Zhao Chen looked at the red-haired high elf in front of him.

He smiled slightly: "Saloman, no matter what our identities are, what positions we hold, or what we represent."

But at least, to me, you will always be my friend.

Thank you for your continued help.

Zhao Chen said sincerely.

The Flame Elf King paused for a moment, then said, "I also consider you my friend."

As for the help you mentioned.

To my shame, I haven't really been able to help you much up to this point.

This time, I am unable to embark on an expedition with you to devour civilizations, and I am deeply sorry for that.

But I believe that you and your Dragon Star Legion fleet will surely be able to wreak havoc across the universe that devours civilizations.

Although I can't see it, I hope you can destroy a few more interstellar warships that devour civilizations in my stead.

Let those scoundrel kings take a good look at them.

"They're not the only ones who can attack other people's home universes; now it's their turn to be attacked!"

When the Flame Elf King said these things, his eyes were filled with great regret.

As a soldier, missing such a battle would be a lifelong regret.

"Okay, I will carry your will on an expedition to devour civilizations in the cosmic war."

"Let those bastards who only know how to destroy other people's homes experience the true meaning of what it means to those whose homes they invaded and destroyed!" Zhao Chen said solemnly.

The Flame Elf King nodded emphatically.

He then gave a few brief instructions.

The two exchanged a glance and said nothing more. The Flame Elf King then gave Zhao Chen a military salute befitting the Holy Elf Empire.

This concludes the communication.

The Flame Elf Queen stared at the now-dimmed video window, her gaze complex.

Sometimes I feel ashamed, sometimes indignant, sometimes yearning, and sometimes confused.

She murmured to herself, "Zhao Chen, although I cannot fight alongside you."

But I await your triumphant return.

When the time comes, I will prepare the finest wine of the Holy Elf Empire to celebrate your triumphant return!

must!"

Afterwards, the Flame Elf King sat in his captain's chair for a very long time.

It seemed as if he was pondering some very important question.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chen was already aboard his interstellar warship, leading his personal guard fleet back to the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.

............

at the same time.

The Dragon Star Empire has also begun a series of preparations.

If we're talking about the preparations beforehand, there wasn't much impact, and the general public didn't feel it.

At that time, almost all the major star system routes of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire discovered that something was wrong.

First, there are all the star gates.

"Look! The stargate is flashing a red light at a high frequency!" the bridge helmsman of an interstellar transport ship suddenly exclaimed.

The captain immediately came over.

His expression was somewhat serious: "Immediately slow down, adjust the course, and sail into the nearby anchorage."

Then we informed the client about our situation; the delivery of the goods might be delayed.

"postpone?

That won't do!

"The penalty for breach of contract for this shipment is huge!" a merchant on board exclaimed.

The captain pointed to the flashing red lights on the stargate channel and said, "Do you see those flashing red lights?"

A constantly lit red light indicates that the stargate channel is under control and may cease operation or be subject to military control at any time.

A slow-flashing red light indicates that the stargate has entered Level 2 wartime control status. At this time, only some emergency cargo can continue to use the stargate. All other interstellar fleets must leave the main channel and may travel on the secondary channel, wait at the anchorage, or leave.

If the fleet continues to occupy the main shipping lane under these circumstances, its owner could face a huge fine.

The high-frequency flashing red light indicates that this stargate is under emergency level one wartime control.

Apart from the military and the Starfleet responsible for escorting supplies for the military.

All other starfleet forces are strictly prohibited from staying on the main and secondary routes and must leave immediately or remain at anchor.

Starfleets that haven't yet entered the stargate area are now unable to do so either; they must either remain at the outer anchorage or find another route.

Regarding the matter of breach of contract penalties for goods.

The contract clearly states that no penalty will be imposed for delays in the delivery of goods due to force majeure events.

Contacting the employer now is also to see what arrangements they have made.

If this shipment is really urgent, then it's best to transfer it to a large interstellar transport ship capable of long-distance intergalactic travel as soon as possible.

So don't waste your time here.

After the captain finished speaking, he sat down in his captain's chair, took out a cigarette, lit it, and put it in his mouth.

"It seems we can take a break again."

I wonder where our Dragon Star Empire is fighting this time?

"Could it be that the Devouring Civilization has attacked again?" The vice-captain stretched and said.

For those of them who are only responsible for doing the work, the idea of ​​getting paid and resting is naturally the best thing ever.

"Then we don't know."

However, this stargate is the main shipping lane within the territory of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.

"The fact that this place is under Level 1 wartime control means this operation must be quite significant," the captain said matter-of-factly.

He had experienced this kind of thing countless times before and was already used to it.

"I have already contacted the employer."

The owner told us to wait at anchor while he made some contact. The merchant who accompanied the group came over, his face full of helplessness.

"Don't worry, this is not something we need to worry about."

"All we need to do is honestly do our own jobs." The captain handed a cigarette to the merchant accompanying the fleet.

"You don't need to contact anyone else."

When it comes time to deliver the goods, the other party will inevitably complain a bit, but what can I do about it?” The merchant accompanying the group looked helpless, and then asked, “How long will this stop?”

Are we just going to wait here?

The captain glanced at the several cleared channels and said calmly, "Based on past practices."

The Dragon Star Empire will not handle this matter with a one-size-fits-all approach.

Even when the Devouring Civilization interstellar fleet invaded our empire, with battlefields spread across as many as seven star systems, [N O V E L I G H T] and the entire Xiaolong Interstellar Empire entered a state of Level I war.

They are all trying their best to ensure the normal operation of all aspects of the empire.

The first step is to open up some less important routes so that our interstellar transport ships, which need them, can bypass the main stargates.

Although this will take some time, the impact will be minimal.

After all, our Empire's stargate network is very advanced, and it can be said to be ubiquitous.

It will only be like this for the first few hours.

After that, access to some star gates will be granted gradually.

I remember when I encountered this situation at a stargate before, the stargate administrator would first report it to the Imperial department responsible for managing stargate transportation and the military.

After determining some of the navigation requirements needed by the military.

The stargate administrators will gradually open the secondary channel, granting passage rights for one-third to two-thirds of the channel, based on the actual situation.

With this arrangement, even if a military interstellar fleet needs to use the stargate or there are important military supplies that need to be transported, it will not be hindered.

However, at this time, traffic jams are inevitable.

At this point, it depends on the value of the goods you are transporting and the capabilities of the forces behind you.

"If our employer has the capability, we can leave here once some flight routes resume."

After hearing the captain's words, the merchant in the group breathed a sigh of relief, as long as they weren't stuck here forever.

"Also, you should pay attention to the subsequent docking at Starport."

At times like these, some major starports will also be subject to wartime management, and our type of interstellar transport ships will have all their docking applications cancelled.

"So we need to be prepared for both possibilities. You'd better contact another backup starport." The captain, having been through this before, reminded the accompanying merchant.

The accompanying merchants immediately began to take care of the business.

The captain exhaled a smoke ring and said calmly, "We're lucky this time; we're not in a war zone."

If it's a stargate in that location, forget about it, leave as soon as possible.

...

Rose Red Dragon Interstellar Trading Group - Third Factory Branch

"Emergency order! Emergency order!"

Our factory is immediately placed under military control; no personnel outside the group's factory are allowed to enter the controlled area.

All civilian starship and item orders that can be stopped should be halted and transferred to the warehouse.

Orders for starships and other items that meet military standards and have not yet been delivered are now being prioritized for the military, while all other orders are being postponed.

"All production lines are now solely for supplying the military's orders!" The factory manager anxiously moved through the various departments, issuing the latest orders on the spot.

"Factory manager, please...please don't run so fast."

"You can issue these orders directly through the communication channel." The secretary ran up beside her, panting.

The factory manager glanced at his secretary who was following behind him and said seriously, "I'm not comfortable with issuing the order through the communication channel once."

I need to personally inspect every department and every production line.

At a time like this, no problems can be allowed to occur!

The factory manager spoke, a hint of lingering fear in his eyes.

He was so cautious because when he was the deputy factory director, he was in a similar state of emergency during wartime.

Because of the factory manager's carelessness, a batch of military orders was delayed by twelve hours.

That's the twelve-hour delay.

This directly led to the factory manager being laid off.

Although no other significant losses were caused.

However, this ruined the factory director's future, and now he can only serve as a manager in a certain mining area. The difference between the two is like heaven and earth.

From then on, he always used his experience as a factory director to remind himself of the importance of this.

You can be careless about other things in the Dragon Star Empire, but when it comes to military matters, you must keep every nerve in your body on edge.

No problems are allowed!

This is a red line.