"For these two fleets, human civilization itself takes precedence over the existence of the Federation system, and they will preserve their strength to the utmost extent to prevent a scenario where there is no force to suppress the revival of a Black Sun."

"Let's not talk about these things that have passed. Are there any new reports from the Central Star Domain? I've heard that the struggle between the Central Faction and the Local Faction in the council is quite intense right now."

"Yes, because under the new rules, representatives are appointed based on the population and overall strength of each Star Domain. This has allowed governments of local Star Domains, which had less voice in the past, to gain many seats. As a result, for the past few months, it has been all about denouncing and settling scores for the Central Council's past exploitation and suppression of local Star Domains."

"It seems that, currently, the Local Factions have formed a loose Alliance to counter the authority of the Central Star Domain and reclaim some of their former powers."

"From a personal emotional standpoint, of course, I support it. After all, there were too many unfair rules and policies in the past, with resources always favoring the Central Star Domain. But I've also studied politics and history, and I feel that if it continues like this, the Federation will inevitably fragment. At that time, who knows how many people will miss the 'good old times'. He laughed self-deprecatingly.

"The public has their genuine desires and needs, but they are also easily swayed and incited. Most just focus on getting by today, without wanting to listen or think about the consequences for the future, or what price might be paid."

"You're holding ordinary people to the standards of a Saint; of course, you will be disappointed."

"I can't think of a good solution. Although the Federation is relatively peaceful at the moment, in my view, many cracks are slowly accumulating beneath this facade of peace."

"After reclaiming power from the Central Star Domain, will these local Star Domain governments really cooperate amicably, understand each other, and advance and retreat together?"

"It's not that I'm inherently pessimistic, but I know that the vast majority of people are selfish and pursuit-driven. Without a stable and strong order, humans can easily fall into behaving like animals, persecuting and tearing each other apart."

"Everyone hates tyrants, yet some occasionally miss those powerful and dictatorial tyrants."

"Because with such tyrants, at least everyone suffered equally, and there was order, unlike now, being bullied and oppressed unilaterally."

"I miss the days when Miss Hexia was around. Though Miss Hexia always seemed a bit young, in recent years, her demeanor has become increasingly stable and serene. With her presence, no matter what one does, there was a sense of security and no need to worry about anything."

"Why, feeling a bit anxious now?" One council member chuckled.

"That's right, I'm okay, but recently when talking with a few subordinates, they all felt similarly."

"You know, people don't actually hate working hard and striving. What they hate is when efforts yield no reward, or when the fruits of their hard work are taken by others, causing indecision and hesitation."

"With Miss Hexia around, no one in the company dared to report falsely or claim undeserved credit; everyone just needed to diligently complete their assigned tasks."

"But now, you may say you've done a lot with significant contributions, but who will fairly judge and recognize this? Then, for funds, each department constantly exaggerates the importance and needs of their projects. Even if you don't want to compete, your subordinates will urge you to do so because they will also benefit once the funds are allocated."

"Everyone wants to gain an advantage, and no one wants to be the sacrificial lamb, so they strive as hard as possible to secure their interests. In such cases, if a supervisor can't distinguish the real demands and the specific importance of each project, they can easily be misled by surface appearances and make erroneous decisions."

"If it's like this within a company, the nation will be even more so. Local Star Domain governments will definitely act in their self-interest. Will they empathize with the difficulties of neighboring Star Domains or other regions of the Federation? They won't. You are elected by local people to benefit the local Star Domain, with no obligation or need to care about the gains and losses of other Star Domains."

"Gradual expansion of the estrangement eventually leads to the independence of each Star Domain and the fragmentation of the nation."

"You seem a bit overly pessimistic and extreme," another council member spoke.

"Those who can become Starfield Governors and high-ranking officials are not so short-sighted. They are aware of the benefits of unity and cooperation, and at least some form of loose Alliance will still exist."

"But as you said, the situation is indeed gradually deteriorating, just that it has not yet become apparent."

"Sigh..."

As a large corporation, it actually does not wish for the Federation to split, because this would mean various wars and chaos, tearing their industries into fragments, unable to maintain their previous scale.

"Hope Miss Hexia can return soon." At the end of the meeting, everyone prayed.

...

When the Rose Federation was in a stage of superficial stability but experiencing internal turbulent undercurrents, on an unknown planet within the Milky Way, the young woman whom everyone fondly remembered was sitting in a swaying carriage, resting against a pile of hay in a nap.

Her long black hair, like satin, scattered over the pale yellow straw, complementing her black dress, presented an enchanting beauty hard to match for ordinary people.

Her slender legs were wrapped in thick long socks, providing warmth and preventing straw from pricking her while sitting amid the hay. Whenever the carriage rolled over small stones and weeds on the road, causing minor bumps, the girl's arched legs would sway slightly, but this didn't wake Hexia from her peaceful slumber; she had become accustomed to such uneven road conditions.