Galaxy Domination Guide

Chapter 784: 770 Ailan Dong

Lindong lost his temper in the quiet garden. Extreme coldness emanated from his body, absorbing the heat from all objects and turning the surroundings into a frigid zone, so much so that even the Green Elder had to stay far away from Lindong.

“First, the Empress refused to bear the responsibility of our Swarm for the sake of a human male, and then that despicable Iridium Star Chancellor slaughtered one of our Dukes. Why is our path to claiming dominion over the Galaxy so arduous? Aren’t we Insectoids destined to rule the Universe?” Lindong let out a painful roar.

A figure that looked more like a human than an Insectoid approached. He walked alone into the area of extreme coldness around Lindong, yet he remained unharmed.

“Nobody’s fate is predetermined, nor can anyone truly control everything. There have been at least dozens of Swarms before us, but each of them was destroyed. Their path to ruling the Galaxy was not easy, and neither is ours now.”

Lindong retracted his powers and looked at the Insectoid Duke who resembled a long-haired handsome human. He said, “Ailan Dong, how could you bear to crawl out from your nest? Have you decided to start doing something for our Swarm?”

Ailan Dong shook his head: “As the first born Duke, I am forever loyal to the Empress. The deeds you all have committed are unforgivable.”

Lindong snorted, “What, do you plan on challenging the seven of us Dukes by yourself?”

“There are six now,” Ailan Dong corrected.

Fury boiled within Lindong as he spat out hatefully, “If the Empress were willing to lead us, and if you, Duke Ailan Dong, would join our ranks against the United Empire of the Iridium Star, how could Duke Qingye have died at the hands of the Iridium Star Chancellor?”

Ailan Dong replied, “Choosing your opponents wisely is something we Insectoids should learn. Dozens of generations of our kind failed because they were too foolish and reckless. The beings that roam the Universe are not as mediocre as you think. Even if they are our food, getting to them is not an easy task. Take this Iridium Star Chancellor you’re dealing with; he possesses powers we cannot comprehend.”

“No, we Insectoids are the strongest!” Lindong stubbornly retorted.

Ailan Dong was unfazed. “Think what you will, but my advice is to let the Insectoids bypass the regions guarded by the United Empire of the Iridium Star and prey on those places beyond their influence. We Insectoids are constantly evolving at a rapid pace. I believe every Duke is becoming stronger every day. Perhaps by that time, you can easily crush that Iridium Star Chancellor, but not now.”

The Green Elder echoed in agreement, “Duke Ailan Dong’s opinion is very sensible, Duke Lindong. Perhaps we could consider it.”

Lindong, with a dark expression, did not speak, but he implicitly consented. Though ostensibly, the Insectoid Dukes collectively negotiated the leadership of the Swarm, the Green Elder, being good-tempered, did not take the initiative, and other Dukes like Canxing showed no interest in leading, each with their own issues. Hence, to a significant extent, Lindong led the current Swarm.

Lindong also realized that if he insisted on continuing the standoff with the Iridium Star, he would not gain the support of the other Insectoid Dukes. After all, a true death was at stake. They could standby and show no mercy in his struggle with Qingye, but they would not follow Lindong to their own deaths.

Lindong turned and walked away, leaving the Green Elder and Ailan Dong watching his retreating figure.

With a touch of awe, the Green Elder asked Ailan Dong, “Duke Ailan Dong, does the Empress truly not intend to retake control of the Swarm?”

A look of helplessness crossed Ailan Dong’s face, “For now, she has no such intention. It’s not that the Empress is letting you usurp her authority; she simply doesn’t mind your doing so. In fact, she’s somewhat pleased that you can take over the leadership of the Swarm. To her, how the Swarm develops is no longer that important.”

Surprised, the Green Elder said, “As the mother of the Swarm, the origin of everything, could the Empress have lost her concern for us Insectoids?””

“It’s not entirely accurate to say that. Sigh, every generation of Swarm seems unable to escape destruction. Lindong fails to see this and still wants to force his way through. But I believe you understand that if the Swarm wants to proliferate in the Universe with the stance of a civilized race, the old way is definitely not an option. However, the Empress is looking at something much bigger; she seeks to comprehend the ultimate meaning of life and the purpose of the Universe’s existence,” explained Ailan Dong.

Stuttering a bit, the Green Elder said, “Are those the sort of philosophical questions she’s concerned with? Philosophers from every intelligent species have not fully unraveled these issues, and they don’t really help our survival in any significant way. Is the Empress right to focus her efforts on this? Even if she wants to pursue the meaning of life and the Universe, how does she intend to achieve that?”

Ailan Dong smiled, “Perhaps it’s love.”

The Green Elder appeared to have an epiphany, “So falling in love with the first Divine General is the Empress’s process of transcending her species and seeking the profound truth of life and the Universe?”

“Maybe,” Ailan Dong said softly. “But at least she is choosing to do what she wants.”

“Whatever the Empress wishes to do, as the original Duke, I will devote everything to fulfill her wishes, whether it is right or wrong, or whether it is worth it, because the purpose of my existence was decided from the beginning—to serve the Empress until death,” Ailan Dong said earnestly, as though stating the most ordinary fact.

The Green Elder developed a tremendous respect for Ailan Dong. As the Insectoids gradually began to develop their own consciousness, they started to have individual thoughts; they may have different pursuits, but divisions appeared. The Green Elder believed he was loyal to the Empress, but he could not match Ailan Dong’s level of devotion.

After the Valkyrie of Clinch Star executed a Duke of the Swarm, the Swarm’s raiding activities against the member civilizations of the United Empire of the Iridium Star entered a period of quietude. There were no further attacks by the Swarm on the United Empire for the next three months. During this time, Bai Zhongqi expedited the deployment of strategic early-warning systems on all member civilizations’ Administrative Stars.

Along with this was the rapid progress on the Star Alliance’s network of Stargates. Bai Zhongqi estimated that even with the existing civilizations of the United Empire of the Iridium Star, it would take over a year to complete the construction of all fixed Stargates.

The Swarm did not stop its conquest of other planets, and as more planets heard the story of Iridium Star resisting the Swarm’s scourge, they hastened to join the United Empire of the Iridium Star. The process of galactic integration began to expand at a rate even Bai Zhongqi had not anticipated.