Chapter 64: Art is Explosion

"Where should we be going?"

The Other was momentarily stunned by the question, unable to fully grasp its meaning.

Where should they go? Shouldn't they be figuring out a way to leave this planet and reestablish contact with the outside world?

Or, like before, should they find a planet equipped with a planetary propulsion system and drag it over to collide with U40, creating an opportunity for escape?

"Lord Lothar, Woz strongly advises against heading to U40's capital city, Eifeld, and approaching the municipal building at this time. Judging by the speed at which the bounty order was issued, the enemy was clearly prepared in advance."

Woz disapproved of Lothar's course of action and voiced a warning. The fact that the enemy was in the shadows while they were exposed made Woz incredibly cautious—especially since it still hadn't figured out how their identities had been compromised.

"Prepared in advance? Doesn't that just confirm our target is inside the municipal building?"

Lothar lifted his gaze toward the city's landmark structure—the towering municipal building that pierced the sky. A pleased smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

He was quite intrigued by the mysterious figure Babar had mentioned.

He had to admit, anyone capable of snatching his prey right from under his nose, unnoticed, had certainly earned his attention.

"Lord Lothar, based on Woz's calculations, our probability of infiltrating the target undetected by the Skrulls is exactly 0%."

"News from U40's public information bureau: our targets, Baltan and Gazzler, will be arriving at the port with their returning fleet in ten minutes. A grand victory banquet will be held in their honor at the municipal building in thirty minutes. Security will be airtight by then—we'll have no chance of sneaking in."

Most importantly, Woz currently had no way to hack into U40's data systems and forge proper identification, meaning Lothar and his group couldn't simply waltz through the front door.

"They arrived ahead of schedule?" Lothar's eyes gleamed with excitement, and his tail began to sway involuntarily.

"Yes, Lord Lothar. At this point, our success rate is—"

"100%. It's always 100%."

Lothar cut Woz off mid-sentence. His unwavering confidence left Woz in a brief silence before the holographic display in front of Lothar's right eye lit up, presenting topographic maps and three-dimensional schematics of key structures along their route.

Because when Lord Lothar spoke, he was always right.

"The Other, where are the frost bombs?"

Lothar turned to his ever-present follower. The Other scrambled to pull out a collection of shimmering blue crystalline devices from storage, cradling them carefully in both hands before eagerly offering them up.

"Right here, Prince Lothar! Right here!"

"In thirty minutes, throw them at the municipal building."

"Yes, Prince Lothar!"

Since they were already branded as notorious fugitives, they might as well act the part.

Blowing up a building seemed like an appropriate way to remind the ignorant Skrulls what war was truly about.

As warships began to dot U40's skyline, a cold smirk curled Lothar's lips.

Trailing behind The Other, Astra swallowed nervously. He couldn't explain why, but an ominous feeling had been creeping into his heart—and it was growing stronger by the second.

...

"A triumphant welcome to the Seventh Legion of the Empire upon their victorious return to U40!"

"I, Jonias, as the appointed administrator of U40—"

The long-sealed planet U40 had finally welcomed back its stationed military forces. Jonias, the official representative, stood alongside the planetary governors, ready to greet the returning warriors at the docking bay.

They were the pride of the Skrull Empire.

"Spare me the pleasantries. Where's Shafrin? I need to speak with him."

Baltan, a Skrull warrior with gleaming silver cybernetic arms, scoffed impatiently. The deep cross-shaped scar at the corner of his eye made him look even more menacing.

"Lord Shafrin is preparing a banquet for you at the municipal building," Jonias replied respectfully, placing a hand over his chest in a formal salute. A star-shaped insignia gleamed from his forehead.

"This is the perfect opportunity to strike at the Kree Empire. Instead of sealing off the planet, we should be gathering our forces and negotiating with Thanos."

"It's complicated. Lord Shafrin didn't explain the details to me, and I didn't dare press further."

Jonias himself was completely in the dark about the planet's sudden lockdown. There was no way he could offer a satisfactory answer to these two high-ranking warriors.

"Let's deal with it later, then. This opportunity won't come again. We can hold a victory banquet after we crush the Kree."

Gazzler, a giant among Skrull soldiers—easily twice the size of an average warrior—intervened to defuse the situation.

They all fought for the Empire's honor. There was no need to make things difficult for Jonias.

Baltan let out a cold grunt and withdrew his piercing gaze. He and Gazzler followed Jonias into the municipal building, their sharp eyes catching sight of a lone figure standing at the highest seat in the chamber.

A mask of black and white stripes. A chest adorned with countless medals. A crimson cloak, said to be stained with the blood of his enemies.

The Empire's paratrooper commander. The dancer beneath Skrull Prime's night sky. The very man responsible for skyrocketing the sales of black-and-white striped masks. The highest-ranking official on U40—Shafrin.

No matter how much Baltan resented this leader, who had been suddenly assigned to his post thirty years ago, he had to admit: the man was terrifyingly powerful.

His mastery of psychic manipulation was unparalleled in the Empire.

Even Baltan and Gazzler had, at some point, fallen under his silent control.

And the most terrifying part?

Rumors claimed his fists could shatter asteroids. His former subordinates spoke in unison about a technique known as "Galactic Starburst."

According to legend, a certain asteroid in the Gemini Star System was obliterated by none other than Astra's fists.

Whether the story was true or not remained a mystery. Every Skrull soldier who had survived the explosion mysteriously died shortly after returning to Skrull Prime—autopsies revealed traces of radiation from an unknown energy source.

"Welcome back, Baltan. Gazzler."

Shafrin rose from his seat, spreading his arms in a warm gesture of greeting.

"Shafrin, we need to talk. About Thanos' unexpected interference—and our position in all of this."

Baltan wasted no time getting to the point.

"I understand, but let's not be too hasty. Not while we still have... rats to deal with."

There was a hidden edge to Shafrin's tone that made Baltan and Gazzler frown.

Before they could respond, a sharp sound shattered the silence.

Dozens of radiant blue crystals crashed through the windows, scattering at their feet.

An instant later, the energy surging from them made their expressions twist in alarm.

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion ripped through the capital, sending shockwaves that engulfed U40's skyline.

Under Lothar's defiant, triumphant gaze—

The towering municipal building collapsed into ruin.

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