This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 697 - 363: Intrigues and Different Calculations - Part 2

Chapter 697: Chapter 363: Intrigues and Different Calculations - Part 2

"Mind control." Prince Costate nodded and specifically instructed, "Remember to console them."

The officer nodded: "According to the [Review Ordinance], soldiers who were innocently reviewed due to mind control are credited with second-class merit."

Prince Costate nodded, then said: "The more complex the plan and the more actions it involves, the more loopholes appear. The enemy’s plan here is straightforward and crude; it should be difficult to uncover anything meaningful in a short amount of time."

"The Royal Council is already preparing to issue an administrative order for a purge of the Holy Revolution Army."

The high-ranking officials sitting at the table exchanged uneasy glances. Diaz frowned and couldn’t help but ask, "Are you really going to act against the Holy Revolution Army? Isn’t that a waste of resources?"

"Or perhaps you’d prefer to, in your capacity as the Empire’s spokesperson, declare publicly that the Holy Revolution Army is innocent?" Prince Costate retorted.

Diaz paused, but quickly replied, "Can’t the Azure Dragon be one of the Holy Revolution Army’s people?"

"According to the Interstellar Alliance Association’s regulations, Holy Revolution Army members are not permitted to join organizations such as the Mechanic Association or the Interstellar Chamber of Commerce..." Prince Costate said gravely:

"Conducting investigations into the Azure Dragon through these organizations will take time, so should we just wait during this period?"

"Besides, can you even locate the Azure Dragon?"

Diaz furrowed his brows tightly, meeting Prince Costate’s gaze without hesitation: "Even so, a Duke has already died—are we just going to let the Azure Dragon off the hook?"

"Who said we were letting him off?" Prince Costate shook his head. "The Holy Revolution Army is our enemy regardless. The fact that they stepped forward to share the blame for Azure Dragon suggests there’s something suspicious going on. Giving them a bit of pressure isn’t a waste of effort."

"As for Azure Dragon, he’s just a Casting Star Mechanic. We can transition to investigating him covertly and slowly. Furthermore, the life-or-death status of Nicholas still isn’t confirmed."

There was a faint notion forming in his heart, preventing him from bringing Azure Dragon into the spotlight for now, but he was still hesitating over whether this was the correct approach.

A Casting Star Mechanic—still not enough...

Prince Costate’s reasoning was logical, but Diaz showed little reaction, secretly sneering.

Pretend to sound sensible all you want—even if it had been Satoru who died, Costate would’ve long since lost his composure, caring nothing about "the bigger picture."

Diaz even suspected that Prince Costate harbored no genuine intention to apprehend Azure Dragon given that the deceased was a Royal Family traitor.

"Now, the most urgent matter is..."

"The most urgent matter is Hammer Divine Craftsman’s legacy!" Prince Costate’s words were suddenly interrupted by a clear, firm voice.

Prince Costate’s gaze flickered slightly. The gathered high-ranking officials instinctively turned toward the voice, only to see Jaint promptly rise and respectfully greet: "Prince Abel."

The others also rose to their feet, paying their respects, including Diaz.

Prince Costate stood up with a smile, stepping forward: "My most outstanding nephew, you’ve finally come."

Standing before him was a young man with an upright posture, dressed in a tailored dark purple formal suit exuding refined nobility. Every movement was imbued with an inherent sense of composure.

The collar of the suit was adorned with dazzling diamonds that shimmered faintly. The sleeves were embroidered with intricate golden threads, and a silver belt embedded with precious gems cinched his waist.

"Uncle, everyone is too polite. The Holy Emperor sends his regards to all of you." Abel greeted with a warm smile. Prince Costate stepped aside, signaling for him to take a seat.

"You are the true Commander here." Abel shook his head, moving confidently to sit in the observation chair.

"If he doesn’t sit, I will." An untimely voice emerged. Prince Costate’s expression remained unchanged as he sat down directly.

Diaz respectfully addressed him: "Your Highness."

The other high-ranking officials then noticed that a middle-aged man with a sinister gaze was trailing behind Abel, his hooked nose, thin lips, and chilling aura creating an unsettling presence.

Prince Ryan, Nicholas’s grandfather.

"Greetings, Empire’s elite. Good afternoon."

Prince Ryan positioned himself beside Costate. The two half-brothers bore a slight resemblance in their features.

"Your Highness..." The senior officials finally snapped out of their daze and hurriedly offered their salutations.

"An Empire Duke has died, yet I sense no sorrow from any of you." Prince Ryan’s gaze landed on the officer beside Jaint, smiling warmly: "Zed, are you not grieving? After all, it was your brother who died..."

"I... I..." Zed’s heart froze, his eyes brimming with tears. "I’m grieving; I truly am."

"Heh..." Prince Ryan let out a cold laugh. Yet his body suddenly dissipated—it was merely a projection, not his actual presence.

"Your Highness, what did you just say?" Prince Costate turned to Abel, his expression calm.

"The Hammer Divine Craftsman’s inheritance is the most pressing matter. Everything else can wait." Abel spoke evenly.

Prince Costate nodded: "Are you confident?"

"Naturally." Abel nodded. "It is mine without question."

A flicker of deeply hidden fervor flashed across his seemingly calm eyes.

The age limit was one hundred years, with Level Fifty Development Potential. In the Empire, only he himself could meet these criteria.

The Hammer Divine Craftsman’s legacy carried immense significance. Securing it would greatly enhance his reputation, providing substantial capital for his bid for that supreme position.

"Will Li Ming attend?" Prince Ryan interrupted the conversation despite their intentional disregard for him.

"Uncertain. He probably won’t," another official answered tentatively, as Prince Costate remained silent.

"It would be better if he didn’t show up. Soon, I’ll personally head to the Central World." Prince Ryan’s lips curled into an unpleasant smile, his eyes as cold as ice.

The senior officials felt their hearts lurch.

"This is a confidential meeting," Prince Costate frowned at last, raising his hand to dismiss Ryan’s projection, whose cold smile vanished.

Costate’s gaze swept over Diaz, tinged with displeasure.

Jaint said: "This time, five individuals will undergo assessment."

"Five?" Abel looked surprised.

"You, Eternal Brilliance Federation one, Star Cluster Republic Alliance two, and one person from Creator Divine Craftsman." Jaint explained.

"Two from the Star Cluster Republic Alliance?" Abel appeared even more surprised, then sighed: "The Sea of Stars is indeed becoming more prosperous."

The Sea of Stars boasted an unparalleled quantity and quality of civilizations, ranking as the most powerful interstellar force if unified.

Unfortunately... its civilizations were too numerous, and its power too scattered.

Costate tossed over a document. "Here’s the latest information. The person from Creator Divine Craftsman is classified—there is no data available."

Abel’s gaze grew focused. He studied the information meticulously, memorizing every word.

...

Soon, the Empire issued a severe declaration, announcing its intention to spare no cost in suppressing all activities of the Holy Revolution Army in the coming days.

The interstellar civilizations merely treated it as entertainment. It wasn’t the first time such a declaration had been made; nearly every major civilization had issued similar statements—ineffective as they often proved, as the group repeatedly resurged.

One crisis was barely resolved before another emerged.

Not long after the Empire’s statement, secret news leaked from the Central World once more. An unnamed insider claimed:

The interstellar alliance had already reached an agreement with the Dominion Holy Image to send specific individuals during designated periods for selection by the Dominion Holy Image.

"...The Star Abyss Empire, Eternal Brilliance Federation, and Star Cluster Republic Alliance jointly issued an ultimatum to the Dominion Holy Image, demanding that a successor be selected from among the candidates; otherwise, they would forcibly dismember it..."

Li Ming viewed the developments with intrigue: "This whistleblower seems to be hiding right under their conference table or something."

"This is shameless!" Robbin cursed, his face flushed with anger. "Sending individuals secretly—how disgraceful."

His outrage wasn’t unjustified. It was no secret that everyone harbored ambitions toward the Hammer Divine Craftsman’s legacy.

Though the likelihood of being rejected was high even if one attempted to pursue it, to be deprived of the opportunity altogether was undoubtedly an affront.

The leaked information stirred significant reactions. Unlike the attack on the Empire Base, which people treated as mere amusement, this felt like blatant abuse of authority.