While another breakup had occurred within the grand alliance, from the initial five tier-one powers, it had now fallen to three… and once again, down to only two.
The possibility of the remaining factions achieving what they had originally sought had now become immensely harder.
The burden that was once shared among five powers—making the operation less risky and less costly, as others were there to bear part of it—had now shifted entirely. With three tier-one powers withdrawing their forces and no longer remaining allies, the full weight of the operation had fallen upon both the Association and the Star Empire.
Now, it remained to be seen what they would do next.
Would the Star Emperor fall back, seeing the situation getting out of hand? Or would he utilize all his power to get what he wanted? That was yet to be seen.
And even if he chose to act—would he succeed? That too remained uncertain.
