A sky-blotting tide of the Swarm enveloped the planet. They had scented food here; this world possessed the elements they required. They would turn this planet into sustenance for their [Propagation]!
A single bug, completely different from the others, flickered in and out of view amidst the Swarm. Its body was far larger than the rest, glowing with a faint blue light. Its savage mandibles and massive, crimson compound eyes were fixed on the planet below. It smelled a different kind of aroma... an aroma that was utterly captivating...
It powerfully slapped the enormous carapace on its back. Following the command issued by the blue bug, countless insects began to breach the planet's atmosphere as if ordered.
In an instant, the originally clean, azure sky was filled with a rain of innumerable fireballs! Each fireball represented a single bug. The extreme heat of atmospheric entry could not penetrate their carapaces. Their savage mandibles and sharp claws were their most effective weapons of war. They did not fear death and were driven purely by instinct!
---o---
"My lord, those bugs have launched their attack. Your orders..."
A high-ranking commander of the Antimatter Legion stared at the "fiery meteors" in the sky, then turned and spoke softly to Xingxiao, whose expression remained unchanged.
"Hmph... What else can we do? Kill them! They're just a pile of bugs. Crush them. I'd like to see for myself which is stronger: the so-called Swarm Disaster, or the army of [Destruction]!"
"ROOOAR!!!!"
At Xingxiao's command, a dozen Doomsday Beasts instantly soared into the air, letting out roars that pierced the clouds before taking the lead and charging toward the bugs in the sky.
The soldiers of Xingxiao's legion also piloted various aircraft and weapons, rushing into the heavens. On the ground, countless Fragmentum creatures formed offensive phalanxes. These soldiers, forged in the furnace of war and yet to perish, were the most elite war machines. In their eyes, there was no retreat, only an offense that could bring about [Destruction]!
On one side was the Swarm, which had once brought about the [Cosmic Swarm Disaster]. On the other was the Antimatter Legion, led by [Xingxiao], the Lord Ravager most skilled in military command under the banner of [Destruction]. The presence of either of these forces in any corner of the universe was enough to make children weep in the night and grown adults tremble in fear!
And this was the first time in recorded history that the power symbolizing [Destruction] had its first clash with the long-lost [Propagation]!
Between the two, which was stronger?
The Swarm's attacks were chaotic, driven entirely by the instinct to kill. Thus, the Antimatter Legion easily penetrated their ranks. Since the Swarm never had anything resembling a "formation," their lines could not be considered broken, nor could they be described as thrown into disarray.
However, the oppressive power of the Doomsday Beasts was obvious. With them as the vanguard, every breath attack could incinerate thousands of bugs in an instant. Their claws, tougher than metal, could easily tear through the bugs' hard carapaces. Their own robust external defenses made the Swarm's attacks seem like raindrops falling on the ground—they couldn't even leave a scratch on the Doomsday Beasts' bodies!
As the Legion's anti-planetary weapons, Doomsday Beasts rarely appeared in packs. But this was Xingxiao's legion. For the sake of better conquest and destruction, she had bred several times more Doomsday Beasts than all the other legions combined!
And Xingxiao herself was not only an exceptionally brilliant commander, but her personal combat prowess was naturally even more superb. As a [Lord Ravager], she would certainly not bring shame to the name of an [Emanator of Destruction].
It was rumored that, like Fenfeng, she alone could match an entire army. But this went against her personal aesthetic of destruction, so she would naturally never do such a thing.
BOOM!!! BOOM!!!
In an instant, the entire planet was plunged into the fires of war. The sky became a roaring sea of death, brutally reaping the lives of bugs and Fragmentum alike. The Doomsday Beasts were like sharks cruising through that sea, wantonly slaughtering anything that came near!
The sky-filling Swarm rushed into the "sea of death" like moths to a flame. Occasionally, a lucky bug would pass through this ocean of death and launch a desperate attack on the ground. Even if its elytron were shattered, even if its sharp mandibles were broken in half, it would still hurl itself like a javelin to fiercely impale the Fragmentum creatures below!
Both sides completely disregarded their losses, fighting without any thought for the cost. The planet had truly become a meat grinder.
Xingxiao felt no emotional fluctuation at this. These soldiers were merely tools. If they died, they died. As long as [Destruction] still existed, she could forge an endless supply of new soldiers from the furnace of war at any time!
Hmm... it was just a bit of a pity for her "collection." Those who had dared to resist her but were personally defeated were transformed by her own hand into Fragmentum that would only be loyal to her. If they were all wiped out, she might feel a small pang of heartache.
"These bugs are really tenacious. Far more formidable than those [Denizens of Abundance] who are rotten to the core. This is an enemy that should be taken seriously!"
Xingxiao's eyes filled with fighting spirit. A majestic aura emanated from her body. Amidst the cannon fire and slaughter that filled the sky, her eyes, symbolizing [Destruction], searched for her target.
Although these bugs had no discipline or tactics to speak of, as a general, she keenly observed that they were not fighting on instinct alone.
As a commander, she was naturally aware of the characteristics of all species in the universe, especially the warlike ones. Conquering them was one of her pleasures.
Therefore, she also had a fair understanding of the Swarm. Normally, relying on instinct alone, these bugs would not act so crazily without some kind of lure. Perhaps the [Abundance] miracles of the Boliren had attracted them, but that couldn't explain why they were fighting like a kamikaze squad.
Even bugs possessed a certain degree of intelligence!
If that was the case, then there was only one answer. Among this swarm, there was a "Bug Emperor" commanding the entire group. And right now, she was searching for its location!
"Heh, found you. You look like nothing more than a coward who's afraid of death. Hiding outside the atmosphere... how scared can you be?"
Xingxiao looked up at the sky with a mocking expression. Her gaze pierced through the endless artillery fire, through the countless swarms of bugs, through the atmosphere, and finally landed on that enormous, azure-blue insect.
The long spear in her hand let out a long hum, as if excited by its master's will to fight!
SWOOSH...
BOOM!!!
Xingxiao leaped violently from the ground! Using only her physical body, she broke the sound barrier, shooting straight towards the edge of the atmosphere! Everything in her path, be it Fragmentum or bug, was smashed into pulp by the sheer force of her speed!
Two seconds later, a massive crater, as if from a small asteroid impact, formed where Xingxiao had been standing!
In an instant! Xingxiao's sharp spear, like a bullet, was aimed directly at the center of the Bug Emperor's cranium!
---o---
"Four System Hours ago, on a planet at the border, the Corporation observed traces of both the Swarm and the Antimatter Legion appearing simultaneously."
In the conference room, Himeko placed a clear photograph onto the projector.
"This is our first time observing a convergence of the Antimatter Legion and the Swarm. Moreover, this meeting took place on a planet within the sphere of influence of [Abundance]. The Boliren living on this planet are not part of the Corporation's credit network, and the star-rails have never reached there. It would not be an exaggeration to call it a remote land."
"However..."
Himeko's tone shifted, and she displayed another picture.
The planet from the previous image had now become a shattered world. Fragments of land floated in space, the planet's core exposed to the naked eye.
"This image was captured one System Hour ago. In just three System Hours, the Antimatter Legion directly detonated the planet. It seems their meeting with the Swarm was not a pleasant one."
Himeko turned off the projector and shook her head slightly.
"This reveals one piece of information: the three factions are still fighting their own wars, and it's possible they are hostile to one another. Although the situation with [Rupert III] is still unclear, at least the Swarm and the Antimatter Legion are not on the same side. That is good news."
Welt nodded slightly in assessment.
Thinking back on the birth of [Destruction], it was unlikely the Antimatter Legion would form an alliance with [Rupert III] either. After all, the birth of [Destruction] was inextricably linked to the Swarm Disaster and the Emperor War.
"If that's the case, then our strategy for this great war is quite clear. We strike them down one by one before they have a chance to unite."
Dan Heng stated his opinion, which was the most effective method based on the available data.
"That is indeed the case, but we cannot act on it yet. Whether it's the Corporation, the Xianzhou, or even The Family, none of the major powers can take the initiative to attack right now."
Himeko shook her head, her golden eyes full of contemplation.
"From the current situation, the reason [Destruction] has launched a large-scale war is still unclear. We don't know what He is planning. The sudden appearance of the Swarm also has unknown implications... And then there's the so-called Rupert III. Rushing out now would be like us being in the light while the enemy is in the dark. We would gain no advantage and would instead be pulled into the enemy's tempo."
"This is why all the factions are making various preparations, yet all of them are unanimously holding back their troops. No one wants to be the first bird to stick its neck out."
Creak...
"I never thought Miss Himeko would be so well-versed in tactical analysis."
Just as Himeko was explaining to the group why the alliance was holding back, a graceful figure slowly pushed open the conference room door. She strode elegantly into the room and, without any ceremony, sat down in a chair placed between Wende and Stelle.
...So you even brought your own stool?
Wende looked at Kafka, who had wedged herself into the meeting as if cutting in line, and silently complained in his heart.
"Oh? I wonder what brilliant insights Miss Kafka has to offer?"
Staring at the languid-looking Kafka, Himeko crossed her arms and spoke to her with a smile.
"Don't be such a stranger. I was just a little late, that's all. And wasn't it to gather intelligence for everyone..."
Kafka shrugged with a light laugh, then pulled a stack of clear photographs from the inner pocket of her coat and placed them on the round table.
"Our other colleague, [Sam], is still working in the field. These are photos she took herself. I believe they will help everyone get a better understanding of another, yet unknown, enemy."
Kafka stood up gently and elegantly pushed the photos towards Himeko.
"..."
Himeko looked wordlessly at the gentle-faced Kafka, then picked up the photos she had pushed over. Her brow immediately furrowed.
"What is it?"
Seeing Himeko's expression, Welt asked with a serious tone.
"It's nothing... I'm just a little surprised by the Stellaron Hunters' intelligence capabilities. To be able to find information that even the Corporation and the Xianzhou haven't discovered."
Himeko shook her head and casually displayed the contents of the photos on the projector.
"This is..."
"My heavens..."
"..."
Looking at the image before them, Welt's eyes instantly widened as he stared at the projection in utter astonishment. After seeing it, March was too shocked to speak. Even Dan Heng fell silent.
"This is... Rupert III?"
Wende looked at the behemoth on the projection in disbelief. This... this was practically a mechanical planet!
"It seems He is still bitter about being assassinated by that Lord of Silence, 'Polka Kakamond.' Is that why He chose to forge himself a body as large as a planet for his third life?"
Resting her hand on the conference table, Kafka said with a smile, very satisfied with everyone's reaction.
"Everyone, the repair process for Astral Express Line Two may need to be accelerated. After all... everyone is waiting for you~"
Kafka glanced at Himeko with a meaningful look in her eyes. Then she stood up, gently stroked Stelle's soft hair, and walked out of the conference room.
Throughout this, she hadn't looked at Wende once, but he felt that something was strangely off, a feeling he couldn't quite put his finger on.
"..."
Himeko closed her eyes in thought for a moment. After a long while, she slowly opened them.
"She is indeed right. The Astral Express's mission is now more urgent than ever before. If we have two trains, it will certainly relieve a great deal of our pressure."
"Huh? What mission do we have?"
March tilted her head in confusion.
"To continue our [Trailblaze]," Welt stood up, his gaze sharp, "and to link more worlds together to join this fight."