On the Stellar Federation's side, preparations to join the Citadel were proceeding at full speed. After all, this involved every conceivable aspect and was not something that could be completed in a day or two. Duanmu Huai, meanwhile, was hardly idle either.
In truth, trash-tier xenos like the Batarians didn't even count as roadside pebbles in Duanmu Huai's eyes. However, the enemy he was about to face next could be considered the first truly formidable opponent he had encountered in this world.
The reason was simple: this was not a war that could be won through brute force alone.
It was a battle on the spiritual level…
Fortunately, he had long since made preparations.
"Hello, big brother! You called for Karen—what's up?"
Watching Zhen Jiling bounce her way into his room, Duanmu Huai's lips curved slightly upward. But soon enough, he reined in his expression and looked at her seriously.
"Zhen Jiling."
"Hm? What is it, big brother?"
"I remember that when you first chose to follow me, you said it was because you wanted the whole world to recognize your cuteness, right?"
"Yes."
Zhen Jiling nodded, while Duanmu Huai studied her with interest.
"Why did you have that idea? Can you tell me about it?"
"Of course I can. Then… let's start from when Karen was born!"
Zhen Jiling answered with a giggle.
"..."
Why don't you just start from Pangu splitting the heavens while you're at it…
Duanmu Huai suppressed the urge to complain and looked at Zhen Jiling, who began swaying slightly as she spoke.
"Big brother, you know how babies smile reflexively, right? Karen was like that too when she was born—always smiling. So her family would smile along with her and say Karen was very cute, and that seeing Karen's smile made them feel very happy. Karen's cuteness could bring happiness to everyone—that's what her family told Karen."
"Mm…"
Listening to Zhen Jiling, Duanmu Huai nodded. Indeed, her smile had an exceptionally special kind of charm. Just seeing her smiling face made people relax and feel cheerful without even realizing it. This was probably the origin of Zhen Jiling's trait: Superior Charm.
"So… Karen decided to become the embodiment of 'cuteness'… that was probably when she was three years old."
"...…"
This kid is really something, in every possible sense.
"To achieve that goal, Karen researched 'cuteness' in all kinds of ways. Then there were girls who started to admire Karen… One of them said that after seeing how cute Karen was, she gained the courage to change herself. She even said I was her benefactor! Back then, Karen was really happy. It was at that moment that Karen realized that 'cute Zhen Jiling' could bring happiness not just to her family, but to everyone. As long as Karen feels happy being praised as 'cute,' then everyone can also become happier because of 'cute Zhen Jiling.' Isn't that a win-win?"
As she spoke, Zhen Jiling's face filled with longing.
"So, Karen wants this cycle of happiness to spread even further—ideally across the entire universe! To make the whole world fall in love with Karen!"
"Mm..."
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai fell into thought. Admittedly, there was some exaggeration in her words, but he could also feel that Zhen Jiling was completely serious about it.
That was good.
"Zhen Jiling."
With that, Duanmu Huai raised his head again and looked at the small, adorable horse-girl before him.
"Next, I need your power. Just like you said, I want you to spread your cuteness throughout the universe, to every corner, and make everyone fall for you… But you have an opponent. And not just one—it's an entire species. So, do you have confidence?"
"An entire species???"
Zhen Jiling looked somewhat startled by his words.
"What does that mean?"
"Your opponent is them."
As he spoke, Duanmu Huai activated a display in front of her. On the screen appeared a woman with blue skin and head-tendrils resembling octopus tentacles, smiling as she stood there. Upon seeing her, Zhen Jiling frowned slightly.
"Huh? Her? That's not cute at all."
"Not her. Them."
Duanmu Huai tapped the screen and continued explaining.
"They're called the Asari. They're one of the Citadel's three major species. Like your horse-girl race, they're an all-female species. As for their appearance… just like you said, they're not cute, and not pretty either. That's precisely why the war between you will be even more difficult."
"???"
Zhen Jiling tilted her head in confusion, staring at Duanmu Huai, completely failing to understand. Duanmu Huai coughed lightly and continued.
"As I said, the Asari are essentially monosexual—or at least they all appear female. So their method of reproduction is very unusual. They seek out males of other species and engage in a process known as mind melding. Simply put, they merge their minds with the other party in order to reproduce."
At this point, Duanmu Huai's expression grew serious.
"And because of this, the Asari possess a very special ability—that is… they can attract the males of all species. No matter whether those species are humanoid or completely unlike humans, they'll all be drawn to the Asari and develop favorable feelings toward them. Do you understand now?"
"Eh?!"
Hearing this, Zhen Jiling finally understood what Duanmu Huai meant, and she couldn't help but feel deeply shocked.
"Something like that is possible? So even crocodiles or monkeys would find these Asari attractive?"
"This is less a skill and more a special innate ability. And it's precisely because of this that the Asari were able to become one of the Citadel's three permanent species—relying entirely on their charm."
At this point, Duanmu Huai snorted coldly. Truth be told, he really wanted to wipe out the Asari completely—
Unfortunately, now was not the time…
When the time came, he wouldn't even need to do it himself…
From the Inquisition's perspective, a species that uses its own abilities to seduce humanity was the most dangerous kind of xenos—one that deserved total purification…
But for now…
The only way is to fight magic with magic.
The Asari's special psychic abilities were impressive, but Zhen Jiling's Superior Charm was no joke either.
Who was stronger?
Let's find out.
"So? Do you have confidence?"
Duanmu Huai stared at Zhen Jiling as he asked. He had absolute faith in her charm. Back in the game, the max-charisma character he had created had unlocked the idol route more than once—though those missions actually required the player to sing and dance. Just because he made a female character didn't mean he enjoyed acting cute and coquettish.
Besides, what's more satisfying—little fists pounding your chest, or a small hammer smashing your skull?
The reason Duanmu Huai chose Zhen Jiling was because he wanted to see whether Superior Charm was really that overpowered. If she could truly stand against the entire Asari race by herself, then in the future she would become a trump card against the Prince of Excess.
The only possible side effect was that if Zhen Jiling really became wildly popular, humanity's preferences might… hm…
But for the sake of combating evil gods and xenos, these sacrifices were worth it.
There was no sacrifice too great to tolerate!
So even XP could be sacrificed and twisted!
For the sake of fighting evil gods, twisting XP was acceptable!
Duanmu Huai silently gave a thumbs-up to humanity's future sacrifices, then looked at Zhen Jiling.
"So? Do you have confidence?"
"Mm..."
Zhen Jiling thought for a moment. Soon enough, she smiled again and looked at Duanmu Huai with growing confidence.
"No problem, big brother! This is exactly the stage Karen wants! Karen promises you—Karen will absolutely not lose to those big sisters!"
"Very good. Then first, we consolidate our base—starting with the Stellar Federation!"
As the saying goes, if I don't go to hell, who will? Turning Stellar Federation humans into horse-girl fans was far better than letting them become simps for those blue-skinned Asari bitches.
Duanmu Huai acted immediately. He contacted Li Longcheng and made his request.
When Li Longcheng first received Duanmu Huai's message, he thought it was something major. Instead…
"Uh… Inquisitor sir, you mean… you want an idol to debut in our Stellar Federation??"
To be honest, Li Longcheng was completely dumbfounded.
"That's right. Zhen Jiling—the one who negotiated with you that day. You remember her, right?"
"Of course, of course I remember."
At the mention of her name, Li Longcheng's lips curved slightly upward. Naturally, he remembered that adorable girl. She really did possess a special kind of charm that made people feel she was extremely cute. Of course, someone of Li Longcheng's age wouldn't harbor any improper thoughts about her—she felt more like a daughter or granddaughter, someone you'd want to dote on endlessly.
"She wants to become an idol? Hm… that shouldn't be a problem… I can arrange something…"
Poor Li Longcheng—now the president of the Stellar Federation—had no idea how the entertainment industry worked. But he didn't really care. The Federation government had authority, and promoting a small idol wouldn't cost much in resources anyway.
"No need to go that far. If this gets tangled up with the government, it could cause unnecessary trouble. I just need you to provide a platform."
"In that case, alright. I'll have someone arrange it."
Everyone had their specialties. Li Longcheng was great at war and politics, but idols were outside his wheelhouse. Fortunately, being president meant that one command was enough—suitable people would be found quickly.
Before long, a woman appeared before Li Longcheng, trembling with nerves.
"So it's you?"
Li Longcheng remained calm as he looked at her. He had no idea who she was—he had simply instructed his subordinates to find someone capable of operating within the entertainment industry, and they had recommended her. She, on the other hand, was visibly terrified—after all, Li Longcheng was the president of the Stellar Federation. Though she was a big name in entertainment, what right did someone like her have to speak with someone of his stature?
"Y-yes, Mr. President. Based on your requirements, I've prepared several plans…"
She tried to explain, but Li Longcheng cut her off.
"Alright, I don't understand this stuff, and you don't need to explain it to me. I'll give you a number—just contact them. Oh, and… hm, never mind."
He almost added more, but realized that saying too much might raise suspicion, so he stopped himself and simply sent her on her way.
After all, as president of the Stellar Federation, he had far too many things to deal with.
(End of Chapter)