Federal Calendar 7708, December 29, afternoon.

Beastkin Star Domain, City of Canbera.

Inside a luxurious and spacious private room on the third floor of Sadia's Private Restaurant.

At this moment, Loren sat with a stern expression, his upper body ramrod straight.

Only because he was about to use his true identity to accept a video interview.

One aimed at the entire Federation—Stellar Daily, one of the largest mainstream media outlets within the Federation.

Loren's breathing was steady, and a hint of anticipation flickered in his eyes.

This experience was incredibly novel and interesting to him...

In front of him sat a photography-grade portable computer, “kindly provided” by Head Chef Sadia.

This portable computer, with its photography capabilities maxed out, had a built-in camera boasting pixels that could rival a Superhuman's naked eye, and it could automatically adjust the surrounding environment and lighting...

At this moment, this portable computer, designed specifically for photography, rested on a specialized stand, waiting to be connected...

Waiting for Oliver Beck, the genuine journalist, to call in from the distant Federation Central Star Domain...

The others in the room instinctively fell silent.

Cook P. Jones, Seena, Hankley, Tannas, and even Sadia, the restaurant's owner, each pulled up a chair and sat quietly outside the camera's range...

They had a feeling this would be a unique interview, one that could briefly influence the Federation's future.

Everyone present understood one thing: with Loren's current strength, reputation, and “background,” he could stir up a small storm if he wanted to.

The decaying Federation, most of the time, was just missing someone daring enough to take the first swing.

An excellent matchmaking system always finds your teammates for you.

Moreover, Loren was rumored to have the backing of the Nature Sect, the Interstellar Hunter Association, the Old-school Faction within the Security Bureau, and countless idealists and ambitious individuals...

Without these excellent “matching teammates,” Loren's current reputation on the Federation Network would never be so positive, so glorious, or spread so far.

He was nearly shaping up to be an image of a “self-sacrificing human prophet”...

In the eyes of most of these “matching teammates,” who Loren was didn't matter, nor did Loren himself matter.

What mattered was whether Loren had a “story” to tell!

They needed a sharp blade, pointed directly at the Federation's most rotten parts, to pry them open and expose them to the sun...

Coincidentally, the story of Loren being “born in the slums” was the one most worth their “anticipation.”

As for what reaction exposing the Federation's rotten part to sunlight would cause, no one knew...

Some anticipated that this “rotten part” would deal the Federation a heavy blow. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Others hoped that exposing this “rotten part” would allow the Federation to be reborn from its ashes.

Fortune was always so miraculous, and Destiny was always so mysterious.

Now, those hoping the Federation would fall, and those hoping it would rise again, were all working together, driven by fate, doing the same thing...

Inside the private room.

The screen of the portable computer lit up.

Loren reached out and connected the video call displayed on the screen, then resumed his upright sitting posture, his upper body straight.

For someone who had never undergone any etiquette or posture training, this was the most dignified pose he could think of.

“Long time no see, good afternoon, Mr. Loren.”

“I'm very glad you agreed to my interview again.”

Oliver Beck on the screen raised his hand and smiled in greeting.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Oliver.” Loren nodded slightly and offered a smile.

He gazed at the journalist through the portable computer screen.

The man no longer looked as confident and carefree as when Loren first met him.

Oliver Beck's eyes were now filled with an indescribable weariness and a complex, melancholic brilliance...

“I'm also honored to be interviewed by you.” Loren added calmly.

Hearing this, Oliver Beck shook his head with a smile, saying no more pleasantries, and got straight to the heart of the interview.

“Mr. Loren, I know your time is always precious, especially during these special times.”

“Let's save the reminiscing for after your special pardon comes through, when we can find time to chat slowly...”

“By the way, this is a live interview!”

“The number of real-time viewers has already reached 10 million, and that number is still climbing...”

“As a special note, to preserve the integrity of this interview, I hope the viewers watching live will record it in advance...”

“Also, to avoid taking up too much of your time, Mr. Loren, and to prevent any unexpected incidents during this live interview...”

“So, let's just dive straight into the main topic.”

“What do you think, Mr. Loren?”

Oliver Beck on the screen said, with a meaningful tone.

Clearly, this live interview by Stellar Daily was facing some kind of unseen resistance...

Loren smiled and nodded: “Of course, I really don't want to waste too much time on an interview.”

He liked Oliver's interview style—concise and efficient...

“First question, Mr. Loren. How is your fugitive life these days? Anything you're not used to?”

Oliver Beck on the screen consulted his black notebook and asked the opening question of the interview.

Hearing this, Loren couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Could he even ask that kind of question?

After silently muttering a quiet remark about the man's audacity, Loren smiled and opened his mouth, but the moment he spoke, his expression swiftly shifted from a smile to a serious one.

Loren answered very formally:

“It's fine. I'm quite used to it. But let me emphasize one thing—this isn't a flight; I'm just traveling through the Star Realm.”

Hearing Loren's answer, a faint, barely noticeable smile tugged at the corner of Oliver Beck's lips.

Then, he rapidly asked his second pre-prepared question, maintaining a fast-paced interview rhythm.

Oliver Beck didn't bother dwelling on the opening question. For a Major Figure like Loren, his answer needed no further interpretation.

As an excellent journalist, Oliver Beck's job was simply to get more people to see Loren's answer.

“Second question. During this period of travel, have you tried applying to the Federation Courts for a special pardon, Mr. Loren?”