Chapter 1614: Consultation
Marshal Medusa was prepared. She smiled coldly and said, "Fairness?"
As far as I know, it has been almost three days since the incident.
However, your investigation has made no progress whatsoever.
Since you haven't made any progress, then leave this matter to us.
We will investigate this attack thoroughly.
The mastermind behind this tragedy will be made to pay the price!
When she said these words, the murderous aura emanating from Marshal Medusa almost materialized.
After all, he was a veteran of the battlefield, a fleet commander who led a legion of hundreds of thousands of interstellar warships; just that aura alone was enough to command him.
No one present could compare to him.
For a moment, Marshal Medusa was truly stunned.
The fourth prince swallowed hard and said seriously, "I can understand your feelings."
But finding the killer will take time.
Moreover, this is within our Majas interstellar empire, so our people will find it much easier to investigate things here.
I can guarantee that I will give you all an explanation as soon as possible!
"The shortest time?" Marshal Medusa smiled coldly and asked in return, "Then how long is this shortest time?"
Three days?
A week?
Or half a month?
What will you do if you don't give us a satisfactory answer within this timeframe?
We can't just sit here and wait based on that one sentence, can we?
Or, if you fail to find the murderer and solve the case within the given timeframe...
Does that mean we're allowed to take over the case and investigate it however we want?
If that's the case, then I can give you some time.
Marshal Medusa's move was a strategic retreat that pushed the representatives of the Mahas Star Empire to the brink of defeat.
Marshal Medusa's request was naturally something the representatives of the Majas Interstellar Empire could not agree to.
A middle-aged man sitting next to the fourth prince directly objected, saying, "This case is quite complicated, and it's impossible to solve it in such a short time."
And even if the case is not ultimately solved, it's not a big problem.
After all, there are many unsolved mysteries like this in the vast universe!
Therefore, it is impossible for us to make such a promise based solely on your request, Marshal.
This is inappropriate!
"Not suitable?"
Then are the thousands of people who died appropriate?
Did you see the scenes of those victims?
Let me tell you what is appropriate.
Either you find out the truth for me within the time limit.
Either get lost and let us investigate ourselves.
"Our Dragon Star Empire Council will investigate this matter thoroughly as quickly as possible!" Marshal Medusa said solemnly.
"Do you really think you can investigate this incident so quickly?" the middle-aged man from Maihas retorted.
Marshal Medusa smiled slightly, then stared at the other party and said, "Within half a month."
As long as you don't stop us, we can investigate this matter thoroughly.
If the investigation is not completed within two weeks, we will withdraw.
This matter is entrusted to you for investigation.
If we really find out, then how to deal with the mastermind behind it is entirely up to us.
how!"
Hearing Marshal Medusa's resolute words, the representative of the Mahas interstellar empire on the other side fell silent.
They hadn't expected that Marshal Medusa would actually back down as a sign of respect.
"What? I gave you a time limit to investigate, and you couldn't do it."
Now that I can do it, you disagree?
What is the meaning of your Majas interstellar empire?
Could it be that they think our Xiaolong Interstellar Empire is too good-natured?
Alright, then next time I come here to talk to you, it won't be me, nor will it just be the three thousand Xiaolong-class interstellar warships I brought.
You should weigh the consequences yourselves!
Faced with Marshal Medusa's assertive attitude.
The fourth prince also showed a hesitant expression.
He said cautiously, "This matter is quite important. Please allow us to suspend the meeting for discussion and consultation."
"You can discuss and negotiate, but you should know that the patience of the Dragon Star Empire is limited," Marshal Medusa said coldly.
At this point, the meeting was paused, and the representatives of the Majas Interstellar Empire temporarily left to begin discussing the demands made by Marshal Medusa.
The representative of the Dragon Star Empire, on the other hand, sat calmly in place, sipping his drink, looking completely indifferent.
It was as if everything was under their control.
About ten minutes later, the representatives from the Mehran Interstellar Empire returned to the conference room, took their seats again, and the meeting resumed.
Marshal Medusa looked at the fourth prince opposite her and asked directly, "What is your attitude towards the conditions we proposed earlier?"
The Fourth Prince looked at Marshal Medusa seriously: "If you were to investigate, how much time would it take you?"
"Two months, and our fleet of the Dragon Star Empire has the right to investigate every place of the Mahas Star Empire that we find suspicious."
Everyone in your Majas Interstellar Empire must be subject to our investigation!
"No right to refuse!" Marshal Medusa held up two fingers.
"Impossible, two months is too long!"
Furthermore, we need everyone in our Majas Interstellar Empire to cooperate with your investigation.
What if you were to investigate our capital star, or even our emperor?
Do you expect us to allow you to conduct investigations at will?
"Where is the dignity of our empire then!" an older diplomat retorted directly.
Marshal Medusa suddenly stared at the old official, and her gaze and aura gave the diplomat the illusion that he was already dead at that moment.
Marshal Medusa said coldly, "Then how do you want us to investigate?"
The fourth prince glanced at his trusted subordinates on both sides; they had discussed this matter before.
If they were to conduct their own investigation, frankly speaking, based on the attitude of the higher-ups so far, there would be numerous difficulties, let alone the two months that the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire has proposed.
Even if they were given six months, they might not be able to find out.
The fourth prince also keenly sensed that there must be a lot more involved behind this incident.
If you get involved, you will definitely be greatly affected.
Therefore, his initial consideration was not to investigate the matter himself.
Otherwise, if they actually investigate but find nothing, wouldn't that give the Dragon Star Empire a clear target to attack?
Therefore, their initial decision was to let the Dragon Star Empire investigate the matter itself.
In this way, these people can evade their responsibilities.
Even if someone questions whether allowing the people of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire to investigate these matters within the territory of the Maihas Interstellar Empire is bullying the Maihas Interstellar Empire.
The fourth prince had already prepared his retort.
They are the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire, currently the most powerful among all cosmic civilizations.
That's someone who dares to confront the one who devours civilizations head-on; even the Holy Elf Empire didn't have such confidence before.
Therefore, making a slight concession is perfectly reasonable.
Moreover, if the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire fails to investigate the matter thoroughly within the agreed time, and the Maihas Interstellar Empire takes over the matter, then regardless of the final investigation results, the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire will have no grounds for complaint.
After all, you were given the opportunity to investigate, but you couldn't find anything out yourselves. What right do you have to condemn them now?
This was the fourth prince's idea.
Now that the general direction has been determined, the next step is to confirm certain regulations.
There are undoubtedly two points in this regard: time and permissions.
They are fighting for their own maximum rights in this matter.
The fourth prince stated the idea they had initially discussed: "We can give you half a month to conduct an investigation."
Furthermore, our personnel must accompany the investigation throughout its entirety. Moreover, investigations are prohibited in certain military restricted areas and within the Imperial Capital star system without permission, and investigations of members of the royal family are strictly forbidden.
Upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words...
Marshal Medusa gave a cold laugh, stared at the other party, and said bluntly, "Your Highness, we are all smart people, don't treat others like fools."
Put these things aside for now.
Do you really believe that your empire's high-ranking officials or even the royal family were not involved in this attack?
You've already ruled out the most likely culprit right from the start; that's clearly a deliberate attempt to prevent us from uncovering any details of the investigation.
Or does His Highness the Fourth Prince know some of the inside details of this incident?
Upon hearing this, the fourth prince quickly explained, "That's not what I meant."
I was absolutely not involved in this incident.
Furthermore, Your Excellency's suspicion of our royal family requires evidence, not just empty words; that would be slander!
Marshal Medusa's icy expression softened considerably. She tapped her fingers on the table, the sound very even, yet each tap seemed to strike the heart of the Mahas representative opposite her.
"I see no sincerity in what you've proposed."
We don't have the patience or time to waste here with you.
I'll end with one last point; if you agree, that would be best.
If you disagree, it won't affect anything.
The reason we are sitting here to talk to you is simply because we respect the sovereignty of your Majas interstellar empire.
However, our determination to uncover the truth of this incident will always be our top priority.
If you are unwilling to cooperate, we can pay the price ourselves.
Our Emperor has already said so.
Anyone who interferes with our investigation will be considered to be declaring war on the Dragonflight Interstellar Empire.
Marshal Medusa's words were very direct and also a blatant threat.
To put it bluntly, if you all agree, then we'll all be better off.
But if you disagree, we will continue our investigation. If anyone interferes during the investigation, don't blame us for being indiscriminate in our actions.
We don't care if this is the Majas interstellar empire or not; you can fight back.
But you should weigh the consequences of your retaliation carefully.
Upon hearing these words, beads of sweat appeared on the Fourth Prince's forehead.
Marshal Medusa continued, "From now on, it will be one month."
We are conducting investigations within the territory of the Mahas Star Empire. We are free to enter and investigate anywhere except the royal palace on your capital planet.
Your people may follow you to some confidential locations; this is our concession.
As for members of the royal family, apart from your emperor, we can investigate any other members of the royal family who we suspect.
These are our final conditions!
In fact, this was exactly the request that Marshal Medusa wanted from the very beginning.
However, in negotiations, you always need to leave some room for the other party to maneuver.
This way, the other party won't feel that the request is even more unreasonable, since an even more unreasonable request has already been presented.
In comparison, isn't this requirement much better now?
The fourth prince looked hesitant.
Unfortunately, this request happened to cross their bottom line in negotiations.
This made the fourth prince very hesitant.
Marshal Medusa continued tapping her fingers on the table. In fact, these words and this request were all proposed by her team.
In comparison, she was more of a speaker.
Every event and every requirement here was determined by professionals.
Because their goal is not to break ties with the Mehros interstellar empire, as Lilith's secretary had previously stated.
They are not afraid of going to war with the Majas Interstellar Empire, but considering the current situation of the Wyvern Interstellar Empire, it would be best to avoid it if possible.
Secondly, this incident must be resolved quickly and efficiently.
A month is the time limit they set for themselves.
After thinking for a while, the fourth prince finally clenched his fist and said, "Alright, we can agree to this condition."
"Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation this time, and that we can catch the mastermind behind this incident as soon as possible." Marshal Medusa stood up and smiled at the Fourth Prince opposite her.
The fourth prince stood up with a wry smile.
To be honest, he himself didn't know whether he wanted the opposing Dragon Star Empire delegation to investigate the truth of the incident.
"Then I'll take my leave," Marshal Medusa said, turning to leave the room.
But just as Marshal Medusa was about to leave the room, she stopped in her tracks.
He turned to look at the Fourth Prince and said jokingly, "If we find out that members of your Mahas Interstellar Empire royal family are °• N o v e l i g h t •° behind this attack..."
I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer then.
I don't want this incident to affect our relationship, or even cause anything unpleasant to happen.
After saying that, Marshal Medusa left the room.
Only the Fourth Prince and his group remained in the room.