Abyss Solo

The activation ceremony wasn't particularly complicated.

The Archbishop performed a few symbolic prayer gestures and then forcefully thrust her scepter into the gap in front of the deity statue.

This reminded Yang Ming of his old second-hand car back on Earth that started with a mechanical key.

Next came the azure blue light effects, the floor patterns were illuminated, the entire hall trembled, and a mechanical humming sound emanated from the depths of the modular Emperor Star. Several stereoscopic projectors in front of the statue simultaneously started working.

Bits of light converged from all directions.

The ceiling turned into a starry sky, the murals seemed to come alive, and a beautiful woman's hologram began to gather before him, eventually coalescing into a figure indistinguishable from the statue.

Yang Ming: This special effect is much more refined than Lyu's entrance animation.

Insufficient computing power, increase the budget.

Lyu's realistic image fully solidified, and Yang Ming heard that calm, unfamiliar, yet slightly mature feminine voice:

"No Empire crisis detected, no strong enemy approaching detected, no large-scale rebels detected, no powerful enemy nations detected.

"Specific commands required.

"If no specific commands are executed, it will re-enter dormant state in ten seconds."

"Emperor Guard! I am your Emperor!"

The Old Emperor shouted full of vigor: "Look at me!"

"Insufficient target authorization."

"Emperor Guard," said the Old Emperor, "I am a descendant of Levi Sherman, the highest authority of this nation!"

"Insufficient target authorization."

"Emperor Guard!"

Whoosh!

Lyu's figure lightly flickered and then directly disappeared in front of the Old Emperor.

Yang Ming felt the Old Emperor's suppressed anger at this moment, as the surrounding figures started kneeling one by one.

"See."

The Old Emperor smiled and said, then calmly walked two steps forward, resting his hand on the back of the hovering sofa, and said softly: "The Emperor Guard System says I lack sufficient authorization... Am I still the Emperor of this country, Hanton?"

Yang Ming bowed his head in silence, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

Thanks to Sister Li for her understanding, not putting any obstacles in his way.

As for the Old Emperor hitting a dead end... Yang Ming had long suspected this was Sister Li's deliberate doing.

He always felt that Sister Li might be playing a grand game, and now this feeling was incredibly strong, almost confirmed.

"Hanton," the Old Emperor turned and looked at Yang Ming, "do you think the Emperor Guard System is important for the Empire?"

"Emperor," Yang Ming said seriously, "it is indeed important, but Labuduo, which is actually Emperor Guard System 2.0, is also an excellent war auxiliary system."

"You said, Labuduo is just a war auxiliary system... Come with me, let's go outside and get some fresh air, I find this place a bit stifling."

The Old Emperor walked out of the hall with his hands behind his back.

Yang Ming glanced at the prostrate Archbishop, slightly shook his head, and followed.

Wait.

Yang Ming suddenly had a guess.

Previously, the Old Emperor said he wanted to stir things up, constantly reclaiming power from the Elder Court, Military Department, Foreign Affairs Bureau, Military Intelligence Bureau, and Political Affairs Department, continuously concentrating imperial power... could it be he believes that doing so can obtain control over the Emperor Guard?

"Hanton, what do you think the problem is?"

The Old Emperor frowned as he spoke:

"The authority to control the Emperor Guard System isn't with me, so who does it lie with?"

Yang Ming pondered for a moment: "Emperor, I haven't studied this, I've only had simple interactions with the Emperor Guard System in a few wars."

"I previously suspected it might be due to bloodline, namely gene issues."

The Old Emperor leaned on the railing, looking out at the distant simulated scenery.

He said deeply:

"I secretly had genetic comparisons made between the previous ten or so emperors and myself, and it can be confirmed that we are direct relatives.

"Then, I instructed them to thoroughly examine the Empire's history—there is a completely objective chronicle maintained within the Imperial Palace, recording various significant events in the Empire's daily operations. I discovered that the last time an Emperor personally issued an order accepted by the Emperor Guard System was during a campaign 826 years ago.

"In other words, after the New Calendar Reform, the Emperor lost the authority to command the Emperor Guard System."

Yang Ming listened and nodded repeatedly.

He could even provide a more plausible answer—because in the Emperor Guard System's judgment, the current Empire Emperor has already lost the peculiar genes of Levi Sherman, thus not recognized by the Emperor Guard System as the true master of the Empire.

The Old Emperor sighed and continued:

"I suspect there is currently a person or small group within the Empire capable of commanding the Emperor Guard System.

"This group can only be on that round table.

"Hanton, can you understand this feeling?"

"Yes, Emperor," Yang Ming pressed his lips together, "I felt the pressure you bear for the first time."

"Heh," the Old Emperor shook his head, "they don't understand me, I've tried what I could, now the Imperial Military Department generals affected directly by me are increasing, the Elder Court is completely under my control, the Military Intelligence Bureau now has Atro, and you are also on my side, but it's far from enough."

Yang Ming pondered in silence.

The Old Emperor said: "I've always supported Labuduo replacing the Emperor Guard because it's a test. I wanted to see who would resist Labuduo... The Emperor Guard System directly controls the Levi Fleet and the Emperor Star Mecha, which is the Empire's ultimate force, the real core of imperial power. In other words, who controls the Emperor Guard System can claim to be the true master of this nation."

Yang Ming asked: "Emperor, why don't you ask Director Eno directly?"