"Uh... this..." Governor Bilan looked at Zhao Chen, momentarily at a loss for how to handle the situation.
Isn't this kid just a Baron?
It was one thing for the North Star Starship Military Academy and the Su Family to back him up before.
But now, not only has that old fellow Governor Chu He shown up, but even the Little Princess's Personal Guard Fleet has appeared?
Could this kid be playing the pig to eat the tiger?
"Ahem... Please inform the Princess's Personal Guard Fleet that Student Zhao Chen is currently at the Dome Restaurant in our Starport. May I ask if any arrangements are needed?" Governor Bilan said.
Soon, a reply came from the other side.
'Let Baron Zhao Chen wait where he is. They will arrive shortly.'
Arrive shortly?
"Shortly" indeed meant very soon, because just as their words fell, a fleet that appeared even more 'golden and dazzling' emerged beside Governor Chu He's fleet.
Leaving aside their actual combat capability for now, the paint scheme of this fleet was simply extravagant.
It featured a dual-color scheme of gold and white, with Bronze Royal Crests emblazoned on the ship hulls.
This was the symbol of the Royal Fleet.
It signified that although no royal family member was physically present, their authority was as if they were!
There were also three hundred starships in total, though their configuration was naturally not as formidable as Governor Chu He's interstellar fleet.
The flagship was a T3 interstellar warship, with one-third being T3 interstellar warships and the rest being T2 interstellar warships.
The T3 flagship slowly maneuvered into a starship berth, while the other ships in the fleet hovered outside the Starport, much like Governor Chu's interstellar fleet.
Throughout this entire process, Governor Chu remained silent, as if he were merely an observer.
Governor Bilan, meanwhile, smiled at Zhao Chen. "Student Zhao Chen, you actually have connections with Her Highness the Princess. Why didn't you mention it earlier?"
I didn't know I had connections with Her Highness the Princess either, Zhao Chen thought to himself, wearing an innocent and bewildered expression.
Due to the Stellar Glory Empire's Emperor's protection of the Little Princess, there were virtually no image-related materials of her available online. Everyone only knew that a person of this status existed—her age, appearance, whether she was plump or slender, beautiful or plain—no one truly knew.
Wait a minute...
Princess?
Zhao Chen suddenly thought of his sister.
He had long heard that his sister served in the Princess's Personal Guard Fleet, was highly valued, and might even hold a Captain's position.
But even if she were a Captain or something similar, could she really influence the Princess?
After all, in a Corps-level Royal Fleet, there were three thousand Captains alone.
Could it be that his sister's actual status within the Princess's Personal Guard Fleet far exceeded their imagination?
Zhao Chen couldn't be sure about this, as it had been many years since he last sat down for a detailed conversation with his sister. The last time they met in person seemed to be three years ago, and that was only for a few short hours.
She came in a hurry and left in a hurry.
Now, facing Governor Bilan's teasing, Zhao Chen could only smile without speaking, because he himself wasn't certain about the purpose of the Princess's Personal Guard Fleet's visit or why they were looking for him.
Just as these few individuals were speculating about the purpose of the Princess's Personal Guard Fleet's visit and the reason for seeking out Zhao Chen, the Starport was practically abuzz.
After all, many people witnessed the appearance of the Royal Fleet outside the Starport. Word spread quickly from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and soon, many were aware of it.
Some curious individuals even made their way to the corridor outside the berth where the T3 Royal Starship was docked, gazing at the starship that had just finished mooring. A crowd gathered to watch, including faculty and students from the two academies.
Soon, the hatch gangway of the starship lowered, and a squad of young female soldiers dressed in white-gold military uniforms descended. Each was tall and slender, with delicate features—undeniably beauties chosen from among thousands.
At the center of this formation stood a female officer, holding a crystal emblem engraved with the insignia of the Stellar Glory Empire's royal family. She advanced under the escort of her squad.
"My heavens! That's a Bestowment Crystal!" exclaimed a teacher among the faculty and students of the two academies.
"A Bestowment Crystal? The legendary crystal used by His Majesty himself to bestow nobility titles!" The surrounding students were utterly astonished.
They also gazed enviously at the crystal emblem.
Generally, imperial bestowals came in two forms: one was direct material rewards, such as money or treasures.
The other was the bestowal of nobility titles.
And there were two ways to bestow a nobility title. One was accumulating enough merit, or perhaps having the right connections.
Then, the imperial department responsible for personnel appointments would present a promotion list to His Majesty.
Once His Majesty approved and signed it, those on the list would receive their promotions.
For example, a Baron might be promoted to Viscount, or a Viscount to Count.
This was the more conventional method of nobility promotion.
The other method involved the 'Bestowment Crystal.' When someone rendered exceptional service, His Majesty would personally draft a bestowal and dispatch a dedicated Imperial Fleet to deliver this 'Bestowment Crystal' into the hands of the recipient.
The significance of this far surpassed the conventional promotion method.
It often indicated that the recipient was highly regarded by His Majesty, meaning their name had left an impression on him. Most such individuals would enjoy smooth sailing in their future careers.
And having the Royal Fleet deliver the 'Bestowment Crystal' was the highest form of such an honor!
"Wait, all female soldiers… dressed in white-gold uniforms… This is the Little Princess's Personal Guard Fleet!" another teacher exclaimed in shock.
The news instantly stunned everyone nearby.
Having the Royal Fleet deliver the 'Bestowment Crystal' was already astonishing enough.
But now it was the Little Princess's Personal Guard Fleet?
Who could possibly deserve such treatment?
The squad of female soldiers exited the starship berth and headed straight for the Dome Restaurant. Along the way, many onlookers gathered, but everyone respectfully made way for them.
After watching the squad board the elevator to the Dome Restaurant, the faculty and students of the two academies were struck by a startling thought.
Heading to the Dome Restaurant at this moment?
There could only be one person receiving the bestowal.
Almost everyone among the faculty and students of the two academies had the same name flash through their minds.
Could it really be him?
The elevator arrived at the Dome Restaurant in an instant. All the guests inside had already prepared themselves, having earlier witnessed the arrival of the Royal Fleet.
Meanwhile, the Sky Dome over the central booth had been lowered early.
Zhao Chen and his companions stepped into the most prominent position.
The female officer holding the 'Bestowment Crystal' fixed her gaze on Zhao Chen and walked directly toward him.
"It's actually a 'Bestowment Crystal'!" The brothers Feng Dawei and Feng Xiao Wei among the crowd nearby revealed expressions of envy and jealousy. Even Feng Dawei, who had always been one to keep his emotions hidden, looked somewhat enviously at that young man.
"Baron Zhao Chen of the Fierce Dragon Star System, please step forward to receive your bestowment." The female officer's clear voice echoed throughout the Dome Restaurant.
Zhao Chen took a step forward and, following the etiquette he had learned from the books at the Academy, knelt down on one knee.