Spartak Empire

The newcomer did not answer Alex’s question, because he did not know what had happened either. After confirming that fact, Alex returned to Planet Feather with Warlord, still full of confusion, then passed through the stargate to the Imperial Capital.

Planet Feather was the homeworld of the Shi’ar, not the capital of the Shi’ar Empire. The Shi’ar Empire’s capital was on another planet called Throne Star, which was what the people of the Shi’ar Empire referred to as the Imperial Capital.

The Imperial Capital was the political center of the Shi’ar Empire and the heart of this commercial union. Compared to the plain, antiquated Planet Feather, the Imperial Capital was far more luxurious and magnificent. At least sixty percent of the crowds flowing through its streets were alien races, while guild buildings belonging to various interstellar powers turned the vast city into an exhibition of cosmic architecture.

Alex casually swept his gaze around, then hurried to catch up with Warlord as they headed for the Shi’ar Imperial Palace.

The Shi’ar Imperial Palace was the private property of the royal family. It was built with extreme grandeur atop the central mountain range of the Imperial Capital, overlooking the entire planet.

"Warlord, did something happen?" As the palace drew closer and closer, Alex grew inexplicably nervous. Over the past six years, Danger Bird had summoned him only a handful of times. She had not even allowed Alex to participate in many activities of the Imperial Guard. Now that she had suddenly summoned him, how could Alex not let his imagination run wild?

Warlord did not slow his pace. After a brief pause, he reassured him, "There probably won’t be any trouble, Alex. Don’t worry."

"I hope so," Alex muttered, quietly suppressing his concerns.

Before long, Alex and Warlord arrived inside the palace. Danger Bird stood by the window with her hands clasped behind her back, looking into the distance. Beside her stood Lilandra, who had grown even taller and more beautiful, obediently waiting at her side. When she saw Alex and Warlord, Lilandra secretly flashed Alex a smile.

"What happened?" Alex returned the smile and secretly sent her a telepathic question. "Why did you summon me so urgently?"

Lilandra smiled softly and shook her head, but did not answer Alex’s question.

"You’re here." Danger Bird turned around, her calm gaze passing over Alex and Warlord one after the other. Then she said, "Not long ago, people from the Spartak Empire arrived."

Alex was slightly taken aback, and all sorts of information about the Spartak Empire instinctively surfaced in his mind.

The Spartak Empire was a small empire located on the edge of the Large Magellanic Galaxy. It was mainly composed of the Spartak people, who originated from Spartak Star. The empire had a monarchical system and possessed extremely advanced technology, including spacecraft and psychic teleportation technology.

Because it was located on the edge of the Large Magellanic Galaxy, the Spartak Empire had not been annexed by the Kree Empire and had survived to this day. However, the situation had now become somewhat delicate. As the war between the Kree and the Skrull continued to escalate, the Spartak Empire, caught between the two nations, faced an awkward position much like the Nova Empire’s.

The Nova Empire at least had the Nova Corps to support it. The Spartak Empire was far worse off, and its situation was even more perilous.

"They want an alliance?" Warlord turned to glance at Alex, his face filled with delight.

To preserve its own safety, the Shi’ar Empire did not wish to openly intervene in the war between the Kree and the Skrull. However, it hoped to secretly manipulate other interstellar powers to restrain the war between the two nations.

The Nova Empire’s last-minute retreat had left the entire Shi’ar Empire deeply frustrated, forcing Danger Bird to send Alex there to provide support. If there were another Spartak Empire, things would become much easier.

Danger Bird glanced at Warlord and nodded. "Yes, but I refused them."

Alex looked up at Danger Bird in surprise. Why turn away such a promising ally?

"I want you to impersonate someone from the Nova Empire and secretly make contact with the Spartak Empire." Just as Alex was hesitating in confusion, Danger Bird suddenly stared at him. Lowering her voice, she said mysteriously, "Do your best to win the Spartak Empire over."

"What do you mean?" Alex stared at Danger Bird with a strange expression. After standing there stunned for a moment, he immediately understood. "You want to get something for nothing!"

Danger Bird nodded without denying it. "You could put it that way." After a brief pause, she smiled and continued, "Once you gain the Spartak Empire’s trust, you can pretend to be an envoy from the Spartak Empire and bring the two sides together to form a real alliance. That will also make your operations in the Nova Empire more convenient."

Alex shrugged and said casually, "It’s a good plan, but do you think they’ll be that easy to fool?" Put plainly, there was nothing particularly special about Danger Bird’s plan. Its key to success and greatest flaw were both Alex. As long as his identity was exposed, everything would come to nothing.

"With us testifying for you, you will be the leader of the Nova Corps in the Nova Empire!" Danger Bird tilted her head up slightly, the triangular crest of feathers on her head swaying faintly. Her lovely face was full of pride, but then her expression changed, and she added with teasing satisfaction, "Besides, you were originally meant to be the leader of the Nova Corps. You’re only a few years late."

Alex shook his head, still somewhat skeptical. "They can’t possibly believe a stranger for no reason without verifying anything."

"They will definitely verify it." Danger Bird seemed to have planned this all along as she explained unhurriedly, "That is why I will send you to the Nova Empire tomorrow. You only have half a year!"

"What do you mean?" Alex was even more confused. Hadn’t she just said he needed to deceive the Spartak Empire into trusting him? Why was she sending him to the Nova Empire instead? Besides, becoming the leader of the Nova Corps in half a year was obviously impossible.

Lilandra could not help speaking up. A faint smile lingered beneath her crisp voice. "Those six months are only meant to gild you with a layer of prestige, so you’ll have a convincing identity."

"I get it!" Alex suddenly understood. He chuckled awkwardly and said, "I’ll spend half a year building a reputation in the Nova Empire, then come back to negotiate with the Spartak Empire. By then, even if they verify it…"

As he spoke, Alex suddenly stopped. Shaking his head, he asked in confusion, "Half a year? Can the Spartak Empire wait that long?"

"Alex, have you forgotten? The Milky Way has already been sealed off. Those envoys can only remain in the Shi’ar Empire. They can’t go back." Lilandra covered her mouth as she giggled, her whole body trembling lightly.

Alex’s face reddened slightly. He laughed loudly and explained with feigned ease, "Ha ha, I forgot about that!"

"Enough. Go back and prepare immediately. At dawn tomorrow, you will depart for Xandar!" Danger Bird coughed lightly, cutting off Alex’s laughter. Her expression turned stern as she ordered, "Warlord, you’re going with him too."