"I said, I refuse."
The calm words echoed through the mothership's main hall, jolting Osvaldo Schneider awake from his pleasant dream. He stared at the girl on the throne, his face a mask of disbelief.
Though he forced a smile, it looked uglier than weeping.
"Merciful Your Majesty, but why?!"
"Please believe me! I, Osvaldo, can surely dedicate the entire Corporation's wealth to you and your Empire!"
"The answer is simple," [Firefly] stated, a hint of something playful yet chilling in her tone. "What I like is saying NO! to people who think they've got it all figured out."
"?!"
"Pfft..." Silver Wolf choked back a laugh.
Osvaldo, however, was utterly bewildered. Wh... What kind of absurd reason is that?! Rejecting his surrender just because she wanted to say no to someone confident? Ridiculous!
"It seems you are unaware."
"Osvaldo Schneider, I know of your deeds."
"Director of the Market Development Department, the Interastral Peace Corporation's most prominent rising star."
Recounting his achievements brought an involuntary smile of pride to Osvaldo's face, until the next words:
"But do you remember what you traded for these accomplishments you brought to the Corporation?" The silver-haired girl spoke coolly, flicking her finger.
Instantly, Silver Wolf, as if on cue, pulled up a transparent virtual screen via Aether Editing. Displayed upon it was Osvaldo's activity record since joining the Corporation, obtained from their own databases.
The entries detailing his actions after becoming head of Market Development were particularly jarring and eyebrow-raising.
Among them was Aeragan-Epharshel Star, Boothill the Galaxy Ranger's home planet. But Aeragan-Epharshel was merely a minor footnote in the long list of Osvaldo's 'glorious achievements.' Massacres were his least concerning method.
The other things he did—spreading plagues to drive out native populations, forcing entire planets into slavery—these vicious tactics were everywhere, making even Silver Wolf click her tongue in disgust.
Though she'd heard of Osvaldo's notoriety before, actually seeing his 'illustrious resume' elicited a shocked thought: Wow, this guy really is just wearing a human skin suit!
Verdict: Certified skinwalker.
Even Brunhilde, the former Mercy's Bane Swarm King, couldn't help but feel sigh. True, the former Swarm might not have been much better than the Corporation, perhaps even worse. But everything the Swarm did was merely out of the instinct for 'survival,' for 'feeding.'
But Osvaldo... among these planets, there were countless victims who fell into hell simply to satisfy his personal desires.
Osvaldo stared blankly at the records, finding it hard to believe. He wasn't surprised the Corporation had files on him; after all, they served as 'leverage' for the higher-ups to control him.
But he was certain much of this information shouldn't even exist within the Corporation's records.
The aftermath on those victimized planets had been meticulously cleaned up by him; even his supposed confidants didn't know... If he hadn't seen it here, Osvaldo himself might have thought in surprise, 'Ah, right, I did do that back then.'
"Your Majesty, I don't understand what you mean."
"It seems you are completely unaware of your own actions."
"No... you don't even for a moment consider yourself a villain."
"Osvaldo Schneider, you may indeed possess enviable talent and cunning, but the citizens of the Glamoth Empire will never associate with a villain like you, one who commits evil yet remains ignorant of it." [Firefly]'s voice held a distinct chill.
Indeed, as Osvaldo suspected, neither the Corporation's attack nor their slander truly mattered much to Jiang Qiao.
From a purely political or profit-driven perspective, keeping this man alive would have been the 'correct' choice.
After all, no matter how bright a faction seemed, there were always 'unspeakable' matters requiring special individuals to handle.
With Osvaldo's help, acquiring the Corporation's wealth—though meaningless to Jiang Qiao personally—would undoubtedly be immensely significant for the future of the Glamoth Empire.
But...
"From the bottom of my heart, I despise people like you, Osvaldo Schneider." The gentle voice was laced with unthinking disgust and coldness.
This came not just from Jiang Qiao, but also resonated from the heart beating within this chest. The Glamoth Empire itself was born from a despicable lie.
How could he, standing here as [Firefly], as the Empress of the Glamoth Empire, tolerate a vile person like Osvaldo?!
"If you have anything else to say, say it to those you have harmed."
"That is the only mercy I can grant you."
The voice wasn't loud, yet it was crystal clear. Incredibly gentle, yet undeniably firm. The decisiveness of the Glamoth Empress was fully displayed in this moment.
Brunhilde and Pheebe were captivated. Even Silver Wolf felt her cheeks flush slightly. ...She's so cool!
Undoubtedly, Osvaldo now understood the situation, understood everything. Looking at the girl before him, he clearly knew this Glamoth Empire would never accept him!
They would inevitably be enemies. This wouldn't change whether Osvaldo had sent a fleet to attack or not—Somado's reckless actions were merely the 'catalyst' for this conflict.
What a foolish person! To be the leader of such a powerful faction, yet believe in so-called justice. That sort of thing was clearly just a 'toy' for those in power. How could someone so naive be his next 'foothold'?
He fumed, yet paradoxically, he smiled. Just as humbly as before.
"Merciful Your Majesty! I believe you have some misunderstandings about me!"
"Please allow me to approach and explain in detail—" His words were utterly respectful, yet without seeking permission for even a moment, he slowly stepped towards the silver-haired girl on the throne.
"Insolence!" Pheebe, commander of the Royal Guard, seeing this presumptuous act, her pretty face flushed with anger, turned frosty, moving to intercept.
However, the short, abnormal distance stretched inexplicably long. The smiling Osvaldo continued talking to himself—and then, at a certain moment, as he drew near, his form erupted with a strange power, lunging violently towards [Firefly]!
"?!"
"The company files said this guy... wasn't he just a normal person?!" Silver Wolf exclaimed in shock. According to Corporation data, Osvaldo, the Director of Market Development, possessed no combat abilities beyond his personal skills.
Because of this, Osvaldo's movements were extremely secretive within the Corporation. Aside from necessary appearances at headquarters in Pier Point, he spent most of his time externally.
Some speculated it was because he'd done too many bad things and feared people showing up at Pier Point's gates seeking revenge. For this reason, even the Galaxy Rangers, skilled trackers spread across the stars, could only try to disrupt his business to lure him out.
"Hahaha, you fools!" Osvaldo roared with laughter as he lunged towards [Firefly], his expression utterly wild. The information about him being unskilled in combat, an ordinary person—he had deliberately leaked it himself.
Remember, his past resume included being a Nameless.
While the Nameless weren't a martial organization like the Galaxy Rangers, anyone who understood they constantly traveled the myriad realms would know that surviving the dangerous universe meant even the most ordinary Nameless couldn't possibly be defenseless.
Therefore, Osvaldo wasn't weak at all; in fact, even among the Nameless, he was one of the best!
Amidst his triumphant laughter, he easily... 'captured' [Firefly]!
A strange energy radiated out, enveloping and imprisoning her.
"Hmph, didn't expect to actually fool you idiots! Foolish Empress of Glamoth, you didn't expect things to turn out like this, did you?"
"It is indeed somewhat surprising," [Firefly] admitted calmly.
"This power... Trailblaze? Are you an Emanator of Trailblaze?" Despite being in 'danger,' [Firefly] showed no panic, instead looking with interest at the power enveloping her. "Strange. Given Akivili's style, would he really share the power of the Trailblaze Path with someone like you?"
Although Akivili and Aha had committed many mischievous acts, testimony from Nameless who traveled with Akivili, from those who received his aid, made it clear: even as an Aeon, Akivili leaned towards the side of order.
That he would willingly share Trailblaze power with someone like Osvaldo was highly unusual. Jiang Qiao didn't believe Akivili, as an Aeon, would be unaware of the consequences of giving such power to an evil person.
Even if Osvaldo was once good, an Aeon's insight would surely have seen his true nature.
"...Wait, this isn't Emanator power... This is purely the power of the Path itself..." Curiosity turning into realization, he understood.
"I see. You..."
"...are a Pathstrider of Trailblaze."
"Huh? A Pathstrider of Trailblaze? This guy?" Silver Wolf looked astonished, eyeing Osvaldo with a 'Him?' expression. "Are you sure this dude is Trailblaze? Besides, wasn't he kicked out of the Nameless Trailblaze club already?"
"Nothing strange about it. He's only a former Nameless, not a former Pathstrider," [Firefly] replied calmly. A Path is determined by one's will. It doesn't change just because someone switches factions. While one could choose to walk other Paths, truly delving deep required singular focus.
And Osvaldo Schneider, this man, was undeniably a Pathstrider of Trailblaze. Furthermore, an 'Emanator'-level Pathstrider.
This was rare, but not absolutely impossible.
After all, Emanators were essentially just recipients sharing the Path power mastered by the Aeon. And the Aeons, the source of this power, those beings of immense might, were themselves the 'Pathstriders' who had walked furthest and strongest along that Path.
Walking the same road, while reaching the same point as an Aeon was extremely unrealistic... if it was merely compared to an Aeon-granted 'Emanator,' a 'pseudo-being' borrowing power, why couldn't a Pathstrider who walked far enough on that same road reach that level?
As for Osvaldo's actions being completely un-Trailblaze-like, even he himself barely qualifying as a Trailblaze Pathstrider... Remember, Paths are incredibly broad.
Just as Abundance can lead to destruction-level disasters, and the conviction of Preservation can birth a religious organization like the Corporation... Trailblaze is the same.
Trailblaze isn't only about good deeds. Just like the renowned Astral Express, they still crash through the ceiling of the Goethe Grand Hotel, causing trouble for others.
And the tales of Trailblaze Aeon Akivili and Aha need no further elaboration... The Trailblaze's Star Rail connected myriad worlds, allowing people to interact—but remember, this was also an indirect cause of numerous disasters like the Cosmic Swarm, Border Star Trade Wars, Abundance Wars, and Mechanical Emperor Wars. Even Akivili wouldn't deny this.
And the man before them, Osvaldo Schneider—undoubtedly, he represented the other side of 'Trailblaze'!
"Hmph, at least you have some insight!" Being identified, Osvaldo felt a surge of pride mixed with intense resentment.
"All this power comes from my own efforts! It has nothing to do with that detestable Akivili!" Even though he was a Pathstrider of Trailblaze, cultivating it deeply, how could the goodness-advocating Akivili possibly grant Trailblaze power to someone like Osvaldo?
This was precisely why he harbored such resentment towards the Trailblaze Aeon.
We both walk the Path of Trailblaze, even the Path itself doesn't deny me, so why, in your eyes as an Aeon, am I treated differently?
He even felt heavily restricted.
And that violated the taboo of the Trailblaze Path: Trailblaze allows the unknown, but absolutely cannot accept the unknowable.
"So what if those fools, if that detestable Akivili doesn't acknowledge me?"
"This power is proof enough! Even without Akivili's favor, I possess might rivaling an Emanator! And one day, even those high-and-mighty Aeons will be no exception!" he declared wildly.
Then, standing beside the throne, he bellowed:
"Foolish people of Glamoth! I! Osvaldo Schneider, have captured your Empress! If you don't want your foolish Empress harmed, then kneel before the great me!"
However, Silver Wolf, present on the scene, just stared at him with a strange expression. As if pitying something.