CHAPTER 1548: CHAPTER 45: OVERLAPPING SHADOWS

Western Star Region, Hemu Star Domain, Sun Palace.

The place where the former ’Decamanga Sun’ Blanchi used to reside remains the political center of the Western Star Region. Now, however, the songstress sitting on the throne is no longer the mighty Sun Songstress Blanchi, but the young and delicate ’Yellow Jade Garlic’ Arosa.

The once naive child is now eighteen years old. She is dressed in a long gown of white with gold gauze, sitting upright, holding a slender golden scepter in one hand, and adorning a thin veil on her head. The corners of this veil are decorated with golden garlic flowers, accentuating the dignity and sanctity of the songstress.

After the Federal Central Council issued a notice, its purpose became evident; even children over ten in the Federation understand that it is an attempt to make the Western Star Region submit and return under the strong governance of the Central Council.

"If Lady Blanchi were still here, they wouldn’t dare to be so arrogant." Someone shouted angrily.

"But, Princess Blanchi passed away eight years ago." Others sighed despondently.

Ten years ago, three Sun-level songstresses held equal status within the Federation, creating a tripartite balance. Even though the Western Star Region was technologically and economically lagging, the burgeoning economic growth filled many with confidence, believing that catching up with the Central Star Region and Southern Star Region was only a matter of time.

"Lady Blanchi led us in successive defeats of the powerful Fifth Fleet and Sixth Fleet." The strength of the Sun Songstress provided them with ample security, walking as if forever in the sunlit day, unafraid of cold and darkness.

Yet, that golden songstress of the ’Decamanga Sun’ eventually left this world, and her passing triggered drastic changes in the Federation’s situation. The previously balanced triangle was broken. The Volcano Songstress Prin led the factions of the Central Star Domain in expanding influence like a flame, devouring surrounding forces and factions, becoming a formidable entity admired and feared.

How to resist the Central Star Domain has become a difficult issue for the upper echelons of the Western Star Region, as anxiety and unease spread, with some even considering capitulation and abandonment.

Over the years, the ’Fire Lotus - Radiant Star’ faction led by Prin Coco has become the center of news and fashion trends in the Federation, influencing many young people subtly, creating aspirations towards it.

Shimmering clothes, stages cheered by masses, free expression of individuality—these temptations are far greater for the youth than outdated, rigid teachings. Even though the Western Star Region intends to control media news dissemination, every year there are still young people from the Western Star Region who head unwaveringly towards the flourishing Central Star Domain, eager to realize their dreams, meet their perfect match, and find a fresh and exciting life path.

Facing the pressure from the Federal Center this time, most older people remain silent and oppressed, while some young people clamor to fight back, to once again step through the gates of the Central Star Domain. Others start thinking about how to seize opportunities amidst the crisis.

"Perhaps this is an opportunity," a young man said to his friend after returning to his residence.

"Are you insane?" A roommate touched his forehead.

"We are just ordinary people, and all we need is to quietly wait for the outcome." His companion kept dissuading him, but he was no longer in the mood or had the energy to listen.

...

"So, some people think capitulation is better, do they?" A young girl’s clear voice spread through the Sun Palace.

"Yes, Princess, the situation is not promising," an intelligence officer reported.

"Currently, most people in the Western Star Region still support us, but going forward, it’s hard to say," an elderly man expressed concern.

"The people are forgetful, and easily swayed."

"Facing the once-again dominant Federal Center, we lack the trump cards to resist. Even loud verbal opposition cannot reverse the situation."

"The various star domains in the Western Star Region have improved economically and in living conditions over the past decade. However, compared to the prosperous and wealthy, industrially rooted Federal Center, it still cannot compete, there is a huge gap."

...

In the hall of the Sun Palace, representatives from the ’Marquis Court’, ’Commander Court’, and ’Holy Song Court’ gathered to help Arosa discuss the current situation. Pessimistic emotions spread, with everyone feeling low in spirit and oppressed in silence.

"Why are you so cowardly!" A general, adorned with many medals, stepped forward and loudly questioned.

"Back when Princess Blanchi led the Western Star Region, the situation we faced was only worse than now. But even then, no one complained of giving up; everyone walked to the frontline with the resolve of sacrifice," he recounted that great moment eighteen years ago, a scene he will remember for a lifetime.

After his words fell, the people in the hall regained some fighting spirit, with only a few continuing to remain silent.

Subsequently, a series of countermeasures and action plans were proposed and quickly approved, issued to various star domains in the Western Star Region.

One, the Western Star Region enters a secondary state of readiness, with all media and online platforms being controlled to prevent the Federal Center from continuing to influence through propaganda.

Two, expand the military, increase starship production, as the official authority allocates substantial funding to supplement the production of military products, and expand military academy enrollment.

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Three, begin awakening the reserve training centers in each Star Domain of the Western Star Region. All citizens aged 18 to 40 will gradually receive military training to participate in the operation and maintenance of starships, and outstanding individuals will be recruited as fighter pilots and mech pilots.

Four, expand the Song Festival organization, and gradually attempt resonance prayer ceremonies in various Star Domains and major population centers to prepare for potential future crises.

Five, fully support Her Highness Arosa to reach the Moon Class, enhancing public confidence and stabilizing military morale.

Six, seek external allies to jointly oppose the powerful ’Fire Lotus - Radiant Star’ faction of the Federal Central Council.

Seven, each Star Harbor in the Star Domains will deploy space interference devices, disrupting the formation of hyperspace routes, to hinder the fleets of the Central Star Domain from using ’Star Son Alliance’ technology for space jump combat raids.

...

Step-by-step action plans were issued to various departments, starting implementation to give the Western Star Region a better chance in the confrontation.

But before these plans could truly take effect, the measures targeting the region from the Federal Center began to unfold. Firstly, numerous small information broadcasters emerged within the Western Star Region, bypassing restrictions and automatically connecting to the media channels of the Central Star Domain, spreading the prosperous scenes and various fashion trends to the civilian population in the Western Star Region.

Additionally, the Federal Center started imposing economic sanctions on the Western Star Region, severely restricting essential materials and components for many military industries.

Finally, very negative rumors about the Cult in the Western Star Region began to circulate, with some considering them the true culprits behind Blanchi’s death. It was believed these cults used Blanchi as a pawn against the Federal Center, deceiving the once pure and naive songstress.

Blanchi’s death is also inseparable from these cult members because they feared Blanchi living too long would prevent them from gaining prominence and control. Therefore, they led Blanchi down the path of ’early demise’ through various means. If not for their impatience, Blanchi would not have died prematurely but would have become the Western Star Region’s hope, the strongest Sun Songstress.

This narrative, which is logically complete with vividly detailed descriptions, coincides with some recorded circumstances, leading many to wonder if this was a conspiracy from the start.

Because the matter concerns Blanchi, revered and admired by the people of the Western Star Region, this view exploded across all Star Domains within the region. Despite the high-level officials’ continuous denials and enforcement, it only gave more people the impression of a guilty conscience, sparking a new controversy.

As this narrative spread further, public suspicion of the cult grew heavier, with some extremists even declaring they would eliminate those cult members responsible for Blanchi’s downfall.

"They are the true culprits, and Blanchi suffered extreme torment by them before her death!"

Such proclamations erupted like thunder, ultimately igniting the public discourse.

Before the arrival of the Fifth Fleet of the Central Star Domain, the Western Star Region had already shown signs of division and chaos, with many taking to the streets to protest against the white-robed cult members. Numerous Song Festival participants were caught and humiliated, and the official disclaimers and protections only worsened the situation, convincing more people that the Cult was indeed ’evil’ and had already taken over the Western Star Region’s leadership.

The previously devised counter-plans nearly came to a halt amidst the chaos, while more people seemed to support the Western Star Region’s return to Federal Central control.

In this critical moment, the nominal highest leader of the Western Star Region, Yellow Jade Garlic Arosa, finally appeared to deliver a live broadcast speech to nearly a trillion residents of the Western Star Region.

With two long braids hanging down her front and a neatly tied golden high ponytail behind her head, the songstress stood firmly in front of the camera and began recounting her memories and past with Blanchi.

"The first time I met Sister Blanchi, I was under ten years old. It was in a remote star valley..." She closed her eyes slightly, her voice tinged with nostalgia and calmness.

"The place where I grew up was very impoverished. Everyone lived off mining ochre and yellow marble. I grew up among a group of children who were my childhood playmates, my older brothers and sisters, younger siblings..." Her youthful voice and sincere words gradually resonated with many people in the Western Star Region.

"Changes always come unexpectedly. I waved goodbye to my hometown, holding Sister Blanchi’s hand, and arrived in a bustling city. For the first time, I saw the majestic starry sky, vast land, and various things I had never seen before. Each day during that time was incredibly fresh." Talking about those scenes from her memories, she shed a few tears.

"To this day, I will not allow anyone to insult Sister Blanchi under any pretext or selfish motive." She opened her eyes, firm as condensed jade, and directed her gaze at the crowd below.

"Why do you impose events that never occurred on her, belittling all she did with words? She dedicated everything to the Western Star Region, yet some still doubt her intentions, defaming her with terms like ’temptation,’ ’deception,’ and ’ignorance.’"

"Isn’t Sister Blanchi’s will left before her death more credible than those malicious rumors? Can’t you think for yourselves instead of being led by scheming villains?"

"Having become a Sunshine-level Songstress, Sister Blanchi could not be deceived by anyone. Her will was resolute. Before her death, she entrusted everything to me, and now I will use my life to defend the realm she created."

"This is the Western Edge of the Federation, our homeland and paradise. Proud and unyielding people will form a great wall spanning the Star Sea, resisting any advancing tide and heatwave until we are reduced to rubble."

"—I, Arosa, successor of the Decamanga Sun, swear today."

Layer upon layer of golden stone-garlic patterns unfolded behind her like a blossom, illuminating the vast sky behind with radiant brilliance. Countless beliefs and aspirations converged here, forming a resplendent and sacred ring.

The image of her in the wind, with golden hair and a white robe with golden embroidery, gradually merged with the hazy figure from memory.