Everyone silently looked up at their archon, Wang Zeren, with a look of shock and expectation on their faces.

He went on to preach:

"In order to guarantee the survival and power of every citizen of New Rome, I, the First Senator of the Senate and the Consul of the Roman People, will nominate a military commander of extraordinary talent, high status, meritorious service, and perfect glory who has the road to perfect glory, and who is trusted by the people to be the Dictator of the Senate and the Roman People's Salvation and War! I ask the Senate to convene a special session and make a 'final resolution' to appoint the Senate and the fourth dictator of the Roman people, to concentrate all power and lead us out of calamity and to eliminate the ...... of war"

"Phew!"

An old* sound.

"Ahh

The crowd screamed again and scattered in a panic.

Wang Zeren, wearing a white tunic and a burly body with a sword and oak leaf gold Caesar medal and a large gold double-headed eagle emblem, fell to the ground in response.

Smoke bubbled from his piercing brow.

Hearing the gunshots, Diego Gato in the lounge was stunned for a moment, then put away his portable computer and strode towards the press room.

The bodyguards behind Wang Zeren quickly surrounded him and gave him first aid.

The media and the crowd in the hall were already in disarray.

The accompanying officials also dispersed, either lying on the ground or fleeing to the rest room at the back.

When Diego Gato arrived at Wang's side, another gunshot rang out in the chaotic hall – the killer killed himself.

The panic and disorder scene was quickly controlled by the Senate guards who came from the periphery, but Wang Zeren had already died on the spot.

The Senate and the consul of the Roman people, Wang Zeren, who had a prominent status and power, was assassinated in this way.

In public, an unidentified man used an antique Chinese-made 1963 rifle to fire a special smart bullet, which penetrated the back of Wang Zeren's forehead bone, and then blew the brain inside the skull to pieces.

He is not the first consul of the New Roman Empire to die in assassination, but he is the second commander-level figure in the entire Yingxian Spiral Arm Interstellar Human World in the past hundred years, after the five-star General Su Yu of the Yingxian Interstellar Bundeswehr.

It was a violent terrorist attack that openly challenged the law and order of the Senate and the Roman people, and it also caused a bad news that could not be concealed.

In fact, it was not deliberately covered up.

All the mainstream media on the planet "New Byzantium" received news of the assassination of the Imperial Archon before the news of the assassination came out of the "New Quanzhou" spaceport. As for the so-called "self-media", rumors of the "classical assassination" of the consul Wang Zeren have long been flying in the sky.

The scene of the assassination was quickly brought under control, and the entire planet of "Neo-Byzantium" was put under martial law.

Günter Hermann Fischl, chief staff member of the Imperial Privy Council, constitutionally became the provisional proxy of the consul and exercised the powers of consul, and ordered the capital planet to be placed under martial law: all assemblies and processions without the approval of the Privy Council were to be held, all persons not authorized by the Senate and the Privy Council were not allowed to carry weapons into the streets, all government offices and state-owned units were raised to the highest level of security, and the Senate guard and police were ordered to be on standby.

Decisive measures were taken to contain the negative effects of the assassination in an effective and timely manner.

There was no immediate social upheaval on the capital planet of the New Roman Empire, and Wang Zeren's semi-secret retreat plan was not significantly affected.

When Jiang Ziyue led the border fleet back to orbit near the planet "New Byzantium", the news of the assassination of the consul Wang Zeren had been confirmed.

The Senate of the New Roman Empire, which regarded itself as the rightful ruler of the human world, the remaining eight senators – Glynjed Roki, Fernández Asturia, Li Zhongkun, Liu Mingqin, Smelterin von Damstein, Ajelina Kristoflovna Ulyannova, Baldel Blackett, Ibrahim Ben Abdulaziz, and stereoscopic images of Günther Hermann Fischer, the temporary deputy of the consuls, appeared on the bridge of the cruiser Siegfried.

"Colonel Jiang Ziyue, you must find and arrest Diego Gato immediately." Fischl gave the order with a serious expression.

But Jiang Ziyue did not receive the order immediately, but responded in a skeptical tone: "I rushed back after receiving the information that the consul was going to be assassinated by Diego Gatoxuanda, and I heard that he has been following His Excellency the consul all along. ”

"The Senate and the Privy Council do not yet have direct evidence of his involvement in the assassination." "But the Bureau for the Protection of the Constitution and the Harmony Committee found that he was the one who had revealed the assassination of the consul to the media before the assassination, and even the press release and obituary had been sent out in advance." Moreover, shortly after the assassination, he disappeared. ”

"So, Diego Gato knew about the assassination plot?" Jiang Ziyue asked rhetorically, "I really didn't expect ......."

"Colonel Jiang Ziyue." Greenjade Roki sharply interrupted Jiang Ziyue's words, "We are not asking you to judge Diego Gato for his crimes, but we want you to obey the orders of the Senate and the Privy Council, and fully assist in the search for Diego Gato. ”

"Colonel Jiang." At this time, Ajlina Christoplovna Ulyanova also said, "When the incident happens suddenly, the relevant suspicious persons should be quickly controlled in order to find out the truth and the forces behind it." Your fleet is currently the only armed force capable of carrying out a full-scale manhunt around 'New Byzantium', and I hope you will fulfill your oath of enlistment and be loyal to the Senate and the Roman people. ”

After a little thought, Jiang Ziyue responded loudly: "Yes, the princes of the Senate." Jiang Ziyue resolutely carried out the order! ”

"Very good, Jiang Ziyue." After Wang Zeren's death, Greened Roki, who was naturally promoted to the first patriarch, said happily, "We must find Diego Gato as soon as possible." ”

"Humble duty must not fail in the mission." Jiang Ziyue replied confidently, and then raised his hand to salute Rome, shouting, "VENI VIDI VICI!" ”

This concludes the meeting communications.

"It's ridiculous."

A tone full of disdain and mockery came from behind Li Zhongkun.

Li Jingxian, who had been sitting behind his father and watching the whole round of the Senate's communication meeting to convey orders, said unceremoniously: "Now that the entire 'New Byzantium' planet has been ordered to be destroyed, you don't want to find a way to step up disaster relief, but you make a big fuss and convey the order to a small colonel commander, and actually ask all the senators to go out together. It's a waste of time and IQ. ”

Father, patriarch Li Zhongkun, turned around, glanced at him, and said coldly: "You can only talk about it." ”

"My mouth cannon is more accurate than anyone else." Li Jingxian kept a smile and said, "I told you to transfer the 'Caesar' and 'Charlemagne' fleets back to the capital just in case, but you just didn't listen, now it's better to let this Jiang Ziyue, promoted by Wang Zeren, lead the fleet to 'surround' us." Also, I told you to make a final decision to appoint a dictator to preside over the matter as soon as possible, and so far you have done nothing, waiting for the disaster to expand and the enemy army to invade. Return to the Senate, and soon it will become the House of the Dead. ”

"...... you" Li Zhongkun was enraged and scolded, "It's not your unfilial son who poked out the basket?!" Advocate without authorization, to go to the alliance with Fischer, and attract the One True God Cult and the Dragon Slayer Society to assassinate Wang Zeren. ”

"Nope." Li Jingxian immediately denied it, "After the assassination, I immediately contacted Fischer, and he confirmed that it was not his people who did it. And in the original assassination plan, the time, place, and method did not match. ”

"So, Diego Gato is really the mastermind." Li Zhongkun said in surprise.

"That's right. In this way, it seems that in addition to the One True God and the Dragon Slayer Society, as well as us, Diego Gato is likely to be another hidden force. But I don't think he is loyal to the enemy country, with the layout ability of launching the assassination this time and the arrogant method of openly using the 'classical assassination', if it is really a latent force on the federal side, it is completely possible to kill a few more elders at the same time, together with that genius Jiang Ziyue, there is no need to target Wang Zeren alone. Li Jingxian calmly analyzed.

"Whatever Diego Gato stands for and what his purpose is, we have to react quickly and decisively. Do you have any ideas? Li Zhongkun asked eagerly about his son's changing attitude.

"Yes!" Li Jing blurted out first, and then stood up.

Only then did his father, Li Zhongkun, notice that his son had returned to his original black general's dress, and his chest was full of all the medals and medals he had received in his life.

Li Jingxian said solemnly: "You must immediately make a final decision to appoint me as the new dictator. Then we can use the power of the 'dictator' and our strength to seize the initiative. ”

"But you ......," Li Zhongkun looked excited and worried.

He swallowed back the words that he was about to say. Being once captured is nothing to an ordinary soldier, but for the members of the senatorial family of the new Roman Empire, it is a shame that can never be washed away.

When Li Jingxian became a prisoner on the planet "Atlantis", it meant that his path to glory was buried.

Li Jingxian could see the contradiction of the old father, and said confidently: "Don't worry, I am not arrogant enough to be empty-eyed. You can't pass a final resolution because of my experience of being captured, but you can use this to arrange for me and Fischer to take command of the 'Exodus of the Golden Record' project, so that the implementation of our will and policy will be more secure and smooth. ”

Li Zhongkun immediately nodded, agreeing with his son's idea, and said, "I didn't expect this. Fischer should not be left alone. ”

But at this moment, the public propaganda video system was automatically turned on, indicating that the propaganda department had forced an emergency broadcast for the entire public.

The person who appeared on the screen surprised everyone - Wang Zeren's holographic image - before his death.

The text below the video indicates that these were Wang's pre-recorded political last words.

"Citizens of the new Rome, I, the consul of the Senate and the Romans, Wang Zeren."

The former consuls* issued a manifesto:

"On the basis of the authority and duty you have given me, I now solemnly tell you: I have been informed that an assassination will be carried out against me, but I will still show up where I ought to be, at my own risk, and will be loyal to you and sacrifice for you."

"Since May of this year, the planet 'New Byzantium', on which we live, has been affected by the imbalance of the star 'Himalaya' and even the entire three-star system, and is about to be destroyed. Enemies abroad, too, took advantage of the opportunity to stir up trouble and launched an all-out assault on the Senate and the Roman people. At this time, the Senate and the Roman people were in internal and external difficulties, and they had reached a critical point of life and death. ”

"To this end, the Senate formulated a well-thought-out retreat plan, 'Out of Ruijin'. I, on the other hand, pre-recorded this political testament in case the conspirators took advantage of the crisis to shake the rule of law and order in the Senate and the Roman people. Now, I declare that, in view of the grave threat of disaster and war, I, the First Senator, Wang Zeren, have nominated Jiang Ziyue, the military commander of the Senate and the Roman people, as dictatorship. I ask the Senate to make a swift final decision to appoint Jiang Ziyue, an outstanding war hero like no other in the world, as the dictator who will preside over all power between the Senate and the Roman people in times of crisis. ”

"In accordance with the Constitution, this pre-recorded political testament of mine shall be published to all citizens of New Rome within twenty-four hours of my unnatural death as consul, and shall take effect immediately. So, citizens of New Rome, I ask you to oversee the Senate making the final decision. ”

"VOWED ALLEGIANCE TO THE SENATE AND THE PEOPLE OF ROME, VENI VIDI VICI!"

The three-dimensional image of Wang Zeren, who raised his hand in salute, slowly disappeared, and was replaced by the flag of the Imperial Senate with a golden double-headed eagle on a red background, accompanied by the tragic and majestic march of "The Holy People's Dictator".

This was a forced automatic broadcast by the public propaganda system, which meant that all institutions and units of the entire planet "Neo-Byzantium" and its surrounding space watched the proclamation of this political testament. And a large number of unmanned notification ships were also sent to various parts of the empire.

"Sir......

In the tactical center of the cruiser "Siegfried", which had already flown close to the planet "New Byzantium", his subordinates looked at Jiang Ziyue standing in front of the stereoscopic imaging system in surprise.

"Guys, our 'Siegfried' has been promoted to the seat of the dictator!" On the bridge, First Mate Lieutenant Alfrecke Benjamin exclaimed excitedly.

"Just a nomination." The captain of the ship, Captain Rudiger Natzmer, calmly reminded.

"But in the current situation, there is no reason why the Senate should not pass a final resolution." Tang Xingyun said, his face was also full of excitement.

"I feel extremely honored to be able to fight in the future Senate under the personal command of the Roman dictator." Sergeant Jerry Morris, a damage control sergeant, shouted as well.

"That's a reason for your sister next door, who is five years older than you, to refuse." Sergeant Abiji Kumanfur immediately made a suggestion to him.

"It's a pity that I can't be the 'knife and axeman' who guards the dictator, otherwise it would be even more perfect." Fire Control Sergeant Ralph Turk was overjoyed and slightly regretful.

"But we are now guarding Chief Jiang Ziyue, and we also have a great responsibility and a glorious mission!" Second Lieutenant Xu Kuishan, the navigator said.

After a while, the cruiser tactical command center issued an order from the commander of the fleet, Colonel Jiang Ziyue: "Change course and rendezvous with the cruiser 'Griffin'." ”

The flagship of the commander of the Central Fleet, Admiral Blake Karios, and the chief of staff, Vice Admiral Fernández de Zurbarán, the large cruiser "Griffin", named after the griffon of Greek mythology, was quietly orbiting in an apogee orbit of the planet "New Byzantium", escorted by more than a dozen cruisers.

This former flagship of the Frontier Fleet is now the nominal flagship of the Central Fleet, but it completely lacks its momentum and style as the flagship of the once powerful Central Fleet, and it also shows its embarrassing position as a commander.

Through the porthole, Diego Gatto saw the cruiser Siegfried approaching. The wedge-shaped, dark gray hull reflects the cold light. Perhaps it's because its feats are so huge that almost everyone will be shocked when they see its Sieg-Fly dragon slaying insignia.

"He's finally here." Otto Bateman, who was floating behind Diego Gatto, whispered and asked worriedly, "Are you sure you can convince him to act according to your plan?" After all, he is a genius, and he must not be easy to control. Moreover, the Senate has issued a top arrest warrant for you, and Colonel Jiang Ziyue has also received an arrest order from the Senate himself, aren't you worried that he will throw himself into the conservative senators at this time? ”

Diego Gato didn't look back, still staring at the "Siegfried" that was docking outside the window, and said confidently: "You chose to give up His Excellency Wang Zeren and form an alliance with me, because you believed in my vision and ability. Now is the time to witness my vision and ability. ”

With that, the ugly-looking man made a graceful turn in the air, grabbed the glide lever, and flew towards the command room of the tactical command center.

The slightly older Otto Bateman followed.

When Diego Gato and Otto Bateman arrived at Admiral Blake Carrios' headquarters, Jiang Ziyue had already arrived.

The Commander of the Frontier Fleet was taken aback when he met the wanted Imperial Proclamator and the intimate personal assistant of the Imperial Consul.

Before he could speak, Diego Gato preemptively said, "Don't be surprised, Colonel, no, we should call you 'Your Excellency.'" ”

"I just want to know, what the hell are you doing when you call me here?" Jiang Ziyue asked puzzled, quite dissatisfied.

For Jiang Ziyue, who is tasked with escorting the "Deruijin Ji" action plan, the assassination of the consul and the nomination of himself as dictator not only surprised him, but also disrupted his strategic deployment, forcing him to spend more energy and take greater risks to deal with the increasingly chaotic internal and external situation.

"You're in control." Diego Gato replied calmly.

At this time, Blake Karios followed up to explain: "Colonel Jiang Ziyue, Your Excellency Archon Wang Zeren, had long expected that the conservative senators would launch a terrorist attack on him, so as to prevent him from taking advantage of this planetary crisis to become a dictator and then attack them. So, he made a pre-deployment and nominated you as dictator in the form of a political will. ”

"He specially recorded a speech for you." "It will be played to you in the presence of Generals Karios and de Zumaran, Monsieur Gato and me." ”

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Zeren's hologram appeared among the five people.