving would be easy, but the effect wouldn’t be maximized.
They needed Anduin and the others to completely submit, then prove to the outside world that even in places where Azure Dragon’s influence was greatest, wherever the Three Great Civilizations went, they would be met with submission.