Just as a certain director had stated, the primary culprit behind this entire affair, the rising star in the eyes of many high-ranking Corporation officials, Director of the Market Development Department, Mr. Osvaldo Schneider, had already boarded his personal vessel and fled the Kliptoth star system battlefield the moment he sensed things were going south.
Unlike factions like the Family or the Xianzhou, where individuals and the collective share extremely close ties, the Interastral Peace Corporation, despite its immense power, was fundamentally just a 'large joint-stock commercial company.'
This fact wouldn't change even considering its origins as the Amber Lord's support team... or rather, once that support team evolved into the current Interastral Peace Corporation, everything had already fundamentally changed.
Driven by profit, countless people naturally desired to become part of the Corporation when it was strong, feeling proud and honored by the affiliation.
But when faced with crisis, within this behemoth, aside from the original core supporters of the Amber Lord, those who came for profit would inevitably leave for profit.
Osvaldo was clearly such a profit-seeker.
Even though many saw him as a fervent supporter of 'Preservation,' if one were to truly delve into Preservation's essence of 'the strong aiding the weak,' 'finding life through death,' sacrificing the self for the greater good, this 'fervent supporter' of Preservation would likely be the first to scoff...
Of course, looking at it from another angle... Osvaldo's personal interpretation of 'Preservation': since Preservation's main theme is sacrificing the self for the greater good, why couldn't it be sacrificing others' selves to achieve his own greater good?
Assisting the weak?
Of course, he was doing that!
Look, while many planets were indeed sacrificed for being too 'barbaric,' didn't their small sacrifices contribute precisely to the greater good of the Interastral Peace Corporation, the Amber Lord, and himself as the head of Market Development?
"Never expected such an outcome... The strength of that Glamoth Empire truly exceeded my expectations." Aboard his personal, specially modified, state-of-the-art company vessel, Osvaldo watched the devastating results in the Kliptoth system via Corporation technology feeds.
His brow furrowed, feeling some lingering fear, yet a smile touched his lips. "But thankfully, I was prepared."
He looked at the ship, equipped with the Corporation's most advanced technology, arguably the fastest ecological vessel in the universe besides the Xianzhou Alliance's starskiffs.
He looked at the confidential company files that would make any galactic power drool. His mood was so good he almost wanted to burst into song.
Undoubtedly, the moment he learned of Chandrar's failure, Osvaldo had already prepared all this... In fact, even earlier, back when he was still striving, he had considered contingency plans for how to escape danger if, for some reason, the Corporation turned hostile towards him.
This ship was the result.
But honestly, Osvaldo had never thought this ship would actually be needed, never imagined he would fall to such depths within the Corporation.
After all, as the head of the Market Development Department, the rising star in most people's eyes, just one step away from the highest seat on the Board of Directors—even if he truly offended some Emanator or powerful faction, with the banner of the Interastral Peace Corporation, arguably the strongest force in the universe, behind him, nothing should have happened to him.
Until now.
"How hateful!"
Immensely grateful to have escaped the quagmire, carrying a slight sneer for those scheming, arrogant old geezers on the board, but looking at his current situation, Osvaldo couldn't help but curse aloud.
After all, while the current outcome wasn't terrible, before this, he was the widely respected department head, just a hair's breadth away from that lofty director's seat!
Yet, all his efforts were ruined because of this damned Glamoth Empire! And that detestable Diamond... If he hadn't obstructed him, hadn't competed with him for the director's seat, why would Osvaldo have needed to go to such lengths to win?
If his damned subordinate hadn't reported everything truthfully to the Board, why would he have ended up in such a desperate situation?
Swirling the most expensive and sweet red wine in the universe—produced on a planet inhabited by Denizens of Abundance through complex processes—Osvaldo felt gloomy and aired his complaints: "Oh, Amber Lord! Oh, high and mighty Qlipoth! I was so fervent, yet why did I not receive your favor?"
"Just like that hateful Akivili."
Previously, upon joining the Corporation, Osvaldo had once thought Qlipoth, this chairman who didn't meddle in details, was the best 'leader' in the world.
Now, looking at the Corporation, looking at his own situation, thinking of Diamond as the Emanator of Preservation, he instead felt this leader was rather 'negligent' and 'biased.'
However...
"So what if you received the Amber Lord's favor?" Thinking of Diamond's current predicament, a genuinely joyful smile spread across his face.
That Glamoth Empire, those damned barbarians, would surely kill him brutally, just like they did Somado! This was retribution for competing with him for the director's seat!
And himself? Although he lost the director's seat, the proud Osvaldo felt no discouragement. After all, talent was the rarest commodity in the world.
If he could stand out in such a short time within an intense competitive environment like the Interastral Peace Corporation, then surely his brilliance wouldn't be obscured by dust elsewhere!
Slightly tipsy, Osvaldo envisioned his bright future, lost in the dream, unable to extricate himself.
Until...
"Your Majesty, the fugitive has been brought."
A gentle, motherly, kind voice echoed beside him, making one want to unconsciously close their eyes, as if returning to the embrace of the womb. However, the words contained within instantly jolted Osvaldo awake.
When he blearily opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the silver-haired girl seated upon the throne. Her blue-violet eyes reflected his image...
"Where... where am I?!" Questions flooded Osvaldo's mind. But then, seeing the silver-grey haired, single-ponytail girl nearby, Osvaldo's eyes widened instantly. Th-that's the 'Glamoth Marshal' from before!
Does that mean... I'm currently inside a Glamoth warship, and that kid up there... is the Empress of the Glamoth Empire?!
Not being a fool, he quickly grasped his situation, yet found it utterly unbelievable. "How is this possible?! I clearly escaped! I already escaped!" the arrogant Market Development Director roared hysterically.
"It's a dream! This is a dream! This must absolutely be a dream!"
"So noisy..." Silver Wolf couldn't help complaining. In response, [Firefly], seated on the throne, gently flicked her index finger.
"Tsk-" A cut instantly appeared on Osvaldo's cheek, blood splattering out. The sharp, clear pain proved this was no dream.
"Well done, Brunhilde." The calm praise brought a pleased expression to the face of the white-haired woman whose hair flowed down to her waist. Dressed like a nun yet radiating maternal warmth, her voluptuous figure seemed almost overwhelmed with honor.
Beside her, another white-haired girl, looking like her daughter, Pheebe, showed an envious expression.
"By the way, how did you know this guy planned to run?" Silver Wolf looked at the suited yet utterly wretched man and asked Jiang Qiao curiously.
"Do you think someone like him would stick with the Corporation through thick and thin?"
"Good point." It wasn't entirely prediction. While Jiang Qiao believed someone like Osvaldo wouldn't just wait for doom, it was more of a precautionary measure.
Since Brunhilde wasn't needed nearby anyway, why not send her out for some necessary preventative and cleanup work? As it turned out, she was needed.
In the hands of Brunhilde, formerly Mercy's Bane, who possessed the abilities of all five major Swarm Kings, Osvaldo, caught completely off guard, was easily captured using the power of 'World-Pester' without much need for force.
"Alright, now, you should understand the situation, shouldn't you? Mr. Osvaldo Schneider." The silver-haired girl leaning back on the throne spoke calmly, pulling Osvaldo's consciousness back to reality.
A flicker of fear crossed his eyes, but he quickly composed himself. "Respected Your Majesty, Empress of Glamoth! Please allow me to express my apologies!"
"It was all due to my damned subordinate's arbitrary actions that this misunderstanding, which no one wanted, occurred!" Osvaldo was incredibly calm, composed, as if he had transformed back into that rising star of the Corporation, the elite director of Market Development.
Regret, remorse, sadness—all emotions were performed 'vividly' in this moment.
"You consider this a misunderstanding?" [Firefly] asked. "Your other subordinate, Chandrar, didn't say that."
What?! Damn it, Chandrar didn't die?! Hearing the name, Osvaldo, who was about to say something else, instantly felt shocked and enraged... That guy not only survived but dared to badmouth me?
"Ah, respected Your Majesty! This is indeed my fault."
"I was deceived by my subordinates, pressured by the Corporation's high-ranking officials, and ultimately forced into making such an erroneous decision. But I do not seek your forgiveness!"
"However, you and your Empire have occupied the Corporation. I believe Your Majesty must lack someone familiar with the Corporation's workings."
"Humbly, as the Director of the Corporation's Market Development Department, I implore the merciful Your Majesty to grant this sinner a chance to redeem himself through merit! And I, Osvaldo Schneider, will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty! All the wealth of the Corporation shall belong entirely to Glamoth and Your Majesty!"
When it came to changing faces, Osvaldo was no less skilled than those high-ranking officials on the Board.
Rising from the Corporation's bottom rungs to the crucial position of Market Development Director, even becoming a candidate for the Board, in such a short time proved Osvaldo lacked none of the elements for success.
Assessing situations, being adaptable—he was a master among the Corporation's elite. Otherwise, several directors wouldn't have favored him.
Submitting to the Glamoth Empire and seeking opportunities was second nature to Osvaldo.
He believed that by presenting such a posture, as long as the Empress before him recognized talent, as long as the Glamoth Empire coveted the Corporation's wealth, they would surely employ him.
And in this universe, which power didn't covet the Corporation's vast wealth?
As for his own mistakes, Osvaldo considered them 'not worth mentioning' compared to the 'value' he could provide. Just a slight offense against their planet, just sending a fleet to attack... honestly, when these actions ended in 'failure,' how serious could his crimes be in Glamoth's eyes?
As for the subsequent smearing by the Corporation, that had nothing to 'do with him; he merely voiced what the directors wanted to hear. And the one controlling galactic public opinion... happened to be that honest, dovish director, Zai Tian!
Seeing [Firefly] remain silent, seemingly contemplating, Osvaldo smiled. Everything was going according to plan. In this world, who wouldn't be tempted by the wealth the Corporation possessed? And he could use this opportunity to become part of Glamoth, part of this powerful empire.
This wasn't unacceptable to Osvaldo; in fact, it made him incredibly excited, eager to try. After all, Osvaldo was an unabashed 'expansionist.' Expansion undoubtedly required strong military power.
And in all the realms of the universe, what power could be stronger than the 'Glamoth Empire,' which had defeated the Corporation with such devastating ease?
Even the Antimatter Legion would surely submit before this great power!
And as a part of this new empire... Osvaldo mulled over the name 'Glamoth Empire.' He could already fantasize about his glorious future as an 'Imperial Noble' renowned for his merits.
Until the gentle, calm girlish voice reached his ears.
"I refuse."
Still lost in his daydream, Osvaldo didn't react immediately, even showing a hint of pleasure. But the next moment, he froze, as if hearing something utterly unbelievable.
"Your Majesty, what did you say?"
"I said, I refuse."
The calm and gentle words, in this moment, felt like frost in the dead of winter, ringing in Osvaldo Schneider's ears.
In that instant, the beautiful dream...
Seemed to... shatter.