Chapter 450: Ch
The position would be held by none other than Yan Shi.
He had personally witnessed her abilities and knew she possessed the talent to turn even unfavorable situations around while maximizing the benefits for her own side.
As for the other member states, they had not yet declared their own council representatives.
That decision would be made only after they had returned and held their own internal discussions.
Kallus also clarified that future selections for both the Council and the office of Federation President would be conducted in a far more democratic manner than this initial appointment.
Hearing that, many of the rulers could only roll their eyes inwardly.
"Then why establish an empire instead of a democratic state?" they couldn’t help but think.
Even Red Empress was no different.
At this moment, she could only look at Kallus speechlessly, unsure whether she should laugh or sigh at his explanation.
After all, no matter how one looked at it, there wouldn’t even be a trace of democracy involved within the Federation.
Only the internal members of the Federation Council would choose among themselves who would become the Federation President.
And with the overwhelming majority of the council seats belonging to the Celestial Void Empire, there was virtually no possibility of anyone else becoming Federation President for a very long time to come.
So, ultimately. Kallus was speaking complete nonsense.
And he was doing so right in front of everyone without even blinking. That was precisely what left Red Empress feeling somewhat helpless.
His skin was simply too thick.
Meanwhile, Kallus remained completely unfazed by the strange looks he was receiving from everyone around the table.
Having knowingly spoken such nonsense, he had naturally prepared himself beforehand and had already "thickened his skin" for exactly this moment.
"Cough... cough..."
Just then, Garrick Dax deliberately coughed, immediately drawing everyone’s attention toward himself and becoming the center of attention.
Under the gazes of everyone present—especially Kallus and Red Empress—Garrick suddenly felt tremendous pressure weighing down upon him.
Even beads of sweat began forming across his forehead. Nevertheless, gritting his teeth, he forced himself to speak. He knew the question lingering in his mind was likely the same one occupying the thoughts of many—if not everyone—present.
The only difference was that no one else wished to be the first to ask it. But Garrick couldn’t wait for someone else to take that first step.
So he had no choice but to do it himself. "Imperial Emperor Kallus. I wanted to ask how exactly will the Federal Army be formed and who will ultimately have control over it?"
"If everything depends solely upon ownership stakes..." Just as he was about to continue, Garrick suddenly paused before adding somewhat hesitantly, "Please don’t mind my bluntness, but wouldn’t that ultimately mean you would possess overwhelming control over the Federal Forces alone ?"
What Garrick didn’t dare say aloud was the rest of his thoughts. You are already the unquestionable giant of this Federation. If the military also falls almost entirely under your control wouldn’t that simply mean you are the true emperor while the rest of us are merely your subordinates?
That was the point Garrick was trying to convey.
He simply chose to phrase it as tactfully as possible so as not to directly offend either Kallus or the many rulers gathered around the table.
"Ohhh", Kallus, hearing this, reacted, though not immediately. He took his time before speaking as his figure towered over the round table. "Are you perhaps worried that if I were to have such a level of control over each and every fleet and legion of the Federation Army, would it make any difference from me being your superior and all of you being subordinate? Is that it, Lord Garrick?"
"Ahhh", Garrick was caught off guard by Kallus’ directness. He never thought he would loop in his words and speak about it so directly. But now that he had, what could Garrick do?
Garrick could only press his lips together and speak bitterly, accepting that it was indeed what he meant. "You are indeed right, Emperor Kallus. That was the point I was trying to convey. It’s just that I don’t dare be as direct as you."
Kallus, hearing this, only chuckled and shook his head. "You don’t have to be like that, Lord Garrick. These things are important matters, and if you have questions, you should definitely ask them and not remain silent about them. After all, I’m not forming this Federation in hopes of simply making you all my subordinates."
Damn....
’What do you mean by ’I’m not forming this Federation in the hope of mainly making all of you my subordinates’?’ Almost everyone around the table had the exact same thought the moment those words left Kallus’ mouth.
’So you really do have that intention somewhere in your mind, huh? ’Quite a few of them couldn’t help but think so.
Most of them, however, treated it more as an amusing slip of the tongue than anything else.
Even so, the expressions around the table changed one after another, ranging from disbelief to amusement, while a few struggled to suppress the corners of their mouths from twitching.
Kallus, however, paid no attention whatsoever to the exaggerated reactions or the constantly changing expressions of those seated around the table. Completely unfazed, he simply continued speaking as though nothing unusual had happened.
"What I want is mutual growth. What I want is to have and make more friends around the galaxy, and at some point beyond, than to have more enemies!! What I want is to build a place where me and my own people are not isolated or cut off from our opportunities just because there are some people who would rather not wish for our rise!!"
’Mutual growth... hmm, that is acceptable. No, that is what we are all about—to join hands for it,’ thought the few tier-one states simply.
And as Kallus kept on speaking and new words left his mouth— Friend...
’Huh...’ A few tier-two states turned to look towards the Azura Imperium and nodded their heads.
Hmm... Emperor Kallus, you have a bit of pure intention. For that, one extra point of favorability towards you, thought the tier-two states.
’Not to be isolated...’ Hearing this, the tier-three states perked up and nodded their heads continuously.
Indeed, even we don’t want isolation, especially at this stage where we need that amount of growth to push past our limits and reach a new level.
Lord Kallus, forgive us. We have mistaken you. Your intentions are definitely pure, they all thought.
Kallus had no idea that the people in front of him were far simpler than he had imagined them to be. Had he possessed an EXP-type system, he would have seen his favorability skyrocket with everyone in this room at this very moment.
And, not knowing this, he continued on regardless. "What I dislike the most is isolation, especially the kind that is forced upon myself or my people by others!! That is my sole purpose here!!"
"So please, Lord Garrick, and everyone here, don’t think too much. Speak your mind."
"As for your question, Lord Garrick... how about this...."
The formation of the Federal Forces itself is debatable. After all, the Federation hasn’t formed yet, nor have you all joined it.
But pausing for a moment, Kallus continued.
"I still have the framework, which would allow you all to lead the Federal Forces yourselves. But let me remind you, this is not something everyone can do on their own, as it would demand immense financial resources."
He stopped speaking and looked at everyone, who were a bit confused about the involvement of financial resources and why not everyone could accomplish such a thing on their own.
Garrick, the person who had raised the question, spoke once again.
"What do you mean by this, Emperor Kallus? Can you be more clear and help us understand this?"
"See, this is my point. Forming a fleet or a legion would require funds, something the Federation won’t have immediately, right?"
Hearing this, everyone nodded and thought that indeed, that was the case.
"But at the origin of the Federation, it would already have plenty of high-level buildings and technological capabilities provided by us, giving it that much of a foundation, right?"
Again, everyone nodded and began to realize where this was going.
"That means the Federation will, at that point, have the technological capabilities to form powerful fleets and legions. What it would need are financial and material resources to build them. And that could be—"
Before Kallus could finish, Garrick unconsciously spoke.
"And that could be provided by any one of us, right? For example, my Tier 3 state, the Titian Clan, could provide both the financial and material resources, and it could gain the right to control these forces?"
"Indeed, just as you said. But let me tell you this, Lord Garrick. That doesn’t mean the fleet is yours, nor does it mean it will be controlled by your people."
