Chapter 875: Chapter 476, Land Grab_2 Chapter 875: Chapter 476, Land Grab_2 This was certainly a war waged against external forces, and in fact, the dispersion of twenty billion Green Skins across various planets into dozens of battlefields meant that both parties had to dedicate troops to multiple fronts. For either side, this was a considerable pressure. Dividing troops so widely was not guaranteed to be foolproof; in the midst of battle, a surge from the Green Skins could result in significant losses, a fact that had occurred in the operations of both sides.

However, overall, those Green Skins, now virtually unable to traverse the cosmos and isolated on their respective planets, were no longer a major concern.

It was the Alliance and the Furyflame Battle Group that posed significant trouble to each other.

Both parties’ actions were reminiscent of a rush to claim territory after the war.

And during this process, it was inevitable that they would encounter each other.

Ships from both sides arriving simultaneously in a star system, both commencing troop deployments to a world…

Such scenarios were quite common.

Under a mutual, tense attitude, coupled with direct competition, it wouldn’t be impossible for an accidental discharge to occur.

Gu Hang had no desire to fire the first shot, let alone provoke a civil war with Furyflame.

Winning wasn’t the issue, but should a war break out, then his sector would become the Empire’s headline news.

Gu Hang did not wish for things to escalate to that level.

He estimated that the Furyflame Battle Group were likely in a similar boat.

Did the ‘Iron Fury Stone’ not realize that their independent rule in the Princess Star Domain was a thorn in the side of the Central Empire?

Unless they had prepared for some indiscernible contingency, they too would not want to stir up major news within the Dragonhawk Star Domain.

But Gu Hang never placed his safety on the rationality of others.

What if Kazimir Erso went mad? What if the troops below acted independently?

He always retained a flexible force at hand so that, in the event of a worst-case scenario, he could respond swiftly. His spread-out forces for claiming territory would not prevent him from assembling enough strength to avoid being defeated piece by piece.

Fortunately, an accidental firing hadn’t truly occurred.

Generally, when either the Alliance or the Furyflame Battle Group entered a star system and discovered the other side well-established, after an assessment, they would withdraw.

There was no point in assisting the enemy by complimenting their efforts.

And if the enemy’s establishment was subpar, the other side would immediately intervene, deploying ground forces to thrash the Green Skins anyway and vying to gain the support of the local planetary government.

In that sense, it almost seemed like friendly competition.

But in reality, underhanded sabotage was not in short supply.

If they couldn’t be direct rivals, why not fire from the shadows?

That would stop short of erroneous bombings, for if they started, the enemy might just bomb back, escalating to a deadly exchange.

It was a slippery slope that couldn’t be fallen into.

But what could be said about using the Green Skins to one’s advantage?

It was perfectly fine to stand back during an ally’s hardships like an immovable mountain, or to lead the Green Skins on a chase and then suddenly withdraw; to willingly cede a flank on the battlefield, allowing the Green Skins an opportunity to ambush the enemy’s rear…

Similar strategies were endless.

In this way, both parties engaged in countless cunning competitions across many star sectors and worlds.

In this matter, both sides had their strengths and weaknesses.

The Furyflame Battle Group’s advantage lay in their control over the Star Domain Government.

This was the source of the greatest political legitimacy. The Star Sector Governments listened to the Star Domain Government, and in turn, the Planetary Governments listened to the Star Sector Governments. Wasn’t that how it should be?

But the disadvantage was also here.

The Furyflame Battle Group’s control over the Star Domain Government was not absolute.

For Tan Jiuyi and those from the Dragonhawk Star Domain Government, being under the Furyflame Battle Group’s control was a reluctant predicament with no alternative.

What they hoped for, of course, was that the Furyflame Battle Group would act like any typical Interstellar Warrior Battle Group: come to help fight, and after the battle’s end, depart with honors. In such cases, local governments were usually generous in awarding honors to these assisting Emperor Angels. Medals were freely given, and praises to the Empire were profusely sung.

Even if tangible benefits were sought, that was also acceptable. After helping us fight, recruiting soldiers within the Star Domain, requesting supplies, or desiring various types of materials could all be amply satisfied.

But the Furyflame Battle Group’s apparent intention not to leave indeed caused displeasure.

And moreover, they had even directly intervened in the affairs of the Star Domain.

Could the Dragonhawk Government be pleased with this?

Clearly, they could not.

But they were powerless to act.

The military power lay with the Fury Flame Battle Group, with their command system forming a faction of its own, leaving no room for others to intervene. They could only dutifully serve as logistics officers, and even then, they were under the supervision of the Fury Flame Battle Group. Inefficient work was penalized, and several high-ranking officials of the Star Domain had already been made examples of.

Furthermore, there was another matter that greatly worried the Star Domain Government.

From this perspective, the introduction of the Fury Flame Battle Group was an unavoidable measure.

What would happen if the Fury Flame Battle Group truly decided to withdraw immediately?

Compared to the present Alliance, and the Star Domain Government that had already exhausted all its force…

Who would eventually call the shots in the Dragonhawk Star Domain?

Of course, on this matter, the internal factions within the Dragonhawk Government were also divided.

Some believed that matters within the Star Domain should be resolved internally, and that the Fury Flame Battle Group and their ‘Iron Fury Stone’ were not to be trifled with.

Others believed that no matter what, the Interstellar Warriors from the Fury Flame Battle Group, who had no roots in Dragonhawk, would eventually leave one day. However, the Alliance was here to stay, unchallenged, and thus the power of the Fury Flame Battle Group was essential.

Both factions were vocal, and neither was insignificant.

Tan Jiuyi, as the leader of the Star Domain Government, seemed to be leaning toward the latter.

Kazimir Erso had visited him more than once, and perhaps they had reached some confidential agreements in private.

This was why, for the most part, the Star Domain Government was cooperating with the Fury Flame Battle Group’s operations, providing a veneer of legitimacy to many of the group’s actions, which made overcoming certain obstacles much easier.

However, those within the government who were dragging their feet were making the Fury Flame Battle Group’s operations less smooth.

On the other hand, the situation was largely the opposite for the Alliance.

The Alliance’s military operations were more swift.

Both sides had Interstellar Warriors, but the Alliance’s Mortal Troops were clearly more elite and battle-hardened compared to those under the Fury Flame Battle Group’s control.

Interstellar Warriors were ultimately limited, and many battlefronts relied on Mortal Troops. In military performance, the Fury Flame Battle Group indeed fell short compared to the Alliance.

The Alliance was more efficient at pummeling the Green Skins than Fury Flame.

Moreover, the Alliance consistently produced quite attractive economic cooperation plans—something the Fury Flame Battle Group simply couldn’t match.

The Star Domain Government had been practically bled dry by the war and couldn’t sustain such support; Jindi Star, which had been once relied upon by the Star Domain Government, was still licking its wounds. And the Oil Heads, preferring neutrality, provided very little support.

They could not afford the price offered by the Alliance.

If it weren’t for the rulers of many planets harboring doubts about the Alliance’s system, worried about their own authority being undermined, perhaps more planets would have already sided with the Alliance.

But the Alliance was making some changes too.

Did anyone think it was easy to join the Alliance? Not everyone wishing to join had the opportunity!

At best, these planets could be developed into peripheral forces, and economic aid required something in exchange.

Ports, resources, manpower, orders, markets…

Nothing was given for free.

This was a process of mutual benefit; the Alliance didn’t seek domination.

These strategies alleviated some of the planets’ suspicions, and coupled with the Alliance’s military strength, and the driving away of Fury Flame’s influence, they ultimately chose to side with the Alliance.

Overall, both parties were staking their claims, each with its own gains and losses.

A series of strategic and cunning battles were still ongoing.

And Gu Hang, aside from focusing on these larger issues, was also troubled by another matter.

He now had tens of millions of Grace Points at hand—what should he do with them?

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