Chapter 385: Chapter 46: The Giant Demon Empire’s Olive Branch, the Concept of Allied Forces

The Giant Demon Tobien Empire.

Within the Divine Council Hall, high above a chamber that glittered like a star-filled sky, Emperor Tobien gazed down upon the assembled gods.

Flanking the Emperor to his left and right were two seats of honor, occupied by the two Main Gods of the Giant Demons.

One was the Empire Chancellor, Main God Moridun.

The other was the Chairman of the Empire’s Divine Council Hall, Main God Penelope.

Beneath the gaze of the three Main Gods, the Giant Demon Gods on the floor of the Divine Council Hall were arranged in five columns, fanning out from the center.

The first column comprised the deities of the Empire Research Institute, led by its Director, the Powerful Divine Power Deity, Divine Matty.

The second column was the Empire Army Department; the third, the Empire Ministry of Internal Affairs; the fourth, the Empire Faith and Propagation Department; and the fifth, the Empire Star Sea Exploration Department.

The gods of these five departments, each led by a Powerful Divine Power Deity, collectively formed the power structure of the Tobien Empire.

At that moment, Emperor Tobien looked down at the Powerful Divine Power Deity, Divine Matty, and spoke.

"So, Director Matty, we can all but confirm that the Star Empire has completely conquered the Blood Race World our Empire initially scouted. Is that correct?"

Matty bowed respectfully and replied,

"Your Majesty, based on the intelligence we’ve gathered on the Star Empire, I can all but confirm this to be a fact."

"Furthermore, the Star Empire has made almost no effort to conceal this matter."

"Therefore, I believe the Star Empire may have already gained a comprehensive understanding of our Tobien Empire at this point."

"Of course, I do not believe any of the Empire Gods would betray the Empire. I simply think that with the mysterious abilities of an Ancient Species, nearly three hundred years is indeed enough time for Them to gather substantial information about our Empire."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Tobien’s expression remained serene as he simply tapped his fingers rhythmically on the cloud-patterned armrest of his divine throne.

At that moment, the entire Divine Council Hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Finally, in the midst of a tense silence where the gods hardly dared to breathe, the Emperor spoke again.

This time, however, His gaze fell upon the Chancellor in the seat to His left.

"Moridun, do you believe the Main God Contract will truly be effective against this Star Empire?"

Main God Moridun’s expression was perfectly calm as he bowed slightly and replied,

"Your Majesty, the Main God Contract is only binding between Main Gods. The number of Main God-level beings in the Star Empire has clearly exceeded our projections."

"Therefore, the binding power of our treaty is likely now a mere formality."

"Whether or not they continue to honor the five-thousand-year treaty depends entirely on Their willingness to sacrifice a Main God, who would suffer a severe Spiritual backlash from the contract."

Moridun was simply stating the facts.

He conveyed no subjective emotion.

Hearing this, the Giant Demon Emperor spoke slowly.

"Treaties between civilizations only last as long as their interests are aligned."

"When interests conflict, turning on one another can happen in an instant."

"This Star Empire has truly become a great predicament for our Empire."

"However, since the Chancellor and all of you in the Divine Council Hall chose the path of peace from the start, it is necessary that we continue to uphold this treaty."

"And I, as the Emperor, will of course bear the full responsibility for that choice."

"But now, facing the powerful Star Empire, I invite you all to speak your minds and share your thoughts."

Emperor Tobien’s face was unreadable. Having spoken, he yielded the floor to the gods of the Divine Council Hall.

At this, the Powerful Divine Power Deity who headed the Ministry of Internal Affairs slowly rose, bowed to the throne, and then turned to address the other gods.

"It is an undeniable fact that the Star Empire is powerful. However, the strategy of alliance that we initially adopted was, without a doubt, the correct choice—both then and now."

"Your Majesty, all of you here should be aware of our situation at the time."

"In order to conquer the Karte Continent, the Empire suffered the loss of many of our gods. Their revival requires time."

"At the same time, we were also in the midst of a campaign against the surprisingly powerful Mechanical Armor Civilization."

"If we had gone to war with the Ancient Species Civilization while also battling that Mobile Civilization, we would have undoubtedly suffered even more catastrophic losses. Even if we had ultimately won, the cost would have been more than the entire Empire could bear."

"Furthermore, Your Majesty, you were at a critical stage in your breakthrough to the level of a Star God. Therefore, formulating a strategy of alliance was absolutely the right decision."

At this point, the Powerful Divine Power Deity, who was also the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, shifted their tone and continued,

"And looking at the treaty now, is it not still the most correct choice?"

"Your Majesty, I am sure you all have seen it as well."

"In the less than three hundred years since its founding, the power wielded by this Star Empire is simply staggering."

"According to public information, the Star Empire currently has nine Main Gods and nearly twenty Powerful Divine Power Deities."

"And that’s not even counting the Ancient Dragon God Himself, or the number of His high-ranking clansmen—the Cloud Court Dragon Clan!"

"Of course, one might argue that this power was amassed through the Empire’s subsequent expansion."

"But I ask you all to look at ourselves. Consider our own state after several thousand years of our Empire’s existence."

"Our Tobien Empire, through the combined efforts of Your Majesty and everyone present, has developed at what we considered an extremely rapid pace. Yet, when compared to the Star Empire, our progress seems to pale in comparison."

"And why is that?"

The gods were silent. The Emperor did not speak. Answering their own question, the Powerful Divine Power Deity continued,