This is really not mechanical ascension Chapter 697: 363: Intrigues and Different Calculations - Par

Chapter 697: Chapter 363: Intrigues and Different Calculations – Part 2

“Mind control.” Prince Costate nodded and specifically instructed, “Rember to console them.”

The officer nodded: “According to the [Review Ordinance], soldiers who were innocently reviewed due to mind control are credited with second-class rit.”

Prince Costate nodded, then said: “The more complex the plan and the more actions it involves, the more loopholes appear. The enemy’s plan here is straightforward and crude; it should be difficult to uncover anything aningful in a short amount of ti.”

“The Royal Council is already preparing to issue an administrative order for a purge of the Holy Revolution Army.”

The high-ranking officials sitting at the table exchanged uneasy glances. Diaz frowned and couldn’t help but ask, “Are you really going to act against the Holy Revolution Army? Isn’t that a waste of resources?”

“Or perhaps you’d prefer to, in your capacity as the Empire’s spokesperson, declare publicly that the Holy Revolution Army is innocent?” Prince Costate retorted.

Diaz paused, but quickly replied, “Can’t the Azure Dragon be one of the Holy Revolution Army’s people?”

“According to the Interstellar Alliance Association’s regulations, Holy Revolution Army mbers are not permitted to join organizations such as the chanic Association or the Interstellar Chamber of Comrce…” Prince Costate said gravely:

“Conducting investigations into the Azure Dragon through these organizations will take ti, so should we just wait during this period?”

“Besides, can you even locate the Azure Dragon?”

Diaz furrowed his brows tightly, eting Prince Costate’s gaze without hesitation: “Even so, a Duke has already died—are we just going to let the Azure Dragon off the hook?”

“Who said we were letting him off?” Prince Costate shook his head. “The Holy Revolution Army is our enemy regardless. The fact that they stepped forward to share the bla for Azure Dragon suggests there’s sothing suspicious going on. Giving them a bit of pressure isn’t a waste of effort.”

“As for Azure Dragon, he’s just a Casting Star chanic. We can transition to investigating him covertly and slowly. Furthermore, the life-or-death status of Nicholas still isn’t confird.”

There was a faint notion forming in his heart, preventing him from bringing Azure Dragon into the spotlight for now, but he was still hesitating over whether this was the correct approach.

A Casting Star chanic—still not enough…

Prince Costate’s reasoning was logical, but Diaz showed little reaction, secretly sneering.

Pretend to sound sensible all you want—even if it had been Satoru who died, Costate would’ve long since lost his composure, caring nothing about “the bigger picture.”

Diaz even suspected that Prince Costate harbored no genuine intention to apprehend Azure Dragon given that the deceased was a Royal Family traitor.

“Now, the most urgent matter is…”

“The most urgent matter is Hamr Divine Craftsman’s legacy!” Prince Costate’s words were suddenly interrupted by a clear, firm voice.

Prince Costate’s gaze flickered slightly. The gathered high-ranking officials instinctively turned toward the voice, only to see Jaint promptly rise and respectfully greet: “Prince Abel.”

The others also rose to their feet, paying their respects, including Diaz.

Prince Costate stood up with a smile, stepping forward: “My most outstanding nephew, you’ve finally co.”

Standing before him was a young man with an upright posture, dressed in a tailored dark purple formal suit exuding refined nobility. Every movent was imbued with an inherent sense of composure.

The collar of the suit was adorned with dazzling diamonds that shimred faintly. The sleeves were embroidered with intricate golden threads, and a silver belt embedded with precious gems cinched his waist.

“Uncle, everyone is too polite. The Holy Emperor sends his regards to all of you.” Abel greeted with a warm smile. Prince Costate stepped aside, signaling for him to take a seat.

“You are the true Commander here.” Abel shook his head, moving confidently to sit in the observation chair.

“If he doesn’t sit, I will.” An untily voice erged. Prince Costate’s expression remained unchanged as he sat down directly.

Diaz respectfully addressed him: “Your Highness.”

The other high-ranking officials then noticed that a middle-aged man with a sinister gaze was trailing behind Abel, his hooked nose, thin lips, and chilling aura creating an unsettling presence.

Prince Ryan, Nicholas’s grandfather.

“Greetings, Empire’s elite. Good afternoon.”

Prince Ryan positioned himself beside Costate. The two half-brothers bore a slight resemblance in their features.

“Your Highness…” The senior officials finally snapped out of their daze and hurriedly offered their salutations.

“An Empire Duke has died, yet I sense no sorrow from any of you.” Prince Ryan’s gaze landed on the officer beside Jaint, smiling warmly: “Zed, are you not grieving? After all, it was your brother who died…”

“I… I…” Zed’s heart froze, his eyes brimming with tears. “I’m grieving; I truly am.”

“Heh…” Prince Ryan let out a cold laugh. Yet his body suddenly dissipated—it was rely a projection, not his actual presence.

“Your Highness, what did you just say?” Prince Costate turned to Abel, his expression calm.

“The Hamr Divine Craftsman’s inheritance is the most pressing matter. Everything else can wait.” Abel spoke evenly.

Prince Costate nodded: “Are you confident?”

“Naturally.” Abel nodded. “It is mine without question.”

A flicker of deeply hidden fervor flashed across his seemingly calm eyes.

The age limit was one hundred years, with Level Fifty Developnt Potential. In the Empire, only he himself could et these criteria.

The Hamr Divine Craftsman’s legacy carried imnse significance. Securing it would greatly enhance his reputation, providing substantial capital for his bid for that supre position.

“Will Li Ming attend?” Prince Ryan interrupted the conversation despite their intentional disregard for him.

“Uncertain. He probably won’t,” another official answered tentatively, as Prince Costate remained silent.

“It would be better if he didn’t show up. Soon, I’ll personally head to the Central World.” Prince Ryan’s lips curled into an unpleasant smile, his eyes as cold as ice.

The senior officials felt their hearts lurch.

“This is a confidential eting,” Prince Costate frowned at last, raising his hand to dismiss Ryan’s projection, whose cold smile vanished.

Costate’s gaze swept over Diaz, tinged with displeasure.

Jaint said: “This ti, five individuals will undergo assessnt.”

“Five?” Abel looked surprised.

“You, Eternal Brilliance Federation one, Star Cluster Republic Alliance two, and one person from Creator Divine Craftsman.” Jaint explained.

“Two from the Star Cluster Republic Alliance?” Abel appeared even more surprised, then sighed: “The Sea of Stars is indeed becoming more prosperous.”

The Sea of Stars boasted an unparalleled quantity and quality of civilizations, ranking as the most powerful interstellar force if unified.

Unfortunately… its civilizations were too nurous, and its power too scattered.

Costate tossed over a docunt. “Here’s the latest information. The person from Creator Divine Craftsman is classified—there is no data available.”

Abel’s gaze grew focused. He studied the information ticulously, morizing every word.

…

Soon, the Empire issued a severe declaration, announcing its intention to spare no cost in suppressing all activities of the Holy Revolution Army in the coming days.

The interstellar civilizations rely treated it as entertainnt. It wasn’t the first ti such a declaration had been made; nearly every major civilization had issued similar statents—ineffective as they often proved, as the group repeatedly resurged.

One crisis was barely resolved before another erged.

Not long after the Empire’s statent, secret news leaked from the Central World once more. An unnad insider claid:

The interstellar alliance had already reached an agreent with the Dominion Holy Image to send specific individuals during designated periods for selection by the Dominion Holy Image.

“…The Star Abyss Empire, Eternal Brilliance Federation, and Star Cluster Republic Alliance jointly issued an ultimatum to the Dominion Holy Image, demanding that a successor be selected from among the candidates; otherwise, they would forcibly dismber it…”

Li Ming viewed the developnts with intrigue: “This whistleblower seems to be hiding right under their conference table or sothing.”

“This is shaless!” Robbin cursed, his face flushed with anger. “Sending individuals secretly—how disgraceful.”

His outrage wasn’t unjustified. It was no secret that everyone harbored ambitions toward the Hamr Divine Craftsman’s legacy.

Though the likelihood of being rejected was high even if one attempted to pursue it, to be deprived of the opportunity altogether was undoubtedly an affront.

The leaked information stirred significant reactions. Unlike the attack on the Empire Base, which people treated as re amusent, this felt like blatant abuse of authority.