CHAPTER 1174: CHAPTER 171: THE CATACLYSM OF HEAVEN’S COLLAPSE

The golden radiance spilled across the Star River, that unseeable luminescence penetrating every barrier, armor, seemingly reaching straight to the deepest part of the soul. Faced with such a great will staring down, many soldiers and officers of the Fifth Fleet suffered mental breakdowns on the spot, as if it was telling them with the most indestructible fact that all their actions were wrong and irredeemable.

When that indescribably beautiful Solar Crown shone, invisible golden ripples spread, causing the entire Stellar System to erupt in a vast solar wind, with high-energy particles penetrating the starships of the Fifth Fleet like wind erosion. As time passed, these starships became lighter and thinner, finally disintegrating in space like smoke and dust, turning into debris that drifted away.

On August 14, 1259, the Rose Federation’s Fifth Fleet was defeated in the Hemu Star Domain, and less than 5% of the fleet’s warships, those needed for garrison duties, escaped the calamity.

The magnificent crown that rose between the Star River was dazzling and beautiful, and even though the Federal Official wanted to conceal the news, the rise of the new Solar Crowns spread like a colossal wave crushing the earth, sweeping across the entire Milky Way. Whether in the most remote, isolated Star Domains or the most bustling and luxurious mansions at the center, all were kept awake through the night.

Over a thousand years ago, the ’Golden Flame Flower’ Isenisha, with her powerful charisma and strength, unified the scattered forces across the Star Sea, establishing the Federation. Her name, her achievements, her will, even a thousand years later, are still remembered and revered by countless people. It could be said that the most ideal image of a Songstress in people’s hearts is Isenisha, and she represents the absolute orthodoxy and great cause of this nation.

Now, however, the Federation, which prides itself on being the orthodox and highest authority, not only failed to win with overwhelming superiority when dealing with and suppressing the rebellion but also allowed the birth of a new Sunshine-level Songstress. This news is the most merciless mockery and blow to the Federation, which still does not have a single Sunshine-level Songstress, as it negates the authority of the entire Central Council in the most irrefutable and impactful way, negating the orthodoxy it has held.

Countless Federation citizens with faith questioned today’s Central Council, and even though the dignity of the councillors was diminished to nothing, no amount of explanation could salvage the situation.

Protests, marches, flag burnings, assassinations of infamous officials, society gradually became turbulent, and the resentment and dissatisfaction that had accumulated began to erupt. This situation was like a levee collapsing step by step before a flood, gradually losing control.

"Make those shameless and incompetent councillors step down!"

"This is the greatest humiliation in the Federation’s history!"

"What exactly led to the Federation not having a single Sunshine-level Songstress for nearly a century."

"The most greedy and cowardly have held power, hiding behind the scenes to rule with conspiracy and deceit."

"This is Isenisha’s revelation, this is the declaration of the end!"

"I’m fed up with this rotten and foul-smelling world."

"They must die to repent!"

"Liars! Scoundrels! Die!"

"Let us burn everything to ashes!"

On Central Avenue, rows of black police officers held shields, backed by sturdy armored vehicles, blocking the torrent-like crowd.

The situation deteriorated every minute, with new areas initiating marches and protests every hour, and worse news coming from various Star Domains every day. Even though the Federal Central Council still held five strong fleets, there was not a trace of security.

In the fortress city of the Floral Crown Star Domain, a discussion that was not open to the public was taking place, with only the highest echelons of the Federation’s power structure present.

"We must stabilize the situation. We don’t have much time left." A stern-faced councillor spoke solemnly.

Today’s meeting was not as noisy as usual; it was extraordinarily silent and oppressive, with everyone racking their brains for a solution.

"How about letting the army suppress them to stabilize the situation?" a petite councillor tentatively asked in a low voice.

"Ha, that would be the worst and most foolish approach." Another councillor at the scene directly dismissed the idea.

"If we still have an 80% certainty of controlling the army now, this order being given might not even leave us with 30%."

"Do you think this is about suppressing a rebellion? Right now, it’s the core base group of the Federation opposing us. Sending the army to suppress them will only exacerbate the conflicts. If any one officer wavers and defects during the event, can you imagine such a horrifying scene? The entire army would defect like a fallen domino, for we have already lost the foundation of our rule."

...

Subsequently, several councillors proposed ideas, but given the extremely adverse situation, none were feasible, with no hope in sight.

"This won’t do, that won’t do, are we all supposed to resign?" one of the councillors vented his pent-up nervousness.

"No, no, no, you think just resigning is the end?" mocked one of the councillors sinisterly.

"Do you think it will be like before, all friendly and well? Impossible."

"The councillors and officials who succeed us, their quickest, simplest, most popular policy would be to settle scores with us, capture us one by one, send us to the Court of Judgment’s prison to be executed. Not only would this vent the public’s anger, greatly mitigate the conflicts, and add to their own achievements, but they could also loot everything we possess mercilessly."

"Think about what would happen to your family and children. Abandoning power now is tantamount to death."