Inside the transport ship, alarms echoed without pause.
The entire bridge flickered with harsh red light, as screens constantly refreshed data on shield depletion, hull integrity, and enemy fire distribution. Each hit from the main cannon sent violent tremors through the vessel, as if it might be torn apart at any moment.
At the center of the bridge, over a dozen massive creatures gathered around the main control platform. They resembled giant snails walking upright. Gray-white spiral shells covered their backs, soft and sturdy bodies supported their frames, and multiple long antennae extended from their heads, each tipped with a flexible eye that was fixed on the battle display.
Every one of them wore an expression of agitation.
On the screen, the transport's final shield layer was as thin as a cicada's wing. The two level-six escorts continued to fight back, but they were firmly suppressed by three level-six enemies. The three light assault ships circled the transport like hyenas, constantly cutting into the shield energy.
At this rate... they would lose all combat capability within minutes.
Finally, one young snail could no longer hold back. It turned toward the center of the bridge. "Captain!" Its voice trembled slightly. "Reinforcements... when will they arrive?"
Everyone's gaze instinctively followed.
Before the central console stood an older snail, its shell covered with cracks of age, its eye stalks thicker than the others, scanning various tactical displays. Hearing the question, it slowly shook its head: "The distress signal was sent long ago."
The bridge fell silent.
"But we've received no response. I suspect our communications have been intercepted." It raised one eye stalk toward a support ship hovering on the periphery, not participating in the attack. "Moreover, they've activated a space-anchoring device. The entire surrounding space is locked. We don't even have the chance to make one final desperate jump."
As its words faded, the bridge lost its last shred of warmth. The snails' bodies drooped, eyes dimming, despair spreading like a tide.
Then, one young snail suddenly lifted its head. "Not necessarily!" Everyone looked at it instinctively. It took a deep breath, trying to calm itself. "If they were absolutely confident, why haven't they launched a full assault? They have the strength to force a breach, yet they keep us under siege without attacking. That means they must have some concern! Otherwise, they wouldn't have dragged this out."
This lit a spark of hope in many eyes.
"Right..." "What are they waiting for?" "Could there really be a turning point?"
Soon, several snails hurried to the captain. "Captain!" "Is there any other way?"
The old captain was silent for a long time, then slowly shook its head. "No."
The bridge fell into dead silence again. No one noticed that for a brief moment, the captain's innermost eye closed slightly, a flicker of struggle deep within its murky gaze, as if hesitating over something.
Just then, the entire battlefield fell silent. All attacks stopped simultaneously. The sudden change startled the snails on the transport, who raised their eyes eagerly toward the screen, trying to understand what had happened.
Outside the transport, a dark-golden figure slowly flew out from the depths of the void. He stood there quietly, and a layer of dark-golden Law-Crystallization Domain spread like a tide. As it touched the domain, everything—the energy torrents from the transport's main cannon, the beams from the three assault ships' volley fire, and even the law-level attacks from the six-level combatants—all came to a halt! All attacks struck an invisible wall and then silently dissipated.
The entire battlefield fell into stunned silence.
Inside the transport's bridge, a young snail stared blankly at the figure until it recognized the familiar dark-golden robe. It let out a distorted cry: "Ap... Apocalypse Apostle!!!"
As it broke the silence, the bridge erupted.
"Apocalypse Apostle!!" "It's the Apocalypse Apostle!" "Heavens!!" "Are we going to die?!"
At the same time, even more terrified screams erupted from the three assault ships. The creatures there, resembling huge lumps of tripe with constantly writhing surfaces, curled up in fear.
"It's the Apocalypse Apostle!" "Disarm immediately!" "Now! Don't show any aggression!" "Shut down the main cannons! No locking on!" "Whoever dares to target him, I'll kill first!"
Within seconds, the weapon systems of the three assault ships were all locked. Their cannons lowered slowly, shield power was actively reduced, and even the fleet formation retreated hundreds of kilometers to show no hostility. In contrast, the transport ship had stopped attacking, but its main cannon remained charged. The two level-six escorts slowly retreated in front of the transport, looking wary.
Jie Ming glanced at the transport, a slight flicker in his eyes, but he said nothing.
A moment later, a huge projection rose above the pirate fleet, showing the image of an old tripe creature in the void. Its voice was hoarse and trembling, but it spoke in extremely standard Wizard Civilization common tongue: "Respected Lord Apocalypse Apostle, we have no intention of being your enemy. This operation is merely for profit. If you wish to save this transport, we are willing to withdraw immediately." It paused, then seemed to steel itself: "However... there is one item on board that we hope you will allow us to take. That item rightfully belongs to us."
Jie Ming raised an eyebrow. "What item?"
The old tripe creature hesitated for a few seconds, then slowly spoke four words: "The Reflection Prism."
A hint of surprise flashed in Jie Ming's eyes. Reflection Prism? He had never heard of it. But from the name alone, it was clearly related to the Reflection Dimension. And anything involving the Reflection Dimension... even within the entire Wizard Civilization, it was among the highest levels of restricted research. Every study required layers of approval, because no one knew whether an experiment might directly open a new dimensional rift.
So the question was: how did a small merchant company, not even recorded in the Noren Workshop database, come across such an item?
Jie Ming looked at the pirate fleet. "Where is the prism?"
The old tripe creature immediately replied, "According to our intelligence, it should be in the second cargo hold of the transport. Lord, we only take the Reflection Prism. We will not touch any other cargo. We are willing to pay sufficient resources as compensation and damages..."
Jie Ming then slowly turned toward the transport. "Do you have anything to say?"
After a moment of silence, an aged voice finally came from the transport, belonging to the old captain: "Lord... I know nothing about any Reflection Prism. All our cargo is legal, with complete manifests. This batch was loaded at the starport three months ago. The consignor is anonymous, but the paperwork is in order and passed all inspections by another Apocalypse Apostle. If there really are contraband hidden in the cargo hold... we were unaware."
"Unaware?" The old tripe creature sneered. "The dimensional radiation of the Reflection Prism requires three layers of Shadow Alloy to shield. And your second cargo hold just happens to have three layers of Shadow Alloy partitions. If that's called 'unaware'... then I'll slit my throat right here!"
At these words, the transport fell completely silent. On the bridge, the snails slowly turned their eyes toward the old captain, their expressions growing complex. The captain opened its mouth, but no words came out.
In the void, Jie Ming also fell silent. However, his silence was because he suddenly realized he might have meddled unnecessarily. He had initially thought this was a trap set for him, but from what he'd heard... the matter seemed far less complicated. This looked more like a conflict between smugglers over interests, not directed at him at all.
Since that was the case... Jie Ming quickly made a decision. The prism had nothing to do with him. Smuggling had nothing to do with him. This place belonged to the Disputed Star Region, not the jurisdiction of the Star Ring Federation. Right or wrong was not within his duty. He was just passing through; continuing on his way was the most sensible choice.
With that thought, Jie Ming slowly nodded and was about to speak.
But then... suddenly, something unexpected happened!