Xyrin Empire-Chapter 1482: How Much Information Is There?
The first major battle has temporarily come to an end. Next is the construction of a bridgehead, the creation of a temporary Sovereignty Hub, vigilance against a counterattack by the Fallen Apostles, and rest time. Xiao Xue and Qianqian were quite mentally exhausted in the battle and have gone to their rooms to rest. Others are either resting or wandering around, leaving me, Big Sister, and Sandora on the bridge.
Of course, there are also the diligent Imperial Commanders.
"The Celestial System Fleet will arrive at the battlefield in an hour," Sandora nodded slightly while looking at the holographic image before her, "After destroying the Sovereignty Hub, the Fourth Fleet successfully rewrote the identification rules of the World Barrier. This universe is now temporarily vanished from the mapping zone of the Fallen Apostles. At least for a few hours, they won’t be able to find a teleportation landing point, which is enough time for us to establish a base."
"And then march towards the next world," said Big Sister with a smile on her face. Although the first battle took a lot of time, most of it was spent whittling away at the enemy’s Space Fortress. The actual battle damage was much less than expected. The Imperial Army is almost full strength again and can soon recover to peak condition. Such good momentum makes Big Sister’s fighting spirit rise, though she is a bit puzzled, "But are we just going to push forward world by world like this? How long is this going to take?"
"Of course not," said Sandora, switching the holographic projection to show simulations of the Void and the world before us, "This is the world we currently occupy. It is equivalent to a frequency in a radio wave. Each world is like a frequency, randomly distributed in the large environment known as the Void—this is our next target, and the one after that. You see, as long as we occupy enough universes, we can form a discrete cluster of nodes, like determining the basic indicators of a large batch of goods through sampling. These worlds will highlight a continuous multitude of Material Universes. These Material Universes have similar identification characteristics, and the World Barrier can produce a certain degree of resonance. When we control these key nodes and broadcast the same things at every node..."
Sandora pointed to the schematic diagram on the holographic image, connecting several colored patches representing Material Universes. Immediately, the surrounding continuous color patches were "dyed" the same color, as if dye had dripped into water.
"This is a complex resonance process, and it explains why, after the fall of one world, all similar universes are often affected, causing the ’Doomsday Echo’ phenomenon. Through a similar principle, once we occupy a series of key nodes, we can rewrite the World Barriers of many universes to the ’Empire Frequency,’ making them de facto Empire territories. Next, we just need to gradually purge the isolated and helpless defending forces inside," Sandora said with a happy smile, "Back in those days, my favorite thing was this ’land enclosure and expansion.’ Those were the days of joy... hauling universes by the cartload back into the Empire’s territory and then lounging on the bed and counting the galaxies for fun."
Me: "..."
Speaking from a certain perspective, both Sandora and Pandora belong to the belligerent type in war—though the latter is the rash type, while the former is the strategic type.
"How’s that database cracking going?" I shook my head hard, pushing away the image of Sandora lying in bed calculating land area with a data terminal, and brought up the database that was salvaged from the Sovereignty Hub.
"The database is intact, but it’s heavily encrypted," Sandora said somewhat listlessly, swiping at her data terminal. "The experts are trying to breach its firewall. Bubbles is also personally handling the data, and we should have results soon."
After the battle, the Imperial Army has reorganized. The First Fleet remains at the World Barrier, continuing to deploy disruptors and enhance the defense of this temporary territory while being ready to repel enemy counterattacks at any time. The Fourth, Sixth, Seventh Fleets, and the Royal Fleet have stationed themselves around the enemy’s Sovereignty Hub. Now those two artificial planets have turned into two drops of space slag, with high-orbit filled with shattered debris and lingering Ghost Energy Storm clusters. This environment would be exceptionally harsh for ordinary civilizations that would avoid it at all costs, but for the Imperial Army, the opposite is true: the scattered debris can be reclaimed for building temporary space bases, and the half-melted planets, besides serving as a material source, can also act as gravity sources for temporary outposts. Although these resources are just a drop in the ocean for the well-supplied Imperial Army, the Xyrin Apostle has always valued absolute efficiency—even in the reuse of resources.
They are a bunch of wealthy individuals lacking for nothing, but also a startup team that refuses to waste even a screw.
This prudence has its reasons: no matter how large the empire, it must be built up bit by bit. The Xyrin Apostle grew from mortals to where they are today, and they never started by crushing worlds with technology. They are the first truly hardworking generation of wealth, unwilling to waste even a gram of material regardless of current abundance, because they believe that sometimes a single extra bullet can change the outcome of a balanced war.
Even those long-lasting Ghost Energy Storm clusters lingering in space have their uses—the Ravens are gleefully darting in and out of the storm clusters. In theory, they’re topping up their energy, though in practice, they’re probably just playing...
Beside the Imperial Admiral, there is a temporary space laboratory about a hundred kilometers away. The lab is formed by disassembling and reassembling two engineering ships and one research vessel, resembling a somewhat irregular polygonal platform. The database salvaged from the Sovereignty Hub is transported there and is now subject to the attention of more than a hundred and thirty experts. Hopefully, this database holds the intelligence we need.
I initially thought it would take a long time for the lab to produce results, but the cracking of the database progressed faster than expected. Before the Celestial System Fleet got into position, those highly efficient experts found a way to infiltrate the database. Bubbles immediately broadcasted throughout the Imperial Admiral: "Darling! The database has been read~~~ la la la~~~~~"
I was just accompanying Sandora in the dining hall to grab a bite, when Bubbles, in her rush like she was reincarnating, shouted so abruptly that I nearly choked on a piece of cake. I raised my head and yelled at the ceiling: "Are you trying to get yourself killed? Stop howling like a ghost."
"It’s an echo," Bubbles insisted in the ship’s broadcast, completely unconcerned that she was using a public channel. "Anyway, hurry up and check the report! The database has crucial information!"
Hearing this, Sandora and I couldn’t focus on scolding the abnormal Xyrin Host any longer. We quickly opened our data terminals to check the situation. Bubbles had already uploaded the first batch of data retrieved from the database onto the public information link. These were highly encrypted logs of military outposts at the border of the Fallen Apostle, along with various commands from inside the Abyss Zone, which carried an amount of information enough to make someone take a fall:
[Log DL-375, read-only, Grade A encryption]
This record was generated by operator ECCN-145-C35, with a storage cycle of 4, non-deletable.
The fragmentation of the spiritual network continues to worsen and has spread to this headquarters. Troops led by "that esteemed master" and the New Army are almost equal in number. A confrontation has already formed within this headquarters. The following units (what follows are unit numbers that are now meaningless) have been confirmed to have splintered into the New Army’s camp. A close watch on the situation’s development is required.
(The following is miscellaneous records, now meaningless following the annihilation of the Fallen Apostle’s Sovereignty Hub and local garrison, and is thus omitted.)
[Log DL-377, read-only, Grade A encryption]
This record was generated by operator ECCN-146-C35, with a storage cycle of 3, non-deletable.
The fragmentation of the spiritual network temporarily halted worsening. The strengths of the New Army and Old Army are basically equal—at least the situation is this way in this universe, and it remains uncertain how it is within the Empire. Currently, it’s judged that the network fragmentation remains under control and as planned. The New Army and Old Army, after several conflicts, held a strategic meeting in the network buffer zone, determining each party’s bottom line and shared operational guidelines. The Empire’s interests remain paramount, and the border region’s confrontation has ended.
(The following is also miscellaneous.)
[Log DL-385, read-only, Grade A encryption]
This record was generated by operator ECCN-155-C44, with a storage cycle of 4, non-deletable.
The serious consequences caused by network fragmentation are expanding, resulting in many unanticipated adverse effects. Today, we received definite news that internal conflicts have intensified again. "That esteemed master" has not sent new instructions, and this station continues executing its inherent missions. The only good news: all border defenses remain under the control of the Old Army. The New Army is expanding its influence, and today the Border Station received three orders, two of which came from the New Army. While insignificant in themselves, they indicate a disturbing trend.
[Log DL-400, read-only, Grade A encryption]
This record was system-generated, with a storage cycle of 3, non-deletable.
"The priority of the ’Da Ye’ has been elevated to the highest level, and the proposal to ’enter the final stage’ has received over sixty percent approval. At the border stations, except for necessary defense forces, all other fleets are integrated into the Expeditionary Army and various main task force tiers. The countdown to the End War has begun; no one can stop the Empire’s ’Da Ye’! We will conquer all unknowns!"
[Log DM-15, read-only, A-level encryption]
This record was generated by operator ECCN-125-D35, with a save cycle of 5, and cannot be deleted or modified.
The network division may have spiraled out of control; the New Army has broken away, confirming that the New Army has changed its military insignia and all soldier identification codes. There are also signs that they are preparing an attack on the Divine Realm—’The Master’ explicitly forbade starting the final war at this moment because the time is far from ripe. Clearly, the New Army completely disagrees with ’The Master’s judgment, and they are overly optimistic about the progress of the ’Da Ye,’ eager to activate the gate. This new Decision Maker will learn a harsh lesson, but before that, it will first destroy the entire Empire.
However, the situation is no longer under our control. As soldiers, we can only await ’The Master’s command at this moment, believing the situation will not deteriorate to the final stage. ’That Master’ should have prepared for this.
The management rights of this station are about to be handed over to the New Army, let’s hope they realize that the Empire on the other side of the Void is also a significant threat.
[Log DM-17, read-only, A-level encryption]
This record was generated by operator ECDC-85-E17, with a save cycle of 5, and cannot be deleted or modified.
Network disconnection completed, management handover completed, today all transfer and inspection work for this station has been completed. But this station shouldn’t have much use anymore—the Da Ye is about to be completed, no need to dwell on this unpleasant Order World.
The stubborn Old Army has retreated from this world; the old master seems to be consolidating his troops, planning to take a corner, which should be good news. Although the old master proposed the idea of Da Ye, he obviously does not have the ability to complete it. It is wise to pass the heavy responsibility onto a more appropriate new Decision Maker to continue.
The main valuable logs are these; the rest involves lots of technical details on border defense and some outdated intelligence. Those things clearly don’t need much attention.
After reading the information in front of me, Sandora and I looked at each other: The information revealed from these things could span millions of words! Does this mean the Fallen Apostles not only officially split but also directly finished dividing up the territory?!
"Who are we fighting against now?" This was the first question that popped up in my mind, but I quickly found the answer: If no other major changes appear behind these logs, then undoubtedly the ones currently in power over the Fallen Apostles border defense are these so-called ’New Armies’.
Sandora suddenly thought of something and immediately contacted Sivis, "Did the battlefield cleanup team find the enemy’s legion insignia?"
Two seconds later, Sivis responded, "Yes, we discovered remnants of warships with the Fallen Apostles insignia; I’ll send the insignia image over now."
Soon we received the Fallen Apostle insignia that Sivis uploaded from the data terminal. I immediately recognized it: It was the very symbol shown to us by the Father God back in the Divine Realm.
A brand new insignia.
Sandora and I looked at each other: The situation no longer needed questioning; the events recorded in the logs were true. The Fallen Apostles have internally split into ’New Army’ and ’Old Army’ sections, and currently, in the Abyss Zone, it’s the rising New Army holding power.
One hour ago, the Imperial Army fought fiercely with this so-called New Army.
Sandora paused for a few seconds, then shrugged nonchalantly, "It doesn’t matter how they split; they are enemies anyway. Judging by the recent events, fighting them makes no difference. Moreover, based on the New Army’s behavior and the logged records... This New Army might be even more harmful than the Old Army, behaving more recklessly."
I put away the data terminal, a question lingering in my mind: "And where did the Old Army... and that Abyss Xyrin go?"
According to hints in the logs, after the split in the Abyss Zone, the New Army eventually gained the upper hand, and it seems Abyss Xyrin and her led troops have been ousted to some corner. We’re not yet certain if this force has completely vanished, but the entire situation so far is already astonishingly unbelievable—the Fallen Apostle leader, once the greatest threat to the New Empire, suffocating both our family and the whole Divine Race, just... vanished inexplicably?
Undermined by a bizarre network split, eliminated before the Imperial Army and Divine Race could act; she just toppled herself?! Then what about all those sleepless nights I had? Although most of those sleepless nights were due to the little doll’s antics...
"I didn’t expect such an outcome." Even Sandora shook her head with a strange expression, unsure whether to cry or laugh, "But I don’t think Abyss Xyrin would disappear so easily—she’s not that weak."
Afterwards, Sandora and I both fell into a brief silence, a weird feeling churning inside me: Abyss Xyrin has always been the greatest enemy in my mind, she was profound, hard to predict, not only vast in power but also commanding a powerful army built up through perseverance until today. Until now, I believed her control over the Fallen Apostles was absolute. However, in such a short span, this strong enemy is gone; her downfall is inexplicable, abrupt, approaching an absurdity... The energy pent up for years in me feels like the punch failed to hit cotton, not even a shred of cotton remaining!
I bet Sandora’s thoughts are about the same.
"Ultimately, there’s one thing we can be certain about," Sandora finally shook her head vigorously after a long silence, "It’s the weakest period of the Fallen Apostles now, whether it’s a split or civil war, they’ve given us an opportunity to advance. This battle must go on no matter what."
"I suddenly kind of hope Abyss Xyrin is still alive," I smiled, looking at Sandora, "If she’s alive, the civil war among the Fallen Apostles would continue. Now that the Divine Race has already tied up half their forces, with the civil war tying down more, we’d save a lot of trouble."
Sandora rolled her eyes at me: "There’s no such fortunate thing, even if Abyss Xyrin is alive, the Fallen Apostles are not fools. Didn’t you see what the logs said? They still prioritize the interests of the Abyss Empire. If the Divine Race and Imperial Army really push them to the limit, they might actually end the split situation of the Abyss Zone..."
Sandora suddenly paused here, and my expression also changed:
Indeed, the split and chaos in the Abyss Zone should still be ongoing, and the logs clearly state: whether from the New Army or Old Army, the interests of the ’Abyss Empire’ are the priority. If this time the Divine Race and New Empire genuinely push them into a corner, yet fail to completely eliminate the entire Fallen Apostle faction, they might reorganize!
"So, should we continue the fight?" I looked into Sandora’s eyes; without hesitation, she nodded forcefully: "Fight, why not fight! Maximizing battle gains is primary, especially when the Divine Race is about to start an expedition, while the Fallen Apostles won’t be tied by civil war indefinitely. This opportunity is rare—although we need attention during the advancing. The environment in the Abyss Zone is too complex; after years of reconnaissance, we still can’t determine its depth. Plus, now it’s uncertain whether the Fallen Apostles’ ’Old Army’ is still surviving, so we can’t advance too deeply. If the Imperial Army drives in too far and the Fallen Apostles regroup, we might get trapped inside." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
