Severely wounding Taviel and repelling the Old Japanese Body's advance bought precious breathing room for the collapsing battlefield.
With Mark's assistance, the Titan Bulwark temporarily stabilized its largest cracks. Though its dark golden light remained dim, it no longer flickered like a candle in the wind.
The Great Old Ones' chaotic core churned in the distant deep space. Foul energy, like boiling thick liquid, mended the wounds torn by Mark. Its cold will, like a maggot clinging to bone, locked on, brewing an even more terrifying counterattack.
The Alliance's surviving fleet began to clear the battlefield in oppressive silence.
They recovered ship wreckage that could still be repaired, treated the wounded, and collected the remains of the fallen.
The air was filled with gunpowder, the acrid smell of burnt energy, and the heavy scent of blood. But heavier than all this was the exhaustion of surviving a catastrophe and a deep sense of uncertainty about the future.
Mark hovered beside the Titan Bulwark, his molten-gold eyes watching the movements of the distant Old Japanese Body.
He could clearly feel the immense power within him, surging like a stellar core, capable of shaking the rules of the universe, slowly receding like an ebbing tide.
It wasn't disappearing, but rather returning from that peak state, where it seemed to resonate with the stars of the cosmos.
Having slept in the sun's core for half a month, his body instinctively absorbed and stored an unimaginable amount of stellar radiation energy. This energy was fully ignited the moment he awoke, granting him the temporary, immense power to touch the threshold of a cosmic-level being.
But as time passed, the afterglow of this one-time burst was gradually being absorbed and transformed by his body, stabilizing at a new, relatively more sustained level.
Half-step cosmic-level.
The sense of power was still strong enough to suffocate mortals, easily capable of destroying planets and tearing space. But against the vast, star-sea-like chaotic essence of the Old Japanese Body, he could no longer inflict the same destructive direct damage as before.
He was still a top-tier combatant on the battlefield, an absolute bane to the Great Old Ones' spawn, but no longer an entity capable of single-handedly tipping the scales of a divine war.
"My power… is receding."
Mark's voice echoed in the minds of Eve, Rudy, and Allen, calmly stating the fact.
"It will take time to return to a stable state. The Great Old Ones won't give us much time."
Eve and Rudy's hearts tightened, but seeing Mark's figure, still as steady as a mountain, their unease was quickly replaced by trust.
Allen immediately began to consider how to adjust subsequent tactics given Mark's relative decrease in power.
"Titan."
Mark turned to the massive bulwark beside him, transmitting his mental fluctuations.
"This is no place to linger. The Great Old Ones' counterattack could come at any moment, and it will be even fiercer."
"We need to relocate, consolidate our strength, and formulate a new strategy."
The cold will inside the Titan Bulwark was silent for a moment.
Relocate?
Leave this core region, constructed by their rules and managed for countless ages?
This would undoubtedly weaken their defensive capabilities.
But cold logic once again took precedence.
Mark's judgment was correct.
The bulwark was severely damaged; holding fast here would only make it a sitting duck for the Great Old Ones' concentrated fire.
Cooperation, departure, and seeking a new stronghold were choices with a higher probability of survival.
"Agree… to relocate…"
The cold mental message came through.
"Core… must be preserved… form… must change…"
Following this message, the flowing geometric patterns on the surface of the massive Titan Bulwark began to contract and condense inwards.
Vast dark-golden matter, like flowing liquid metal, rapidly collapsed and reshaped.
Within a few breaths, the colossal object, which had floated in the void like a continent, disappeared.
In its place were three humanoid energy bodies, emitting a soft dark-golden glow, hovering before Mark.
Their size was similar to that of ordinary humans, about two meters tall. Their forms were clear, but their interiors were not flesh and blood, but composed of countless intricate, constantly circulating dark-golden geometric runes.
Like a flowing, three-dimensional circuit board.
They had no facial features; their heads were smooth, subtly glowing dark-golden planes, yet they clearly conveyed a cold will.
They floated silently, exuding an ancient, heavy, non-human aura.
These were the temporary avatars formed by the core will of the Titan civilization for ease of movement and communication.
"Let's go."
Mark said no more, his molten-gold gaze sweeping over the three Titan Avatars, then turning to the scarred Alliance fleet.
"Back to Alliance Headquarters."
… … …
When Mark, the three silent Titan Avatars, and the scarred, surviving Alliance fleet returned to Alliance Headquarters, the entire headquarters was enveloped in an extremely complex atmosphere.
Lower-ranking soldiers and civilians, watching projections of Mark descending like a god, repelling the Great Old Ones, and bringing back the Titan Avatars, had eyes filled with almost fanatical worship and awe.
Mark's name swept through like a storm, becoming the savior in countless people's hearts. His prestige instantly reached its peak.
However, in the Alliance High Council's chambers, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the dead calm before a storm.
Around the massive circular conference table, every seat was occupied.
Core members of the Alliance Council, military generals with real power, and representatives from major star systems were all present.
Everyone's gaze was focused on three key points around the round table.
Trigg, he sat slightly to the side of the main seat, his Regent's robe immaculate, his sole remaining right arm resting naturally on the table, his mechanical prosthetic arm, glowing with a cold blue light, slightly curled.
His face remained cold, but in the depths of his eyes, the surging unwillingness and apprehension were almost palpable.
Behind him stood the Conqueror and several Viltrum generals with fierce auras and sharp eyes, along with a few conservative Council of Elders members who had allied with him, forming a powerful, silent pressure field.
The White Lion did not enter the chamber but lay outside like a guardian god, yet its invisible deterrent power still enveloped the entire venue.
Trigg's faction was undoubtedly the largest power bloc in the current Alliance, controlling over half of the military strength and key resource nodes.
Mark sat opposite Trigg, his position equally prominent.
He had changed into a special dark combat suit provided by the Alliance, but his tall, robust body, exuding an invisible aura of power, still drew attention.
His gaze was calm, the molten-gold luster now subdued, but the composure and majesty, forged by the crucible of a cosmic-level war, made anyone who met his gaze feel pressure.
The three Titan Avatars floated silently slightly behind him, like sculptures, emitting no energy fluctuations, yet inherently possessing an ancient, suffocating aura of power.
Beside Mark sat Allen, Eve, Rudy, and several military generals who had been impressed by Mark's displayed power on the battlefield and had explicitly declared their support for him.
Mark's Faction represented cutting-edge combat power and some emerging forces, especially with the temporary cooperation endorsement from the Titan, indicating immense potential.
The Alliance Council of Elders.
Several white-haired elders, led by the Speaker, sat in relatively neutral positions around the round table.
They represented the traditions and order from the Alliance's inception, holding some administrative power, scientific research resources, and the support of some neutral star systems.
Their gazes at Mark were filled with shock, awe, and a hint of imperceptible worry.
When they looked at Trigg, it was with deep apprehension and dissatisfaction with his iron-fisted methods.
As hosts, they were ironically the weakest of the three factions, more like balancers trying to survive in the cracks.
As the meeting began, the atmosphere was like a lit powder keg.
The Speaker tried to summarize the battle with official rhetoric, praising Mark's achievements, and emphasizing the importance of unity.
But before he finished, Trigg's cold voice rang out, like metal scraping.
"Achievements? At what cost?"
Trigg's mechanical finger tapped lightly on the table, making a crisp 'clack-clack' sound, his gaze sharp as a knife, directly at Mark.
"The Unyielding is almost scrapped, the main fleet has lost over 65%, and elite warriors are less than one in ten!"
"The Alliance's accumulated foundation, built over many years, was almost wiped out in just ten days!"
"Boy, is the hope you brought too heavy a price?"
This was a naked challenge!
Directly attributing the immense losses to Mark's intervention!
Allen's expression changed, and he was about to retort, but Mark raised a hand to stop him.
Mark's gaze calmly met Trigg's.
"The price is heavy, no doubt."
"But if we hadn't intervened, Alliance Headquarters would probably have been swallowed by the Great Old Ones' corruption by now."
"With the Titan Bulwark collapsing, before the Old Japanese Body, how long could the Alliance's accumulated foundation last? Was it to sit and wait for death, or to fight to the death for a glimmer of hope?"
"Though the cost is immense, what it bought is time, temporary cooperation with the Titan, and the result of severely wounding the Great Old Ones!"
Mark's voice wasn't loud, but every word carried immense weight, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
Many neutral representatives nodded in agreement.
"A glimmer of hope?"
Trigg's lips curled into a sneering arc.
"By what? By your fading power? Or by these three… allies without even a physical form?"
He pointed unceremoniously at the Titan Avatars behind Mark.
The three Titan Avatars showed no reaction, as if Trigg's words were merely the flow of air.
"Though my power will stabilize, it is sufficient to contend with the Great Old Ones' minions!"
"The Titan's cooperation provides key technology against the Old Japanese Body's original corruption!"
Mark countered directly.
"The most urgent task is to integrate all resources, utilize the rule knowledge provided by the Titan, accelerate the analysis of 'Titan's Fist' and develop more powerful weapons!"
"At the same time, find a way to completely repair or even strengthen the Titan Bulwark, rather than questioning the necessity of sacrifice here!"
"Integrate resources?"
Trigg leaned slightly forward, his mechanical prosthetic arm propped on the table, exuding an invisible sense of oppression.
"How to integrate? Who will lead? Mark, you are new here. How much do you understand about the Alliance's operations, resource allocation, and the needs of various star systems?"
"Your plan sounds wonderful, but it requires the entire Alliance machine to operate efficiently, and this machine, currently, only I have enough experience and power to wind its springs!"
He openly displayed his authority and ambition.
"Experience? Do you mean the experience of sacrificing countless soldiers' lives and suppressing dissent with tyranny?"
A young general supporting Mark couldn't help but retort sarcastically.
"Presumptuous!"
A Viltrum general behind Trigg slammed his hand on the table and glared angrily.
The White Lion outside seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, letting out a low, menacing growl.
The atmosphere in the chamber instantly dropped to freezing point!
The tension was so thick it could almost explode!
The Speaker and the Council of Elders turned pale, quickly trying to mediate.
"Gentlemen! Calm down!"
"With a formidable enemy at hand, internal strife will only lead to self-destruction!"
"The most urgent task is to discuss how to respond to the Great Old Ones' counterattack! Resource allocation can be discussed later!"
"The Titan is here. Shouldn't we first listen to their opinions?"
Everyone's gaze, including Trigg and Mark, turned to the three silent Titan Avatars.
One of the avatars' smooth heads flickered slightly, and a cold, emotionless voice directly echoed in everyone's consciousness, like the declaration of universal physical laws.
"Analysis… conclusion."
"Survival… probability… maximization plan."
"1. Repair bulwark core, requires specific rule singularity… coordinates… locked."
"2. Improve Alliance armament efficiency, requires… sharing… basic… geometric… stability… formulas."
"3. Clear… Great Old Ones… pollution source… requires… locating… its… cosmic… anchor points."
The Titan Avatar's proposals were simple and direct, pointing to three key directions.
Repairing themselves, arming the Alliance, and finding the Great Old Ones' weaknesses.
This was undoubtedly a basic framework for cooperation.
But how to execute it? Who would lead?
How would resources be allocated?
Trigg snorted coldly.
"Share formulas? Fine!"
"But the Alliance's technology tree and industrial foundation need time to digest. Before forming effective combat power, the Alliance needs to adopt a more conservative defensive strategy!"
"Shrink the defense line, establish fortress star clusters with core star systems as nodes, use the rule knowledge provided by the Titan to strengthen defenses, and buy time!"
His fortress plan's core was to preserve strength and consolidate his control over existing territories.
Mark immediately refuted!
"Conservative defense is chronic death. The Old Japanese Body's recovery speed far exceeds imagination, and Taviel's avatar could return at any moment. We must take the initiative!"
"Using the coordinates provided by the Titan, immediately organize elite forces to go to the rule singularity to obtain the key to repairing the bulwark!"
"At the same time, dispatch a task force, based on the clues provided by the Titan, to search for the Great Old Ones' cosmic anchor points, finding opportunities for offense while defending!"
His expedition plan's core was to take the initiative and find the key to breaking the deadlock.
Their philosophies were diametrically opposed, representing different paths and power demands.
The Alliance Council of Elders, on the other hand, leaned towards a compromise, hoping to first establish a few demonstrative Titan defense nodes in relatively safe areas, while also sending small-scale exploration teams to verify the authenticity and risks of the singularity coordinates before deciding whether to commit on a large scale.
The meeting fell into a stalemate.
Fierce arguments erupted again, with all three sides sticking to their guns, refusing to yield.
Generals supporting Trigg emphasized stability and efficiency, generals supporting Mark emphasized opportunity and initiative, while the Council of Elders continuously stressed risk control and procedural justice.
Mark looked at the clearly divided factions around the round table, at the undisguised assertiveness in Trigg's eyes and his apprehension of Mark's power, and at the wavering of the Council of Elders, and understood.
The Alliance.
This behemoth, barely held together under the threat of the Great Old Ones, after multiple brutal sacrifices on the battlefield and the impact of the power Mark brought, had its inherent internal fissures completely magnified and exposed.
For the first time, such a clear sense of division emerged.
Trigg, relying on his vast base and the White Lion's military deterrence, was Unyielding and uncompromising.
Mark, with his savior's prestige, the Titan's cooperation, and his own powerful combat ability, became an undeniable counterbalancing force.
The Council of Elders tried to maintain the crumbling Alliance framework in the cracks.
A fragile cooperative structure had formed, but the undercurrents beneath this structure were even more dangerous than the threat of the Great Old Ones.
The meeting ended on a sour note, failing to reach any substantive resolutions, only agreeing to continue tomorrow.
But the rift had already torn open, and trust was gone.
As Mark left the chamber, Eve whispered.
"Mark, what do we do?"
Mark looked at the vast starry sky outside the corridor window, his molten-gold eyes as deep as an abyss.
"Do what we must do."
"Immediately organize our people to start researching and preparing the coordinates and formulas provided by the Titan."
"As for Trigg…"
Mark's gaze swept over the mountain-like figure leaving in the distance, surrounded by Viltrum generals.
"He wants a fortress? Then give him a fortress."
"But the spark of the universe… cannot be extinguished in a turtle shell."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you guys wanna check it out.