Deposed Crown Prince: After three years of service on the frontier, the entire court knelt and begge

That's why he was sent to find Xiao Ce.

Firstly, to protect Xiao Ce, and secondly, to get Xiao Ce to come over.

Xiao Ce nodded, then asked Xiao Dingshan, "Uncle, what is the organizational structure here?"

After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Dingshan asked in confusion, "Organizational structure?"

Xiao Ce then gave Xiao Dingshan a simple explanation of what organizational structure is.

After hearing Xiao Ce's explanation, Xiao Dingshan's gaze drifted to the simulated cloud formations outside the window, as if he were sorting through the complex yet vague information.

"This matter is complicated, and what I know is only the tip of the iceberg, but it's just a general outline."

Xiao Ce said to Xiao Dingshan, "That's all you need to tell me..."

He withdrew his gaze, his tone becoming more serious than before, and earnestly explained to Xiao Ce: "The base is officially known as the 'Creation Organization' to the outside world, but internally it is actually a pyramid-shaped structure, with one layer inside another, becoming more mysterious the closer you get to the core."

Seeing this, Xiao Ce listened attentively.

He knew that what Xiao Dingshan was about to say would likely resolve half of his doubts.

"At the very top, and the only one that can make the final decision, is called the 'Creation Council'."

Xiao Dingshan deliberately lowered his voice, as if afraid of being overheard by someone!

"No one knows exactly how many people are in the council, and no one has ever seen their faces—at least I haven't, and neither have mid-level members like Nova. Every time the council issues an order, it either sends a text message through an encrypted channel or uses a holographic projection, but what is projected is always a blurry image, and even the sound is processed electronic, so you can't tell if it's a man, woman, or child."

"You haven't even seen it before?"

Xiao Ce raised an eyebrow; this was beyond his expectations.

Siaw Ting Shan, despite being a member of the Phnom Penh management team, never even showed his face at the decision-making level.

“That’s normal.” Xiao Dingshan gave a wry smile. “The council is divided into four core departments. Let me break it down for you, and you’ll understand how distinct the hierarchy is.”

He held up four fingers and dropped them one by one: "The first one is the 'Star Core Research Institute,' which is all about research. All those powerful weapons, submarines, and the thermostatic protective suit you're wearing were made by them."

The researchers at the institute wore blue-trimmed uniforms, their eyes fixed solely on data and experiments. Aside from reporting findings, they rarely interacted with other departments. Their head was supposedly named 'Evelyn,' an android who had lived for countless years, obsessed with energy technology and star chart research. I only stumbled upon this information in old files at the Foreign Affairs Bureau; its veracity is questionable.

"Secondly, the Iron Guard Security Department, Nova works in this department."

When Xiao Dingshan mentioned this, his tone became more serious!

"The security department has two layers, an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer consists of guards from the North Star Port, crew members from patrol boats, and the exoskeleton soldiers we saw when we first came in. The inner layer is even more formidable, called the 'Dark Guards,' who are specifically responsible for the defense of the core area and counter-espionage. It is said that each of them can take on a hundred men, and their weapons are several levels higher than those of the outer layer."

I've never seen the true faces of the Secret Guards; I've only heard that their uniforms are pure black, and even their masks are opaque. The head of the security department is a guy named 'Raymond,' rumored to have a fiery temper and execute council orders to the extreme. If anyone dares to break the base's rules, he doesn't care whether you're on the gold or blue side.

Xiao Ce recalled Novana's cold attitude and formed a vague impression of this "Raymond".

He's probably an even more ruthless character than Nova.

However, the terms "Iron Guard" and "Secret Guard" sounded somewhat familiar to Xiao Ce.

I don't know if it's a translation issue or a problem with Xiao Dingshan's wording.

However, Xiao Ce did not pursue these minor questions.

“The third one is the ‘Dome Logistics Department,’ which is in charge of food, drink, toilet facilities, and the operation of the base,” Xiao Dingshan continued.

"Our accommodations in the Sky Dome, the synthetic food we eat, the ecological maintenance of the Dome Garden, and the daily inspections of the energy core—all of these fall under the purview of the Logistics Department. The people in the Logistics Department wear yellow-trimmed uniforms; they're the most pragmatic and down-to-earth, unlike the aloofness of the Research Institute or the tension of the Security Department. Their leader is an old android, everyone calls him 'Old Zhou,' supposedly from before the Dragon Kingdom era, but I'm not entirely sure..."

“The last one is the Foreign Affairs Coordination Bureau, to which I belong.” Xiao Dingshan said, a hint of complexity in his eyes.

"The Foreign Affairs Bureau has the fewest staff and is mainly responsible for dealing with the outside world! For example, collecting intelligence from outside and sending people out to recruit suitable androids. My position as an external affairs consultant is actually a peripheral staff member of the Foreign Affairs Bureau. I am not a formal employee, but I have access to some information from outside. The head of the Foreign Affairs Bureau is called Heinz. He is a android with a Western appearance. He speaks politely and is very good at understanding people's hearts. It was he who suggested to the parliament that we invite you here."

After listening, Xiao Ce drew a structural diagram in his mind: the Creation Council was at the top, with four departments running parallel below, each department further divided into inner and outer layers, and Xiao Dingshan was just an external advisor to the Foreign Affairs Bureau, no wonder he knew nothing about the core layer.

"So, among these four departments, who is in charge of whom?" Xiao Ce pressed. "For example, if the research institute needs energy support from the logistics department to conduct experiments, who will coordinate that?"

“Parliament,” Xiao Dingshan answered without hesitation.

"The four departments appear to be parallel, but they are not subordinate to each other. Only the parliament can mobilize them. For example, if the research institute needs energy, it has to submit an application to the parliament. Only after the parliament approves it will the logistics department provide the quota. If the security department wants to send more personnel, it also needs the parliament's approval. Sometimes there are conflicts between departments. For example, the research institute feels that the logistics department is not providing enough energy, while the logistics department feels that the research institute is wasting it. In the end, the parliament has to make the final decision."

Xiao Ce frowned: "So inefficient?"

“It’s not inefficiency, it’s fear of causing trouble.” Xiao Dingshan shook his head. “The council seems particularly afraid of a certain department having too much power, so it deliberately splits up the power. Take the energy core for example. The logistics department is responsible for daily maintenance, but only the council knows the core’s activation code; the research institute can study energy technology, but cannot touch the core’s hardware; the security department can guard the core area, but cannot enter the core control room. With three layers of security, no one can control the energy alone.”

Xiao Ce's heart skipped a beat. This model resembled an ancient system of checks and balances, only applied to a technology base. But why was the council so wary of its own people? Had something gone wrong at the base?

However, it doesn't really matter, there are only so many people here, and nothing particularly urgent, so there's no question of efficiency or inefficiency...

Just as he was about to ask further, the "Ice Ring" terminal in his pocket suddenly vibrated, the screen lit up, and a message popped up: [Summoned by the Creation Council: Xiao Ce, proceed immediately to the core council hall, accompanied by Xiao Dingshan. Foreign Affairs Coordination Bureau, Heinz]

Xiao Ce glanced to the side and noticed that Xiao Dingshan had also seen the message, so he looked at Xiao Dingshan.

Upon seeing the message, Xiao Dingshan's expression instantly changed. "I thought it would just be Heinz coming to see you alone. I didn't expect the council members to come to see you in person, and I didn't expect the council to see you so quickly? I thought I would have to wait at least a day or two to let you adjust."

"Is there something urgent?" Xiao Ce asked suspiciously. He could sense that this summons was probably not just for a simple "chat".

Xiao Dingshan stood up, straightened the collar of his Phnom Penh uniform, and said in a serious tone, "It's hard to say. The council might not even summon outsiders once a year. The last time was three years ago, and it was for an internal staff member. That person went in and never came out again. I heard later that he was recruited into the core staff."

"I originally thought that Heinz would come to see you first... and after the discussion was nearly complete, you would then advance... and be seen by their council..."

He paused, looking at Xiao Ce: "However, don't be afraid. The council is looking for you because they need something from you; they won't do anything to you. But remember, once you're in the council chamber, don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't say what you shouldn't say, especially about the Tianyin Star Chart and the energy cannon. Unless they bring it up first, just pretend you don't know anything..."

Xiao Ce nodded, as if Xiao Dingshan was giving him instructions.

In reality, it seemed to be an instruction to himself...

Xiao Ce smiled and said to Xiao Dingshan, "Uncle, you should be saying this to yourself. You seem a bit more nervous than I am."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Dingshan gave an awkward smile.

Xiao Ce said this, but he wasn't so relaxed inside. He had a feeling that this summons might reveal the base's most core secrets, or it might drag him into an even deeper vortex.

The two left the room, and Xiao Dingshan used his terminal to call a hovercraft. The hovercraft was silver-white, smaller than the previous vertical shuttle, and could only seat two people. As the door slid open, a faint smell of disinfectant wafted out.

“The core council hall is at the bottom level of Ark City, even deeper than the energy core area.” Xiao Dingshan said as he pressed the “bottom level” button. “We have to take a railcar to the vertical passage first, and then transfer to a special shuttle to go down. I’ve only been to that place once, last year when I accompanied Heinz to deliver a foreign affairs report. I only stood at the entrance of the hall for a while and didn’t go in.”

The railcar started smoothly and headed towards the center of Ark City along the aerial track. The scenery outside the window gradually changed, from the vibrant Sky Garden to the research institute's laboratory, which shimmered with blue-purple light, and then to the heavily guarded checkpoint of the security department. At each checkpoint, the railcar would stop to undergo an energy scan, and the "Ice Ring" terminal that Nova had given it would light up with a blue light each time, as if verifying its identity.

"Look down," Xiao Dingshan suddenly said, pointing out the window!

"That's the entrance to the energy core area."

Xiao Ce looked down.

Below was a huge circular plaza, with an energy barrier tens of meters in diameter in the center. Behind the barrier, a black spherical building could be vaguely seen, its surface flowing with golden patterns, as if it were slowly writhing with life.

The square was surrounded by bodyguards in black uniforms, holding weapons he had never seen before, pointing them in all directions. Judging from their tight security, it was probably impossible for even a fly to get in.

"Is that the base's energy core?" Xiao Ce asked.

"Well, it's said to be made from some kind of 'stellar core fragment,' capable of providing energy for the entire Ark City. However, it's all just rumors; nobody really knows..." Xiao Dingshan's voice was very low.

"The research institute has been studying how to expand energy output, but the parliament has not agreed, and nobody knows why."

Xiao Dingshan, though saying he wasn't quite sure, actually knew perfectly well...

The railcar quickly passed through the energy core area and arrived at a narrow vertical passage.

Two guards stood at the entrance to the passage. They were dressed in pure black uniforms, and their masks were completely covered, revealing only a pair of eyes that flashed red light.

"Xiao Dingshan, advisor to the Bureau of Foreign Affairs Coordination; Xiao Ce, visitor summoned by the Parliament."

Xiao Dingshan took out his terminal and waved it at the guards.

The guard didn't speak, but simply scanned the two of them with the scanner in his hand. The scanner emitted a soft "beep" sound, and the passage door slowly slid open.

Behind the door was a smaller shuttle than before, with a black body and the emblem of the council engraved on it.

The two people got in, and the shuttle immediately started moving, beginning its rapid descent.

This time, the walls of the shuttle did not become transparent; only the dull mechanical sounds of operation could be heard from outside, as if it were passing through a thick layer of ice.

After an unknown amount of time, the shuttle finally came to a stop.

The car door slid open, and a rush of air, colder than that of Polaris Harbor, filled the air, carrying the scent of ancient rocks.

Outside the door was a long corridor. The walls on both sides of the corridor were not made of alloy, but of bare rock, with blue energy light strips embedded in the rock, illuminating the path ahead.

At the end of the corridor was a huge alloy door with some extremely intricate patterns on it.

“That’s the door to the council chamber.” Xiao Dingshan’s voice trembled slightly.

Seeing Xiao Dingshan's somewhat nervous expression, Xiao Ce smiled and then said, "Haven't you been here before?"

Xiao Dingshan nodded very firmly: "This is my first time here too."

Xiao Ce took a deep breath, stepped out of the shuttle, and said to Xiao Dingshan, "Uncle, we're already here... they shouldn't let me die..."

He could feel an invisible pressure in the air of the corridor, making his heart beat faster involuntarily.

Just then, the star map pattern on the alloy door suddenly lit up, a soft blue light swept over Xiao Ce and Xiao Dingshan, and a cold electronic voice sounded: "Identity verification passed: Xiao Dingshan (Foreign Affairs Coordination Bureau), Xiao Ce (Special Visitor). The council chamber doors are about to open. Please remain quiet and observe council order."

The alloy door slowly slid open to both sides, revealing the scene inside.

The council chamber was a large circular hall with a huge circular platform in the center, upon which three blurry figures of light and shadow floated.

The light and shadow are arranged in a triangle; the light and shadow on the left are blue, exuding a faint technological aura; the light and shadow on the right are red, conveying a sense of majesty and vigilance...