026 Welcome Back Chancellor (Part 2)

Days had passed since the San Francisco incident, and although there was chaos for a while, order was somewhat restored, as the aliens had not launched any substantial attacks and Earth's governing bodies remained intact. San Francisco, being a symbolic city, had recently seen an influx of National Guard soldiers, which somewhat curtailed the dangerous activities of rioters. Bai Zhongqi could feel that the local security had improved.

However, Bai Zhongqi still thought it best to be cautious. He carried a short dagger in his pocket, which he had bought online for fun. It was exceptionally sharp and durable.

Bai Zhongqi, who hadn't slept all night, felt a bit exhausted, more from a sense of helplessness about not being able to change the reality. His face bore the look of weariness; his skin looked dull from staying up all night, with noticeable dark circles under his eyes and his hair was a mess. Usually quite handsome, he now looked utterly disheartened.

After spraying some water on the tomato plants, looking at the lush leaves and the buds about to bloom lifted his spirits slightly. California was hot and somewhat dry, ideal for growing plants like tomatoes. Bai Zhongqi's parents enjoyed gardening, but instead of inheriting their hobby, he preferred growing more practical plants like tomatoes, okra, and bean sprouts.

He glanced up at the sky, which was unexpectedly clear, though it was undeniably cooler. The sun still felt warm, reminding him of the weather on the day when the air battle over San Francisco erupted—a day he had not anticipated how his life would change.

Even now, he had no expectations.

Putting down the watering can, Bai Zhongqi was about to go back inside when he suddenly felt something—an indescribable tension brewing within him.

Looking up at the sky, he saw about a few dozen meters up, a rippling distortion, and then, a huge ship emerged and began to slowly descend towards the road facing Bai Zhongqi's home terrace. It was a long, ovular craft, the rear resembling tailfins, with thick, conical structures on both ends. It was significantly larger than the Banshee Fighters he had seen in the sky that day. Its smooth hull shimmered with a metallic blue light, with only the front part showing something akin to a windshield. The hull was seamless, smooth as porcelain. Shockingly, as it was about to land, the ship extended landing gear from deep within its hull as if it were modeled from clay.

On the side of the ship, a conspicuous insignia confirmed its affiliation—it was indeed a landing craft from the Iridium Star Fleet. Bai Zhongqi had never paid attention to such details in games, as these crafts were too small to bother zooming in. It was only upon seeing this landing craft in person did Bai Zhongqi realize the full extent of Iridium Star technology.

The craft landed without any jets or noticeable airflow. It remained optically camouflaged like a chameleon until just before touchdown; its hull material was so advanced, it baffled one's mind that some parts could extend directly out of the ship.

The side door of the landing craft opened, a smooth, mirrored surface revealing a crack, whereas just moments ago, no gap was visible. The door settled to the ground and automatically formed steps on the inside.

Bai Zhongqi was utterly stunned and couldn't even muster fear; Iridium Star beings had come directly to him. A tall, curvaceous female military officer descended, wearing a general's uniform that Bai Zhongqi was very familiar with from countless game intros, often marveling at the high-level design of the uniforms.

Following the young female general, a squad of troops in Powered Individual Armors descended. Bai Zhongqi recognized that these troops weren't carrying handheld weapons but had light infantry laser guns and additional electromagnetic coil guns integrated into the tactical slots of their armors. This was a piece of technology that Bai Zhongqi had unlocked in his tech tree—its completion boosted the imperial infantry's combat effectiveness by 15%. He had personally named it "Army-Breaker" Powered Individual Armor.

Xu Lanzhou stepped onto Earth's soil, the first from Iridium Star to do so. But her mind was elsewhere, urgently seeking to locate the Imperial Chancellor and return this god-like figure to guide the R19 Fleet to grow and survive in the Universe, or perhaps even find a way back home.

Xu Lanzhou looked around and saw an Earthling on the terrace of a nearby low-rise building, staring right at her. The man was disheveled, his hair a mess, his face unhealthy in hue, wearing a loose and wrinkled pajama shirt, his expression one of utter shock.

Xu Lanzhou internally scorned the barbarians of Earth but was curious why the Chancellor had chosen such a planet to seclude himself.

Master Nan Ma, a Star Warrior, also descended from the landing craft, taking in his surroundings with keen interest. He was the most relaxed of all, his formidable Star Energy allowing him to sense certain universal causalities. Every experience, good or bad, was for Nan Ma a step towards truth.

Frowning, Xu Lanzhou asked Nan Ma, "Master, our intelligence indicated that the Chancellor is here. Can you sense his presence?"

Nan Ma hadn't replied yet when suddenly, from the second-floor balcony, that Earth barbarian yelled out, "Are you people from Iridium Star?"

Xu Lanzhou was stunned; Nan Ma laughed.

"My Commander, on this exotic dimension's planet, who else could know about Iridium Star's existence, if not our Chancellor?" Nan Ma said with a mischievous smile. He suddenly felt a sense of joy in playing a prank. The Chancellor, who used to be regarded as all-knowing and infinitely wise and great, had suddenly turned into a figure of primitive civilization; indeed, it was a delightful twist.

While he spoke, Bai Zhongqi had already dashed down from the second floor. He was now bracing himself; the fact that the Iridium Star people had found this place meant they had detected his presence. Although unclear if their visit was with good or bad intentions, he knew he couldn't escape. He had to do something to prevent the Iridium Star R19 Fleet from launching a destructive assault on Earth, causing a catastrophe.

Bai Zhongqi ran up to Xu Lanzhou and Nan Ma and couldn't help but look up slightly at Xu Lanzhou. He wasn't particularly tall, around five feet ten, above average height, while Xu Lanzhou, by the standards of Earth women, was exceptionally tall, standing at around six feet, definitely a supermodel figure. Not only was her stature impressive, but the young Imperial female general's appearance was also outstanding: her features were picturesque, and her skin was creamy. Bai Zhongqi had to admit, just in terms of appearance, this female general was even more beautiful than Han Jiaxue, who had just become his girlfriend.

After coming downstairs, Bai Zhongqi could feel the awkward tension spreading among this group of Iridium Star people. He himself felt slightly panicked, unsure of how to behave before these people. Technically speaking, he was the undisputed Chancellor of the Empire, an empire he had built bit by bit, albeit via mouse and keyboard.

Besides, he was currently in pajamas bought from Walma, horrendously dressed, making it impossible even to assume an imperial air convincingly.

But Bai Zhongqi was indeed cool-headed and decisive when the situation demanded. Facing these aliens who could have annihilated him scores of times over, he didn't show fear. Since he couldn't display imperial authority, he still had to act confidently.

Bai Zhongqi straightened his back and then, with a nod and a smile towards Xu Lanzhou and the Iridium Star people, said in an unwavering and firm tone, "Members of the R19 Exploration Fleet, welcome to Earth."

The moment Bai Zhongqi spoke those words, Xu Lanzhou felt a perfect image that had existed in her mind for twenty years shatter. Even though she didn't want to admit it, facts spoke louder than words; the messy man before her, lacking any formal appearance, was indeed the reclusive Chancellor of the Empire from an exotic dimension. Nan Ma had acknowledged it, and he himself had explicitly mentioned their origins—it couldn't be wrong.

Despite feeling disillusioned, Xu Lanzhou remained a steadfast Imperial general, a descendant of the loyal Shield Knight family. She lowered her proud head, knelt on one knee, hand on chest, and the other hand holding the hilt of her ceremonial sword, followed immediately by all the Imperial infantrymen also kneeling on one knee, showing their absolute loyalty and respect to the Chancellor.

"Great Chancellor of the Empire, may glory and wisdom be with you. Commander of the United Empire Universe Army R19 Exploration Fleet, Shield Knight family's 91st descendant, Xu Lanzhou presents herself to Your Majesty. Your Supreme Command, we swear to accomplish to our deaths; where Your sword points, we will conquer for You!"

All the infantrymen's voices were robust, their words ringing clear, "Your Supreme Command, we swear to accomplish to our deaths; where Your sword points, we will conquer for You!"

Only the supremely positioned Nan Ma, bowing while holding his chest, stole a glance at Bai Zhongqi, noticing a hint of panic in his eyes.

"United Empire Stellar Transmission Academy, Master Star Warrior Nan Ma presents his respects to You."

However, at this crucial moment, Bai Zhongqi could not afford to show weakness. Seemingly possessed, he drew a short dagger from his body, gently sliced his palm, and pressing the bleeding palm onto Xu Lanzhou's smooth forehead, he declared in the tone and expression of a mystic, "With my blood, I bestow upon you the Empire."