Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high! Chapter 1065 - 726: World-Destroying Crisis (Part 2)

Even though the Shadow Kingdom had been vanquished, as one of the "Sons of the Empire," their voice still carried weight. "The peril is identical. A battlefield isn't an arena; the mortality rate will be considerably higher. If these blossoming geniuses perish in the bug tide, it is our collective future that we lose."

"However, this also serves as a method of selection," the Priest from the Holy Silver Church Country articulated slowly. "A true powerhouse doesn't just triumph in tournaments; they must also conquer war and emerge victorious. Blooms nurtured in a greenhouse are incapable of withstanding the cosmic storms. If they cannot even endure a bug tide of this magnitude, then they are undeserving of the title 'hope for humanity's future.'"

A consensus was swiftly achieved.

The "Sons of the Empire" collectively presented a pressing proposal to the Star Alliance Tournament Committee and the Security Council:

Considering the current dire circumstances, it is proposed that the final-stage matches of the Star Alliance Grand Finals, as originally scheduled, be postponed. Instead, the teams that have advanced to the top eight shall constitute the "Star Alliance Youth Task Force" and will immediately be dispatched to one of the Stellar Districts facing the most severe threat from the Bug Race to undertake reconnaissance, interception, support, and potentially counterattack operations.

Ultimately, based on each team's overall performance in actual combat, their contributions to war outcomes, survival rates, and other pertinent factors, the final rankings for this tournament will be collaboratively assessed by the Star Alliance military and the Tournament Committee.

This proposal rapidly garnered approval from the Star Alliance leadership.

In the face of an existential threat to life and limb, all forms of entertainment and competition must yield.

Shortly thereafter, the Star Alliance officially disseminated an announcement:

"To all members of the Star Alliance and citizens observing the Grand Finals: In response to a sudden, large-scale invasion by an Alien Race, and to consolidate humanity's full might against our shared adversary, following an emergency deliberation between the Star Alliance Supreme Security Council and the Tournament Committee, it has been resolved that the third stage, the 'Peak Showdown,' of the Star Alliance Grand Finals will undergo adjustments."

"The original top eight teams will form the 'First Star Alliance Youth Task Force' and will, under the Star Alliance United Fleet Command, immediately undergo provisional restructuring and pre-engagement briefings. Within 24 standard hours, they will board a rapid response fleet and proceed to the forefront of the 'Silent Frontier' Edge Star Zone to execute the emergency combat mission designated by the codename 'Dawn's Edge.'"

"Actual combat performance during this mission will serve as the principal determinant for establishing the final standings of this Star Alliance Grand Finals. Specific mission details and evaluation metrics will be separately issued by the Star Alliance military. May courage forever sustain humanity, and may the light undoubtedly dispel the darkness!"

Upon the dissemination of the announcement, the world erupted in commotion, yet it was tinged with a greater degree of understanding and a tragic, fiery spirit.

The competition had transmuted into genuine warfare, and the championship's glory would be intrinsically linked to the merit of defending civilization.

Reactions to this abrupt shift in events varied amongst different factions.

The general populace, while apprehensive, harbored no small measure of anticipation for this "Task Force," comprising the universe's premier young Mech Pilots, hoping they might forge miracles upon the battlefield.

The eight participating teams plunged into the most strenuous phase of pre-combat preparations.

This was not a simulation; it was not a contest. It was a war to the death between species.

Meanwhile, within the private communications among the high-ranking members of the "Sons of the Empire," in addition to their unified objective of confronting the Bug Race, certain subtle machinations began to resurface.

"The battlefield... it could present an opportunity," the Priest of the Holy Silver Church Country murmured via encrypted channels. "On a chaotic battlefield, 'accidents' possess the potential to materialize at any instant. Regardless of how formidable Bai E may be, confronting an unending swarm of bugs and the 'tacit collaboration' of several of our 'trump cards'... can he truly ensure the safety of his teammates on every occasion, or emerge himself unscathed?"

A sneer was heard from the Golden Federation's advisor. "Moreover, when it comes to confronting the Alien Race, we are the experts. The former Empire amassed immense experience battling alien civilizations. Our Mecha, weaponry, and strategies have all been refined against this specific adversary. While Bai E may have engaged in some minor defensive engagements against the Bug Race in the Peak Star Zone, those were merely small-scale skirmishes in an Edge Star Zone. When faced with this kind of large-scale, cross-Star Domain invasion, those experiences of his might be utterly insignificant."

The Steel Alliance representative offered a more reserved opinion. "Do not underestimate him. Previous intelligence from the Peak Alliance indicated that Bai E possesses unique methods for dealing with the Bug Race, even earning him the moniker 'Insect Race Killer' among some. This real combat situation presents an excellent opportunity to ascertain whether his reputation is hollow or well-deserved."

The Flame Republic representative was eager for action. "Who cares what kind of 'killer' he is? The battlefield is the ultimate test! This is a perfect chance for our 'War Dogs' to clash with him and see who can notch more bug kills!"

Despite lingering apprehension, and even outright hostility, towards Bai E and his contingent, the overarching threat of the Bug Race—humanity's shared enemy—prompted them to temporarily set aside these feelings. These emotions morphed into a competitive spirit—

The goal was to demonstrate on the actual battlefield that the elite forces trained by the "Sons of the Empire" were vastly superior and more dependable than a "dark horse" emerging from an Edge Star Domain.

They possessed unwavering confidence in their accumulated technology, combat strategies, and elite training methodologies honed over years.

…

International Pavilion, Zone Seven, at the New Bauhinia base.

Upon receiving the official announcement, the atmosphere within the conference room became somber and heavy.

"The Bug Race… a large-scale invasion," Catherine stated grimly, her gaze fixed on the Star Alliance announcement displayed on the screen, accompanied by sparse footage from the front lines.

Although their historical record against Bug Race Fleets was unblemished, the Bug Race was never an enemy to be taken lightly.

With a full-scale invasion underway, there was no telling what new mutated forms might emerge.

Most critically, this species possessed a constant evolutionary capability, growing more formidable with every engagement.

Kuang Xin, stroking his chin, appeared rather enthusiastic. "So, we're actually fighting bugs now? Fine by me; those things look disgusting anyway. It'll be even more satisfying to obliterate them!"

Gong Yan provided additional intelligence. "My Lord, based on the limited data shared by the Star Alliance, the 'Silent Frontier' Stellar District is designated as one of the primary vectors for this bug tide invasion. At least two inhabited Colony Stars have lost all contact. The Bug Race Fleet is estimated to comprise over ten bio-super-dreadnoughts, supported by numerous medium and small-sized vessels. The local defense fleet within the Stellar District has sustained grievous losses and is conducting a full-scale retreat. The Task Force's mission is highly likely to involve delaying the Bug Race's advance, facilitating civilian evacuation, and identifying potential vulnerabilities within the Bug Race Fleet."

Bai E listened intently. His 'Insect Race Killer' Spiritual Energy perception, it seemed, had faintly detected from an incredibly distant Star Domain a sharper, more violent hunger and malice following the announcement's release.

The magnitude was indeed far greater than any encountered previously.

"It appears our respite has concluded," Bai E stated slowly. His voice, though calm, carried an unspoken gravity. "The tournament has escalated into war, yet our objective remains unchanged—to showcase the prowess of 'New Bauhinia' and strive for our own future. It's simply that our adversary has now become the collective enemy of humanity."

He cast his gaze towards his team members. "This marks our inaugural deployment onto a Milky Way-scale battlefield, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the elites of the 'Sons of the Empire.' What we'll be competing on isn't strategic ingenuity or tactical finesse, but the most direct combat effectiveness, resilience under fire, and contribution to the overarching war effort. Do not succumb to pressure. Apply everything we've honed through training, all that we learned battling the Bug Race on the Mine Star and on Karian, and put it to practical use."

"Remember this," Bai E's gaze swept across each of them. "On the battlefield, ensuring your own survival is always paramount. Following that, eliminate as many adversaries as possible. I will be right beside you."

"Yes, sir!" the team responded in unison. Their eyes held no trace of fear, only a fervent battle intent.

For them, the Bug Race was by no means an unknown foe.