What Major General Wang Min, the captain, had said counted as fairly frank.
It was indeed what she truly thought in her heart, and very objective too.
Fifteen million Owl Dragon interstellar warships.
On hearing this figure, many of the Elf Sovereigns and high-elf councilors present weighed it in their hearts.
For they all knew that the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire and the Devourer Civilization were now locked in a fight that would end only with one side's death.
And rumor had it the two sides had even signed an oath-duel.
If so, it meant the two sides' next decisive battle would not be far off.
So they all cared a great deal how much military strength the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire would need to be able to beat the Devourer Civilization.
"I've heard that your Owl Dragon Emperor has agreed an oath-duel with the Black-God Sovereign, one of the Devourer Civilization's three Sovereigns. May I ask what the terms of your oath-duel are?" The Nightglow Elf King was very blunt, and asked the question outright.
They knew roughly about the oath-duel; most of what they knew had come from the Flame Elf Queen.
And the Flame Elf Queen in fact knew little herself.
Had the Flame Elf Queen stepped in to ask the Owl Dragon Emperor, she could surely have learned a great deal.
But relations between the Flame Elf Queen and the other Elf Sovereigns had grown very strained because of those well-known events before,
so that no one had the face to ask the Flame Elf Queen to step in and ask about it.
The Nightglow Elf King simply seized this chance and threw the question out right here.
Major General Wang Min, the captain, paused, then fixed her eyes on the Nightglow Elf King before her.
Before she came, she had in fact been summoned by the Owl Dragon Emperor and Secretary Lilith, and one item had been telling her which matters could be told to the Holy Elf Empire.
That included this business of the "oath-duel."
"The terms of our oath-duel with the Devourer Civilization's Black-God Sovereign are these. Our Owl Dragon Emperor and the Black-God Sovereign have agreed that thirty months from now there will be a decisive battle in the Zu'an Universe, and the victor will hold the power of life and death over the other. Within these thirty months, neither side may interfere with the other. And within these thirty months, both sides may do everything they can to win allies. For this duel isn't restricted to the two sides' legion fleets. Any interstellar civilization's power that is willing may join this oath-duel," Major General Wang Min, the captain, said, setting out the terms of the oath-duel briefly.
"Thirty months, no limit on the civilizations' fleets taking part, the victor takes all." The Nightglow Elf King narrowed his eyes at Major General Wang Min, the captain. "Your Owl Dragon Emperor is truly bold. That he dared agree to the clause putting no limit on the civilizations' fleets. Mind you, the Devourer Civilization isn't the only one of the minion civilizations under Order. If the Devourer Civilization seeks Order's help, can your Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire really hold out?"
Major General Wang Min, the captain, smiled faintly and answered frankly, "That isn't for the likes of us to worry about. We Owl Dragon officers need only answer for the Owl Dragon Emperor's orders. Other matters aren't ours to deal with."
The Nightglow Elf King gave a light snort and said nothing more; what he was curious about, what he ought to ask, he had already asked.
For the rest of the banquet, the two sides kept to polite, official questions and answers.
When the banquet was over, apart from the Emerald Elf King, who wished he could simply live aboard this starship, the other Elf Sovereigns and high-elf councilors left.
Some of them wanted to stay too and see more of this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought,
but Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, ignored these people's looks entirely.
So now you think of begging me. When you wanted to punish me and put me on ice before, why didn't you speak up then?
Everyone knew very well how Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, held a grudge.
They knew that at such a time, unless they could bring out some terms that would move Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen,[1] there was no way they could linger aboard this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought a while longer.
"Then, everyone, go carefully; I won't see you off." Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, stood by the hatch here, seeing these people off with a light laugh.
And outside, one could see that the high-elf councilors who had not boarded before had been waiting outside all along.
They had waited for at least three to five hours.
But though three to five hours had passed, these high-elf councilors were still waiting here, or snatching the chance to look at this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought before them.
After all, it was a quasi-T7-grade interstellar warship; even if they could not see the hull's structure inside, at least they could see its outward shape, and that was something good too.
After all, this was a legendary interstellar warship.
Even two of the super-flagships of the Devourer Civilization's three Sovereigns had come off worse at the hands of this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought.
To be able to look at this interstellar warship up close was already quite enough for them.
Just then the waiting high-elf councilors saw the Elf Sovereigns and high-elf councilors who had been able to board and tour it appear, and every one of their faces showed excitement.
But they still kept up a show of calm, waiting over there; these high-elf councilors all took decorum seriously.
Very soon three Elf Sovereigns and several high-elf councilors came down the gangway.
At this the high-elf councilors who had not been able to board this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought crowded around those few high-elf councilors, asking what they had seen aboard this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought.
The questions rose one after another.
"I hear this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought has interstellar missiles inside; did you see them? How many? Are they all quasi-T7-grade?"
"Did you see those interstellar drone swarms? I hear those interstellar drone swarms are terrifying."
"And those interstellar interceptors, did you see them? There are about three thousand, it seems. It's hard to imagine that inside the hull of such a super colossus a whole fleet is actually berthed!"
These high-elf councilors naturally did not dare disturb the three Elf Sovereigns; the ones they pressed with questions were all those few fortunate high-elf councilors of the same standing as themselves who had boarded.
Just then the gangway joined to the dock slowly drew back too.
The hatch slowly closed.
Onias, the Nightglow Elf King, gazed coldly at the super colossus before him and said to Gustav, the Radiant Elf King, beside him, "Gustav. The Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire's strength is growing faster than we imagined. We must be somewhat careful."
"Is there any need? The Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire is dealing with the Devourer Civilization, not with us. And in future they still have to deal with Order. If their strength grows greater and greater, that's a good thing, surely," Marietis, the Bluewater Elf Queen, said beside them.
Onias, the Nightglow Elf King, glanced at the Bluewater Elf Queen, truly unable to tell whether this girl was really innocent or simply foolish.
"Yes. You're right; the Devourer Civilization and Order are our enemies. And for now the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire is their enemy, and we stand on the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire's side. We needn't worry about such things. But who knows whether the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire may become a second Devourer Civilization?" Onias, the Nightglow Elf King, said coldly.
Marietis, the Bluewater Elf Queen, retorted at once just then, "The Owl Dragon Emperor isn't that kind of person. I'm not as close to him as Salaman is. But we've met a few times, and my instinct tells me this Owl Dragon Emperor will certainly never become a second Devourer Civilization."
"He may well not. But mind you, the human race has never lived very long. Who knows what kind of person the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire's heir will be in future? Or, to put it another way, when this Zhao Chen dies, can you guarantee that the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire of that time won't threaten the Holy Elf Empire's existence?"
This time Onias, the Nightglow Elf King's words left Marietis, the Bluewater Elf Queen, speechless.
For there was indeed sense in them.
Marietis, the Bluewater Elf Queen, trusted Zhao Chen, but not necessarily Zhao Chen's children, or the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire's future leaders.
"Now, now, these are all matters for later. Let's not fret over such things too early now. Off you all go, off you go. As for that business of Salaman's, let it all lie, let it lie. The matter is over and done with. Strictly speaking, we can quite understand what Salaman did, really. Whatever else, Salaman still puts our Holy Elf Empire first; of that we can be sure!" Gustav, the Radiant Elf King, said with a smile.
Onias, the Nightglow Elf King, thought for a moment, said nothing more, and left in silence.
The matter of dealing with Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, truly could not go any further.
The Owl Dragon Emperor had sent over a whole Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought; could his attitude be any plainer?
To want to deal with Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, at this point would be as good as slapping the Owl Dragon Emperor's face.
That was something they had to weigh.
Seeing Onias, the Nightglow Elf King, leave in silence, everyone knew his stance too.
Marietis, the Bluewater Elf Queen, shrugged as well and said nothing more.
——————
On the starship.
Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, put away the smiling mask on her face too; she folded her arms and snorted coldly. "If my people hadn't reminded me not to let things with this lot get too strained, I really wouldn't want to say half a word more of nonsense to them. Just now they kept throwing me looks. As if I couldn't tell what every one of them was thinking. When they wanted to try me before, not one of them said a word. Now they see there's something good here with me, every one of them steps up again. How did I never feel before how two-faced this lot is?"
These words of Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen's, were not in the least guarded before Major General Wang Min, the captain, beside her.
Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, looked at Major General Wang Min, the captain. "Captain Wang, you don't mind. I'm just that sort of temper; among our own people I don't care to put on what there's no need for."
Major General Wang Min, the captain, smiled faintly, looked at Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, and said, "Before I came, His Majesty the Emperor talked with me about you, Lady Elf Queen. He told me about your temper, and said I could speak plainly with you about anything."
"Hee hee hee. That's where that Majesty of yours suits my temper: whatever we have to say, we just say it. I don't like one face in public and another in private." Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, waved her hand; whom her words were aimed at, everyone knew very well.
Major General Wang Min, the captain, said just then, "Lady Elf Queen, a captain's cabin has already been got ready for you aboard this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought. Whenever you need it from now on, you can rest aboard this starship."
"I don't need any captain's cabin; get me a first officer's cabin and that'll do. I can hardly come along and take your place, can I? This interstellar warship, when all's said and done, still belongs to your Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire. I know that this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought turning up here is entirely that Majesty the Emperor of yours wanting to give me face and repay that favor of mine." Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, patted the compartment wall.
So she said, but Major General Wang Min, the captain, could still see in this Flame Elf Queen's eyes how she loved this interstellar warship.
After all, this was a warlike Elf Queen, a battlefield commander, a fleet commander in chief.
How could such a person not be interested in an advanced and mighty interstellar warship?
"His Majesty had me pass on a word. Though for now this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought is only lent to you for ten years, on the day Order is beaten he is willing to give you one," Major General Wang Min, the captain, said with a smile.
"Give me one?" Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen's eyes lit up, but she soon pouted and said, "Easy for him to say. If it were only beating the Devourer Civilization, I'd have something to look forward to. But to beat Order, a true T7-grade Order: I don't know whether I'll live to see that."
All along, in the hearts of every generation of the Holy Elf Empire's Elf Sovereigns, one thought had been branded:
that Order was very hard to beat.
Even in the heart of the Flame Elf Queen, an Elf Queen of very stubborn temper, there was only some hope of beating the Devourer Civilization; beating Order, she still held, was a dream.
"I believe in our Owl Dragon Emperor!" Major General Wang Min, the captain, said, unshakable.
Seeing that unshakable look on the face of Major General Wang Min, the captain, Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, seemed to see the unconditional trust of the Owl Dragon legion fleets, from top to bottom, in this Owl Dragon Emperor.
The Flame Elf Queen smiled, then clapped Major General Wang Min, the captain, on the shoulder and said, "All right, then I'll wait for your good news when the time comes. If you really can beat Order, I'll treat all the officers and soldiers of your Owl Dragon legion fleets to three days and three nights of eating and drinking. All of it on me."
Hearing these words from Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, Major General Wang Min, the captain, smiled and teased, "I'll have to pass these words of yours on to our Majesty the Emperor."
The Flame Elf Queen was taken aback, then waved her hand and said, "Fine, fine, fine, write it down, write it down. I'm not like that lot; I, Salaman, keep my word!"
Major General Wang Min, the captain, did not press the matter further.
"Out with it: what else has your Majesty the Owl Dragon Emperor sent to tell me?" Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, asked calmly.
Major General Wang Min, the captain, put away her easy look and said gravely, "His Majesty the Owl Dragon Emperor had me tell you this. The Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire is your friend forever; whatever difficulty you meet, the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire will always stand behind you, with you. This time, on the Devourer Civilization's battlefield, we had no chance to truly fight side by side. But he believes that one day in future we will surely have the chance to truly fight side by side! Besides, as for this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought: when he says it's lent to you for ten years, it's ten years. During that time, use it freely and boldly. Anyone who annoys you, take this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought over and stroll a lap around in front of them. If that still doesn't satisfy you, fire a few shots in front of them. If one shot isn't enough, fire two. …"
Listening to the words Major General Wang Min, the captain, passed on,
much of the gloom in the eyes of Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, lifted.
For this matter had in fact opened no small rift between Elf Queen Salaman and the other Elf Sovereigns.
Even with the Emerald Elf King and the Bluewater Elf Queen, the two Elf Sovereigns she had had some dealings with before, she had been in less touch.
Had she not seen some use in the Emerald Elf King this time, she would never have let the Emerald Elf King stay aboard this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought starship of hers.
Before this, even the leaders of the tribe behind her had had a great deal to say against her.
But now she had this old friend's support.
It made her heart feel warm, and gave her a kind of conviction: she had done nothing wrong!
It was that lot who were wrong!
"I've passed on everything His Majesty the Emperor wanted passed on. Last of all, His Majesty the Emperor said that if you're still in a bad mood, you're welcome to go and stay a while in the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire. This Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought has the right to come and go freely in the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire's universe, and can go straight to the Owl Dragon star system. Apart from a few military restricted zones, this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought has very high clearance," Major General Wang Min, the captain, said.
"The fellow does know how to give face, doesn't he? I'll remember the invitation. But there's a lot to deal with these days, so I won't go yet. When there's a chance later, I'll certainly go and find the fellow for a drink."
When she had said this, Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, narrowed her eyes at Major General Wang Min, the captain, again. "Is that all Zhao Chen had you say? He sends me this great gift, and there's nothing else he wants me to do for him?"
Major General Wang Min, the captain, was taken aback; it seemed this Flame Elf Queen was not so careless as she looked on the surface, and did notice details.
She handed a data disk to the Flame Elf Queen. "His Majesty had me make sure to give this to you in person. I haven't looked at it."
As she spoke, she stepped back a few paces and turned her back, plainly to avoid any suspicion.
The Flame Elf Queen opened this data disk with interest and read what was written inside.
About ten-odd minutes passed.
The Flame Elf Queen's hand came to rest on Major General Wang Min, the captain's, shoulder.
"I've read it. You'll have some way of contacting that Majesty the Emperor on your side, I take it?" the Flame Elf Queen said.
"Is there something you'd like passed on? I can pass it on for you on my side. If there's secret information, you can record it on a data disk like that one, and I'll have someone put it before His Majesty," Major General Wang Min, the captain, said.
The Flame Elf Queen thought for a moment, then said, "Just tell the fellow this. On the technology question, I'll find a way, but I can't promise it'll work; he may have to pay a little price on his side. As for that other matter, I won't take a stand on my side, but I won't interfere either; if he wants to do it, let him go ahead."
"Very well. I'll have someone pass these words on to His Majesty the Emperor," Major General Wang Min, the captain, said.
The Flame Elf Queen nodded.
Major General Wang Min, the captain, paused, then said, "We've finished talking about His Majesty's business. Then we ought to talk about the arrangements to follow for this Golden-Scarab-class Heavy Interstellar Dreadnought. As I said before, we've brought only the necessary crew aboard this starship. Your crew will need training next, and we won't stay here forever. So the people concerned will have to be supplied from your side; we'll be responsible for training them."
The Flame Elf Queen recalled the matter.
"How many people did it need, again?"
"In the starship's normal mode, ten thousand people," Major General Wang Min, the captain, answered.
"Ten thousand? As few as that. Then I'll have someone get in touch with you, and give you a list of three million officers and soldiers. You can pick from these three million whoever you think suitable. Whatever they were before, once you've recruited them, they're entirely at your disposal. If anyone disobeys your orders, deal with them as you like. Aboard this starship, you're as good as me. This is a token of mine; take it. With this token, you'll find it easy to get things done within the Holy Elf Empire's borders too." The Flame Elf Queen tossed a token to Major General Wang Min, the captain.
Major General Wang Min, the captain, looked at this red Elf Queen's token; she had meant at first to refuse.
But the Flame Elf Queen went straight on, "Don't stand on ceremony with me; you were all sent here to me by that fellow Zhao Chen. I know that fellow's temper; he always sets great value on those of you under him. While I'm here, I can guarantee your safety. But I can't rule out times when I'm not. Still, whatever happens, so long as you're in the Holy Elf Empire, I'll guarantee your safety. So keep this token safe. With this token, this starship and all of you need only obey my orders; no one else who comes will be any use."
Hearing the Flame Elf Queen's solemn words,
Major General Wang Min, the captain, could hardly refuse any longer, and could only salute in thanks.
"Come, we still have some time. Take me round this starship's departments again; I'm still interested in some of the weapons…"