Chapter 283：Sphinx

Once the military board intervened, the murder case quickly took a turn for the better. The Investigation Division continuously found new evidence, like proof that an outsider had interfered with the murder scene, and that Orr had residual drugs in his body when he lost consciousness, he absolutely couldn't have committed the crime. The military board and the police department were currently trying to track down the third person, and clear up Orr's reputation online. Nan Qing had a huge fan base, they were saddened by their idol's death, so they were naturally dissatisfied with the results of the military board and the police department.

Some people were convinced of Orr's innocence, the Empire's hero wasn't a murderer, but even more people were convinced of his guilt, and that the military was covering for him. The shouts of condemnation against Orr were endless, as long as the case wasn't solved, his reputation as a murderer couldn't be removed. The Assai family's reputation was affected, but that was only among the civilians, to the upper class, the Assai family became the most influential family in the Empire almost overnight.

Kane Celayan first incited the masses to condemn Orr, then came out to make a statement, saying that he absolutely believed in Orr's high moral character and uprightness, he'd loved Nan Qing, he wasn't a murderer. When the victim's brother stood up to testify, more people were convinced, but some still harbored hostility for Orr. Kane was attempting to show his goodwill to Orr in this way, he was well aware that Orr's rise to power was unstoppable, and there was no advantages to making the Celayan family his enemy. On the contrary, if he could win him over, his future prospects would be boundless.

He now really regretted setting up that game. If his brother was still 'alive', he could've taken advantage of Orr's obsession for him and arrange a successful marriage between the Assai family and Celayan family. With the Assai family's support, the Celayan family would've leapt into becoming one of the top families in the Empire. But he'd missed his big break, so now he could only hope that Orr was still a simpleton, and failed to see the truth like before.

But reality soon showed them that plotting to ​​kill Orr was a foolish idea.

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As expected, the Federation really joined with other forces and launched an attack on the Empire, looking forward to carving up the Empire's wealth after victory. The dense mass of space warships surrounded the imperial capital, the shadow of death shrouding all. After the Queen's rebellion, the Empire was once again facing the danger of subjugation. The citizens didn't have extra energy to care about which celebrity was killed, mourning their idols, the Empire's hero becoming a murderer, and other such trivialities. Right now, they only worried about whether or not they could live to see the next sunrise.

The Queen swallowed four of the Empire's five 3S warriors, only the Marshal was lucky enough to survive. But he was already 278 years old, no longer able to even pilot an ultra-mech. But the Federation and its allies had seven 3S warriors in total, all entering the battlefield in ultra-mechs, their combat effectiveness was comparable to seven warships, enough to crush the imperial capital planet into dust.

The citizens repeatedly analyzed the situation, and came to a desperate conclusion- the Empire's defeat in this battle was indisputable. Except for surrender, cession, indemnity, and going from an independent state to joining the colony, there was no second way to turn. The people were swallowed by pessimism, and they kept praying, hoping that God would send an angel to save them.

Then a miracle really occurred, a silver black ultra-mech leapt out from among the Imperial Legion, and with only one heavy blow, it tore apart one of the Federation's 3S warriors' mech, and crushed the cockpit, then, it took out a giant laser sword, and with speed faster than the naked eye could keep up with, it weaved through the bombardment of particle cannons, and sliced through three other ultra-mechs. The booms of explosions constantly resounded, less than fifteen minutes after the war started, the Federation and its allies consecutively lost four 3S warriors, it was simply a nightmare.

Before the army could wake up from their nightmare, the silver black mech attacked a warship's energy compartment, turning it into scrap, then it sliced off the head of another ultra-mech that tried to block its path, as usual, pulling out the mech's cockpit and crushing it. In the blink of an eye, another 3S level warrior fell under his hands.

"Retreat, quickly retreat! He's coming, we can't let him reach the command ship! Retreat immediately!" The Federation commander shouted madly.

"Who is that? What level is he?"

"This is awful! How can he kill five 3S warriors in half an hour? Don't tell me…is he one of the super race? When did a super race show up in the Empire?"

"Who cares, just fucking retreat! Now!" The commander was about to have a mental breakdown. Because of the gap between his orders, the silver black mech successfully crushed another ultra-mech, and of the Federation army's seven 3S warriors, only one remained. If that person died, the Federation would be torn apart.

The last 3S warrior already clearly understood how terrible the enemy was, he immediately fled at his fastest possible speed, concealing himself within an asteroid belt. Fortunately, the silver black mech didn't pursue him, it floated among the crushed starry sea for a while before flying back to the imperial capital planet. The Federation forces arrived majestically and fled in disgrace, the Imperial Legion collected the six crushed corpses and filmed them for the Empire's people, then sent the video signal to the president of the Federal Republic.

These people were once the strongest in Asaph Galaxy, no one thought they would die so easily, their faces frozen in horror, like they'd seen the most terrifying monster in the universe. The Federation's president was angry enough to have a heart attack, he demanded the identity of the silver black mech's driver.

The Empire's citizens were even more curious than the president to know who rescued them from the abyss of despair. That man was too formidable, the image of him wielding a gigantic sword, sweeping it across the universe stunned them, making them want to bow down in worship, their blood racing. Why was Orr the Empire's hero? He wasn't worthy! To be able to kill six 3S warriors in one fell swoop, that man absolutely had to be one of the legendary super race! That man was the pillar of the Empire!

When the silver black mech slowly landed, the people watched it in real-time through the military's broadcast, holding their breaths as they stared at the cockpit. Some kneeled in front of their displays, ready to scream. The cockpit opened, and a handsome man stepped out, with his long legs, he casually jumped the forty-eight meters from the cockpit to the ground. He landed firmly and stood up straight, the huge impact forming a circle of spider-web like cracks on the ground. The neatly arranged mecha forces immediately opened up a passageway, raising their bulky metal arms in salute.

He walked through the mechs, looking so small in comparison, but his powerful momentum made these steel giants all bow their heads in acknowledgement. Apparently sensing them recording him, he turned around, and glanced towards the direction of the drone recorder. The public got a clear look of his sculpture-like, handsome features, and they all gasped in surprise. Although his appearance had changed subtlety, they absolutely wouldn't mistake him, that person was Orr Assai, the Orr Assai who they'd denounced, accused, and cursed.

He was their superhero? No, he was the Empire's Superhero! He always had been!

All the condemnation, accusing, verbal abuse was replaced by admiration and worship. The people had felt that the military was covering for Orr before, but now, they felt that the military had always been seeing things clearly. How could Orr possibly be a murderer? Of course, some people secretly thought: even if he really did kill Nan Qing, so what? He saved the billions of people of the Empire, that was enough to offset one negligible crime.

Kane wasn't called in to participate in this war, and the other families that joined him in framing Orr were also excluded from this mission. Obviously, Orr intended to slowly expel them from the power center, but even knowing that, they were unable to resist. Put out a hit? As soon as they posted that message on the black market, they would definitely become the laughingstocks of Asaph Galaxy's underworld. Which man would dare try to kill Orr? Who would claim to have the strength to kill him? There might be a glimmer of hope in their dreams.

After Nan Qing underwent cosmetic surgery, the result was identical to his expectations. He hid on a remote, backward minor planet, where there were only beastmen, and various plants and animals to keep him company. No internet, no suspension cars, no entertainment, and no bustling metropolis. As time passed, he became more and more intolerable of the primitive people's tedious lives. He bribed a human smuggler to stow him away on a ship, and travelled to the Federation's sphere of influence. After passing from ship to ship, he finally arrived on the Federation's capital planet. He was now more beautiful than ever, so no matter where he went, he always had a long line of admirers chasing after him. And since he was well versed in the art of seduction, he even hooked up with one of the most powerful 3S warriors of the Federation a couple of times.

That man fell in love with him at first sight, and after knowing each other for only ten days, he bought him a ring and proposed to him. Nan Qing was very egoistical, he'd always thought that only the most powerful person was a match for him, after considering for a few days, he gladly agreed. There was no more than 10 3S level people in the Asaph Galaxy, and this man was one of the youngest and the most attractive. With him, his future would be limitless, so he thought that he'd never be able to find another person more worthy than him.

At first, he felt guilty about framing Orr, but now, he was glad he did it. If he hadn't framed Orr, how could he find the courage to do cosmetic surgery? How could he get the opportunity to marry one of the most powerful people in the galaxy? Everything was fate's plan! However, his celebratory mood lasted only two weeks before he received the grievous news of his fiancé's death. He was killed in battle, how is that possible!?

Nan Qing found a video online, and watched as his fiancé was beheaded by a sliver black mech. When the mech landed, and Orr's matchlessly handsome, arrogant and overbearing face was exposed, he almost couldn't contain his scream. He immediately covered his mouth, and asked in a quivering voice, "Who is he?" Orr's eyes weren't pure black like a bottomless abyss, his facial features weren't so sexy and charming.

"His name is Orr Assai, the first successful evolution of the super race, his combat strength is comparable to a whole fleet of warships. The Federation has already fallen into internal strife, we're following the General's orders to take you to safety should something happen to him. These are your documentations and belongings, please look over them." Two soldiers handed over a space capsule, and transported the dazed Nan Qing to an airship.

Nan Qing couldn't help but feel grateful for his fiancé's thoughtfulness. He was so powerful, yet he was always prepared to sacrifice himself for his state, he'd even arranged an escape route for his betrothed, this was probably the result of what they called 'intuition'. But still, Nan Qing didn't want to be sent back to another remote minor planet, he wanted to return to the Empire, back to Orr's side. That man was so obsessed with him, he surely must've been unable to escape his charm.

The strongest person in Asaph Galaxy, as long as Nan Qing thought of this title, his blood couldn't help but race. This time, he must capture Orr, and firmly occupy the position by his side.