The massive mushroom cloud, a symbol of death and destruction, was still rising slowly on the horizon.
A fierce wind, carrying the nauseating smell of burning, swept through the entire capital of Xandar.
The defense system that the Nova Corps took pride in...
In front of that casually flicked energy ball, it had melted as completely as ice cream under the scorching sun.
Command Center.
Nova Prime Irani Rael slumped in the command chair. Her face, usually filled with majesty, was now as pale as a sheet of paper.
She looked at the white demon on the big screen, hovering in the air with an elegance as if attending a banquet.
His figure wasn't tall; one could even say he was petite.
But in the eyes of the Nova Prime, he was ten thousand times more terrifying than Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.
"Richard is dead... the fleet is gone... the city... is gone too..."
Nova Prime's lips trembled violently.
"Prime! The energy grid is overloaded! All shield generators have burned out! If he fires another one... no, even half of that kind of energy blast, the capital is finished!"
The adjutant's tearful report became the straw that broke the camel's back.
Irani Rael closed her eyes, two clear tears sliding down her cheeks.
For the lives of billions of citizens.
For the continuation of Xandarian civilization.
Dignity? Glory?
In the face of absolute, irresistible power, it was all bullshit!
"Connect... to all-channel broadcast."
Nova Prime's voice was hoarse.
"I want to... speak with him personally."
---
Above the Battlefield.
Frieza was playing with his fingers out of boredom, looking at the burning ruins below, calculating the cost of rebuilding this place in his head.
"Tsk, I went a little too heavy-handed."
"But oh well, out with the old, in with the new."
Just then.
Zzz—!
The surviving holographic screens around the plaza suddenly flickered, and then Nova Prime's haggard face appeared on all of them.
At the same time, several unarmed communication drones flew tremblingly in front of Frieza, projecting the same image.
"Respected... Mighty One."
Nova Prime didn't appear in person; she didn't dare.
But even on the screen, she bowed her head deeply, performing the highest apology etiquette of the Nova Empire.
"I am the Supreme Commander of the Nova Empire, Irani Rael."
"Please... please stop this senseless slaughter."
Seeing the main character finally come out, Frieza's lips curled into a playful smile.
He didn't speak, just watched quietly, a mocking glint in his scarlet eyes.
Seeing Frieza didn't attack, Nova Prime took a deep breath.
Suppressing the humiliation and fear in her heart, she continued:
"The previous conflict was entirely an... unfortunate misunderstanding."
"It was our arrogance; we underestimated your power, which rivals the gods."
"For the Nova Corps' offense against you just now, on behalf of the entire Empire, I extend my sincerest apologies!"
"If you are willing to stop, the Nova Empire is willing to compensate you for all losses! Whether it is resources, currency, or technology, as long as you ask..."
Nova Prime's words were humble to the extreme.
This was the leader of one of the three major empires in the galaxy!
Right now, she was apologizing like a school child who had made a mistake.
However.
"Misunderstanding?"
Frieza suddenly spoke.
His voice echoed through the sky via his Ki, crisp but bone-chillingly cold.
"You say this was a misunderstanding?"
Frieza slowly raised his hand, pointing at the floating wreckage of battleships around him, and then at the massive crater he had blasted open.
"Those tens of thousands of beams just now were aimed squarely at this Emperor's head."
"If I didn't have a little bit of strength, the current me would probably be a pile of cosmic dust by now, right?"
Frieza tilted his head, wearing an expression of extreme confusion and innocence.
"Ne, Prime."
"In your laws, attempted murder of a noble Galactic Emperor..."
"Isn't that a capital crime?"
"And..."
Frieza's gaze suddenly became ferocious, terrifying killing intent bursting from his body.
Even through the screen, Nova Prime felt her heart stop.
"It's the kind where nine generations of your family get executed!"
Upon hearing this, Nova Prime's mind went blank, and her blood froze.
Execute nine generations?
For an interstellar empire with a population of tens of billions, what did that mean?
It meant genocide!
"No! No! Please quell your anger!"
Nova Prime could no longer maintain even a shred of dignity. She knelt directly in front of the screen, her voice shrill and desperate.
"We were blind! We failed to recognize Mount Tai!"
"But this has nothing to do with the civilians! They are innocent!"
"I beg you! Merciful Mighty One! Give Xandar a way to live! As long as you don't destroy us, we are willing to pay any price!"
Watching the supreme leader crying bitterly on the screen.
Frieza's malice was greatly satisfied.
[Ding! Detected collapse of Nova Prime's belief! Fear Points +50 Billion!]
[Ding! Detected total despair across Xandar! Fear Points +80 Billion!]
...
Although these Fear Points were a bit less than the wave from Earth, it was still a huge sum.
"Oh my, my. That's more like it."
The killing intent on Frieza's face vanished instantly, changing faster than flipping a page.
He put back on that elegant, warm smile, like a shady merchant who had just closed a big deal.
"Actually, this Emperor isn't some devil."
"I'm not the type of tyrant who likes to kill innocent people indiscriminately. After all, killing is hard work, quite tiring."
Frieza spread his hands, looking very reasonable.
"Since you are so sensible and beg me with such sincerity..."
"Then I will be merciful and give you a way out."
Hearing this, Nova Prime looked up sharply, hope bursting in her eyes.
"Th... Thank you, My Lord! Whatever request you have, just ask!"
"Very good."
Frieza nodded with satisfaction and held up a finger.
"First."
"From now on, the Nova Corps is disbanded and reorganized into the Xandar Branch of the Frieza Legion."
"I want you to use the power of the whole nation to build me a top-tier cosmic fleet."
"Whether it's engines, weapons, or comfort, everything must be to the highest specifications! I don't want to have to fly by myself when I go out in the future; it's too degrading."
"No problem! We can do it!" Nova Prime agreed without hesitation.
Building spaceships was their specialty.
"Second."
Frieza held up a second finger and pointed to the ground beneath his feet.
"This planet, legally speaking, now belongs to me."
"All land, minerals, technology, and even the life of every single one of you, are my private property."
"Since the owner has changed, the original name naturally cannot be used anymore."
Frieza stroked his chin, seeming to ponder a very serious question, then snapped his fingers.
"Let's call it—Planet Frieza 002."
"As for you, Prime."
Frieza looked at Irani Rael, a playful smirk curling his lips.
"You are reluctantly demoted to the property manager of this planet. Take good care of this estate for me."
"If there are any mistakes..."
Frieza made an exploding gesture with his hand.
"Bang!"
"You should understand."
Nova Prime knelt on the ground, her hands gripping the floor tightly, nails breaking, blood flowing.
Xandar...
This Nova Empire that had stood in the galaxy for tens of thousands of years and took pride in it.
Today, it not only lost its army and sovereignty.
It was even stripped of its name!
It became Asset No. 002 of a real estate developer who popped out of some remote corner!
What humiliation! What absurdity!