The Dark Spirit Race built countless Veil Spirit Gates across the universe over the long years of the past.

They were everywhere.

Even near Holy Terra.

Perhaps they wouldn’t dare to send raiding parties to directly operate near Holy Terra. Even during the decline of the Human Empire, with Holy Terra as the core of the Empire, it always retained its strength.

Every bit of force from the Dark Spirit Race was precious, not to be wasted casually. They always assessed the risk-to-reward ratio. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Raiding near Holy Terra was not only difficult due to strong defenses but also, once exposed, would draw strong counterattacks from the Human Empire, making it unwise.

However, this place was extremely important. Holy Terra was the core of the Human Empire, with an abundance of information. Upon hearing news of a transport fleet operating outside the core region, they could transmit the information back and then organize a raid to seize the goods in a relatively safe area.

They always had personnel lurking within Holy Terra, conducting silent, low-key, and discreet activities.

To support their operations in Holy Terra, naturally, a small Veil Spirit Gate was built within the Solar System.

Not on the planet of Holy Terra itself—that would be too audacious. But in the Solar System, it’s possible.

At the edge of the system, on the asteroid belt, the Dark Spirit Race’s Veil Spirit Gate was constructed there.

Not large, but very hidden.

Although, upon reaching the Solar System, one would still need to travel for some time conventionally to reach Holy Terra, but at least it is considered close by then.

The problem was, this Veil Spirit Gate was entirely under the control of the Dark Spirit Race, with unknown coordinates and activation keys. It couldn’t be opened at all currently.

Unless humanity captured the Comoros Port that holds these coordinates, or through a Dark Spirit Race captive who knows the coordinates, they could extract the specific coordinates and keys.

Even so, it’s actually quite difficult.

Because the Dark Spirit Race could, at a moment’s notice, destroy the Veil Spirit Gate stationed at the Solar System upon receiving news, ruining everything.

It was precisely because of this leverage that the Dark Spirit Race’s negotiations were truly appealing to Robert.

If agreed, they could almost immediately reach the Solar System, completing the most crucial step of Robert’s anticipated expedition, bringing the army to Holy Terra, to see whether this capital of the Human Empire still held loyalty.

Upon reaching this point, Gu Hang didn’t care whether Robert’s title was ’Son of God’ or not, severely criticizing Robert’s opportunistic wishful thinking.

Listening to Gu Hang’s critique, Robert was bemused.

He was not as irrational as Gu Hang described. Since considering negotiations, he naturally considered a series of negotiation terms and matching actions to ensure the Dark Spirit Race would honor them.

Of course, he knew, as Gu Hang stated, that this was a race with no honesty— in fact, talking about honesty across species was inherently absurd.

But in general, it was true that the Dark Spirit Race had a poor reputation, was inherently cruel and deceitful, with constant internal conspiracies, let alone cooperating externally.

Robert wouldn’t easily trust them, not even a little. He would only act under circumstances that ensure the other party’s compliance through compulsory binding forces.

In this process, the power of the Alliance was essential.

He needed the Alliance keeping watch in Comoros, only then would he dare to send troops into the Veil Spirit Gate opened to them by the Dark Spirit Race.

Otherwise, even if there was only a one percent chance of the other party trapping him, within the Dark Spirit Race, it would turn into one hundred percent.

In other words, without Gu Hang agreeing to negotiations and the Alliance’s secured power, he couldn’t negotiate by himself.

He also understood that Gu Hang’s use of terms like ’opportunism’, ’wishful thinking’, and ’Dark Spirit Race promises unreliable’ was to stall him.

Essentially, it was still about insisting on the attack on Comoros and not wanting the Terra Expeditionary Army to leave.

"Let’s talk openly about this matter, Mr. Gu Hang, without unnecessary remarks we all know are needless. I believe you are a wise man," Robert said.

Gu Hang found it somewhat comical.

"I am indeed talking openly now, Prince Robert."

"You might feel that I’m discussing these matters with you to block you. However, my admiral has told you before, and now I am emphasizing again: conquering Comoros is my goal, but during this process, the Alliance does not need your expeditionary force, we are fully capable of completing this task independently."

"I fully understand why you might misunderstand my intention. You believe you’ve made complete, comprehensive preparations, and as long as I agree, with the Alliance’s supporting forces, you could achieve your plan no matter the Dark Spirit Race’s hidden schemes."

"But, in my opinion, you’re too arrogant, Prince Robert. You believe in your brain, the wisdom and rationality granted by the Emperor, confident that as long as you execute your perfect plan step by step, there will be no mistakes. Even if mistakes occur, you have confidence that you have enough contingencies to remedy... But, what are you facing? Do not underestimate the Dark Spirit Race. Though weakened, degraded, and few in numbers now, I must solemnly inform you, they once dominated the universe, and no one knows what powers still lie hidden beneath their heritage. Your perfect plan is very likely to fail; it could lead the expeditionary force into an abyss."