Chapter 12: Let the Beautiful Fireworks Bloom
Choba was stunned by what was happening at the distant asteroid fortress.
The once majestic fortress, which he had just left, now swelled like an overinflated balloon, flashes of light bursting from its crevices.
Boom!
The shockwave from the explosion sent him flying from his command seat. His spaceship spun uncontrollably under the impact, while debris from the shattered asteroid struck his hull, riddling it with holes.
His consciousness began to fade, but before losing it completely, one thought echoed in his mind:
The asteroid fortress is finished! The pirate fleet is finished!
Five Minutes Earlier
As Old Barton's fleet triumphantly towed the three captured corvettes into the docking port, the pirates erupted in cheers.
Impatiently, they swarmed over the new ships, running their hands across the hulls as if caressing a naked, slippery beauty.
One pirate entered a ship and headed to the reactor room. He was the pirate crew's top engineer, responsible for maintaining most of their ships' reactors.
The moment he stepped inside, something felt off.
This... this isn't a reactor! This structure isn't right! What is this?!
Then, he noticed a camera lens embedded in the machinery. Curious, he leaned closer.
"Beep... Destination reached. Transmitting beacon. Starbreaker detonation countdown: 3... 2..."
It's a bomb!
But he realized it too late. The device was perfectly disguised—external scans showed it as a brand-new reactor.
Damn it! I was careless!
Boom.
Imperial Fleet, Outer System
"Your Majesty, we've found three disabled, heavily damaged warships drifting in the system. Our salvage teams are recovering them," the ship's AI reported to Li Mingze.
"Deploy ground troops. Capture anyone still breathing," he commanded.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Hundreds of Imperial Marines stormed the pirate ships through breaches in the hull. They encountered no resistance, no traps—just dead silence, as if they were walking through their own backyard.
Unfortunately, due to severe debris impact, life-support systems had completely failed. Only a few pirates in combat suits had survived, unconscious from the extreme vibrations.
"Tow these ships back to the New Homeland Research Station. It's unlikely the enemy played the same deception trick on us, but let's stay cautious," Li Mingze instructed.
"And don't leave behind any debris from the explosion! Deploy drones to scour the system and retrieve anything valuable!"
"Understood, Your Majesty!" The salvage team leader's image flickered off the screen.
Aboard the Imperial Warship, Prison Cell
Choba groggily opened his eyes, blinking at the harsh light.
He instinctively raised a hand to shield his face—only to realize his arms were restrained.
"My hands are locked! Where am I?! Did the League capture our pirate crew? No! I don't want to die!"
"You're our prisoner now," a voice coldly declared. "Answer my questions, and maybe I'll let you live."
Seated across from him was Li Mingze's projection, enjoying the experience of personally interrogating an alien captive.
He intended to introduce these creatures to the full spectrum of human 'wisdom'—through eighteen different methods of torture.
As Choba's eyes adjusted to the light, he realized that the person questioning him was not from any race he had ever seen before.
Aliens?!
"M-Master! Master!" Choba squeaked. "I'll tell you anything you want to know! Everything I know! Please, just spare my life! My life is worthless! No, wait, to you, it's valuable! I swear!"
The alien's big, watery eyes sparkled in sheer terror, as if he would burst into tears if Li Mingze didn't accept his loyalty immediately.
Li Mingze was speechless.
Where was the resistance?! The torture?! The heroic defiance?!
Wasn't this guy supposed to say, "You'll never get anything out of me, scum!" before he screamed under interrogation?!
Yet, before he had even asked a single question, this alien had already betrayed his own people.
Ridiculously easy.
The Truth About the Parker League
Through Choba, Li Mingze quickly learned the full details of the Parker League.
Originally, it was a coalition of nations formed by the same species, similar to the United Nations. After expanding into space, they absorbed many independent star systems, forming a federal state.
While the League had a unified economy, its military was decentralized. Each member nation maintained its own forces, but they collectively funded three official Alliance fleets, controlled by the founding member states.
Their combined fleet strength was formidable—over 1,000 corvette and 200 destroyers, excluding mercenaries and pirate groups.
This was concerning.
Having a powerful military neighbor was not ideal, even with buffer star systems in between. At least, for now, the Empire remained undiscovered.
For safety, their expansion would have to shift in another direction.
Imperial calendar 2022.11.30
The fleet returned triumphantly, hauling back captured pirate ships and debris from the explosion.
By analyzing these wrecks, the Empire expected major technological advancements in:
Armor development Faster-than-light engines Battle AI systems Beam weapon technology
As his projection's mission ended, Li Mingze woke up in his office back in the Imperial Capital.
"Ugh, this is uncomfortable," he muttered, stretching. "I haven't seen my soft bed or my little fool for ten days!"
He had dearly missed his pet.
Heading over to its nest, he scooped up the sleeping creature and began rubbing it vigorously.
"Guuu!!" the little thing chirped in protest.
Imperial News Headlines
"Shocking! His Majesty personally led the fleet to annihilate an alien armada! Share if you're a true Imperial citizen!"
A journalist embedded with the fleet witnessed history unfold as the Emperor fearlessly crushed the enemy!
His Majesty led the Imperial fleet into enemy territory and slaughtered them effortlessly!The enemy's stronghold was reduced to ashes!
A full alien warship and an enemy admiral were captured!
Inspired by His Majesty's might, the enemy general has pledged loyalty to the Empire!
Once again, we declare:
All planets occupied by the Parker League have been the Empire's rightful territory since ancient times! Sacred and inviolable!
We are liberating our rightful lands!
Under His Majesty's leadership, our Empire shall shine brilliantly!
Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!