IMAO Chapter 95

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Hans followed Horace’s steps without any hesitation.

Minister of Intelligence Walz, who was left behind, waited until the hurried footsteps grew distant. Only after the footsteps had completely faded for a while did he secretly peek behind him. After confirming that His Majesty had left, he finally got up from the ground.

“What’s gotten into His Majesty?” Walz couldn’t help muttering to himself as he stood up, rubbing his knees.

The war breaking out in North Mali had no impact on their Hoyt whatsoever, so why was His Majesty in such a hurry?

Regardless of the reason, what he needed to do now was to quickly analyze and compile all the materials from before and after the North Mali war, and submit all the details.

As Horace walked, he ordered, “Hans, arrange rescue immediately and confirm the number of North Mali citizens stranded.”

Hans strode swiftly behind Horace, respectfully responding, “Yes! Your Majesty!”

…

Silver Palace.

“Marshal… we lost communication,” the young military officer’s voice was grave, his eyes full of worry.

Earlier, He Chuan had informed them that North Mali had been attacked and the Princess of the Night had taken off. He remained behind to wait for news about the two children, Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong. However, after that message, they couldn’t contact He Chuan no matter how they tried.

They had just confirmed that a massive information-blocking network had suddenly activated around North Mali. The satellites broadcasting the blocking network were equipped with concealment devices, and no one had been able to locate them yet.

This meant that all information from North Mali was now cut off. Unless someone landed on the planet, there was no way to get specific intelligence about what was happening on North Mali.

Alfonso frowned deeply. The sudden situation in North Mali was completely unexpected. Not only were Jiang Yuan, Ji Rong, and He Chuan there, but countless Federation citizens as well.

“You may leave,” Alfonso said, taking a deep breath.

“Yes!” The young officer quickly left the room, leaving only Alfonso and Ji Chong behind.

Alfonso instinctively turned to look at Ji Chong beside him. By now, Ji Chong had taken his seat and opened his communicator to log into the Federation’s encrypted network.

Federation Emergency Meeting.

“According to interstellar network statistics, there are currently about 130,000 Federation citizens stranded in North Mali. 50,000 are aboard various ships and their safety is still assured, but 80,000 remain on North Mali.”

“We must get these citizens to safety as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, we must hurry.”

Ji Chong checked the materials and said, “The closest to North Mali is the Fearless Vanguard peacekeeping force that was previously headed to Harley. Issue orders for them to immediately head to North Mali to assist with the rescue.”

“There’s another problem. With communications blocked, how will we let the citizens know when the warships arrive?”

“We’ll contact the North Mali government to help us broadcast globally within North Mali.”

“I must remind you that in two days, the North Mali government might not even exist anymore,” someone said. Though the tone was harsh, it was the absolute truth.

The North Mali government was practically powerless. The jump point revenues were controlled by capitalists. North Mali was also famous for being a tax-free nation. The government didn’t even collect basic taxes. The money to keep the government running came from capitalist donations. If they didn’t need someone to maintain basic diplomatic affairs, the North Mali government might have already completely disappeared due to lack of funds.

…

The emergency meeting ended.

Although the Federation had issued emergency plans and dispatched the nearest peacekeeping force for immediate rescue, it would take at least two days for the troops to reach North Mali. Without any communication, anything could happen.

He looked at Ji Chong who was frowning beside him. During the meeting, Ji Chong did not mention Ji Rong being in North Mali, but he could sense the unease in the Federation’s youngest Marshal’s heart. He immediately stood up and patted Ji Chong’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry too much. They safely returned to the spaceport. That invasion force won’t attack them.”

Alfonso meant this sincerely. From the records of ships that had taken off before the war began, all countries had analyzed that although this assault team with the blood-red North Mali flag was attacking, their bombs hadn’t fallen on the spaceport or any important buildings.

The main attack zone was the wealthy residential area in North Rio’s northern district.

“The bloody moon flag… I really can’t figure out where this force came from,” Alfonso’s brow gradually furrowed.

Just then, a voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.

“Marshal Hans, what are you doing?”

“I’ve already told you, our two Marshals are in an emergency meeting! You can’t go in!”

This young military officer had clearly been by Alfonso’s side during this time and had seen Hans several times. He recognized Hans’s identity at a glance. Although his tone was polite, his attitude was very firm.

Hans gave the young Federation officer a cold look, his gaze cold. “Step back.”

The foreign Marshal’s gaze made the young officer suspect that if he didn’t obey, if he dared take another step forward, this Marshal would draw his sword and hold it to his neck.

Hans blocked the young officer behind him. By now, the Federation people had all come up, and both sides were at a standoff.

“Your Majesty, should we… wait a moment?” Hans asked in a deep voice after some consideration.

Horace glanced at Hans, then immediately asked the Federation officers, “How long have they been meeting?”

“For a while now…” The officer being questioned was startled at the sharp gaze, and after noticing how Hans had addressed the person before him, his Adam’s apple bobbed.

A thought occurred to him.

The imposing Alpha before him had a name known throughout the stars, the Iron-Blooded Emperor.

Or perhaps, the Holy Emperor.

– Horace.

His Majesty… why was he here?

Hearing the commotion outside, Alfonso immediately opened the door. “Marshal Hans, is there something you need from me?”

As soon as Alfonso finished speaking, he noticed the young man standing before him. Wasn’t this the Hoyt Emperor whom he had just met a few days ago through Ji Chong’s lover?

“Your Majesty?” Alfonso called out softly in slight surprise. Just as he was about to speak further and inquire about the purpose of the visit, he saw the other person bypass him, taking three steps in two, and walk directly to Ji Chong.

“Is Ji Rong on the ship or in North Mali?”

Ji Chong stared at his lover who had suddenly rushed here to question him, hesitated for a moment, then spoke with difficulty, “…North Mali.”

“Don’t worry, Federation warships have already set out for rescue. Our son will be fine.”

Ji Chong stepped forward and embraced Horace, comforting him, “I’ll leave for North Mali immediately.”

Horace: “I’m going too.”

Ji Chong: “Okay.”

Our son?

Alfonso: ???

Everyone from the Federation: ???

Even the usually composed Hans was frozen in place. He hadn’t asked anything along the way, just following His Majesty’s orders, but hearing Ji Chong’s words made him stop dead in his tracks, but his face remained more expressionless than the others.

Ji Chong patted Horace, turned his head, and said to Alfonso, “Marshal Alfonso, I need to borrow a jump ship to take my lover to North Mali. Please wait for me in Hoyt for a while. I want to confirm Ji Rong’s safety as soon as possible.”

Alfonso gave Ji Chong a strange look, “Your lover is…?”

Ji Chong pulled Horace closer, saying, “Him, the one I told you about.”

Alfonso looked at Horace, his expression somewhat awkward. “Your Majesty, it’s nice to see you again.”

Hearing Alfonso address Horace as ‘Your Majesty’, Ji Chong whipped his head around to look at Horace, his face full of disbelief.

Your Majesty?

The Iron-Blooded Emperor… Horace?

Then Ji Chong saw Alfonso looking at his… stomach.

Ji Chong: …

……

Bang!

The lasers, cannons, and gun ports on the warship opened in sequence according to orders and took aim.

In North Mali’s airspace, unmarked warships and mechas exchanged continuous fire with the Red Moon warships and mechas. In the violent assault, stray shots once again fell to the ground, causing massive explosions.

Explosions could be heard from all directions.

In such terrifying bombardment, the spaceport had already been razed to the ground by the two fighting sides above!

After the first wave of explosions, those still alive in the spaceport had long since scattered and fled.

Thanks to their quick reactions, Jiang Yuan, Ji Rong, He Chuan, and the two children avoided fatal injuries and dodged that wave of attacks.

After confirming the attacks came from warships within North Mali, He Chuan made a swift decision to lead everyone away. After observation, they quickly discovered the combat zone was limited to North Rio. If they could escape North Rio, they could avoid the bombing!

And leaving North Rio, there was only one place in North Mali, the slums!

“This won’t work. We need to find a way to get weapons, otherwise, with all these people, we’ll all be killed by stray bombs before we even reach the slum district!” Hiding in a relatively safe corner, Jiang Yuan frowned, glanced at the people following behind them, and said to He Chuan beside him.

“I know, but where can we get weapons?” He Chuan said anxiously.

As a Federation soldier, during his time stranded at the spaceport, He Chuan had gathered many of his countrymen. Besides Federation citizens, some people from other countries had instinctively joined their group, and naturally, Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong couldn’t turn them away.

He Chuan knew that with weapons, the three of them – Jiang Yuan, Ji Rong, and himself – could manage to protect these two hundred people safely into the civilian area. But the problem was that to get weapons, they had to go to the northern district!

The bombing in the northern district was the heaviest in North Mali. Forget about getting there. With the bombs on the way, even if they reached the northern district, who could guarantee they’d make it back?

But without mechas… they could only rely on luck and pray for God’s protection.

BOOM!

A bomb hit the ground!

The explosion burst into violent flames, and the people behind didn’t have time to dodge. They were instantly reduced to pieces.

Jiang Yuan looked back deeply, then said urgently, “Instructor, Ji Rong, you take them and stay safe. I’ll find a way to get us a mecha!”

Before He Chuan could react, Jiang Yuan turned and ran off.

“I’m going with him!” Without thinking, Ji Rong immediately followed.

He Chuan: “You two little bastards, stop right there! Let me go instead.”

He Chuan wanted to follow, but the two had already vanished, and he had a crowd of people looking at him expectantly behind him. He could only fall back, saying in a deep voice to those behind him: “Everyone, follow me.”

As he led the people along, he worried: Those two brats, even if someone had to go, it should have been their instructor! What are they trying to prove!

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