Rows of United Empire Universe Army soldiers stood erect in their gallant ceremonial uniforms, holding ceremonial rifles, their expressions solemn and serious.
Standing at the foremost position of the honor guard, Xu Lanzhou held a ceremonial sword directly in front of her, the tip pointing upwards, and she loudly proclaid, "Welco the Imperial Chancellor's revered presence!"
Unlike their previous kneeling loyalty ceremony with the infantry, in this formal occasion, both the military and civilians of the Empire perford military salutes and chest-touching salutes. Bai Zhongqi slowly erged from the azure boat, and even though this was one of the grandest scenes he had ever seen in his life, he still knew he could not show any trace of fear.
He had to present himself as the Imperial Chancellor, intimidating these Iridium Star people who had seemingly co straight out of a ga.
Bai Zhongqi could sense a mood of skepticism, mainly from the politicians, while the military personnel were mostly straightforward, thrilled to welco back the Imperial Chancellor.
The Administrator Du Peng looked at Bai Zhongqi, dressed in the Imperial Chancellor's attire, and his brow slightly furrowed. The R19 Exploration Fleet's crossing had been a major accident, and now the appearance of the Imperial Chancellor was totally unexpected. This disrupted Du Peng's recent plans and brought more variables to the Fleet.
Like many other Fleet administrative personnel, Du Peng couldn't help but be surprised by the appearance of the Imperial Chancellor. He looked so young, his aura sowhat sparse, certainly not one usually seen in a person of perennial authority, but rather like an ordinary common man.
If it weren't for Du Peng knowing Xu Lanzhou, a descendant of the Twelve Knights of Destiny with almost obsessive loyalty and seriousness towards the Chancellor, he might have thought it was a trick played by Xu Lanzhou, fooling the high command of the Fleet.
No matter what, Du Peng hoped to find a way to verify the authenticity of this Imperial Chancellor.
Xu Lanzhou ca before Bai Zhongqi, introducing him to the committee mbers of the Fleet one by one.
"This is the Fleet Immigration Officer, Du Peng."
Du Peng gave Bai Zhongqi a salute, displaying respect yet maintaining a sowhat lukewarm deanor, "eting Your Majesty is my honor."
Xu Lanzhou could perceive Du Peng's coolness, a steadfast expression appeared on her face, but Bai Zhongqi didn't mind, he generously said, "Pleased to et you, Administrator."
Knowing this man's title, Bai Zhongqi broadly understood that he must be the head of civil affairs in the Fleet, although he was not familiar with the specific details of the Fleet. The fact that Xu Lanzhou introduced him first showed his distinctive status.
Next was the Marine Corps Commander, Xiao Yu.
If Du Peng was sowhat courteous, then Xiao Yu, also a descendant of the Knights of Destiny, openly displayed skepticism and distrust on his face.
"This is the Marine Corps Commander, Xiao Yu."
In front of so many people, Xiao Yu couldn't be too reckless; he gave a military salute, but it was very perfunctory, the movents not standard, and he even failed to look at Bai Zhongqi.
Xu Lanzhou imdiately beca furious, "Colonel Xiao, are you not ashad enough to disgrace the Knight Family of the Ceremonial Sword? Straighten your manners; standing before you is our Chancellor!"
All eyes fell on Xiao Yu, and so even showed anger toward him. However, Xiao Yu was not particularly scared; he never truly believed in the existence of the Imperial Chancellor. Even if there were one, finding an Imperial Chancellor in another universe seed utterly absurd.
His expression was sowhat cold, yet he dared not lash out before everyone. Instead, he chose another way to challenge the so-called authority of the Imperial Chancellor.
"Commander, I have no intention of desecrating the renown of the Chancellor. However, I believe everyone present would like to be certain that the person you brought back is indeed the Chancellor of our Empire, which we have not seen in five thousand years—not an indigenous person mistakenly recognized from this uncivilized planet."
Although his words sounded harsh, they made sense and even many of the excited onlookers were eager to see the Chancellor demonstrate his formidable power. They did not doubt but were simply curious and loved a spectacle.
Nan Ma said, "His Imperial Majesty has already bestowed Xu Lanzhou the title of the thirteenth Knight of the Empire, and although he has not yet granted a nobiliary title, the ceremony was unerring."
Hearing that Xu Lanzhou had been knighted, the crew were particularly thrilled. Everyone admired and looked up to Xu Lanzhou, and now that he had beco a Knight of the Empire, they all felt honored. After all, in another universe, only a real Chancellor would know the ennoblent ceremony.
Xiao Yu had not expected this developnt; his eyes flickered with reluctance. Nevertheless, he was unwilling to give up, and he spoke, "That could only be considered circumstantial evidence. After all, the Empire has never had an accurate record of a Chancellor existing, and what people know is just bits and pieces of historical materials..."
Xu Lanzhou with a clang drew his ceremonial sword and pressed it against Xiao Yu's neck, his eyes flashing dangerously but his jade hand holding the sword handle was exceptionally steady.
He said, "According to Article 115 of the Imperial Constitutional Andnt, any Imperial subject who questions the existence of the Chancellor, depending on the circumstances, shall face a punishnt ranging from 150 Iridium Star years of imprisonnt to execution. I didn't hear clearly just now, Colonel Xiao, could you repeat your statent?"
Everyone was taken aback. Although Xu Lanzhou had always been passionate, they did not expect him to be so impulsive at this mont. Du Peng was also sowhat terrified, feeling fortunate he had not been the one to challenge Bai Zhongqi's status as Chancellor.
Now claiming himself as the Chancellor's Knight, Xu Lanzhou questioning Bai Zhongqi's Chancellor status was indeed unconstitutional, and in this exceptional period as both Knight and Fleet Commander, executing Xiao Yu would still be considered legal.
However, Xiao Yu was not without support in the fleet; he was the Marine Commander, and had many confidants in the Marine Corps, as well as so fair-weather friends he had made before joining the military. Although Xu Lanzhou's sudden action intimidated Xiao Yu, a few Marine officers stepped forward with stern faces, subtly protecting Xiao Yu.
Naturally, crew mbers from the fleet side also ca forward, unwilling to show weakness, resulting in a tense standoff.
Bai Zhongqi looked at the dramatic scene unfolding in front of him, also sowhat dumbstruck, yet he was also very anxious. At this mont, it was crucial to truly prove his status as Chancellor to these people of Iridium Star, but if he were to directly take out his computer and start a ga for the test, it was still uncertain what kind of chaos might ensue.
He was not foolish enough to tell the people of Iridium Star that they had actually traveled through from a ga.
Just as the situation was extrely tense, Bai Zhongqi suddenly felt the computer in his bag start vibrating as it ran.
Suddenly, several bizarre individuals appeared before everyone; leading them was a woman in a tight leather suit and eagle feather crown, with two red stripes painted on the cheeks below her bright, big eyes, her body curvaceous like a female leopard. The rest were also distinct in appearance, the only commonality being the three-directional lightning emblem on their chests.
The woman in the leather suit led the group to kneel on one knee before Bai Zhongqi, uttering in a calm and solemn manner, "Summoned by the Supre Command, the Sacred Falcon with various ships from the R19 Fleet, pays respect to the Chancellor!"
Everyone was stunned and exclaid aloud. For these individuals were not physical entities, but six holographic images, representing the intelligent AIs of six ships from the R19 Fleet.
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